Virginia Woolf, renowned writer and suffragette once wrote: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
We couldn’t agree more — food can define a travel experience, inspire a trip, or be the tool to meet new friends... and there are few places where this is more true than the Middle East.
So if you’re off to explore the street stalls of Tel Aviv, the rural villages of Jordan, or the icons of Egypt, make sure you keep an eye out for these delicious dishes. Better yet, let Sure Travel and Trafalgar help you plan your next foodie adventure without the hassle!
Hummus is a staple chickpea dip eaten across Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean countries but the Jordanians have their own special recipe. When visiting Jordan, keep an eye out for fattet hummus. This is the classic hummus dip but layered with torn up pieces of pita bread, for added texture.
Mansaf is a traditional Jordanian dish of lamb, cooked in a sauce of fermented yoghurt, served on a bed of rice or bulgur, and topped with pine nuts. Known as Jordan’s national dish, this pot of deliciousness is always found at occasions such as weddings, births, funerals and graduations.
You may not have heard of moutabel but this aubergine-based dip is the authentic Middle Eastern version of baba ganoush. Smokier than the typical baba ganoush found in the Western world, moutabel is made with roasted aubergine, tahini and cumin, and served with warm pita bread.
Tempted to try Jordan and travel across desert landscapes to the "red rose" of Petra? Trafalgar’s 5-night Jordan Experience is priced from R21,800 per person sharing for travel between 20 June to 1 August 2019.
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Egypt may be part of North Africa but it is closer — culturally speaking — to most Middle Eastern countries, particularly when talking about its culinary influences. Kosahari is Egypt’s national dish. It is served in almost every restaurant, in every Egyptian home and on nearly every street corner.
This highly popular dish is an unusual combination of lentils, macaroni noodles and rice, topped with a spicy tomato sauce that uses chick peas, fried onions and a special Middle Eastern spice blend.
This is perfect for vegetarians. A green creamy mash, Bessara is made with simple, cheap ingredients: fava (broad) beans, onions, garlic and lots of fresh herbs, which give it the unique green colour. It is served with Egyptian bread and green onions.
Can we entice you to uncover the temples and pyramids? Visit now for R34,900 per person sharing with Trafalgar's 9-day Best of Egypt experience (valid for select departures between 1 May and 18 September 2019), or for R42,500 for the 12-day Wonders of Egypt itinerary (valid for select departures between 30 April and 31 October 2019).
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Israeli food is popular worldwide for offering healthy and delicious vegetarian snack foods.
Sabich is an Israeli sandwich (made in a pita) which is particularly popular in the metropolitan area of Tel Aviv. The bread is stuffed with aubergine and boiled egg, and is traditionally eaten by Iraqi and Israeli Jews on the morning of Shabbat. Nowadays, it can be found on every street corner of the big cities and slowly emigrating beyond the borders of Israel.
Kanafeh is a Middle Eastern dessert that satisfies both sweet and savoury cravings. It’s a pastry made of shredded filo, soaked in syrup and filled with a stretchy, soft cheese. Topped with cream or nuts, this gooey desert is found across the Levantine region but is particularly popular in Palestine, Israel and Lebanon.
Experience Trafalgar's 9-day Best of Israel itinerary (starting from R39,200 per person sharing for travel between 2 May and 12 December 2019) and try out some Israeli street food for yourself.
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Get in touch with your nearest Sure Travel agency for a quote or to book your next trip. Call +27 (0)861 47 48 49 or visit us at www.suretravel.co.za/agencies.