Baked Hammour (Grouper)

I like to replicate dishes which I have enjoyed at restaurants and few weeks back I had a baked Hammour (Grouper) at Bice which I have posted about. It was such a delicious dish and very simple in flavor.
I was inspired to do my own version and add some of the flavors I like to add when I'm having fish.





First I chopped the Hammour fillet into chunks, washed in cool water then added about a half tsp of Turmeric mixing it well with the fish chunks and let it sit for half hour.
Mean while I grated 1 carrot 1 small potato mixed them together in a bowel and added 1 tsp olive oil, 1 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese, Mackomric Italian blend herbs, pinch of salt and pepper.







Then I prepped my second marinade, grated rinds of 1 lemon, 1/2 lemon juice, 1 garlic clove crushed, 1 Tbs of chopped parsley and coriander, pinch of salt and pepper.
Wash the fish again from the Turmeric very well. make sure there isn't much water left then add it to the marinade, mixing it well.
Transfer the mixture to an oven dish and topped with the grated potatoes mix. Bake for 25-30 minutes at 180*



Enjoy!!!
My portion is enough for two people. Double the ingredients if you want a bigger serving.






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Bice Restorante

Last weekend Fahad and I decided to try the newly opend Italian restaurant Bice, in AlHamra Tower. The atmosphere is elegant! Very classy! A place where you'll enjoy looking and feeling good. Pure European elegance.
The staff were very welcoming and friendly. I loved how the hostess who took us to our table asked what kind of menu do we want, Arabic or English. It surprised and pleased us very much, because I read English menus and Fahad prefers his in Arabic.
The waiter was very informative. He suggested dishes for us to try. We were very hungry and I would have loved to try most of them, unfortunately we couldn't order everything on the menu, which means we have to visit the place again to try other platters. :)

The lighting in the restaurant was soft, with beautiful framed pictures hanging on the walls.



The Chef sent us a complenmentary starter.

It is either calimari or sea urchin...

I can't remember. Help! But it was good!

I loved the green pesto and red pesto and the olive paste.

Usually I don't touch the bread basket at restaurant.

But this basket was different. As soon as they put it on the table the aroma of the freshly baked bread filled the atomsphere and awakened my hunger! It was so delicious!

That is Fahad's piece of bread with the trio pestos.

They were all so delicious and full of flavor!

Fahad being a tradionalist went for a Caesar Salad.

He liked it very much.

I being more adventurous than my hubby, went for a salad with a long name that has some mysticism in it. It is salty and sweet and fruity! I loved it very much, and very different from some of the boring salads I have everyday ;p

The decore in the restaurant is simple and elegant.

Main dish we shared a mushroom risotto.

It was perfectly cooked and full of flavor.

Fahad ordered a veal.

I had a bite from it. Very tender and delicious.

 

 

I on the other hand went for the baked Hamour. It wasn't on the menu but the waiter suggested I should try it and it was a winner in my book!

I am inspired! I want to replicate this dish but with my own touch.

And will post about it when I do ;)  

Desserts!!! Fahad had the Tiramisu.

He liked it.

I had the chocolate souffle. OMG!!! OMG!!!

The best souffle I have ever had! Loved the chocolate, not the cheap kind. The souffle was cakey on the outside and sooo gooey on the inside, and the cream around it enhanced the flavor.

Chocolate ooozing from inside the souffle.

So gooooood! I didn't want it to finish.

And after such a meal....

a cup of Espresso to keep my eyes open for the drive back home.

Before the end of the meal, the restaurant manager Mr. Valerio Ienco. He was making sure that everything was good with us and happy with the food. He was very kind and explained about the top quality they insist on serving the customers, and honestly if you're a foodie you will know how fresh the food is without anyone explaining it to you.

 

I highly recommend you try Bice. 

The atmosphere and the food will transport you to

Italy and their elegant delicious food.

Give it a try and tell me what you think.  

Currently Craving

I'm currently craving Paul's French Onion Soup!

It is so delicious and flavorful... and I didn't want it to finish when I had it  for the first time a couple of weeks ago.

 *sigh*

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The Drama Continues

The drama with the salon in our building and their clients continues. I won't get into the gory details which we have reached with the owners of the salon few months back (nas waq7een! Hailag and I consider whoever goes to them hailag as well!).

