Food and Hospitality in Palestine Part Two

Food and Hospitality in Palestine Part Two

Hospitality In Palestine:

   Surprisingly, Palestine is known to be a very hospitable country even if you are a total stranger. If you are walking down a street in Palestine, it is custom for even strangers to greet you and welcome you into their home. Usually, the host will invite you into their home around three times. You should decline the first two times to be polite. If you do want to enter the person's house, you can politely accept the invitation the third time. Once you enter the person's home you will be offered coffee or tea.  You should drink the coffee to be polite because you are in the hands of the host. Traditionally, the coffee that will be offered to you contains cardamom, a spice. This coffee usually does not contain sugar; however, if you look foreign they might give you a slightly sweetened version. After coffee, you will be offered food. A traditional plate that they will offer you is Maqluba. Palestine takes great pride in being hospitable. 

Source: http://blog.toursinenglish.com/2012/02/palestinian-hospitality.html

Food and Hospitality in Palestine

Food and Hospitality in Palestine

Food:

1.) Knafeh with walnuts:

Knafeh with walnuts is a very popular and common dessert in Palestine. It is known to be easy to make and is a cheese pastry that is soaked in sugar based syrup. Knafeh does not have to be made with only walnuts. Instead you can use cashews, pistachios, or another type of nut. 

2.) Traditional Palestinian Maftoul:

Traditional Palestinian Maftoul is known as a warm comfort dish in Palestine. Maftoul is made of wheat that is sun-dried and then rolled in whole wheat flour. Chickpeas and spices are usually added to this dish to make the flavor more complex.

3.) Eggplant Maklouba:

Eggplant Maklouba is usually made with lamb meat; however, you can use chicken if you prefer. Maklouba means upside down because this dish looks like an upside down cake. It is a very traditional dinner dish as well. 

Source for the foods listed above: http://shahiya.com/english/recipes/cuisine/palestinian/0

4.) Recipe for Qatayef:

This is a special dessert made in Palestine during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Cake
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
Vegetable oil for frying
Walnut-cheese filling
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup goat cheese
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon orange-blossom water
Orange blossom–cinnamon syrup
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons orange-blossom water

Source: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Qatayef-366170