Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe- Best recipe ever!

My youngest sibling is a regular customer of The Hummigbird's Bakery, hence when he was over I asked what was his favourite cupcake and he said Red Velvet. He's their biggest fan and he loves most of their cupcakes, I was going to experiment with Chocolate Orange- but as he said that was flavour that he actually disliked- I decided to make Red Velvet Cupcakes from their recipe book Cake Days. Apparently the author Tarek Malouf, was having a book signing and festive frosting demo at John Lewis in London. I hope someone filmed or does an inspired youtube tutorial.

I followed the recipe to a tee, as I had to satisfy someone who had tasted the real thing! Everyone loved it. The cupcakes were moist, with a hint of chocolate and  the cream cheese frosting is divine! One cupcake is just no enoug I was eating 3 a day! ( Munch eat you heart out :-P)

Red Velvet Cupcake Recipe

Recipe text ©Tarek Malouf & The Hummingbird Bakers,
Photography: Mine!

For the red velvet cupcakes:
Makes 16 cupcakes

• 120g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 300g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 20g cocoa powder I used Hershey's Cocoa powder <3
• 40ml red food colouring (preferably Dr. Oetker's as red food colourings vary in strength)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 240ml buttermilk (laban)
• 300g plain flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 600g icing sugar, sifted
• 100g unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 250g cream cheese, cold

You'll also need:

• 12-hole cupcake tray, lined with large cupcake cases

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/gas mark 3.
2. Put the butter and the sugar in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy and well mixed. 

Turn the mixer up to high speed, slowly add the egg and beat until everything is well incorporated.

In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, red food colouring and vanilla extract to make a thick, dark paste. Add to the butter mixture and mix thoroughly until evenly combined and coloured (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula).

Bloody knife- good for Halloween?

Turn the mixer down to slow speed and slowly pour in half the buttermilk.

Beat until well mixed, then add half the flour, and beat until everything is well incorporated.

Repeat this process until all the buttermilk and flour have been added. Scrape down the side of the bowl again. Turn the mixer up to high speed and beat until you have a smooth, even mixture.

Turn the mixer down to low speed and add the salt, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Beat until well mixed, then turn up the speed again and beat for a couple more minutes.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases until two-thirds full (I use an ice cream scoop) and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 mins, or until the sponge bounces back when touched. A skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tray before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile for the cream cheese frosting: Beat the icing sugar and butter together in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed. In the beginning it will seem as though you have too much icing sugar, it helps if the butter is softened and melted this stage may take a while.

Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, at least 5 mins. Do not overbeat, as it can quickly become runny.

When the cupcakes are cold, spoon over the cream cheese frosting on top., approx 2 tablespoons of frosting per cupcake.

Optional decorate with red sprinkles.

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November 2011 Roundup

Dear Readers,

I haven't been posting as regularly as I was last month- I apologise. Like most bad habits, I'm only hurting myself,  as my posts fall my stats fall.

Well, when I'm not working I tend to lose track of the date, something that happens a lot during summer vacations, so today I got a bit of a shock when I looked at the date and discovered it was the 30th of Novemeber! November's over -only one month left for this year to be over, I don't even remember what my resolutions were.. I don't think I made any, I wasn't in a good place this time last year.

Although I haven't been blogging, I've been reading blogs, and I've realised I'm on an average of 10 posts short! So, I'm going to attempt to overcompensate today. Yes, instead of consistently blogging everyday, I'm going to do the blogging equivalent of cramming for exams the night before.

We all know what happens when you do that. That is, if I don't get bored, exhasuted or distracted first.

What will I blog about? Good question!

Well, here a few things which I have been planning on blogging about but just not..bothering, to be honest the time I usually spend blogging has been watching Gossip Girl Season 3- two, three episodes a day. I'm appalled at myself- you don't need to rub it in.

I'll put up internal links once I've actually done the posts..deadline is tonight- or early hours of tomorrow- why am I doing this to myself??!

• The best red velvet cupcakes I've ever had -I don't mean to toot my own horn, but hey it is a great easy recipe, I take no credit, I was eating 3 a day- so definitely I'd recommend anyone and everyone to try it. And-no I'm not fat.

• The second part of the Downton Abbey review- although I might need to watch another episode (I'm midway Season 2) to revive my interest and cleasnse my subconscious from Gossip Girl.

