An Iftar in the privacy of your home and breaking bread with your loved ones on your dining table sounds like a lush idea. But imagine if you don’t have to step into the kitchen, switch on the gas, clean up the dirty dishes after the meal or set the table with cutlery? It’s all done for you.
Here’s what the team from Ghaf Kitchen and their personalised catering service replete with meals made from scratch in your own kitchen promise to deliver.
Chef Max arrived an hour before in my kitchen fitted with basic amenities such as the oven and stove to prep for the evening meal. He was armed with his own set of pans and raw materials needed to whip up a sumptuous fusion meal. Barring using my kitchen appliances such as the oven and stove, he brought in everything he needed. Before the guests arrived around 7pm, candles were lit in the hallway and tea lights arranged on the dining table to add some sparkle and atmosphere to the evening. But the real stars were the freshly prepared food. What’s more? They picked up the plates and cutlery that was used the next day.
So if you are in the mood to throw an iftar feast with frills but no stress, the team from Ghaf Kitchen will work for you.
The Gulf News tabloid! team were there to enjoy the iftar spread. And here’s what they thought:
“The chicken tagine with apricots was a delight to eat. The meat was moist and delicious, thanks to it being bathed in spices and a flavourful sauce. The plump apricots offered a touch a sweetness and eating it along with the couscous and chicken made for a perfect morsel — both in terms of taste and texture.” — Jennifer Barretto, Copy Editor
“The mild beetroot hummus could have benefited from a little more zest — you can never have too much lemon, olive oil and salt with your mashed chickpeas. But the melt-in-your-mouth shoulder of lamb, paired with the herbed pearl couscous, made for an especially satisfying dish — not overly greasy or heavy on the digestive system, but rather a nice, hearty break from rice-centric meals.” — Marwa Hamad, Staff Reporter.
“The Pearl Herbed Cous Cous makes for an ideal addition to any iftar spread. Light and flavourful, the dish is unquestionably a healthier replacement to rice and bread, more so after long hours of fasting. The incorporation of bits and pieces of capsicum and other greens not only adds a pleasant earthy aroma to the dish but also makes it visually appealing.” — Clint Egbert, Photographer.
“I really love Arabic lamb dishes so it’s not a surprise that my favourite was the Moroccan shoulder of lamb with pistachios. Whenever I go for Iftar, I never miss any of the lamb dishes. The Moroccan lamb had a flavourful taste and aroma and the tenderness of the meat was perfect. But I recommend eating it while its freshly cooked or at least still warm, as it enhances the flavour and juiciness of the lamb.” — Irish Eden Belleza, Videographer.
“The most favourite thing in my life is food and after being on a diet all day, getting to a spread that, apart from looking delicious, was beautifully laid out with the aromas making it even more delightful, was a treat. What tickled my fancy after starting with the soup was the twist to the simple hummus, which was beetroot based and took on an entire new personality served with sumac oil and garnished with rose petals, that went well with the artisan breads.
Having a sweet tooth, my favourite from the dessert menu was the chocolate Baklava laid out on saffron custard that added that extra sweet buzz,” — Wilbur Pereira, Editorial Assistant.
“Surprisingly, the cumin spiced lentil soup was the standout dish for me. Placed on the table in little flasks, one for each guest, I could have easily gone for more than one helping of the delicately-flavoured and full-bodied soup, if the rest of the spread hadn’t looked so delectable. Another excellent dish was the Moroccan shoulder of lamb — tender, hearty and flavourful. A few of the dishes could have done with a spicier update, so be sure to let your chef know if you prefer more spices in your food.” — Shyama Krishna Kumar, Copy Editor
“My top three from the menu were the Pearl Herbed Cous Cous, the lamb and the Date Sticky Toffee Pudding. The cous cous I could eat all just by itself and be a happy bunny. And the lamb was so wonderfully done and juicy, it gives the entire meal that respectability it truly deserves. I don’t know what Chef Max did to the pudding but it was light, fluffy and just the right side of sweet. Perfect way to end a hearty meal.” — David Tusing, tabloid! Editor
The details
What: Ghaf Kitchen iftar catering
Price: Dh170 per head for a minimum of 10 people
Timings: Chef needs 2 hours to cook on site (Booking to be done 48 hours in advance).
