Apricot | ExpatWoman.com
 

Apricot

Apricot
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 16:08
I have the magimix gelato, the one with the built in freezer, i use it quite regularly. You can actually cheat and use ready made custard, fruit puree, sugar and cream.... or just use fruit, cream and sugar. There are pretty much 3 diff types of ice cream bases (if you use the search function there are numerous old threads on ice cream machines). I bought mine in the UK and brought it back on the plane. edited by Izzy99 on 13/03/2011Izzy, how noisy is it on the kitchen countertop?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:58
ditto..however the best is really from Chappan Bhog. ooh, i have to try it. DH loves the stuff. do they have a branch near New Dubai?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:55
i called them with a washing machine fiasco and they eventually came, quite apologetic afterwards about the delay. much better than sharaf dg after-sales service on big home appliances!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:47
thanks for update :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:35
sharaf dg had the nemox one (italian make). jacky's has the gaggia on their website, jashanmal sells de longhi and kenwood, tavola has the magimix one. i've had 2, now pleased w nemox. easy, just use double cream milk, whipping cream, large eggs, and caster sugar. make sure mix is COLD before adding to machine. We use it during diets to make low-fat ice creams and in the summer, when mangoes,Turkish and Lebanese/Syrian fruit comes into season.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:22
Do you buy contraception over the counter here?Yes, and it's really cheap.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:21
hugs 4 you and DS!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:19
pls let me know when you've sent your message so i can delete my details. thx! <em>edited by Apricot on 13/03/2011</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 March 2011 - 15:18
the arabic curriculum schools like dubai national and al ittihad sell them through their uniform shops for their students, certainly worth a shot!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 11:13
I use Nigella Lawson's london cheesecake recipe: Ingredients for Crust: • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons or 5 ounces graham crackers • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted or very soft • 20 ounces cream cheese • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar • 3 large eggs • 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract • 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice • 8-inch springform pan • heavy-duty aluminum foil Ingredients for Topping: • 3/4 cup sour cream • 1 Tablespoon sugar • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions: 1. Process the crackers until they are crumbs at this point, then add the butter and pulse again. 2. Line the bottom of the springform pan, pressing the crumbs in with your hands or the back of a spoon. Put the pan in the refrigerator to set, and preheat the oven to 350. 3. Beat the cream cheese gently until it's smooth, then add the sugar. Beat in the eggs, then finally the vanilla and lemon juice. Put the kettle on. 4. Line the outside of the chilled pan with foil so that it covers the bottom and the sides in one large piece, and then do the same again and put it into a roasting pan. This will protect the cheesecake from the water as it is cooked in its water bath. 5. Pour the cream cheese filling into the chilled base, and then pour hot water from the recently boiled kettle into the roasting pan around the cheesecake. It should come about halfway up; don't overfill, as it will be difficult to lift up the pan. 6. Put the roasting pan into the oven and cook for 50 minutes. It should feel set, but not rigidly so: You just need to feel confident that when you pour the sour cream over, it will sit on the surface and not sink in. 7. Whisk together the sour cream, sugar and vanilla for the topping and pour over the cheesecake. Put it back in the oven for a further 10 minutes. 8. Take the roasting pan out of the oven, then gingerly remove the springform, unwrap it and stand it on a rack to cool. When it's cooled down completely, put it in the refrigerator, removing it 20 minutes before eating to take the chill off. 9. Unmold and when you cut into it, plunge a knife in hot water first. Recipe serves 8. Recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson, from How To Be A Domestic Goddess, copyright 2001.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 00:40
yes, want to try my hand at mozzarella...I've been inspired after reading "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. she gives a recipe for making it.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 00:38
Apparently they coerce all students, regardless of nationality, to produce Arabic writing samples on a regular basis. Child's name, what the weather is like, etc. One of my friends regularly goes to the classrooms to do storytime in Arabic.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 00:05
We do "fun afternoon walks" to Mercato and the nearby Choithrams using the double pram that end in DS2 howling to be picked up from his pram seat and carried, then DS1 howling in protest. Famous kids at the shops! After some nightmare-ish visits, I only attempt Ikea with either the DH or nanny in tow. I do the grocery store with only 1 child. I went to Mirdif City Centre with both kids, left nanny at home, twice, and the most recent, with DS2 at 7 months, was really bad. The minute we got home, Mama needed a nap! Now I take DS1 to Village Mall or Mercato straight from the nursery pick-up. So much easier and we get some quality time together, while DS2 completes his mid-day nap under the nanny's care at home. Between Sugar Box at Mercato and Sugar Daddy's in Village Mall, he gets to pick a cupcake as his "special treat" for good behavior.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 March 2011 - 22:31
