Baku Kitchen! An independent reference of traditional food

Iraq

Iraq’s food is built around mesopotamian cuisine of river fish, date syrup, rice specialties and slow stews from Baghdad to Mosul. Look for Masgouf (butterflied river carp slow-grilled upright by embers; Tigris riverside icon), Iraqi dolma (vegetables and vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, pomegranate-soured) and Kubba (stuffed rice or bulgur croquettes; Mosul’s flat disc version famed). Carp split open, propped on stakes around a fire and finished over embers; Baghdad’s Abu Nuwas street was lined with masgouf grills. This atlas has 32 Iraq dishes catalogued below, from everyday cooking to food kept for festivals and special occasions.

32 dishes.

AmbaAmbafenugreek-turmeric pickled mango sauce, Basra's gift to falafel standsBajilla bil dihinBajilla bil dihinBoiled broad beans in their skins served over bread with hot fat and egg.DibisDibisdark date syrup, stirred into tahini or drizzled over breadGeymarGeymarthick buffalo-milk clotted cream eaten with honey and breadIraqi biryaniIraqi biryanirice with vermicelli, raisins, nuts, peas and fried chicken, tossed at the tableIraqi dolmaIraqi dolmavegetables and vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, pomegranate-souredIraqi teaIraqi teastrong sweet tea in istikan glasses, brewed dark over samovarKahiKahicrisp layered pastry drenched in syrup, topped with geymarKashkKashkdried fermented whey, soaked and beaten into a tangy grey creamKleichaKleichacardamom cookies spiraled with date paste; the national cookieKubbaKubbastuffed rice or bulgur croquettes; Mosul's flat disc version famedKubbat HalabKubbat HalabRice-shell croquettes filled with minced meat and almonds, deep fried golden.Kubbat MosulKubbat MosulWide flat bulgur disc stuffed with spiced meat, sliced into wedges.LablabiLablabiHot chickpeas in cumin broth, ladled into bowls on cold evenings.MakhlamaMakhlamaEggs broken over minced lamb, tomato and onion in a hot pan.Mann al-samaMann al-samawhite nougat of wild manna whipped with egg white and pistachiosMargat bamiaMargat bamiaokra and lamb stew soured with tamarind, eaten over riceMasgoufMasgoufbutterflied river carp slow-grilled upright by embers; Tigris riverside iconNoomi BasraNoomi Basradried black limes, boiled then sun-dried, crushed into stews and brewed as teaPachaPachasheep's head and trotters simmered overnight; weekend ritualQeemaQeemaminced meat and chickpea stew ladled over plain riceQuziQuziwhole roasted lamb over spiced rice with nuts and raisinsSamoonSamoondiamond-shaped stone-oven bread, Iraq's daily loafShakar lamaShakar lamaCrumbly cardamom shortbread cookies eaten with tea at Eid.Sharbat zabibSharbat zabibDark raisin infusion, sweet and cooling, served iced in Ramadan.ShinenaShinenasalted yoghurt drink served ice-cold with kebabs and riceTashreebTashreebflatbread soaked in rich lamb or chicken broth with chickpeasTepsi baytinijanTepsi baytinijantray of fried aubergine, meatballs, potato and tomato baked togetherTimman bagillaTimman bagilladill rice with fava beans, topped with lamb shank or eggTorshiTorshisalt-brined turnips, carrots, limes and peppers, stained pink with beetrootZalabiaZalabiaCoils of batter fried crisp and soaked in saffron and cardamom syrup.ZardaZardaSweet saffron rice with sugar, cardamom, rosewater and nuts.

  • Iraqi dolma

    Vegetables and vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, pomegranate-soured. Ready in 1 hr 15 min prep and 1 hr…

  • Amba

    Fenugreek-turmeric pickled mango sauce, Basra’s gift to falafel stands. Ready in 30 min prep and 20 min cooking. 1 large…

  • Bajilla bil dihin

    Boiled broad beans in their skins served over bread with hot fat and egg. Ready in 10 minutes prep and…

  • Dibis

    Dark date syrup, stirred into tahini or drizzled over bread. Ready in 20 min prep and 4 hr cooking. About…

  • Geymar

    Thick buffalo-milk clotted cream eaten with honey and bread. Ready in 10 min prep and 2 hours cooking. Makes about…

  • Iraqi tea

    Strong sweet tea in istikan glasses, brewed dark over samovar. Ready in 5 minutes prep and 25 minutes cooking. Serves…

  • Iraqi biryani

    Rice with vermicelli, raisins, nuts, peas and fried chicken, tossed at the table. Ready in 45 minutes prep and 1…

  • Kahi

    Crisp layered pastry drenched in syrup, topped with geymar. Ready in 30 min prep and 20 min cooking. 6 servings.…

  • Kashk

    Dried fermented whey, soaked and beaten into a tangy grey cream. Ready in 30 min prep and 40 min cooking.…

  • Kleicha

    Cardamom cookies spiraled with date paste; the national cookie. Ready in 1 hr prep and 25 min cooking. About 40.…