Every other week, we get together with our friends for couple’s dinner. This started more than 3 years ago when J&A invited us over for curry after they got back from their honeymoon in Thailand. We have continued ever since, each trading off hosting for the week. I love it.
What I especially love is planning the meal when it is our turn to host. Since returning from our trip around the world, I have tried to create menus inspired by the places we visited. I pull out the little trinkets and memories, scroll through the photos, and generally wish I was back in that far-off country.
The only thing I wish was different about couple’s dinner is the size of my table. It fits four comfortably. Six is tight. And, it would be fun to invite VIPs to join us.
Last week we hosted a Siwa Oasis themed meal for our friends.
Siwa Oasis is in Egypt. We visited in December 2009, with our dear friends Kathy-Ann and Max. To get to Siwa, we took an overnight bus from Cairo, travelling through the Egyptian Desert. Very flat. Very dry.
Bathroom in the Desert, Egypt
Then, you are in the oasis. Surrounded by date palms and water.
Tommy near Fatnas Spring, Siwa Oasis
Rotisserie Chicken, Siwa Oasis
Both nights, Tommy ordered shish tawook for dinner. I ordered shakshuka the first night, and then shish tawook. It was so yummy. Probably because the chicken was fresh and well cared for.
Shish Tawook, Siwa Oasis
The Menu, Siwa Oasis Couple’s Dinner
- Shish Tawook (grilled chicken kebabs, from here)
- Shakshuka (poached eggs in tomato-pepper goodness, from here)
- Couscous Salad (not very authentic to Siwa, but it seemed to fit)
- Pita Bread
- Pistachio Cardamom Cake (two versions, from The Moosewood Cookbook and here)
Pistachio Cardamom Cake
Can I be one of the aforementioned VIPs when you get a big enough table? Looks Tasty!
Me too please!!
Delicious
Are you sure you wouldn’t like that BIG table right now? Then you could invite celebrities!!! luvmum
Reading your posts and seeing the pictures inspires me to continue trying to make new things or at least to make things that I haven’t made in a while just because it might mean a little more work. It’s no fun to be in a cooking rut and your blog is helping me break out of that. Thanks so much Morgan!