Holy Chutney, Batman!

July 8, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 2 Comments

Yikes!

The last time I posted was almost 6 weeks ago – and even that was barely a post; more like a compendium of links to stuff I’ve written for the good folks over at Cairo 360. But I haven’t been lazy; just insanely busy. Busy doing what? you ask. Well, my knee jerk answer to that question would be “None of your bidniss”, but then again, I’m making it your business by writing this post, right?

So what have I been doing? Writing more and more articles for cairo 360, eating well, and compiling a list of the recipes I used for the dishes photographed on the facebook page. Soon, you will have all of my secrets; but like a well fed golden goose; I keep on laying great tasting eggs. Err… maybe not the best analogy, but you get it.

More recently, I’ve been lucky enough to work with Ayman Samir, chef/owner of The Cellar Door bistro in Maadi. There are some very exciting developments, and the chance to create a new menu with an experienced professional first hand is something I’ve been dying to do for a few years now. Conflict of interest aside, I’d highly recommend a visit to the restaurant, if only to sample the sublime tuna carpaccio and the duck confit tagliatelle. Otherwise, order something from the specials menu, which brings classical, clean flavors to new heights.

Meanwhile, I’m thinking of starting the fast food fast anew; the only exception to this year’s fast will be the omission of Subway and Doner Mania from the list of culprits to avoid. It’s not like I eat there everyday, anyways.

Keep it tight, and stay tuned.

Cooking Time: 3 minutes

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Out there in the World

May 23, 2010 by Wesam Masoud Leave a Comment

Ok, not so much about Cairo food – nor my own food for that matter – but this article caught my eye.

A 26-Page Brownie Recipe? Only At The Pentagon

Now, I’m all for standards while cooking; but I think this is overkill. I would hate to be the person tasked with writing this document. No doubt there were SOPS and templates to follow; but I can;t help but think the creation of this document was the source of some mid-level government employee’s loss of sanity.

Nuked, 30 seconds.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127058298&sc=fb&cc=fp

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I wish I had said it #4

May 4, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 2 Comments

Anti-foodie sign, seen in New York of all places.

A whirlwind April has given way to an even tempered May – that is, if my my horoscope is to be believed. Lots of stuff up in my head, lots of little drumsets in this head of mine, but the loudest one at 4am happens to be the question of whether to use the term “Foodie” or “Foodist” to describe my addiction to all things, err, Food.

In my search for answers, I slipped back into old habits; researching and cataloging sources so I could come up with a conclusion. But sleep and the desire to get home and watch Celebrity Masterchef cut that whole endeavor short, and so I’ll link to the two most entertaining pieces I’ve read about the subject. Besides, these guys have said everything I could possibly want to say but better; that’s why this post is under the “I wish I had said it” category.

A Call for Revolution, by Dan Restione

The Final word on “Foodies” by Hagan Blount

At the end of it all, you gotta ask yourself: Would Anthony Bourdain call himself a Foodie/Foodist? Probably not.

Raw, Uncooked.

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I wish I had said it #3

April 21, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 2 Comments

Learn this well, and then thank me for giving you yet another reason to make fun of your friends.

Thank you, I-am-bored.com

Do not put the wasabi in the soy sauce, damnit.

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I wish I had said it #2

April 11, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 3 Comments

Desk Girl eloquently encapsulates the world of a foodie in her latest post. One small note: isn’t it Foodie, not foodist? A Fattie is someone who loves fat people, and a Fatist is someone who hates them. By that same token, wouldn’t a foodist be someone who hates food?

Desk Girl, hats off to ya!

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Happy Easter Weekend

April 2, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 1 Comment

Rejoice, for the long weekend has come! Doubtless half of you will be sat at home, unable to travel. The other half, myself included, will be en route to a sunny, sandy and simple sojourn in Sinai.

Easter is a great time for all; after much celebration, many part-time vegans will be able to return to a feast of flesh. Wear your meat pants, and bring an empty belly.

Happy Easter.

