When we last left off, Sari and I had planned out a list of things that he could try around the DFW area. He was interested in all that Fort Worth had to offer, and I tried to point him in the way of some cool attractions. Unfortunately, he was not able to attend the football game. It was a very rowdy crowd, so it might have been a huge culture shock for him. Hopefully he is able to attend some games in the future. I really think he would enjoy it.
I must have been feeling extra hungry during our meeting, because our conversation started to gravitate towards food. Maybe, though, food is just a universal language that brings people from all cultures together. It doesn't matter your background; everybody can enjoy great food. In many ways, food is an art form. Food is not just about the physical food. It is going to hole-in-the-wall restaurants to try a brand new cuisine. It is the preparation, cooking, and presentation.
Anyways, I started asking Sari about Saudi Arabian cuisine. I don't have much experience with Middle Eastern food, so I was interested in what he had to say. The two main dishes that characterize this culture are falafel and shawarma. Falafel is made from deep fried chickpeas or fava beans. They are ground up and made into balls. They can be served in a pita or flatbread. Falafel can also be glazed with different toppings. Shawarma is a way to prepare different meats, including chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb. It is cooked on a vertical stick over a grill for up to a day. The meat is shaved off this giant block and added to a sandwich or wrap. Different toppings, like tabbouleh or hummus, can be added.
Saudi Arabia is also known for its coffee houses. Sari told me that it was standard to offer guests coffee. It was a sign of generosity. He said that coffeehouse were ubiquitous across Saudi Arabia. Fast food is also gaining traction in Saudi Arabia. They have many of the classics that we have here in America.
Finally, Sari told me that he did not eat any pork. As we discussed earlier, he also does not drink alcoholic drinks. Both of these are due to his religion. I told him we would get along well, because I can't stand most pork dishes. He thought it was funny when I told him he wasn't missing out on much.
With all this talk about his cuisine, I felt I needed to share what I considered to be the most Texan cuisine, BBQ. He had not had BBQ here in Fort Worth, so I pointed him in the direction of Railhead and Angelo's. I explained to him how they slow cook the meat all day in giant smokers. They use different types of woods to flavor the meat. The final topping, the sauce, either makes or breaks the meal. I also explained the typical sides are usually beans, potato salad, and cole slaw. As long as he stayed clear of the pork ribs and sausage, he would easily be able to find BBQ he could enjoy.
I left this meeting hungrier than usual, but I left wanting to try new foods. I will need to find a good Middle Eastern restaurant around Fort Worth. It was awesome watching food bridge the gap between two completely different cultures. Hopefully Sari is able to try some BBQ. I really think he would enjoy it.
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