The Food of Oman: Recipes and Stories from the Gateway to Arabia
Omani wheat porridge with chicken (Harees)
Harees is one of the oldest recorded dishes on the planet today. It is also called harissa, arisa, haris or oriza and is the precursor to...
Zanzibari mashed green bananas (Ndizi Mbichi)
Green bananas, also called plantains, are a staple starch in India, especially in the south. But they are also shared across Africa....
Mashed chicken and rice (Madrouba)
Madrouba is a classic Omani dish. The name translates to beaten rice, but the dish consists of thickened rice and chicken porridge cooked...
Omani-spiced red lentils or Marak dal
Omani cuisine is complex, diverse, and wonderful. Historically, Oman played a critical role in the spice trade from Zanzibar to India;...
Slow-roasted lamb wrapped in banana leaves (Shuwa)
Shuwa is an iconic dish of Oman prepared for Eid festivals or weddings. Shuwa derives from the Arabic verb ‘shawaa,’ which means “to...
Omani peppery meat with spicy tamarind sauce (Mishakik)
The Omani Sultanate stood as an important stop for trade on the silk route. The flow of spices from the East and the flow of ivory,...
Swahili coconut shrimp curry (Kamba wa nazi)
This dish highlights the trade between the coast of Zanzibar, Oman and India. The three styles come together in perfect confluence. I...
Middle Eastern red onion and tomato spiced rice (Maqboos)
Maqboos is a dish endemic to the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. It is the national dish of Bahrain and is essential to the region's...
Zanzibari biryani
The legendary biryani from India travelled with spices along the ancient trade route through Oman to its one-time port stronghold of...
Zanzibari coconut creamed spinach (Mchicha wa nazi)
Zanzibari cuisine is regarded as one of the best in Africa. The island of Zanzibar has stood as an essential port for trade for...