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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

A memorable Iftar evening at at the Musandam Cafe, Intercontinental Muscat Oman


I've often wondered what exactly it takes to to set up a memorable Iftar and the kind of preparation and planning that is entailed as a part of that process. To find an answer to my questions and a lot more, I contacted Baida Al Sikaiti, the Public Relations and Communications Manager at the the Intercontinental Muscat Hotel, who in turn arranged for me to get into the heart of the kitchens and satisfy my curiosity once and for all. 

 Iftar is the meal served at sunset during Ramadan, as Muslims break the daily fast. Muslims traditionally first break the fast with dates and either water, yogurt drink, ( laban or lassi)or kahwa.


Breaking the fast with  dates, kahwa and juice

The Maghrib prayer is followed by a full-course meal, consisting of soup, salad, appetizers and main dishes. Traditional foods vary by country and Iftar meals have a delightful range of varied delicacies. From rich curries to lovely desserts and cooling sherbets, it is interesting to see how every country cooks up something exclusively wonderful. e.g Muslims in Afghanistan relish traditional soups and onion based meat curries, kebabs and pulao people in Pakistan and Bangladesh have jalebishaleem, sweetened drinks, parathas, rice preparations, meat curries, fruit salads, shami kebabspiyajoobeguni and many other mouthwatering dishes. And of course, I'm going to detail an International cum Omani Iftar menu  later in this piece.
Iftar is a social event, involving family and community members. It is common for people to host others for dinner, or gather as a community for a potluck. It is equally common for people to invite and share food with those less fortunate. The spiritual reward for charitable giving is considered to be especially significant during Ramadan.
                                             The exciting range of salads
Now back to the Intercontinental Muscat.

Having recently become a member of 'Chaîne des Rôtisseurs', an International association of gastronomy,   established in over 80 countries, with over 25,000 members sharing the same values of quality, fine dining, the encouragement of the culinary arts and the pleasures of the table; the Inter Continental Muscat has moved up  many notches higher and the quality of cuisine as well as the service are beautifully tailored to reflect that.
Executive Chef Pascal Etienne

In an exclusive chat, Executive Chef Pascal Etienne at the Intercontinental Muscat, informed me that their Iftar Buffet would be be served daily at the Musandam Cafe and in keeping with the high standards of service, they would have a different menu on every day of the week. To top that, he shared the menu for Day 1 and I must admit, it was an absolute delight!  
All set up for the evening 

Featuring juices, oriental mezza, appetizers,salads, soups, a bread station, live cooking, mains and desserts, it looks something like this-

Juices

  • Kamareddin, Jallab, Laban,Assorted Juices,Karkadey (apple, mango)

 Oriental mezza & appetizer

  • Khoudra display,Hummus,Moutabel,Fattoush,Watercress salad,Tabouleh,Chicken feta,Mohamara,Loubieh bil zait,Moujadara
  • Olives & pine nut salad, Samkeh harra,Hindabh,Rocca,Mixed pickles

Omani salads

  • Kachumbar salad (tomatoes & onion)

International salads

  • Four fruit flavored yoghurts,fresh yoghurt,four kinds of lettuce leaves,potato & salmon salad,artichoke and grilled halloumi cheese salad with cherry tomato,pasta and sun dried tomato salad,whole grilled mushrooms with garlic and parsley.

  •  Hot mezza

  • Kibbeh,Sausage roll,Fatayer

Soups

  • Lentil soup (lemon wedges and croutons) and Chicken and mushroom cream soup

Live bread station


The Bread station-(Pic courtesy Intercontinental Muscat)




  • Bee Nest bread (cheese & dates)

Cheese corner

Oriental Main Course


Smells even better than it looks


  • Ouzi with oriental rice togas sauce (carving)
  • Rice Turkish Kofta & Tomato sauce
  • Shish barak
  • Rust chicken whole (carving)

Omani main courses

  • Kousa with  vine leave
  • Dajaj salona
  • Seafood Makbous

Live cooking – Grill
Set up outside and preparations in full swing


The Shawarma station




  • Skewered chicken,skewered beef & vegetable,skewered fish,lamb steak,beef steak,fish steak,chicken wings,chicken shawarma on skewers








The International main courses comprise Spinach beef lasagna,hammour filet with sauce vierge, fresh garden vegetables and crispy rice noodles with beef.



Dessert   



Pastry Chef Mohammed Redha with his delightful creations 



    Spoilt for choice



  • Six kinds of cake,mudlalloukh,Halw bil jeaben, Katayef Kachta, Mufrokh,Crème brulee,Arabic sweets and Halwet bil jeben,
  • Owaymate,Namourah,Ousmalieh,Mouhalabieh, Chocolate pudding
  • Umm ali and kunafa.

  • Pastry Chef Mohamed Redha with Kunafa, a delightful Arabic sweet

  • Fresh fruits display
  • Sliced fruit
  • Fruit salad & fruit salad

Dry Fruits display

·         Assorted mixed dry fruit & nuts
·         Dates -3 kinds


Behind the Scenes

Now that you have seen the splendid display, let me take you  right into the heart of the kitchens where a dedicated team of 54 people start work on preparing this Iftar from 2 pm. 


Escorted in by Executive Sous Chef Qureshi, who has recently joined this team and walking from one station to another and looking at the seamless teamwork,  two things struck me almost immediately.


All of it  smelt incredibly delicious and the majority of the chefs and staff preparing this delicious feast were Muslims..


and fasting....


At that moment, like never before, I understood the true meaning of the Ramadan fast.


To be able to stand and prepare all of this while one is  fasting (without even  a drop of water)- that really is the true test of a devout Muslim. This is something I admire beyond what I can put into words  that and have made up my mind..


 I will try and fast at least one day a week from now on- at least during Ramadan.. 




Chef Mohammed Reha in the Pastry kitchen


Just one of the desserts he has prepared


Another Chef prepares the Arabic delicacies


Baked deliciousness- Chef Badar preparing the Ramadan Special bread with honey and cheese


Now its ready..


Neatly sliced and in the freezer -Temp controlled to 4 deg C



Ramadan Kareem- the beautifully decorated lobby
I walked out into a beautiful evening and this was the scene that greeted me... 




The beach is just a stone's throwaway from here and on impulse, I headed straight or it. If I had thought, my evening couldn't get  any better after all that I had seen and learnt, I was wrong.

For this was the icing on my cake!
A beautiful sunset

Wishing all of you Ramadan Kareem and a very pleasant  month ahead.