Egyptian cuisine is based mainly on wheat and barley, that is grown along the banks of River Nile. Bread is a staple diet of people here. The pita type bread is either made of whole wheat - aish baladi, or white flour - aysh shami. Among beverages, beer is the national drink. It is made of barley, and spices are added for flavor. Egyptian wine making has been practiced since ancient times. It is made from a variety of fruits, like grapes, dates, pomegranates, plums, and palms. This cuisine uses variety of vegetables, such as molokhiya (a spinach-like vegetable), beets, beans, mushrooms, etc. Salads and non-vegetarian food like fish and meats are also part of their menu. One of their popular dishes is bean stew falafel with lamb and pigeon. Rice and bread with vegetables and meat is served at lunch and dinner in Egypt. A full-fledged meal encompasses delicacies, such as grilled pigeon stuffed with rice, dry or deep-fried fish, a spicy salad made of tomatoes, cheese, beans, eggs, potatoes, and yogurt. People here also relish seafood like shrimp, squids, and scallops. Garlic and onions are also used predominantly as ingredients in majority of their food recipes. Among desserts, there are pastries, puddings meshed with honey, pancake called fatir, which is stuffed with eggs and apricots, light and yummy ice creams, umm ali (pudding), etc., that can excite your taste buds. This cuisine is also influenced by cuisines of neighboring Iraq, Greece, and Italy. Recipes Egyptian cuisine is rich in varied vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian recipes. The dukkah (a special blend of spices) is used for vegetarian cooking. The food of this country encompasses a great blend of mouth-watering traditional dishes, such as kebabs, breads, cakes, and tasty desserts, like halva. Let's take a look at some of them. Egyptian Meat Soup Ingredients

• Lean beef or lamb, cut into small pieces
• Arabic pita bread: 1 loaf, dried in the oven until crisp
• Water: 6 cups
• Cooked rice: 2 cups
• Onion: 1 medium, chopped
• Garlic: 5 cloves, crushed
• Butter: 3 tbsp.
• Vinegar: 1 tsp.
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Prepare a broth by boiling meat in water with salt, pepper, and chopped onions, until the meat is tender.
2. Skim off the froth, and remove the onions.
3. Take away the meat with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
4. Then, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan.
5. Fry all the meat over high heat, until it becomes brown. Keep it in a serving bowl.
6. Then, fry garlic in the remaining butter until golden brown and stir in the other contents.
7. Pour vinegar into the broth and boil them.
8. After that, break the crispy bread pieces into the soup.
9. Place the meat and the rice separately and serve.

Egyptian Onion Bread The onion bread is one of the most tempting recipes, and can not only elevate your mood instantly, but also satisfy your appetite. The strong odor of the onion is believed to help cure illnesses. It is filled with chopped onions, sesame seeds or grated cheese, and is yummy to taste. Ingredients

• Sifted flour: 5 cups
• Eggs: 3
• Beaten egg: 1
• Chopped onion: 1 large
• Water: 1 cup
• Sesame seeds: ½ cup
• Baking powder: 5 tsp.
• Scant salt: 1 tsp.
• Dry onion soup mix: 1 tsp.

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, place coarsely chopped onion. Keep 2 teaspoons of onion for later use.
2. Add beaten eggs into water, and mix it with a wire whisk or rotary beater until well blended.
3. Then, sieve flour, baking powder, and salt. Add in the sesame seeds.
4. Add mixture of egg with the mixture of flour, until a soft ball is formed.
5. Turn out onto a floured board; knead lightly for 3 minutes and then make a roll that is about ¾ inches thick.
6. Then cut into flat rounds, each about 8 inches in diameter.
7. Pour the remaining chopped onions, and brush it lightly with beaten eggs.
8. Place it on a baking sheet, and bake in a 350°F preheated oven for about 25 minutes, until the onion bread becomes brown in color.

Stuffed Potatoes or Batatis Mahshiya Ingredients

• Medium potatoes: 6-8
• Seasoned ground beef: 1 cup
• Beef stock
• Cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Peel potatoes, and soak them in salted water.
2. Then drain the potatoes, dry well and fry.
3. Place the potatoes on absorbent paper towels to cool.
4. Fill the center of the potatoes with seasoned ground beef.
5. Then arrange all the potatoes in a pot, cover halfway with the well-seasoned beef stock, and cook slowly.
6. Serve the stuffed potatoes hot.
7. To tickle your taste buds, you can also use tomato juice instead of beef stock.

Egyptian Cake Recipe Ingredients for the cake

• Unbleached flour: 1¾ cup
• Sugar: 1 cup
• Butter: ½ cup
• Strong brewed coffee: ½ cup
• Milk: ½ cup
• Semi-sweet Chocolate: 4 ounces
• Eggs: 2 (large)
• Baking powder: 2 tsp.
• Cinnamon (ground): 1 tsp.
• Clove (ground): ⅛ tsp.
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp.

Preparation

1. Sift the dry ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and clove powder together and keep aside.
2. Take coffee in a saucepan, and add chocolate. Cook on slow flame, till the chocolate melts. Keep stirring slowly but constantly, during this process. Once melted, leave it aside for a while till it cools down.
3. Now, with an electric mixer, mix butter and sugar till it becomes smooth and light. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Further, add the chocolate mixture to this.
5. Now, add the dry ingredients slowly and keep mixing. Alternate with milk and keep adding both little by little. Mix the batter thoroughly.
6. Now, preheat the oven to 350°F, and line 2 8-inch baking trays.
7. Pour the batter in each.
8. Keep the trays in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.
9. Check by running a thin knife or a toothpick right in the center. If it comes out clean, it means the cake is done.
10. After a minute of cooling, remove from pan, and keep in cooling racks till it cools off completely.
11. You can add a frosting of your choice on the cake.

This cake can be included in your breakfast too.