Yas Plaza Hotels - Ramadan Special

Ramadan Kareem!

DEAR READERS, On behalf of the entire team of Yas Plaza Hotels, I would like to extend our best wishes to Muslim communities at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

My team has prepared lots of special Iftar offerings for our gatherings, takeaway and special events to give you several unforgettable moments with your family & friends.

Lastly, I send our warmest Ramadan greetings. May this month of blessings be a time of contemplation and celebration.

YOURS TRULY, Saurabh Bakshi AREA GENERAL MANAGER

FROM THE TEAM

/ SAVORY MAGAZINE /

MAKE YOUR OWN PREPARATION TIME: 4-5 HRS

ROASTED LAMB OUZI

BY CHEF SANJEEWA, EXECUTIVE CHEF, RADISSON BLU YAS ISLAND

INGREDIENTS: ½ lamb 5kg of basmati rice 3 onions 4 carrots 5 sprigs of thyme 4 bay leaves 1 orange (halved) 12 whole garlic cloves, peeled 2 tbls cardamom 2 tbls cinnamon 4 tbls quozi spice mix (available in Middle Eastern shops) 2 Cinnamon sticks 8 cardamom pods 1 tbls all spice 3 tbls pomegranate molasses 3 tbls sunflower oil 30g melted butter 3 cups of flaked almonds 3 cups of cashew nuts 2 cups of pine nuts 4 cups of sultanas Garnish micro herbs (red amarynth, micro coriander)

METHOD Pre-heat the oven to 220°C. Soak the 5kg of rice in water.

Wash the lamb thoroughly and pat dry once clean.

Brush the lamb with melted butter so its coated, then season with salt, pepper and half of the spice mixture above (the other half is used for the rice).

In a large roasting tray, lay the onions, carrots, garlic cloves, orange bay, thyme, 1 cinnamon stick, 4 cardamom pods and a splash of olive oil and ½ cup of water. Lay the lamb on top.

Roast in the pre-heated oven for 20 minutes at 220°C. After that, cover with tin foil and then lower the heat to 165°C. Roast for 4-5 hours. Baste every hour. If the liquid is evaporating, add water to the roasting tray. You want moisture.

·After 3 hours, drain 75 per cent of the liquid and set aside for the rice.

Roast for another hour. Depending on how you like your lamb, keep an eye on its colour and how easy it falls off the bone. Once happy, set aside to rest for 30 minutes. ·For the rice. In a large pan, heat the sunflower oil and lightly fry the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods. Once the oil is flavoured, add the rice. ·Pour in the lamb juices set aside earlier, and the rest with water to cover the rice by ½ inch (you are looking for 50/50 ratio, lamb juice to water). Add the remaining spices, pomegranate molasses and a generous amount of salt. Important: very gently stir the rice, so each grain is covered in the liquid, spice stock. Cover with a tight lid and place on a medium heat. After 25 minutes, check if the rice has absorbed the liquid. If so, stir the rice so it’s puffed and steamed, and then turn off the heat but keep the lid on. ·Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a pan. Don’t walk away from the pan.

Keep the pine nuts moving so they don’t catch. Once golden, add the cashew, almonds and sultanas. ·Add the sultanas and nuts to the rice, and stir in. Keep some back to garnish at the end. ·Pour the rice on to a large tray.

Place the lamb on top. The smells should be phenomenal! ·Garnish with the rest of the nuts/sultanas as well as the micro herbs.

And enjoy!

Yas Plaza Hotels

brings friends and families closer this Ramadan with Iftar and Suhoor offers

/ BY SAMANTHA CHAN This Ramadan, Yas Plaza Hotels invites all from around the emirates to experience a selection of splendid appetite whetting, thirst quenching and refreshing Iftar and Suhoor offers at Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Crowne Plaza Yas Island, and Yas Island Rotana, where friends, family and loved ones can come closer together, share and celebrate this very special month of the year.

