(One stretch of Abu Dhabi’s enchanting desert, on our way to Yas Island. Did you see the plane?)
We decided to have a quick getaway last weekend to get a much deserved breather. We thought that Yas Rotana would be so quiet since the grand prix (Formula 1) is still months away. But it was reasonably jovial, just the way we needed.
(The 7th Liwa Date Festival is going to run from 12th to 21st of July)
It’s impossible to miss the sight of ripening date fruit in Abu Dhabi nowadays. It’s interesting how nature signals what’s going to happen next. Remember the days when people would depend on the aura of clouds, behaviour of animals, how starry is the starry, starry night, and other “metrics” to tell the weather and what is yet to come?
Yes, that means Ramadan is near.
This is my entry to Photo Cache’s blog anniversary giveaway.
While it’s rainy in other parts of the globe, we’re enjoying the summer in the UAE. Ooops, isn’t it summer everyday in the Gulf ever since the world was created? I thought, too! Apparently, summer’s technically only from June until August. Anyway, my thoughts (and taste buds) are actually driving me to one of our favorite eats this season… ice cream! However, for the ice cream lovers who are not getting any younger and have growing child(ren), options to consume healthy food must be explored. That it is going to be economical is a bonus.
Here’s the good news, ice cream making is possible even with just one ingredient. Even if you don’t have a proper ice cream maker.
The secret ingredient: BANANAS!
Thanks to this recipe shared over the kitchn blog. I modified it a little and came up with my first home made creamy ice cream. Easy as ABC!
1. Peel the (Dole) bananas and cut into pieces as shown above. One banana is going to qualify for one satisfying serving. However, you may want to peel more because you can store them later on.
2. Put peeled-cut bananas in the freezer for a minimum of 4 hours. In the original recipe, minimum of 2 hours was suggested. However, I like it to be more crumbly and harder.
3. Put the bananas in the food processor (or blender). Blend on high. It is going to appear piecemeal in the beginning, just be patient and not too long (in a matter of seconds), you’re in for the magic! That is, it is going to be creamy.
4. As an option, you may want to mix in the other ingredients you prefer.
5. You may use a scoop in serving the ice cream to make it more appealing.
The good thing about home made preparation is that it works based on your preference or craving. Like in the first photo, the bananas were blended up to the creamy state. While in the last photo it was in mid crumbly and creamy state to match it better with the peanut butter. If you plan to stock up on your “magical ice cream”, try to blend it on a soft-serve style and freeze in an airtight container; it is going to get harder and be more like a regular ice cream. (I remember this happened exactly with my excess flavored icing when I stored in the refrigerator for over 24 hours, that we called it the “accidental ice cream”.)
While the commercialized ice creams out there are fanciful, it is a good idea to explore more healthy options (think of the benefits of eating bananas). But honestly, I like this one-ingredient ice cream with a little add-on. That’s when the healthy part is becoming subjective. So far, we tried Nutella, chocolate bars, and peanut butter as mix ins. And I liked it best with the peanut butter. We are going to try honey, milo (and more) in it next time.
Visiting a souk (bazaar or market) is probably less appealing during the first phase of summer in Abu Dhabi. But it’s definitely a come-on when you think of this new age souk! Few minutes drive from where I live, the historic Central Market is now sporting a new look as it’s transforming into a hub of local food, crafts, boutiques, and traditional and bustling pieces rolled into one. Stories say that the old souk was greatly affected by fire in 2004. As for the idea of resurrecting it, I liked the part that they conceptualized the modern souk not by simply putting up a shiny establishment, and instead they retained the Arabic feel through its architecture.
Although The Souk is still eyeing its completion by the end of this year, it’s worth the visit because of the interesting finds inside it, a peek to its architecture, and the appreciation through your own senses that it’s a stand out in the UAE.
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