We are visiting a small Arab state known for its pearl and oil production. An island kingdom located in the Persian Gulf, whose name in Arabic means “two seas”. This week we are with Bahrain’s kitchen. As it is about 23 kilometers from the Asian coast, Bahrain is connected to the Arabian Peninsula by a 25 km long bridge. This land link with neighboring Saudi Arabia is of utmost importance to the local economy and is the longest bridge in the Arab world and 14th in the world. It is named after King Fahd, as the project and its implementation are fully funded by Saudi Arabia.
The state is poor on fertile land (it only processes 5% of its total area) and it grows a very small part of the products that are consumed – mostly dates and citrus. Goat and sheep meat are in very small quantities because of the limited grazing and farming space and the extremely hot climate. The fish and seafood that are generally located in the waters around the islands are found in the kitchen.
The billions of dollars in oil revenues have turned Bahrain into a thriving oasis. Thanks to the investments made in the past, the kingdom is rapidly developing the non-ferrous metallurgy and the chemical industry. There are about 150 banks in the country. In Manama, on the very bay of the Persian Gulf, there is a modern financial center with skyscrapers of steel and glass. Twin Towers of Bahrain Financial Harbor(260 meters high) and the second-highest twin towers of the Bahrain World Trade Center (240 meters high) are the most impressive buildings that today dominate the city’s skyline. Close to the shore of Bahrain, like Dubai, many artificial islands are built to serve as shiny residential or attractive resort complexes. Luxury hotels, villas, golf courses and other facilities will be built on the islands after their complete completion. Like many other oil producers in the region, Bahrain seeks to prepare for the times when black gold is over. The combination of ancient culture, delicious Arabic cuisine, white sandy beaches, warm sea, shallow waters, beautiful coral reefs along the northern shore, plenty of sunshine and luxury is a formula for success in attracting foreign tourists.
In this small country there is a Formula One round. For the first time the competition was held in 2004 and was won by Michael Schumacher. In his honor and because of his great sports career, the hosts call the first turn on the Sahir track in his name.
But I go back to the cake from Bahrain. I did not find one like this after a two-week search in different languages on the web. But I found a dessert who I was transforming into a cake. A popular specialty is the stuffed dates with cream cheese and cranberries. Last year I first made a vegan cake with a blatt of dates and I decided to invent my own cake for Bahrain.
Here are the necessary products:
400 grams of dates
300 grams of pistachios
350 grams of cream cheese
100 grams of dried cranberries
pomegranate
Steps of preparation:
Remove the stones from the dates and, together with the pistachios, peanut them into a blender until it becomes a sticky and firm mixture. You can vary with the quantities of nuts and dates because the dates may be drier or more juicy. In form, spread the blender mix on the bottom instead and shape with spatula or spoon. Mix the cream cheese and cranberries and spread it on the mixture of dates. Leave it in the refrigerator for an hour to cool down. Sprinkle with crushed pistachios and grains of pomegranate for freshness.
You can use whatever nuts you want and love. You can also add powdered sugar to the cream cheese. Everything you liked.
The so-called cake turned out to be a very fresh dessert with a slight inclination to the ice cream. Try it too. It takes about 15 minutes to do it, and then the pleasure of eating it is invaluable.
Next destination – Belarus.