• Product review-Soap and Glory's The Righteous Butter.
• Product review- L'Occitane's moisturisers
• Product review-L'Occitane's shower gels
• The Red Shoes
• Book Review- 
• Islamic post about what prayers to make in times of difficulty-
• Remembering Jeddah Flood 2010
• Five/(whatever number I can remember at that time) amazing blogs I have discovered

I don't think I'll get them all done before the end  of November but if I get them done this weekend its a start.

Take care
xoxo

The Scandalicious 2011 American Music Awards

Dear Readers,

I don't usually watch award shows anymore, they bore me, they are too long, I often don't know the people who win, or at least wish I didn't. They are n't as as funny or as entertaining as they used to be in the nineties, or maybe I'm just getting older (but honestly who watches the Oscars anymore, Now the '98 Oscars when Titanic won a then record breaking number of awards, and Celine Dion sang My Heart Will Go On- now that was a show to watch!)

Award shows nowadays only provide unintentionally amusement or ridicule, such as that cringe worthy moment when Beyonce announced she was pregnant  at  the VMA. Her hair was blowing in the wind, like a Bollywood star, she unbuttoned her jacket and exaggeratedly rubbed her tummy, the audience squealed in delight, the camera panned to Jay-Z-I almost puked. It was something out of bad day-time T.V. It felt like a spoof of someone announcing they are pregnant-it was OTT. They have started selling their child even before it iss born! Don't even get me started on the 'is she pregnant or isn't she' story.

I'm rambling off-topic again-sorry. The AMAs decided to up the ante, and create such a scandal, in the form of J-Lo's perfomance that it overshadowed most of the show-most other things actually.

And the designer gown thief suctioned off her gown

J-Lo started of modestly enough, in a long gown singing some ballad, then she paused, gave a naughty look at the camera and her clothes were whisked away to reveal a bling slinky revealing number which was cut very low, and the bottom bit sort hung between her legs and like glittery tail. I thought this was racy enough. While she danced in and out of a Fiat- the company who sponsors her. Now some stars were outraged at the commericalisation of the song, I really couldn't care less. It is marketing people- ever heard of product placement? By the way its a great example -I'm even going to use it in my class. I'm sure my students will remember this :-)

I thought this was racy enough, and I thought as teens these days watch similar music videos it was alright, although I cringed everytime her glittery tail thing sorta swung away from her.

Suddenly, the dress-I use the term loosely here, came off! There stood J-Lo in a nude coloured body suit, her bits embellished with glitter-I gasped. The music for On the Floor started playing and she started dancing provocativley not the usual mix of aerobics, gymnastics that passes for modern dance. More like strip tease.
When I was thinking it couldn't get worse, she runs over to Pitbull,(and I'd naively thought he'd just stand there far away and sing). No, J-Lo has other things in mind- she starts grinding agaisnt him, and the dance was just inappropriate full stop.

At 42, she looks good enough to pull it off, but just because you can do something, it doesn't mean you have to do it, or that it is in good taste. Everyone must've been thinking what was going through her ex-husband, Marc Anthony's head, when he sang the duet with Pitbull shortly after. Maybe that's why she did it- she had an agenda against Marc Anthony- and maabe her other exes too! Who knows?

Marc Anthony thinking I'd like to rain something on you @$$'

It seems that modestly standards keep on getting lower-and women are not getting more empowered by stripping- goes to show how enslaved to male desires they really are!

Christina Aguilera was another one insisting on flaunting her ample flesh, by wearing a dress at least a size or two, too small. Her cleavage awas at display, the girls were squeezed tight, and her belly looked bloated. I was surprised she could sing at all. Her make-up was almost edging into drag queen territory. What happened- will she go down the road well-trodden by Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and others- is this is a start of a downward spiral? Celebrities who are paid to look good, have all that money and experts at their disposal;they really don't have any excuse to look that bad; unless they have bad taste and/or their stylists have bad taste. When in doubt take a look at the tweets mentioning you Christina, yes-its time to find a new stylist.

Enough celebrity bashing for today. Now I'm going to mention the two performances that I actually liked: Enrique Iglesias' I like the way it feels and Tonight- the clean version, sung with a choir in the background. I thought it was sweet, but then I'm biased.

Secondly, I like Katy Perry's You're a Firework performance. She looked amazing in that red gown, with gloves, the thigh high slit, added to the hotness factor. I thought they could've done something better with her hair, but atleast it wasnt pink, and she still looked amazing; she brought back glamour and style to the AMA.

