For drinks, we went in for trio tropical which was a mix of mango pineapple and coconut water along with their signature Epitome cooler which brought together basil mint and pineapple.

Our first starter was Ras Malai ki chaat which featured sweet milk sponges topped with golden saffron curd and cherries, served alongside leafy greens, carrots and beetroot threads. A little on the sweet side, this starter would pair well if you’re alternating it with a savory dish. Next in our starters were Hoison chilli wontons, that were crispy fried and tossed in a honey chilli sauce. Bringing a really good balance of spicy, sweet and savory flavors, paired with that slight crunch, these were the perfect young to the Ras Malai’s yang.

For mains, we went with the elephant garlic and basil sticky rice which was wok-fried with finely chopped assorted veggies and topped with burnt garlic and basil leaves. At first, it came across as a mushy version of Manchurian dumplings, but as the flavors began to pop out we were welcomed by the garlicky goodness. Of course, we couldn’t resist ordering an Indian main and for that, we went with Dilli styled nikka choley bhature that came topped with amchoori potatoes and paired with chilli carrot pickle and onions on the side. My favorite from the evening, the choley with potatoes in it was a combination that took this dish to the next level. Considering the portion of the choley, I do think they should give 4 bhatures instead of 2 as a part of this dish.

Next, it was time for desserts and we started with Gulab e Godiva. A Godiva chocolate brownie stuffed with a Gulab Jamun in the centre and topped with vanilla ice cream, this dish was quite a fusion laden item. The vanilla ice cream was a little too sweet for my liking and paired with the Gulab Jamun it made the dish overpowering sweet, but all in all, it was a good concept. The next dessert, not very different from the previous one, was the bomb chocolate soufflé which featured a classic molten chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream and cherry compote. The chocolate soufflé with all that melted gooey chocolate goodness inside was simply perfect. Again the ice cream was a little sweet but it went well with the dense cake. Like all molten chocolate cakes, this dessert takes a little while to prepare and arrive which means it is made fresh.

Did you know? Epitome is the first of its kind vegan and vegetarian licensed cocktail bar and restaurant in Dubai. They have a ladies night too and the place is buzzing with people over the weekend. Make sure you dress to impress and remember this venue is only for ages 21 and over.

Epitome

Location: Aloft Dubai Creek Hotel, Baniyas Road, Deira City Centre Area, Dubai
Contact: 04 5260851

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Here’s a quick and easy story by story recipe of my mom’s style sheer khurma

Step 1: Preparation

I usually do the basic preparations one day in advance. This involves soaking all the dry fruits – almonds, pistachios, cashews, dry dates (and basically anything else you want to add). Once they have soaked for a few hours (I soak them overnight), and softened, they are ready to get peeled and chopped.

Step 2: Cooking

On the morning of Eid, I have all my chopped dry fruits ready along with all the other ingredients, ready to get roasted and mixed into a creamy bowl of Sheerkhurma.

Although the process is really simple, it can be a little time consuming to make wait for the milk to reduce, constantly stirring it to make sure it doesn’t burn. I have had an instance or two where the milk was burnt, but luckily I managed to revive it in time.

Start by adding milk to a pan.

While the milk is boiling, roast the seviyan and dry fruits.

Hope you liked this recipe. Don’t forget to tag @rashidablogs when you post pictures of your sheer khurma on Instagram

Print

Sheer Khurma

The signature Eid dessert drink - how my mom made it

Course Dessert

Prep Time 4 hours hours

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Author rashida

Ingredients

• 1 L fresh milk
• 1 tin condensed milk
• 1 packet vermicelli (seviyan)
• 100 g blanched and chopped almonds
• 100 g chopped pistachios
• 100 g chopped cashews
• 50 g soaked dry dates
• 2 tbsp ghee (divided)

Instructions

• Soak almonds, pistachios and dry dates overnight or until softened
• Chop all the dry fruits into slits
• Heat milk in a pan and bring to a boiil
• While the milk is boiling, head ghee in a wok
• Add chopped almonds, pistachios and cashews to the wok and fry until fragrant
• Set aside on a plate
• In the same wok add another tbsp of ghee
• Break vermicelli into small pieces, add to the wok and fry until fragrant
• Set aside on a plate
• Add condensed milk to the boiling milk and mix well
• Add fried dry fruits to milk
• Add chopped dates to milk
• Add fried vermicelli to milk
• Bring milk to a boil
• Keep stirring every 2 minutes until vermicelli has softened
• Stir until mixture thickens to your preferred consistency
• Serve warm or chilled in a bowl or glass

The post Sheer Khurma | Eid Special Recipe appeared first on Rashida Blogs.

