Fresh Home Made Naan

Sister Shameela Sadek requested for Rey's naan recipe after I posted a picture of it on facebook. No soup, kitchro or haleem is complete without freshly baked home made naan. Simply follow the easy steps below and you are guaranteed bakery fresh naan that will leave your family and friends totally impressed.

                                1. Add 2 ounce of butter and 2 tablespoons sugar in a mixing bowl

                                2. Beat the butter and sugar together until it forms a creamy
                                    consistency. Then add one egg to the mixture and beat well

                                3. Now add 4 and a half cups of flour to the mixture.

                                5. Add 1 teaspoon salt

                                6. Add 1 teaspoon sawmf (fenel)

                                7. Add 1 packet of Anchor instant yeast

                                8. Add 600ml of a milk and water mixture (300ml water with
                                    300ml milk). Warm the milk water mixture in the microwave
                                    before adding to the flour.

                                9. Knead the dough into a soft smooth consistency as depicted
                                    above. Now cover the dough with a cloth and allow to rise.

                                10. Divide the contents of the dough into three portions. Pat each
                                       portion into a round tray as illustrated above.

                                11. Brush egg over the dough.

                                12. Now sprinkle sesame seeds (tal seeds) over the dough.Allow
                                      the dough to rise further before baking in the oven at 220 degrees
                                      until golden brown.

                                13. The end product.

NELSON MANDELA - A heart of gold with a lack of foresight

(Me in the background making my way from the canteen after meeting with the Mandela entourage)

Those of you out there who know me on a personal level will acknowledge that I am not a person who likes hanging out or partying in clubs or going to shopping centres unnecessarily. I prefer spending quality time with family and friends over a cup of coffee or a formal lunch or dinner. Yesterday I had a really fulfilling day visiting the ill at a hospital located close to my home. My family and I enjoyed ourselves being in the company of a 92 year old gentleman who has absolutely no real sickness with the exception of old age. It was the first time in his life that he was admitted to hospital for dehydration. It was fascinating listening to his childhood stories and stories of his youth. His eyes lit up as he related to us stories about his acquaintances with Nelson Mandela decades ago. His speech was filled with words of wisdom and advice. Someone once told me that you are definitely South African if you know someone or has a family member who was associated with the international iconic figure. Fifteen years ago Nelson Mandela was admitted at the hospital I worked for in Riyadh. He was a guest of the Saudi government. My colleague brother Ahmed who has been at the hospital for the last 25 years told me his experience when he met Mandela for the first time. He was walking alone in the hospital gardens with no security or anyone at his side. Brother Ahmed went up to him and greeted him. Mandela enquired about his roots and his occupation in the hospital. During their conversation a group of Saudi men came up to greet Mr. Mandela and told him that for a man of such stature it is not wise for him to walk alone without being accompanied by a security guard. Brother Ahmed said that he will never ever forget Mandela's facial expression as he replied to the gentlemen saying: "My name is Mandela. I am a man of peace. Only a man who has enemies will be afraid to walk alone." The Saudi gentleman were taken aback with his words of wisdom. Various other staff told me about Mandela's simplicity and humble nature. He instructed staff in the VIP ward to allow anyone to meet him. Expatriates from various African countries residing in the Kingdom made their way to the hospital to meet and spend some time with their hero. I was fortunate to have met Mandela myself on a few occasions during his medical check ups at Milpark hospital in Johannesburg. On many occasions he arrived at the hospital unannounced without any prior arrangements. The general public sitting in the foyer would be surprised and flabbergasted as he made his way through the main entrance. There were times when both adults and children would approach him to take pictures with them. Despite his ill health and old age he would never refuse but rather he would oblige with a smile.No doubt he has a heart of gold. I always thought of Mandela as being a man of vision and foresight and yet there are times when I feel that if a man loved his country immensely he would have protected the citizens of his country by keeping the death penalty and also implementing stricter border control measures when he became president. Perhaps if Madiba was released from prison earlier at a younger age, the South Africa we have today which is riddled with crime, murders, rape, hijackings, lawlessness, police brutality and corruption could have been a country he envisaged, a country of hope, freedom, peace and prosperity for one and all.

Why Savouries???

