A Trip to the Fish Market

One of the benefits to living overseas is the opportunity to experience some aspects of daily life of the local culture. We live in Eastern Saudi Arabia on the Arabian Gulf (otherwise known as the Persian Gulf). Right now is shrimp season so we've been a few times to the local fish market to purchase shrimp. I love shrimp and order it whenever possible in a restaurant, but I had never cooked it before. You can find anything on the Internet, so we found a few recipes and have had fun (and delicious meals) experimenting in the kitchen. This is how we spent the morning last Thursday - the weekend.

This is an open market - meaning that literally, the doors and windows are open. With the outside temperature at 40 celsius / 105 fahrenheit, it keeps boys busy hauling in wheelbarrows full of ice.

The fish mongers were very proud to display their wares to me...and they all wanted to have their picture taken...with their fish.

Of course shrimp is what we went for. Brian bargained with the vendor and got a good deal (since we are proving to be good customers). Yesterday we purchased 15kg of shrimp to freeze since the shrimp season is winding down.

Bargaining for the best shrimp - quality and size, at the best price is part of the experience. Once purchased, we hired young men to shuck our 15 kg of shrimp. We froze bags for future dinners and then Brian will have the pleasure of de-veining them later. Lucky him!

I made friends with this fish-monger. He was a good sport about having his picture taken, as were all the men working and shopping there. (I was the only woman in sight). I loved his outfit - traditional Saudi clothing but gum boots in place of sandals. He was fast at his trade.

Here is one of our newly-discovered favourite recipes:



Shrimp Pasta:
1 lb shrimp - peeled & deveined
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 Tbsp garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup tomato - diced
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup green onions - chopped
3 cups chicken broth
1 lb vermicelli or linguini
1/2 cup parmesan cheese - grated
In a non-stick frying pan, saute the onion in olive oil for approximately 4 minutes. Add garlic & stir. Add thyme, cayenne, peppers and basil. Cook on low for 5 minutes more. Add everything else except pasta, shrimp & cheese. Cook over low heat for about 30 minutes or until liquid is reduced. In another frying pan, saute the shrimp in some butter and garlic until three-quarters cooked. Add onion & garlic mixture and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add cooked pasta and toss well with grated cheese. Serve hot in a shallow bowl.

You're all invited for dinner!!!

Happy Birthday Allison

Then & Now

It was 27 years ago today that you finally decided to arrive - almost 3 weeks late! I had gone to the hospital the day before to be induced (again) and this time they didn't send me home when you were still stubborn about not coming into this world. They sent your father home to sleep though - to two anxiously waiting grandmas-to-be....and told me to get some sleep. Ha! I was too excited, and anxious. Finally the next day at 2:22pm you made your appearance.

People told us your full head of jet-black hair would fall out, but it never did. We were told your bright blue eyes would likely change colour, but they remained vibrant. Friends console new Moms for lack of sleep with the night-time feedings, but you slept through the night the first night home and every night thereafter. You were a beautiful baby and I loved being a new mother. Everywhere we went, strangers used to stop me to comment on how beautiful you were.

Now here you are 27 years later. It was your hair that changed colour, your eyes are still a crystal blue, and you occassionally wake up in the night (but that's because you're the Mom). When we are together strangers don't stop to tell me how beautiful you are...but they would if they really knew you. Your beauty is in your character, as well as your looks. I'm so very proud of you, just as I always have been. I'm grateful to be your Mom.

Happy Birthday Allison!

Memories to Memoirs

Yesterday I gave a presentation at the Dhahran Women's Group titled Memories to Memoirs. The DWG is the oldest interest group in our community, 62 years old, and many of the other community organizations, such as quilt guild and Adult Education, are spinoffs from it. It is an active organization focused on meeting the needs of women through interest groups, social, educational & cultural activities, outings and much more. At the weekly Monday morning meetings we have cultural presentations, cooking demonstrations, and speakers on a wide variety of topics. Our members represent over 50 countries!

Last fall I gave a presentation on beginning genealogy titled "Discover Your Roots" and enough interest followed that we formed a genealogy interest group which met twice a month. In the presentation yesterday I shared a variety of creative ways to record our life stories in the categories of written, oral, with photos and multi-media. It was well received and I enjoyed doing it. Next month I'll help to organize the Newcomers morning for those ladies who have recently arrived here and have lots of questions.