I guess I'll have to mention that adolescent boy-toy mania that has spread like a malady across the female teenage population of the world- Justin Bieber who performed under the mistle toe.

Bieber fans I have saved the best* for last ;-).

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber

C'mon people don't be shy, please tell me what you thought of the show, you don't have to agree with what I say y'know :-)!
Who were your favourite acts, who was a fail?

Ghadeer's Glamorous Giveaway

Dear Readers,

I'm very excited to do a post about a fellow blogger from Jeddah who is doing an International Giveaway Competition- the prize is a cute Tiffany necklace, you can enter it here.

photo credit:ghadeeeer.blogspot.com

She's celebrating reaching 100 readers in just 2 months of blogging, amazing isn't it? I'd love to know her tricks :-) Good luck to everyone who enters the competition. :-)

Secret behind the Success of Downton Abbey-A Review Part II

The first part of the review can be found here.
*spoilers alert*
Now, I'll continue to analyse the rest of the cast.

Earl Grantham, seems to be sensible man and a good judge of character. He is tradtional, but obviously not as much as his mother. he tries to guide his family to make sure their behaviour is not wanting. He is not proud of his past as it seems that he married his wife for her money, because the his estate was in dire conditoins without it. The Earl refuses to delink the estate from the title, as he doesn't want to 'hollow it out', by making it title not backed by any wealth. If he had agreed to do so Mary would still have her inheritance from her mother's dowry/wealth.

Instead he graciously invites Matthew to stay at a residence at Downton Abbey, to learn how to take care of the estate. He is the most welcoming  member of the family. As the other resent the intrusion, look down upon him, and regret that their home and wealth will be lost to him.

Matthew gets off to a bad start with Mary, but they make amends, and in Season 1 fall in love and Matthew proposes to Mary. However, due to complications...Cora becomes pregnant there is a chance that she may have a son and thus Matthew may end up inheriting nothing and going back to his modest life as a country solictor. Mary's Aunt advises her against the match and to wait until after the birth of the child. The Dowager , Mary's granny, surprising turns out tobe a romantic and advises Mary to accept him now, because if she refuses delays him now he won't accept her later. Mary is swayed by her aunt that she wouldn't be able to live without luxuries and declines his offer.

In the mean time the devilish O' Brian has misunderstood  Cora's conversation that she overheard. She thinks Cora is looking for anotehr lady's maid and is going to fire her for stirring the pot and various problems she causes by scheming with Thomas, which the Earl would like her to do, she overhears the Earl as well).

I find Cora silly, what I mean is she is no judge of charachter and seems not be able to read between the lines, or control her daughters or be passioante about anything besides not liking her mother-in-law. She has a languid existence which as mistress of house does not seem appropriate. At times she looks Mary's age which is remarkable. She is so dependant and influenced by O' Brian. I want to scream when she plays into O'Brian' arms like child.

While Cora is taking a bath, O'Brian on purpose leaves a bar of soap lying near the bath tub, wanting the pregnant Cora to fall and lose the baby. Suddenly, she feels remorseful, and justs as she  changes her mind of doind something so evil, (she tells herself this is not her) we hear Cora's scream as she falls.
Cora loses the baby, Matthew is the heir again and when Mary wants to get back together with him he refuses- both seem heart broken.It is very touching. And WWI breaks out.

Mr Bates is the Earl's valet, he was with the Earl in the war, and has his utmost trust. He has a limp and arrives and is the underdog. He seems to have a spotless character, stands up for the weak, and for what is right, and tries to the right thing. In Season 2 he sacrfices his love of Anna for the sake of the Earl;s family and their reputation. A very noble and honourable man,a gentleman without a title. (He was in North and South as well.)

Anna is the sensible, sweet, caring maid who falls in love Mr.Bates. They seem meant for each other. Just as loyal, honest and kind. Anna is also privy to Mary's secret and perfectly loyal despite all that.

Mrs Hughes the housekeeper,  and Carson the butler are older characters, strict, disciplined, they have sacrificed their lives by working for Downton Abbey and are generally good people. The butler is  amusing in his pompous ways- esp when he tries to practise answering the telephone-quite an eccentric character beautifully portrayed.

