FOOD JOURNALS DECEMBER 2018: "Arabian Appetite, Kingly Breakfasts, & Dates"

Foodwise --- December was a rollercoaster ride! When the month took off, I was enjoying the holiday mixes of Menchie's frozen yogurt and the warm deliciousness of Starbucks holiday drinks. And when it ended, I was enjoying a grand BBQ feast to celebrate my Umrah (pilgrimage) in the Arafat ground before Mount Arafat (Jabl e Rehmat). As I flew to the Arabian peninsula, I took my appetite with me! Shawerma, Kunafah, Umm e Ali, and so much more happened. Take it away. 

My holiday Menchies Mix flavors: Eggnog Cheesecake, Dole Whip Lemon Sorbet, Sea Salt Caramel Latte, & Swiss Miss Frozen Hot Cocoa. Yumm! i always put a kiwi for a tree.

Enjoyed the Starbucks Hot Chocolate and Gingerbread Loaf! That is a spiced slice of cake with candied ginger. The topping is to die for! It’s vanilla with some zesty orange hints. There can be nothing better than this topping.

SAUDI AIRLINES INFLIGHT FOOD COLLAGE. DAJAJ ANYBODY? OH NO WE'RE OUT!!!

I am a Business Class traveler for the most part but we decided to save big (since 2018 was an year of damages!) and traveled Guest Class. Saudi Airlines most definitely has the best Economy/Guest Class seats. They give you room to breathe. In fact, their Business Class is narrower than Qatar and Emirates'. The Guest Class food is definitely better than their Business. Yes, no fooling around. The ONE thing that is MOST annoying is how the crew HIDES the chicken! Yes! They start announcing midway down the cabin "No Dajaj!" That means No Chicken. Fortunately I was seated right in the middle so I was the cut off point for the Dajaj. The people behind me got other animals --- whatever they serve --- beef, lamb, camel (okay, no, there's no camel). They conserve the chicken SO much that when my brother (and other passengers) asked for beef by choice, the steward chirped "EXCELLENT CHOICE, SIR!" --- that made me with the Dajaj someone sub-standard. So I enjoyed my Dajaj both times - flying in and flying out. It was Chicken Rice (a toned down Biryani) for dinner on my way to Jeddah, and Chicken with veggies on the way back to Washington. Breakfast was omelet once and then scrambled egg. Desserts were delicious! They serve them without descriptive menus so --- mystery!

The Arab breakfast fares were as usual --- fit for a king (queen in my case). Actually, my hotels of choice were just brilliant. Madinah Hilton and Fairmont Royal Clock Tower Makkah. But typically, continental breakfasts at hotels offer a big menu, but the Arabs like to eat large at breakfast! Salads and hummus alone were spread over an entire counter. They like eating things by the block and chunks. Large tomato cubes, huge olives, large cut wet vegetables like beetroot, and various dips and sauces. 

Dates are an essential part of the Arabian diet. And why wouldn't they be? The sacred lands are blessed with the health and agriculture for growing them in copious volumes. It is also the blessing of Prophet Muhammad (peace upon him and his progeny) as he planted them himself and blessed particularly the land of Madinah. It blossomed to become an oasis in the desert. So, when you're there you are eating pure, organic goodness. 

It is normal to see dates for impulse buying in fridges at supermarkets. You can only expect to see ice cream being placed like that, no? And, in Madinah - the city of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) date shopping's the best. So if you're visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, dates are a staple souvenir and treat in one shot. If you board the Business Class you are served a date and Kahwa before take off! And if not, do not worry because if you sit after a prayer at either one of the Harams (Masjid Nabawi, or Masjid Al Haram) someone will serve you dates as a gesture of love and charity for Muslim brotherhood! How brilliant is that? And, Ajwah is the date to buy. Ajwah Aliyah grows in the gardens planted by Salman Farsi RA and they are reserved to be served in the two Harams only. They're funded by the royal family of course! 

Jet lag has limited my capability to go on. Food Journals will return with a new look! And I'd carry the Arabian tales forward! Afterall, there's still Shawerma and Mount Arafat BBQ to share.