ASSYMETRI At Assymetri, Iftars are laden with local and international delicacies and iftar juices at their Traditional Iftar Buffet, happening from April 2nd to May 2nd with comfortable settings in a cool indoor atmosphere or the welcome warmth of the spring outdoors. Iftar Takeaways are ready for those looking to experience exceptional iftars at the comfort of their homes with meal boxes starting at AED35pp, as well as Lamb Ouzi Takeaways that behold fall-off-the-bone and melt-in-your-mouth lamb ouzis served with rice and condiments at AED499, fit for the whole family to share.

Packages: Traditional Iftar Buffet with Ramadan juices for AED 149, Kids below 6 go free and AED 69 for 6-12 yrs Iftar Takeaways Meal boxes starting AED 35 net per person (minimum 30 boxes on order), 48 hours advance order required Ouzi Takeaways Traditional lamb ouzi with condiments (good for 6 guests) AED 499 net, 72 hours advance order required

Date & Time: 2nd April – 2nd May, sunset Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island For booking: + 971 2 656 2000 https://www.instagram.com/radissonbluyas

JING ASIA

CHOICES & RANGOLI

Break your fast with your family and friends and enjoy the best of Asian flavours in a lavish and authentic Far Eastern set up with the Iftar Get Together at Jing Asia.

Price: Iftar Get Together at AED 149 per person Date & Time: 2nd April – 2nd May, 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm Venue: Jing Asia, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE For booking: + 971 2 656 3000

Taste of Ramadan at Choices and Rangoli Experience the Taste of Ramadan with iftar feasts featuring Ramadan specialities, succulent grilled meats, spicy Indian fare and refreshing Ramadan juices with your loved ones at Choices or Rangoli at AED159pp.

Date & Time: 2nd April – 2nd May, sunset – 10:00 pm Venue: Choices Restaurant, Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE For booking: + 971 2 656 4000 / 4155

BAROUK

BLUE GRILL

Discover delicious Suhoors with authentic flavours of Lebanon at Barouk’s Suhoor Get Together, offering delectable Lebanese favourites to help power you through your fast, or satisfy your love for Lebanese fare until late, starting from AED120pp.

Price: AED120 per person Date & Time: 2nd April – 2nd May, 9:00 pm – 02:00 am Venue: Barouk Lebanese Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE For booking: + 971 2 656 3000 / 3064

Blue Grill Iftar Set Menu Chef’s Special meaty iftars are brought out from searing grills and onto your plates at the Blue Grill Iftar Set Menu with an assortment of delicious condiments starting from AED 175pp Date & Time: 2nd April – 2nd May, Iftar call – 12:00 am Venue: Blue Grill, Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE For booking: + 971 2 656 4000 / 4155

Suhour + Iftar AT YAS PLAZA HOTELS

HALAWET EL JIBN preparation time: 50 min

INGREDIENTS Dough: ·500g mozzarella ·1 cup of sugar ·1 cup of semolina ·1½ cups of water

DIRECTIONS DOUGH: Put the water and sugar in a pot on the stove until it boils and the sugar dissolves, then turn down the heat.

Add the mozzarella and orange blossom water and mix until the cheese melts. Add the semolina and mix until it forms a soft dough, then allow to cool.

·3 tsp orange blossom water FILLING:

Cream filling: ·2 litres of full-cream milk ·2 tsp of sugar ·5 tbsp of white vinegar ·Can of Nestlé table cream

1. Heat the milk with the sugar until it boils, then add the vinegar. Mix until it forms a cheese. Strain the curds from the whey, then put it in the fridge until it’s cold. Remove from the fridge and add the can of nestle table cream and mix together.

2. Working with half the dough, roll out and shape into two long rectangles.

NOTES Top with crushed pistachio nuts.

3. Pipe or spoon the cream filling onto one side of the first rectangle, then flip the other side over and squeeze the edges together. Cut into bite-size pieces and repeat with the rest of the dough.

4. Serve and savour!

For bookings, call 02 656 2000 or email us at info@yasplazahotels.com *T&C apply