Mansaf

Mansaf (Arabic: منسف‎) is a Jordanian dish made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice or groats. It is the national dish of Jordan.

PREPARATION

The lamb is cooked in a broth made with a fermented then dried yogurt-like product called jameed, and served on a large platter with a layer of flatbread (markook or shrak) topped with rice and then meat, garnished with almonds and pine nuts, parsley and then sauce poured over all.

CULTURAL ROLE

Mansaf is served on special occasions such as weddings and births, or to honor a guest, and on major holidays such as Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Christmas Day and Jordan's Independence Day, Easter, Graduations , It is traditionally eaten collectively from a large platter in the Bedouin style, standing around the platter with the left hand behind the back and using the right hand instead of utensils. Al Karak is widely accepted by citizens as the mansaf "capital" of Jordan.

Photos: Dinner at the home of Abu Yazan