Starry, starry night

Last May 26, 2009, the La Chaine des Rotisseurs held a fellowship dinner with a theme “A Night with the Stars” and venue for the affair was La Vista, the residence of Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, the Bailli Delegue-Chancelier and the Bailli du Baillage de Cebu, in Maria Luisa, Banilad.

Ambiance of the party includes the humble home of the Lhuilliers, the magnificent view of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapulapu and the seeming nearness of the heavens reminded me of the song “Vincent”, a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “The Starry Night”. With global warming and other weather peculiarities, very difficult gyud to hold a garden party and the hosts had to pray very hard for good weather with solicited help from cloistered nuns.

Dress code was Middle Eastern and popular dishes from these countries were prepared by Gustavian’s Executive Chef Dietmar Dietrich. Small problem on this attire and I had to seek help from my Muslim friend in Marawi City. Along came the Shalwar kameez and the accompanying headgear. Definitely an original from Pakistan (not pirated!), but a Sherwani Suit Jacket with a Kufi would have been more appropriate.

Moving quickly for the photos to accompany this article, I visited the Appetizer Station and found the beautiful assembly of many exotic dishes. On display were the Hummus, Tabbouleh, Mutabbal, Mini Dolmades, Vegetable Samosa with Tzatziki Dip, Horiatiki Salad, and Stuffed Blanquite with Avgolomono Sauce.

Hummus is an Arabic spread made from cooked and puréed chickpeas flavoured with tahini (made from sesame spread), lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt. Chickpea is a rich source of protein and when taken with bread, it is a complete meal. I recalled that it was very filling, so exercised caution because these were just the meze (appetizers). And all types of breads were available like Olive bread, Naan, Pita and Chapatis.

Very similar to Hummus is Mutabbal, this time the principal ingredient is eggplant, baked or charcoal broiled, then mashed. Vegetable Samosa with Tzatziki Dip is similar to our empanada except that the shape is triangular or tetrahedron-shaped.

Mini Dolmades refers to stuffed vegetable dishes and usually the wrapper is made from grape leaf. Eggplant, tomato, zucchini and peppers are often used although in some versions, meat is added. Horiatiki Salad consists of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, feta cheese, olives and other green veggies, seasoned with oregano, olive oil and salt.

Stuffed Blanquite with Avgolomono Sauce is something new to me like and has the appearance of baguettes stuffed with olives and other ingredients; the sauce is made of broth and egg with lemon juice added, heated until thick but before its boils and solidifies.

During dinner time, I took small portions of each of the above and acknow-ledged that I had a surplus of vitamins, minerals and phyto-chemicals. Loved the Blanquite and digestion of excess fibres was aided by the unending supply of wines from Michel Lhuillier’s private collection. 

The Show Station would be very familiar to my beloved readers because Lamb Shawarma and Beef Shawarma with condiments were also served. Murag fast food na, this Middle Eastern dish and today, gas flame is used. Your favorite food columnist, however, prefers the more traditional method of using, excuse me, fire wood (hard wood!) because the smoke itself adds flavor.

Main dishes were the following: Bukhari Rice, Couscous Paella, Vegetable Mousaka, Lamb Shank with Prunes, Raisins and Apricot sauce, Chicken Tandoori and Prawn Curry and, as usual, I had to taste everything.        It is very difficult to dissect the flavors of the dishes because I have not tasted the original form of the dish in the country of its origin. But I am certain that the Bukhari rice was truly exceptional.

Closing this Middle Eastern dinner was the Semolina and Cinnamon Squares, Dried Fruit Tart, Coconut milk-Walnut Pudding and Figs with Thyme Honey.

And slowly the stars started to disappear, raindrops started to fall and it was time to say goodbye to the “A Night with the Stars”.