Read on to find out about everything we tried.

Mango Yuzu Bingsoo

My favorite of them all, this mango yuzu bingsoo had a refreshingly fruity flavor to it. This shaved ice dessert came topped with tea flavored cream, and the mango flavor was from the use of fruit based syrups.

Japanese Cheesecake

This was my next favorite! The Japanese cheesecake is undoubtedly the best kind of cheesecake I’ve ever had, simply because it’s not too sweet and comes with no cream. While this one wasn’t jiggly like you expect them to be, it scored a full 10 in terms of taste and texture. Must have.

Coffee Bun

The coffee bun is quite a delicacy in many Asian countries. While it was slightly sweet, the coffee flavor in this one is sure to hit the right chord with coffee lovers. The inside of the bun was super scrumptious and almost melted in our mouths.

Matcha & Houjicha Green Tea Rolls

Something known, something new, these green tea Swiss rolls were wrapped up beautifully with tea flavored cream within. The green one came with matcha green tea flavored cake, while the brown one was infused with houjicha tea. Interestingly this tea is like any other Japanese green tea. But while most tea varieties are steamed, Houjicha is roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoal which gives it a reddish brown tint.

Drinks

We tried 3 of their bestselling drinks: Thai Iced Tea, Yuzu Lemonade and Korean Plum Soda. These were all very refreshing. The Korean Plum Soda was slightly bitter in taste, but had a nice fruity flavor to it. The Yuzu Lemonda was my favorite. Just like any other lemonade it was chilled, tangy and fresh. The Thai iced tea was surprisingly good too. A dewy orange hue made it quite appealing in looks, and despite the milk density it was quite light.

Kaffe Bloom

Location: Inside Gourmet 1004, P2 Level, The Onyx Tower 1, The Greens, Dubai
Contact: 04 3943973

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Caramelized Pina

Caramelized pineapple + coconut cream = Caramelized Pina. Just like your regular pina colada, but with a caramelized twist, this drink with flambeed pineapple was refreshingly sweet and coconutty. The cream thankfully didn’t make it too heavy.

Since 1952

Another flaming show, this drink featured tea + sweet and sour along with spiced burnt cloves and orange zest to top it off.

Snack Platter

This platter was the first of the three amazing platters we tried at KP Vibes. With an assortment of crispy fried goodness, all oozing with taste in their own classic way, this made the ideal finger food that pairs perfect with drinks. Included in this platter: Kashmiri Pakoda, Batata Wada, Punjabi Samosa, Cheese Pakoda, Aloo ki Tikki

Chaat Platter

This was probably the best chaat platter I’ve ever had. The Dahi Puri was simply fabulous and so were the Dahi Wadas – not too sweet. The Pani Puri had that classic Bombay flavor and the Sev Puri was quite fair.

KP Special Chhole Bhature

Finally it was time for this KP Vibes special Chhole paired with three different types of Bhature – methi, paneer and regular. I loved the paneer bhatura the most. The chhole were well done and had just the right amount of spices.

Angoori Ras Malai

Only the best combination of rasgullas and ras malai. Mini angoori rasgulla dumplings dipped in thick malai rabri make these sweetly comforting and the perfect meal endings.

Kulfi Falooda

Because one dessert is never enough, we decided to try out the KP Vibes bestselling Kulfi Falooda. The creamy Kulfi and even creamier Falooda makes for such a refreshingly cool dessert. Must have!

KP Vibes

Location: First Floor, Kailash Parbat, Al Seef, Al Seef Street, Umm Hurair, Dubai
Contact: 04 3492771

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Showcasing a variety of menu options, all neatly tucked in a green leather folder, Todd spoils you for choice. And spoilt we were. Read on to find out the variety of cuisines we tried at Todd English Food Hall.

