Most of us now are forced to stay at home because of lockdown or self-quarantine, and it is difficult to go on an outing or travel abroad. It is time now to search for something we love to pass our time with, and there is nothing better than taking ourselves on a cooking adventure with the family at home, in other words, to enjoy a staycation at home with family by cooking. Let us try international dishes to live a part of the travel experience. That being said, you will find here a collection of delectable traditional Egyptian food recipes with the smell that will take you to a journey to Egypt during your homestay. The Egyptian cuisine is infused with spices, herbs, and garlic flavors that will boost your body and soul, and it includes as well tasty dessert dishes. We recommend the below authentic Egyptian recipes from different food websites and YouTube food recipes videos. Enjoy cooking!
Table of Contents
Fattah
Fattah is the ultimate authentic Egyptian dish. Mostly served on occasions and a must dish in the Islamic feast, Al-Adha Eid. It is a famous Egyptian tasty lamb dish. Fattah recipe consists of layers starting with Egyptian bread pieces soaked in the lamb broth, then the bread is topped with rice, and a lovely tomato sauce which is made with garlic and vinegar is added on rice, and the final layer is the lamb cubes. Egypt Today magazine has the authentic recipe in The Ultimate Egyptian Fattah.
Kofta Kebab
A mixture of ground beef and lamb meat is what makes the Egyptian Kofta Kebab recipe stands out, another reason is seasoning the meat with a special mixture of spices or Baharat. Learn how to make Egyptian grilled Kofta Kebab from The Mediterranean Dish in Kofta Kebab Recipe (with video).
Koshari
Koshari is definitely the national dish of Egypt, and the street food star. It is also a vegetarian dish, and with a flavor that bursts in your mouth. It is made with rice, pasta, and lentils, topped with a special tomato sauce made with garlic and vinegar, chickpea is added on the tomato sauce, and finally, topped with golden brown crispy onion flakes. Learn how to make the authentic Egyptian Koshary recipe after watching this video from Elwasfa, Koshary: A fiesta of Rice, Lentils, and Macaroni – Dina’s Oriental Kitchen.
Weka (Blended Okra)
Do you imagine that there is another traditional Egyptian dish made with almost the same way as Molokhia, it is Weka, the blended okra (Bamia)! It is cooked with meat or chicken broth and the magic ingredient Takleya (fried garlic). Weka is a very tasty ancient dish with the taste of south or upper Egypt, as its origin from Upper Egypt and Sudan. It is very famous in Luxor an Aswan, and we call it a Saeedy meal, usually eaten with Sun bread. The smell and the taste of this dish are unbeatable and deserve a try. This stewed okra recipe is easy, delicious, and simple. It can be prepared as well as a vegetarian okra soup when cooked with water instead of meat broth. Please find the recipe below from Ola Hosnyβs kitchen, olas_jojos_kitchen:
Weka (Blended Okra) Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 kilogram big chopped okra
- 3 cups water
- 1 big green pepper
- 2 green chili pepper
- 2 heads grated garlic
- 3 cups water or meat broth
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Boil chopped okra after removing the head from it in a pot with 3 cups of water only for minutes, not to be overcooked to stay green.
- Drain water from okra and leave it aside.
- Add one tsp of salt to the garlic. Take half the amount of grated garlic and add both green pepper and chili pepper in a blender and blend them all, then add boiled okra with 1 cup of water or broth and blend all together slightly.
- Put Weka (Okra) in a pot and add the rest of the broth and one tsp of salt over medium heat till you get a nice and thick mixture like Molokhia. When okra starts to boil turn off the heat.
- To prepare Tashaa-The operation of pouring Takleya over a dish-for Weka, heat both ghee and vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the rest of the garlic to be fried until golden brown.
- Pour Tasha over Weka and stir together.
- Serve Weka with Saeedy bread (Sun Bread).
Mahshi Warak Enab (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Egyptian Mahshi can be provided in different types. Many kinds of vegetables are stuffed with rice mixed with spices, herbs, and tomato sauce. It is cooked with meat broth, or it can be a vegan dish if cooked with water or vegetable broth. To add the healthy touch to the Mahshi, cook it with olive oil. The chosen recipe here is Mahshi Warak Enab or stuffed grape leaves. Take this small advice if you are a bell pepper fan, add two or three medium-sized stuffed green bell pepper to the dish and you will not regret it. Check how to make the dish by chef Maha Barsoom on Egyptian Stuffed Grape Leaves Recipe.
Check Also: Delicious Vegan Dishes to eat in Cairo: Vegan Food Guide
Molokhia
Egyptian Molokhia or green soup is very tasty and has many nutritional and health benefits. The soup is mainly made with meat broth, and it is flavored with Takleya or garlic sauce. This dish is the food of the soul to a lot of us. Best eaten with rice and with any kind of meat, or eaten with the Egyptian bread, thus the typical Egyptian dinner. There is an important step to do when making Molokhia, and it is making Tasha with Takleya. This action is a famous traditional Egyptian habit and what really makes Molokhia a charming dish.
So Tasha is when you pour fried garlic and coriander with ghee or butter (Takleya) over Molokhia, and as a result, you will receive a strong scent, lovely sound, and oriental taste. We found the perfect recipe at Amiraβs pantry in Best Molokhia; Egyptian Mulukhia.
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Bamia (Okra)
Egyptian Bamia recipe is prepared with or without meat. It is cooked in tomato sauce mixed with garlic, onion, and spices. The usual habit for serving this yummy plate is to squeeze lemon juice on it as per this recipe Egyptian Bamia (Okra Stew) from Globetrotting.