Citric acid is also called "lemon salt"; you can buy it next to the salts in C4, or in little plastic baggies in most supermarkets' spice aisle. I also wanna know about the rennet! Kinda want to make my own mozzarella.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 March 2011 - 22:29
You have 3 options 1. buy some Kiri cheese (the 24 block pack is fine) and unwrap enough squares until you have the right weight. 2. Visit Safestway on Sheikh Zayed Rd, or multiple branches of Choithrams and Spinneys and stalk the dairy aisles, looking for the US imported Kraft Philly cheese. 3. Or you could just buy the "spreadable" tubs of Philly found in most supermarkets here. I'm an American baker and I've done all of the above while living here. All have produced fabulous cheesecake :) I've even bought Puck spreadable soft cheese tubs at C4 to save some $$ when making big batches for the Arab in-laws, and it still works fine. PLEASE don't use the jars of "cream cheese", they will produce a terrible product. Most of my Arab friends/ in-laws make that mistake when following my recipe because they want to save money, or dont want to make that extra trip to the supermarket, and they call me to complain about how bad the cheesecake turned out.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 March 2011 - 21:37
I got a pretty one 2 yrs ago from Mamas&Papas: http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-made-with-love-unisex-activity-spiral/758402200/type-i/ Mothercare has this:http://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Vintage-Spiral-Cot-Toy/dp/B003Z21WXE?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_21&nodeId=72116031&sr=1-21&qid=1299432456 and ELC has this:http://www.elc.co.uk/Blossom-Farm-Wrap-Around-Friends/125747,default,pd.html
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 March 2011 - 20:58
Purex free and clear liquid detergent. Use it for the whole family's clothes, as well as for laundering the cloth diapers.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 February 2011 - 00:11
The Dubai Ladies Club run adult swimming classes and their pools and locker areas are nice :) I would advise going in person to get details. Their phone manners are quite lacking.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 23:49
good old fashioned address book. Unlike mobile phones, they don't get stolen in malls....
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 23:47
We went last month. Great atmosphere, really cheap to get in (Dhs 15/adult, Dhs 5 for kids), and if you're Muslim, there's a nice mosque (with PROPER ladies area and clean ladies toilet!) near the picnic grounds. I went to the San Diego Zoo as a kid, so it was great to see a similar ethos.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 14 February 2011 - 23:40
DH doesn't do diamonds so I picked out two things from Swarovski, and he went to Dubai Mall AND MOE (which he hates with a passion) in the same afternoon to get me those two things. Very thrilled. I got him some chocolates from Choco'a. Unfortunately, the saleslady assumed that I had arrived in a Toyota Tercel rather than a Volvo, so she kept advising me on the cheapest things they sold! "Oh no, Ma'am, that is too expensive for you...." For the record, their chocolate sucks. We're a Green & Black's couple.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 10:12
Labaneh? al marai brand is the least sour, v creamy
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 09:32
I'm calling up Chocoa right now! ;)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 09:31
My cousin swears that the Kohl eyeliner made by Himalaya Herbals (about dhs 19) in a plastic push-up tube is even better than the MAC one or the Surati Hashmi one (this old skool brand that has a niqabi lady on the red and yellow packet). C4 or Hyperpanda or Union Coop would have it.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 22:17
"My Nursery" http://www.taaleem.ae/ourschools/mynursery.html
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 00:27
My Nursery has a strong Arabic curriculum. It's located on Al Wasl Rd.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 00:21
I've been using Dream Cream on my DS1 since he was 3 days old, and now he's 2 yrs 7 months. He has eczema patches and dry skin. I usually buy Dream Cream from the Lush shop in DCC, or have ppl bring it from UK (much cheaper). BUT, my Ozzie friend suggested I get Bioderma Atopic cream (her kids have worse eczema than mine do) and not only is it cheaper than Dream Cream (the Dubai price) but it has made a big impact after 2 weeks of use. I have been SMITTEN by Lush! I like their eye makeup remover (Ultrabland), various night time face moisturizers, use their soap and shower gels and shampoo bars every day. I live right behind Mercato and am THRILLED they finally came to Jumeirah :0)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 23:37
Chelsea Clinton during her university days, she went to university in my home town. Samar from the cooking show "Samar bil Khaleeji" (Fatafeat show), having brunch at Lime Tree Cafe with her son. The charming host from "Khawaater" (MBC show) and his family, having breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien in Dubai Mall. My 2 yr old DS pointed him out and was properly star struck!! Cat Stevens/ Yusuf Islam, in Dubai Hamza Yusuf, from his early days in my local masjid, to his "celeb status" here in Dubai.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 22:41
Bookworm near Park N Shop has the bathtub crayons as well as fat non toxic crayons. I ended up buying all my non toxic art goodies from Ikea (fat non toxic crayons and colored pencils in one packaged set) and Dubai Library Distributors (Italian brand called Giotto).
