Bakra Eid or Eid-ul-Adha as it is popularly called is one of the most celebrated Muslim festivals across the world. This “Feast of Sacrifice” or “Sacrifice Feast” is the great sacrifice made to the Prophet by his devotee signifying his great faith and devotion to the almighty. This day will see Muslim families exchanging gifts, dressing in their finest embroidered outfits and, of course, eating traditional specialties. As ‘food’ is an integral part of the celebration, we cannot ignore that this festival is every meat lover’s dream come true. With a tantalizing spread of aromatic, rich and tempting delicacies, the meaty occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is much awaited for! Here are some of the best Bakr Eid delicacies from around the world that you can try in 2019
Also Read: Where To Get The Best Ramadan Food In India
Tajine
Tajine is popular across North Africa and is enjoyed especially during Bakr Eid celebrations. This delicious dish contains slow-cooked, savoury stews laced with ingredients like meat, steamed to a juicy perfection along with vegetables or fruits like plums or apricots. The meat is often chicken, although, for Eid, it can be lamb or beef as well. The dish was named after the earthenware triangular-shaped cooking pot in which it is cooked.
Biryani
Can we forget this annihilating heap of aromatic, spicy, princely rice dish when we are talking about Eid delicacies? I THINK NOT! This popular South Asian Dish is made of spiced rice, vegetables and mutton (can be any kind of meat, actually) and is served with raita (cucumber, mint and yoghurt dip), salad and pickles on the side. This show stopper of a dish is not only served during Bakr Eid but also during other celebrations as one can feed an entire crew with a classic biryani. Bringing meat and rice together with spices and herbs that simply explode in one’s mouth, Biryani is the ultimate experience. Am I right or am I right?
Ma’amoul
This traditional cookie is a favourite across the Middle-East on Eid Al Adha. These pastries are shaped in the form of domes, balls, or flat cookies and are filled with nuts, dates or figs. The filling has different variations and provides a deliciously sweet note on which to end the feast. These sweet cookies of Lebanese origin are also made in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria. In Iraq, these buttery, shortbread pastries are called as klaicha, while in Egypt they are called kahk, this time filled with a honey-based stuffing.
Roasted Lamb
How can we celebrate Bakr Eid without indulging ourselves with some spicy roast lamb? A popular and traditional Eid dish across the Middle East and Pakistan, each and every inch of this dish screams: Eid Mubarak!
For this heavenly dish, the meat is coated with spices, herbs, and butter, before being slow-roasted in an oven so that the flavor oozes out. The tenderer the texture of the meat is, the better it would taste. But again, people can roast it according to their own interests, food preferences or their cultures.
Bolani
Found in Afghanistan, Bolani is a thin-crusted bread stuffed with either leafy greens, such as spinach, potatoes, pumpkin or lentils. It is one of the most traditional Afghan dishes at this time of year and is particularly popular among young people especially children. Usually served as a side or an appetizer Bolani can be eaten as a main dish as well. It works as an amazing side snack in a table full of meaty dishes during Eid-ul-Adha and can be served with yoghurt.
Beef Rendang
Well-loved by many Malaysians, especially the Malay community, this dish is a spicy rich and creamy Malaysian/Indonesian beef stew made with beef, spices, and coconut milk. Said to be originated in Indonesia, this Eid classic is called “rendang daging” in the local language and is explosively flavorful. It is also enjoyed in Singapore, Brunei, and parts of the Philippines.
Sheer Khurma, or Sevaiyan
The holy grail of all Eid desserts across Central Asia, Sheer Khurma nails all the festive occasions with rich, subtle flavours and crunchy dry fruits. This creamy dish is a favourite in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It is prepared using vermicelli, milk, sugar, dates, and dried fruits. The roasted vermicelli is cooked in milk till it softens and the mixture thickens. Later, it is topped with a handful of fried dry fruits as well as an array of spices, depending on the country.
Lapis Legit
Influenced by its history of Dutch colonization, Indonesia’s lapis legit is an Indonesian take on a traditional Dutch layer cake. It’s made like a typical cake with flour, butter, and eggs, but contains Indonesian spices like cardamom, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It is perhaps one of the most time-consuming Eid dishes as each layer is made from poured and broiled batter, before being assembled into the finished product.
Maqluba
Consisting of fried vegetables, meat (usually chicken, turkey or lamb) and rice cooked together in a pot, it might sound very similar to Biryani. But the twist is that it is served upside down! Yes! All the ingredients are first is cooked together and then dumped upside down onto the plate. Popularly consumed throughout the Middle East especially in countries like Iraq and Syria, this dish is the perfect harmony of traditional Arabic spices. It ends up looking like a large savoury cake made up of rice and topped with meat.
Have you ever tried any of these traditional Bakr Eid dishes before? Tell us in the comments below and Eid Mubarak!
