Art and Life in Zamalek

Wondering whether http://www.otlob.com/ was delivering food from restaurants, I chatted online and found that yes, most restaurants are serving. They said if not, they would call me. I ordered from Abu el Sid restaurant in Zamalek, very close by and well known for its typical Egyptian dishes. Aub el Sid is somewhat pricey by Egyptian standards and even American but I was hungry for some good food. I ordered the molokheya dish (a little like spinach but slimy) -- a soup with chicken and rice. On otlob you can leave a note for any special requests. I wrote that I only wanted chicken breasts. I have always had trouble with this in Egypt before. It is rather embarassing to point to my chest at KFC and say breast but online, no such embarrassing charades necessary. Besides, I always end up with the thigh or back or legs which I don't like. Thinking I might as well have two meals stocked up, I also ordered a veal casserole with hulled grains which came with a separate red sauce - I love Egyptian red sauce - it is sort of like marinara. For me, most orders are like two servings unless it is a sandwich. I remembered how good the eggplant appetizer was when I was treated to lunch by Safaa and Mounira last summer, so I ordered it as well. And of course, the best om ali in Cairo with nuts which I love, love, love.

I've already eaten some molokheya with rice and a few pieces of chicken. Very filling, low calorie and full of vitamins. This is the nutritional value of molokheya: If you have ½ cup for lunch and dinner, it has 20 cal, 1.3 grams of protein, 0.3 grams fat, 3.1 grams carbohydrate, 0.4 grams fiber, 87.3 mg calcium, 1,334 for beta carotene, 1.0 mg iron, 0.02 mg. thiamin, 0.04 mg riboflavin, 0.3 mg niacin, and 10 mg Vitamin C. Molokheya for dieters - maybe I should market this though I'm sure someone already has. I've looking up nutritional values for foods - my last google was for Hawaiian taro leaves and poi.

Lots of Arabic writings about molokheya - the bad leaves are yellow and veiny and a derogatory term for a woman was to call her molokheya, the yellow one from the Luk gate vegetable sellers. Aparently these sellers were not very ethical and sold old leaves. Good, healthy molokheya is said to be an aphrodisiac - so why do the Chinese insist on endangered species powdered rhinocerous horn, bear penis and other ungodly animal parts. Buy some viagra for heaven's sake! I did write about a sandwich on otlob last week or so called Viagra which was generally made up of shrimp, crab and sometimes squid. Of course, sellers in the Khan will tell you any number of items are aphrodisiacs like perfumes and herbs.

Well, off to the kitchen to eat a little of my om ali. I always say a little bit but then, it tastes so good, I eat the whole aluminum container! I will try to have some restraint this first day of Eid.