Iraq Recipes
Mesopotamia, arguably where cooking was first written down. Not sure what to eat in Iraq? Start with Iraqi Dolma, Masgouf, Kleicha and Kahi with Geymar. Here are 9 authentic Iraq recipes, each from a specific region, with cultural context and dietary substitutions for every table.
9 recipes
Iraqi DolmaBaghdad, Iraq · advanced · 2 h 15 minVine leaves and vegetables stuffed with tomato-and-pomegranate rice, packed tight and steamed until sweet-sour and tender.
Iraqi Dolma Kahi with GeymarBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 50 minFlaky layered pastry baked crisp, soaked in syrup, and topped with rich clotted geymar cream.
MasgoufBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 1 h 30 minButterflied river fish marinated and slow-grilled over open flame, Iraq's national dish and the pride of Baghdad.
KleichaBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 1 h 10 minSpiced pastry spirals filled with date paste and cardamom, Iraq's national cookie, made for every celebration.
Tepsi BaytinijanBaghdad, Iraq · medium · 1 h 30 minAn Iraqi tray bake of fried eggplant, potato, tomato and spiced meatballs braised together in a tangy tomato sauce.
Iraqi QuziBaghdad, Iraq · advanced · 3 h 30 minThe Iraqi feast dish: spice-braised then roasted lamb piled on saffron rice and showered with toasted nuts and raisins.
Kubbat Halab (Iraqi Rice-Crust Kubba)Baghdad, Iraq · advanced · 3 hPointed golden croquettes with a crisp shell of turmeric rice, filled with minced beef or lamb, onion, parsley and baharat, deep-fried and eaten hot with pickles.
Timman (Iraqi White Rice with a Golden Crust)Baghdad, Iraq · easy · 1 h 5 minSoaked long-grain rice boiled hard in its soaking water with oil and salt, then steamed low and slow until every grain stands apart, with a thin crisp golden crust turned out on top.
Sambusak b'Tawa (Iraqi Chickpea Turnovers)Baghdad, Iraq · medium · 2 h 5 minThin yeasted dough folded into half-moons around mashed chickpeas cooked with golden onion and turmeric, then shallow-fried a minute a side until crisp and golden.
📋 Teaching Iraq?A free, printable Country of the Week guide for the classroom: geography, a kid-friendly recipe, and discussion prompts.
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