Dubai Thali

 

Introduction:

 

I remember the first time I encountered a Dubai Thali while visiting the UAE, and I was instantly captivated by the harmony of flavors and textures on my plate. The array of dishes, from fragrant rice to spicy curries and fresh salads, felt like a miniature tour of the region's culinary culture. I was especially struck by how each bite told a story of the Middle East’s rich food traditions, blending spices and ingredients in such a unique way.

Later, I found myself recreating the Dubai Thali at home, trying to capture the authentic taste that left a lasting impression on me. It was a fun and rewarding challenge, experimenting with different spice blends and techniques to get it just right. Now, every time I make it, I’m reminded of that first experience and how food can transport you back to a special place and time.

 

Ingredients of Dubai Thali

 

Hummus:

• 1½ cup chickpeas, soaked
• Water as required
• ½ tsp salt
• 9-10 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp curd
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ tsp jeera powder
• Chickpea water as required

Pickled Vegetables:

• Water as required
• ½ cup vinegar
• 1 pc star anise
• 12-15 pcs black pepper
• 1 pc bay leaf
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup beetroot batons
• 4-5 pcs green chili
• ½ cup carrot batons
• ½ cup cucumber batons
• 1 tbsp feta cheese

Falafel:

• 1½ cup chickpeas, soaked
• ½ cup chopped spring onion
• ½ cup parsley
• A handful of coriander leaves
• ¼ cup mint leaves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp jeera powder
• 3 pcs banana chili
• 10-12 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp besan (gram flour)
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• ¼ tsp black pepper powder

Pita Bread:

• ½ cup warm milk
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp yeast
• 2 cups refined flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tbsp olive oil
• Water as required

Fattoush Salad:

• 1 pc green capsicum
• 1 pc onion
• 1 pc tomato
• 1 pc cucumber
• 1 pc iceberg lettuce
• 1 tbsp sliced olives

Dressing:

• ½ pc lemon juice
• ½ tsp black pepper, crushed
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ tbsp chopped coriander
• ½ tsp mixed herbs

Toum:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 12-15 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• A pinch of salt
• ½ pc lemon juice

 

Instructions of Dubai Thali

 

Step 1: Prepare Hummus

Pressure Cook Chickpeas
Soak chickpeas overnight and pressure cook them for 4-5 whistles with water and salt until tender.

Blend Ingredients
In a blender, combine the cooked chickpeas, garlic, tahini, curd, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and jeera powder. Adjust consistency by adding reserved chickpea water as needed until smooth.

 

Step 2: Pickle Vegetables

Boil Pickling Liquid
In a saucepan, bring water, vinegar, star anise, black pepper, bay leaf, coriander seeds, sugar, and salt to a boil.

Pickle Vegetables
Add beetroot, green chili, carrot, and cucumber batons to the boiling liquid. Remove from heat and let the vegetables marinate until they are pickled.

 

Step 3: Make Falafel

Roast Banana Chilies
Roast the banana chilies over a flame until charred, then roughly chop them.

Grind Ingredients
Grind soaked chickpeas, spring onion, parsley, coriander, mint, roasted banana chilies, garlic, and sesame seeds into a coarse mixture. Add besan, baking soda, jeera powder, salt, and black pepper.

Shape and Fry
Shape the mixture into small balls or patties and deep fry them until golden and crispy.

 

Step 4: Prepare Pita Bread

Activate Yeast
Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast, and let it sit for a few minutes until frothy.

Make Dough
In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and mix to form a dough. Add olive oil and water gradually, kneading until soft. Let the dough rise.

Shape and Cook
Roll the dough into small rounds and cook on a hot pan or bake until the bread puffs and turns golden.

 

Step 5: Fattoush Salad and Toum

Prepare Salad
Chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces and toss them with sliced olives. Whisk dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Crumble feta cheese on top.

Blend Toum
In a blender, combine mayonnaise, garlic, olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, blending until smooth and creamy.