 

Anyways, as you can see in the pictures the parking space on the right side belongs to one of our neighbors it is closed by a cone, insuring that no one parks in it while they are out, the space on the left side belongs to the owner of the salon and she closes her space too. One of her hailagiya and inconsiderate client parked in the middle, blocking the space of the neighbor. So what he did is blocking her car with his and going up to his apartment. I heard that the owner of the car went up to him and a big fight ensued. Gal3at'ha!!! I know our neighbor and his temper and zain yesawee feeha!

Beside the cones, as you see in the pictures, there are signs which say "No Parking!", but still ill mannered and inconsiderate people park in the spaces.

Well… it is just to pinpoint the inconsiderate bad mannered people. We see them everywhere.

Is there a law against parking in private spaces? If there is one then the next time I see someone in my space I'll just call the police and let them deal with it!

I will keep a log on every incident which happens regarding parking spaces in out building or on the streets like parking in handicapped spaces or parking in two spaces instead of one.

 

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New Year... New School...

Yep! I've transferred the boys to a new school... Hopefully better. So far I'm impressed by their organization and school system structure. Inshallah khair.

However we have to leave the house very early because of traffic. The ungodly hour I wake them up to get them ready is exhausting on them and me. By noon I could hardly function let alone them...my poor babies.




So I guess I have to improvise. Instead of wasting time on breakfast as we usually do, I just have to prepare for them food to eat on the way to school. Going through my cook books I'm searching for some inspiration, ways to serve them something different and interesting. The school also has restrictions on what food to pack for the kids. No chocolates, cookies, Nutella, candy, chips, chocolate drinks and soft drinks for the kids. I feel it's like a challenge to come up with new stuff the past few days, especially that Abdulaziz is a picky eater and drives me crazy when it comes to meals.

So what do you pack for your kids? And do they have breakfast at home or on the way to school? What do you prepare for them?


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Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy

 

I always say I read Nora Roberts books when I have nothing better to read or when I want something light to read when I want a break from historicals or fantasy books I usually read. Not that I don't enjoy them, I usually do, but sometimes they grow tiresom because most of her trilogies are similar, like the characters and plot.

 

So few months back I started reading "The Next Always" the first book in the Boonsboro trilogy. I really liked the characters and the book. There was also a supernatural element in the story as some of her books do. This time is a moody but benign ghost living at the inn which the Montgomery brothers are renovating.

 

Beckett Montgomery and his brothers begin renovations on the historic hotel in Boonsboro, Maryland. A second chance for the inn leads to a second chance for love.

 

 

I finished reading "The Last Boyfriend" last week and it was also a light entertaining read. I finished the book in two days. I enjoyed this one more, because there was a conclusion to the first book and another beginning for the main character in this book and a teaser for the third book.

 

"Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish...

Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent.

As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…" - Penguin Group

 

Yes. I'm really looking forward to the last installment of this trilogy "The Perfect Hope".  Since I can't imagine how Hope and Ryder will come together since half the time they are politely cold and stay out of each other's way most of the time.

Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro…

As the former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is used to excitement and glamour, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate the joys of small-town living. She’s where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them…a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss.

While the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him…

The Search is Over

The search is over and I found the bike I wanted...

Well not exactly but close enough,

now I'm searching for a basket to go with it

I can't wait for the weather to get cooler

 so I can go cycling with the boys.

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Becarre Ramadan Exhibtion

I've been to Bacarre before and they have wonderful concepts and pieces for your home. I love the place and kept saying inshallah when I have my own home I will get some pieces from them. They are unique and one of a kind, nothing you would see in other places, or the same kind of boring replicates you find at other furnishing stores. If you like to stand out and be distinctive then Becarre is the place for you.

Now Becarre has gathered artists and designers one of a kind with amazing elegance to show case their creations.

Do not miss this exhibition if you are an habitué of luxury and elegance.

