The Daily Feast

Going back to the emphasis on the cities of salt, I am from one of the saltiest cities in the Gulf region and in the world: Dubai. A lot has changed in Dubai (similarly to all other Emirates in the UAE) since the very humble past to the extremely lavish present; however, there are things that remain untouched, and from how I see it, it is very unlikely that these things ever change. One of the most apparent things is the love for festive food, which has been and still is a wont and a lifestyle. We might have the best restaurants, international cuisines and all those eateries, but at least ONCE a week (if we are busy), we do gather for the habitual Christmas-like food!

Unlike most habits, this habit is actually not new or brought by the fast development, this has been embedded in the Emirati culture and has not been altered in spite of the changes. On the other hand, a nutritionist stepping in (which I doubt is effective in this respect) may change this culturally constructed habit, along with other factors such as infusing the traditional food with new ingredients from different cuisines etc. but the idea itself of festive food has not changed!

I have taken some pictures of what we may find on every Emirati family's dining table on ANY day, not necessarily an occasion.

 Traditional fouga (or machboos) prepared differently with Cinnamon spiced chicken (Moroccan way)

Kingfish - one of the popular fish in the region.

Maleh Salad - literally meaning "salty salad" but maleh here refers to the way the fish is prepared, soaked in water and salt (sometimes with eggplants too) and then added to either a salad or rice

A Hidden Gem

Once upon a time, an acquaintance of mine told me about the Royal Brunei jet and I absolutely had no idea what Brunei even meant. So, I started asking my parents, and I was astonished by the stories of the lavish and luxurious lives that Hassanal Bolkiah (ruler of Brunei) and his family lead. I grew up forgetting about Brunei but I never lost my interest in it whenever it was brought up, until I got the chance to actually visit the Abode of Peace, دار السلام , in 2011. As much as many think Brunei is just another unimportant state, it seemed to me as if this young state (since 1984) is the happiest country on earth. I have found serenity in its segments & inner peace in its mosques. And honestly, what grabbed my attention the most were the mosques (not to mention the Sultan's enormous mansion). Also, most of the houses were 2-storey villas arranged perfectly like a toy house. Hence, this indicates the wealth of the country. Brunei's population does not exceed 500k while its GDP per capita equals $38k.

I'll leave you with pictures..

About This Blog

Salt is a noncaloric compound found in many things around us, and most importantly, it is found in what we consume. But why is it given this much attention? We see the word "salt" in many proverbs, quotes, and book titles. Aside from being a chemical compound, salt is also defined as the addition of piquancy in which its absence makes a huge evident difference.

While thinking about initiating this blog, I have integrated two of my passions: food and culture. Well, culture is basically a career path I am taking, and food is just another love story. It has started with me loving culinary and starting a journey of finding the best restaurant. However, I have realized that it is impossible to pinpoint the "best," and it is more important to embrace the taste in spite of the place and in spite of every other detail. I used to be too consumed by the place, the rating, the ambience etc., which I find absolutely unnecessary now. The title of this blog is a combination of, again, food and culture. As part of my studies, the book Cities of Salt (مدن الملح) by Abdulrahman Munif has grabbed my attention, and I have been hooked ever since. Hence, my own perspective of my passion for food (which I will be writing about) and my own analysis of Munif's use of the word salt have created the title: Salty Tang, which I can define in one sentence: the importance of characteristics.

Not to mention, I also love writing. So, here are 3 passions hugging one another!

Kindest Regards,
Alia