Food on Picturing Jordan

Kanafeh: the Classy Palestinian Dessert

Fri, 09 Dec 2016 17:22:59 +0200

A small portion of kanafeh at a restaurant in Amman

I’m ashamed to say that it took me almost one month to discover this sweet, cheesy dessert after moving to Jordan. Originally from Nablus, a Palestinian city apparently known for “high cuisine,” kanafeh is one of those things that they just can’t make fast enough. At one famous shop called Habibah in downtown Amman there is always a line, and it’s even a bit stressful ordering there unless you know what you’re doing!

Another good place to buy kanafeh is at a sweets shop called Nafeesah. Both it and Habibah have several shops around the city, but I’m still not sure which one is better.

Red, Orange, and Yellow Rice at Bab al-Yemen

Sun, 27 Nov 2016 12:59:44 +0200

All the multi-colored rice you can eat

You haven’t lived until you and your friends have eaten seventeen different colors of rice, meat, and sauces while sitting on the floor at the Bab al-Yemen restaurant in Amman. If my experience is anything to go by, every item on the menu is downright delicious — including the humongous, flame-kissed flatbread that would be almost as fascinating to see being made as it was to eat.

Buying Baklava in Amman

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:15:16 +0300

Everybody likes baklava!

There’s a shop in one of Amman’s downtown markets that sells traditional sweets. I’m not sure who was more excited about this half kilo of baklawa — me, or the jovial young Jordanian selling it.