posted
When I go to Cairo I will be doing a lot of cooking for my bf. He wants to see how I cook.
Well I enjoy cooking a lot. I love trying out new recipes and all that BUT...I'm afraid of what is available in the grocery stores there. Are things different?
I'm used to cooking with chicken, steak, salmon, muscles, and using lots of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and different herbs like basil, parsley, dill, garlic salt, etc.
Also, is the produce different?
Thanks in advance!
Posts: 1808 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
you will find all what u r looking for in cairo maybe try to ask him what he like\don't like, make it easier for both of you Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
lots of freshly grown local produce - but dont expect the fruit and veg to look as pristine and shiny as those in Sainsburys.
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
dont forget to wash and peel the fruit and veg - I recently lost 5Lbs!!
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
cos I made a salad and although I washed the ingredients I didnt peel them, and I got sick for a couple of days from some bug or other - its a common mistake. I deduced this from process of elimination - it couldnt have been anything else.
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by doodlebut: I'm used to cooking with chicken, steak, salmon, muscles, and using lots of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and different herbs like basil, parsley, dill, garlic salt, etc.
Not sure about the steak and salmon because I don't eat either, but anything else you listed is commonly used in Egypt and you can get it anywhere.
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: cos I made a salad and although I washed the ingredients I didnt peel them, and I got sick for a couple of days from some bug or other - its a common mistake.
Hmm ... I've never peeled anything, I think it's sufficient to wash the stuff thoroughly. And how would you peel a lettuce or a tomato?
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: I recently lost 5Lbs!!
just wondring what doesn this has to do with washing fruits and veg... etc
The dreaded dysentery!!! Dysentery is carried on the skins of fresh fruit and vegetables, and washing them in vinegar or lemon juice is the only way to kill the amoebas. I had it for 4 months soon after I arrived and none of the local drugs would get rid of it.
doodlebut, it depends where you are staying whether you will be able to get those food items in the way you are used to buying them. Whole chickens and portions shouldn't be a problem, but skinned and boneless maybe, unless you have access to a main supermarket that prepares food western style. The same for steak, not all butchers know what the different portions of meat are called, they tend to just sell "meat"! Salmon and muscles are not local seafood, but again you may get some in big supermarkets. You should be able to get all the seasonings and herbs apart from the garlic salt, which you will again need to go to the main supermarkets for.
Posts: 4576 | From: Cairo | Registered: Jun 2002
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posted
Of course I didnt peel a lettuce or tomato. I didnt list all the ingredients I used, I assumed common sense in reading/understanding/getting the gist of it would prevail. Depends on what individuals use in their salads. At this particular time I also used carrots and cucumber, washed but not peeled.
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Dalia*: And how would you peel a lettuce or a tomato?
for lettuce i don't use\eat the outer part of it for tomato, i use the hard ones only which is easy to peel and sure wash it very good, some times dip in water with some vinegar and lemon juice, specially the lettuce
Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
Lemon juice or vinegar - I'll remember that. Although I got some medication from a pharmacy that was excellent.
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Lemon juice or vinegar - I'll remember that. Although I got some medication from a pharmacy that was excellent.
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
After several incidents I only ate thoroughly cooked food. Cooked and prepared mainly by myself. I would make a lot of stew for myself and kids in the heat of summer!:-) We drank a lot of tea and coca cola. And had soup. It made a huge difference.
Posts: 1419 | From: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
i prefer grilled food, or boiled don't like anything fried, bcs once oil is heated it's no good. use raw olive oil over food , more healthy
Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: what happens to oil once its heated?
don't know exactly, i guess they didn't have a research about that. but i know it from Quraan, if u can read Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Guest Of Life: for tomato, i use the hard ones only which is easy to peel
Wow! I didn't think somebody would actually peel a tomato.
I don't even peel potatoes ... I'm too lazy. Plus you also get rid of a lot of vitamins when peeling fruits or veggies.
Posts: 3587 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Dalia*: Wow! I didn't think somebody would actually peel a tomato.
I don't even peel potatoes ... I'm too lazy. Plus you also get rid of a lot of vitamins when peeling fruits or veggies.
i am moody about peeling, did u try raw green mango, just cut it to slices(not peeled)?
Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
I AM A CHEF IN THE USA AND WE DONT PEEL ANYTHING WE JUST WASH THEM REAL GOOD . I HAVE LEARNED ALOT OF RECIPES FROM THE WEBSITE TOUR OF EGYPT OR JUST GO TO EGYPTIAN RECIPES. I USE THESE RECIPES AT WORKFOR MY CUSTOMERS AND THEY LOVE IT. I CANT WAIT TO GET BACK TO EGYPT TO TASTA MY MOTHER-IN-LAWS COOKING AGAIN
Posts: 9443 | From: USA...... | Registered: Jun 2006
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i do it at home too .it doesnt really matter whether you peel them or not it is all id your preference and liking. for my spagetti sauce i use peeled tomatoes but thats about it. Posts: 9443 | From: USA...... | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by micky azzam: for my spagetti sauce i use peeled tomatoes but thats about it.
how's the spaghetti sauce for you? i like it :green\yellow pepper, celery\mint, drops of lemon juice, onion, garlic, thyme some time i add more or less to the cocktail Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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I USE LOTS OF GALIC AND ORENGNO ONIONS PELLED TOMATIES CRUSHED TOMATOES AND TOMATOEPASTE AND BUTTER TO TAKE THE ACID OUT. THEN AT THE END OF COOKING I ADD PARMIGAIN CHEESE. BELLA!!!!!!!!!! THEN I SIT BACK AND ENJOY MY COCKTAIL Posts: 9443 | From: USA...... | Registered: Jun 2006
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i remember 1st time i tryed to make full dinner on my own took me 90 min to finish , 10 min to throw it away, 30 min to get dressed and go out have something with a taste Posts: 201 | From: A To : Z | Registered: Jul 2006
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OK well now y'all have me scared of living on the hopper!!!