Mocktails

To buy some time so we could decide on something from their uber extensive menu, we ordered a couple of mocktails. Yes, we are both fans of passion fruit and we couldn’t think of anything more refreshing than a chilled mojito on a Saturday afternoon.

Shrimp Tempura

Sushi. Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it. This one from the Blue Zoo seafood concept had my favorite shrimp tempura, avo and spicy mayo.

Lobster Dumplings

The Asian concept Noodle got us these lovely lobster dumplings. Stuffed with cream cheese, saffron, fennel and turmeric cream, these handmade beauties were simply fab.

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Burger house Pound gave us the opportunity to try out these delicious sliders. Wrapped crisp in a parmesan crust and topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella, these were just right to dig into. And don’t miss those truffle fries on the side. I’m totally going back for those. Comfort food ftw!

Spicy Crab Pasta

Italian concept Figs brought us this gorgeous dish served in a king crab shell. Tender meat of this crustacean was cooked with spicy tomato cream and served with squid ink pasta, making it a total seafood marvel. Although a little too fishy for me, the presentation was absolutely wow.

Rib Eye Steak

If the presentation was the wow factor in the pasta, it was the taste, texture and doneness of this US Prime corn-fed rib eye that completely floored me. My favorite dish from the afternoon, this medium well piece of meat from the steakhouse concept Chop House came with roasted baby potatoes, a side salad, and our choice of two sauces – mushroom and chimichuri. This was the only dish I didn’t want to share. It really was that good. Must must have!

Chapli Kebab

From Afghani Kishmish, we went for these regional favorites. Tender, smoky and juicy, these flattened beef patties went just right with the spicy trio of chutneys. A little bread on the side would’ve been perfect.

Desert Rose Milk Cake

Despite being supremely full, there was no way I was leaving without a Gossip Cafe bestseller. This milk cake, to be honest, was the highlight of our lunch. Licked clean in seconds, the cake was extremely moist, creamy and melted in our mouths. The rose petal garnish and pink rosy hue added a dreamy color tone to this delightful dessert.

An amazing overall experience, I highly recommend this place for big groups, families and even couples, where no one can decide on one single cuisine. The portion sizes and prices are both great, and so are the views of the Dubai Fountains from their al fresco seating area.

Todd English Food Hall

Location: Ground Floor, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Contact: 04 3882320

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And there’s a bunch of cool offers and features that are totally not worth missing out on like Board Games, Wednesday Wings, Unlimited Pizza, Tuesday Tacos, Beast Burger Challenge and more. Read on to find out what we tried at Trophy Room.

Like all pubs, we started with a trail mix as soon as we arrived. It was one the best I’ve had in a while.

We then moved on to the most colorful selection of drinks. These were some of their signatures – Home Run, Hat Trick, Red Devils and Mango Colada.

Out of three starters, our first starter was the Tuna Tartare. A surprisingly wonderful dish, I was for once in awe of raw tuna. Probably it was the avocado salsa and edamame that made a great attempt to mask the rawness of tuna. The tortilla chips were great for dipping in the salsa. Definitely recommend this.

Next up were the Cornflakes Chicken Strips. Although these looked very tempting, they were quite dry from within. I would have preferred tender chicken strips, but the meat wasn’t white, but rather brown-grey from inside and difficult to cut or chew.

The Sticky Shrimp though was my favorite off the menu! I could honestly have them everyday. They were really that good. The crispy coating, the juicy shrimp, the spring onion garnish and the sriracha dip – everything came together to make these an absolute 10/10 starter. I would give it one point extra for those candied walnuts on top.

For mains, we went with Lamb Shepherd’s Pie and Grilled Portobello Burger. A very comforting dish, the Shepherd’s Pie was a British classic. The creamy mashed potato covering the slow cooked lamb soaked in flavor rich jus and specked with carrot and peas was a brilliant combination to say the least. The lamb was as tender as you’d expect. I have however always preferred Shepherd’s Pie with mince instead of meat pieces, so I am hoping they bring a variation soon.

Sandwiched within crispy foccacia, and combined with goat cheese, avocados and rocket leaves, the balsamic drenched portobello had a little bite to it and was a tad bit tough for my liking. I guess sauteed mushrooms would make a great filling for this vegetarian friendly burger. As for the sandwich, with all those ingredients, it would make a great breakfast option too!

