Many of us wish we could cook like a chef, but the idea of slaving over a hot stove for hours after work is a little off-putting.
But cooking like a professional isn't all about complicated, multi-step procedures. After spending all day in the kitchen, most chefs know that the best, healthiest home-cooked meals are also the simplest.
If you’ve ever wanted to take a leaf out of their books, here are the comforting dishes from some of Dubai's most renowned names, complete with recipes.
Izu Ani
The star chef behind several leading restaurants in the UAE, including Fika in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Aya in City Walk and DIFC restaurant Gaia, believes it’s easy to eat healthily … simply cook at home.
“When you cook yourself, you know exactly what you’re eating,” he explains. His idea of wholesome home cooking is preparing dishes that are optimal for well-being, happiness and energy, which is why the humble poached eggs and smoked salmon remains one of his favourites.
Chef Ani's poached eggs and smoked salmon
Ingredients
5 eggs (3 for the hollandaise sauce, 2 for the main dish)
Dash of water
30ml white balsamic vinegar
60g to 80g clarified butter
Two slices of bread
Smoked salmon, to top
Olive oil, to taste
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
For the hollandaise sauce:
1. Boil water in a saucepan.
2. Place one egg and the yolk of two more eggs in a bowl and pour in a splash of water. Add the white balsamic vinegar and salt.
3. As soon as you add the salt, begin to whisk the mixture. Aim to get as much air into the sauce as possible to make it fluffy.
4. Place the bowl above the boiling water while whisking, to add heat to the mixture. Once you have achieved a thick, fluffy consistency, add clarified butter while whisking, little by little to keep the sauce light.
For the poached egg:
I always like to use a large pan, which gives a teardrop shape to the eggs. I also like using the freshest eggs for the best flavour. You can check this by breaking it; older eggs have a runny, water-like consistency, whereas younger eggs are plumper.
1. Bring water to boil, with a little salt.
2. Crack the eggs into the water, cook for around 90 seconds to two minutes, to your desired consistency.
3. To finish, toast your bread of choice and top with fresh smoked salmon. Place the poached eggs on top, followed by the hollandaise sauce, olive oil and black pepper to taste.
Reif Othman
The Dubai chef, who worked in establishments such as Zuma before launching his own restaurant, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, knows how to keep busy. So, his idea of a simple yet flavourful meal is noodles – a dish that can be whipped up with relative ease.
Chef Othman's seafood udon, with yuzu koshu cream
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp salted butter
½ tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp chopped shallots
½ cup chicken stock
½ cup cooking cream
300g udon
100g sea bass
80g shrimps
30g green beans
¼ tsp yuzu koshu
5g chopped chives
5g chopped spring onion
2 basil leaves
3 red cherry tomatoes, cut (or to your liking)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
1. Heat a pan, add the oil and butter at the same time. Once the butter has melted, add the garlic and shallots and saute until light brown. Add the chicken stock and cook on a medium heat for two minutes, then add the cream and continue cooking to reduce it.
2. While the sauce is being reduced, cook the udon noodles in hot, salted boiling water. Once ready, strain.
3. Meanwhile, add the sea bass, shrimp, green beans and yuzu koshu to the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Add the udon noodles, mix well and pour on to a shallow plate or bowl. Garnish with chives, spring onion, basil leaves and tomatoes.
Colin Clague
The former Zuma chef and current executive chef at Ruya, is in the process of teaching his eldest son, who is off to university this year, how to prepare basic meals that are healthy, filling and not too expensive. That includes this vegetable couscous recipe.
As Clague explains: "It’s easy, as you basically pour boiling water on the couscous and the vegetables are just cooked in a flavoured stock. The vegetables can be changed as long as you take their cooking times into consideration and tinned chickpeas are readily available.”
Clague recommends adding lamb cutlets, Merguez sausage or spiced grilled chicken on the side to make it a complete and delicious meal.
