Al Harees is one of the most common traditional foods in the UAE and has a direct connection with Emirati culture and hospitality. Simple ingredients together produce heavy flavor, and Al Harees is the favorite wedding dish, Ramadan, and Eid of everybody.
Al Harees is also referred to as a patience dish since it has a gradual and lengthy cooking procedure that attempts simple foods—wheat and meat—to turn into smooth, porridge-flavored food.
If you ever want to cook Al Harees at home, this article will take you through its history, ingredients, step-by-step cooking process, varieties, and tips so that you can prepare this healthful dish with actual taste.
A Brief History of Al Harees
Al Harees has existed for centuries and is said to have traditionally been produced in the Arabian Gulf, while other nations such as Oman and Saudi Arabia produced other variations.
UAE’s Al Harees has a great cultural foundation in social events as an indicator of coming together and sharing.
Al Harees was initially prepared overnight in clay oven on wood fire, meat and wheat dissolving into creamy texture. Nowadays, it is simpler to cook with modern kitchens without sacrificing authenticity.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Al Harees requires minimal ingredients, but quality is key. The traditional recipe calls for wheat and meat, though chicken can be used as a lighter option.
For 6–8 servings:
- Wheat (hulled or cracked) – 2 cups (soaked overnight)
- Meat (lamb, mutton, or chicken with bones) – 1 kg
- Salt – 1 to 2 teaspoons (to taste)
- Water – 8–10 cups (as needed for cooking)
- Clarified butter (ghee) – ½ cup (optional garnish)
Optional Garnishes:
- Ground cinnamon, sugar, or cardamom powder (sweet note enjoyed by some families).
- Fried onions or nuts (new generation innovations).
Step-by-Step Preparation of Al Harees
As you already know about the ingredients, it is now time to look at the steps to make Al Harees at home. Well, the best you can do is follow the steps given here.
Remember, only repeated cooking can lead to your situation so that your recipe can taste like Harees Al Arab Restaurant Abu Dhabi.
1. Prepare the Wheat
- Wash the wheat well and soak it overnight in sufficient water.
- Softening the wheat by steeping makes it more easily cooked and mixable with the meat.
2. Cook the Meat
- Place the meat in a large-bottomed heavy pot or pressure cooker and add water.
- Add some salt to it and let it simmer until the meat becomes tender and falls apart.
- Drain any foam or impurities that rise.
3. Add the Wheat
- Drain water off the soaked wheat and add it to the pot with the cooked meat.
- Mix thoroughly and add water to just cover all (around 6–8 cups).
4. Slow Cooking (Traditional Method)
- Let the mixture cook slowly over low heat for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- The wheat will gradually become soft and absorb the meat’s flavors.
- Alternative: With a pressure cooker, it takes around 1–1.5 hours.
5. Mash and Blend
- When the meat and wheat are well cooked and softened, mash everything together using a large wooden spoon (also called mashabba) or hand blender to a smooth, satisfying porridge-like consistency.
- Add salt to taste.
6. Garnish with Ghee
- Serve generously in amounts of clarified butter (ghee) for rich, authentic flavor.
- Al Harees is traditionally garnished with melted ghee in deep plates.
- A sprinkle of sugar or cinnamon may be added on special occasions.
- It is very good with dates, fresh salad, or yogurt as a side dish.
Variations of Al Harees
While the original recipe remains closest to heart, there are some modern variations that you can prepare at home:
- Chicken Harees – As chicken is less in weight compared to lamb, cooking is even quicker.
- Spiced Harees – Some families include cardamom, cloves, or black pepper for extra flavor.
- Sweet Harees – A dash of cinnamon and sugar should be added after cooking in order to have dessert-like Harees.
- Vegetarian Harees – Lentils replace the meat and are cooked with wheat to prepare a nutritious protein-rich dish.
Flawless Tips to Obtain Al Harees
Here are a few tips to help you prepare the best Al Harees at home, so if you maintain these tips you are able to create the perfect Al Harees on your own.
- Patience pays: The slow cooking allows the wheat and the meat to dissolve into one another.
- Bone-in meat is ideal: It provides richness to the texture and flavor of the dish.
- Constantly keep stirring: This prevents the mixture from adhering to the bottom of the pot.
- Don’t omit ghee: It is one of the ingredients that give the authentic Emirati flavor.
- Prepared beforehand: Al Harees is even better on the second day, making it ideal for big family gatherings.
Nutritional Value of Al Harees
Al Harees is not just delicious, it is also healthy:
- Rich in protein (thanks to meat or chicken)
- Rich in fiber (thanks to wheat)
- Balanced and satiating, keeping you active for hours at a time
- Light on the stomach and easy to digest, thus suitable for children and the old too
Al Harees in Emirati Culture
Al Harees in the UAE is not a meal, but it’s tradition, generosity, and unity. It is cooked by families in bulk during Ramadan to share with neighbors and poor and needy, fostering community. It’s a sure dish on the menu during Eid, weddings, and national functions.
Final Words!
Cooking Al Harees at home allows you to bridge your way into Emirati society as you indulge in a healthy, down-to-earth meal.
With wheat, meat, water, and ghee, you have the ingredients to cook a meal imbued with centuries of heritage.
Whether you opt for a modern pressure cooker or succumb to low, traditional cooking, the outcome is always reassuring.
Then the next time you experience the urge for the real Emirati food, get your ingredients ready, clear your time, and allow the aroma of Al Harees fill your home.
