CULINARY JOURNEY PT.2

Well,well,well.Hey everybody!I know its been awhile.Just been grindin on the two jobs.Gettin ready for part two of the culinary journey.Where to now my friends you ask?How about trinidad,india morocco and a couple other spots.So stay tuned for updates via facebook or here.Talk to yall soon.PEACE!

Midnight Dinner

AAhhhhhhhh!Finally some rest and now back to business.I arrive at my place of stay about midnight.A couple hugs kisses and we're at the dinner table eating a meal 1230am.Pasteles de maiz was phenomenal!Ground corn with eggs,ground beef,and some spices.Heavy,tasty,flavorful comfort food.A small portion with some salad a small conversation with the family and im off to bed.Hmmmmm,what am i gonna do tommorow?

Arriving in Germany

YO,YO,YO,.I'm back yall!Sorry about all the delays,my laptop and I are About get a divorce.It just has to give me issues in the middle of my trip.Well lets get back to it shall we.Well where I'm staying for the duration of my trip is about a 4 1/2 hour drive west of Berlin.So for the most part, I will spend most of my time here.With a couple trips to Berlin.I arrive in Frankfurt about 830 in the evening with my ride waiting for me.Not much to talk about during the long ride home,just sleep,sleep,sleep,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Final Thoughts

Twelve days,Twelve days of sand,sun,hustlers,street food,hotel rooms,friends,the sea,and of course the food.My time has finally ended here in Egypt with amazement,enticing smells,curious people,busy streets,but in the end the great food.With the heat averaging 95 plus,the ever famous Nile,to partially constructed buildings,the stares,oh the stares,you wonder why i love it here.Yeah i may have an argument with a taxi driver about my fare,how could one past coming here.The history of this country,the state of this country a bowl of Molokheya,i will be sure to make my next visit here even longer.Cairo,a city with taxis, dirty alleys,stand still traffic,and endless street food reminds you of New York a bit.The griminess the many restaurants,bad and good,old architecture,homelessness run down cars,the smells of Egyptian dishes such as Koshari,Kibdah,or the famous shawarma,I will miss,nut makes my mouth water now as i sit on the plane.The ability of how the pyramids still stand,or how the rules of the road don't apply,the beautiful mosques that paint the city,all that Ive seen and much more,makes me want more of Egypt.Sinking my teeth into tender rabbit with cumin,coriander and other aromatic spices and ingredients is more than enough for me for a return.Then there's Alexandria,a two hour drive to a beach city with one of the if not oldest cities (Bahari)in all of Egypt,is a beautiful attraction for all to see.Be it the beach itself,the tastes of fresh fruit juice,or what they are known for,the seafood.The seafood which comes directly from their back yard(the sea)consisting of a plethora of fish,shellfish,squid,along with the breeze is why everyone retreats here.Couples,young and old,flood the beach side restaurants till 4,5,6 in the morning just to e one with the sea.I can't say how much i will miss this country and why you all must come and see for yourself.
Shukran Egypt,
TARIK


P.S.

Did i mention the sheesha?

Abou Sid

I arrive at Abu Sid and as soon as you walk in it feels like old Egypt.The large doors remind you of some thing you would see in front of and old mosque.Walking in you notice the dimly lit ,low arabesque chairs and tables,marble,colors of dark green,dark red,while paintings of old Egyptian characters paint the walls.The bar looks like something you would see from a scene in an old Arabian film.I sit at my table, and take a look at the menu,Plenty of choices to choose from,but realizing i'm going to eat somewhere else in a few hours i cant order too much.For starters I order the FUUL BESARA (pureed fava beans)and LAMB KOFTA (ground lamb and spices).For my en tree I order the MOLOKHEYA with rabbit.This is to most locals as the place to eat when you come to Cairo.The smells illuminate the dining room of cumin,sheehsa,coriander,garlic, intensify and water my mouth. I hope i have enough room to eat later,i guess we'll see.The AC cooled dining room is slowly filling up with diners every couple minutes. A good sized menu makes me wish i would have eaten here a couple times during my stay.The pita arrives first always,then my kofta and fuul come.The slightly spiced fuul is served cold in a small bowl,a perfect starter.My kofta is six small oval shaped lamb patties,that were tender,full of spices and works well with my other app.After a few minutes my entree arrives.A bowl of rice topped with four pieces of grilled rabbit,a bowl of Molokheya,and a small bowl a simple but flavorful tomato sauce.I pour some of the Molokheya over the rabbit,then add some of the tomato sauce.Altogether a great compliment to each other.The rabbit was tender nice flavor,the rice was perfectly cooked,the Molokheya was the texture of how traditonal molokheya is made,a bit soupy but with plenty of flavor as the tomato sauce finishes the whole meal. I wash it down with a glass of water and i'm famished.I don't think i'll be eating later.Pay my bill and i'm out the door.All I have to say is when you are looking for the perfect meal when visiting Cairo,come here.Abu Sid,the true definition of authentic traditional Egyptian cuisine.

