12/07/2018


Swiss Christmas Market, Abu Dhabi 2018

I can't believe it is Swiss Christmas Market time in Abu Dhabi already! I can't think where this year has gone. It seems to have passed by in a flash.

I accompanied a group of the Expat Ladies, Abu Dhabi, to the Beach Rotana hotel where we walked around the market and then had a Christmas High Tea together.


The Swiss Christmas Market is where locals and expats can share sell their handicrafts, and this year I spotted some really interesting ones.


These products are made entirely from recycled material. Their message is: "When advertising posters are at the end of their campaign and destined to be destroyed, Etuix recycles them, transforming them into purses, bags, backpacks, wallets, shoes and belts." Their motto is "Don't spend to destroy...Invest to create." You can find out more from etuix.com.


Here is their General Manager, Matteo Boffa, showing a backpack made from a PVC advertising poster.


This lovely lady in the next door booth was selling her own handmade products.


I then came across Gunjan Shrivastrava selling her amazing art. 


Her wonderful pictures are made by rolling strips of cloured paper, and glueing them to her base. It must take hours of dedication to achieve these beautiful works of art.


I just loved this couple selling camel milk soap. 


These two turned out to be South Africans enjoying their time here in Abu Dhabi.

Apparently, camel milk is especially high in valuable Alpha-Hydroxy acids, which plump the skin and help to smooth fine lines. It is also effective at repairing damaged tissue. I just had to buy some. If you want to know more, visit the camelsoapfactory.com.

After having experienced the wonderful offerings of the Swiss Christmas Market, It was time for our high tea.


Here is the group of Expat Ladies, who I am delighted to call friends...


...and here is one of the tiered trays of Christmas goodies.

Although there were only eight of us, we had 4 of these, and, as there was so much on offer, some managed to take home a doggie bag. I hope I get to experience next year's Swiss Christmas Market. They are always such fun.


And no Swiss anything wouldn't be complete without Swiss chocolate.


Merry Christmas to everyone.

Elizabeth Coughlan

10/30/2018

Italian Cooking Class, Grand Hyatt, Abu Dhabi


Our master chef, Marco Pistillo, on the right, with his assistant, Andre,
and the restaurant manager, Pedro, on the left.

I was fortunate to attend another cooking class, organized by the Expat Women’s group in Abu Dhabi. This time it was an Italian cooking class, in the Grand Hyatt’s Verso restaurant, where we learned to make Parmigiana di Melanzane (Eggplant Parmigiana).

Marco Pistillo, the Italian chef, initially gave us an overview of the history of the dish, the one his mother used to make. Here is the information he gave us:-

“Although eggplant parmesan is one of the widespread recipes in southern Italy, it is uncertain where the recipe actually comes from. Some believe it is Sicilian, while others claim that it comes from Naples or Parma. There are even contradicting theories on the origins of the name of the dish. People make the obvious connection with the city of Parma, or at least with Parmigiano Reggiano, but there is also a theory that the name comes from the Sicilian term parmiciana, which refers to the wooden blinds that are layered when closed – just like the layers of eggplant in the dish.

What is certain, however, is that the first recipe for eggplant parmesean was written by Vincenzo Corrado, the personal cook to various noble Neapolitan families between the 18th and 19th centuries and also the author of "Ïl Cuoco Galante”.

In his recipe, Corrado suggests layering the eggplant, however, the first recipe that is most similar to how the dish is made today was written by Ippolito Cavalcanti in his book, “Cucina Teorica-Pratica", in which he suggested alternating the layers of eggplant with cheese and tomato.”



Marco showed us how thick to slice the eggplant…


…and how it would look deep-fried

He followed this with demonstrating the layering of the eggplant, parmesan cheese and tomato sauce, to make the completed dish.


Our group watching the demonstration

Here is Marco Pistillo’s recipe (quantity depends on the size of the dish, but I have given his measures).

