Sweet tooth cravings for Arabian delights

Sweet, rich, crunchy and creamy, exotic delights from the middle-eastern region are exciting the taste buds of denizens who are streaming in at Arabian restaurants in the twin cities

Hyderabad: After Arabian dishes like Mandi and Shawarma caught the attention of Hyderabadis in the recent years, the middle-eastern desserts are slowly turning growing gastronomic delight in the city.

Desserts including Baklava, Kunafa, Basbousa are now popularly recommended items in the menu of restaurants, mostly in those serving Arabian dishes. The reputed names which are known for serving Arabian Mandi of both chicken and mutton varieties have already started serving these sweets owing to public demand. With people preferring these mouth-watering sweets, the trend is said to be recent and not more than two-year-old.

Along with Baklava, Kunafa, Basbousa other varieties of sweets are available in the city. Arabian restaurants like Spice 6, Arab House, Real Arabian, Al-Saud, Al-Arabian Matam Al Mandi, Aazebo, Seasons 4, Palm Arabia, Yum Yum Tree and many other famous Arabian food courts, as well as some courts like Gourmet Baklava, Kunafa station, Kunafa Factory, Aqasa Arabian and some others which only sell sweets, are now offering. Customers are also found making beelines at other famous sweet outlets like Pista House, Almond House, Minerva.

Earlier, people used to rush for having a variety of middle-eastern foods like Mandi, Kabsa, Laham, grills, wraps, doner kebab, shawarma. These sweets come at a premium price when compared to domestic ones. But the people can't wait to have the delicious sweets. "Baklava, hmmm even while taking its name its mouth-watering. With ingredients like honey, sugar syrup, rose water, dry fruits and its crispy phyllo sheets, once it enters the mouth, even 3-4 pieces are not enough. This dessert tastes good particularly in Arabian houses," said Mohammed Murtuza.

The craze for the popular Arabian dishes has increased in recent years and for a year or two the demand for sweets has reached the top. "People from parts of the city who visit the restaurants are demanding to have Baklava, Kunafa etc." said an owner of Arabian court.

Arab families who are missing such desserts are visiting Arabian hubs for having Baklava and Kunafa. "I used to have these sweets in Saudi Arabia, after coming to Hyderabad I was missing it, thanks to those sweet houses who are serving them," said Sania Khan.

"There are at least 9 variety of Baklava available in Pista House including Pista, Arabian, Bird nest, dry fruit mix, chocolate, bird nest almond, finger roll, square and mix dry fruit ring. "The price of the Baklava depends on the variety. The price of the Baklava starts from Rs 1,200 per kg. We have started serving Baklava for more than a year," said Mohammed Abdul Majeed, owner of Pista House.

"Most of the consumers are from Arab countries, as these people are fond of such sweets and other customers are asking for a taste when they see a new type of sweet and are purchasing it, though it is premium, many customers prefer to eat," he added.

These sweets are not only available in stores, but some of the Arab families are preparing and serving through social media handles with home deliveries. One of the Arab boys who makes these sweets explained, "Turkish Desserts are eaten and baked with love in middle-eastern countries, now are seen in the city too. These dishes have origin from Egypt, Palestine and other middle east countries," said Saud Bin Nasar Alkhulaqi, an Arab boy who is serving these sweets online.

Baklava

Baklava the word 'Baklava' originated in Turkey, Egypt, and other Middle East countries. Baklava is the most famous of the Greek pastries, and every area of Greece, and sometimes every family within a region, has the favourite recipe. Variations include the use of different nuts including walnuts, almonds, pistachios etc. and different flavours to the syrup or filling including cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, honey and rose water. The result is a dish so delicious that not only was it served to royalty, but numerous ethnic groups claim it as their own. Baklava is cut into a variety of shapes like round, triangle, rectangular, roll for serving, although this very rich treat is always served in small slices.

Kanafa

Kanafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded filo pastry, or alternatively fine semolina dough, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with cheese, or with other ingredients such as clotted cream or nuts, depending on the region.

Basbousa

Basbousa is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet cake that originated in Egypt, although it is also popular in other countries. It is made from a semolina batter and cooked in a pan, then sweetened with orange flower water, rose water or simple syrup, and typically cut into square and diamond shapes.