The Chemistry of Candy (from Hershey's Technical Center)

" Sometimes I think that the one thing I love most about being an adult is the right to buy candy whenever and wherever I want." Ryan Gosling

We all have these life moments, when we turn crazy about candy. It is like we want to go back to the time and memory when we were kids, and where we all we had to worry about was our next trip to the store to get some candy! Candy is all about bringing out these childhood memories. The sweet taste and the multi flavors from lemon, to strawberry and chocolate...etc can bring us - adults - some joy in this hectic world!

Apart of their bad health effects ( which I will not be talking about) , candy making is extremely entertaining to learn and know about !
It is a pure science on its own . Each candy has its own recipe and technicality!

I am sharing few knowledge I learned while I was in USA for training few years ago. As part of the training, we visited the technical center of Hershey in Pennsylvania, where we had to learn about the chocolate and candy making process straight from the scientists!

Butcher Shop & Grill : From South Africa to Arabian Peninunsula

The Butcher Shop &GRILL is the iconic chain of restaurants that incorporates a meat butchery within the restaurant!  It was established in 1996 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This distinction was the brainchild of Alan Pick, an industry veteran of over 40 years whose immense knowledge of butchery was pivotal for the Butcher Shop &GRILL's success. The concept of The Butcher Shop & GRILL  is more than just a restaurant: it allows customers to come by anytime during the day to buy superior meat from the retail butchery, or even take some meat home with them following their meal at the restaurant.

 It is rated a top restaurant in South Africa, selling an average of 8 to 12 tonnes of meat per week. 
B S&G expanded to UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain and recently KSA in the last few years.

The Butchery Display: Fresh Cut Meats served and cooked straight away to the plate.

Fillet Tenderloin Steak (240 g) for 128 Riyals.

Top 10 Things to buy from Medina

                                     

Top 10 Things to buy from Medina:

Madina is indeed as its name as "Radiant" city, full of life, colors and tranquility !

Apart of the spiritual journey one takes in the Prophet's mosque and in its other mosques, one has to do some serious shopping there! From rugs, perfumes, scarves, beads, to dates and to Gold! 

1. Arabic Perfume: wide range of authentic perfume oils made from Oud, Misk, ...etc as well as Bakhoor (woodchips soaked in frangrant oil and burnt)

2. Home Decor Items, with religious designs for the wall or desk 

3. Dates: surely it is a city with Palms farms

Full post about the 1400 years old date market here

4. Prayer Beads: 




5. Beautiful Scarves:

From Kashmere to Cotton and Silk Scarves, whatever suits your budget!

6.  Rugs, for prayer or Walls

7. Beautiful Ornamental Arabic Styled Faux Bijoux (Accessories) and Beads

8. Gold! It is cheaper than outside...

9. Local Mint : known as نعنع المدينة

It has long leaves and powerful smell. Try it with your tea and the flavors will be infused within seconds

10. Last but not Least, AlBaik, local chain

Though originally from Jeddah city, this local Kentucky Like chain has been booming in the last 10 years with around 50 chains in the western region only.... It is cheap and well oily food. Yet, everyone wants to try it and eat there! Plus, you can barely find a really good (clean) place to eat , apart of the hotel. So you really dont wana miss it! Your friends will def. ask you if you tried it or not! ;)

Fried Chicken , Shrimps and Fries.

OTHER: Anything Random from the Street Market: 

Me wearing a moroccon kaftan abaya

The Dates Market in Medina

1400 Years Old Dates Market 

Most Dates are sold outside on the streets, others in air conditioned shops

Medina ( اَلْمَدِينَة اَلْمَنَوَّرَة‎, or Al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah) is a modern city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia.  It is also known as The City of the Prophet", i.e., Muhammad. 

I visited Madina last month for a spiritual upliftment and to pray for the first time in the Prophet's mosque. What was remarkable about the city is the tranquility of its streets and its people. It was so peaceful - not just inside the mosque- but also in the shopping areas... You feel like everything is going smoothly.

Exciting thing too see in this city are the Palms farms all around and this explains the plenty of dates shops. Different kinds, different flavors and colors! It was like a "dates" heaven for those who love dates! This reminds me, who is excited for Mamoul this Eid?

Happy Eid Adha! :)

This type is Lagou Dates

And this one Kenta

Yokari : Affinity between Modern & Traditional Japanese Cuisine

Yokari...in Japanese means 'Affinity' .... this cultural affinity that brings together the historic Japan and modern Japan.. Perhaps that's why Yokari was named as such.
As it is clearly reflected in the meals served,  there is a lot of affinity in the type of cuisine offered.  You can taste the modern western flavors infused together with the Japanese traditional ones. Expect names of plates you have never heard of, but with some familiar ingredients like Mayonnaise, eggplant and tomate! Expect to be enthralled by an experience that will touch all your senses...because you really don't know what to expect.

Ebi Karaage  spicy dried fried shrimp!