Amman, Jordan
I got a lot of flack when I announced that I did not like green pepper, who knew it would be that controversial? I’m not a picky eater but there are a handful of things I don’t like and even more that I’m not crazy about.
Or so I thought.
I tried some of these things in Jordan and realized I did like them. Well I like them in Jordan.
Falafels
There are many falafel shops in Toronto and I have tried them many times, really wanting to like them but always feeling lukewarm about the rockhard flavourless balls.
Falafels are typical Jordanian food but here they are light, fluffy deliciousness. I think the brightness of parsley helps the flavour but overall they are a must-try.
Lemonade
I usually only drink water or alcohol. I’m not big on juice or pop, but here in Jordan lemonade is mixed with so much mint it is green and absolutely delicious.
And the mint doesn’t stop there. I resisted drinking any tea here but then Mahmoud told me to try to sage tea with mint, I’m a complete convert and love it.
Maybe I should have a site called Mint is Magic?
Eggplant
On my formal list of the 5 things I don’t like. I have tried to cook eggplant so many times. I still don’t like baba ganosh but mouttabal is an delicious blend of roasted eggplant, yogurt, tahini, garlic and lemon. I will be making it at home.
Lamb
I have tried lamb before, even in New Zealand where it’s supposedly the best, but have never been crazy about it. The national dish of Jordan is mansaf, and it changed my mind about lamb.
A large flatbread is topped with rice, almonds, pine nuts and lamb that has been simmered in dried yogurt and then mixed with water to create a creamy sauce. My driver Rami explained that many people need to take naps afterward and I can attest that it true.
I could go on and on about Jordanian foodbut I look forward to every meal here. Fortunately I have not seen a green pepper yet!
Disclosure: I was a guest of the Jordan Tourism Bureau, they did not request that I write a favourable review or decide that I had been wrong about so many foods I thought I didn’t like.
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
I’m about to go to bed…and now I want a midnight snack. Yum!
Signed,
Jealous in Chicago
All of it sounds absolutely delicious, but I’m really intrigued by the minty lemonade.
i think most ladies would be lukewarm about rockhard flavourless balls.
hahahahaaha!!!!
Ok Ok.. i don’t like onions. there i said it! many ppl would throw a blub at me:*(
Love your food photos. The first time I tried falafel was actually on this trip to Jordan, even though I’ve also passed by countless falafel shops in Toronto.
At first I thought it was strange that it’s greenish-yellow inside the falafel, but after having it as part of my breakfast for a few days they became an acquired taste.
Food is such an important part of a good travel experience, so really happy to hear you enjoyed the deliciousness!
- Lily
Lily (Explore for a Year) recently posted..Ancient Egypt Temples in Luxor (@GetYourGuide)
Hi Ayngelina, I have similar feelings about falafel (or shwarma for that matter) in Toronto. Maybe because the first time I tried it, it was in Israel. PS: I also don’t like eating Indian food in Toronto for the same reasons, don’t know why, too sanitary? lol.
Priyank recently posted..5 free things to do during a layover in Miami airport
Middle Eastern food is my absolute fave… obviously to me it’s pure comfort food, as it’s the stuff I grew up on, but seriously: just looking at the photos in the post makes my mouth water. YUM!
The lamb sounds delicious. And I would love to try the sage tea. That sounds very interesting.
Curt recently posted..Drive Your Traffic Thru the Social Network Tunnel
I would totally read Mint is Magic
Claire recently posted..Sometimes, Travel Rears Back and Slaps you in the Face
Too many things I don’t like to list them all (they include lamb, though). However, Arab food is my favourite, so I do very well in Jordan
Sophie recently posted..Three Terrific Christmas Markets
Hope you are bringing some of that tea home! Look forward to all the variety of foods that you will be making when you get home for Christmas! We will be starting new traditions this year – at least in the kitchen!
Mmmm I freaking love falafel but you are right, if it isnt done well it is dry balls of garbage. Jordan looks delicious.
Rease recently posted..Becoming a Travel Writer: Get Paid to Travel
balls of garbage – love it!
It is interesting to see a plate of french fries in the middle of the platter of Jordanian food. There is a Middle Eastern place just around the corner from me and they have french fries on their menu. I thought this was just because they wanted to appease certain finicky American diners. I guess it must be a staple as shown by this photo.
Traveling Ted recently posted..The Swallow Fork Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains is my daddy
I think french fries have become a universal staple now. But for the record, I had none in Jordan.
