Camel Helper
Before leaving Doha for the states to reunion with the family and my new grandson, I visited the MIA with a friend to take in the new exhibit. STEEL AND GOLD is a collection of swords dating from the 9th century to the present. It is a fantastic voyage tracing the technological developments dictated by foot soldiers giving way to mounted cavalry to the ceremonial swords of today that are indicative of military rank and political power. Cold, hardened killing steel has become engraved, gold-filled and jewel encrusted. I have mentioned the Museum of Islamic Art in previous notes to friends. It is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. It was designed by I.M. Pei with the interior gallery spaces developed by JM Wilmotte. The galleries occupy three sides on four floors of a large cube with the forth side a 5-story glass wall looking across the bay to the skyscrapers dotting the shoreline of the City Center. Standing in the open central atrium you look up through the chandelier's delicate geometric arabesque pattern to the dome above. (Recommend Wikapedia for more info) On the fifth floor you will find IDAM the 4-star restaurant where Chef Alain Ducasse enhances traditional Arabic food with elements of French cuisine. The restaurant is closed during the summer months but the museum café on the ground floor is open year round and provides a sampling of what IDAM has to offer. We decided to have a light bite at the café and seated ourselves next to the soothing sounds of the black onyx water fountain. The wait staffer appeared almost immediately asking if we were dining or just having a refreshing drink. She left us with menus and took our drink order to the kitchen. She soon returned with our water and mint tea. She asked if we had any questions about the menu.
I nodded yes and pointed at the item; Pastini avec Capsicum et Camel. Every once in a while those 3 years of French with Madame Louselle at Oak Ridge High School are put to good use. I had everything covered except the camel. I asked, “is it really camel”? To which this really cute, tiny South Asian girl replied, “oh yes sir, but not an old camel, a young camel”.
Wow, that was a relief, nothing worse than tough old boiled camel.
Me being the guy who always recommends gator tail to our out town visitors when
dining at JB’s Fishcamp in NSB, how could I not try this local delicacy. When
it arrived it was beautifully centered in a white plate but looked as though it had been prepared in advance in a shallow
bowl and finished off (microwaved) my dining pleasure. It was hot. It was tasty
but lacked any complexity of flavors. Then I thought, this is what I always imagined
hamburger helper would taste like. Which, BTW, is available at local grocery
stores.
Dusty
