Recipes for Success: Chef Ranveer Brar offers advice and a delicious saag meat recipe  

Recipes for Success: Chef Ranveer Brar offers advice and a delicious saag meat recipe  
Ranveer Brar is a celebrity chef, painter and actor. (Supplied)
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Recipes for Success: Chef Ranveer Brar offers advice and a delicious saag meat recipe  

Recipes for Success: Chef Ranveer Brar offers advice and a delicious saag meat recipe  

DUBAI: Celebrity chef, painter and actor Ranveer Brar was born in Lucknow, northern India, and fell in love with cooking at a very young age. While accompanying his grandfather to the local gurudwara (Sikh place of worship), he remembers sneaking into the community kitchen — known as a langar — excited by all the activity there. 

“A few years later, when I was a pre-teen, the priest called me aside and asked me to prepare the rice dish, as his wife was unwell that day. I had no list of ingredients, nor the recipe, but, recalling what I’d observed, I prepared the dish and it turned out quite well. That was my first experience of instant gratification with food,” Brar tells Arab News. “After my debut at the gurudwara, my next attempt at cooking was when my mother fell ill and I made rajma — again, without any recipe, I just made it from my memory of watching my mother make it. I overheard my dad complimenting the attempt and, at that moment, I realized that food was my calling.” 

Brar opened his first restaurant in the Gulf in Dubai late last year.  




Brar opened his first restaurant in the Gulf in Dubai late last year. (Supplied)

“Kashkan means ‘From Kashmir to Kanyakumari,’” he says. “The UAE, and Dubai in particular, seemed like the perfect venue because it is a melting pot of both cultures and cuisines, so what better place to celebrate Kashkan’s melange of flavours?”  

Here, Brar discusses his favorite ingredient, the toughest dish to perfect, and advice for amateurs. 

When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made?  

Trying to do too much and over-express myself. As a result, I was losing myself — the idea I was trying to express was getting lost. With age I understood that not everything one knows needs to be expressed in a single dish. Wisdom lies in choosing the right moment for the right expression.  

What’s your top tip for amateurs? 

Stick to the basics. If you get the fundamentals right, you can rarely go wrong with cooking. They can then become the basis for innovation as one evolves. 

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? 

That would be coriander for me, adding a lot of freshness. From the stalks to the leaves, every element of the herb is fascinating. Also olive oil, which adds richness. 

When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?  

I don’t really. I view food as food. The reason I am who I am is because food has always made me happy, so I don’t want to take that role away from food in my life. When eating out, I try to feel, understand and appreciate the intent of the person who’s cooking. But when it’s my cooking, I tend to be quite harsh and critical of myself, because every time you cook, it’s an opportunity to improve yourself. 

What’s your favorite cuisine? 

It’s usually the local food of the place I am travelling to. Also, the simpler the restaurant, the more likely I am to end up there. I believe the essence of good food is its simplicity. What better than street food and age-old places to understand the true culture and cuisine of any place? 




(Supplied)

What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home? 

Has to be khichdi. It’s the perfect one-pot meal that has everything your appetite needs. Add in vegetables and you get a good proportion of all nutrients on your plate. And don’t forget the ghee! 

What customer request most annoys you? 

Strangely, it’s when they ask for salt! Salt is such an important element of any dish. A little too much salt can subdue other flavors and too little can fail to elevate them. I feel it’s the chef’s judgment of the amount of salt that allows us to experience the dish as intended. So when customers ask for salt it disappoints me, because the true nature of the dish might get spoiled. 

What’s your favorite dish to cook and why?    

My special chicken curry. Be it family or friends, I always get asked for that. It’s now a signature dish at Kashkan too.   

What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right? 

Biryani is something I would love to keep perfecting. You have to cook many layers of rice at the same time, giving it minimum water, minimum heat over a long period of time, with every grain of rice being the same, every layer of flavor equally coating the rice. I think biryani is the perfect test for anyone who is a student of Salt-Fat-Acid-Heat. 

As a head chef, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Or are you more laid back? 

I used to be a disciplinarian believing that cooking was all about control; the heat, environment, ingredients and cooking itself. Now I’m more relaxed; it’s more collaborative, it’s more about letting the team express themselves and my role is to guide them through that expression.  