Ingredients
Eggplants
Passata (I give the quantities Marco uses)
2.5 kilos Tinned tomatoes
250g Sliced Onion
25g Chopped Garlic
100g Olive Oil
30g Salt
15g Sugar
Basil
Parmesan Cheese

1 Slice the eggplant into 1cm wide slices.
2 Sprinkle each side lightly with salt and leave to stand over a sink for about 30 minutes.
3 Rinse well and pat dry on paper towel.
4 While the eggplant is draining, prepare the passata. Drain the liquid from the tinned tomatoes and mash the tomatoes. Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil until soft. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer slowly for 1 hour while stirring, until the sauce has reduced slightly.
5 Spoon a small amount of the passata into the bottom of a deep baking dish.
6 Place a layer of eggplant over the top, then layer with sauce, cheese, eggplant and continue until all ingredients have been used.
7 Top with cheese.
8 Bake at 180C for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

After watching Marco prepare his delicious -looking dish, we had lunch. Here are the dishes we were served:


Tomatoes with Cheese

 

Cheese and Walnut Salad.


Beef Slices with Rocket


Delicious Pizza


Eggplant Parmigiana – unfortunately, I was too busy eating and didn’t remember
to take the photo until it was too late.


We ended the meal with our choice of ice-cream

We had a fun day watching Marco prepare his dish, and the following lunch was so delicious, I, for one,  didn’t need to eat for the rest of the day.

Elizabeth Coughlan

10/14/2018

Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk, Abu Dhabi


Traditional fishing boats in Abu Dhabi, in the early morning light

Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk has been running for 11 years. It is held on the first Saturday of October each year when photographers around the world meet up to socialise and take photos of their surroundings. It really is a worldwide phenomenon, as the walks happen annually in nearly 1,000 cities around the world. The walk also supports the Springs of Hope Kenya Orphanage, an organisation that feeds, houses, educates and empowers young orphans, so they can grow up to not just survive, but to succeed.

This year I was lucky enough to join two walks in Abu Dhabi, one beginning at 5:30 am, and the other at 4:30 pm. For both walks, my leader was Marvin Nuto (philosopher, fine artist, professional photographer, educator, and public speaker).

The first walk was around the Al Meena Fish Market. Located on Port Zayed, an important international port for trade. Al Meena Fish Market is one of the few remaining historical areas of Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, the day was hot, humid, and very foggy, but we persevered.


Marvin photographing one of the iconic fish restaurants near the fish market

We walked down the harbourside, where we saw fishermen constructing traditional fishing nets.



These nets are towed behind the fishing boats to trap the fish

We left the quayside and entered the fish market. As we entered through a small door, I was amazed at the size of the place, and how busy it was. Workers were fully engaged in wheeling in and loading the fish onto slabs, ready for sale.


The fish looked and smelled really fresh


This man was delighted to show us the size of this Kingfish

The evening walk started on Manarat Al Saadiyat. This is a purpose-built art and culture centre with many galleries housing collections from both international and local artists. They also hold a number of different exhibits and concerts throughout the year.


There was a really interesting photography exhibition, with wonderful
images by local photographers


The entrance to Manarat Al Saadiyat.

From there we went to the Louvre, Abu Dhabi, in the hopes of capturing some interesting sunset shots. Unfortunately, because of the high temperatures and humidity, we weren’t as successful as we hoped, but we did get some interesting shots.




I like this one of the restaurant in the evening light. What do you think?


Lights gradually coming on inside the museum, as daylight fades

Scot Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk is a great way to explore a city and take home great memories. Thank you Scot Kelby, and my leader on these walks, Marvin Nuto.

Elizabeth Coughlan




7/28/2018

Finding Motivation in Unexpected Places


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This was an article of mine that was published by Great Escape Publishing in their Breakfast Stock Club Newsletter.

Finding Motivation in Unexpected Places
By Elizabeth Coughlan

I sometimes think procrastination is my middle name. I seem to be busy all and every day, but really have little to show for all my endeavours. I’m always saying, “I must get around to it.", and then go off on a tangent finding other things to do.

