Ladies Night Out, Week ??

Birgit and I had another fun-filled Thursday though we did get rained out a bit, so our shopping was cut short. Though we did stop at Jones for tea and saw a store that my friend, Melissa, might get a kick out of.

The rain did give us more time at The Screening Room. It’s a favorite haunt of ours and it’s nice to have them so friendly; Samia has picked up on our love of the place too and, I think, gets a bit of a kick out of it – smile. Her Nephew, the Manager, was very gracious and bought us a drink tonight – thank you!

We also got a quite a show from the bartender – I think they are all practicing for their spotlight in the movie, Cocktail!! Have a look – he’s great!

Thanks Birgit for another fun night!

I think I may be the slowest "Texter" imaginable!

Mezze, What’s Mezze?!

This class was dedicated to “starters” or what Middle Easterners call Mezze. I talked a bit about this before in the Turkish class posting and it now has continued with this class: Mezze II although there is a main dish tucked into the menu: Stuffed Zucchini. Of course, to be true Mezze you should be sharing the dishes, at room temperature, with friends, under olive trees. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many of those back home. We’ll just have to compromise with Locus and Nectarine Trees…
Birgit and I signed up for the class together and then saw Yumiko and Tina again. We also got the chance to meet some new people – always interesting. The classes draw in such a mixture of people. The Iceland Volcano even affected the attendance because Samia’s sister-in-law and friends were “stuck” in Singapore because they couldn’t get a flight back to Europe. I continue to enjoy the experiences here and in Singapore because it has enlightened me and broadened my horizons to an extent that I cannot even begin to imagine the impact that it will have on my life, Paul’s included.
The menu, as always, was phenomenal and testament to Samia’s breadth and depth of knowledge of cuisines around the world:

Batinjaan bi Rubb al-Rumman (Grilled Eggplant with Pomegranate & Mint)

Kibbeh al Hammam (Burghul & Tomato Kibbeh)

Falafel (Fava Bean & Chickpea Rissoles) with Yoghurt & Tahini Dip

Fattoush Salad (Mixed Salad with Toasted Pitta Bread)

Ful Medames (Egyptian Broad Beans)

Kusa Mahshi (Zucchini Stuffed with Herbed Rice & Lamb)

Baclava Fingers (Phyllo Pastry layered with Nuts & Greek Thyme Honey Syrup)

Yes, WOW is the only way to put it. Samia says that she is going to put the Stuffed Zucchini on her menu as a vegetarian dish – of course, without the Lamb. That’s probably how I will make it for Paul, too. I really enjoyed all of the dishes and we were treated to fresh Naan – yum!! I was surprised how much I liked the Ful Medames – I can’t wait to make that for Paul. It’s actually a warm Mezze served at Breakfast! I got the special privilege of capturing the shot for the Kibbeh - Samia doesn't have any pictures of it for her website, so I hope one of the pictures will make it to the website - that would be too cool!

For the Falafels, Samia had an authentic Middle Eastern Falafel Maker – see below. Though we probably all agreed we would just make it with our hands.

I always enjoy my experiences there and Birgit and I are going to another class on Saturday, Brunch. We’ll learn “multi-ethnic cuisine” for what Samia calls a “memorable brunch menu.”

IKEA in Singapore – Yeah!

I had my first visit to IKEA today – Birgit and I headed over there after our Mezze Cooking Class (that posting is coming later today J). Anyway, we went to the one on Alexandra – amazingly enough that’s the SMALLER one and it was still pretty big. The BIGGER one is out by the airport at Tampines.

http://www.ikea.com.sg/en/service/map/index.asp

I was good and only purchased some funky paper napkins, a cool acrylic napkin holder and a small mirror. Kind of an odd assortment of goods but the company and experience was fun!!

Turkish Cooking & A German Movie in S’pore

We’re proud to say we had a VERY multicultural day!! I started by joining my friends, Birgit (German) & Hayley (New Zealander), at a Turkish cooking class in Singapore taught by Samia (Pakistani). Later that night, Birgit and I then headed over to The Screening Room to end the night with Paul over a couple of bottles of Italian Sparkling Wine and a German Film: Rabbit without Ears.

I don’t have any pictures of the film experience but here are the pictures and entry for the Turkish Class!

Samia’s most recent “obsession” is Middle Eastern cooking. We’re reaping the benefits. These classes are increasingly becoming a meeting place for friends. There were ten in the class and I knew, or had met before, four. Samia outdid herself again with a fantastic spread and generous use of Olive Oil – Classic and EVOO!

I’m beginning to understand the rich history of the Middle Eastern & Mediterranean cooking and seeing out much the Persian influence has affected the cuisines. The menu yesterday was another great feast and learning experience. Mezze (Small Bites: meant to be served at room temperature, with drinks; not meant to replace the main meal. The Spanish have the similar in “Tapas.”)

The Mezze was Ajvar (Warm Roasted Red Peppers & Aubergine Salad), Sigara Boregi (Cheese Cigars) & Green Bean Salad.

Manti (Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with a Yogurt & Butter Sauce) - I got to help with this! See Below...

Seabass en Papillote with Lemon Segments

Imam Biyaldi (Eggplants Stuffed or Placed with Onions & Tomatoes)

Herbed Rice

Keshkul (Almond Cream)

Samia related an interesting anecdote about the Imam Biyaldi dish: the name actually means “the Imam Fainted” – there are a few of theories on why…either it was so good it made him faint or because the cost of olive oil was so expensive that he fainted because of the cost. Who knows the truth, but what we do know, there is a lot of Olive Oil in this dish!

The Herbed Rice has quite a bit, too, but Samia said she has cut it down from 1 cup (at least) to only a ½ cup. Oh boy!

I got help Samia make the spinach and ricotta ravioli - she used Gyoza wrappers. Here's a video of the exchange between Samia, myself and a classmate.

These classes are always a pleasure and I look forward to three more this week!