Last night,
I devoured my first Mansaf for the first time in over six months! Yes, you heard me right: Six whole months without a taste of my country’s national dish! I know. I could lose my Jordanian citizenship for such a faux pas, but I’m sure those in charge would understand!
The place where we partook of this celestial meal was my friend Ajlounieh’s place, where we, along with other family friends, were invited to a dinner prepared by Ajlounieh’s super mom. Of course, and without doubt, the food was just divine. As was the case with my first Magloubeh in the US, I ate like there was no tomorrow.
Besides the heavenly food, the company was just divine. The guest list was diverse: Jordanians, one Palestinian, a Syrian, a Lebanese and some Americans. All were gathered together to get a taste of Jordan’s famous Mansaf.
So as not to break the tradition, we all enjoyed our Mansaf while talking about nothing less than the political developments in our volatile region. Our primarily pan-Arab chit-chat went on for hours and I have to say it was an entirely engaging and thought-provoking conversation.
Last night was definitely memorable. We had such a truly wonderful, wonderful time. I can’t wait for the day when I start throwing Mansaf dinner parties of my own. Hopefully this day is just around the corner. This picture comes courtesy of the one and only, Ajlounieh.
I could imagine how you must have felt. Earlier this year, I’ve spent a few months without mansaf or magloobeh, and yesterday, I was invited to a magloobeh lunch and I just ate and ate till I couldn’t breathe, and my stomach still kinda aches 😉
Happy new year
Mansaf ajlounieh,samen baladi,be alot sanobar,talking about mansaf war it is on,mansaf mansaf is good for the hart the more you eate the more you chat,[almaout la fatoosh]
This is now the Mansaf War of 2005! Hamza – this rice was cooked with a homemade samnah baladiya. That restaurant named after a Syrian Salad cannot make a comparable mansaf. Natasha, you know you got the real deal. 🙂
No no no, this rice wasn’t cooked with samneh baladeyyeh! This shouldn’t count Natasha :p
If you’re ever in San Fran, try a restaurant called Fatoush, they do a nice take on mansaf.
Sa7tain!
wow that does look good. ameen how can you eat mensaf without snober. of course a jordanian is going to put snober on the the mensaf.
but hey, why are you guys eating in plates? what happened to the old fashion way: your hands?
Sa7tein! We loved having you and Jeff over for dinner. We truly enjoyed our evening. Mama is happy that you enjoyed her mansaf. One correction – the Ajlounieh’s mother is originally from al-Rafeed (north of Irbid). So, Hani, don’t worry – it’s just as good as in Jordan. Happy New Year everyone!
Snobar kaman, mish galeel.
Happy New Year.
🙂
wala shiklo bishahee, glad you enjoyed yourself
The abies (pine) & almonds are more than rice in that dish!!! It looks just as you described it; Majestical.
I just had my Mansaf dose last Thursday to make sure I keep my nationality 😀
But whatever anyone does out side Jordan, they can’t approach the real taste of a home –made Mansaf, don’t you think?!
Bas il ree7a wala il 3adam 😀
Natasha, the Mansaf dish looks majestic. You know that I can add a depth to any conversation, so you might want to invite next time:-} Happy New Year