How to Make the Most Famous Recipe in the Arab World

The History of Geeb El Tager

Arab cuisine is renowned for its rich and varied flavors that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Among the many popular dishes, Arab food Geeb El Tager stands out for its unique blend of ingredients and spices that create a symphony of flavors. Geeb El Tager is an Arabic term that translates to “the bottom of the pot,” a reference to the layer of crispy rice that forms at the bottom of the cooking pot. This dish is popular in many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Egypt, and is served on special occasions and gatherings.

If you’re new to Arab cuisine or just curious about the unique flavors of Geeb El Tager, read on to discover what makes this dish so special.

Geeb El Tager is a traditional dish that originated in the Levant region of the Middle East, which includes Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. The dish has been around for centuries and was typically served during special occasions and family gatherings. The name “Geeb El Tager” translates to “The Bottom of the Pot,” which refers to the cooking method where the meat and vegetables are cooked slowly in a deep pot until they are tender and infused with the spices.

In recent years, Geeb El Tager recipe has spread on social media platforms in the Arab world. 

This recipe allows you to be creative because it can be made and personalized according to your desires.

According to chef Deema Hajjawi, it is called Geeb El Tager or Merchant Pocket because the pocket of this recipe is full like the picture below.

Merchant Pocket Recipe

There are two reasons to make this recipe other than its delicious taste. First, it is easy and quick to make. Second, the ingredients of this recipe are available in most homes. Now let’s make the Merchant Pocket.

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THE BEST DIET IS THE ONE THAT LETS YOU ENJOY LIFE

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Basmati rice
• 1 pound of lamb, chicken or beef, cut into small pieces
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups of boiling water

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice in cold water and soak it for 30 minutes.
2. In a large pot, heat the oil and butter over medium heat.
3. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until golden brown.
4. Add the meat and sauté until browned on all sides.
5. Add the tomato paste, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon, and stir until well combined.
6. Drain the rice and add it to the pot, stirring gently to coat it with the spice mixture.
7. Add the boiling water, salt, and pepper, and stir gently to combine.
8. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
9. Cook for 30 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the bottom forms a crispy crust.
10. Once done, carefully flip the pot over onto a large platter, so that the crispy rice is on top and the meat is at the bottom.

Now you have the pockets ready for the filling. They will look like the picture below.

The filling is completely up to you. But I would like to suggest adding a protein (could be chicken or meat) with fresh vegetables (such as cucumbers, tomato, lettuce, and cabbage) to make a useful meal that contains all the nutrients.  

This is a simple dish that you can enjoy with your family or friends.  I believe that this recipe will be served in many Arabic restaurants soon.

It could be a brilliant idea if someone takes advantage of this dish’s uniqueness and high demand to start a business and make it with different delicious fillings. Allowing people to personalize their pockets with different fillings will be a brilliant idea too.  

Unfortunately, not many people know that they can make fast, enjoyable, and useful dishes with simple ingredients. But I hope through this article and my coming articles their idea of cooking will be changed forever.