If you want wholesome, nutrient-dense snack choices, try Loqmatain date bars — a Saudi brand that offers healthy tasty snacks made of different types.
Loqmatain is an Arabic expression that translates as eating a small portion of food or snack, which reflects on the concept of the brand, as it offers on-the-go date bars and dip snacks that you can take to work to have with your morning coffee, or on a road trip. They are also suitable for children as Loqmatain’s products are rich in fiber and naturally sweetened.
The bars on offer are an updated version of those popular in the 80s and 90s, filled with biscuits and wrapped with date paste.
Each product is accompanied by different toppings and optional dips, including tahini, pistachio, and chocolate. The local brand deals almost exclusively with local farmers, to ensure good quality.
You can find them in supermarkets and coffee shops in many cities in Saudi Arabia. For more information visit their website: Loqmatain.com or Instagram account @loqmatain
Where We Are Going Today: Copa Boutique Chocolate Workshop in Jeddah
The interactive chocolate-making experience, said to be the first of its kind in Jeddah, is available until the end of the year
Updated 07 September 2024
Nada Hameed
Explore the magic of chocolate like never before with an interactive workshop experience at Shangri-La Jeddah, where participants embark on an engaging and educational culinary journey under the expert guidance of chef Paul.
It all begins with a warm welcome at Copa Boutique, where the rookie chocolatiers are presented with a personalized apron embroidered with their initials. This is a nice touch that sets the stage for an unforgettable session.
The participants are taken to the kitchen area where they learn to use the same equipment the professionals typically use. Chef Paul showcases his expertise as he demonstrates and explains how he creates delicious pralines, employing a hands-on approach to teach the various techniques he uses.
Participants get to experience every stage of the process, from selecting and crafting the ingredients to decorating and personalizing their creations. This immersive experience truly allows one to fully understand and appreciate the art and science of chocolate-making.
After completing our masterpieces, we were treated to a bespoke tasting session. This sweet conclusion to our chocolate-crafting journey gave us an even deeper appreciation for the art of creation.
The interactive chocolate-making experience, said to be the first of its kind in Jeddah, is available until the end of the year. The minimum age for participants is 10, with a minimum of two people per class and a maximum of six. It costs SR300 ($80) per person.
From thin to thriving: Saudi content creator shares health tips to thousands
Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram
Updated 07 September 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Saudi nutrition and culinary content creator Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram who struggle with being underweight.
Known online as Heem Fit, Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking.
“All of my recipes are healthy and without deprivation. The basic idea of all my recipes is to maintain the beautiful flavor and increase the nutritional value, and my followers love them,” he told Arab News.
“Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” says Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani. (Supplied)
The 27-year-old computer engineer began with a struggle against extreme thinness, leading him to discover not only the importance of nutrition, but also his love for creating delicious meals.
“I never expected that one day I would practice weight training and be in the field of cooking,” he added.
His transformation started when he faced a significant challenge: Despite trying a range of methods, he struggled to gain weight. Growing up, Al-Dosaimani often cooked alongside his mother, who encouraged him to eat more. “I would tell her I wanted to gain weight, and she’d say I had to eat a lot, but I didn’t quite understand what that meant.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• In 2017, Al-Dosaimani took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills.
• The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time.
In 2017, he took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills. “I found joy in cooking and could spend hours in the kitchen without noticing the time fly by.”
The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time. Realizing that he was not eating as much as he thought, Al-Dosaimani delved into the world of nutrition.
“I started learning about calories, macronutrients and how to meet my dietary needs effectively,” he said.
Known online as Heem Fit, Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking. (Supplied)
By early 2021, Al-Dosaimani decided to share his journey and knowledge with a broader audience. “I wanted to change people’s perceptions of healthy eating.”
He started creating content and, to date, has filmed more than 250 recipes across various social media platforms, reaching thousands of viewers. His primary goal is to raise awareness about healthy eating and reshape how people perceive it.
“At first, appearing in front of the camera was difficult for me, and I did not like to show my face. Of course, the editing and the way of filming were a challenge, but with time, I was able to develop myself and present the recipe better, and I showed my face,” Al-Dosaimani added.
Throughout his journey, he has faced several challenges, including a lack of nutritional knowledge that delayed his progress. “Not being fully versed in nutrition led to delayed results,” he said. He also encountered misconceptions about healthy eating resulting in bland food that lacks flavor, which he combats by creating delicious recipes that mirror fast food favorites. “I love making burger recipes because I’m a burger lover,” he added.
For those looking to gain weight and be healthy, Al-Dosaimani highlights the importance of a structured meal plan alongside a resistance training regimen to build muscle mass.
“It’s essential to eat high-calorie, low-volume foods that provide the necessary nutrients without overwhelming you,” he said.
Understanding calories and macronutrients has been crucial in Al-Dosaimani’s journey. “Once you grasp these concepts, you can enjoy your food without feeling deprived or restricted. That mindset shift is vital,” he said.
The most rewarding aspect of his work is the positive feedback he receives from those who have benefited from his recipes. “I love hearing from people who have changed their bodies because of my recipes,” he added.
