We’ve been on a little hiatus lately due to a semester break. Not only did I have many essays to grade, but we were also busy getting ready for a huge trip that I’ve wanted to go on since I was a kid watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. We traveled to the famous stone city of Petra in Jordan and the Holy Land of Israel. Not only were there traditions still present that were thousands of years old, but the food has been honed over many generations and was some of the most delicious I’ve ever had!
We tried maqlaba, a Palestinian and Jordanian dish made with chicken, rice, nuts and spices.
We also had Zarb, a Bedouin chicken and vegetable barbecue-style dish that was cooked in an underground fire pit for hours before dinner.
Finally, after leaving Memphis and Texas we found some amazing restaurants run by American expats. For the first time in months and months we had some spicy hot wings and steak fries.
Maqlaba is definitely a comfort food. It’s like your aunt’s famous mac and cheese recipe that everyone begs her to bring during the holidays. The chicken, sauce and cauliflower are salty and savory, while the carrots bring a touch of sweetness.
