[Good and bad in Dubai]

Have fun Trixy and have a look at the other Dubai/Sharjah threads (on Verre, Burj al Arab etc.) on here, if you haven't already. Feel free to PM me if you need any info on bars, souks, deserts etc!

Thanks! I have checked out all the threads, it was very informative. Your offer of a pointer in the right souk direction is readily accepted, expect a pm soon!

[Aussie Chefs' Cookbooks]

Cool! I will try those products. Really, vegemite isn't that bad, I just like to give my chef/friend a hard time. But she told me how to use it and it was ok, to my palate at least. And I have most of the recipes of foods you have mentioned ( pavlove, etc.). I'm tryin' to get my Aussie chef/friends to try menudo! lolol..

Nice chatting with you as well...

You are going to be trying for awhile Spoonbread!

I also find Ian Hemphill's " Spice Notes" an invaluable resource. And Stephanie Alexander's " Cook's Companion" is a real gem too.

[Good and bad in Dubai]

Wgallois, thank you so much for this post! I am heading for Dubai in a couple of days and it is good to have some advice from someone with first hand experience. The Clay Oven sounds like a definite goer!

[Meat Shake]

I could imagine the smoked salmon as an ice cream, but on a savoury level, not mixed with lots of sugar!