Becarre Gallery cordially invites you to Ramadan 2012 Exhibition on Sunday July 29th 2012 from 8:30PM to 12:00AM

Exhibition will continue till July 31st 2012

Exhibition will exhibit some of Becarre latest work and will also host:

SILSAL - BTZ Group

Dana Nafisi Jewelry by Dana AlNafisi

Khazaf - Najla & Loulwa AlRadwan

Aisha AlFadel

Authentic Glamour by Latefa AlGharabally

يسر بيكار دعوتكم لحضور معرض رمضان ٢٠١٢ يوم الأحد ٢٩ يوليو ٢٠١٢ من الساعة ٨:٣٠ م إلى ١٢:٠٠ من منتصف الليل - و سيستمر المعرض إلى ٣١ يوليو ٢٠١٢

سيتم عرض أحدث قطع من إبتكارات بيكار بالإضافة إلى إستضافة

صلصال - BTZ Group

مجوهرات دانة النفسي

خزف - نجلاء و لولوة الرضوان

عائشة الفضل

Authentic Glamour - لطيفة الغربللي

Becarre

Salmiya - Salem AlMubarak Street
Northern Salmiya Building - 2nd floor (next to BHS, elevator entrance)

Tel +965 25757725

بيكار

شارع سالم المبارك في السالمية

بناية السالمية الشمالية - الدور الثاني عن طريق المصعد بجانب محلات BHS

ت: ٢٥٧٥٧٧٢٥

A Very Dathra Party!

OMG!!! Yesterday I felt like a child who is excited to go to a birthday party!!!

You know how a kid keeps telling everybody "I'm going to a birthday party! I'm going to a birthday party! I'm going to a birthday party!"

Well I found myself in the same situation. This month there was so many events' I had to excuse myself from because my kids were sick then I fell sick.

I kept telling everyone I know, "I'm going to a Dathra party! I'm going to a Dathra party! I'm going to a Dathra party!"

I even told the bag boy at TSC… "I'm going to a Dathra party tonight!"

He didn't have any idea what a Dathra party is, and he had that look on his face which said, "Ooook! Crazy lady…. Go away!"

Lool!

An amazing Dathra doll made by Jacquies artistic aunt <3

Anyway now you may wonder what a Dathra Party is. Well it is in Celebration of "The Chronicles of Dathra, a Dowdy Girl from Kuwait" volume 2, written by our one and only Denderma!!

Who is Dathra? She is a girl who has a big heart as much as she is big herself, and finds herself in situations whether funny, heartbreaking or just plain crazy!  

Denderma used to post every week a chapter then she collected them before the story was complete and printed them into a book. The book is written in English and some of the dialogue is in Arabish and there is translation to them.

An old fashioned "Dathra" dinner ;p

Now the party!!! It is a very relaxed gathering among sister bloggerettes. The atmosphere took us way back to the 80's – 90's, decorations music, food.

We were supposed to dress in dowdy clothes inspired by the nineties, but since it's my first girls outing and I didn't have anything which fits me from the nineties, I opted for a dera3a and wore some jewelry which I owned since the 90's. Others were more into the spirit of the party and were hilariously dressed in dowdy clothes. Wallah hats off to them!!!

Jacquies, brought with her a Dathra doll made by her fabulous aunt, mashallah, very accurate!!! And adorable!

The food was also Dathra inspired. Almost everything Dathra loves to eat… and the girl loves to eat!!! Now that I think of it… There was no McDonald's at the party!!!

We also celebrated Denderma's early birthday, with a cute fruit cake what we used to consider kash5a back in the 90's, brought by Ansam518. 

By the end of the party we had a small competition who is the dowdiest girl. Swera from Crazy Yet Wise won, Duddette was second and Jacquies came third.

Dinner with Sankist!

Love Sankist!!!

Yummy Elba... Kuwaiti style flan.

from AlNory from blog Nora.

Old fashioned candy from Denderma's table.

We all grew up with KDD ice cream...

and this takes me back to summers in Kuwait.

Do you remember this frozen ice cream?

can't remember the name...

but I remember early afternoons going to

the baqala and getting a stick when I spent

summers here in Kuwait.

My favorite was the orange.

Happy Birthday Denderma!!!

Jacquies pink boa!!!

Goodie bag! Yum!

 

When we left Denderma gave us some goodie bags… let's say amazing and dowdy goodie bags filled with old fashioned candies and chocolates… and a signed copy of the book.

Inside my goodie bag @@

My copy of the book...

and sweet Danderma signed it for me ;*  

Love you girl! Wallah ya36eech al3afaya for a wonderful evening.

 Pinkgirl Q8, Duddette, Swera, AlNory, Ansam518, Just Noon, Jacquies, The Side Talk and of course Danderma... it was lovely seeing you ;*** lets do this more often :)

You can get your copy of The Chronicles of Dathra, a Dowdy Girl from Kuwait - Volume 2 at 52 Degrees.