![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I2AVCIACLBB5RBYPA3PVSDU2H4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ce4bfcac2d7fd71e070fca8fb046c9a85ff2820f57dac715bc8f9091a2e7091&width=400&height=225)
Visitors are invited to learn more about the traditional dish, how it's prepared and the ingredients that are used.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CDLBGN4T6BD2XKLAKM3FHZIWNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2ff3b59b83b418bc78be1fe9d2e7632a03102e43fb538b8c2b936dc83cce883b&width=400&height=225)
Harees is a traditional dish that is eaten across the Arabian Gulf. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RXLSPZMVFEZ7PVWYSZ5F33T4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=dcd4a37289721a3f49824d352326f4b5356eeb64b748270c350acd4b99ca866d&width=400&height=225)
The dish is commonly made with wheat, chicken or lamb, spices, including cinnamon, water and butter, oil or ghee.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KQBOTGGCCJHSDPWFXFHSNZWTDM.jpg?smart=true&auth=136504644455ee9e1c57205559328140a7491bf6ac52cf67483e92396a714fdc&width=400&height=225)
Recipes for the dish vary across the Arabian Gulf.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y3GVUKKVMNGVTOCSSCEFPPPA44.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d866b0b3da50325c448b93ca53ed4f4951e41b0cad691fa77abeb592cdf7e50&width=400&height=225)
In the Emirates, the dish is most often eaten at gatherings, such as weddings, as well as national and religious holidays and particularly during the month of Ramadan.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFDO4AIXANC37IOAJ2CY44H2LE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3680f8cd87f7a2e58268e89de76cd7058ef7549e687ad33de3c7a04e33a1f62&width=400&height=225)
At Al Ain Palace Museum, every Friday throughout Ramadan, an event called Hereesat Ramadan is taking place.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27G5OWLO2JGCHKL46RWLU7O4AE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bbbc57b1a9c9b2cffdf17611f28ecb8d30c82e8e0f8cf6224b45d2f9a0320f3&width=400&height=225)
The event invites visitors to experience a revival of the traditional custom of preparing and distributing harees to neighbours, relatives and less fortunate families.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RIWXUDCWMVA75KAMZZSD4TK45A.jpg?smart=true&auth=a07e401c72879229e527ed79768cc122455bf0130603354d9a77ef1fa3056293&width=400&height=225)
At Al Ain Palace Museum men prepare boxes of harees for distribution.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5PL725KXLFHVDMBCS67RYCZCIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=70bbea8b5c73b8b1d01bbb7d055edd469b8f9cf0769c060dfa40a37b99f8a9d5&width=400&height=225)
Large plates of harees are given out between 4pm and 5pm every Friday before iftar.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AFPBKWAUWNEGJO2DLTI67SI7GU.jpg?smart=true&auth=285cbb8b053be6b4d04a9f85ea503eba552b09a74c69a9723f416d993e532114&width=400&height=225)
The meal comes with a small tub of ghee to pour on top.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NNFNO3XYFNEI7OCZMWPNT4LGVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=12b7661e39bf05df5a6238c06ff8c94b3f8441a2a1ac9499c1f4d907c4305254&width=400&height=225)
A skimming spoon on display at Al Ain Palace Museum.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O3TU5MCN2JGB3LLN7KZGV2E43E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b319eb0aa566bca7323eb1b512e261d78cc40f7cfe7904bfd8ef8cefecd78a4e&width=400&height=225)
Various serving plates for the harees are also on display.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S2XAHQ2FKJCMXPVUI3D4OQGT5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8871ef2fab722d5f076c04701b4d01a6fd2e56a02656615cd70d864a28360f5&width=400&height=225)
Harees plates on display. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G2HFGNTPYJH6FKBZA4ZR2VUEPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=39c09727d264cffedd36445e1893c91bd9ce8c743acad7174c42679fd416f093&width=400&height=225)
The dish is based on wheat or wheatberries.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ZAKXFBZUZG7LJBAZ743FVUWFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ddddd57f985f5aba8eb45384ba46cf1ae24444abd57917510ab2f930bb83521c&width=400&height=225)
A container of ghee on display. Ghee is poured over the harees to finish off the dish.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I2AVCIACLBB5RBYPA3PVSDU2H4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ce4bfcac2d7fd71e070fca8fb046c9a85ff2820f57dac715bc8f9091a2e7091&width=400&height=225)
