There is nothing like spending time with good friends. When it comes to delicious meals it’s even better. This is what the following story is about a birthday party in a Middle Eastern restaurant. Towards its end, I received a present myself – a sahlab drink recipe!
It was a cold, wintry night in Philadelphia. My group of friends and I had made plans to celebrate one of our friend’s birthdays. Eagerly anticipating the evening ahead, we decided to try out a new Middle Eastern restaurant in the city that we had been hearing so much about. We were all thrilled at the prospect of sampling the delectable flavors and unique cuisine characteristic of this region.
As we took our seats at the table and began to inspect the menu, we instantly felt a sense of comfort and hospitality from the employees. The restaurant was incredibly inviting, with classic décor on display throughout its walls. The tantalizing aromas of flavorful herbs were filling the atmosphere with their enticing scents. This hospitable environment immediately charmed us.
As we savored our delicious meal of falafel, shawarma, and kebabs, our attention gradually shifted towards the dessert menu. We were immediately drawn to one mouthwatering item: the sahlab drink. This was a completely unfamiliar dessert to us and we were eager to learn more about it. The thought of this tantalizing new treat made us anticipate the end of the meal even more!
The server kindly enlightened us that the sahlab drink was a classic Middle Eastern sweet treat. It was made of crafted from orchid root powder, milk, sugar, and an assortment of spices. Additionally, she informed us that the restaurant’s experienced Arab female chef prepared it for us.
As we eagerly anticipated the arrival of our sahlab drink, we struck up a conversation with the chef and excitedly inquired about the recipe for this delectable dessert. She was more than pleased to reveal it to us, and we were deeply moved by her benevolence and readiness to impart her cultural heritage.
The sahlab drink that we tried turned out to be incredible, offering a tempting combination of sweetness and spiciness. Not to mention, its remarkable smoothness and creaminess delighted us! It was undoubtedly one of the most delicious desserts we had ever tasted.
After completing our meal, we were incredibly grateful for the chef’s amazing sahlab drink and for her kind gesture of sharing her recipe with us. We expressed our appreciation to the chef for providing us with such an exquisite dish and thanked her profusely for being so generous. She grinned broadly and expressed her delight that we had relished the meal, expressing a wish that we would return to her restaurant soon. She beamed with pleasure at our appreciation of her culinary delights and cordially invited us back without delay.
That night at the restaurant in Philadelphia was a night we will never forget. Not only did we have the pleasure of enjoying some truly delectable cuisine, but it was also incredibly heartwarming to experience such hospitality and benevolence from all the people that we encountered. It was an evening full of fond memories that will stay with us for many years to come. Food is not only a means of providing sustenance to our bodies, but it is also a way of connecting with others and experiencing different cultures. It serves as a reminder that meals are more than just consuming nutrients; they can be opportunities for us to come together in celebration and enjoy meaningful moments with those around us.
That dessert, along with the wonderful memories we made while preparing it, will always occupy a treasured spot in our hearts and our recipe book. We cherish the time spent together in creating something special that we can look back upon fondly. It is a reminder of the joys of sharing an experience with those you love.
Here’s a traditional Middle Eastern sahlab drink recipe, the one I had in that restaurant:
Ingredients:
- 1 liter (4 cups) of whole milk
- 25g (3 1/2 tablespoons) of cornstarch
- 6 teaspoons of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pistachios
How to make a sahlab drink?
- In a saucepan, mix the ingredients: milk with cornstarch as well as sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Using a whisk, continuously stir the mixture over medium heat until it reaches the boiling point. Gently warming the combination while stirring is essential.
- Bring the combination to a boiling point, constantly stirring, and let it boil for two minutes until it thickens and turns into a creamy texture.
- Serve mugs full of steaming hot sahlab drink and complement them with a sprinkle of cinnamon, as well as desiccated coconut, and either pistachios or walnuts for added flavor.
The sahlab drink is highly recommended to drink during winter nights while tucked up and watching television. Enjoy!