No more! I recently had two wake-up calls that have finally spurred me into action. The first was from Lori Allen at Great Escape Publishing, who started a recent newsletter with:

“Dear Elizabeth, Why are you here? Is it freedom you’re after?  Is it creativity?  Is it income?”

And then went on to say, “Some just want a quiet income and a pat on the back every once in a while, from friends who say behind your back: “Elizabeth takes really great photos.”

I gasped, “Oh, no, that’s me all over.”

I’m happy with just making a little something from my stock images, but I could really do much better. While I was mulling this over, I looked at my horoscope for the month. I couldn’t believe what I read. It said:

“This is the perfect time to take stock and figure out where you want to go... Time to realign with your purpose, Elizabeth, and set new energies into motion!”

Now anyone who knows me is aware I am a stock photographer, but the online muse didn’t know, and was obviously referring to something else.

Hilarious or what?

But I took it as a sign to get moving. So I’m now going into overdrive with my submissions, with great results. In fact, I have amazed myself with my recent sales. Here are some shots I recently took in Australia, that have been selling well:


They illustrate the terrible drought they have been having recently.

I am processing and uploading every day, instead of just occasionally when I get around to it, and instead of my year’s target of 500 stock images in my portfolios, I have doubled that figure to 1,000 to achieve by the end of the year.

So thanks for the motivation Great Escape Publishing, and to whoever writes those horoscopes.

Elizabeth Coughlan

4/21/2018

Chocolate Master Class, Southern Sun, Abu Dhabi


Our Chocolate masterclass attendees

The Expat Women’s group, here in Abu Dhabi, organized a Chocolate Master Class at the Southern Sun Hotel, followed by high tea. We had a fun afternoon learning about how chocolate delicacies are made, by Don Munasinghe, the Executive Pastry Chef at the hotel.


 Don described the contents of the various types of chocolate


 Don’s assistant was Sameera


They showed us an assortment of chocolate and fillings
which we couldn’t resist tasting


Don had prepared some empty chocolate bases and showed us how to add the filling


Then we had to try it for ourselves


Our efforts were a little less than pristine

I must confess to making the most mess trying to squirt the blueberry filling into the bases. Whereas Don’s fillings were exact with no added mess, mine, especially, definitely missed the mark on occasions.


Rolling dark chocolate truffle

While our filled trays were cooling in the fridge, Don showed us how to roll Dark Truffle Chocolate into balls, and then cover them in chocolate powder. His were perfectly spherical and all the same, while ours were a little oddly shaped, and different sizes. Obviously needs more practice.


Our chocolate master showing us how to make the chocolate bases

At each step, Don explained about the equipment that was best to use, and also how important it is to get the temperature of the chocolate right at each stage. Once the chocolate has melted, it has to be cooled to between 28 and 30 degrees before it is put into a mould. Then it must be quickly processed before it becomes too hard.


Some of the ladies did very well

I decided not to try this, as I was sure mine would end up all over the floor. I am not renowned for my culinary skills. Unfortunately, because I so obviously hung back, I was pushed forward when Don demonstrated how to wrap a cake in chocolate.


Can you tell which is mine and which is the one Don made?
The clue might be in the chocolatey fingerprints I managed to leave. 


Don mixed white and dark chocolate…


…smoothed them together, and pushed out stems…


…and then petals, to the amazement of us all.


 Our Master Chocolatier with our final masterpieces


After the class, it was time for tea. Here are some of the delights.


 Yummy!


 Delicious

This was such a fun activity, and everyone enjoyed it immensely. If ever you get the chance to attend a Chocolate Master Class at the Southern Sun Hotel, don’t hesitate. No one minds if you make a mess, there’s absolutely no pressure. I am smiling now just thinking about it.

Elizabeth Coughlan

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I couldn't resist this one!