10 Arabian sweets that everyone in Qatar must try

Do you have a sweet tooth? Then, this post is for you!

I personally love sweets. May it be a party, an eat-out or just a calm meal at home, I always make it a point to have something sweet, either after the meal or at times in between.

And if it is to try out something new or traditional in the desserts domain, I am up for it anytime!

Have you ever given a thought to traditional desserts of Qatar or those which are enjoyed here?

Let’s find out more about these treats to relish upon.

Umm Ali: Ahhh!! My mouth is already watering!! Umm Ali is a delicious traditional Egyptian dessert equivalent to North America's bread pudding. The bread used for the dish is over dried and is served with milk and nuts. 

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Mehlabiya: A tasty, refreshing and light Middle-Eastern dessert. It is in the form of a thick custard like milk pudding that tastes heavenly with dry fruits in addition.

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Bakhlava: This delicacy originated from the Ottoman Empire. It is also found in Central and Southwest Asia. A delicious and rich sweet made up of layers of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts and held together with honey or syrup.

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Kunafa: This is a Levantine cheese pastry soaked in sugar-based syrup. It typically belongs to the regions of the Ottoman Empire.

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Esh asaraya: Considered a Qatari dish, Esh asaraya or Aish Al Saraya which literally traslates to 'Bread of a Royal Castle' is a form of cheesecake, made by using bread, topped with cream and nuts at times.

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Qatayef: An Arab dessert commonly served during the month of Ramadan. It is the result of batter being poured onto a round hot plate and appears similar to pancakes, except that it is only cooked on one side, then folded. The pastry is filled with either unsalted cheese or a mixture of any of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, raisins, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. It is then deep-fried or, less commonly, baked and served with a hot syrup or sometimes honey. It is at times made in the form of a sweet dumpling filled with cream and nuts. These pancakes are traditionally prepared by street vendors as well as households and are commonly found at Souq Waqif during Ramadan.

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Basboussa: This is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet cake made from cooked semolina or farina soaked in simple syrup. Coconut is a popular addition. The syrup may also optionally contain orange flower water or rose water.

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Malban: Malban is a famous Middle Eastern sweet made of dried exotic fruit paste and covered with nuts.

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Luqaimat: Also referred to as sweet dumplings, Luqaimat is an easy dish to make and appreciate. It is an Arabic sweet dish mainly made during Ramadan for iftars and other special occasions. These are fried balls dipped in sugar syrup. It is traditionally served with date honey and is an assured favourite of kids.

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Rez b Haleeb: Rice pudding is a universal dessert, found in many cultures, in different forms and under different names. Rez b Haleeb, literally meaning ‘Rice in Milk’, is a Lebanese dessert and is similar to a Rice Pudding or ‘Kheer’ as served in India and Pakistan. This is also served with pistachios and other nuts to give it a crunchy taste.

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Some sweets such as Baklava, Kunafa, Malban etc. are found readily available in the market which we all love to taste.

Which of these have you given a try??

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