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FOODS OF THE SAUDIS

The people of Saudi Arabia are very traditional and eat the same foods they have eaten for centuries.

The average meal of the Bedouin nomads who remain in Saudi Arabia is much simpler than that of the urban Saudis

who make up the majority of Saudi Arabia's population today. However, the basic ingredients are the same: fava beans, wheat, rice, yogurt, dates, and chicken are staple foods for all Saudis. Saudi Arabia has over 18 million date palms that produce 600 million pounds of dates

each year.

Saudis rank as the highest consumers of chickens in the world, eating an average of 88.2 pounds of chicken per person per year.

Saudis are strict Muslims and, following Islamic law, do not eat pork or drink alcohol.

Lamb is traditionally served to honored guests and at holiday feasts. According to Islamic law,

animals must be butchered in a particular way and blessed before they can be eaten, so Saudi Arabia is the world's largest importer of live sheep.

Camel (or sheep or goat) milk has long been the staple of the Bedouin diet, and dairy products are still favorites with all Saudis.

Yogurt is eaten alone, used in sauces, and made into a drink called a lassi. Flat breads— fatir,

a flat bread cooked on a curved metal pan over a fire, and kimaje, similar to pita—are the other mainstay of the nomadic diet

that are eaten by all Saudis. These breads are used at every meal, in place of a fork or spoon, to scoop up other foods.

Saudi Kabsa Recipe

Kabsa, is a rice dish that is served mostly in Saudi Arabia, and the other Gulf countries. Chicken kabsa recipe is one of the most popular dishes in Saudi Arabia and is considered a staple. There are various methods to prepare Saudi kabsa. Let's try one!!

Ingredients:

• One whole chicken, cut into four pieces
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can of tomato puree
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• Salt to taste
• 1 pound of long grain rice
• 1 teaspoon of mixed spices
  
  

  Preparation:

• Sautee onion in oil until it begins to brown.
• Add the chicken pieces, tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and garlic and stir for about five minutes over low heat. Stir in two cups of hot water, the spices, and salt to taste
• Cook over medium heat, covered, for about 18-20 minutes, until chicken is done.
• Remove chicken and set aside to keep warm. Stir rice into the liquid in the pan, and cook, covered over low heat for about 30 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
• Put rice on a serving platter with chicken pieces over it and serve it with Lassi drink and pickles.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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