Chef Clague's vegetable couscous
Ingredients
For the couscous:
500g couscous
5g Maldon sea salt
600ml warm water (or vegetable stock)
30g unsalted butter, diced
For the vegetable stew:
2 carrots, peeled and diced
4 small red onions, quartered
200g pumpkin, peeled and diced
1.5 litres vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
1 sprig rosemary
5 garlic cloves, crushed
20g tomato paste
1 small aubergine, diced
1 courgette, diced
2 baby leeks, diced
1 can chickpeas
3 tomatoes quartered
10g honey
20g harissa
Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Place the couscous in a roasting tray, add the salt and pour in the warm water or vegetable stock, stir to make sure grains are covered and cover with clingfilm and leave to absorb for 15 minutes.
3. For the vegetable stew, roast the carrots, onions and pumpkin until golden brown, then pour in the vegetable stock. Add the bay leaves, rosemary, garlic and tomato paste and lightly season with salt and pepper.
4. After about six to seven minutes, once the vegetables are half cooked, add the aubergine, courgette and baby leek. Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes until the vegetables are just about cooked.
5. Add the can of chickpeas, tomatoes and honey, and season with harissa.
6. Rake the couscous with a fork to separate the grains, add oil and rub with your fingers to coat and to aerate.
7. Add the diced butter, cover with baking parchment and place in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until hot. To serve, place couscous in a bowl and top with a ladle of the stew.
Scott Price
Many of us have spent time in lockdown baking bread, and it looks like some of our favourite chefs have done the same. Scott Price, one half of the duo behind Folly by Nick & Scott, reveals that his go-to recipe is fresh focaccia.
“I love baking this at home as I find it very relaxing,” he says.
Chef Price's olive oil and rosemary focaccia
Ingredients
15g fresh yeast
500g bread flour
10g salt
50ml good-quality extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
320ml water
4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Maldon salt
Method
1. Rub the yeast into the flour with your fingertips until a rough crumble is achieved.
2. Add the salt, olive oil and water. Mix the ingredients together for two to three minutes until a dough is formed.
3. Knead until a smooth and springy dough is achieved. Place in a lightly floured bowl, cover with a cloth and leave in a warm place for one hour.
4. Once the dough has doubled in size, carefully turn it out into a heavily oiled baking tray. Press gently into the tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Cover and leave to rest for another hour.
5. Strip the rosemary from the stalks and press gently into the dough, drizzle with a little more olive oil. Cover and prove for one more hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 225°C.
7. Remove the cover, sprinkle liberally with Maldon salt and drizzle on a little oil. Bake for 25 minutes. Once golden brown, remove from the baking tray and cool.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
FULL%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEslam%20Syaha%20(EGY)%20bt%20Robin%20Roos%20(SWE)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWelterweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAlex%20da%20Silva%20(BRA)%20bt%20Bagyash%20Zharmamatov%20(KGZ)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EMurodov%20Samandar%20(TJK)%20bt%20Lucas%20Sampaio%20(BRA)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EShakhban%20Alkhasov%20(RUS)%20bt%20Salamat%20Orozakunov%20(KGZ)%0D%3Cbr%3EKhotamjon%20Boynazarov%20(UZB)%20bt%20Mikail%20Bayram%20(FRA)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EJieleyisi%20Baergeng%20(CHN)%20bt%20Xavier%20Alaoui%20(CAN)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERashid%20Vagabov%20(RUS)%20bt%20Lun%20Qui%20(CHN)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20(JPN)%20bt%20Furkatbek%20Yokubov%20(UZB)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EAaron%20Aby%20(WLS)%20bt%20Joevincent%20So%20(PHI)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20176lb%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMark%20Hulm%20(RSA)%20bt%20Erkin%20Darmenov%20(KAZ)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20160lb%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERustam%20Serbiev%20(BEL)%20bt%20Anar%20Huseyinov%20(AZE)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150lb%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIslam%20Reda%20(EGY)%20bt%20Ernie%20Braca%20(PHI)%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%20(women)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3EBaktygul%20Kurmanbekova%20(KGZ)%20bt%20Maria%20Eugenia%20Zbrun%20(ARG)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
more from Janine di Giovanni
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
match info
Maratha Arabians 138-2
C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15
Team Abu Dhabi 114-3
L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17
Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
MEYDAN%20RACECARD
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
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Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Results
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