But wait................................

I forgot to tell you there were a couple other spots we hit up before dinner.For some sweets we passed by a really good place know for its rice pudding called Safideen.Now mind you we are still a bit stuffed from everything else and Tyson is no doubt done.The place is small with a refrigerator filled with different sizes and types of rice pudding,but then i notice something brown hanging throughout the place.Curious I ask Tyson its actually beef.Its Basterma a garlic preserved beef which is dried cured shot with doses of garlic.Using a vintage slicer I try a couple slices and its definitely garlic forward , this would be great on a charcuterie plate with a a soft cheese to cut the strong garlic taste,too bad you cant get it in the states.We grab a small container of the pudding say our thanks and head out.Done just right creamy no raisins just rice cream,sugar flat out good!(Sorry no pic).Next place is to see a local butcher shop to just see how meat is sold around here to the locals.Supermarket?AH NO!Small with legs of lamb adorned the shop while two men cut lamb,beef,veal into pieces for customers with old school scales,your order thrown in a bag and out the door you go.

Who got some sheesha?

A visit to Egypt is complete without some sheesha so Tyson recommends the Grand Cafe located behind the Tikka Grill sitting on the beach.Palm trees surround the open roof area with table chairs while the inside has low tables with comfy couches that can sit anywhere from three to as many as 7 to 8.The AC cooled roomed is quiet as old men young couples,sit around and enjoy their choice of sheesha over conversation while the TV blares pro handball.We grab ourselves a table and decide what to order.I order the mint while he gets the apple flavor.Our sheesha arrives in these water filled colored vases as our waiter prepares them by removing the wrapper holding the pipe to puff on.The key to enjoying sheesha is to not take in too much or you will feel it within minutes.Take in small amounts and blowout and take your time and enjoy your flavor of choice.We discuss politics,the state of Egypt and other things for a couple hours as the mint works as a mouth cleanser,amazing how its strong in flavor as if you are really eating mint leaves.The apple flavor feels really good when going down and blowing out.Now i wouldn't do this on a daily basis but its cool once and a while.A phone call to Tyson's father in-law and it time to have dinner.But wait...................

Juice!Juice!Juice! Real Juice!

After those two places Tyson i decide we officially take a break for an hour or so to let our stomach rest before we journey on.So we head to a really nice juice bar sitting directly in front of the beach.Mangoes,pomegranates,honeydew,apples,amongst some others dress this beautiful bar with uniformed guys are taking orders and making drinks.After a couple minutes we decide on a pomegranate,and a honeydew,(despite the fact i'm quite allergic to melon i order it anyway.Your choice of sugar or no sugar served in a giant mug,they are blended,no ice,no water,just pure fruit.We get our drinks ans sit outside and take in the view of the sea while the wind blows and cars roll by.Fisrt sip and i was in heaven juice heaven that is!The melon was intense in flavor from its natural sugar with its light green color.The pomegranate was just a good,tart but how poms should really no persevatives just fruit not what you get in the stores back home.While downing these lovely drinks we discuss whatever is our minds,food of course,education,history of Alexandria and so and so on.About a hour goes by and the next stop is sheesha at grand cafe!