The point I have watched in Season 2 Mary still loves Matthew, and as he's home for war she struggles to tell him in case he never returns; he is engaged to another woman. Mary is having to consider rather uncomventional proposals, mainly because her sister Edith has spread rumour of her having tainted her charachter by sleeping with a Turkish diplomat that stayed and died at Downton Abbey.- That episode really shows that though this maybe a period drama its for present day audiences- I think if the screenplay was published as book in the 1920s there would be an outcry!

Mary's attempts at keeping a brave front while she still has feeling for Matthew is moving to watch and one of the reasons I watch the show.

My ususual T.V fodder contains comedies the likes of How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory; soap drams like Grey's Anatomy (I'm very behind at the mo), and The Vampire Diaries (I'm waiting for them to start showing it on T.V) . I'm so used to watching most shows once the season's finished or at least three-quarters finished, so that I'll watch two episodes of a comedy a day or an episode of a series on a daily basis. I cannot wait a week. Although I try to pace myself and watch The Vampire Diaries once it comes on MBC here, and watch it weekly, its more enjoyable watching it on my T.V rather than laptop; also keeps my obsession in check, somewhat. I started watching Downton Abbey as a 'filler' until I decided to watch my regular series, and who'd have thought I'd turn into an enthusiastic and loyal viewer.

Anyway, I digress. What I'm trying to say is that Downton Abbey isn't the usual T.V viewing for most people, who watch American exports, but the chnage has been a breath of fresh air, and has turned out be a hit in the U.K, and well received enough to be aired for a second season in the U.S and recommisioned for a  third season. In 2011 it entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the 'most critically acclaimed television show' for the year, becoming the first British show to win the accolade. Apparently 'slow T.V' is making a comeback! I just wish they'd add more episodes to the series, I'll forget everything before the next series comes out.

Let me know what you think of the show, and my review, I'm midway Season 2 so don't tell me how it ends, I like suspense.

LOVE Red and Black-Vampire colours

LOVE Red and Black-Vampire colours by mishaican featuring pointed boots

Oasis red top
$35 - oasis-stores.com

Monsoon blazer
£55 - monsoon.co.uk

GUESS by Marciano low rise skinny jeans
$148 - marciano.com

Zara pointed boots
$100 - zara.com

Moschino Cheap Chic black tote
$681 - my-wardrobe.com

Black jewelry
$40 - topshop.com

Face jewelry
$9.99 - modcloth.com

TIARA floral hair accessory
$58 - bcbg.com

Downton Abbey- A review part 1

Downton Abbey is a British  period drama., the first episode is set in 1912,  the day after the Titanic sunk April 15th. The first series spans over two years ending on the eve of World War I in the U.K.

 There are only seven episodes in the first series, each approximately an hour long ( without the adverts) as I tend to download it off the internet. The genre and format is quite different, from what I usually watch.

*spoliers alert*
The plot revolves around the fictional Earl of Grantham, his family and his army of resident servants and their lives on the estate of  Downton Abbey. He has an American wife, three daughters, a widowed mother who is they Dowager Countess.  As he has no sons, his nearest male relative is his heir presumptive. In the fateful sinking of the RMS Titanic, his heir apparent is drowned. The Earl had also arranged for his eldest daughter, Mary to be married to his heir apparent's son, so that his wealth and his wife's wealth which is entailed (male tail ) to the estate will stay in the family.

The news of his cousin and his son's untimely deaths throws their well-made plans into disarray. Now his estate and his wife's fortune are to be inherited by a distant relative, Matthew Crawley, a solicitor by profession.

Earl of Grantham, invites Matthew and his mother to move to  At first Mary, and Matthew make a bad start, Mary prejudiced against him due to his background and Matthew proud and unwilling to change, to what he thinks are silly and snobbish traditions. A bit of the Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice thrown in there, and why not? If it works- use it!

However, this is no Jane Austern period drama, with lust, homosexuality, and the worst villains in the form of Thomas the Machiavellian footman, O' Brian the bitchy lady's maid, and the anti-heroine Edith, it caters firmly to present day audiences.

 
The setting is beautifully done, the cinematography transports you effortlessly into another era. I love the soundtrack as well, it marries well with the show.

Downton Abbey is a well written drama, with most characters receiving quite meaty roles. The writer lets each character marinate in a problem so to speak unti their true flavours show. Could the secret be that their are no special effects to distract, that viewers just sit there trying to absorb everything as it happens? Although each episode shows a day or two of their lives, but a whole month or two elapses in DT time in between each episode- which keeps the suspense alive? I just wish they spent more time on Mary and Matthew as they are the most interesting.

