Msakhan Traditional Dish
Palestinian traditional dish, composed of pieces of roasted chicken, served on top of bread, the bread is called Taboun bread (baked in an earth oven) which is then dipped/soaked into - locally cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil were lots of onions are soaked and cooked in previously. Then, the assembly of the dish will be in layers; olive oil soaked Taboun bread, topped with cooked onions and on top of that we have the whole pieces of roasted and spicy chicken, the main flavor of Msakhan dish, is with a special violet, acidic and delicious spices called Sumac, Sumac is sprinkled generously on top of all ingredients. Then the whole dish goes again into the oven for another roasting/baking before it is surfed hot. Msakhan is one of those meals that it has its own rituals where it should be eaten with a big group of family and friends. It is eaten by hand along with Greek yogurt.
Msakhan is one of the dishes that is better eaten at home since restaurants' version –if any – is considered too fake for those who knows what Msakhan is and should be. At restaurants, even five stars’ hotels, you will be getting a chicken sandwich instead of a proper authentic traditional Msakhan dish.
After Msakhan, we will offer a cup of flavored black tea (mint or sage), and then traditional sweat (Hareseh type) along with a cup of coffee (Arabic or Turkish).
Where will you be hosted for this meal?
Amman, typical average Ammani neighborhood, where Jordanians live. A very local residential area. At a family house where our host (mother / grandmother) will be cooking traditional meals according to authentic and traditional methods. The experience you will get is an authentic traditional meal prepared by a mother who picks all the ingredients by herself and who knows what should be an authentic taste for a traditional dish should be.
About Suha
Together with our volunteers team at www.i-dare.org who are working in creating the culture and boosting social tourism in Jordan we are organizing (free Amman evening walks, hiking and trekking in Ajloun with locals, and dining with locals in Amman).