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 22:38
With DS1, I was holding a 5 day old baby. And attempting to calm down irate dad and step-mom. "How dare the baby come early???" With DS2, I took a long walk on Beach Rd but no joy. 1 week later I attended the Philips Breast feeding seminar, enjoyed my hotel lunch, went to Al Wasl to finish up some paper work and dr very casually suggested that she check the baby's heart rate. Was admitted 5 min later for an induction ;)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 22:28
Medela is really good. Unfortunately you just missed the Babyshop Winter sale, that always ends before DSF. The next decent Babyshop sale will be end of June inshaAllah.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 22:22
yes, it's fine to reuse them. I did so when DS2 was newly born!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 22:15
anyone gonna say which school is being referred to?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 February 2011 - 22:08
1. I'm a native English speaker who speaks Urdu as a second language (v useful in GCC!), high school Spanish, and some Arabic. 2. With DS1, I spoke to him exclusively in Classical Arabic and read to him picture books in Arabic until he was about 8 months old. DH remembered a few Arabic rhymes and I made up this crazy little song about the Knight riding his horse up a mountain to fetch some water. At that same time, we hired a maid who only spoke Saudi Arabic, so it worked out well. Now I pick out Arabic story books for DH to read with DS1, and often DS1 will expect me to be able to read the same bloomin' story to him! It puts me "on the spot" but 45 min later, Mama has read him the story and has a basic idea of what she's just read!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 23:01
Bebe Confort Loola Up. I got mine from Goodbaby 2 1/2 yrs ago and it's a dream to steer. Very sturdy, it's been used on the broken pavement on Jumeirah Beach Rd, around Safa Park, through the malls, and so far so good. Just not so good on sand. My 2 1/2 yr old still loves it! You can flip around the whole seat so that it's rear-facing (easy for me to do). It weighs 12 kg. Both my husband and I are tall so we love that the handle goes UP!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 23:23
Always wanted to try it but never found jam sugar or pectin in Dubai. Plenty of home-tested recipes at www.food.com :)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 23:21
Yes, I found having one baby totally exhausting, and now I find 2 babies totally exhausting! I'm not sure how the other mums at older DS's nursery look so coiffed and relaxed at the school drop off/ pick up. What really helps is getting an early night's sleep (and spending less time on Expatwoman at night!) but I don't always manage it.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 23:10
From what i understood it looks like your husband and mother wherer with you during the labour? I am just afraid that even we book the private room he wont be able to be with me there. From what i heard the local ladies have the priority if comes to private rooms ( on busy day). If you get a private room for after the delivery at Al Wasl, then your husband can only be with you from 8am to 8pm. You can, however, have a female friend or relative stay the night (no extra charge and once you tell them, hospital will provide a fold-out bed and free extra meals). To get the private room, your husband will have to go to the admissions office at least once a day to place new request for private room and check availability. From what I saw, most private rooms were vacated after Asr or Maghrib prayer, so afternoon is the best time to go to admissions office and place request.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 22:59
Out of necessity I had to take DS2 with me a few times when it was just me and DS2 in the car from the time that DS2 was 3 weeks. Try to stay in right lane so that if you need to soothe the baby you can pull over and either sit with baby in the front passenger seat or drivers seat. I often put the gear into park at a red traffic light, run out and open back door to replace a fallen pacifier (dummy) from DS2's mouth, so yes, other mums do it! A good idea is to practice in your parking lot. Have baby with you and try to see if you can reach over and put in pacifier while you are strapped into drivers seat and baby is strapped in car seat. That way, you can be quicker at inserting the dummy while stopped due to traffic or a red light and/or decide that you can only do this successfully while pulled over to the side. You can try singing a lullaby. Sometimes concentration on singing the words can give you enough "mental space" to block out baby's crying and focus on the road. Also, even if it doesn't stop baby's crying, at least you feel proactive knowing that you are attempting to soothe baby.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 22:45
