I want them to say: 'Al-akl ladheedh' (the food is delicious)

Truth's_Razors —

Yesterday I went to my friend's house for Iftaar and next week (maybe the 1st or 2nd of September) I’m hoping to do my own ‘Everyone come over Iftaar’. I’ve had a bit of trouble with the menu planning today but I got through it (well the main part of it). Then again, however, but (the big but!), I do have one problem. Before I tell you that let’s go through what I’m planning so far:

There’s going to be 8 friends coming around (I’ve mentioned it to many of them in passing – nothing set though, so still need to do that). I’ve decided Lebanese food (if all goes well) mainly because I’ve been craving a shawarma for absolutely ages now, even before Ramadhan but have been just too damn lazy to actually go to Edgeware Road to get one (yes I know they must sell them locally but Edgeware Road is where it all began). Ok so shawarma is going to be a main (lamb of course – I would do chicken but um nah). Ok I think it’ll be easier if I just copy and paste my list from Word (where I have nicely laid it out so I remember):

Starter:
Lebanese Borek (v) – this is like spring rolls with cheese
Falafel (v) – chickpeas in a sort of patty or burger type thing
Chocolate-covered Dates (v) – um yeh I just feel like trying it

Salad:
Tabbouleh (v) – bulgur – some sort of wheat, tomato, spring onion, parsley, mint, lemon juice and olive oil (decorated nicely).

Side:
Lebanese Rice and Lentils with Caramelised Onions (v) – Rice with lentils – basically what it says, made with ‘basmati’ rice (so rice)
Fries (v) – ‘chips’ 'bataata makhliya' undecided on whether I should use bought chips or make my own.

Main:
Lamb Shawarma - 'shawarma lahm kharoof' (the best thing ever ever ever!) with gherkins, tomatoes and thinly cut onions (I’ve eaten ones with chips inside – that was in Dubai.. Not sure if I should do the same - nahh) I may also leave some meat on its own so they can eat it with rice if they want..
? – I’ll explain in a second

Dessert:
Baklawa (v) – it just has to be (but maybe something else too?)

Drink:
Orange Juice – safe option
Mango Juice – Asir manga juice, it just goes

Ok so now for the slight glitch.
One of my friends doesn’t actually eat Halaal meat, which is why I’ve put a ‘(v)’ next to some which means Vegetarian so she can eat those..

She’s actually not a vegetarian though which is why I’m considering buying Quorn for her – I don’t know. Ok I’m guessing you're like ok so she doesn’t eat Halaal meat but she’s not a vegetarian – what?!

So I’ll explain.
This friend of mine (she’s actually a close friend – good old [her name]. Anyway she eats meat just not Halaal meat as she’s Sikh (yes some Sikhs do but she doesn’t) so anyway this is where I need help..

What would I make her? I was looking at the Quorn products (as I mentioned) but I’m not sure which product to use as lamb substitute – there’s Quorn sliced steak but that has a different flavour (I mean steak does – so it wouldn’t be the same)

Problemo.. Help.. Anyone.. Mumkin Tusaa'aidnee? Aidez-moi s'il vous plait!

LookingToSee — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 - 22:52

would it not be "ta'aam" instead of "al-akl"?

wouah! mashallah and you're going to MAKE this? like from scratch? you? by yourself?
(i guess thats what a 20 something years olds iftaar party is, my "everyone come to my hosue for iftaar" would be mum making something and me "just standing there not knowing what to do")

yep, sikh people arent suppose to eat meat slaughtered by Muslims. which is...surprising...

Im sure your mate will say "Al-akl ladheedh" but im not sure if they are arab speakers. (or maybe you could pass me their numbers and i could text them that you would like them to say that at the end of the meal and then you could act all surprised when they do :D)

Never had labanese food in my life.
Not a big fan of Lamb..i dont like the smell...but sometimes mum manages to cook it and the smell disappear (Y) I'll just stick to good ol' chicken =D

All this talking and i've not answered your dilemna...

CALL THE LABANESE FOOD EXPERT!

Truth's_Razors — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 - 23:10

[quote=Lilly]would it not be "ta'aam" instead of "al-akl"?
[/quote]

Maybe? This is what i was taught was 'Modern Standard Arabic' though - who knows!

InshaAllah i'll be able to do it, it's not defo until i'm sure i will do it - but this is my - i would say dream, but it isn't - plan.. plan is a good word.. although i do really really hope it works out!

Truth's_Razors — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 - 23:19

(P.S. if we do ever meet, let us try the great shawarmas of Edgeware Road - you can have the chicken while i savour lamb mmm - though this should be rain-checked until after Ramadan)

(P.P.S. It's highly likely that i will do that 3 day Itikaf - come join!)

(P.P.P.S. Yes i try to pretend that i'm commited!)

LookingToSee — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 - 00:13

i dont think ive ever been edgeware road. But ive heard of it. whitechapel right?
i wouldnt mind trying the lamb 😃

3days? i thought it was all ten days? no can do unfortunatly =( Got all them college thing to do...

You "try to pretend" pretty gool. I "try to pretend" and well...acutally i think i "try to try to pretend"

Isha Al-Maghribi — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 - 14:37

For your friend,, you'll probably cook something that is not-meat, right? As, I've understood the situation, she eats meat, but not Halal, and evidently, being a Muslim you wouldn't make something Haraam?
...
As, your doing Lebanese, i suggest you make Batata Harra and probably ful medammas, as it goes with batata harra. Perhaps Manahis, as well?
...
Just a suggestion, a Lebanese dish is not complete without a Kibbeh-maybe you friend would like that, also?

Just recommendations....

Truth's_Razors — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 - 17:31

I'm not joking that's soooo helpful! Shokran Jazeelan! Batata Harra is a good idea! - although on it's own because I really won't have time to fit all of them in - maybe i'll try them another time though! (plus my friends won't know the difference!)

Question: would Batata Harra be ok to eat with the Khubz Markouk (since i'm going to be getting it for the shawarmas) like the same idea of a wrap with the tahini but with Batata Harra inside instead?

Anonymous88 (not verified) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 - 16:36

Admirable she's your best friend but if she won't eat Halal meat - due to it being prayed over Islamically - why would she partake in Iftari; the meal at sunset that opens the Muslim fast ?.

If she does partake, eats meat but specifically not Halal, then it's nonsensical she's attending the Iftari.

LookingToSee — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 - 17:25

[quote=MuslimBro][quote=Lilly]i dont think ive ever been edgeware road. But ive heard of it. whitechapel right?[/quote]
That's two completely different areas. One is in North and the other in East London.

You're a girl, that is to be expected.[/quote]

you cant help yourself can ya?

Im foreign, so i dont know London by heart. Im quite happy with the little bit of London i know. and as long as i know shortcuts to and from places then thats enough. and the quiet road where im sure not to meet anybody.

i just have to type in Edgeware Road in Google to find out exactly where it is. Just trying to get Truth talking on it.

But you're a boy, didnt expect you to get that.

Truth's_Razors — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 - 00:17

[quote=Anonymous88]Admirable she's your best friend but if she won't eat Halal meat - due to it being prayed over Islamically - why would she partake in Iftari; the meal at sunset that opens the Muslim fast ?.

If she does partake, eats meat but specifically not Halal, then it's nonsensical she's attending the Iftari.[/quote]

She will be eating Vegetarian food. She's coming to Iftaar because she is my friend who wants to have dinner with the rest of our friends BECAUSE it's going to be fun! 🙂