Thursday 13 August 2009

Traditional Iranian bread

Today as I was walking through the Satwa quarter in Dubai, I came across an Iranian Bakery, intrigued I approached, and the two bakers invited me in the shop, to see how the bread was made, They were really kind and wanted me to discover the process.
You bet, I was up for it! I only had my telephone on me at the time (I know, I did not carry my camera. Shame on me!) so all the photos were taken with my Sony Ericsson. I will return with my SLR, I promised myself!
The balls of dough prepared are flattened,
Then the flat disc of dough is flapped between the hands very quickly,
Then stretched in an instant on a convex shape covered with the cloth.
Then the bread is thrown very abruptly on the inside of the oven where it will stick and cook, forming bubbles. It is then taken on and reserved under a cloth.

The result tastes like a gorgeous crispy crepe! The guys wanted to give me a few of them, and refused that I pay them, so I definitely need to go back to pay for a second lot!

I found that on this stretch of road, people were incredibly kind and interactive, and they are very happy to have their picture taken, I asked every time and they all thought it was crazy but posed for me nonetheless!
I’ll definitely have to come back next week! (my last week in Dubai)…

Tuesday 4 August 2009

About a vegetarian wedding meal

Red Champagne
Two Saturdays ago I was invited to a wedding that had the particularity to feature a vegetarian meal and an evening vegetarian buffet: the bride is vegan, and it was a great compromise between omnivore and vegan. As you probably know, I am not a vegetarian, but I thoroughly enjoyed the food.On top of being of great quality and very healthy, the quantities were perfect, the presentation was superb and everybody enjoyed it. The meals were nicely balanced and I don't think anybody missed the meat.
I'll take you through the menu
:
(I chose the first option of each choice presented)

For starter we had the choice between:

Asparagus, duck egg, Roquette and parmesan salad:
Asparagus, duck egg, Roquette and parmesan salad

Assiette of tomato (mozarella salad, gazpacho, bloody Mary jelly)
Assiette of tomato (mozarella salad, gazpacho, bloody Mary jelly)

Forest mushroom Risotto, parmesan crisp & truffle vinaigrette
Forest mushroom Risotto, parmesan crisp & truffle vinaigrette

For the main course we could either have:

Pithiviers of English rosary goat cheese, provencal vegetables & butternut squash sauce
Pithiviers of English rosary goat cheese, provencal vegetables & butternut squash sauce

Leek, cherry tomato &blue cheese 'cannellonis' with olive potato cake and carrot 'spagetthi'
Leek, cherry tomato &blue cheese 'cannellonis' with olive potato cake and carrot 'spagetthi'

Fragrant courgette&tomato curry with wilted spinach, quinoa and leek Bahji
Fragrant courgette&tomato curry with wilted spinach, quinoa and leek Bahji


and for the desert there was:

Dark Chocolate creme brulee hazelnut sable & vanilla marshmallow
Dark Chocolate creme brulee hazelnut sable & vanilla marshmallow

Baked white chocolate cheesecake, passion fruit
Baked white chocolate cheesecake, passion fruit

Glazed lemon tart creme fraiche raspberry puree
Glazed lemon tart creme fraiche raspberry puree


So a good vegetarian mean can satisfy everybody, only rarely have I had such great vegetarian food...

The Buffet was also light, tasty and exciting with wild mushroom canapes, pine nut rice, vegetable kebabs and so on...:
Evening vegetarian buffet
Evening vegetarian buffet


Also the bride had decided to avoid the traditionnal British iced fruit cake to replace it with beautiful and colourful cupcakes:
Cupcake galore

Cupcake galoreCupcake galore

Cupcake galore

To top it up, the meal took place in a conservatory, flooded with light, with a view on the peak district, the tables were garnished with fresh decorations, and the atmosphere was assured to be light nd happy.
It was great wedding, and whether the guests were vegetarian or not, the meal was enjoyed without any question...I hope that reassures the vegetarians amongst my readers who would like to plan a vegetarian theme for their wedding food...

Red Champagne
BreadWaiterTable decoration centerpiece
Table decorationPeak district scenery
Guests present