El Rgaga الرقاقه أو المكامير El Rgaga (aka Al Makameer) is a traditional dish from the countryside around Daraa, a city in the southwest of Syria near the border with Jordan. When there is a big occasion with many guests, groups of neighbourhood women get together and make a big batch. Many layers of thinly […]

Bulgur Bandoura برغل ببندورة Bulgur, whole wheat that has been parboiled, dried and then cracked, is one of the very nutritious staple grains in Syrian cuisine. It comes in a range of colours, from pale yellow to dark brown, and grinds, from very fine to coarse. In this classic dish, bulgur is cooked with tomatoes […]

Mahashi Bialllahma محاشي باللحمة -or- Mahashi Nabatia محاشي نباتية Stuffed vegetables were cherished by the former Ottoman Empire, and they made them popular from the Balkans to the Levant. Pale green young zucchinis are very popular, but almost any vegetable can be Mashi (stuffed). Today it's a combination of eggplants (batenjan), tomatoes (bandoura) and peppers […]

Fatteh Djaj فتتة جاج Fatteh (فتّة‎‎ meaning crushed or crumbs) is a broad category of Levantine dishes made with pieces of crispy flatbread layered with yogurt and other ingredients. It is popular across Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Southern Syria, but uncommon further North. This dish is so closely associated with Syrian food that it […]

Kibbeh Summaqiyah كبة سماقية Kibbeh in sumac sauce are a specialty of Aleppo, considered by many to be the culinary capital of Syria. Kibbeh – egg-sized elongated balls of finely ground spiced halal beef and bulgur stuffed with a ground beef and nut mixture, are fried and then topped with a tangy, dark red sumac-infused […]

Sayadieh صيادية Fish and seafood is something of a rarity in Syrian cuisine, but it does appear in the specialities of areas along the Mediterranean coast in the East. In this dish (roughly translated as "fisherman's dish"), white fish (tilapia) is delicately seasoned with a blend of warm spices (baharat), and served atop long grain […]

For this very unique speciality of Aleppo, I found this lovely summary by food blogger Corinne Mossati: "The people of Aleppo have a shared passion. Not only do they pride themselves in food that is steeped in culinary traditions and guard their recipes close to heart, they undeniably affirm their cuisine as the best in […]

Kabsa كبسة‎‎ Kabsa is a family of rice dishes believed to be indigenous to Saudi Arabia, where it is commonly regarded as a national dish. I can be found in most Arab states of the Persian Gulf (where it is also known as makbūs مكبوس‎‎), and into Jordan, Palestine and Southern Syria. These dishes are […]

Yabrak يبرق Stuffed grape vine leaves can be found on tables all around the Eastern Mediterranean. This Syrian recipe, features a ground beef and rice filling seasoned generously with parsley, mint, onion and black pepper. Some cooks add a bit of finely ground coffee that adds complexity and depth. They are cooked in a tangy […]