Middle Eastern cuisine is known for its rich flavors, aromatic spices, and warm, comforting dishes—and cardamom plays a key role! 🌿✨ This fragrant spice adds a sweet, citrusy, and slightly spicy touch to both savory and sweet dishes, making it an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern kitchens.
Let’s explore how cardamom is used in Middle Eastern cooking and some delicious recipes you can try! 🍛☕🍰
🌿 Why Cardamom is Popular in Middle Eastern Cuisine?
✔ Aromatic & flavorful – Adds warmth and depth to dishes
✔ Pairs well with coffee, tea, rice, and meats
✔ Aids digestion – Used traditionally in heavy meals
✔ Enhances sweets & pastries – Gives desserts a unique floral taste
☕ 1. Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Qahwa)
One of the most famous uses of cardamom in the Middle East is in Arabic coffee (Gahwa/Qahwa). This spiced coffee is strong, aromatic, and traditionally served in small cups as a sign of hospitality.
✨ Ingredients:
✔ 3 cups water 🚰
✔ 3 tbsp Arabic coffee (lightly roasted & ground) ☕
✔ 3-4 cardamom pods (crushed) 🌿
✔ ½ tsp saffron (optional, for extra aroma)
✔ ½ tsp rose water (optional, for floral notes)
🔹 Instructions:
1️⃣ Boil water, then add Arabic coffee & cardamom.
2️⃣ Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low heat.
3️⃣ Strain and serve in small cups with dates on the side.
💡 Fun Fact: In Middle Eastern culture, guests are always served Arabic coffee first as a welcoming gesture!
🍚 2. Middle Eastern Cardamom Rice (Roz Bel Hal)
Fragrant cardamom-infused rice is a staple side dish in Middle Eastern cuisine, often served with grilled meats, stews, or curries.
✨ Ingredients:
✔ 1 ½ cups basmati rice 🍚
✔ 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
✔ 3-4 cardamom pods (crushed) 🌿
✔ 1 cinnamon stick
✔ 2 cups water or chicken broth
✔ ½ tsp salt
🔹 Instructions:
1️⃣ Rinse the rice until water runs clear.
2️⃣ Heat butter/oil in a pot & sauté cardamom & cinnamon.
3️⃣ Add rice, stir for 2 minutes, then add water & salt.
4️⃣ Cover and cook for 15 minutes until fluffy.
💡 Tip: For extra flavor, add a few saffron strands while cooking!
🥩 3. Cardamom-Spiced Lamb Stew (Mansaf-Style)
Lamb dishes are widely enjoyed across the Middle East, and cardamom enhances their rich and aromatic flavors.
✨ Ingredients:
✔ 500g lamb (bone-in for extra flavor) 🥩
✔ 4 cardamom pods 🌿
✔ 1 onion (chopped) 🧅
✔ 1 cinnamon stick
✔ 2 cloves garlic (minced)
✔ 2 cups yogurt (for creamy texture) 🥛
✔ 1 cup chicken broth
✔ Salt & pepper to taste
🔹 Instructions:
1️⃣ Brown lamb pieces in a pot.
2️⃣ Add onions, garlic, cardamom, and cinnamon.
3️⃣ Pour in broth & simmer for 1 hour until tender.
4️⃣ Mix in yogurt and serve over cardamom rice!
💡 Tip: Serve with roasted almonds & parsley for an authentic touch!
🍰 4. Middle Eastern Cardamom & Pistachio Cake
Cardamom is often used in desserts & pastries across the Middle East, adding a floral, citrusy sweetness.
✨ Ingredients:
✔ 1 ½ cups flour
✔ 1 cup sugar
✔ ½ cup butter (melted) 🧈
✔ ½ tsp ground cardamom 🌿
✔ ½ tsp cinnamon
✔ ½ cup chopped pistachios
✔ ½ cup yogurt (keeps it moist!)
✔ 1 tsp baking powder
🔹 Instructions:
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ Mix dry ingredients, then add butter & yogurt.
3️⃣ Fold in pistachios & pour into a greased pan.
4️⃣ Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown!
💡 Tip: Serve with rosewater syrup or honey for an authentic touch!
🍪 5. Cardamom & Date Cookies (Ma’amoul)
Ma’amoul are traditional Middle Eastern cookies filled with dates, nuts, and flavored with cardamom.
✨ Ingredients:
✔ 2 cups semolina flour
✔ ½ cup butter (softened)
✔ ½ tsp ground cardamom 🌿
✔ ½ tsp cinnamon
✔ ½ cup date paste (or chopped dates)
✔ ¼ cup crushed walnuts (optional)
🔹 Instructions:
1️⃣ Mix semolina, butter, cardamom & cinnamon to form a dough.
2️⃣ Roll into small balls & stuff with date paste.
3️⃣ Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
💡 Tip: Dust with powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness!
💡 More Ways to Use Cardamom in Middle Eastern Cooking
✔ Add to Meat Marinades – Mix cardamom, cumin & coriander for a fragrant meat rub.
✔ Use in Rice Pudding – Infuse cardamom & saffron into sweet desserts.
✔ Sprinkle in Herbal Teas – Enjoy with mint or cinnamon for a relaxing drink.
✔ Flavor Hummus & Dips – A pinch of cardamom enhances creamy dips.
🌱 Try Authentic Middle Eastern Cooking with the Best Cardamom!
Use high-quality cardamom from Greengold Guide for authentic flavors & aroma in your Middle Eastern dishes! 🌿✨
👉 Order now: Buy Cardamom Here
