Food that looked like it would be gross, but when you tried it....Yummy!

[Shellfish]

Twice in my life I've been served snapper soup, and both times were at gatherings of Southern women. The first was at a dinner at a KD convention in New Orleans, and we (the people at my table) didn't know what it was. It didn't look pretty, and I just assumed it was some kind of potage, but it was delicious. It was a big shock to a lot of us to find out afterward that we'd just eaten turtle, and I wondered if I would eat it again by choice, but the idea of eating turtle, even deliciously prepared turtle, is just too weird for me.

The other occasion was at a UDC luncheon, and I had to eat it to be polite. But I swear there won't be another time.

[DubaiSis]

Responses first - we get Indian food here all the time (there are WAY more Indians here than Emiratis, so it's probably the second most common after Lebanese food) and I love it. There is a restaurant here that serves black dal (black lentils) that will make you see god. I've been on a mission to find a place that makes it as well, since the first place is so expensive. Everywhere else it's just, meh.

We have a Garrett's here at the Dubai Mall! It's not as much fun as standing in line on Michigan Avenue in the cold, and they made the tragic mistake of putting the poppers behind smell-proof glass so we didn't know for some time that there was a Garrett's there. But yes, a vat of caramel and cheese and a handful of napkins and I'm good for the duration.

There is a food here that I tasted only out of courtesy, but LOVED it and went on a mission to find a recipe, which took more than a year to find. Madrouba. It literally means beaten. Here's the short version of the recipe. Boil chicken (no bones or skin), a kilo of onions, a kilo of tomatoes, a larger version of bulgar and a bunch of spices. As you cook it you beat it with a baseball bat looking thing until it turns to a homogenous mush. I found a stick blender worked wonders. The result is something like turkey stuffing and it is HEAVEN. But don't confuse it with hareesa, another Arab dish that looks very similar but is sticky and in my opinion DISGUSTING.

[Low C Sharp]

Agree about Indian food. Once you become a fan, the appearance just reminds you of previous delicious meals. But if your first introduction comes as an adult, the veggie dishes do have a tendency to look...pre-chewed or partially digested. The lucky thing is, it smells so fantastic, it's usually pretty easy to get a newcomer to give it a try.

[Mevara]

I have eaten at Indian restaurants quiet a few times. It's okay, not something I would go to on my own. There are other types of cuisine I would rather have over Indian.