Festive Hampers from Mastihashop

Gift boxes at Mastihashop

Gift boxes at Mastihashop

Mastihashop presents a wide range of gift boxes and hampers for Ramadan, Eid, for corporate giveaways and for all the popular festive occasions like birthdays, house warming and picnics. Gift hampers can be customized and presented with the company’s branding.

The exotic Mastihashop collection reflects the modernization of traditional food remedies and include Mastihq infused chocolates, sweets, savoury products, cosmetics and skincare, pharmaceuticals, gifts as well as exotic coffee, ice cream, desserts and milkshakes.

Corporate gifts

Mastihashop, offers clients the perfect bite, the perfect gift and a cosy hangout for coffee, is located in the Aswaaq Building in Jumeirah 1, Al Wasl Road.

Mansoor Al Bastaki of Mastihashop

Mansoor Al Bastaki of Mastihashop

Under the creative direction of the parent brand, Mastihashop in the UAE has evolved with Mansoor Al Bastaki, Founder and Director of Mastihashop in UAE at the helm. According to him, patrons and discerning UAE residents like to experience exotic food and products they normally find during their travels at their doorstep.

Mastiha/Mastic is a natural and rare tree resin, which has proven to have health benefits with its anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Any raw Mastiha found around the world originates in only one place in Greece, in Chios Islands and Mastiha Shop is the sole supplier of the Mastiha raw resins.

 

Toshiba awards top-performing KSA channel partners

Sequoia Sherif Abd Al Fatah of Al HASOOB; Mr. Santosh Varghese , General Manager, Toshiba Gulf FZE; Mr. Hany Mohammed, Regional Sales Manager – Egypt & KSA, Toshiba Gulf FZE

Toshiba Gulf FZE held an award ceremony on 28th June, during the company’s Iftar celebration in Riyadh, KSA. The ceremony served to congratulate the company’s top-performing channel partners in the 1st Quarter of 2015 sales in the country.

As part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations for its mobile computing products, Toshiba Gulf Free Zone announced a channel promotion for CYQ1-15 sales; this is in addition to its award-winning P4P Channel program. Select Saudi Arabia dealer channel partners had an opportunity to win a Toyota Sequoia in platinum category and a Toyota Camry in gold category.

Camry Toshiba  Fouad Abd Al Kader of Fan Al Turath; Mr. Santosh Varghese, General Manager, Toshiba Gulf FZE; Mr. Hany Mohammed, Regional Sales Manager – Egypt & KSA, Toshiba Gulf FZE

Sherif Abd Al Fatah of Al Hasoob, Riyadh took home the Toyota Sequoia and Fouad Abd Al Kader of Fan Al Turath, Riyadh won the Toyota Camry

Being a leading PC brand in Saudi Arabia with No.1 market share in KSA for the 1st Quarter of 2015, reflects the brand’s growth strategy is sustainable and meets the product standards of customers in the region and their preferred PC requirements.

With the successful incentive related activities in Saudi Arabia, Toshiba hopes to further launch many new channel programmes as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations.

NEW EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF FOR TRADERS HOTEL, QARYAT AL BERI

Traders Hotel Shereen Shabnam

Food lovers in Abu Dhabi can now head to Traders Hotel to experience culinary delights by Ricky Rimenda Agustiana, the new Executive Sous Chef who brings more than seventeen years of varied culinary experience to the capital from across the globe.
Prior to the appointment he was at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, at the award-winning Pearls and Caviar. With previous Shangri-La experience Ricky knows the standard that has to be upheld throughout the company and outlets.
Ricky comes to Abu Dhabi with five years of experience from Dubai, UAE, where he worked in a luxury 5-star resort and excelled in his role. Before relocating to the Middle East, Ricky worked in Asia and the USA where he gained invaluable culinary experience. Ricky started his career in Singapore and Indonesia, before relocating to New York. Following two years in the Big Apple, Ricky was promoted to Chef de Partie in the sister company in Florida. Let me know what you thought of his culinary creations.

Ocean Spray Craisin Recipes for Ramadan

As the editor of 3 Menus of the Master coffee table cookbooks, I love getting recipes and would one day like a career that keeps me longer in the kitchen. This Ramadan, check out some awesome recipes from Ocean Spray – delectable!

