Flotch

The pork lard I rendered (from two back legs) has separated into a clear golden liquid on top and a thick white layer on the bottom. Any thoughts on what to do with which?

Red Velvet cupcakes. Recipe from Magnolia Bakery off Epicurious.

Raisin scones still warm from the oven. Perfect start to the weekend.

Dinner the past two nights

Didn't think she would do something like this. But as mentioned above, sex sells and she oozes it!

I can bake a cake from scratch, think I can get in for some experience on the weekends? ← Just for experience? Nah. The kitchen is too small. Only the serious and dedicated needing full time work need apply! ←

I'm a pastry chef and to find those who have actually baked a cake from scratch is a difficult thing! ←

Hey Pieman27, I attended Taste of Dubai. Fab evening but I found the food a bit expensive. The food was also a bit of a hit and miss. I was completely disappointed with Verre (Gordon Ramsay's restaurant) as they charged Dhs40 for their braised beef topside with sauteed celeriac and cep veloute and it was extremely dry and chewy. On the other hand, Gary Rhode's Mezzanine did a fabulous braised beef with fondant potatoes and caramelised onions and the Devonshire clotted cream pannacotta was amazing! Loads of freebie stuff as well. The Bateel dates stall with their date-based products was really good.

I'm a Roman Catholic from Bombay, India. Usually when there is a death in a family, relatives and friends take on the responsibility of cooking meals for the direct family on the day of the funeral and the day after. This could be either in the home where the person has passed away or in their own homes. We also have the ceremony of a 'month's mind' mass on the day that marks bereaved's one month of passing. Depending on the time of the mass - morning, late morning or evening - the family of the bereaved provides a meal for their close family and friends.

My biggest peeve is people taking the responsibility of ordering for the whole table. A friend's wife seems to think that this is her natural duty and proceeds to order whatever she thinks will be appropriate for the crowd. Thankfully my husband and I have spoken up and told her we'll make our own decisions. The other meek souls haven't been so lucky. Another would have to be friends trying to get pally with the servers. I'm all for making polite conversation and treating the person waiting on me with utmost respect but there is a very obvious boundary beyond that. One of my husband's friends is convinced this will ensure better service and proceeds to slap staff on the back and ask personal questions, which often boils down to some distasteful jokes, and it's more embarassing than anything else. Suffice to say, I refuse to go out with him, only my husband does

Cinnamon buns. Recipe from Bon Appetit (I think March 2008) - Molly Wizenberg's column.

Cream Dory fillets in tomato-ginger broth.

Yes, I've heard that it is quite costly. I was lucky to be at their first anniversary party last year and they had Rhodes serve small tasting portions of the menu. The one thing that stood out was the pork belly with apple sauce. Unfortunately I can't remember anything else from the main courses but the scones - which they serve complimentary after dinner - were fabulous. Worth every bit of the second helping

You're pretty much accurate. The chefs in charge tend to come from the original restaurant or have worked directly with the celebrity chefs and then the line cooks tend to be Asian. I've heard mixed reviews about Reflets, I can't afford to go myself. However, these guys Fat Expat pretty much eat their way through Dubai and are passionate foodies so they will probably give you a fair idea of the experience.

Guy Savoy is supposed to be opening a restaurant at the Tiger Woods development. http://www.arabianbusiness.com/528218-top-...s-dubai-arrival

Finally more pictures! Everything looks awesome Nouf. What a wonderful trip.

Pizza with a whole wheat base topped with home-made tomato sauce, zucchini ribbons, mushrooms, anchovies and Gouda cheese.

Hey Christopher, I met with Verjuice two weeks ago in Dubai and she mentioned she would be going. Maybe you can PM her and ask her which events she plans to attend? The event has been really badly publicised. I work in the media in Dubai and I didn't know they were hosting Gourmet AD until Verjuice mentioned it to me. Happy hogging!

My rice is a pudding mess. I can't cook a decent East Indian curry, potato chops or pan rolls (all Indian Catholic specialties that my mother makes) And I'm Indian so I feel awful! The only reason I get away with my poor versions of the same is because I do all the cooking at home and my husband doesn't complain.

It's been a while since I lived there but here goes: For pastries and hot chocolate Le Moulin De Provence in Byward market. Great Wall on Somerset is fantastic for Chinese food. There's a little place near Carleton University that serves the most delicous empanadas but the name seems to be eluding me right now.

Wholemeal blueberry pancakes with agave syrup.

The interiors are amazing. The food was good but nothing outstanding. One of their signature dishes is the soft shell crab roll. I found it quite expensive.It feels like you are paying more for the ambience and location.

The interiors are amazing. The food was good but nothing outstanding. One of their signature dishes is the soft shell crab roll.

Hey guys thanks so much. Will start snooping. Hopefully a couple of them are available in Dubai.

Hey Percyn, Were you living in Bandra? Seems like you visited Seaside Cafe at Bandstand near the Taj Land's End for breakfast. Was that Tavaa in bandra you visited? I'm from the suburb so got a bit excited seeing it and Copper Chimney as well. Also, was the kebab palce you visited called Kareem's? It's located on Carter Road.