Does anyone ever take something before leaving to prevent this stuff? Do you think it's wise to visit your doctor before leaving to make sure you have medicine handy and also to get any shots that they might suggest?
Posts: 1808 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
There are no shots against salmonella, shigella, colibrae, whatever. You get sick everytime you attrackt this.
Posts: 1419 | From: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: what happens to oil once its heated?
Finally a non-retarded question to answer on this forum:
DawnBev, cooking at high temperatures damages oils. There are several components in the oils tht are very healthy for our blood vessels, but unfortunately cannot withstand the heat. For example,Omega3 faty acids.. The more Omega3 fatty acids in the oil, the less suitable it is for cooking. The heat damages the fatty acids, but can also change them into toxic acids.
Hydrogenated oils are often used for cooking. Because these oils have a different chemical formula (Hydrogen atom joined the molecule, which makes it difficult for the heat to break it up), they are less likely to be further damaged by heat, but, read this, THEY ARE ALREADY DAMGED by this hydrogen atoms. Hydrogenated oils are not healthy to eat.
The oils that are higher in saturated fats (coming from animals) or monounsaturates are the most stable when heated. Monosaturated fats include peanut oil and olive oil. The more fragile oils are best used at room temperature, like salad dressings.
To preserve the nutritious properties and the flavor of unrefined oils, try the "wet-sauté" method.
posted
thanks for that. usually, the only time I use oil for cooking, is a little bit of olive oil to sautee onions and garlic before I make a veg. soup or stew.
And sometimes a little bit in the bottom of a pan when I am scrambling eggs.
I dont usually buy any other cooking oil, but I did get some 'ordinary' cooking oil when I was last in egypt a few weeks ago. Would this have been hydrogenated stuff? I didnt bother looking at the label.
We've been doing some research at work with nutritionists and child psychologists about the benefits of Omega 3 oils and the unhealthyness of hydrogenated oils.
thanks again
Posts: 1056 | From: UK, Middle East & Europe | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: We've been doing some research at work with nutritionists and child psychologists about the benefits of Omega 3 oils and the unhealthyness of hydrogenated oils.
thanks again
You're welcome.
I have already read research results proving that women administering Omega3 fatty acids during pregnancy get more intelligent and less "destructive" children. I have the biggest proof of that sitting here next to me with this face on
They even used Omega3 for children with ADD and it gave very good results in improving their behavior.
Did you guys know that mothers with low fat diet during the pregnancy end up with children with mental trouble?
And even a more nutty research proves that women who've had diet pills shortly before getting pregnant have ended up having lesbian daughters. Posts: 8756 | From: Tax-Free Zone | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: I dont usually buy any other cooking oil, but I did get some 'ordinary' cooking oil when I was last in egypt a few weeks ago. Would this have been hydrogenated stuff? I didnt bother looking at the label.
I don't know about the brand you bought but I trust Safola products.
Posts: 8756 | From: Tax-Free Zone | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I always cook with olive oil. If anyone ever watches the Foodnetwork and especially Rachel Ray then you will know my cooking!!! I don't think I've ever sauteed anything in a pan without olive oil.
Ok so...I make really good stuffed grape leaves, but normally that will be like an appetizer at my house. Is that more of a meal for people in Egypt? If so what do you put with it?
Posts: 1808 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
When I have grape leaves at my inlaw's they usually have other types of maashi with it. With that they'll have salad, maybe baba ganouj or bitingaan prepared with oil and garlic, rice (kinda redundant since there's rice in the maashi but whateverrrr), stuff like that. Usually there are plenty of leftovers of the maashi so we'll eat that the next day with other stuff.
I eat a LOT of fish when I'm in Egypt. It's super fresh and delicious but tends to get taxing when you gotta eat it like 3 times or more a week.
Posts: 2735 | From: my desk | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev: cos I made a salad and although I washed the ingredients I didnt peel them, and I got sick for a couple of days from some bug or other - its a common mistake.
Hmm ... I've never peeled anything, I think it's sufficient to wash the stuff thoroughly. And how would you peel a lettuce or a tomato?
Hi there,
just wanted to say:
if u want to peel the fresh tomato, then just put it in hot water, after 5 mins the skin will go off itself.
posted
Are the stoves/ovens all in celsius? If so, do you know where I can buy a simple converter so that I know what degree to cook things in since I'm used to fareinheit?
Posts: 1808 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Yeah, they're in celsius. I only cooked on top the stove when I was in Egypt. I have 4 SILs so they didn't really give me a chance to cook much. When I did cook they acted like it was the best food they ever ate in their lives They talked about it for days, lol!
Posts: 2735 | From: my desk | Registered: Jul 2005
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I guess I could only plan on cooking on the stove but I do have a few favorites that need an oven.
Posts: 1808 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I just bought cooker a few months ago. All the cookers ovens were in farenheit, I did not see any in celsius. In fact never seen a cooker oven in celsuis? Posts: 1500 | Registered: Dec 2005
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sorry reverse that..........they are all in celsius..........., I think maybe the old ones are in farenheit?
Posts: 1500 | Registered: Dec 2005
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