4.304 Mixed Grill (The Culprit Kofta)

4.304

5 (Tue) November 2013

Mixed Grill (The Culprit Kofta)

0.0

at Abd el Wahab (Stars Centre)

-Nasr, Cairo, Egypt-

with SYK and other meeting participants

Conference in Egypt: Day 4 of 7

In Cairo.  Here to attend the 1st Expert Consultation on Public Health Law in the Eastern Mediterranean, hosted by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO).  First time in Egypt, first time in Africa.

World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
(ouch)

Exactly 2.5 years ago tomorrow, WHO initiated a project to canvass public health legislation in Member States across the Western Pacific Region – I had participated to help design the methodology.  WHO EMRO invited experts for a consultation this week to advise on how to adapt the model for this region.  Let’s hope that the other regional offices – AFRO in Brazzaville, SEARO in New Delhi, EURO in Copenhagen, and PAHO in Washington DC – soon come calling.

After the day’s proceedings had wrapped this afternoon, a few of us went out for dinner.

3rd dinner in town, 3rd dinner in the mall.
This time at a Lebanese restaurant.
I’m assuming this reads “Abd el Wahab.”

The Levant is a geographical/cultural region historically encompassing parts of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.  Today, the countries associated with the Levant include Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel – Old Testament-type places.  Many dishes loosely categorized as “Middle Eastern” or “Arabic” (e.g., baba ghanoush, falafel, hummus, pita, shashlik, tabbouleh, tahini) are part of the Levantine tradition.  While the dishes are shared among all the countries in the region, Lebanon is often regarded as the modern standard bearer.

Flatbreads with Olives and Tahini (2.5): I’m getting used to this.
Mixed veggie platter (2.5): seems odd to be surrounded by desert, and yet served such fresh and vibrant vegetables.
Assorted Mezze (3.5): awesome.
Falafel (3.5): crispy on the outside, moist on the inside, intense fava bean flavor, excellent tahini dipping sauce.
Samosas (2.0): grilled, with veggie filling.
Fries (2.5): a standard Levantine side dish.
Lamb Sausages (2.5)
That long beef kofta on the right was the likely culprit.

The meal was fantastic.  With locals among us, we ordered proper.  The food was so good, especially the mixed grill, so succulent and tasty, that I took some of the leftovers with me and snacked on them in my hotel room later that night.

A Levantine spread tends to be well-balanced, largely free of oils/fats/sauces/additives – the original healthy diet.

The following day, I came down with the worst case of food poisoning that I’ve had in recent memory, maybe ever.  It was probably the kofta.

(For more details re food, see WHAT)

(For more details re venue, see WHERE IN THE WORLD)

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