For our dessert course, we chose Sticky Toffee Pudding, and their bestseller – The Rocher. Covered with molten marshmallows and doused in hot toffee sauce, the sticky toffee pudding was a sweet sweet surprise. While I am not a big fan of marshmallows, I loved the pull they had.

This giant version of the Ferrero Rocher was my favorite of them all. I’ve always loved the Ferrero so this was a must have for me. Covered with gold foil, it hid a vanilla drenched creamy hazelnut mousse inside. And I loved those candied hazelnuts on the side!

Trophy Room

Location: Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre Area, Dubai
Contact: 04 5269156

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Read on to find out about our take on the food and what we thought of the robot waitress concept.

Starters

We started with Tandoori Jhinga (AED 67.5). While I simply loved the prawns in this one, for a change it was the sauce that impressed me the most. That tandoori masala is the literal definition of finger licking good. I highly recommend this dish. Even if you’re not a shrimp, ask them if they have something else on their menu with the exact same sauce.

Next up was Murgh Lehsuni Tikka (AED 34). I am a big fan of garlic and cream chicken, so this was my obvious choice. But I found this one a little less tender than what I usually expect from chicken tikkas. A little more marination would’ve perhaps worked better.

For our mutton fix, we opted for Gosht Peshawari Kebab (AED 38). Possibly the best lamb kebabs I’ve had in a long long time (except for seekh kebabs of course), these boneless chunks were tender to the core, and the spices had seeped all the way through making them melt in our mouth with every bite. Highly recommend these ones as well.

To make sure we are covering all the meats, we ordered one portion of Tandoori Pomfret (AED 69) as well. I have mixed feelings about this dish to be honest. They had a 1+1 offer going on which is great for fish lovers, but we were there for a tasting, so just one fish would’ve sufficed, also given that we clearly mentioned only one of us eats fish. Moreover, the very few times that I do eat fish, I prefer filet, but this one being a bone-in fish meant I had to navigate my way around those tiny prickly bones.

But alas! My worst imagination came true and I got a bone stuck in my throat that took a lot of effort (read: rotis) to dislodge. The trick, or rather a cry for help, to dislodge the bone is to swallow partially chewed roti or bread allowing it to push the bone through. But despite the trick, I am done with bone-in fish for good.

Drinks

Drinks & Spice has an extensive drinks menu that includes a variety of fresh juices, milkshakes, smoothies, mojitos and much more. It’s definitely worth trying atleast one of these, but looking at their list, I’m sure you’ll be tempted to try more. Our picks were Electric Shock, Purple Rain and Strawberry Mojito (AED 17 each).

Mains

We moved on to the mains with Paneer Takatak (AED 29), Dal Makhni (AED 23.5) and a mixed roti basket. A good mix of paneer cubes with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and masalas, the spicy Paneer Takatak gravy went really well with the Missi Roti (AED 6). Creamy to the core, the buttery Dal Makhni was the perfect partner for Jeera Rice (AED 18) or Lachcha Paratha (AED 8). The Pyaz Mirch Ki Roti (AED 7) is something that I loved on its own. It would make a great pair with tea. Tip: Have it hot.

Of course, our rice course had to be the Murgh Hyderabadi Biryani (AED 44). Brilliant in every way, this is a must must have. The Hyderabadi mix makes it a little spicy which is perfect, while that “fall off the bone” chicken is cooked just right.

Tea

We took a break between mains and dessert with the Kadak Ginger Tea (AED 4 per cup) that came to our table with a perfect presentation and an even better taste. So soothing, this one will definitely please all the tea lovers.

Desserts

We couldn’t possibly leave without desserts, so we opted for two classics – Ras Malai (AED 15) and Gulkand Coconut Gulab Jamun (AED 15). The Ras Malai was the bomb – not the spongy types, but the creamy one that I like. I am not a fan of jamuns, but the only reason I asked for this dessert is because they were supposed to have coconut in them. I was a little disappointed there, because there was neither any coconut, nor any gulkand in the gulab jamuns. They were nice in their own classic way.

