It’s Sha’ban, the month before Ramadan (Islamic Lunar Months). As soon as it starts, the anticipation for Ramadan slowly seeps into our bodies and the excitement rises!

The 14^th of Sha’ban which is also called “El Laileh” or “Lailat El Nes” (which means “The Night” or “The night before the half”. The half as in the half of the month which falls on the 15^th); is a day we celebrate here in the UAE.

Children all dress up in traditional Emirati clothes go from one house to another and are given treats.  The candy given is for El Laileh. To celebrate their happiness that Ramadan is near.

As children we were not allowed to go from one house to another asking for treats. I never knew why.
But family and friends used to send us bags of treats, which will last for months!

This year, I didn’t have time to go buy candy to give out. I was too busy planning my anniversary dinner. Hopefully next year! Inshallah!

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I’ll casually just say that I was planning to post the recipe of my Dates & Mastic Firin Sutlac until I saw these earthy brown truffles snuggled in a basket in the fridge!
That was when I couldn’t post… that was when my Firin Sutlac became unimportant (Although it was delicious)… that was when I stopped reminiscing about not having anything to post for National Day or Marwan’s Birthday!

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A turmoil … a pregnant brain … ready to breathe in and out… in labor for so long… but when it’s time to give birth… the thoughts prefer to stay in… and the words come out muted… why oh why?!

I feel I’m stuck in a rut by choice… I don’t push myself to do something… actually I don’t push myself to do the things that I should be doing…

My last post was in Ramadan and now it is way passed Ramadan, Eid and everyone’s schedules are nearly back to normal…

Only my schedule don’t seem consistent… nor do I stick to a semi-routine that will help me feel a little more organized!

For all this time that I haven’t posted a new entry, I don’t have a worthy excuse to even mention.

Not that I don’t like posting entries, on the contrary… I LOVE doing so… I just juggle too many things at once that by the end of the day I am so beat and I want to just sleep!
I have so many recipes lined up which need to be posted… I need to get myself out of this rut and into a proper routine!

I would also like to welcome my friends who have accepted to become contributors on my blog.
Check their links on the sidebar and the recipe page every now and then for contributions!
Welcome FatmaL, Figs&Saffron, and Washy! <3

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Ramadan Mubarak! I know I’m thirteen days late but the past two weeks have been crazy!

Only last week did my youngest son Marwan recover from a very bad virus he had for over a week.
And only mid last week did I get a chance to breathe a little!

I promise I’ll post more often!

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The smell of frankincense filling the house… our Ramadan ritual of frankincense infused water is being prepared…
A lingering aroma of my mother’s delicious rice pudding…
The kitchen is always swarming with everyone cooking, helping or suggesting!

It’s a full house during Ramadan and everyone is always in a hurry to get things done.
The feeling of a full kitchen is overwhelming in a good and bad way. It’s fun to see everyone cooking and baking but it’s also annoying because you can’t take your time doing what you like and it’s also quite loud!

Ramadan is the best month of the year! It strengthens your spiritual practices, Families gather for Futoor (time when the fast is broken), it teaches you compassion towards the less fortunate and also to visit relatives.

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Last Ramadan I was pregnant with Marwan, Hamad used to play around with my nephews and I had all the time to cook and help in the kitchen.
This Ramadan… Hamad is still playing with the boys and nearly all the time they’re up to no good… Marwan is a handful and I don’t like to cook in a hurry.

Last week I made coconut potato curry with cashews which turned out good but they needed a little more salt.
Next time I make it, I probably won’t use the coconut milk and maybe use cream instead. Not that the coconut milk didn’t taste well but because I want a different flavor. Maybe some tanginess.

Coconut Potato Curry with Cashews
Recipe adapted from Joanne Eats Well With Others

Ingredients:
500 g new potatoes, steamed for 10 minutes (I boiled them)
1/3 cup cashews, soaked for 10-15 minutes and then chopped
1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
2 cups cherry tomatoes (I used grape tomatoes)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp coriander (I didn’t have any so I passed)
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 can light coconut milk (I used regular)
1 tbsp olive oil
Handful of basil, chopped (Didn’t have any so I used Parsley)
Salt and pepper
Lemon pepper (optional)

Method
In a large pan, heat the oil then add the cumin seeds.
When they begin to sizzle, add the cashews and allow to roast lightly.
Add the steamed potatoes and toss to coat with cashew cumin mixture.

Add 1/2 cup water to the tomato paste and mix until incorporated.
Add in the tomatoes and simmer.

Add all the spices and stir well to coat the potatoes.
Once the tomatoes are cooked through mash them and simmer for a few minutes.

Add the coconut milk and peas.
Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken.
Add salt, pepper and lemon pepper to taste.
Add chopped basil.