Mary(Michelle Dockery) is  the eldest daughter, getting older and needs to find a suitable husband soon, especially as she is no longer an heiress.Mary's asymmetric hairstyle in the first series drove me to distraction, I just wanted to fix it so bad, and was surprised no one wrote in to say that it was driving them crazy.

Despite Mary's flaws, you relate to her and get sucked into her relationship with,and complicated feelings for Matthew. She's strong-willed, with a quick wit, and her naivete or good side is hidden under a more controlled exterior.

I empathise with her situation, it is no easy task choosing a suitor with an expiry date hanging over your head like a guillotine. Audiences in Western countries my find the subject quaint , but it is still quite relevant in the Middle East and Asia.

Edith(Laura Carmichael) is the odd one out, she isn't pretty, or clever, or passionate, she seems only to be jealous of Mary and her actions seem to be driven by that sole force in Season 1. She's comes across as desperate and annoying, I'm not sure if we're meant to pity her, but I can't find pity for person a who tarnishes her sister's reputation the way she did- the bonds of blood should be sacred.

enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com

Sybil(Jessica Brown-Findlay) is the prettiest, in my opinion, although at the beginning of the first series she's 'not out' yet, and hence  she's kep in the background. You can tell she's naturally attractive and the writer's saving her up  for later.  Sybil is the sweetest of the three, thinking of others rather than herself;soft spoken, and willing to do only good. She's determined to be useful, interested in politics, and begins training as a nurse as the war starts in Season two.

The Dowager Countess played wonderfully by veteran Maggie Smith(Professor McNogal of Harry Potter fame), has the most hilarious dialogs, and delivers with perfect timing, facial expressions: raising of the eyebrows, pursing of the lips. My favourite quote is when in the second episode of series one, Matthew is saying that he'll learn how to look after the estate during the weekend as he plans on continuing to work as a solicitor during the week- she interrupts and asks very gravely:What is a weekend? Most of Downton Abbey's laughs are at her expense!

To be continued ...
I still have to do the lovely Mr Bates and sensible Anna,  the Earl and Countess, how can I forget Matthew and his Mother, and few plot lines..stay tuned for Part II

New cheeky local brand: Fyunka

Hello Readers,

I have recently discovered a Jeddah based brand called Fyunka, on the blogosphere. Among its other items it has cute printed fabric bags, some with Arabic writing on them, usually pop-culture quotes which are quite funny. Fyunka, means bow in Arabic, I first thought it was a variation of Funky, but apparently not :-P.
As it is a Jeddawy brand, and I'm all about promoting local industry, (I'm doing this free of charge :-), I thought I'd do a blog post showcasing some of their items that I liked. (I've got to try and find some sponsors).

You don't have an LV bag? OMG!

Red?

Babe, we must get Starbucks coz its like cool yknow.

Photo credit: Fyunka and Alaa Balkhy

What do you think? An artisitc critique of pop culture and high society?

CHANEL: REAL OR FAKE?!

CHANEL: REAL OR FAKE by mishaican featuring chanel jewelry

Dear Readers,
 Recently there has been a scandal in Saudi, over the fact that the authorised dealer of CHANEL in Jeddah was selling fake CHANEL items instead of the real thing. This has caused quite an outrage imagine buying a fake quilted handbag from China , when you thought you were getting the genuine article. I'm sure it is making people think twice of purchasing luxury goods here, but then could it happen anywhere? 

The fact of the matter is that fakes are getting better everyday should be a real concern to luxury brands. The counterfeit business seems to be very profitable and since the original articles are made in China, it is easy to see how a thriving counterfeit economy could develop alongside. 

The brand name companies, as well as the Chinese understand that there are two distinct markets. The people who buy genuine articles and the people who buy fakes, in certain cases there maybe some overlapping- such as fake buy as a souvenir from China! So the Chinese can comfortably cater to both markets and hence make more money for themselves. There is a huge market withing China for 'copies', there is an entire mall, Silk Alley Market, dedicated to everything fake,and you only have to search for branded items on Google to get an array of sites offering replicas.


I believe the real problem arises when customers are deceived into shelling out the full price for the fake. Luxury brands are also losing out on their exclusive image- you can get LV look alike wallets at almost half the malls in Jeddah!

