City of the Gates: Chapter 2

You will leave now, and I shall not see you again. Saud affrimingly said.

The man leaves towards his horse with slow steps and rigid movements, when all of a sudden he draws his sword as he turns back to strike it in Saud's position. Saud anticipating the move, had already shifted his position quietly to the right prior to the man's foolish decision. Saud quickly pulls his dagger from under his belt and peirces the man directly in his thigh. The man drops his sword in extreme pain.

Now you will guide to Likwait.

Saud picks up the injured man and puts him back on his horse with whatever energy is left in him and ties his thigh with the mans own chmagh. He then ties his horse to the camel. The man now losing blood, just points in the direction of the city and falls back on the horse.

Saud now with enough water, was avble to carry own. In a few hours was able to see something in the distant. It apears like observation towers, but then the heat could be tricking his mind. As he approached, he began to see movement around it at the base. It was men camping at the base. Saud was releived. It had to be the city of the gates.

The men directed Saud to enter from the nearest gate. Al Shamiya gate. Once there, Saud was surpirsed to see the gates open and welcoming gestures were given by the men guarding it. This side of the city was almost barren. Saud needed to reach the market before dark.

He finally reaches the souk just in time to get the rations he needs for the next few days to settle. The souk filled with labyrinths selling everything from spice to building materials to dates to gold and pearls. It was the first time Saud see's pearls. They were as beautiful as a womens eyes. Shimmering through the darkness of the market. This is the gold of the sea he had heard about.

With what he is carrying, he can buy the whole lot. Atleast that is what he was told he can do.

Hello sir, I am new in this town. Where can I find Cavanaugh?

Cavanaugh? The foreigner you mean? He comes every now and then to trade. What business do you have with him? Ask the frail old merchant.

Well that is what I am here to find out.



Kuwaiti Tashreeba

The Kuwaiti tashreeba consists of Lamb curry soaked crispy wafer thin sheets of enleavened bread called Rgag with potatoes and pumpkin.

Ingredients:

1 kg Lamb cutlets
3 Large potatoes large cubes
1/2 kilo Pumpkin large cubes
2 Large onions chopped
6 large tomatoes chopped
1 cup water
1 Garlic head
1 tbs. Kuwaiti mixed spice
1 tbs curry powder
1 tsp. turmeric powder
2 bay leafs
3 full dried limes (loomi)
1 tbs. tamarind paste
1 small can tomato paste
1 tbs. loomi powder
1 package Rgag (substitute stale bread if not available)
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Method:

Wash lamb carefully and apply turmeric powder and coat well. Leave to marinate in fridge for atleast an hour. Wash again. Heat oil in deep pot and add meat until well browned to seal in the juices. Then add 1 onion chopped, kuwaiti mixed spice and curry poweder. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, dried lime, 2 bay leafs and water and bring to a boil. Simmer and stir occasionaly for 2 hours. Add potatoes, pumpkin, tomato paste and tamarind paste and cook for a further 45 minutes. Meanwhile heat some oil in a frying pan. Fry rest of the onion with loomi powder.

Place Rgag in deep dish and soak with curry in layers. Place the lamb, potato, garlic, loomi and pumpkin on top and garnish with fried onions.

Optional: You can add carrot, green bell pepper, zuchini and squash or whatever vegetable you fancy. Also you can add black eyed beans.

Other Variation:

Duck Mussaman Tashreeba - tashreeba made with a curry of the muslims of south Thailand that consists of potato, peanuts, duck, a paste of lemongrass, keffir lime leaves, galangal (similar to ginger), birds eye chilli, and bather in coconut milk.