Ginnee | ExpatWoman.com
 

Ginnee

Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 July 2013 - 11:12
I would be livid!! Surely they can't get away with that.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 July 2013 - 11:11
We had them in Abu Dhabi too. Strange
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 July 2013 - 11:10
Oh my! Not much passion in London! The crowds at the palace are minute! I would have given anything to be there :( It's probably the 'heat wave' keeping them away :D
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 23 July 2013 - 11:06
I have never been a dessert fan.. But my family is.. Will sure try. Just a quick one, I have always had umm-e-ali warm.. Has anyone ever tried this cold?? my daughters love the cold version :) they asked me to make it DAILY ( :/: oh NO) I am using puck cream. thanks Ginnee but you will be responsible for the EXTRA KILOS :D superb recipe, before I made this with the water instead of MILK (as per Nestle recipe) & it was not YUM like yours. Oh my goodness, everyday?? I wish I could get away with that!! I still haven't dared to make it this Ramadan as I'm already putting on weight from all the Iftars out. It's so hard not to eat a lot of sweets, I find, when I break my fast. Uggghhhh, I see a diet plan in a couple of weeks! I can't imagine making this with water, blurghhh! Did Nestle use croissants as well?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 July 2013 - 12:07
This has a sad twist to it all, that Di is not here to experience the joy of it all :(
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 22 July 2013 - 09:23
I have loads of recipes I could email you, as I've been cooking it for the last 10 years. I don't have any books, just recipes I learned from MIL and friends of hubby. I would search online as there are some excellent recipes out there, and back yourself up watching them being cooked on You Tube. I believe that watching it being made makes it alot easier to get the gist of it.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 July 2013 - 12:38
Do you mind telling us the costs?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 21 July 2013 - 12:37
All I can say is, once you have tasted authentic Lebenese Sumac, you know you're being deceived and ripped off when you buy some brands at the supermarket. They have no flavour and appear to me to be dyed red, as it comes running out the minute it comes into contact with any moisture. I've never been satisfied with the supermarket brands. But what you don't know can't hurt you, if you've never tasted anything better than the supermarket brands, then it doesn't really matter, as long as you're happy :) Maybe the one at the Syrian Supermarket is a good one to try, might be more authentic. I don't waste my time with buying spices here now, I get them all from Lebanon :D - stock up during each trip!!
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 20:26
Glad u liked it ladies. I use the croissantz from geant.they don't have to be flash or expensive :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 19:14
Yes I guess all croissants are not created equal :D im sure after the first time making it, you're able to guestimate. Off to eat niw now j
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 17:14
There are still lots of spaces at the new gems cambridge school.i think their office closes in august. Worth a try.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 July 2013 - 17:04
Ladies, could you please send me the link to the thread with the recipe - I need to try this amazing dish out please! Thanks I think you can go to the food and drink section on ew, do a search for umm ali, alternatively do a search for ginnee on the forum, theres a thread called something like "ginnee, im not going to forgive you" the recipe's there :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 July 2013 - 23:24
Ginnee, Your dish graced our iftar table for the third time this week from a big batch I made. My husband loved it and so did I - and I am not even a regular fan of this desert! Big sucess! I did have to tweak it a little as my preparation tended to get a bit dry, perhaps I misjudged something but the taste of the silky sweet warm gooey goodness - unbeatable. it should be renamed Ginnee's Yum Ali, lol :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 July 2013 - 23:06
My husband said i should have patented this :-) Happy to spread the joy, lovelies :D
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 July 2013 - 22:25
Speaking of pasta, i like stirring into some hot pasta some plain yoghurt, garlic and dried mint. Seriously yummy.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 July 2013 - 22:17
Its so hard to find good sumac here. I bought it once, and never again. I bring mine from lebanon. I would suggest LIFCO or wafi gourmet at wafi, they have a big selection of lebanese produce.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 July 2013 - 22:15
Take pics and send them to admin, currently the recipe on the site has a pic of hummous next to it! So glad u liked it :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 19 July 2013 - 21:13
What have I missed?
Ginnee
1285
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 July 2013 - 16:41
Thanks ladies. Lucky I asked as I was planning on taking them for the day tomorrow!