Shereen Shabnam Craisin Muffins

Cranberry muffin

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 1 tbs Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 1 Egg (large)
  • 4 tbs Butter
  • 1 Cup Cranberries

Method

  • Keep the butter at room temperature to soften
  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
  • Mix butter and sugar
  • Slowly add eggs until all items are properly bonded
  • Add all dry ingredients
  • Add cranberries
  • In muffin tray decide mixture into 1/4 cup batches
  • Bake for 15 minutes

Cranberry and Oatmeal Cookie

Ingredient

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1 cup Flour
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 2 cups Instant Oats
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda

Method

  • Keep the butter out at room temperature to soften it.
  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
  • Sift the flour and baking soda.
  • Combine all ingredients together in large bowl and mix with hands.
  • Roll small balls with dough and place on baking tray with baking paper.
  • Press down the balls and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Shereen Shabnam Goats Cheese and Craisins Chutney

Goat Cheese and Cranberry Chutney

Ingredient

  • 4 Apples
  • 5 Cups Cranberries
  • 1 Red Onion
  • 1/2 Cup Dates
  • 1 Cup Orange Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/3 Cup White Vinegar
  • Baguette Bread
  • Goat Cheese

Method

  • Chop onion, apples and dates.
  • Sauté onion, apples, dates and cranberries with butter in a deep pot.
  • Add sugar, spices, vinegar and orange juice to pot.
  • Bring to boil then reduce flame and let simmer until chutney consistency
  • Cut baguette bread into thin slices and sprinkle with olive oil.
  • Bake in the oven until dry.
  • Cut goat cheese into rounds.
  • Put goat cheese on cracker and broil in oven.
  • Garnish with chutney.

Cranberry and Eggs “En Cocotte”

Ingredient

  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 tbs Cream
  • 2 Slices of Beef Bacon
  • 1 tbs of Cranberries
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
  • Chop the bacon and cranberries.
  • In a pan cook bacon and cranberries together.
  • Strain bacon and cranberries and let it cool.
  • Whisk eggs, cream and seasoning.
  • Mix all ingredients together and put in an individual oven pan.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Shereen Shabnam Salmon with Craisin Salsa

Roasted Salmon with Cranberry Salsa

Ingredient

  • 1 Cup Cranberries
  • 1 tbs lime juice
  • 1/4 bunch of coriander
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 3 tbs olive oil
  • 1 Salmon filet

Method

  • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
  • Chop onion, cranberries and coriander.
  • Mix with olive oil and lemon juice.
  • Season salmon and seal on the pan.
  • Finish cooking salmon in the oven.
  • Garnish salmon with cranberry salsa.

Cranberry and Almond Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

  • 1 tbs Olive Oil
  • 3/4 Onion
  • 1/2 Cup Cranberries
  • 1 1/2 Cups Basmati Rice
  • 3 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 1/4 Cup Slivered Almonds
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

  • In large pot sauté onions with olive oil until they become translucent.
  • Add cranberries and rice and stir until rice is covered in oil.
  • Add chicken broth and seasoning.
  • Bring to boil and cover.
  • Reduce heat to simmer and keep until rice is cooked (about 22 minutes).
  • Stir in almonds.
  • Garnish with cranberries.

 

 

New summer offers by Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah

Shereen Shabnam Kempinski-Palm-JumeirahIts hot and I just feel like staying in a luxurious room all day fasting, reading and chilling while fasting – so I started looking at local hotel offers not that my work schedule will allow even a day off but loved the pictures from Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah – They just unveiled new offers for the summer for guests from the UAE and other countries including lower prices on suites and villas and free breakfast.
The offers, which are valid until September 2015 , also involve large discounts on services at the SPA and other facilities as well as internet, children’s club and free transport to and from Emirates Mall.
The hotel is ready to receive families and other guests from the UAE and the remaining GCC countries to enjoy summer and spend quiet holidays in a luxurious atmosphere, according to the hotel’s general manager Mr Alessandro Redaeli.

Alessandro Redaelli (2)Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, the fourth royal-style building on Jumeirah Palm, comprises 244 suites and pent houses, has an advanced SPA, a large number of restaurants and bars, other facilities, as well as a clean 500-metre beach strip. If I do decide on a staycation in the next 2 weeks, this place is definitely an option.

Kempinski Palm Shereen Shabnam

Spice it up with ice this summer at Icons Coffee Couture

Icons Ice cream Shereen ShabnamJPGThe Innovative Ice -cream salad dressing!

It’s really hot at the moment so getting news on  ICONS Coffee Couture, a German coffee franchise and healthy coffee joint, unveiling their new range of ‘Sweet & Salty’ ice creams is a welcome thought.

