Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Lifestyle Parenting, Household Affairs and Cuisine corner
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It’s my third wedding anniversary, inshallah next month and to celebrate I’m cooking a special meal. I’ve decided to go for an Arabian theme dinner :slight_smile: as it’s something a bit different.
Here’s my menu (so far) if there is anything you think I’ve missed do let me know.

Starters
Middle Eastern platter:
hummous with pitta bread fingers
falafels in lavish bread
stuffed black olives
fresh salad
minty yogurt

Mains:
Keema tagine
Lamb kofte
Chickpea pilaf
vegetable couscous

Palette cleanser: lemon and mint sorbert

Desserts:
white chocolate and nutty baklava cigars
sticky buns covered in orange syrup and more nuts!

Drinks:
Arabian style tea
Mint limeade
Pomegranate cocktail
Along with various fruit punches

Takeaway gift:
homemade truffles

So there you have it, my menu. What do you think?

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Sounds delish! Are you getting catering?

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Sounds great... though for starters i would do substitute/add Aubergine dip (baba ganoush) :)

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

@ Lusi-no I'm cooking it myself as there will only be close family (around 10 people).
@ Maroush-thank you for that-I knew I'd missed something!

Need Love Advice
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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

WOW! That is lot of stuff if you are cooking all by yourself.

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Congratulations in advance on your upcoming third anniversary. The menu sound amazing and very creative. I say go for it!

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good idea..stuffed black olive is just the decoration..put mutabbel or tabouleh instead of fresh salad..dats really nice to eat!

also chick pea pilaf doesn't fit with the arabian theme...make lahum or dajaj kuzi,kabsa or mudghoot?

for dessert..sticky buns?..better put kunafa only:) kunafa bil kishta and kunafa bil jubna:)

for drinks..its arabian style cardamom qehwa..i dont think its tea!

and yeah instead of punches..put karkadi and qamaruddin...make it complete arabian theme:P:)

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

omg now i am feeling hungry! nice menu!:k:

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Mutabbal
Fattoush
Hummous bil laham

I'd add a fish/rice combo (Saadiliyah rice)
Or meat (qoozi) with pine nuts

Arabic cinnamon drink is popular :)

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Instead of home-made truffles to take-away, why don't u stick to the theme and give baklava as the gift, remove it from dessert.

Fresh Salad? Make it Fattoush!

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

And make some toum to go with the kofte (u can also make chicken skewers too).

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Thank you guys for the input! I tried making baklava before but it kinda went pear-shaped as it was too sweet for family!
Have noted all pointers, and will get working on finding recipes.

@ Redvelvet-thank you I'm beginning to feel mega old now though.

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

I LOVE that thoum (garlic sauce) that the Arabs make. That's the sauce that they put in the shawarma and that's supposed to go in there. But the middle eastern restaurants in the US can't seem to get that right. Instead they put tahini or hummus or feta cheese in shawarmas! It annoys me.

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Re: Arabian theme dinner for third anniversary

Kunaffa (Sweet dish)

KUNAFFA

Ingredients:
1/2 kg "phaniyaan"
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup pistachios
1/2 cup almonds

Directions:

  • Cook sugar and water in a pan along with half the almonds and pistachios till syrup thickens.

  • Place "phaniyaan" in a baking dish and bake at 180 Centigrade or 350 Fahrenheit or gas mark 4 for 7 to 8 minutes.

  • Pour prepared sugar syrup over "phaniyaan". Garnish with rest of almonds and pistachios and serve.