Jump to content

Qidreh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Qidreh
A chicken variation of qidreh
Alternative namesKidra, qidra
CourseMain course
Region or statePalestine
Associated cuisinePalestinian cuisine
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsRice, lamb or chicken
VariationsBeef or chicken in place of lamb; the addition of chickpeas, garlic cloves, and onions
  •   Media: Qidreh

Qidreh (Arabic: قدرة) is a rice and lamb dish in Palestinian cuisine, commonly served at social gatherings like weddings and feasts. The dish is most common in the cities of Hebron, Gaza, and Jerusalem, and is usually topped with toasted nuts. Chickpeas and whole garlic cloves may also be incorporated into the rice.[1] The dish is traditionally prepared in clay ovens on coals, but regular ovens may also be used; the lamb may also be swapped out for chicken.[2][3]

Origin

[edit]

The origins of the dish are not agreed upon, but most sources state that it originates from the city of Hebron, although different sources attribute it to different Palestinian families. The time period is also uncertain and sometimes traced back to the time of the Ottoman Empire.[2][4][5][6]

Name

[edit]
Look up قدرة in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Qidra (Arabic: قِدرَة, romanized: qidrah) means "pot" or sometimes specifically "clay vessel"; thus, the dish is named after the clay pot in which it is cooked.[7][2]

The name is sometimes pronounced or written down as idreh in Latin transliteration.[8][9] Levantine Arabic speakers may sometimes pronounce q (qaf) as a glottal stop.[10]

Preparation and ingredients

[edit]

The meat and rice are cooked together in the same pot, and clarified butter is added to the mix. Ingredients may vary between cities, with some cities adding chickpeas, onions, whole garlic cloves, and different spices. The meat is traditionally lamb, but different meats can be used.[11][2] Using freekeh along with or in place of the rice is common in some regional versions.[12][13]

Traditionally, the dish is cooked in unglazed clay pots. The pots are prepared at home and then taken to a wood or coal fired communal oven, where the owner of the oven does the cooking, and each clay pot is marked with a name. A Dutch oven on a stove can be used in place of traditional cooking means.[11][14]

The dish is typically served with thick yogurt and Arab salad.[6][2]

Popularity

[edit]

Qidra is a festive dish, as such, it is usually made in large quantities. It is often served during ceremonies like weddings and birth ceremonies (aqiqah), especially on Fridays and during the month of Ramadan, as well as during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.[2][4][15][6][3]

Palestinian Christians commonly consume the dish on Christmas.[16]

[edit]
  • Qidreh with lamb meat
    Qidreh with lamb meat
  • Qidreh with chickpeas
    Qidreh with chickpeas

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kassis, Reem. "Qidreh (Palestinian Bone-In Lamb With Spiced Rice) Recipe". Serious Eats. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f El-Haddad, Laila. The Gaza Kitchen (2nd ed.). pp. 243–248. ISBN 9781682570968.
  3. ^ a b ""القدرة" تنافس "المنسف" على موائد الخليل". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Demand for qidra increases during Ramadan in Palestine". Arab News. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  5. ^ ""القِدرة"... طبق الخليل الذي لا تقاوم لذته". Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (in Arabic). 14 Jun 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Assil, Reem; Mohammad, Abutaha. "Lamb Qidreh Is the Arab Rice Dish That Will Steal the Show". Kitchn. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  7. ^ "A Palestinian kitchen full of memories". Mondoweiss. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Palestine on a Plate: A Q&A With Rania Talala from Ardi Concept Store". Colournary Magazine. Interviewed by Epa, Rushani. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  9. ^ Ghafari, Luay (10 February 2024). "Qidreh (Palestinian Spiced Lamb and Rice Recipe)". Urban Farm and Kitchen. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  10. ^ Project, Living Arabic. "The Living Arabic Project - Classical Arabic and dialects". livingarabic.com. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b Tamimi, Sami; Wigley, Tara (16 June 2020). Falastin: A Cookbook. Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed. ISBN 978-0-399-58174-8. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  12. ^ "«القدرة» .. أكلة خليلية لا تُطبخ في المنازل" ["Qidra" is a Hebron dish that is not cooked at home.]. Raya news (in Arabic). 26 June 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  13. ^ "القدرة التلحمية محتفظة بنكهتها الفلسطينية في بيت لحم" ["Bethlehemi Qidra" maintains its Palestinian flavor in Bethlehem]. An-Najah National University (in Arabic). 29 Mar 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Gaza's Qidreh Master at Work: Preserving Culture through Food (PHOTOS)". Palestine Chronicle. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  15. ^ Scott, Jamie (12 March 2022). "20 Palestinian Foods for a Rich Culinary Journey". L’Academie de Cuisine. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Culinary Christmas traditions in the Holy Land". The Jerusalem Post. 24 December 2012. ISSN 0792-822X. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Qidreh&oldid=1319278646"