RECIPE: SAAG MEAT 




(Supplied)

Preparation time: 10 minutes  

Cooking time: 35-40 minutes  

Serves 2-4 

INGREDIENTS: 

For the marination:  

4 medium Onions, sliced 

¼ cup fresh Fenugreek leaves 

¾ cup Curd, beaten 

Salt to taste 

½ tsp Turmeric powder 

½ tsp Degi red chili powder 

½ tsp Coriander powder 

1 kg Mutton (with bones)  

½  tbsp Ginger Garlic paste 

For the mutton:  

3-4 tbsp Oil 

3 Bay leaf 

2 Black cardamom 

2 Cloves 

¼ tsp Cumin seeds 

Marinated Mutton 

Salt to taste 

few fresh Fenugreek leaves 

Little water 

For the saag meat: 

1 tbsp Oil 

1 tbsp Ghee 

1 inch Ginger (peeled & chopped) 

4-5 Garlic cloves, chopped 

2 medium Onions, chopped 

2-3 Green chillies 

2 Dry red chillies 

2-3 medium bunch fresh Spinach leaves, chopped 

¼ cup Amaranth (Bathua)  

Salt to taste 

Little water 

1 tbsp Butter, cubed 

Pressure Cooked Mutton 

½ tbsp unsalted Butter or white butter, cubed (optional) 

½ tsp Mustard oil 

For garnish:  

Coriander sprig 

INSTRUCTIONS 

For marination:  

In a bowl, add onions, fresh fenugreek leaves, curd, salt to taste, turmeric powder, deg red chili powder, coriander powder, mutton, ginger garlic paste and mix it well. 

Keep it aside for further use. 

For the mutton: 

In a pressure cooker, add oil, once it's hot, add bay leaf, black cardamom, cloves, cumin seeds and let it splutter. 

Add marinated mutton and saute it for 6-7 minutes. Add salt to taste and cook for a while. 

Add a few fenugreek leaves and mix well. Add water, close the lid and cook it for 5-6 whistles or until the mutton is tender. 

Keep it aside for further use. 

For the saag meat: 

In a kadai (Indian wok), add oil, ghee, once it's hot, ginger, garlic, onion, green chillies and saute for a minute. 

Add dry red chillies and saute well. Add spinach, amaranth leaves, salt to taste, water and saute well.  

Add butter, close the lid and cook it for 3-4 minutes. 

Add cooked mutton and let it simmer for a while. 

To finish, add unsalted butter or white butter, mustard oil and stir it well. 

Transfer it to a serving dish and  garnish it with coriander sprig. 

Serve hot with roti. 


Best and worst: Nour Hassan discusses memorable style moments, her take on trends

Best and worst: Nour Hassan discusses memorable style moments, her take on trends
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Best and worst: Nour Hassan discusses memorable style moments, her take on trends

Best and worst: Nour Hassan discusses memorable style moments, her take on trends

DUBAI: The Saudi-Egyptian podcast host and influencer shares memorable style moments, her take on trends, and the best and worst advice she ever received. 

Best TV show or film you’ve ever seen?    

“Gossip Girl” remains an iconic show for both fashion and pop culture. One of my favorite movies is “Pride and Prejudice” starring Keira Knightley, possibly since this is also one of my favorite books. And I have to watch “Love, Actually” at least once a year around December.  

Worst TV show/film you’ve ever seen? 

I don’t like anything dark or dreary. I prefer shows and movies that inspire and uplift because I think there is enough darkness in the world.  

Nour Hassan is a Saudi-Egyptian podcast host and influencer. (Supplied)

Best personal style moment so far?    

I would definitely have to say my custom couture Jean Pierre Khoury wedding dress. It was a timeless piece. Another style moment I cherish is wearing Marmar Halim to El Gouna Film Festival.  

Worst personal style moment?    

Overall my style has been quite consistent and identifiable. I wouldn’t say I have a worst, necessarily, but any time I opt for a trend, it does not age well. This might be too soon, but I cannot stand those flower hair clips anymore. I also rarely wear yellow or pink. But I change my mind often, as a Libra, so you might catch me in a full yellow look after saying this.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by نور حسن (@nourhassan)

Best accessory for a little black dress? 

Pearls. They’re such an underrated accessory. They can really help achieve a timeless look — something from the 1920s and ’30s when fashion was more feminine and definitely more demure. 

Worst accessory for a little black dress?    

Too much color. Own the black cat moment, make it bold. The black dress is a statement. It exudes confidence and power, so keep it simple and classic.  

Best fashion trend of 2024?    

The Fall/ Winter color palette is everything. Chocolate brown, deep burgundy, taupes and nudes. These are the colors I've always loved the most. As an Arab woman with Egyptian Pharaonic features, I always find the warmth brings out all the best aspects of my complexion. Cool tones like navy are not my go-to, but thankfully I think we’re over that age-old rule of not pairing navy with black. Fashion is becoming more free and I am here for it.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by نور حسن (@nourhassan)

Worst fashion trend of 2024?    