Designed as a unique ice cream range, the collection includes not only ice cream smoothies and frappes, but also three salty ice cream dressings to make every salad deliciously sumptuous. Ice-cream enthusiast and innovator, Vasco Valenca De Sousa is the mind behind the Sweet & Salty range of Icons ice cream dreams which are only naturally sweetened with dates or agave to embrace healthy eating and face the summer heat with their cool ice creams.

I reckon I have had very brand of ice-cream the last few days –  At Icons, the sweet ice cream compliments well the upcoming Ramadan season, with dates coupled with classic flavors, chocolate and vanilla. The salty ice creams, a never-before heard of concept, includes herby pesto flavor, dense potato and fresh carrot variants.

What’s more –the salty range of savory ice creams are made to be used as healthy and delicious salad dressings! Once scooped and put over a dry salad, these ice creams melt right in, giving the salads a rich, creamy and refreshing taste.

Enjoy!

Exquisite Greek products at Mastihashop Dubai

coktail loukoum 340gr

Mastihashop is a new Dubai department store experience with a cosy Boutique Café feel combined to offer an immersive social experience. Located in Aswaaq Mall on Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah 1, the Mastihashop collection reflects the modernization of traditional food remedies that include Mastiha/Mastic infused chocolates, sweets, savoury products, cosmetics and skincare, pharmaceuticals, gifts as well as exotic coffee, ice cream, desserts and milkshakes.

Mastihashop venue

Inspired and intriguedby the powerful healing qualities of Mastiha or Mastic and warm memories of his grandmother using Mastic for ailments, local entrepreneur, Mansoor Al Bastaki has embarked on a journey that has brought Mastihashop and its popular products into the UAE.

Mastihashop CoffeeMastiha/Mastic is a natural and rare tree resin, which has proven to have health benefits with its anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Any raw Mastiha found around the world originates in only one place in Greece, in Chios Islands and Mastiha Shop is the sole supplier of the Mastiha raw resins.

Mansoor Al Bastaki

Under the creative direction of the parent brand, Mastihashop in the UAE has evolved with Mansoor Al Bastaki, Founder and Director of Mastihashop at the helm. The exotic Mastihashop collection reflects the modernization of traditional food remedies and include Mastic infused chocolates, sweets, savoury products, cosmetics and skincare, pharmaceuticals, gifts as well as exotic coffee, ice cream, desserts and milkshakes.

Mastihashop, offers clients the perfect bite, the perfect gift and a cosy hangout for coffee, is located in the Aswaaq Building in Jumeirah 1, Al Wasl Road.The outlet also offers beautiful gift hampers for all occasions and for corporate gifts that can be branded with the individual company logo.

Corporate Gifts Mastihashop

Loving Dark Roast from Tim Hortons

tims dark roast

Everyone knows my addiction to Tim Hortons Iced drinks but finally I have found a hot drink – the new Dark Roast blend that I tried in an  enhanced tasting experience by the brand highlighting the full, rich profile of the new coffee blend…in the dark!

I usually don’t go all the way to the other end of Dubai for such tastings but it was organised by an awesome PR agency, Percept Gulf who were very persuasive and is the best agency that Apparel Group uses so I made the effort – I am glad I did.

Tim Hortons Dark Roast is a brand new premium blend made from 100 per cent Arabica beans, sourced from the world’s most renowned coffee regions….which is why it was great for a kick start when I started trying it in the mornings the last 2 months instead of my normal iced coffees.

The new dark blend offers hints of citrus, cocoa and earthy tones with a rounded body. It is carefully roasted to bring out the full, rich flavour and aroma of a dark roast coffee, while ensuring a perfectly smooth finish. For someone who always drinks iced coffee, this is a nice change for me and I am loving it.

Warm up with a Squash soup

Absolutely love this recipe of Squash Soup by the Six Senses Zighy Bay Executive chef, Richard Lee.

soup shereen shabnam

SQUASH SOUP
500ml vegetables stock
750 gram squash, cut into cubes
2 red onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, halved
60 ml yoghurt
1 gram ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Put the stock and 500ml of water into a heavy-based pan and bring to boil, add the squash, onions and garlic and return to the boil. Reduce the heat slightly and cook for 15 minutes or until the squash is smooth.
Drain the vegetables in a colander, reserving the liquid. Puree the squash mixture until smooth, either in a blender or with a hand masher (you may need to add some of the reserved liquid to make mashing a little easier). Return the squash puree to the pan stir in enough reserved liquid to reach the preferred consistency. Season to taste the nutmeg and cracked black pepper.
Ladle the soup into bowls and pour some of the live yoghurt into each bowl to create a swirl pattern on the top. Sprinkle with nutmeg, serve with fresh rye bread.