Fancy a meal at Dubai’s Atlantis? Sample it in the suburbs instead

It may not be feasible for many to visit Dubai and dine at its famed Atlantis, The Palm, but closer home, one can sample the luxury resort’s traditional Arabic cuisine at a suburban hotel.

It may not be feasible for many to visit Dubai and dine at its famed Atlantis, The Palm, but closer home, one can sample the luxury resort’s traditional Arabic cuisine at a suburban hotel. The iconic resort’s Oriental Head Chef, Ali El Bourji is in town, serving up a feast at Taj Lands End till next week.

On the menu are Arabic favourites like Hummus, Fattoush and Tabouleh as well as lesser-known desserts like Mafroukeh and Znoud El Sit. Says Bourji, “We’re keeping it as authentic as possible, using pretty much the same spices we use back in Dubai. The spread has local food from the Emirates as well as Moroccan and Lebanese style dishes.”

As part of the hotel’s Arabic-themed food festival, Bourji has even set up a one-of-its-kind Tahina fountain, which he claims is his own innovation. “You must definitely try it with the falafel skewers, haloumi cheese and lamb kebbeh,” he says, adding, “The Fish Tagine is another dish that I recommend.”

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Cheese Fattayer
(Four portions)
INGREDIENTS
Dough:
30gm butter melted n 750kg flour n 10gm salt n 30ml olive oil
3gm yeast n 650ml water

Spinach filling:
400gm spinach n 200gm onion
10gm sumac powder (chopped)
20ml olive oil
10gm salt n 10ml lemon juice
15gm pine seeds (fried)

METHOD
Combine flour, water, yeast, butter, oil in food processor and process into a smooth dough, adding more water, if necessary.
Leave to rest in warm place
Saute onions in olive oil. Add the spinach and cook till wilted. Season with lemon juice and salt sumak, pine seeds. Spread mixture out on plate to cool.
Put dough on floured surface and roll into a big circle.
Cut the spread dough into small circle with a cookie cutter.
Fill with 1 tbsp of spinach mixture and seal the edges filmy
Arrange in tray and bake in a moderate oven until pink in colour. Serve hot.