I learned to love onions and yogurt while I was in France
Emily S. recently posted..How NOT to Smuggle Cuban Cigars into the United States
Onions are amazing, but not raw.
Yum! I really can’t wait to go!
You will love it Angie, it is fantastic.
Ah food… I am a preferred vegetarian but when on the road I can’t be trusted – too many delicious and new things to try, and even though we can have practically everything here too, it just doesn’t taste the same. Gotta add mint to my sage tea…never thought of that!
Fida recently posted..Go Big or Go Home
It is really delicious. I’m not a huge tea fan but I couldn’t turn it down.
In the UAE, they make mint lemonade — mint blended with ice and lemon juice then sweetened. It is fantastic!
All of those food pics look delicious! I feel the same way about falafels. Guess I just haven’t had the good stuff.
The Travel Chica recently posted..Steak Extravaganza: Restaurant Review – El Obrero vs El Trapiche vs Manolo’s
I have always wanted to like them but never could, you must go to Jordan. Or maybe first just try a Jordanian restaurant.
Wow. the only green lemonade I’ve ever seen is the lime-ade at Hot Dog on a Stick.
Falafels usually tastes better with tzatziki and chili sauce as well.
Gerard ~ GQ trippin recently posted..A Girl’s “Gadgets” | My Packing Essentials for Long-Term Travel
Wait is hot dog on a stick a restaurant?
What?! You don’t like green pepper or eggplant??
I agree with you that the falafel in Jordan is delicious. My favorite was in a little local eatery in Amman. I loved pretty much all of the food I was served in Jordan, and of course enjoy a shwarma or two along the way 
Laura recently posted..Africa Photos, a Fun Giveaway, and What’s Next
You actually like green pepper? Cooked or raw? Actually I can’t stand it either way. At least we agree on food in Jordan.
Yum! I’m thinking about a trip to Egypt/Jordan in Feb and your getting me excited to eat there!
Christy recently posted..The Mummies of Guanajuato
My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you allot enough time for Jordan. A lot of people only stay 2-3 days but you definitely need more time.
Ayngelina, I love reading Bacon is Magic, but I’m sorry, I’d stay as far away as possible from a site called Mint is Magic. Yuck! I just about gagged when I saw that lemonade. It’s the same color as green peppers. That should tell you all you need to know right there.
Everything else looks great!
Steve recently posted..Rawhide Western Town – How I Sent My Wife To Jail
What you hate mint? how? why?
I will not change the blog name, but only for you.
That mint lemonade…yum! At the cooking school I worked at in Nice, we made a version of the eggplant dip with goats cheese…SO good. A variation worth trying
Christine recently posted..#4: Skydiving over the Great Barrier Reef at Mission Beach
The lemonade is fantastic. I’ll be making it this summer.
I hate eggplant as well, but I’ll eat it in Indian food only. Maybe I need to give this dish a shot as well.
Also, that lamb dish looks AMAZING!
ehalvey recently posted..An Homage to My Favorite Beer
I just find the texture is usually disgusting and baba ganoush isn’t flavourful enough for me but this dip is really fresh and tasty.
Wow, lamb that’s better than NZ’s huh??
Roy Marvelous recently posted..Is The Blue Mosque Just Green With Envy?
You’re making me hungry just talking about all the foods you thought you didn’t like but ended up loving
. I think bad first impressions can haunt us for years – when prepared the right way, I think we’d all be surprised at how many more things we’d try.
Jeanette recently posted..Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed with Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf
I just tried to eat that food right through the computer screen. There’s now drool on my laptop. It was worth it, though!
Ha, well as long as it’s worth it!
Eggplant droooooool!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..France & Italy With Trafalgar Tours: Day 2 (Part 1)
I knew you would like it.
That lamb looks bommmmmmb
TheWorldOrBust recently posted..The Weather in Miami is like no where else!
Those dishes looks so yummy. When are you coming to NY? I want to take you to have all sorta of good Chinese food haha Maybe you’ll have a post about asian food here.
I would LOVE to come to NYC. It actually could be in the plans for me this summer….
It’s great you’re actually giving a second chance to all those things you used not to like!
I thought green pepper was a pretty common dislike! This spread looks amazing. I jump down people’s throats about not liking cilantro, since where I from (New Mexico), we put it on everything! PS I also dislike eggplant.