Al-Arabi

After leaving our breakfast spot,Tyson decides its time to have some liver.But before we go we off the our previous meal,and in an hour we head over.Al-Arabi also the rep for being the best place in town for liver.Now i grew up on liver,you know dredged in flour the pan fried and served with onions,or liver pate done jewish style.But this is a totally different taste and flavor.Its all in the sauce,a combination of spices,garlic,tomato paste olive oil add the liver allow to simmer and placed on a small yet skinny hot dog bun. A couple baby limes and a spicy pepper is all you need to finish it off.Dam that was too good.The lime squeeze cut the chalkiness that liver usually gives off.Shukran Ahmed!I'll be seeing you when i get back in town for lunch

Alexandrian Food Coma

What a day,what a day,what a day!After arriving in Alexandria Tuesday night,i wake up about 9am make a call to a friend of a friend who is going to give me the tastes of this beautiful seafood city.Its 11AM and a young gentleman by the name of Tyson who is originally from Seattle now lives here with his wife Olla who is from here for the last four years.We shake hands and head out to begin our journey.First stop,breakfast.We arrive at a busy but small place called Muhammed Ahmed.A typical egyptian breakfast includes;pickled baby eggplant,pickled carrots and cucumber,pickled beets,Fuul Iskanderani which is fava beans topped with diced tomatoes,and tahina,pita bread of course,and a omelette of some sorts,we chose the spanish omelette.Its a full house here all the time because of the reputation as being the best to come for breakfast.Everything made sense as the aged cheese and the pickled veg along with the warm pita was the perfect combo.To finish the we had a cup of turkish coffee.Yes,Tarik was drinking coffee.Quite good,a bit sweet but thick.We finished about 80%percent of our meal and headed to the next place.So make sure you come here for breakfast first before anywhere else.SHUKRAN Muhammad Ahmed (That's thank you in arabic).

Arrival

Karkadesh

On our way back from seeing the beautiful mosques,and being amongst the heat it was time for a refreshing drink.Hadjer,my guide and travel companion thru the city,decide to stop by a drink stand to grab something.She orders fresh mango juice,while she orders for me KARKADESH.Served in a cold glass mug i'd say about a 8-10 oz mug i give it a taste.It was the perfect drink for a hot day!Light in taste, a nice not too sweet flavor with a resemblance of sorrel,or jamaica.Actually while we drink the owner brings out a flower petal to show me where it comes from.Looks just like a sorrel petal but in the same family.I recommend you try this when you come here.There a couple ways of getting it.Either at a juice stand where they sell fresh fruit juice,a local restaurant,or a local man lugging a see through glass jug yelling "come and get your fresh karkadesh"!For a measely $1 enjoy this drink after a long day or with a meal if you like.Dam its 1 in the morning i wonder if could get some right now?

A day with the pyramids

You know despite the heat and the fact that we had a subpar guide,going to Giza was such an experience to see first hand.To see those pyramids up close was simply amazing!The idea that thousands possibly millions of people(slaves)built these gigantic beautiful pieces of architecture has me in awe.You shouldv'e seen the size of the blocks!No crane, just legs,arms,and the brains of someone who was beyond our own brain capacity even the smartest person in the world today couldn't figure out!A trip to Peru is definitely a must now to see the similarities between the two interesting unique cultures.To appreciate this by actually seeing it gives a whole different outlook on their history.The fact that an average building of our era might last say 50 years,compared to these beautiful works of architecture has been standing for thousands of years,you have to wonder what they were thinking.All i have to say is, save some money and come out here and see it for yourself!

