Egyptian Cuisine

Being one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Egyptian culture has not just influenced but has significantly contributed a number of food items that are part of our daily diets today. Be it mayonnaise or kababs, one can find a glimpse of Egyptian cuisine in the food cultures of other historic and surrounding civilizations. Bread and wine form a staple diet of the general public of this dry and arid country.

Traditional Egyptian Cuisine

Bread forms an important part of the Egyptian diet and most common type of bread eaten here is called pitta. Apart from bread, peas, cucumbers, figs and beans are popular vegetables used traditional Egyptian cuisine. Fasieekh, the dry, salted fish is one traditional dish which has found national and international popularity since ages. Once can see some major influences of other cultures like Lebanese, Palestine, Syria and even European countries like Italy. However, albeit the Egyptian cuisine absorbed certain aspects of these influential cultures, it did not loose its own unique taste and identity. And that is what makes this cuisine even more special.

Breakfast

Ful medamese is one of the most popular breakfast items of the Egyptian people. A simmering stew of beans, seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and other spices, this dish is a perfect starter for the day. The breakfast dishes are generally kept very simple with beans and eggs forming an important ingredient for most of the dishes. To add flavor to these ingredients garlic and onions are extensively used in generally all the dishes, which not just adds taste and flavor but is also helpful in bearing heat.

Lunch & Dinner

Egyptian lunches are much more elaborate and high on starch foods, followed with a siesta and a light dinner. Rice and bread form essential ingredients of the Egyptian meals, consumed with flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Though vegetables are significantly consumed in Egyptian cuisine, but they are generally used as sub-ingredients of most popular dishes. For example, Torly is a mixed-vegetable stew cooked with Lamb or beef. Kababs, are another major and one of the most popular delicacy of the Egyptian cuisine.

Dessert

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, an archetypal Egyptian meal will always be followed with some delicious sweets full of nuts. Basbousa or harissa is a sweet and spicy dish made from wheat and dipped in sweet syrup served with some almond toppings. Some other Egyptian desserts include Baklava, Kunafah, Kahk and Qatayef. Apple cakes and sponge cakes seasoned with spices and nuts also find a huge fan following in Egypt.