Ballerinas — ballet shoes — are something I cannot get myself to return to. I used to love them — I lived in them in the early 2000s — but something about them makes the entire outfit look naïve, and I don’t like that. It’s not a look I’d go back to, although Miu Miu has tempted me many times.  

Best advice you’ve ever been given?   

Never compare yourself to anyone. I think that’s almost impossible in the age of social media, but if you start the game of comparison it will never end. Focus on yourself and your work. That’s the only way to stay unique and authentic in the contemporary landscape.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by نور حسن (@nourhassan)

Worst advice you’ve ever been given?  

Asking for too much advice is usually a problem. Ultimately, you need to be able to make calls for yourself. 

Best book you’ve ever read?    

“The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer is a book that can change your life — but only if you’re ready to grasp the sobering message that you are, in fact, in control of your life and your circumstances. It’s a scary thought and you have to be ready to take accountability for your life. For non-fiction it is, and always will be, the “Harry Potter” books. 

Worst book you’ve ever read?    

A mentor once told me that a book finds you when you’re ready for it. I don’t think you can go wrong with reading. There is always something to learn. Even if you hated the book then that’s a lesson on what you do not enjoy.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by نور حسن (@nourhassan)

Best thing to do when you’re feeling low?    

Pilates or a good long walk will elevate just about any aspect of your day, especially the latter. Sometimes, if you do not have the energy for an intense workout, it’s best to listen and not force it. Just go for 15 mins — do something to move the body and it will help free your mind.  

Worst thing to do when you’re feeling good?    

Be anywhere but in the now. 

Best holiday destination?   

Rome. Always. It’s a city that allows you to dream big — it kind of reminds me of certain parts of Cairo. It shows you what human beings are capable of and how vast and expansive civilization really is. 

Worst holiday destination?    

I’m not a camping girl, so anything like that, or somewhere with an arid climate, is not for me.  

Best subject at school?    

English. I got an award for the highest score in the Middle East during my IB Diploma. I’m a writer first and foremost, so I loved reading prose, analyzing poems and writing short stories. Art was equally a favorite. Both encompass the majority of my interests and passions. 

Worst subject at school?   

I was a major nerd so I didn’t really have a worst subject. I aced them all, like it or not. If I had to pick one perhaps it would be physics. I had a love-hate relationship with this subject.  

Best thing to do to ensure you have a productive day?   

Wake up before the sun. The days I wake up early are completely different to the days when I do not. I think deep down inside we all know this is the ultimate life hack, but potentially the most difficult one to implement because it requires uprooting your entire routine. I wake up at 5 a.m. at least once a week to reset and prepare for the week.  

Worst thing to do when you’re trying to have a productive day?    

Open social media. You’ll be in the vortex for hours. 


Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh

Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh
Updated 14 November 2024
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Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh

Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry hit the stage at landmark Elie Saab show in Riyadh

RIYADH: The only thing sparkling brighter than the stars on the red carpet and performers on stage were the dresses on the runway as Lebanese icon Elie Saab put on a spectacle on Wednesday night in Riyadh with Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Halle Berry hitting the stage in addition to a runway show of his creations.

Celine Dion was spotted on the red carpet at the event. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

In celebration of 45 years of Elie Saab, the show displayed 300 designs under the theme “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab,” an homage to the 1001 nights collection of Middle Eastern folktales.

Former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld styled all the looks for the runway.

Guests were given a surprise when stars Lopez, Camila Cabello, Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, and the legendary Celine Dion took to the stage in celebration of Elie Saab.

Oscar-winner Halle Berry hit the stage. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

Opening the show was none other than Hollywood actress Berry wearing the same Elie Saab gown she wore when she won her first Oscar in 2002, making her the first Black woman to win the award for Best Actress.

Prior to the show, Berry was seen on the red carpet talking about how this was her first time meeting Saab in person, “That was the highlight of this trip for me to finally meet this man who I have been inextricably connected to for 22 years, and to give him a hug and tell him thank you.”

Pop icon Jennifer Lopez performed at the event. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

Celebrity stylist Law Roach, known for styling Hollywood A-listers like Zendaya, Anya Taylor Joy, Bella Hadid, and Celine Dion, talked to Arab News about Elie Saab’s ability to transcend eras.

“Elie Saab is one of the few couturiers whose clothes can be passed down to generations and generations and be reinterpreted.”

