Daqoos

Name: Daqoos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Bahraini
Ingredients: 6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp cumin; 1/2 tsp turmeric; 1/2 tsp ground coriander; 1 green chili, minced; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Salt to taste; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Fresh cilantro, chopped

دقوس (dah-GOOS)

Bahraini Tomato Sauce

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 83 kcal

A robust, spiced tomato sauce cooked down with garlic, cumin, and turmeric until thick and intensely flavored. This essential Bahraini condiment accompanies nearly every rice dish on the island.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 2.0g

Carbs 12.0g

Fat 3.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

saucepan wooden spoon garlic press

Presentation Guide

Vessel: small sauce bowl

Garnishes: cilantro, chili slices

Accompaniments: served alongside rice dishes

Ingredients

6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 green chili, minced
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper
Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2
Add cumin, turmeric, and coriander, stirring for one minute to bloom the spices in the oil.
3
Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, green chili, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
4
Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and oil separates at the edges.
5
Mash any remaining tomato chunks with the back of a spoon for a chunky-smooth consistency.
6
Stir in fresh cilantro and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve warm alongside machboos, biryani, or any rice dish.

💡

Did You Know?

Bahraini families argue endlessly about the correct thickness of daqoos — some insist it must be thin and pourable, others demand it thick enough to stand a spoon in.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

saucepan
wooden spoon
garlic press

Garnishing

cilantro, chili slices

Accompaniments

served alongside rice dishes

The Story Behind Daqoos

Daqoos is the indispensable companion to Bahraini rice dishes, as essential to the meal as the rice itself. This simple tomato sauce likely evolved after tomatoes became widely available in the Gulf in the 19th century, quickly becoming integrated into the existing spice traditions. Every Bahraini cook has their own daqoos recipe, and the sauce is so fundamental to the cuisine that a machboos served without daqoos is considered incomplete.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed accompaniment to rice dishes 📜 Origins: Traditional Bahraini

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