                                                           www.durban-north.co.za

A good facebook friend has left me in stitches of laughter after reading his inbox messages. He asked me when am I writing an article titled "From laban and khubz to samoosas and death bringing savories....the transition of fasting from makkah to Jozi" lol....He goes on to say," I miss laban and dates....the steamy combo yields such interesting effects.....have u ever wondered why many Arab women fill the Gynae clinic 9 months post Ramadaan?? Well its all thanks to the Badam (almonds) and dates acting up on Saudi men like a clinical trial of some sort lol".....Whilst chatting to my brother Aadil yesterday, both of us couldn't comprehend the big hype and fuss about savouries that most of the South African Indian women panic to prepare from months ahead. In our house mom makes savouries throughout the year so by the time Ramadhaan approaches the novelty and hype has actually worn out. Savouries in Ramadhaan is actually very unhealthy and fattening. In our house we generally prefer a normal cooked meal. Either a rice dish or a meal that will be accompanied with roti. Shourba addas (Lentil soup) and Tamar Hindi (Tamarind drink) are specially prepared during the month of Ramadhaan in the Middle East. Tamarind acts as a mild laxative and is also used to treat bile disorders in addition to promoting a healthy heart and lowering cholesterol levels. The Arabs in general eat all the right foods that assist their bodies with the detoxification process during the month of Ramadhaan. Laban cools the stomach down and of course dates and zamzam water replenishes the body with all the vital vitamins and minerals that the body requires.It is strange that when you in Makkah and Medina, there is so much of barkat in the food that a little bit of food goes such a long way. Remember that the fasting month is a month where we should be empathizing with those who are less fortunate than we are. Having lavish parties and do's along with fancy foods defeats the purpose and objective of the month. Rather stick to the basic simple foods and eat less. Whilst visiting a Saudi family in Medina last year, I loved the fact that their entire family ate together for the whole month of Ramadhaan and at every fatoor they would prepare one dish that the Prophet Muhammed (saw) loved eating.I wonder who came up with this silly concept that we need to eat savouries during the month of Ramadhaan.....If you do know, please let me know...:))))))...This person needs to be clobbered lololol....

A few safety tips for women

The facebook page Voice of Democracy shared this useful piece of information on my profile page. I thought I'd share this important info on my blog as well.

Share & Spread the Message Guys!

Girls Be Careful -
"Friends please share this info. with your
sisters..."
1) What should a woman do if she finds
herself alone in the company of
a strange male as she prepares to enter a lift
in a high-rise apartment late
at night?
Experts Say: Enter the lift. If you need to
reach the 13th floor, press all
the buttons up to your destination. No one
will dare attack you in a lift
that stops on every floor.
2) What to do if a stranger tries to attack you
when you are alone in your
house, run into the kitchen.
Experts Say: You alone know where the chili
powder and turmeric are
kept.And where the knives and plates are.
All these can be turned into
deadly weapons. If nothing else, start
throwing plates and utensils all
over.
Let them break. Scream. Remember that
noiseis the greatest enemy of a
molester. He does not want to be caught.
3} Taking an Auto or Taxi at Night.
Experts Say: Before getting into an auto at
night, note down its
registration number. Then use the mobile to
call your family or friend
and pass on the details to them in the
language the driver
understands .Even if no one answers your
call, pretend you are in a
conversation. The driver now knows
someone has his details and he will
be in serious trouble if anything goes
wrong. He is now bound to take
you home safe and sound. A potential
attacker is now your de facto
protector!
4}What if the driver turns into a street he is
not supposed to - and you
feel you are entering a danger zone?
Experts Say: Use the handle of your purse or
your stole (dupatta) to wrap
around his neck and pull him back. Within
seconds, he will feel choked
and helpless. In case you don’t have a
purse or stole just pull him back
by his collar. The top button of his shirt
would then do the same trick.
5} If you are stalked at night.
Expert Say: enter a shop or a house and
explain your predicament. If it is
night and shops are not open, go inside an
ATM box. ATM centers always
have security guards. They are also
monitored by close circuit television.
Fearing identification, no one will dare
attack you.
After all, being mentally alert is the greatest
weapon you can ever have.

Please spread it to all those women u care
for their safety.