Models gather on stage at the Elie Saab show in Riyadh. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

“Maybe someone got married in it (a dress), and maybe generations down the granddaughter of someone gets married in the same dress, it has that possibility of just being timeless and forever,” he said.

Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair was spotted on the runway. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

The spectacle began with a performance by Lopez, a frequent wearer of Saab’s creations. The first designs exhibited an array of black-and-white dresses adorned in classic crystals, a signature touch in most of his designs.

Next up was “an ode to the female figure”, where dresses in different shades of pink and green were lit up on stage with the help of singer-songwriter Camila Cabello. This section of the show featured what looked like a garden theme, detailing the beauty of the natural world as it interconnects with the beauty of women.

The tale continued into a silver and blue chapter, where the audience was given a touch of Arab culture with Lebanese singing icon Nancy Ajram, a nod to Elie Saab’s Lebanese heritage as well, followed by Egyptian star Amr Diab.

The show featured 300 looks. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

“Elie Saab, the name introduces itself. When we say Elie Saab we say elegance… when I wear Elie Saab I look at myself in the mirror more often and find myself more beautiful,” Ajram stated before her performance.

“I am also happy that a Lebanese creative deserves to be honored, is very successful, and we all see ourselves in him.”

In celebration of 45 years of Elie Saab, the show displayed 300 designs under the theme “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab.” (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

The show concluded with a showcase by Dion, who gave an emotional and empowering performance that had the entire audience on their feet.

The show featured 300 looks. (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

“Being here (in Riyadh) for the first time is kind of a dream come true,” Dion said.

“His (Elie Saab’s) generosity, his talent, he has been singing with me because I have been wearing his dresses, his talent, for many, many, years.”

In celebration of 45 years of Elie Saab, the show displayed 300 designs under the theme “1001 Seasons of Elie Saab.” (AN Photo/ Jafer Alsaleh)

Elie Saab Jr., CEO of Elie Saab, said: “We have been thinking a lot about how to create an international event in high fashion in the heart of Riyadh. And I believe it is a one of a kind event, not just for Riyadh, but for the whole world and the whole fashion industry.”


Chanel spotlights regional models in campaigns, cruise shows

Chanel spotlights regional models in campaigns, cruise shows
Updated 13 November 2024
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Chanel spotlights regional models in campaigns, cruise shows

Chanel spotlights regional models in campaigns, cruise shows

DUBAI: French luxury fashion house Chanel continues to spotlight regional models in its global campaigns and cruise shows, with its latest release featuring Mona Tougaard. 

The Danish model, of Turkish, Somali, and Ethiopian descent, was seen posing for Chanel’s new holiday campaign. In the image, Tougaard wore Chanel’s “Premiere Edition Original” watch in 0.1-micron yellow gold-plated steel paired with black leather. 

Her look was completed with a choker, ring, and earrings from the brand’s “Camellia” collection, crafted in yellow gold and adorned with diamonds. She also accessorized with bracelets and earrings from the “Coco Crush” line, designed in beige and white gold with diamond accents. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial)

Meanwhile, French Algerian model Loli Bahia gave fans a sneak peek of the fashion house’s cruise show in Hong Kong on Tuesday through her Instagram account. 

She posted images of herself displayed on a wall, showing off pieces she wore in the show last week. In one shot, she’s styled in classic Chanel fashion, donning a cream crochet jacket layered over an intricate chain and pendant body piece.

In another image, she was seen in a brown leather vest matched with coordinating shorts and ballerina flats. 

French Algerian model Loli Bahia gave fans a sneak peek of the fashion house’s cruise show in Hong Kong on Tuesday through her Instagram account. (Instagram)

Part-Saudi model Shanina Shaik, who has Pakistani, Lithuanian and Australian heritage, promoted Chanel’s beauty line to her 3.4 million Instagram followers.

“All the beautiful products from the holiday glam,” she captioned her story, showcasing an eyeshadow palette, a face palette, a highlighter, along with lip liners and lipsticks.

She also shared a story spraying the limited edition No.5 Eau de Parfum, part of Chanel’s holiday collection.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial)

In June, Bahia walked the brand’s runway during Paris Fashion Week. She donned a two-piece ensemble comprising a tailored buttoned jacket complemented by a matching knee-length skirt in a delicate tweed fabric.

In May, Bahia and part-Saudi Amira Al-Zuhair walked the Chanel Cruise 2024/2025 show in Marseille, France.

Bahia donned a green ensemble, composed of a knee-length pencil skirt paired with a matching top, layered over a white shirt boasting a hoodie collar, while Al-Zuhair sported a vibrant yellow ensemble featuring hot shorts paired with a button-down top and a coordinating cardigan.