Gad-Not too happy :(

After a long day in Giza,Saqqara,and Memphis a friend and i decide its time to eat.We decide on a local favorite chain called GAD.We arrive and its flooded with people inside and out eating,waiting,or heading out.We go upstairs grab a table and browse the menu.My mind was made up when i saw it.Stuffed pigeon.Along with that we decide on having a starter of grilled falafel patties.My friend orders a fateer (Egypt's version of a pizza)with fried feta cheese.Let me tell you this,a black man with a Mohawk in a middle eastern restaurant is definitely gonna get some stares and smiles of curiosity!Servers are moving quite fast as tables come and go as more people flood the place.The aromas of cumin,fresh baked pita,and many others engulf the room.First a basket of 4 fresh out the oven pita bread comes to the table.In a couple minutes our starter arrives.Four good sized patties that are grilled and topped with toasted fennel seed and white sesame seeds,along with the crunch is a nice entry.While on the inside onion and other ingredients like garlic,cilantro make a nice texture and good flavor.Cooked to perfection,nice and hot,a good choice for a appetizer.After a few minutes our entrees arrive.My plate consists of two pigeons stuffed with rice as well as a heartier flavorful rice underneath with a bit of shredded red cabbage and a tomato used as a garnish.My friends fateer appears at the table but from the look of her face,this not what she ordered.A server asks if everything is ok,but its not.Yellow cheese black olives green bell peppers sure doesn't look like feta cheese to me!After a a couple bites she refuses to eat it.Using my hands i begin tearing apart the tender bird as rice comes out and i begin to dig in.Here's a kicker there is there version of Louisiana hot sauce on the table!The bird itself resembles the texture of chicken a bit with a crispy skin outer layer.You know my first time having stuffed pigeon was suppose to be good not non-flavorful!The riceunderneath had all the flavor while the rice on the inside needed salt and pepper.You could definitely tell it was a chain.I barely finished both birds and left the rest.We asked for the bill,no apology for the mistake with fateer nothing!Not tip for you sir!So if you ever want a decent meal of something like what i had go somewhere else.But if you are drunk and need that hangover head to GAD.The only thing i gave thumbs up for was the pita and the falafel patties.Well tomorrow we head to a place she knows is much better for pigeon and fuul (fava bean dish).Also we are going to a place called Arabica for breakfast.So until then bless.

Giza

Well there has been a change of plans.I'll be leaving my hotel in about a half hour and heading to Giza to see the pyramids.Its about 730 in the morning which will make going a great time to see them without all the heat,tourists and heat.After that is done we head to a town called Saqqara to see a few museums,then off to Memphis for more tourists attractions.I usually don't do the tourist thing but we are in Egypt and its one of the most if not important places in the world.So stay tuned I will have pics up later with hopefully some video also.And i apologize about the video issue on Facebook i'm fixing it as we speak.One Love.Bless

P.S.

Don't forget to leave comments,this will help me improve my site and make it more enjoyable.Peace

Philly pan-for shawarma

Instead of going to Abo Sid's i found a street spot called Philly pan.If you ever had chicken shawarma in your hometown at a restaurant then you have to come to Egypt.I decided to try the beef and a chicken one.A warm thin pita filled with tender meat,tomatoes,red onions,fresh cilantro,and lettuce with a special sauce satisfied my mouth.A perfect snack before i head out to another spot for some more food.The stall is setup outside on the sidewalk amongst the madness in the streets,with the small dining area inside.As i wait,the call to prayer is heard throughout the streets as flocks of locals walk,talk,shop,eat,and head to a local mosque or an area where prayer is accomodated.AHH my food arrives on a plate tightly wrapped and ready for me to dig in.A young gentleman who works there asks me where i'm from and tells me he wants to goto LA.We talk food for a bit and tells me to try the fateer at a local place.I thank him and tell him i'll be back to chop it up with him tommorow.Once done i head back out to another place i might find on the way.

Day 1 :Cairo Tower

Well hello eveyone!Sorry about the delay had some internet connection problems but now back on track.The first day went well,well part of the first went well,i'm taking a break from the then heading to dinner at a place called Abou Sid's.One of the best places to eat in Zamalek.So how is Cairo so far?Busy streets,black and white cabs streaming down the road horns honking people trying to cross,locals praying,food cooking,cops everywhere with AK's yes AK's patrolling.But all in all its great here!I went to the Cairo Tower to get a full view of cairo.If you go to the top floor 65 floors up.you can see all of cairo with the pyramids,Mohammed Ali Mosque,Cairo Opera house and much more all in view.They have a restaurant called Sky Garden which i chose not to check out,is one floor below the rooftop and according to locals the food is subpar.Im keeping it street.I woke up this morning walked outside and saw a lady selling fresh baked pita and pita sandwiches which i will checkout tommorow!So for now my culinary journey continues,talk to yall soon.Bless

IS IT REALLY LESS THAN 48 HOURS!!

Yes it is people,feelin pretty good right now just finishing the last few things.Hung out with some friends family tommorow a funfilled day ahead.So to anyone who wants to say wassup feel free.And be sure to check out on the road with T" on my facebook.Yall be easy.



Oh stay tuned forthe latest in soca,world music,soul,funk,electonica.

