by Natasha Tynes | Apr 10, 2006 | Everyday me!, Food and Drink
Like nearly everything else "American," the first time I heard about Girl Scout cookies was while watching American TV shows when I was living in Jordan. At the time, I didn’t pay them much attention. They were just cookies after all. But after recently having my first bite, life is no longer the same. These little sugar creations are truly, utterly, completely, and extremely orgasmic! Just one bite of a Samoa, and I’m "sinning" all day!
In these last few months since they entered my world, I’ve been sinning quite a bit. I’m consuming way over my average sweet intake, something I’m sure will send me directly to hell. What can I do? I’m only human; I was unaware of the power of Samoa.
The only good news: Girl Scout cookies are sold only once a year, giving me a few months to redeem myself and burn off the calories accumulated. I’m a bit distracted, so this will conclude my blogging for the day. Almighty Samoa here I come!
by Natasha Tynes | Dec 31, 2005 | Food and Drink, Metro Daze, Shutterbug
Last night,
I devoured my first Mansaf for the first time in over six months! Yes, you heard me right: Six whole months without a taste of my country’s national dish! I know. I could lose my Jordanian citizenship for such a faux pas, but I’m sure those in charge would understand!
The place where we partook of this celestial meal was my friend Ajlounieh’s place, where we, along with other family friends, were invited to a dinner prepared by Ajlounieh’s super mom. Of course, and without doubt, the food was just divine. As was the case with my first Magloubeh in the US, I ate like there was no tomorrow.
Besides the heavenly food, the company was just divine. The guest list was diverse: Jordanians, one Palestinian, a Syrian, a Lebanese and some Americans. All were gathered together to get a taste of Jordan’s famous Mansaf.
So as not to break the tradition, we all enjoyed our Mansaf while talking about nothing less than the political developments in our volatile region. Our primarily pan-Arab chit-chat went on for hours and I have to say it was an entirely engaging and thought-provoking conversation.
Last night was definitely memorable. We had such a truly wonderful, wonderful time. I can’t wait for the day when I start throwing Mansaf dinner parties of my own. Hopefully this day is just around the corner. This picture comes courtesy of the one and only, Ajlounieh.
by Natasha Tynes | Feb 22, 2005 | Everyday me!, Film, Food and Drink
We really had an enjoyable evening last night. Along with Amal, we invited my colleague and next-door neighbor Indelib over for dinner. So, the moment I got back from work (around 4pm), I attacked the kitchen, managing to make two dishes — a first for me. The first was Chicken Divan with Broccoli Casserole and the second was Tuna Macaroni Casserole.
Since I didn’t detect any ailments among our guests following the meal, I deduced that the dinner was a success. Indelib brought with her the movie Before Sunset, the sequel to Before Sunrise, so after we had our dessert and choice of coffee or tea, we excitedly pressed play to see if it was as good as before.
Before I share with you my humble review of the movie, let me go back in time and tell you how much I enjoyed Before Sunrise the first time I saw it. I thought it was just perfect — one of the best movies ever made. I loved everything about it: the scenery, the engaging dialog, the romantic flavor and an ending open to interpretation. So you can imagine my excitement when I got my hands on the sequel. I thought it would be an extension of the beautiful dialog and stunning imagery from some ten years ago; I’ve been waiting for the sequel since I posted about it last July.
But I was disappointed. The movie was not bad, don’t get me wrong. It is just that the two protagonists became so jaded through the years and so am I. As a result, the movie served as a reminder of how jaded and less optimistic you become as you grow older — to the extent that you stop enjoying watching movies that discuss being jaded! I really wish I didn’t watch it. I felt it ruined the idea I carried in my head of those two up-beat young idealists wanting to conquer the world in the first film.
This movie revealed characters that I had idolized throughout the years to be young and stupid with unrealistic ideas, as their lives moved on and developed into one big misery. I really did not have to see that! I want my young, happy, motivated characters back. I wanted to cherish the memory of them. Now, after this movie, I find Celine and Jesse to be two immature, fake, whining, pampered youngsters! Ah, I should not have watched it! Ok, enough blabbering. Time to wash the dishes.
by Natasha Tynes | Jan 4, 2005 | Food and Drink, Shutterbug, The cook in me
In the spirit of respecting one of my new year’s resolutions, last night I cooked the Mexican dish Chili for the very fist time. I know, I know, it is not that complicated, but take it easy on me I’m still learning. The most unique thing about my endeavor last night was substituting sour cream (an almost non-existent item in this part of the world) with Labaneh (a Middle Eastern yoghurt cheese). The result was divine.
Still on the issue of making food, I thought I would share with you this picture series:
Yes, the images you see are real and have not been altered. Click them for enlargements. This is me rolling grape leaves in an effort to master the art of making the famous Middle Eastern dish Warq w Kousa (stuffed grape leaves and zucchinis). For some reason I thought I would never see such a day since I have always thought of myself as a career woman (whatever that means). But while I was in Jordan, Brigitte and Zizo (the master) both encouraged me to take on the challenge of making this dish and I complied. It was great fun! To hell with the career, I’m all for making food!
by Natasha Tynes | Dec 4, 2004 | Food and Drink
Last night was a special night. I had the best Indian food of my entire life. This took place at the house of our Indian friends Arnab and Sucharita, where we were invited for an all-vegetarian dinner. The food was divine. I don’t remember the names of the dishes but they were really out of this world! Oh my!
On a different note, Christmas is near and the husband is craving! He wants eggnog! Any good recipes out there? I have never had this drink. I don’t even know what it looks like. Help is urgently needed!
by Natasha Tynes | Nov 21, 2004 | Food and Drink
I had never tasted, seen or made a meatloaf before. I only knew of this all-American dish from the musician that bears its name. Last night, though, things changed. Last night, I saw, tasted and made a meatloaf for the very first time.
We followed a recipe called “Mom’s slightly more upscale Meatloaf” from the Kitchen Survival Guide. The result was wonderful, with Jeff confirming that the meat loaf we made indeed looked, smelled and tasted just as it should. I’m so pleased. This makes a wonderful addition to my humble list of “five-dishes-I-know-how-to-prepare.”
Now we have some leftovers, which I understand will make for a tasty "at work" sandwich. Well, this is definitely something to look forward to later today.
Like nearly everything else "American," the first time I heard about Girl Scout cookies was while watching American TV shows when I was living in Jordan. At the time, I didn’t pay them much attention. They were just cookies after all. But after recently having my first bite, life is no longer the same. These little sugar creations are truly, utterly, completely, and extremely orgasmic! Just one bite of a Samoa, and I’m "sinning" all day!
