Culinary Coups, Gustatory Grievances and Epicurean Excellence in Cairo
April 11, 2010 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!
April 2, 2010 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.
March 24, 2010 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.
February 25, 2010 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”
February 18, 2010 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
February 11, 2010 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:
Side Items:
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
December 26, 2009 3 Comments
Gadzooks, Zounds and Egads!
It’s taken about 6 months, but I’ve finally hit 3000 unique visitors! and just in time for christmas. To celebrate, I’m going to watch Heston Blumenthal’s Christmas Feast again. At times, this man moves me to tears. Other times, he drives me to insanity.
Keep on clicking, foodies and cairenes; and post a comment or two that makes sense! Sayed Kawawi (name withheld, but I know who it is) has the palate and brain size of a dinosaur; but at least he’s got something to say. Join in the fun; I may be inclined to respond.
Nuked. 30 seconds on Medium Power
November 3, 2009 2 Comments
Just registered the domain name; so now it should be easier than ever to read my sporadic and useless food postings!
Update bookmarks if you need to!
Cooking time 10 seconds
October 19, 2009 4 Comments
I’ve been very blessed recently to have been afforded the opportunity to travel to two of Europe’s greatest cities on somebody else’s dime. That’s right, not only am I a well paid home-based employee; but also sent to foreign cities on an all expenses paid business trip. Yes, life is sweet.
So after heading to London for a couple of days – well, Marlowe in Berkshire to be exact – I was sent to the city of lights; fair Paris. Armed with my very basic french and a mental checklist of foods I needed to eat; I hopped on the direct Egyptair flight seated comfortably betwixt a retired Wall Street business writer and some uninteresting french woman who smelt curiously of smoked ham.
September 16, 2009 2 Comments
I'm still a fan of my Photoshoppage.
Ok, I gotta come clean – I only relapsed twice; but you can’t blame me – I was on a plane to Beirut and hadn’t eaten since the previous night. The second time was… well… Burger King. I can’t say no to BK. It’s my Kryptonite. But after 30 days of completely shutting out fast food, I thought I’d be lighter on my feet. Spry and nimble. Lean mean and thinking leafy greens.
Sadly, I was wrong. Today I weigh 71Kg. Not a brilliant loss of weight, but I think I know who the culprit is:
Sweet Nectar of the Gods.
I was drinking about 2 liters of Pepsi daily. I need to cut that out of my diet. The problem is, I am composed of 70% Pepsi. It is my Heroin. My morning cup of coffee. A day without Pepsi is unimaginable, a meal without it is unpalatable. I’m so hooked, I’m even a fan of the brand itself – and I do not like Coca Cola. There is much work to be done if I am to get my unhealthy dietary habits in line
As a conclusion to this wonderful month, I’m gonna go ahead and point you in the direction of Next Gen Foods who have compiled a chart of unhealthiest options at some of our favorite fast food chains.
Happy Feast, y’all.
Cooking Time 20 minutes.