PEACE AND BLESSINGS

bikes,bikes,bikes,and bikes!

well,well,well.Its been a record hot summer with a record amount of cyclists on the street.Be it mountainbikers,BMXers,road,or fixed,male or female,everyone is taking advantage of the weather.Nothin wrong with rekindling your old bike riding days in college or high school.Like it or not,cycling is definately here!

The Trip

Well,well,well,it's about that time yall!I got about 2 weeks left till food research trip begins.Everything is looking pretty good so far.Gonna pack this week,put up the blog this week, and also post the first "On the road with T"video on Facebook.First stop will be Cairo for eleven days.Then off to Berlin,Germany and then off to the Netherlands.Yeah i know that the first thing that comes most minds are the pyramids,and i do want to see them.But first thing first.FOOD!FOOD!FOOD!Stuffed pigeon,lamb,Koshari,markets,mounds of spices and much more!Man i can't wait to get out of here!Can't i leave this weekend?But that's alright I'll be patient.It'll be hot while I'm there but I'm not trippin,this trip is for a few reasons;first and foremost the food,second the culture,third,to show the younger generation that traveling is fun and there is alot to learn outside the TV,fourth for all my friends that may never get a chance to see the world I'll do it for them,and lastly for me of course!I've always wanted to see whats going on outside this country, and why not go and see,meet new people,make new friends and of course try all that new food that's out there!So sit back enjoy the travels with ya boy T and we'll talk soon.Peace and blessings.

COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS

Well its getting close to my trip and feeling very nervous!But i got my shots ,got my backpack,cameras,and on and on and on.I'll be staying at a hostel for the beginning of the trip and hopefully then find a family to stay with and enjoy some great egyptian cuisine.Passport,check.Itenerary,not so check ,but working on it check.I'll finally get my packin finished and start workin on my germany itenerary together.i think a tattoo,learning how to make sausage sounds like fun.What do you guys think about that?

BAD FOOD EXPERIENCE

Well Pam decided to take the whole family out the other night.So we decided on thai food.There is a place in lake city called Thai One On.We arrive about 9pm to find the place mostly empty.The bar is a bright orange with an elongated booth which was quite nice.A blind separates the bar from the dining room which has a typical thai look sculptures align the wall with a little waterfall dark wood tables and chairs which i thought were nice and colors of teal and silver go well with the rest of the restaurant.We were seated, menus were dropped and we begin to see what they have.At this time there are a deuces eating with us being a new group.The menu was pretty self explanatory but i didnt care for the ring binder laminated pages but thats my opinion.we pick a couple apps and some drinks to start fried tofu with sweet chili sauce and grilled chicken skewers with a coconut curry sauce.Presentation was nice but our server was very unfriendly.she acted like she didnt want to serve us.Dining should be an experience not an fast paced rushed dinner.We order our entrees,pad thai,thai fried rice,a vegetable dish,as well as massamun chicken dish with white rice.Brown rice was not available.After entrees were ordered a large group of about 15 walks in and they rush to put tables together to get them sat.Our food arrives after about 6-7 minutes,plated well.After we swap dishes with each other we begin to dig in.Sad to say but the food was not hot but rather warm,the pad thai noodles were a bit chewy and dry,telling me that the food was sitting in a warm table.The server never came over to ask how we were doing.We finish ask for the bill and leave.But as we were leaving they were all over the large party assisting them in any way.To sum it all up i do not recomend this place also the uncle of the family gets food poisining.BAD SERVICE+NOT HOT FOOD=NEVER AGAIN.

WHAT THE DEAL?

well wassup everybody!its the middle of march and still havent heard from cirque yet.i've been planning for this for a long time,and i really want to do this.but its all good,just have to be patient.

well well well,what can i say.the days are closing in.i'm ready to get out of here.had some more snow come down.where is the sun?i need sun,can't ride my bike in the snow.its fun for me not others.this blog is all new to me so if you have any toughts or questions let a brotha know.talk to you soon.peace.

happy new year everyone!well the countdown is on!just about two months to go before i'm on the road with cirque du soleil!got a few things left to do,but i should be ready to go.to all of my friends out there feel free to hit me up anytime.you can follow me wherever i go by goin to this site.theres much more to come.holla!