Camels in the Camel Crossing

It took a year but Russ and I were on our way to Riyadh and finally were able to take a photo of camels in the background of a camel crossing sign. We had sheep photos, we had goat photos, but only a camel in the background would do.

Colorful Chicken

I had a chicken recipe that sounded good but by the time I finished adding the "extra" stuff I like it ended up being much more colorful and much more flavorful than the original. I baked this in the oven and it tasted great.

Fahga (Truffles)

The Northeastern area of Saudi Arabia is the number #1 prime location for growing fahga. I went looking for it in the markets in Hafr Al-Batin and couldn't find any. So I called my friend Fahad Al-Sahli and he told me to quit looking and he would bring me some to work in the morning. I told him I was wanting a kilo so I could share with my friends and that I would pay him. True to his word, he brought a kilo the next morning and would not accept any money for it. According to the paper the going rate is 200-250 SAR ($50-$70 USD) per kilo.

I shared with some of the guys and I scoured the interent for recipes and kept coming up with fancy French methods. I talked to some friends and they gave me guidance from "cook it like a potato" to " cook it like a piece of meat". I ended up cooking it with pasta and a bit of garlic, with pasta and a spaghetti-type sauce and with a tomatoe, onion and pepper sauce. It gives the food a smoky-earthy flavor not at all like any mushroom I have tasted. All were equally good and I will try it again next year.

Can You See Me?

This is the first photo of SSK's kittens since soon after they were born. This one thought she was hidden well until the camera flash went off and she hissed and retreated further back into the bushes. Whether you like or don't like cats, you've got to admit their kittens are always entertaining.

Another funny note is these little runts can climb a stucco wall with no problem. After they get up there though, there is no place to go but down. One of the Laws of Physics (gravity), you know.

I guess I am one of those people who are easily amused at animals because I can remember laughing out loud watching pigs run as if on cue every time Rick or George honked the feed truck horn out at the Stephens' place. Picturing a mass of young pigs all snorting and running to who knows where is still hilarious to me now.

SSK Kittens

My immediate neighborhood is about 8/10ths of a mile all the way around with 55 houses or villas as they call them here, of which less than half are occupied. With that many hiding places for a cat to choose from I haven’t been actively trying to find Salty Saudi Kitty's kittens. I figure when they are old enough to eat solid food they’ll be around my back porch often enough. Nothing is more fun to watch than little puppies or kittens play so I admit I have been anticipating seeing them.

My co-worker, Russ, is coming back from vacation soon so I was doing a little bit of work on his car when SSK appeared. I searched around a little and she had hidden the kittens behind Russ’ house in a lantana bush. They’re real cute but are feisty enough to hiss and howl if you pick them up. I tried to handle them a bit, so they’ll get used to people, and paid for it with a couple scratches here and there.

How Soccer (Football) Explains the World

I have a book titled How Soccer Explains the World, by Franklin Foer, which attempts to explain our world through the history of teams from soccer-loving nations. I lived a little bit of Foer's book the other evening.

This is a photo of my buddy Shallah’s tent which is in front of his house, inside his 3 meter stone fence. This is where we watched Saudi Arabia play Portugal in an International Friendly Football match. These matches are played as tune-ups for this year’s upcoming World Cup matches to be played in Germany beginning June 9.

It is true Sports transcend cultural, national and political boundaries. I enjoyed rooting for the Saudis even though they lost. It was so funny, because just like after a Chiefs or Jayhawks game, the Saudi analysts opined about the plays and players for another 2 hours. I can only understand bits and pieces of the language but the expressions and animation of the Saudi team's analysts didn't need any translation.

I am very jealous! Shallah’s tent has everything guys need to have a good time. It is carpeted, fully lighted and has running water, a TV, fireplace / grill, back rests galore and soft pillows to lean on while you drink your tea, coffee or snack on fruit. I think I'll bring one home with me.

Springtime is Barbeque Time

For all of you who barbeque even in the snow and rain (like my family and I do at home), you know it doesn't have to be good weather to cookout. Well, this weekend was SO NICE I had to cook something outside.

I went to the local fish market and bought a tuna and a grouper. I had the tuna cut into steaks and filleted the grouper. I cooked the grouper enclosed in tin foil with a mix of scallions, onion chunks, fresh garlic, green peppers and tiny little hot pickled peppers from Turkey all covered with a bit of teriyaki, soy and Worchester sauces mixed together and OH MY GOSH! I cooked a potato with garlic and onions to go with it and nuked some frozen peas. The fish was so good I forgot the peas in the microwave until I was almost finished.

What a perfect barbeque. Only thing missing was family and friends! :-) BTW - SSK had a fish-head soup feast for about four days. She REALLY loves me now. I may not do that again though, as I had a heckuva time getting the fish smell out of my soup pot. Any pointers from you cooks out there on how to get rid of that fish smell?