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 July 2013 - 11:38
Thanks AD. I cant open it as I'm at work, will check it tonight. I hope it shows ramadan timings, as when I looked I couldn't find any info.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 18 July 2013 - 11:34
nobody knows?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 July 2013 - 21:20
Refrigerate any leftover risotto overnight. Form into small balls (golf ball size) and push a cube of mozzarella into the middle. Coat in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and refrigerate to set. Deep fry until golden - yummy arancini balls! Serve with a marinara sauce dip. Sounds good TBD
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 July 2013 - 21:19
If u have plain rice left over, fry an onion, set side, then fry a good amount of tomato paste (maybe 1/3rd cup per 2 cups rice) with garlic, then add the rice and a tablespoon of zaatar. Fry till browned. Then to complete it fold the rice into an omlette. It's seriously good. Taught to me by a hapanese houseguest many moons ago. Thanks Ginnee, sounds interesting! Is the zaatar a powder? Zaatar is an arabic herb mix. Mainly thyme with oregano and toasted sesame seeds. You can get it in the herb bin. I prefer the lebanese mix, if u can find it.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 16 July 2013 - 21:04
If u have plain rice left over, fry an onion, set side, then fry a good amount of tomato paste (maybe 1/3rd cup per 2 cups rice) with garlic, then add the rice and a tablespoon of zaatar. Fry till browned. Then to complete it fold the rice into an omlette. It's seriously good. Taught to me by a hapanese houseguest many moons ago.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 14:12
Ginnee, it was in the refrigerated section. Forgot to add earlier I found it in Lulu. Thanks RT.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 14:11
Yes then the one you used was the correct size. We must all be sweet tooths!! I would add an extra croissant and some milk to balance it out. I've never tried the low fat condensed milk, I dont think going low fat would be suited to this recipe, but it would be great to find out!
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 13:50
Thank you for the recipe Ginnee. I have tried it, its good but i have one comment. I found it too sweet for my taste. I might have done something wrong. I bought the bigger can of the condensed sweetened milk because there were only two sizes from Maraei, and the smaller one looked tiny. What do you think i should do to make it less sweet, Umm Ali expert? :) oh and by the way, i also forgot it in the oven and it turned out like a bread pudding lol How big is a big can and how small is a small one? Hmm I don't know. will check which size/weight I use when I get home. I guess you could use 2/3rds of the can you used to make it less sweet. Or add an extra croissant and maybe 3/4 cup of milk extra?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 13:48
Apparently this recipe has made it onto EW's recipe section, I'm yet to look. They want a photo of a nice dish. If anyone is going to make Umm Ali soon, please take a photo and submit it!! I'm not making one for a while - saving the calories :D
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 13:46
Im sure you're going to hate me next time you go out to eat and try Umm Ali from a restaurant. I'm always sorely disappointed when I try this dish out, as it's just no match for this recipe! Pink sushi, just buy any cream. Puck is always good, though if you can find a runny cream, its better. Btw ladies, what cream are you using? I can never find a runny cream that you can whip. Not like back home :/ I have a box of Al Marai Chef's Choice Cooking Cream in a tetra pack with sealable lid, it lasts for 3 days once opened. I have the 500ml box though it also comes in litre as well. Its runny but dont think it can be whipped. Its meant to give a "superior texture and flavour to hot dishes such as sauces, soups and casseroles" so it sounds about right for this infamous Umm Ali. Am going to try this too, its my husband's favourite desert, just have to buy the croissants. Where do you find this RT? In the cold section or the UHT milk section?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 13:45
So I have made a variant already to accommodate DS who does not like nuts and rose water , and I substituted regular croissants for chocolate croissants and skipped the nuts, raisins and rose water. Still a success! Pure genius!!
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 12:17
i tried it too... big hit with the family!! especially since we're generally a carb and dairy loving family! i think i left it a wee bit too long in the oven though coz the dish dried out a bit and ended up being a bit more like a bread pudding but it was awesome!!! :) thanks! Glad u liked it, A&C.it can dry out if you're not careful. Try adding some sweeten ed milk to it, if you have left overs.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 12:14
Add me to the list of ladies holding a grudge against you, Ginnee! heehee :) This was really good! I did everything I could to mess it up, to Mixed cooking cream with water to make up for only having a little camel milk, and the pot boiled over when I got ADD you sound like me in the kitchen! Even worse when you're hosting a cooking class! This proves how user friendly it is, not to mention how good you are at fixing things in the kitchen :-) <em>edited by Ginnee on 14/07/2013</em>
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 12:06
I am making your recipe Ginnee for our iftar on Thursday that we are hosting! I love Umm Ali so I am sure it will become part of our family repertoire!! Thank you! :) You'll love it, TDB :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 12:05
I want to try this recipe but I am curious - what kind of "cream" do you mean for this recipe? (I'm clearly not very experienced in the kitchen) Also, after I tear apart the croissants and put them in the baking dish, do I put them in tNo,he oven first before adding the milk mixture or after? no, no, no. don't complicate things, woman! Just pour the hot mixture over the croissants, no need to put them in the oven :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 12:02
