OMAN-Dinner is Ready Plus Fun Facts!

Our Oman Dinner is complete! We made a traditional Omani Fish Curry with coconut milk, ginger, chilies, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, onions, garlic, brown sugar, and finished off with fresh lime juice.   Oh the smell is so amazing! I've never prepared a fish curry before and was eager to try out this recipe. The preparation method really brought of the aromatics of the spices. Blending the onion, chilies, garlic, and ginger into a paste then sautéing  in a wok with all the spices was a noble start. Then slowly adding the coconut milk turned this curry into something magical. This was gobbled up by all in nanoseconds! Definitely a keeper.

 

Here is the recipe we used for our Omani Fish Curry:

http://www.food.com/recipe/omani-fish-curry-129457

 

 

FUN FACTS

-Oman' capital is Muscat and the country’s largest city. It is officially known as the “Sultanate of Oman.


-The official language of Omanis Arabic though English, Baluchi, Urdu, Hindi and other dialects are also spoken. Omani Arab is the main ethnic group in Oman followed by Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi.


-The climate is dry desert, hot, humid along the coast and hot dry interior with strong southwest summer monsoons in the far south (from May to September).


-Oman follows the system of “Absolute Monarchy’. Oman gained independence from the Portuguese Empire in 1651.


-The official religion of Oman is Islam (Ibadi Muslims) The Shia and Sunni Muslims, Hindus and Christians also reside in Oman.


-The currency is the Omani Riyal.


-Perfume is made from the ‘myrtus communis’ or ‘yas’ shrub found in Oman.


-Oman is traditionally known for breeding horses. The date palm is considered the most important crop in Oman.


-Oman exports petroleum, fish, metals and textiles. It imports machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, lubricants and livestock. Industries include crude oil production and refining, natural gas production and construction.


-Frankincense and myrrh are popular purchases in the Dhofar region. It has historically been a center for production and is widely available in all souks in Oman.