I am a vegetarian and I will not hold myself from travelling to a place just because it is essentially a meat -eating society and I shall take the pains to explain to them in lengths that chicken and fish are not vegetarian. Yes! to name a few, Hongkong, Singapore and even in the mighty USA- I have been offered chicken and fish by the elegant crew at restaurants after explaining them I am a humble vegetarian.
I had already seen worst so when I planned my trip to Jordan I was prepared to eat Pita, Hummus and Falafael in all my meals.
I had already seen worst so when I planned my trip to Jordan I was prepared to eat Pita, Hummus and Falafael in all my meals.
Oh man! Delightful Vegetarian options...... Hallawa
My curiosity compelled me to take a bite from these big chunks served in the breakfast. It felt smooth, buttery and very much like sugary peanut butter. As I am a lover of peanut butter I took some more of it and gorged on it thinking I was eating Arabic version of peanut butter.
My hectic itinerary would not allow me to have very long conversations with the staff but at Dead Sea, I got some time to find out more about some interesting food I have been relishing.
Hallawa - This is an Arabic dish eaten in most Middle East Countries like Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine etc. It is made from Tahini which is a tan colour paste made out of sesame seeds and sugar syrup. They are outsourced from manufacturers who specialise in its production ( jordan and Lebanon) and can be stored for about a year. I was laughing at myself for what I thought was made of peanuts was actually made of sesame...high in calcium and very nutritious.
My hectic itinerary would not allow me to have very long conversations with the staff but at Dead Sea, I got some time to find out more about some interesting food I have been relishing.
Hallawa - This is an Arabic dish eaten in most Middle East Countries like Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine etc. It is made from Tahini which is a tan colour paste made out of sesame seeds and sugar syrup. They are outsourced from manufacturers who specialise in its production ( jordan and Lebanon) and can be stored for about a year. I was laughing at myself for what I thought was made of peanuts was actually made of sesame...high in calcium and very nutritious.
When the sides became Main for me!!
Oh my! Oh My!!! How can I take so much in my plate and how can I not taste bits of them.
LABNEH - Greek Yogurt is made by straining yougurt by keeping it tied in a muslin cloth so that it looses all its whey.
I relished all my meals in company of Labneh in all its forms, hummus, olives and its oil and the most crunchiest vegetables ( Greek cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce etc) I have ever eaten with freshly baked warm breads called Pita.
LABNEH - Greek Yogurt is made by straining yougurt by keeping it tied in a muslin cloth so that it looses all its whey.
I relished all my meals in company of Labneh in all its forms, hummus, olives and its oil and the most crunchiest vegetables ( Greek cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce etc) I have ever eaten with freshly baked warm breads called Pita.
Foul Muddamas- healthy and timeless
As a vegertarian the closest I could get to tasting traditional Arabic food is this dish called Foul ( pronounced as Ful) It is made of broad beans called Fava Beans and is always served in a traditional pot as seen in the picture. What makes it very interesting is the accompaniments like fresh lemon juice, chopped onions, spicy red chilli paste, olive oil and sumac that makes it delectable .
Sumac- This is a reddish- purple powder which finds its way into most Jordanian dips like hummus and Labneh making it spicy-sour the way we Indians like. It is made by grinding the seeds of the genus Rhus.
Sumac- This is a reddish- purple powder which finds its way into most Jordanian dips like hummus and Labneh making it spicy-sour the way we Indians like. It is made by grinding the seeds of the genus Rhus.
TripAdvisor's Recommendation- Tawaheen Al Hawa- Windmill Restaurant
I am afraid I am not a big fan of this capacious restaurant as it did not have too many vegetarian options and I found its hummus and labneh quite average. Though I must mention that their bread is to die for and they are very prompt in getting fresh bread to the table replacing the old ones. Jordanians eat fruits as desert so they serve a complementary fruit platter at each table and are happy to cut fruits for you at the end of your meal.