Im sure you're going to hate me next time you go out to eat and try Umm Ali from a restaurant. I'm always sorely disappointed when I try this dish out, as it's just no match for this recipe! Pink sushi, just buy any cream. Puck is always good, though if you can find a runny cream, its better. Btw ladies, what cream are you using? I can never find a runny cream that you can whip. Not like back home :/
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 July 2013 - 09:59
It's 17 degrees in my office! I often go stand outside just to defrost :D
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 12 July 2013 - 20:46
You crack me up, ladies :) Glad I was able to spread some joy this Ramadan. The traditional way of making this is to blind bake puff pastry. I just came up with a naughty shortcut. I should have added a disclaimer. Will not be held responsible for weightgain during the consumption of this recipe :D
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 13:00
Yes I would say about a million calories!! I used to make it like DP's mum, with cream on top, but then decided it didn't need that naughty cream on top as well! I had the oven on about 180 celcius for 10-15 minutes. i usually just 'eye it' and take it out when golden on top. If you did find it dry, and have left overs you could always pour some sweetened milk over it and let it soak into it in the fridge over night. Did anyone cook Umm Ali last night? Thanks Ginnee, I did it and it was super easy and DH loved it. Unfortunately I cannot tolerate rose water and was afraid that it was too much... but nope, he ate a load and then re-heated more for suhoor, so well done you! I made it yesterday but half the quantity because I didn't want leftovers to keep digging in to. It's sinful! It was yummylicious even though I think I left it in the oven a bit long and it turned out a little dry. Can you tell me how many minutes did you keep it in the oven for and the temperature? Ginnee, how many calories are in this Um Ali??? Sounds like 3 days worth lol ;)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 12:59
so glad you ladies liked it :) It's a shame you cant tolerate Rose Water CW, you could always substitute with Orange Blossom Water, would still be yummy. Thanks Ginnee, no, It is better for me not to like it;) I had a bad experience with Umm Ali as a child, and it would never get past my lips regardless of any blossom water! How can one possibly have a bad experience with umm ali? ;)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 11:54
I had the oven on about 180 celcius for 10-15 minutes. i usually just 'eye it' and take it out when golden on top. If you did find it dry, and have left overs you could always pour some sweetened milk over it and let it soak into it in the fridge over night. Did anyone cook Umm Ali last night? Thanks Ginnee, I did it and it was super easy and DH loved it. Unfortunately I cannot tolerate rose water and was afraid that it was too much... but nope, he ate a load and then re-heated more for suhoor, so well done you! I made it yesterday but half the quantity because I didn't want leftovers to keep digging in to. It's sinful! It was yummylicious even though I think I left it in the oven a bit long and it turned out a little dry. Can you tell me how many minutes did you keep it in the oven for and the temperature?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 11:29
so glad you ladies liked it :) It's a shame you cant tolerate Rose Water CW, you could always substitute with Orange Blossom Water, would still be yummy.
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 11:10
It's so more-ish, yes!! I love this recipe, Im always dissappointed when I go out, as the Umm Ali in restaurants just isn't as good as my recipe :). I frequently buy packs of mixed croissants from Geant for 10 dhs and use them for it. They have plain, chocolate, fruit swirls, cheese and zaatar. I just tear them up (not the cheese or zaatar ones though!), tearing around the chocolate (wouldn't be nice in umm ali), the fruit I leave as umm ali has fruit anyway. Just makes it more affordable. Did anyone cook Umm Ali last night? Yes! Made with the earlier posted recipe - it was absolutely deeeeelicious!! Needed it after my evening stresses........in fact, woke up at 2am, cam downstairs for a glass of water and had some more Um Ali!!! edited by Alaingirl on 11/07/2013
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 11 July 2013 - 08:34
Did anyone cook Umm Ali last night?
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 July 2013 - 13:08
Yes, I hope he at least gets the sack and a ban! Heres another one: http://muskogeephoenix.com/statenews/x1952117749/Man-hiding-inside-septic-tank-in-park-s-bathroom-arrested
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 20:35
Thanks ladies :-)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 19:46
Umm ali is a favourite during ramadan. I have a no-fail, easy recipe that literally takes 10 mins to prepare and 10 mins in a hot oven. 5 jumbo croissants Handful raisins Handful pistachios 750ml milk 250ml cream Can sweetened condensed milk 3rd cup rose water In a pot put milk, cream, condensed milk.bring to boil. Meanwhile tear croissants into pieces into an oven proof dish. Scatter nuts and raisins over top. Once milk mixture is boiling, add rose water. Pour over croissants. Put in hot oven till golden on top. I challenge you to taste nicer umm ali, really!
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 14:10
hmm, you have a point MrsP. Not sure their attention span is that long, but will give it a go failing finding a pipper :)
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 14:00
Oh no :( I hope not
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 13:58
hmm, yes I cant see that working out too well!! Not only squashed, but red fingers. I might have a look in Geant. No lakelands or Tavola handy to me, so hope to find it there!
Ginnee
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 09 July 2013 - 07:59
Thanks BB, I ended up taking them to Dubai!! As I called Rahba hospital and asked to be put through to the Paediatric section and he put me through directly to a Dr's office! Dr wasn't happy. I called several times and he was adament there wasn't another number. Communication break-down. Will have to learn Arabic!
 
 
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