My take on Ruby the Robot

To be honest, I had mixed feelings about the robotics. While the concept is great, I believe the attire of the robot and the music it (she?) plays, can be toned down a bit to make it seem more futuristic than funny. But, the fact that someone has gone beyond the usual and decided to experiment with a robot waitress definitely deserves an applaud.

Drink & Spice Magics

Location: Al Attar Building, Khalid Bin Waleed Road, Opposite NBQ Bank, Near Burjuman Metro Station, Mankhool, Dubai
Contact: +97143407222 | +97142612145

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Isn’t that a lovely bar? Check it out at caféW located in Media One Hotel and make the most of their Escape to Europe package priced at AED 210, available every night from 6 pm.

Experience your favorite European country without having to book a trip, deal with flight delays, or pack your bags!

Our Pick: Italy

The Italian journey brought a lovely cheese and meat board to our table along with sharing plates.

Along with the crackers, breadsticks and dips were three different cheese varieties: parmesan, mozzarella and pecorino; and three different cold cuts: veal ham, beef pancetta and beef speck. What’s your favorite part of a cheese board?

The first dish from our sharing plates was the Tomato Arancini. These were golden fried and stuffed with tomato sauce and Italian rice – the quantity was great for 2 people.

The next one was a mix of Bruschetta, which again was served in a generous portion. Three pieces each with eggplant, olive and tomato toppings made it more than enough for me and my date. The tomato topped bruschetta were my fav.

Given the soaring temperatures, we chose to go with the white Emotivo Pinot Grigio, but you can also opt for the red Zonin Montepulciano.

If You Choose: France

The French journey starts with a selection of red Sabourin Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon or Sabourin Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc. This is followed by a mixed cold meat and cheese board that comprises of veal ham, beef pancetta and beef speck along with brie, fourme d’ambert and comte with condiments. The sharing dishes from France include ham & cheese croquettes and marinated mixed olives.

If You Choose: Spain

The Spanish journey begins with your choice of red Sangre de Toro, Torres or Torres Vina Sol. Then comes the mixed cold meat and cheese board featuring veal ham, beef pancetta and beef speck along with manchego, idiazabal and tetilla with condiments. The sharing plates include prawn & chorizo ajillo and marinated artichokes.

All this deliciousness is available at Media One Hotel and comes at a price of just AED 210 for two people. Would you pair this with red or white?

CaféW / CaféM

Location: Ground Floor, Media One Hotel, Opposite CNN Building, Dubai Media City, Dubai
Contact: 04 4271000

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Apt for after business hours, laid back sundowners and relaxed evenings, Dukes Bar also offers Live Jazz nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays that fall perfectly in line with the look and feel of the place.

Dukes Martini

On our Saturday evening visit, we started off with two of their bestselling 007 inspired Martinis. Aptly named Tiger Tanaka and Classic Vesper, these highly potent martinis are prepared neat using frozen spirits, are not stirred or shaken, and are touted to take at least 25 minutes to finish a glass (we took almost 40!). A squeeze of orange oil and the fruit zest as a garnish adds a unique citrusy fragrance to the drink, enlightening your olfactory senses first, and your taste buds after.

Dukes Cocktails

Much lighter compared to the first round, the Strangway and Kentucky Mule were a refreshing surprise. I especially loved the Strangway for its muddled cucumber base infused with elderflower cordial and lemon juice. My date, on the other hand enjoyed his old fashioned Mule featuring ginger beer and bitters with some nuts on the side.

Part 1 of our two part evening at Dukes Dubai Oceana, this place got us slightly tipsy (understatement), and the only saving grace was what came up next. Find out more about the Part 2 experience here.

Dukes Bar

Location: DUKES Dubai Oceana, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Contact: 04 4551111

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Held every Friday, this fun brunch features a host of easy food options like single serve salads, burgers, hot dogs and even fun ones like mixed popcorn.

What I loved the most about this brunch?

Different drink stations placed around the restaurant serving unlimited spirits, a live band, an upbeat crowd, and a very affordable price makes the Tailgate Brunch one of the most happening ones in D town.

Timings

2 – 5 pm on Fridays

Price

AED 229 per person

Local

Location: Ground Floor, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, Al Saef 1 Street, Barsha Heights, Dubai
Contact: 04 4573715

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