I don't know if sales of other luxury brands in Jeddah have been affected by this scandal or not, but I think it will some time before anyone makes their way back to CHANEL here- Y'know what they say once bitten-twice shy.

Tell me, have you had any experience with fakes being sold off as the real thing?
What is your opinion on the subject?

Versace for H&M: Pink and bling

Versace for H&M by mishaican featuring dresses

Good news for fashionistas on a budget, Versace for H&M is going to be launched on November 17th 2011. Now you can have that designer  style that you covet for high street prices, they are n't as cheap most of H&M fare, but so much cheaper than the Versace for Versace! According the H&M's Saudi site, the fuscia dress with matte gold embroidery will be for a cool SR999!  Although in the U.S it will be $199 (SR746) only, I hate it when designer brands are more expensive here! The big brands know that people here will pay more no questions asked!

The sandals will be SR 499 in the States the price is $129 (SR484)-ok not much of a difference on this one
The gold studded fuscia handbag SR prices is unavailable but in the U.S it'll be $199
The leopard print scarf  SR prices is unavailable but in the U.S it'll be $199
The gold bracelet SR prices is unavailable but in the U.S it'll be $199

Maybe its time for a U.S shopping trip..I'll be saving money :-) that should cover the cost of the plane ticket surely, Rebecca Bloomwood logic at work.

I know I've played it safe on this set, this is more my style, I won't to do one more edgy set- will post it soon.
What are your fave pieces of this collection?  

Update: There are certain rules for shopping this collection!
Excerpt from Glamour website :The Telegraph reports that wristbands will be distributed to customers on a first-come basis beginning at 7 a.m. local time that morning. Shoppers will be allowed in stores 20 at a time and will only be allowed to shop for—wait for it—10 minutes.  Customers will only be allowed to buy one of each item—and in one size only

Read More http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2011/11/hm-will-enforce-rules-for-shop.html#ixzz1diwNW4MW

I wonder if they will apply them in Saudi? People don't usually go crazy over such stuff here...as far  as I know.

 

 

Restaurant Review: Dreamy Dining at Darsdasha (Evania Spa at Park Hyatt, Jeddah)

Jeddah's Park Hyatt, Marina Club's Evania Spa for women houses a restaurant called Dardasha; they were running an offer in October for a buffet for afternoon tea and finger sandwiches and gourmet desserts the charge was SR99 per person. My friend and I decided to give it a go as the desserts on the voucher looked absolutely mouth-watering, so on the last Thursday of October we made our way to Dardasha.

We arrived and spied the wooden door with a sign for Darsasha hanging near it, there was only one car in the car park, we guessed that most customers were dropped off, being it a women establishment. We pushed open the door and walked inside, entered a spacious hall with arches and corridors leading away on all sides, the place seemed very quiet and empty, and we walked around taking in our surroundings.

The walls are white, and white arches adorn every corridor, doorway and window; white gauzy curtains frame the arches creating an ethereal atmosphere. The white of the walls is broken up by dark foyer furniture beautifully inlaid with mother of pearl. Majestic mirrors reside over stately chests, flanked by regal chairs.

Soon however, we spotted a few ladies dining in the distance and we headed to find ourselves a table. We were received by a waitress and her manager; who were very polite, relieved us of our abayas, and offered us the choice of buffet or a la carte, after glancing through the menu out of curiosity we stuck to our original plan and went for the buffet.

We were informed that we could order tea or coffee twice, and we started off with tea as we thought it would complement the fresh scones, (which we had spotted on our way in), nicely. I know it is meant to be hi-tea, but I wish they had an alternative to caffeine like juice or even sparkling water, for those of us that are caffeine intolerant or wish to sleep early!

We started off with the wonderfully buttery, almost shortbread like, scones accompanied by sweet strawberry jam and delicious fresh cream. Readers, this was the best and most filling part of our meal, we had seconds and they offered to heat up our second scones to great effect.

We were also served a selection of fresh berries: red raspberries, blue berries and blackberries, they were soft, sweet and surprisingly tasted fresh.

For savoury, there was limited selection of sandwiches with an assortment of tuna, smoked salmon, smoked chicken/turkey/beef. There were also shot glasses of shrimp cocktail, consisting of steamed shrimp and bits of mango with an oil based dressing. The micro mini Caesar salad was a hit with my friend, although I found it a bit dry. There are also carrot, cucumber and celery sticks accompanied by a choice of two salad dressings for your munching pleasure.