Organizers laud historical connections as Saudi exhibition showcases Italian artifacts

Organizers laud historical connections as Saudi exhibition showcases Italian artifacts
Updated 13 November 2024
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Organizers laud historical connections as Saudi exhibition showcases Italian artifacts

Organizers laud historical connections as Saudi exhibition showcases Italian artifacts

ALULA: The Royal Commission for AlUla has partnered with the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) to bring ancient works from its collection to Saudi Arabia and the region for the first time.

The “Masterpieces of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples” exhibit is running at Maraya until Dec. 14.

The show highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in the Incense Road, a network that extended over 2000km. 

The show highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in the Incense Road, a network that extended over 2000km. (AN photo)

Melanie de Souza, executive director of destination marketing at the Royal Commission of AlUla, told Arab News that the commission is grounded in “this very deep heritage.” 

“Our connections with Rome are strong, and for us, it’s about telling the continuous story of the role AlUla played in terms of trading routes and cultural connections across the world,” she said.  

Professor Massimo Osanna, director general of museums at the Italian Ministry of Culture, told Arab News that AlUla, like Pompeii and Naples, is “one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

Fifteen masterpieces from ancient sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome are being presented to a regional audience for the first time. (AN photo)

“In AlUla, you can understand how close the culture is between our territory in Italy and here,” he said. “This territory belonged to the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire expanded into Saudi Arabia… In the inscriptions, you will find Arabic, Nabatean, and Latin.”

Fifteen masterpieces from ancient sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome are being presented to a regional audience for the first time. 

Highlights include a statuette of Alexander the Great on horseback from the 1st century BCE and a statue of Roman Emperor Trajan found in Minturno, Italy.

“Some values and attitudes of human beings are very contemporary. We are very similar, and of course, society changes … but there are some aspects of human beings that are always the same,” Osanna said, explaining why the statues resonate with viewers today.  


REVIEW: ‘Super Mario Party Jamboree’ promises heated game nights and solo goodness

REVIEW: ‘Super Mario Party Jamboree’ promises heated game nights and solo goodness
Updated 13 November 2024
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REVIEW: ‘Super Mario Party Jamboree’ promises heated game nights and solo goodness

REVIEW: ‘Super Mario Party Jamboree’ promises heated game nights and solo goodness

DUBAI: Nintendo’s iconic “Mario Party” returns in its latest edition: “Super Mario Party Jamboree.” With new boards, minigames and characters, the game promises a fun time and heated competition between friends.

As a self-proclaimed Mario expert who spent countless hours playing every edition of “Mario Party” from the age of 6, the game stood out for me.

Shy Guy has always been my Mario Party character of choice, and seeing the different colored Shy Guys in this version of the game has been so fun.

Other new characters on the roster include Pauline and Ninji. Toadette is also now a playable character unlike in “Super Mario Party.”

The game features four default boards, and three unlockable boards, two of which are returning classics from previous “Mario Party” games, “Mario’s Rainbow Castle” and “Western Land.”

One of the biggest differences in comparison to previous editions of “Mario Party” is the element of surprise. With many twists and unexpected changes throughout the game, there is really no telling who is going to win until the results are announced.

The risk-to-reward ratio is the highest it has ever been, with items that can cause you to lose your stars, coins and be bumped to last place in the final minutes of the game.

Another major change to the game is the new pro rules feature. This feature allows you to customize the rules of the game to reduce as many luck-based events as possible and raise the stakes. Item shops can now have limited stock, bonus star categories are revealed before the match starts and players can vote for which minigames are played.

The fan favorite rhythm minigames return and are all cooking themed, but the difficulty of these games has significantly increased. Once you get the hang of it, they get easier, but the Short-Stack chef minigame really grinded the gears. I personally found it to be one of the hardest minigames in the series.

The main drawback of the game, however, is the length of some of the minigames. Some seemed to drag on and I started to lose my interest or would get tired from holding down the buttons, or twisting my controller.

The Showdown minigames were not particularly enjoyable either, especially Luigi Rescue Operation. The length and difficulty were not appropriate for this type of gameplay, with most players likely to prefer faster-paced minigames.

For all our single players out there, the Koopathlon is the perfect mode for you. Although the difficulty and speed increases each round, it still proved to be a fun game mode for those looking for a quick and easy way to practice their minigame skills.

Overall, if you are looking for a fun game night, “Super Mario Party Jamboree” is sure to turn the heat up, whether you are playing alone or with your friends and family.