Kitchens around the world
Gulf Recipes
Spiced rice, tender meat and fragrant tea. Gulf cooking is rich, welcoming and made for guests.
About Gulf
Gulf cooking is about hospitality. Large platters of spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish are served to family and guests. Kabsa and machboos are well-known examples, along with fresh flatbreads and sweet dates.
Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, dried limes, saffron and turmeric flavor many dishes. Compared with Levantine food, Gulf cooking is more rice and meat centered, and less about fresh salads and mezze. It has more in common with Iraqi rice dishes, with a stronger use of dried limes and warm spices.
Questions folks ask
What is kabsa?
Kabsa is a spiced rice dish cooked with meat, usually chicken or lamb, and served on a large platter.
Which countries are in the Gulf?
The Gulf region usually includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.
What spices are used in Gulf cooking?
Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and dried limes are common.
Kitchen tips
- Toast whole spices to wake up their aroma.
- Brown the meat well before adding rice.
- Use the cooking broth to cook the rice for deeper flavor.
- Let rice rest, covered, before serving.
- Serve with a tomato chili sauce and a simple salad.