yeah, mine were "deflated" initially then sort of stabilized. I was pregnant with DS2 by then (first trimester) so I can't comment on the weight loss or affect on moods/emotions.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 22:09
I read somewhere that the inner gears of the KA are plastic now when they were steel before (someone correct me?) and therefore not as sturdy. Kenwood still has steel gears, if I'm not mistaken. That's right. KA used to be made by Hobart (the hotel kitchen standard) but no longer, and the quality has deteriorated. I bought my Kenwood in last year's DSF :0) Its coffee/spice grinder is AMAZING. Million times better than dinky Moulinex coffee grinder I normally use for grinding up whole spices.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 21:58
I've seen Swiss Cottage bread at Aswaaq market in Umm Suqueim. We bought a wholemeal loaf to try it out.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 21:53
Went to the farmer's market this morning! I think that it's a great start to introducing Dubai residents to eating locally and responsibly. Sure, improvements can be made, but it's the first step... Today I found on sale: eggplant (aubergine), koosa (marrow), beets with the greens attached, red and white radish, fresh sage, fresh chives, parsley, coriander, broccoli, long flat beans, green beans, cauliflower, tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, various lettuces, rocket, spinach, carrots with the greens attached, red capsicum, yellow capsicum, purplish-black capsicum, small red chili peppers, large red chilli peppers, purplish okra, green okra, free-range eggs (Dhs 10 for 6), drinking laban in a cool glass bottle (Dhs 20), various kinds of honey (Dhs 95/each), Egyptian strawberries (Dhs 5/punnet), mandarin oranges, oranges, sugar cane. Plus the amazing stall put on by Baker & Spice that had beautiful breads, cakes, muffins, jams. Bought everything on my weekly shopping list except potatoes, onions, bananas. Total spend was Dhs 65. I will be going back next week inshaAllah!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 21:40
DS1 is a regular prize-winner. Good thing he's only 2! ;)
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 23:18
Have informed DH of our forthcoming trip to the Farmers Market and written out shopping list. I too have been following the story in The National and a later article clarified that most of the tainted produce gets sold to the hospitality trade. A few of the supermarket chains conducted independent tests and found their suppliers' leafy greens to be safe. I regularly buy local organic produce from the Union Co-op for my young family. Shock-horror, most of the produce I buy was grown in the not-so-regulated Middle East. So far the 2 1/2 year old is thriving.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 22:55
Certainly. (edited to remove email address) <em>edited by Apricot on 28/01/2011</em>
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 22:51
I've stayed at both for the race. I liked City hotel better, it's a stone's throw from finishing line, so awesome for a post-race shower, nap. We got takeaway pizzas for our dinner from the pizza place behind Centerpoint, quite good!
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 01:13
Sorry to go Off Topic, but anyone know where to buy Hindi dvds from? I want to see some recent stuff as well as much older Hindi films. How about those controversial films, "Earth", "Fire", "Bandit Queen"? where can you buy them from, apart from Amazon, hee hee?
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 00:59
Like Icedqueen suggested, I have a dedicated plastic jar full of ordinary red beans which I use, let cool down, then re-use as pastry weights. Works fine.
Apricot
1987
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 00:49
Anyone go to the classes at Dubai Ladies Club? I got interested when I saw the flyers.
 
 
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