Visitors are invited to learn more about the traditional dish, how it's prepared and the ingredients that are used.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CDLBGN4T6BD2XKLAKM3FHZIWNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2ff3b59b83b418bc78be1fe9d2e7632a03102e43fb538b8c2b936dc83cce883b&width=400&height=225)
Harees is a traditional dish that is eaten across the Arabian Gulf. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5RXLSPZMVFEZ7PVWYSZ5F33T4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=dcd4a37289721a3f49824d352326f4b5356eeb64b748270c350acd4b99ca866d&width=400&height=225)
The dish is commonly made with wheat, chicken or lamb, spices, including cinnamon, water and butter, oil or ghee.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KQBOTGGCCJHSDPWFXFHSNZWTDM.jpg?smart=true&auth=136504644455ee9e1c57205559328140a7491bf6ac52cf67483e92396a714fdc&width=400&height=225)
Recipes for the dish vary across the Arabian Gulf.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y3GVUKKVMNGVTOCSSCEFPPPA44.jpg?smart=true&auth=0d866b0b3da50325c448b93ca53ed4f4951e41b0cad691fa77abeb592cdf7e50&width=400&height=225)
In the Emirates, the dish is most often eaten at gatherings, such as weddings, as well as national and religious holidays and particularly during the month of Ramadan.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MFDO4AIXANC37IOAJ2CY44H2LE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f3680f8cd87f7a2e58268e89de76cd7058ef7549e687ad33de3c7a04e33a1f62&width=400&height=225)
At Al Ain Palace Museum, every Friday throughout Ramadan, an event called Hereesat Ramadan is taking place.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27G5OWLO2JGCHKL46RWLU7O4AE.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bbbc57b1a9c9b2cffdf17611f28ecb8d30c82e8e0f8cf6224b45d2f9a0320f3&width=400&height=225)
The event invites visitors to experience a revival of the traditional custom of preparing and distributing harees to neighbours, relatives and less fortunate families.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RIWXUDCWMVA75KAMZZSD4TK45A.jpg?smart=true&auth=a07e401c72879229e527ed79768cc122455bf0130603354d9a77ef1fa3056293&width=400&height=225)
At Al Ain Palace Museum men prepare boxes of harees for distribution.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5PL725KXLFHVDMBCS67RYCZCIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=70bbea8b5c73b8b1d01bbb7d055edd469b8f9cf0769c060dfa40a37b99f8a9d5&width=400&height=225)
Large plates of harees are given out between 4pm and 5pm every Friday before iftar.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AFPBKWAUWNEGJO2DLTI67SI7GU.jpg?smart=true&auth=285cbb8b053be6b4d04a9f85ea503eba552b09a74c69a9723f416d993e532114&width=400&height=225)
The meal comes with a small tub of ghee to pour on top.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NNFNO3XYFNEI7OCZMWPNT4LGVM.jpg?smart=true&auth=12b7661e39bf05df5a6238c06ff8c94b3f8441a2a1ac9499c1f4d907c4305254&width=400&height=225)
A skimming spoon on display at Al Ain Palace Museum.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O3TU5MCN2JGB3LLN7KZGV2E43E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b319eb0aa566bca7323eb1b512e261d78cc40f7cfe7904bfd8ef8cefecd78a4e&width=400&height=225)
Various serving plates for the harees are also on display.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S2XAHQ2FKJCMXPVUI3D4OQGT5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8871ef2fab722d5f076c04701b4d01a6fd2e56a02656615cd70d864a28360f5&width=400&height=225)
Harees plates on display. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G2HFGNTPYJH6FKBZA4ZR2VUEPA.jpg?smart=true&auth=39c09727d264cffedd36445e1893c91bd9ce8c743acad7174c42679fd416f093&width=400&height=225)
The dish is based on wheat or wheatberries.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ZAKXFBZUZG7LJBAZ743FVUWFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=ddddd57f985f5aba8eb45384ba46cf1ae24444abd57917510ab2f930bb83521c&width=400&height=225)
A container of ghee on display. Ghee is poured over the harees to finish off the dish.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I2AVCIACLBB5RBYPA3PVSDU2H4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ce4bfcac2d7fd71e070fca8fb046c9a85ff2820f57dac715bc8f9091a2e7091&width=400&height=225)
Visitors are invited to learn more about the traditional dish, how it's prepared and the ingredients that are used.
Harees: celebrating a staple of the Emirati iftar table
Recipes for the traditional meat porridge vary across the Arabian Gulf
Victor Besa
15 April, 2022
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