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On Homecooking

March 24, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 6 Comments

My mother makes the best comfort food. I’ve got 4 brothers spread out over the planet, so it’s getting increasingly rare for us to all get together and have a “family meal”. But when it does happen; my Mom swings into action, drawing upon 35 years of experience as a mother to bring out a whole assortment of dishes to create our perfect family meal. The smorgasbord of meat, vegetable and starches she puts together takes a full day to make; but is devoured in less than an hour. Koshary, Chicken Pane, Lasagna, Stuffed Potatoes, Okra Stew (Bamia), Macaroni with Béchamel Casserole, Smoked Kofta in Red sauce with White Rice, Gratinated Potato Casserole, Goulash (minced beef and vegetables layered under filo pastry), Molokheyya with Red Sauce and a huge bowl of Garden Salad. Neither the table nor our stomachs have room for dessert.

Read more of this post

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I wish I had said it

February 25, 2010 by Wesam Masoud Leave a Comment

I’ve been on a marathon 3 day viewing of the first four seasons of “How I Met Your Mother”. I gotta say, this is much more enjoyable than watching all 3 seasons of “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place”.

And I wonder why I’m getting fat. Moving swiftly on.

In the third season, Marshall (played by Jason Segel) leads the charge to rediscover the “best hamburger in New York”. After being presented with a series of Burgers and still not being convinced, he was asked what was so special about his particular Holy Grail Burger. His response was pure poetry”

“Just a Burger? Just a burger. Robin, it’s so much more than “just a burger”. I mean…that first bite—oh what heaven that first bite is! The bun like a sesame freckled breast of an angel resting gently on the ketchup and mustard below—flavors mingling in a seductive pas-de-deux And then…a pickle…the most playful little pickle! Then a slice of tomato, a leaf of lettuce and a…a patty of ground beef so exquisite; swirling in your mouth breaking apart and combining again in a fugue of sweets and savor so delightful. This is no mere sandwich of grilled meat and toasted bread, Robin: this is God…speaking to us in food.“

As Barney would put it: “Legen – I hope you don’t have lactose intolerance – Dary”

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On Dropping the ball

February 18, 2010 by Wesam Masoud Leave a Comment

Valentine’s day was quite a busy day for NHCIA.com; and I’ve been wondering why. It’s obvious now, but you have to understand that I do not commemorate or dignify valentine’s day valentine’s day if I can get away with it – and thankfully this year I can.

So if I totally missed out on writing up a quick list of restaurants to have that romantic dinner, then please consider it an omission of forgetfulness.

I just hope that no one went to Abu El Seed, Armada or the Zamalek JW Steakhouse.

Nuked, 1 Minute

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Playing Favorites

February 11, 2010 by Wesam Masoud 4 Comments

Yep, I’ve been really lazy as of late. Here’s an attempt to get off my rear end and actually write something unique for the NHCIA.

I haven’t got a lot of time to regale you with tales of food history or tell you how to make a cinnamon syllabub; I’m in a wham-bam-thank you ma’am kinda mood. When I’m hungry and I need speed, I get some me fast feed. Of course I have favorites; some home deliveries are faster than others, and that typically influences my decision. But it’s not just the speed of the food delivery – cook door could deliver in 5 minutes and I still wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole – it’s the items on offer.

Burgers? Burger King, Hardee’s, Burger Kitchen then McDonald’s.

Pizza? Sbarro’s, Papa John’s, Domino’s, Pizza Hut then Little Ceaser’s.

Chicken? KFC, Texas Fried Chicken then Al Tazaj. Not too many chicken fast food options out there; that would explain why KFC has been allowed to thrive.

Chinese? No one. It’s a big market gap that needs to be exploited by someone with more time and money than myself.

As a wee lad growing up in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, I often found myself wishing for the day when I could mix and match, pick and choose my favorite items  and eat them all on the same plate. Sort of like an All-Star Fast Food Team. Thankfully, my Fast Food Fast has been over for almost 6 months. Without further adieu, Here’s my lineup:

Main Items:

  1. BK Whopper
  2. Hardee’s Mushroom and Swiss
  3. KFC Toasted Twister Wrap with Cheese (Original)
  4. Sbarro’s New York Thin Sliced Margherita Pizza

Side Items:

  1. Texas Chicken’s Biscuits
  2. A&W Root Beer
  3. McDonald’s Fries
  4. Hardee’s Big Cookie

I’m pretty sure there are some items that you wouldn’t agree with; but then again, there are probably items there that you have not tried yet: go try them, then come talk to me. If you’ve got your own suggestions, make yourself heard!

Nuked, 3 minutes on Medium

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