F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Essential to any cooking in the Arabian Peninsula is the concept of hospitality and generosity which is an integral part of our culture and Heritage here in Pakistan too. In the Arab world Meals are generally large family affairs, with much sharing and a great deal of warmth over the dinner table and here in Pakistan we are familiar to the same traditions. In the Arab World Formal dinners and celebrations generally involve large quantities of lamb, and every occasion entails large quantities of Arabic coffee. In an average Arab state household, a visitor might expect a dinner consisting of a very large platter, shared commonly, with a vast amount of rice, incorporating lamb or chicken, or both, as separate dishes, with various stewed vegetables, heavily spiced, sometimes with a tomato-based sauce. Most likely there would be several other less hearty items on the side. Tea would certainly accompany the meal, as it is almost constantly consumed. Coffee would be included in the same manner.
Arabian Food Festival started here at Pearl Continental Peshawar at its Green Lawn. The cuisine is new to this part of the world but the ingredients and the cultural aspects are the same and people really enjoyed the Cuisine on the first day. One of the most important features of the festival was the Beautiful Arabic theme, which was set up in Green Lawn. it seemed that you are transformed in to an Arab country where you are dining. The Arabic Food was a treat to eyes and taste buds; it was really an awesome dining experience. On the First day guests were served with a variety of Arabic dishes like Oriental rice ,Degage bill furan roast chicken ,Degage bill fatter chicken in mushroom sauce ,Lamb Solana mutton qurama , Barilla bill Lomb muttor gosh ,Samak hara fish in hot sauce ,Bammia bill zait bindi masala and many more fine Arabic dishes.
When we asked the Executive Chef of PC Peshawar Mr. Azmat about the Arabic Cuisine he replied that, Cuisine in the Middle East is diverse and changes depending on the country. Some dishes are specific to one region, and flavoring techniques may change from country to country. Similarities exist, however, and some dishes are popular throughout much of the Middle East. Olives and chickpeas are frequently used in cooking, and flatbreads such as pita are popular. Since most countries in the Middle East are primarily Islamic, certain dietary rules are observed. Alcohol is prohibited in many countries, as are pork products. Chicken, beef and lamb are popular protein choices, and chunks of these meats are sometimes skewered with vegetables and cooked as kebabs. Yogurt and cheeses are specially made and used in cooking. Soups and side dishes made with lentils, beans, peppers or other vegetables are often served with a main course. Chef Azmat Further said that we have tried to create the same taste and aroma of Arab cuisine in our Green Lawn and we hope People of Peshawar will like this change.
The Arabian Food Festival attracted large number of people on the first day and people really enjoyed the fine taste of various tasty dishes. Dr. Rozeena a resident of Islamabad while expressing her views said, she had come from Islamabad to visit her family here and I was really amazed that in Peshawar such a fine Festival was organized, the Food was splendid and the décor and theme was beautiful, the Management of PC Peshawar should be appreciated for this fine indicative she further said.
Here we would like to give Credit to GM PC Peshawar Mr. Rashid Rauf Banday and his team for coming up with splendid food festivals for the people of Peshawar, It to be noted that the events which PC Peshawar is organizing have become the talk of the town and had played an important part in creating the softer image of KPK in general and Peshawar in particular.
GM PC Peshawar Mr. Rashid Rauf Banday alongside Dr. Masoom Director Live Stock KPK inaugurated the three-day Festival at the Green Lawn. The Festival will conclude on 4th February 2018.