Arid Appetites

Indulge your senses with a plethora of exquisite recipes that capture the essence of the desert landscape. Discover the luxurious flavours and textures of the Sembar region and beyond, crafted with the freshest and most succulent ingredients that thrive in the arid climate. Savour the art of home cooking and immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of this breathtaking terrain. Please note, certain recipes may require specific regional ingredients unique to the Sembar region and some ingredients may be brought in through trade.

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Arid Appetites

Date and Nut Balls

These sweet and nutty date balls are a simple and satisfying dessert that can be made with just a few ingredients.
Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of chopped dates
• 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, or a mix)
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your fire-based oven to medium heat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, chopped dates, chopped nuts, ground cinnamon, and salt.
3. Add the water and olive oil to the bowl and stir until the ingredients are well combined and form a thick batter.
4. Grease a small baking dish or skillet with a bit of olive oil, and pour the batter into the dish.
5. Place the dish into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
6. Remove the dish from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
7. Slice into pieces and serve with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of powdered sugar if desired.

Lizard and Date Stew

A hearty and flavorful stew made with lizard meat, dates, and a variety of spices.
Time: 2 hours
Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lizard meat, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Recipe:

1. In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent.
2. Add the lizard meat to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the chopped dates, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to the pot and stir to combine.
4. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and water, and bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the lizard meat is tender and the flavours have melded together.
6. Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped dates and fresh mint leaves.

Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart

This savoury tart combines roasted vegetables and tangy goat cheese in a flaky pastry shell fitting the traditional cooking of many Donhuid elders.
Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 small eggplant, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Recipe:

1. Prepare the brick oven for cooking by building a fire inside and letting it burn until the bricks inside are hot.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry out to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the pastry to a 9-inch tart pan and trim the edges. Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork and chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the eggplant, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread the vegetables out on a baking sheet and roast in the brick oven for 25-30 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.
4. Remove the tart shell from the refrigerator and spread the roasted vegetables in an even layer on the bottom. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the vegetables.
5. Bake the tart in the brick oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
6. Remove the tart from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Sunrise Omelette

This hearty omelette is packed with protein and flavour, perfect for fueling a day of exploration in the dunes.
Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell peppers
• 1/4 cup cooked and crumbled goat meat
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Recipe:

1. Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, tomatoes, and green bell peppers and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
3. Add the crumbled goat meat to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Pour the whisked eggs into the skillet, stirring gently to distribute the vegetables and meat evenly.
5. Sprinkle the cumin over the eggs and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
6. Using a spatula, fold the omelette in half and slide it onto a plate. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves and serve hot.

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Location

Sembar