Quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is one of the world’s most popular health foods — although kebabs do not quite enjoy the same reputation. But the two are combined in this trio of top recipes for you to try this week.
Quinoa is a grain-like seed that is gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids. It is also high in fiber, magnesium and B-vitamins. In the recipe, below, quinoa replaces meat in this delicious kebab mixture.
Meat eaters can, however, try the below recipe for biryani, a South Asian mixed-rice dish with its origins among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. It is a delicacy and a popular main dish — one made with spices, rice, and meat — that is mostly enjoyed on weekends.
And to top things off, there is a sweet made from cornflakes presented in a way that kids will love.
RECIPE 1
QUINOA KEBABS
Serves 3
Preparation and cooking time: 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of quinoa
A few parsley leaves
A few cilantro leaves
A teaspoon of red chili powder
A teaspoon of ginger garlic paste
A teaspoon of garam masala powder
A teaspoon of fenugreek dry leaves
1 chopped green chili
1 egg
A tablespoon of lime juice
Handful of chopped carrot
Handful of chopped capsicum
1 small boiled and mashed potato
METHOD:
1) Soak 1 cup of quinoa for half an hour.
2) Boil for half an hour in lots of water, and then strain.
3) Add chopped cilantro and parsley leaves to it.
4) Add the above mentioned ingredients.
5) Semi-boil the vegetables and add the quinoa along with mashed potato and egg.
6) Mix everything together and make round kebabs.
7) Shallow fry them on both sides.
RECIPE 2
MINCED MEAT RAINBOW BIRYANI
Serves 5
Preparation and cooking time: 1 to 2 hours
There are four layers of rice and each layer has a different flavor.
INGREDIENTS:
500 grams of minced meat
4 cups of rice (wash and soak for half an hour)
Yellow food color (a pinch)
Red food color (a pinch)
Green food color (a pinch)
Salt as required
A bunch of cilantro leaves
A bunch of mint leaves
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
A few curry leaves
2 ripe tomatoes
1 tablespoon of tomato puree
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Fried onions for garnishing
1 tablespoon of kewra water.
Minced meat is prepared with usual spicy ingredients.
METHOD:
1) Divide the rice into four parts of 1 cup each.
2) First part should be plain, boiled and steamed in 1 teaspoon of salt.
3) Second part is flavored with ground cilantro and mint leaves, cumin seeds and curry leaves with a pinch of salt and a pinch of green color. Boil the rice and steam it.
4) Third part is boiled and steamed rice in 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with salt and a pinch of yellow color.
5) Fourth part is boiled rice in tomato puree and ground tomatoes with salt and red color.
6) All parts should be boiled and steamed with each part kept separate.
7) Make minced meat with the usual ingredients, adding more spices so as to balance the taste of the biryani.
8) Grease a deep microwave bowl. Begin layering the rice.
9) Start with white rice layer, then the green layer, then a minced meat layer, and then the yellow and red layers.
10) Repeat layering.
11) Add a teaspoon of kewra water to it and microwave or bake for a few minutes.
12) Keep a plate over the dish and remove the bowl.
13) You may garnish the dish with fried onions or any way you like.
14) Enjoy with green raita.
RECIPE 3
CORNFLAKES “BURFI”
Serves 6
Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups of cornflakes
1 cup desiccated coconut
Half cup rolled oats (optional)
1 small tin of condensed milk
1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon of cardamom powder
1 small cup of ghee
Half cup of sugar and 1 cup of water
METHOD:
1) Chop rolled oats and cornflakes together and roast them in a deep vessel for 2 to 3 minutes on low heat until golden brown.
2) Add cardamom and cinnamon powder and mix well again.
3) Meanwhile cook sugar and water together in a separate vessel; add a teaspoon of cardamom powder to it.
4) Add coconut powder to cornflakes and start pouring melted ghee; keep stirring it.
5) Add condensed milk and mix it well.
6) Add boiled water and sugar syrup to the mixture and mix well.
7) Remove from the flame. Do not overcook.
8) Grease a flat dish and pour the mixture in it and spread it evenly, and garnish it with roasted nuts.
9) When set, cut into brick-shaped pieces, and enjoy!
—
Email: [email protected]
Keen on Quinoa? Look no further
Keen on Quinoa? Look no further
Where We Are Going Today: Kaak Al-Farah
Kaak Al-Farah — which translates as “the cookie of joy” — is an Instagram shop that offers kaak, a traditional date-filled treat enjoyed in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries.
A cherished part of celebrations such as Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, weddings and baby showers, kaak are similar to maamoul cookies, which include semolina.
Kaak Al-Farah makes each cookie with care, using ornate molds to shape the date-stuffed dough. After baking, the cookies are packed in a beautiful reusable box.
Made from locally sourced ingredients, including wheat, dates and traditional Saudi flavors such as cardamom and cloves, each bite is a celebration of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
What makes Kaak Al-Farah stand out is not just the delightful taste of the cookies but also the thoughtful packaging which reflects the essence of Saudi culture.
The round box features designs redolent of the joyful spirit found in Saudi communities, including a cheerful ring of colorful flowers symbolizing happiness and beauty and a portrait of a lady representing peace and love. Added to each box is a personalized greeting card.
Kaak Al-Farah delivers to various cities throughout the Kingdom and can be found on delivery apps including The Chefz and Hayak.