 

 

About the Recipe:

 

The Dubai Thali is a beautifully curated platter that showcases the diverse flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine. It brings together a variety of small dishes, offering a complete meal that balances different textures, tastes, and aromas. This thali often features fragrant rice, flavorful curries, tangy chutneys, salads, and sometimes a sweet treat to end the meal on a high note.

What I love most about the Dubai Thali is its versatility—you can adapt it to your preferences by adding or swapping dishes. Whether you’re a fan of spicy curries or prefer mild, aromatic stews, the thali allows you to explore different flavors in one meal. It’s perfect for gatherings or when you want to treat yourself to a special, indulgent dining experience at home.

 

Cooking Tips:

 

• Prep in advance: Since the Dubai Thali includes multiple components, it's a good idea to prepare some dishes ahead of time. You can make the chutneys, rice, or curries a day earlier to ease the cooking process on the day you plan to serve it.
• Balanced seasoning: Each dish in the thali has its own unique flavor, so be mindful of seasoning. Ensure that no dish is overpowering in spice or salt so that the flavors complement each other harmoniously.
• Fresh herbs: Garnish your dishes with freshly chopped herbs like cilantro or mint just before serving. This will elevate the flavors and give the meal a fresh, vibrant finish.
• Presentation matters: Serve the Dubai Thali on a large plate or thali tray, with small bowls for each dish. This not only makes it look more authentic but also helps keep the flavors separate until they’re ready to be mixed.

 

Pairing Guide:

 

• Mint Lemonade: A refreshing drink like mint lemonade works beautifully with the Dubai Thali. The citrusy notes cleanse the palate between bites of the rich and flavorful dishes.
• Raita: A simple yogurt raita with cucumber or mint is a great side to cool down the spicier curries and add a creamy texture to the meal.
• Bread and Pickles: Serve some warm pita bread or naan alongside the thali to scoop up the curries. A side of tangy pickles will also enhance the savory flavors of the dishes.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

1. What is a Dubai Thali? A Dubai Thali is a platter featuring a variety of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, often including rice, curries, chutneys, and salads, showcasing the diverse flavors of Dubai and the surrounding regions.

2. What are the typical components of a Dubai Thali? A typical Dubai Thali includes a combination of rice, one or two curries, chutneys, salads, bread like pita or naan, and sometimes a sweet dessert to complete the meal.

3. Is Dubai Thali spicy? The spice level in a Dubai Thali can vary depending on the curries and chutneys used. Some dishes may be spicy, while others are mild and aromatic. You can adjust the spice level to suit your preferences.

4. Can I prepare a Dubai Thali in advance? Yes, several components of a Dubai Thali, like the chutneys, rice, and curries, can be prepared a day in advance. This helps reduce cooking time when you're ready to serve the thali.

5. Is Dubai Thali vegetarian? While traditional Dubai Thalis can include non-vegetarian options like chicken or lamb curries, they can easily be adapted to be fully vegetarian by using vegetable-based dishes.

6. What type of rice is best for a Dubai Thali? Basmati rice is commonly used in a Dubai Thali, as its long grains and fragrant aroma complement the spices and flavors of the curries and sides.

7. What drinks pair well with Dubai Thali? Mint lemonade or a spiced yogurt drink (lassi) pairs wonderfully with Dubai Thali, helping to balance the richness and spice of the dishes.

8. Can I customize the Dubai Thali? Absolutely! The beauty of a Dubai Thali lies in its versatility. You can swap out curries, add salads or chutneys, and adjust the spice level to suit your personal taste.

9. What’s the best way to serve a Dubai Thali? It’s best served on a large thali tray or plate with small bowls for each dish. This helps keep the flavors separate and makes for a beautiful presentation.

10. How can I make my Dubai Thali authentic? To make your Dubai Thali authentic, use traditional Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, and cardamom in your curries. Fresh herbs and a proper balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors are key to achieving an authentic taste.