Abby recently posted..This is why I travel
I am so happy that you are backing me up on this – green pepper is disgusting.
Cilantro is delicious!
Talk about mouth watering! Everything looks super delicious, especially the Falafels! My fav!
Lorenzo Gonzalez recently posted..Belize Photo of the Day: The Belize and Garifuna Flag in Dangriga
My new fav too, can you get them in Belice?
Unfortunately no! That sucks.. I can only have them when I visit Guatemala or Mexico.
Lorenzo Gonzalez recently posted..Extreme Belize Tours
Well at least you are somewhat close…
It all looks and sounds so good. I am especially intrigued by the mouttabal. Food is such a driver for where we will visit… I guess we’ll have to head over to Jordan for a taste. Fun post.
Mark – ramblecrunch recently posted..Goats on Motorcycles & Sheep in Trunks: Images from our First Turkish Bayram
It is definitely worth it for the mouttabal.
Wow, great photos. I agree about the falafel. Best in the world!
Alana recently posted..Petra Night Tour
Falafel is AMAZING when done right!
Jade Johnston recently posted..How We Almost Lost Our Entire Website
Yes and I hadn’t had it right until Jordan
Falafel and mouttabal are one of my favorite foods! I’ve learned how to make mouttabal at home and have it with some nice pita bread!
But what I was really surprised to see was the lemonade mint drink! It looks really refreshing! I must look into trying it sometime soon!
Anji recently posted..Knok Reflections: Photos that tell stories
Looks delish! The mouttabal in particular sounds amazing, and I wouldn’t say no to some falafel.
Emily in Chile recently posted..Saturday in Santiago: La Mar
From now on I won’t either!
Girrrrl, I am so with you on the eggplant. BLECH. Yet, you’re right, when I was in Israel, I’m pretty sure I liked the eggplant concoctions they whipped up.
Camels & Chocolate recently posted..Relics of the Khmer Empire
I LOVE Middle Eastern food. It is SO good!! That first photo made me super hungry!
DTravelsRound recently posted..I am thankful for …
I’m with ya on the green peppers. I’ve always loved falafel though..
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..Out of the Closet and Into the Peat
That lamb looks AMAZING. I love almonds in food.
Hogga recently posted..Stereotyping Canadians vs. Americans
Really? What other almond/food combination do you love?
I agree with you that if falafel isn’t done right there’s not much going on.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Teach English in Taiwan | Bamboo Butterfly
Green peppers are yummy! haha
(plug) haha
Also I am amused of the first photo all the Jordanian food and then the french fries there in the bottom. Gotta love it.
I am just like you though I often dislike a food and then I have it where it is from which is where people normally make it the best and I fall in love but then I try to make it at home and it is never the same again and instead I just dream about it all the time. haha things like that are what are sparking the ideas for my new site
cailin recently posted..Wales was a pleasant surprise
I know french fries aren’t what come to mind when you think of Jordan, I guess they are universal!
Dang, it’s really hard to read your blog… because from the very start all I can think about is bacon.
I too hate lamb, but I guess I mean the gyro/doner sort of stuff that has that funky smell. Nearly makes me wretch. Was plagued once by that smell while traveling in Syria. Couldn’t identify the source until I brought my hand up near my face. The soap I had used at the last restroom was made with lamb fat. The horror! The horror! Love the lemonade/mint and make it at home now. Middle Eastern eggplant undid the disgust I had for it based on the atrocities that are (US) Midwestern recipes.
Kevin – The Mad Traveler recently posted..The Mad Traveler’s A to Z of Travel
Jodi from Legal Nomads told me its her favourite meat. I love Jodi but I do not get that at all.
Wow. The food here looks incredible. Especially as I heart falafels big time!
The food in this place looks incredible. Especially as I heart falafels … big time!
Ceri recently posted..Caribbean Life
I read lemonade then saw the picture and my first thought was, “something is seriously funky with that lemonade.” Although, after reading that it is mint filled I’m intrigued. Is it just crushed/puréed mint, lemons and sugar? I kind of want to try a version at home now.
Cornelius Aesop recently posted..New Brew Tuesday: Hinterland Saison Farmhouse Ale
Finely chopped mint in it, although I’m sure you could just throw lemonade and mint in the blend, that is actually a really good idea…
i just cant eat felafel..i tried it in abu dhabi,but its really tasteless for me..the good thing was their tabbouleh..the salad made of parsely and mint..delicious..and the shawarma..its great.