Gelato Italiano Ramadan Flavors

As owner, I come up with ideas for flavors and discuss them with Fahad and try to find a way of making them and have our friends try them to give us their opinion about it. This time round, we were in a tight rush. We got back home from our vacation only a week ago, and there wasn't enough time experimenting on the flavors so we just plunged in and tried to make the best of it. Since last Ramadan I wanted to try the Rangeena. I had an idea how to make it and which gelato basic recipe to try with it. I can taste it just by thinking of the ingrediants, however I know in the end it would be different from what I imagined. It is the same thing with the Qammardine w/ pistachios and the Chocolate w/ Rahash and the Kunafa. As owner, Shahadti Majroo7a, but I can say I'm very much in love with these flavors after trying them for the first time last night. I loved Rosewater, Rangeena and Kunafa the most, but I do recommend you try all of them.

Tunis 3 - Ghar El Melh

Second day was Sunday. We decided to go on a picnic to Ghar El Melh, about 45 min drive from Tunis, through the country side. It is a long stretch of beach for a picnic and swimming. My brother in law, Chef Fawaz, its what I call him, prepared us some herbed chicken sandwiches, and fried chicken legs with fries. His beach gear ready in the car, we just had to change and head there. On the way we made few stops, buying some beach toys for the boys, and stopped at fruits and vegetables street vendor. We got some fresh delicious ripe seasonal fruits. The best I ever tasted. It was a first time on the beach for Ahmedi. I loved watching the wonder on his face as he took his first step on the sand, and the way he looked at the waves and sea. As he reached the water, he pulled down his swim suit!!! It was so cute! We spent the whole day there, we ate from our delicious lunch and enjoyed the cool sea breeze. We bought some candied nuts from vendors with baskets. We packed our gear and headed back to Tunis as the sun went down.

Just follow the signs ;)

Scenes while on the road. Welcome! Ghar El Melh

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables on a side street.

Grapes as sweet as honey

Our Picnic gear

Ahmedi undressing as he reached the water Azoz & Ahmed

Enjoying the sea water for the first time

Candied nuts vendor.

Candied nuts.

What's left of our lunch, I was too hungry to remember to take pictures of it

Tunis 2

Tunis Al Khadra! What can I say about it? I fear words will fail me, but I will try. As soon as you step on the grounds of this country you'll experience a different kind of energy buzz, loud and vivid yet quiet and lax. It all depends on how you want to experience Tunis. I love this country, I love the people, I love the evocative atmosphere, the snaking alley of street bazzars, the smells and sights, the country side, the beach, the green rolling hills, and I can go on and on… It is my fourth trip to Tunis. I usually go there for business, scavenge hunting for distinctive pieces, which are scattered around the country side, for a small side business I own. This time it's different. This time I'm on vacation, I didn't want to think of business although I was highly tempted, and it is the first time for Ahmed to travel outside of Kuwait. We arrived at Carthage airport around 1.30am, by the time we got out of customs and collected our suitcases, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Did I mention I hated long trips? Plus I had a restless 3azoz, and an irritated Ahmed. My brother in law, Fawaz who is a diplomat, was waiting for us. We were so happy to see him. We stayed at the apartment building owned by the embassy. My brother Falah was on the second floor and Fawaz occupied the first floor. It is a very spacious apartment. Next day we went grocery shopping at Geant it is identical and a competitor of Carfoure. Just getting some juices and snacks for the boys. I like browsing through Tunisian food products and it is very delicious. I love their Pear jam, unfortunately I couldn't find the brand I usually buy when I'm there. I still felt exhausted from the flight, so we went back to the apartment to rest until the evening we had dinner at a very charming hotel called Plaza Corniche Hotel. I loved how their terrace was filled with hanging lights, chandeliers, lanterns and Christmas lights from every color and kind and everywhere you look around. Inside the hotel it was cluttered with unique pieces, I felt like walking into an antique shop. Very beautiful!!! The food was amazing too!!!

Ahmed Sleeping on the plane on the way to Tunis

Carthage Airport

Geant supermarket

Snacks for my babies

Azoz with a waiter antique figurine

Hanging lights of The Plaza Corniche Hotel & Restaurant

Mezzah of meatballs, Harissa, olives & sweet potatos in olive oil

Fried Muscles

Steak in butter

Breaded Calimari

Tunis

Waiting to board the plane to Tunis on Tunis Air. The plane is an airbus, small, but the kindness and welcome of the crew made up for the long exhausting flight. The already charged PSPs hardly kept Azoz occupied through the flight. Strange noises came out of his mouth disturbing the people around him. Ahmedi was sleeping before the plane took off, and woke up the last hour before we arrived. There is so much to write about. So stay tuned.

Packing!

What to pack…what to pack!!! I'm leaving tomorrow and I still haven't packed anything! I started with Azoz's suitcase, but stopped, I had my doubts whether I've put too much clothes or not. I still have Ahmedi's suitcase, and Fahad's and mine, and some stuff for Fawaz, my brother in law. Ahmed's things are more than any of us combined. The maid isn't helping much. She doesn't know how to pack and just dumped the clothes in the suitcase, I had to rearrange everything, it is exhausting. It is Ahmed's first trip, the first time on a plane. I have my Tynol and Actified ready. The PSPs are charged and my fingers crossed. I still have a very long 'To Do' list. I have a lot of things to get before we leave and friends and family to say goodbye to. Tunis! Here I come!

First Blog

This is my first Blog! I created two blogs, one here at blogspot and the other one is at wordpress. I find it easier to navigate around blogspot, and I'm still trying to find my way aruond. I hope you'll enjoy my posts.