It's reassuring to know that someone reads my blog! Even after a long absence there are still loyal followers. I remember a friend of mine telling me that for your blog to be successful you need to post everyday. I'm not sure that that is the kind of following I was aiming for as this was originally intended as a way for family and friends to keep in touch with what I was doing without having to email everyone individually.
Today we are plagued by dust storms so I have been inside all day. Hopefully they will clear a little to get out later for a walk or swim. If not, there's always the gym although that word isn't really in my vocabulary.
Yesterday I went out to Mushrif Mall to explore the fairly new indoor market. It is underground in the mall carpark and covers a vast area with separate markets for meat (gave that one a miss), fish (even a live market and several aquariums for the kids to be entertained) and fruit and veges.
The vendors were quick to spot a customer and my friend and I were encouraged to enter each shop. The vendors were not as insistent as those in the handbag alley of Turkey but still they got their point across.
We chose one shop and made some purchases. Then we found a wonderful spice shop. Oh I wish I knew what to do with all the spices out there in the world. They look and smell lovely.
Next stop is the date shop with free samples of dates, mostly from Saudi. I never knew that dates could be sweet or not so sweet. Purchasing some cashews and delectable dried apricots I moved on.
Finally found some spinach so got two bunches along with bok choy for dinner. Another happy vendor who somehow managed to sell me a kilo of tomatoes that I didn't need. Too bad if they were nice!
On the way out we discover the Liwa date shop. Apparently the Liwa dates are the best there are and they come with chocolate coatings and all sorts of fillings. A few samples later and we exit the market, weighed down by all our purchases. The market was practically empty so it will be interesting to go back at a weekend to see if it is busier. Because it is fairly new not many people know it is there although in the heat I'd think it was preferable to the outdoor markets down at the port.
I cooked a simple but delicious meal for my friend and I of salmon, brown rice & bok choy followed by a healthy dessert of fresh nectarine, mango and yoghurt.
An hour long walk followed to remove all those chocolate dates we'd sampled. As I haven't walked in a while my feet were aching by the time I returned home. I was drenched in sweat so a quick shower and hobbled into bed.
So today I had to do something with the surplus vegetables. Slow roasted tomatoes are my current favourite. I slice ripe beef steak tomatoes into thick slices and place them into a roasting dish. Then I sprinkle with olive oil and a squirt of lemon juice. Slow roast at a low heat for an hour or more.
Today I also roasted peppers, kumera and baby marrow. I'll make up some ready meals for the freezer. As I'm home alone it'll save me cooking each night.
Today we are plagued by dust storms so I have been inside all day. Hopefully they will clear a little to get out later for a walk or swim. If not, there's always the gym although that word isn't really in my vocabulary.
Yesterday I went out to Mushrif Mall to explore the fairly new indoor market. It is underground in the mall carpark and covers a vast area with separate markets for meat (gave that one a miss), fish (even a live market and several aquariums for the kids to be entertained) and fruit and veges.
The vendors were quick to spot a customer and my friend and I were encouraged to enter each shop. The vendors were not as insistent as those in the handbag alley of Turkey but still they got their point across.
We chose one shop and made some purchases. Then we found a wonderful spice shop. Oh I wish I knew what to do with all the spices out there in the world. They look and smell lovely.
Next stop is the date shop with free samples of dates, mostly from Saudi. I never knew that dates could be sweet or not so sweet. Purchasing some cashews and delectable dried apricots I moved on.
Finally found some spinach so got two bunches along with bok choy for dinner. Another happy vendor who somehow managed to sell me a kilo of tomatoes that I didn't need. Too bad if they were nice!
On the way out we discover the Liwa date shop. Apparently the Liwa dates are the best there are and they come with chocolate coatings and all sorts of fillings. A few samples later and we exit the market, weighed down by all our purchases. The market was practically empty so it will be interesting to go back at a weekend to see if it is busier. Because it is fairly new not many people know it is there although in the heat I'd think it was preferable to the outdoor markets down at the port.
I cooked a simple but delicious meal for my friend and I of salmon, brown rice & bok choy followed by a healthy dessert of fresh nectarine, mango and yoghurt.
An hour long walk followed to remove all those chocolate dates we'd sampled. As I haven't walked in a while my feet were aching by the time I returned home. I was drenched in sweat so a quick shower and hobbled into bed.
So today I had to do something with the surplus vegetables. Slow roasted tomatoes are my current favourite. I slice ripe beef steak tomatoes into thick slices and place them into a roasting dish. Then I sprinkle with olive oil and a squirt of lemon juice. Slow roast at a low heat for an hour or more.
Today I also roasted peppers, kumera and baby marrow. I'll make up some ready meals for the freezer. As I'm home alone it'll save me cooking each night.
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