Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Bahrain

Bahrain’s food is built around island Gulf cuisine of sweet muhammar rice, fresh fish and centuries-old halwa makers. Look for Machboos (spiced rice with chicken or fish and dried lime), Muhammar (sweet date-syrup rice paired with fried or grilled fish) and Halwa Bahraini (gelatinous saffron-cornstarch sweet with nuts, made since the 1850s). Rice cooked with fish or meat, dried lime and baharat, often made with the local hamour or safi. This atlas has 24 Bahrain dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

24 dishes.

Arabic coffeeArabic coffeecardamom and saffron coffee served in tiny cups with datesBahraini datesBahraini dateskhunaizi and khasab dates from island groves, eaten with coffeeBajellaBajellabroad beans boiled with cumin, lime and chilli, eaten with hot breadBalaleetBalaleetcardamom vermicelli with saffron and eggGaboutGaboutDough dumplings simmered in a spiced meat and tomato stew.Halwa BahrainiHalwa Bahrainigelatinous saffron-cornstarch sweet with nuts, made since the 1850sHareesHareesvelvety wheat-meat porridge topped with gheeKarakKarakmilky spiced tea from roadside cafeteriasKhanfarooshKhanfarooshSmall fried cakes of rice flour, saffron, cardamom and rosewater.Khubz tannourKhubz tannourflatbread slapped onto the wall of a clay oven and eaten hotLabanLabanSalted drinking yoghurt served ice cold with machboos and grilled fish.LuqaimatLuqaimatsyrup-soaked crisp fried dough ballsMachboosMachboosspiced rice with chicken or fish and dried limeMahyawaMahyawapungent fermented anchovy sauce spread on flatbreadMalehMalehSalted fish packed in brine, cooked with rice or eaten with bread.MuhammarMuhammarsweet date-syrup rice paired with fried or grilled fishMukhallalMukhallalturmeric-yellow pickled vegetables served beside rice dishesNakhiNakhihot boiled chickpeas dressed with cumin and limeRangeenaRangeenaPitted dates covered in toasted flour cooked with ghee and cardamom.SaloonaSaloonahome-style spiced meat and vegetable stewSamak safiSamak safigrilled rabbitfish, the island's favourite catch, served with rice and limeSamboosaSamboosathin fried pastry triangles of meat, cheese or vegetablesThareedThareedThin regag bread soaked in meat and vegetable stew until soft.ZalabiaZalabiaCoils of batter fried crisp and soaked in saffron and cardamom syrup.

  • Bahraini dates

    Khunaizi and khasab dates from island groves, eaten with coffee. Ready in 5 minutes prep and none cooking. A bowl…

  • Bajella

    Broad beans boiled with cumin, lime and chilli, eaten with hot bread. Ready in 10 minutes prep and 1 hour…

  • Balaleet

    Cardamom vermicelli with saffron and egg. Ready in 10 min prep and 25 min cooking. 4 servings. A breakfast recipe…

  • Gabout

    Dough dumplings simmered in a spiced meat and tomato stew. Ready in 35 minutes prep and 1 hour 15 minutes…

  • Khanfaroosh

    Small fried cakes of rice flour, saffron, cardamom and rosewater. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. About…

  • Khubz tannour

    Flatbread slapped onto the wall of a clay oven and eaten hot. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 20 minutes…

  • Laban

    Salted drinking yoghurt served ice cold with machboos and grilled fish. Ready in 5 min prep and none cooking. Serves…

  • Mahyawa

    Pungent fermented anchovy sauce spread on flatbread. A sauce & condiment recipe from Bahrain.

  • Maleh

    Salted fish packed in brine, cooked with rice or eaten with bread. Ready in 20 minutes prep and 45 minutes…

  • Mukhallal

    Turmeric-yellow pickled vegetables served beside rice dishes. Ready in 30 minutes prep and 10 minutes cooking. Makes 2 medium jars.…