The sweet selection was wide; there were the very locally popular pink macaroons, personally, I find them too sweet for my taste. There was chocolate mousse, pureed melon, mini tarts, and a few others I was too sugared out to try.

The view of the Red sea as the sunset was enchanting, and if you wished you could enjoy the ambience on the tables and chairs outside, unfortunately due to some water seepage issues it didn’t smell that great. We took a tour of the grounds, the landscaping, the palm trees, the lighting all transport you to a magical place.

To conclude, I enjoyed my visit possibly more due to the ambience, and the fact that my abaya sleeves were not in my way, rather than because of the food: the scones and berries are keepers. It was quiet as a tomb, there were only 2 tables occupied the entire time we were there, and it was so  quiet that it made us prone to whisper! Some light background music, or sounds of waterfalls, or birds chirping in keeping with the spa theme, would draw attention away from the emptiness-at least until it fills up.

I understand that Dardasha, as part of Evania spa want to keep hi-tea healthy and posh, but their hi-tea buffet needs a bit more variety, and few touches such as the fresh bread, mini croissants, tapenade and butter, cheese and olives, alternatives to caffeine, complimentary water, wouldn’t go amiss, if only to ensure that they don’t send customers home jittery on a sugar and caffeine induced high which might not necessarily make them come back a second time

You can find my review on Jeddah Food as well.

Eid Al-Adha: The History Behind the Sacrifice

Dear Readers,

This is my first Islamic knowledge post, I've always been a bit nervous about posting it as you have to make sure what you say is accurate and that you say it well, as this maybe the first and last impression of our beautiful  religion somebody might get.

As you may know Muslims have been celebrating Eid Al-Adha all over the world for the past few days. The festival involves the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, camel or cow for by every family. The sacrifice is traced back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (alayhisalam/May Allah bless him), when he was tested  by Allah/God to sacrifice the son he begot in his old age Prophet Ismail/Ishmael (alayhisalam/ May Allah bless him) when he became a boy of age, old enough to be of aid to him, he received the Divine command to sacrifice Ishmael.

When Ibrahim  informed his son of the Divine command, he told his father to do as he was commanded. Both father and son were ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of Allah. Ismail was laid on his forehead so that he wouldn't be able to see the knife, and the father wouldn't lose his nerve at the last moment seeing his son's face. As he closed his eyes and lowered his knife for the sacrifice, his son was replaced by a ram by Divine intervention and slaughtered instead. Both Prophet Ibrahim alayhisalam and

Prophet Ismail alayhisalam had proven their total love and submission to Allah and passed the ultimate test of faith. The sacrfice was accepted; and this is the spirit of sacrifice  that Muslims celebrate and will continue to do till the end of time. Prophet Ibrahim alayhisalam was rewarded by the news of another son Prophet Ishaaq/Isaac alayhisalam in his old age.


Below I have given the interpretations in English of the Chapter 37 verses (99-112) from The Holy Quran which relay the incident:

(99)[Ibrahim prayed ]"My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous." 
(100) So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. 
(101) And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allâh), so look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Inshâ' Allâh (if Allâh will), you shall find me of As-Sâbirun (the patient)." (102) Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allâh), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering); 
(103) And We called out to him: "O Abraham! 
(104) You have fulfilled the dream!" Verily! thus do We reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see V.2:112). (105) Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. 
(106) And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. کبش - a ram); 
(107) And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations. 
(108) Salâmun (peace) be upon Ibrâhim (Abraham)!" 
(109) Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see V.2:112). 
(110) Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves. 
(111) And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishâq (Isaac) a Prophet from the righteous. 
(112) We blessed him and Ishâq (Isaac), and of their progeny are (some) that do right, and some that plainly wrong themselves.

For more background on Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham you can read from chapter 37 verses 83-99.

"The flesh of sacrificial animals does not reach God and neither their blood ; only piety from you reaches Him." (Quran 22:37)

So when Muslims perform the sacrifice, it represents the submission of your will to Allah, which is in essence what being Muslim means, and its celebrates the esteemed Prophets who passed the ultimate trial.


I hope while we feast and fill our stomach with food we give some thought to the spirit behind the sacrifice and ponder the level of our faith and how much do we submit our wills to Allah, how much do we love him, and how do we face our personal trials?-Food for thought.