For more information, visit their Instagram profile — @kaak.alfarah.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Dave’s Hot Chicken’ in Riyadh
- The dishes come in six heat options, with the most intense level named the “reaper,” which is served with a waiver that must be signed before consumption
Dave’s Hot Chicken — a parking-lot food truck in East Hollywood before becoming internationally renowned — can be found in Riyadh on Tahliah Street.
They are famous for their iconic Nashville-style hot chicken, a sweet and spicy concoction of flavorful spices including cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and pepper.
The balance of sweet and spicy along with the irresistible crunch makes their chicken tenders one of the best in the city.
Each order is served with sliced bread, tangy pickles, and Dave’s special sauce.
The dishes come in six heat options, with the most intense level named the “reaper,” which is served with a waiver that must be signed before consumption.
The waiver reads: “I acknowledge that eating the reaper can cause me harm, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, property damage, emotional stress, and even death.”
For customers who prefer it, their chicken tenders are also available with no spice.
The menu has a selection of Nashville-inspired sides including fries, cheese fries, mac and cheese, and kale slaw.
The eatery is known for its attention to detail and is the ideal spot for those craving succulent fried chicken with a kick.
Their story began in 2017 with four friends — Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganeshyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan — who used $900 to create an Instagram page showcasing their offerings.
In 2021, Canadian rapper Drake, actor Samuel L. Jackson and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner invested in the company to become major shareholders.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is now an international food chain with over 100 locations.
For updates and more information check @daveshotchickengcc.
CDC says it’s identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
- Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.: Three women who were diagnosed with HIV after getting “vampire facial” procedures at an unlicensed New Mexico medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles, federal health officials said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its Morbidity and Mortality Report last week that an investigation into the clinic from 2018 through 2023 showed it apparently reused disposable equipment intended for one-time use.
Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the report said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.
Many popular cosmetic treatments are delivered with needles, such as Botox to iron out wrinkles and fillers to plump lips. A “vampire facial,” or platelet-rich plasma microneedling procedure, involves drawing a client’s own blood, separating its components, then using tiny needles to inject plasma into the face to rejuvenate the skin. Tattoos also require needles.
The New Mexico Department of Health began investigating the spa in the summer of 2018 after it was notified that a woman in her 40s had tested positive for HIV even though she had no known risk factors. The woman reported exposure to needles through the procedure at the clinic that spring.
The spa closed in fall 2018 after the investigation was launched, and its owner was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license.
The report said the investigation showed how important it is to require infection control practices at businesses that offer cosmetic procedures involving needles.
It also noted that the investigation was slowed by poor record keeping and said businesses providing such services should keep better records in case clients need to be contacted later.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Tikka Khan’ delicious grilled chicken in Jeddah
- This place specializes in Indian street food, with more than a nod to the classic dish from which it takes its name
As soon as you step inside Tikka Khan on Qassem Zeinah Street in Jeddah’s Rawdah district your senses will be treated to the unmistakable aroma of South Asian spices and grilled chicken.
This place specializes in Indian street food, with more than a nod to the classic dish from which it takes its name.
The marinated chicken, infused with a blend of yogurt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, garlic and ginger, is grilled or roasted to perfection. Each bite bursts with rich aromatic flavors.
I tried two sandwiches — the tikka khan and the butter khan — and while both were delicious, the former was a clear winner.
The fresh naan bread loaded with succulent grilled chicken was simply delicious. It was also small enough that I was tempted to order a second.
The butter khan — unsurprisingly featuring butter chicken — is available in regular or spicy variations.
All of the wraps are made to order but the service is quick service so you will never have to wait long.
Besides wraps, Tikka Khan serves several other dishes, including tikka fries topped with grilled tandoori chicken and a tasty sauce, a tikka samosa stuffed with meat and served with chutney and tamarind sauce, and tandoori noodles with grilled chicken tikka, vegetables and a special sauce.
For more information, visit Tikka Khan on Instagram @tikkakhansa.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘TNDR’ fried chicken in Jeddah
- The menu at TNDR is simple, focusing on what they do best: tender chicken fingers served with a variety of sauces, sodas, coleslaw salad, and, of course, fries
TNDR, the latest addition to Jeddah’s fast-food scene, offers mouthwatering tender fried chicken. With two drive-through locations in Rawdah and Al-Hamadaniah, TNDR promises a quick and satisfying dining experience.
The menu at TNDR is simple, focusing on what they do best: tender chicken fingers served with a variety of sauces, sodas, coleslaw salad, and, of course, fries. What sets TNDR apart is using locally sourced ingredients to create flavorful sandwiches and wraps.
One standout item on the menu is the TNDR Wrap, featuring four pieces of perfectly fried chicken, warm tortilla wrap with gooey melted cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce and garlic sauce, and fries, available in both regular and spicy.
I opted for the spicy one, the chicken was indeed very tender and crunchy, the wrap size was fair for a dinner meal, whilst what made every bite count was the warm cheddar sauce.
The second main is the TNDR Combo, a sandwich that features tender fried chicken in a fluffy bun, complemented by creamy garlic sauce, fresh lettuce, rich cheddar cheese sauce, and fries.
The logo of the brand is funky and imitates a graphic of a cool chicken standing by the order window wearing shoes. This playful design sets the tone for the fun and inviting atmosphere at TNDR.
For more information and updates, be sure to check out @tndr.sa on Instagram.