Hawawshi
Hawawshi is an authentic Egyptian sandwich, mostly served at lunch and dinner. The sandwich is loaded with minced meat mixed with vegetables, onion, spices, and herbs, the way of seasoning this dish is what gives it the great taste. This popular street food sandwich is made with Baladi bread or Pita bread and usually served with side dishes like Tahini dip, fried potato, and pickles.
Egyptian Hawawshi has many versions; The easy and quick one which is made by most of the Egyptian mothers to stuff Baladi bread with minced meat and let it cooked in the over, Another version is the spicy version made with chili, and of course, Hawawshi Iskandrani (Alexandrian Hawawshi) featured with making the bread dough to be cooked with the ground meat. The recipe provided is making Hawawshi dish from scratch, for bread and meat, and also tells about its history, EGYPT: HAWAWSHI. Enjoy!
Shakshuka
Have it for breakfast or brunch, or even for dinner, it is up to you. Egyptian Shakshuka is a special egg dish loaded with vegetables, tomato sauce, onion, and garlic. In order to make the best Shakshuka ever, watch the recipe from Food Wishes, Shakshuka – Eggs Poached in Spicy Tomato Pepper Sauce.
Feteer Meshaltet
It is a mouthwatering Egyptian layered pastry, usually served with old cheese and honey if you want to live the Egyptian experience. This flaked pie is a traditional ancient Egyptian food, it can be provided plain or can be filled with cheese, vegetables, or with your choice of meat. Try this recipe in Feteer meshaltet βEgyptian layered pastryβ.
Ful Medames (Egyptian Fava Beans)
Ful Medames or Foul Mudammas is a fava beans dip, another famous national dish in Egypt. Most of the Egyptian families are used to serve Foul daily at breakfast or at least on Friday breakfast, it can be served as well for lunch or dinner. The dish is nutritious and full of flavor, it is also a vegan dish for those who are looking for tasty vegetarian food. It is believed that Ful Medames is traced back to Ancient Egypt then spread out to be a famous Mediterranean dish.
Ful Medames has many versions in Egypt, the top two famous versions are Foul Eskandarani or Alexandrian Foul-spicy foul made with Shatta or chili and mixed with tomato and onion- and Ful Medames Bel Zeit El-Har (with flaxseed oil). To completely enjoy the dish, eat it with Eish Baladi or pita bread, squeeze lime or lemon, sprinkle cumin, and add Tahini. Foul dip can be made with canned or dried fava beans. This Egyptian fava beans recipe is showing how to make Foul Mudammas from scratch, Ful Medames (Egyptian Stewed fava beans).
Falafel
it is called also Taameya, and it is a famous Egyptian food dish for breakfast. The paste ingredients are simply split Fava Beans mixed with tasty herbs like parsley and cilantro, spices, onions, and garlic. A successful Falafel should end up fluffy and crispy after frying, and it is usually served with pita bread and Tahini sauce. Any vegan person would love this delicious plate. Check the Egyptian Falafel recipe made by Gamila Salem in Allrecipies, Ta’ameya (Egyptian Falafel).
Bessara (Egyptian Fava Bean Dip)
This humble creamy vegan dip is healthy and with a touch of crispness, it is made with boiled fava beans mixed with herbs like parsley, coriander, and dill. Tasty fried caramelized onions are sprinkled on the top of the dish. The recipe is delicious as fava beans and herbs are flavored with onion and garlic. Try this authentic ancient dish after reading this Egyptian Bessara recipe, Egyptian fava beans and herbs dip (Egyptian Bessara).
Aish Baladi ( Egyptian Flatbread)
Baladi bread is an important food item usually eaten at any time with any meal during the day at any Egyptian house, and it is made with whole wheat flour. Making a successful home bread is a great experience, not to mention the fresh taste and the amazing smell. And because there are now several callouts to make your own bread at home, try this time the Egyptian bread version recipe from this YouTube video Egyptian Balady Bread/ National bread of Egypt by Miriam’s Kitchen.
Umm Ali Dessert
Umm Ali dish is a famous traditional Egyptian dessert. The dish has a history; it is named after a famous story that happened during the Mamluk era, as Umm Ali (Aliβs mother), the first wife of Sultan Ezz El-Din Aybak created the dish as a kind of celebration after defeating the Sultanβs second wife Shajarat Al-Durr. It is simple and very delicious; Raisins and mixed nuts are the main ingredients added to the puff pastry with milk. This recipe is using palmiers as a type of puff pastry in Best Ever Om Ali (Egyptian Bread Pudding).
Qatayef
Ramadan is around the corner, and Egyptians will celebrate the holy month with different rituals including eating special Ramadan desserts like Qatayef that goes back to the Fatimid period. This delectable treat is an Arabian pancake stuffed with different fillings like nuts, cream, and cheese. It is fried and covered with syrup. In order to know how to make Qatayef (Katayef) batter, check this recipe which provides different tasty fillings, Egyptian Qatayef With Sweetened Cheese, Nuts, Or Banana Filling.
Lokmet El-Kady (Egyptian Zalabia)
Zalabia is a fried ball dough, distinguished with the joy of crunchiness from the outside and softness from the inside, and covered with syrup, honey, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate. This lovely sweet treat is eaten at any time of the day and a lot of Egyptians enjoy eating it hot. Lokmet El Kady is served a lot during the holy month of Ramadan, and it is a popular street food in Egypt. Egyptian Zalabia dessert recipe is simple and rewarding. Watch this video to know How to make Loukoumat/ Zalabia/ Loukmet El Kady recipe.
Looking To Try Street Food In Cairo, Check These Tours:
Local Oriental Food Tour From Cairo Or Giza Hotels
Featured Image Credit: Egyptian Koshari photo by Basma – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
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