Believe it or not, Egypt isn't just pyramids, pharaohs and sea, this North African country is also well known throughout the globe for its cuisine. From desserts to digestives and mains to drinks, there's plenty to choose from while on your holidays.
Stuffed pigeon: We may see them as pests, but Egyptians consider pigeon to be a real delicacy. Often served at dinner parties and functions, they come stuffed with rice or 'frek', a cracked wheat, along with the lemon-based broth the pigeon is cooked in. Although not something you might normally eat, it's a wonderfully traditional dish that should be sampled when out for dinner in Egypt.
Another Egyptian delicacy that is well worth a try is shisha or hookah as it is often called in the western world. It is an Arabian water pipe that you smoke flavoured tobacco from. Types of tobacco vary from the likes of coffee and mint to melon and apple. You can also mix some of the flavours too, if you can't decide. Not only is it a fun activity, but it's also a social thing to do too as you share a pipe with several others. Originally it is a social substitute to drinking, which is often frowned upon in the Arab world.
Karkadeh: Purple to look at, Karkadeh is a refreshing drink that can be enjoyed cold or as an herbal tea. Obtained by boiling dried red hibiscus flowers and then chilled with water, this drink is a powerful force of vitamins and nutrients with Vitamin C the big factor. Many Egyptians drink it for to lower a high blood pressure - others because it's so delicious.
Om Ali: A sweet and rich dessert, Om Ali is a raisin cake most commonly served at the end of Ramadan. Made of puff pastry with nuts, raisins and coconut, and covered in hot sweetened milk and cream, this dessert is often likened to a rice pudding or bread-and-butter pudding. It also has a great legend and history behind it which, if you ask your waiter, they'll be pleased to tell you.
Stuffed pigeon: We may see them as pests, but Egyptians consider pigeon to be a real delicacy. Often served at dinner parties and functions, they come stuffed with rice or 'frek', a cracked wheat, along with the lemon-based broth the pigeon is cooked in. Although not something you might normally eat, it's a wonderfully traditional dish that should be sampled when out for dinner in Egypt.
Another Egyptian delicacy that is well worth a try is shisha or hookah as it is often called in the western world. It is an Arabian water pipe that you smoke flavoured tobacco from. Types of tobacco vary from the likes of coffee and mint to melon and apple. You can also mix some of the flavours too, if you can't decide. Not only is it a fun activity, but it's also a social thing to do too as you share a pipe with several others. Originally it is a social substitute to drinking, which is often frowned upon in the Arab world.
Karkadeh: Purple to look at, Karkadeh is a refreshing drink that can be enjoyed cold or as an herbal tea. Obtained by boiling dried red hibiscus flowers and then chilled with water, this drink is a powerful force of vitamins and nutrients with Vitamin C the big factor. Many Egyptians drink it for to lower a high blood pressure - others because it's so delicious.
Om Ali: A sweet and rich dessert, Om Ali is a raisin cake most commonly served at the end of Ramadan. Made of puff pastry with nuts, raisins and coconut, and covered in hot sweetened milk and cream, this dessert is often likened to a rice pudding or bread-and-butter pudding. It also has a great legend and history behind it which, if you ask your waiter, they'll be pleased to tell you.
About the Author:
Catherine McCulloch is a travel writer who often goes on trips to Egypt. Click here for great deals on places to stay and flights from MyTravel.
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