Looking ahead, Al-Dosaimani is excited about an upcoming project: “I’m working on an e-book dedicated to healthy recipes, which will also have educational content to enhance nutrition awareness.”
Reflecting on his transformation, Al-Dosaimani said he would advise his younger self to seek out the right methods to gain weight and to deepen his understanding of nutrition. “Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” he said.
His passion for cooking and helping others continues to drive him as he evolves in his fitness and culinary pursuits.
“Through my journey, I not only changed my life, but also hope to inspire countless others to embrace healthy eating and a balanced lifestyle.”
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Cookie Boo’ in Hayy Jameel, Jeddah
The crazy chocolate cookie is a chocolate lover’s dream, filled with cream cheese and dark and white chocolate
Updated 03 September 2024
Nada Hameed
If you’re in Jeddah and craving a sweet treat, head to the recently opened Cookie Boo in Hayy Jameel.
One of the highlights is how they serve their cookies: warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies with ice-cold milk. It’s the ideal pairing, especially when you dip the warm cookie into the chilly milk for the ultimate bite. And if you’re vegan, they’ve got you covered with coconut milk and almond milk options.
Aside from the classics, they also offer some unique stuffed cookies that are worth trying. Their matchy matcha cookies, stuffed with cream cheese and raspberries, are a delicious blend of sweet and tangy.
The crazy chocolate cookie is a chocolate lover’s dream, filled with cream cheese and dark and white chocolate. The caramel crunch cookie, filled with caramelized chocolate, will be satisfying especially if you’re a caramel lover.
If you enjoy baking at home, you can buy frozen cookie dough and bake fresh cookies for your loved ones. The dough, which costs SR55 ($14), is enough to make eight cookies.
I tried the stuffed cookie box, which allowed me to sample three flavors. Cookie Boo also offers a box of six classic chocolate chip cookies with two sauces.
To complement their cookies, Cookie Boo’s menu features regular and iced coffees, as well as matcha lattes. I opted for a matcha latte with coconut milk, although the additional SR5 charge was a bit of a downside.
Cookie Boo also sells matcha powder, tote bags and T-shirts featuring their funky cookie mascot and other fun designs.
For updates and more details check their Instagram @cookieboo_sa.
In Noug’s gelato recipe, camel milk, which helps produce a thick, creamy consistency, is the primary ingredient
Updated 02 September 2024
Jasmine Bager
With 2024 being the “Year of the Camel,” lovers of the indigenous “ships of the desert” can sink their spoons into creamy, lactose-free, premium gelato from Noug, a PIF-funded company from Sawani.
All seven distinct gelato flavors made from camel milk are now available at select local Saudi supermarkets across the Kingdom.
While camels have long been symbols of the country, few households in modern Saudi cities consume camel milk as part of their daily diet.
Noug, a relatively new brand on the market, has been expanding its business model rapidly in recent years. Launched this summer, the gelato offers customers a sweet way to rediscover the merits of camel milk.
In Noug’s gelato recipe, camel milk, which helps produce a thick, creamy consistency, is the primary ingredient. Since gelato is also churned at a much slower speed than ice cream, less air gets into the mix, making the cool dessert denser and richer.
We tried the coffee and cardamom flavor. As a lover of coffee, gelato and cardamom, I was a bit hesitant to try this camel milk version, but once I did, it truly hit the spot. It did not taste “weird” at all, but rather like gelato I might find somewhere in Europe, only with a distinctly Saudi flavoring and better packaging.
Each container includes a small spoon underneath the lid, which is convenient. The branding is on point too, with a camel-shaped barcode at the back. It was enjoyable and not foreign at all to my tongue.
Noug opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in the Saudi capital last year. Since then, it has established branches in AlUla, Jeddah, Makkah and a series of trucks in Alkhobar. It also offers delivery via various food apps.
Supermarkets now stock the cool stuff in the freezer aisle, so you can pick up a flavor — or all seven — to try on your next visit to the frozen dessert section. Each one goes for SR17 ($4).
Gail’s Bakery co-founder dismisses claims of Israeli ownership as ‘ridiculous’
Updated 31 August 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The co-founder and chief executive of London’s Gail's Bakery, Tom Molnar, has addressed claims that the bakery is Israel-owned and opposed to the ceasefire, calling these allegations “ridiculous.”
In an interview with The Times, Molnar said: “Gail’s proudly has Jewish roots and there’s plenty of stuff out there celebrating our heritage and history, but it’s not true it’s Israel-owned.
“There’s some just crazy stuff on the web thinking we are funding Israel, which is just completely ridiculous. We’re a wholly UK-based business, paying UK taxes, it’s just ludicrous and I think it needs to be called out,” Molnar added.
The backlash against the bakery has been growing over the past month, fueled by posts like one from author Salma Ibrahim on X, who wrote: “Guys, Gail’s is an Israeli company. Another one to boycott along with Starbucks and Pret.” Her post garnered over 3,700 shares and likes, reaching nearly 300,000 people.