In the Arab world, food is never just food. Each dish is a story, a memory, a way of keeping alive traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.
With Thermomix®, making traditional recipes like these is a way to reinforce that connection to the source, so that you can continue to enjoy your culture, your neighbourhood, your identity. Reviving those flavours and aromas that are so much a part of you is also a way of feeling close to home, wherever you happen to be.
And so, before embarking on a journey that will take us to the heart of each country’s gastronomy, let’s have a look at what they all have in common:
• Bread is not just an accompaniment; it symbolizes abundance and, in many cultures, is the real centrepiece of any meal.
• Spices are the soul of Arab cuisine. And while each country has its own special combinations, there is a common aromatic base to them all.
• Legumes and grains like wheat, rice, semolina and bulgur have for centuries been the foundation of Arab cuisine.
• Meat is usually reserved for celebrations, family gatherings and occasions that bring one’s closest acquaintances together around the table.
• A balance of sweet and savoury, along with the use of dried fruits, nuts, yoghurt and other dairy products, is a sign of identity in many recipes.
• Sharing is part of the experience. From simple mezze to the more elaborate family-style dishes, the table is a place of conviviality, conversation and hospitality.
• More than a collection of recipes, the gastronomic tradition of the Arab world is a living patrimony, transmitted orally from generation to generation.
