“Futur” With My Middle Eastern Brothers - Sunday Special
This week I was invited to join a Libyan friend and his family to “futur” with them. And in the same week, I had another futur with a group of Middle Eastern brothers of whom I have known for more than 4 years, and they are real “buddies.” They are all doing their PhD program here at USM. (Oops! By the way, “futur” in Arabic simply means breaking fast.)
And also just in case not to confuse you, I’m not a Muslim. I’m a Christian, but I make it a point to breakfast with my Muslim brothers whenever I can during Ramadhan.
So this week Sunday Special will just feature Middle Eastern food. The Libyan meal is courtesy from my Libyan friend and the “Penang” Middle Eastern Food - well, all I can say is, I tried!
Me and my Libyan friend, Mukhtar - breaking fast.
My Middle Eastern brothers: (From left to right) Fatemi from Iran, Ghayth from Iraq, me, and Saba from Iraq.
*********** *********** ************** ***********
Libyan Food
(Prepared by Mukhtar’s wife)
1. Starter (Sesame sweets & dates) 2. Salad
3. Sharba (Soup) 4. Tabahash (Side-dish)
5. Couscous 6. Kebabs and Fried Chicken
************ ************ ************ ************
The “Penang” Middle Eastern Food
Dried Dates from Saudi & Banana and Orange Milkshake
Iraqi Chicken Consome’: Chicken slowly simmered with tumeric and onions & Arab bread (bought from an Arab bakery at Ivory Plaza)
Cucumber and Tomatoes Salad: Diced cucumber, tomotoes and Onions with Middle Eastern dressing (yogurt, dill, cumin and fennel seeds) & Saffron Rice with sliced almond and dates. (Yummy!!!)
Maraq (Arab Chicken Stew): Chicken pieces slowly simmered in fresh tomatoes sauce with potatoes and Fava beans. & Fresh Dates for dessert