Eating well when pockets are not so deep

Wow! Your education is showing through...Rarely anyone comes back to say thanks...especially in Qatar Living..especially after such a long time..I never forgot how we all posted recipes for the "little boy".. :-)

Halfway through. I am a junior now, in Georgetown University, in Education City. Back to Pakistan for summer vacations. Thank you!

Good to hear from you Samad, have you completed your studies now?

Thank you good people for the responses. Its bee 2 years since my original post. With hindsight, I settled in quite easily and food was never much of a problem. Indebted!

I'll try it. What happens if I take butter instead of olive oil, and heat the eggs in a porcelain bowl which swims in boiling water?

If your stomach and the wallet have the capacity, take thirty..Just add zero to the rest of the measurements too... After all pirates need to be strong.. :-)

Any problem if I take 3 eggs??

Where is everyone?

Make the best omelette in town

******************************

Two eggs

Salt & pepper

1 Chopped onion

3-4 chopped mushrooms

1 tbs milk

2 tbsp parsley chopped

***********************

Beat together. Pour in a nonstick pan coated with olive oil or sunflower oil..

*********************************************************Another version

***************

2 eggs

salt & pepper

chopped onions

1 tbsp- dessicated or fresh coconut

1 tomato chopped

parsley

1tbsp milk

**************************

Same procedure as above..

The last two comments have been very insightful.Now, I feel that I can make chicken with complete ease.

boil two cups of water and pour one cup of noodles and wait to dry. You can eat just like that. if you want some spicy then pour a little oil in frypan put some onions, cummin seeds and dry red chilli,add a tomoto piece, carat pieces, capsicum etc and fry. mix two and eat..I did it a few times. following the same principle you can make pastas, semolina,etc even chicken,mutton curries etc by adding curry powders.

Alright...Let us start. With the basic utensils in your virtual kitchen and the basic safety rules followed, here we start...

NUMBER 1) CHEATER'S CHICKEN -

To make a superquick chicken fry, drop some small strips of chicken in a small,nonstick pan with 1 big spoon of hot oil. Keep stirring until light brown. When fully cooked add a teaspoon of Shans Chicken tikka Masala over the pieces and take off from fire...Drain the oil out by tipping the pan.

(The above recipe can be made by chopping off bits and pieces from a frozen chicken swimming in the water to defroast :-)

NUMBER 2)CLASSIC CHICKEN CURRY

Frozen Chicken(Sadia, Doux, etc) - 1400 - 1500 gms

Onion- 4 medium chopped thin

Ginger- 1 table spoon chopped thin

Garlic- 3 tablespoon chopped thin

Tomato - four big chopped

Curry leaf- A handful chopped into tiny bits

Mustard seeds- 1/2 table spoon

Oil- 3 tablespoons or less if it is nonstick pan

Salt- 1 table spoon

Chicken curry masalas

Kashmiri chilly powder- 1 table spoon

Coriander powder- 2 table spoon

Turmeric powder- 1 table spoon

Garam Masala powder- 1 table spoon

Procedure:-

Heat a big nonstick pan. Add oil and splutter mustard seeds with the lid on. Add Curry leaf and Onions and stir till light brown. Add ginger and garlic and stir until colour changes.Sim(reduce) the fire and add the masalas taking care not to burn it.Stir it around for 1/2 a minute and put tomatoes and a glass of water.Boil for 5 minutes with the lid on.

Add the carefully cut,drained pieces of chicken coating the chicken with the gravy. Close the pan and increase the previously reduced fire.Cook for exactly 10 minutes.

When you open the pan there will be a lot of watery gravy. The fire should again be reduced and the lid taken off. Add salt and allow the chicken to cook in slow fire(about 1/2 an hour) and acquire the flavour.Stir every 5 minutes gently or swish around the whole pan.

Take off from fire when the water is almost or fully gone.

Garnish with coriander leaves, if you like.

The advantage of this curry is that it can be used as a gravy chicken along with Qubz(kuppoose), chappathy, bread, or rice. If made dry can be made into a quick and easy Biryani(recipe later on) and the pieces can be taken and fried in oil to give a totally different dish .The given quantity of masalas give you a mildly spicy curry.

2 Chickens made together by doubling the recipe can carry you through the whole week of using it in different forms mentioned above...

TIPS FOR THE DAY.

A weekly production of ginger/garlic paste is a good thing to do... Skin and chop onions fresh always..Have a stock of 1 or 2 potatoes to make french fries..

An "asian" blender is a good investment for your kitchen which you can use for 10 - 15 years. Buy brands like "Preethi" available in Lulu or bring an old one from Mom's stock..

Purchase Shans BBQ/ Tikka Masala and Broasted Chicken powder both almost unavailable in Doha.. I get packets of it from Dubai.

Invest in a supply of small red(to keep stain free) lidded bottles available in Carrefour to stock your masalas. Buy smallest packets available.

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Something that would be of great utility would be the skill of making chicken at home.My mother has outlined that if I am able to get chicken that has been washed and cleaned then the task ahead is not that tough. Is frozen chicken available here washed and cleaned? Someone told me that it is for 15 riylas per kilo.

son.

Why dont we all post simple recipes in honour of our friend Abdul Samad... and to have some fun and new ideas for our own selves? I will come back with my recipes tomorrow...

Oo,I didn't read your actual post and thought you're already here...

Yes, bring Shan Masala with you as many fellows advised...

My son likes boiled potatoes, eggs & corn, fried peas & steaks...these are easy to cook dishes.Ask your mom how to marinade steaks... after that preparation is not a hard job, I think if you too like this type of food, You can manage it easily :P

You forgot soy and oyster source.

lol!

else

go for Filipino's way of cooking, no hard and fast rule simply fry everything in oil add garlic and salt.

Abdul

try to bring Ahmed/National/Shan spice, recipes written on packing is simple and easy to cook, and this is how i learned cooking.

believe me, on my first day when i tried to fry an egg, i couldn't, but now i'm an expert in cooking for myself.

buy electric stove..i will teach u how to make noodles,omlet etc........its better to cook at home.

come and discover yourself...you will get an idea within a fortnight,its meaningless to plan now. anyway you wont starve here..welcome and good luck.

You seem to be lazy too... Consult your own family(mom) for a few simple dishes...

Could you list a few simple dishes?

healthy meals. Student should stay away from oily foods else you will spend your time sleeping.

English breakfast is best for student not Halwa puri, aloo paratha or Paya. You can enjoy them during weekends

dishes. My son was well trained at very young age to do the dishes and cook simple meals. Buy microwave recipes book and learn while you are there how to sew few buttons.

Bring along with you Shaan masalas.

You will find loads of cooking clips.

stealing food is justifiable if you're poor.

Absolutely...

The man has to have a full stomach in order to study.

What do u guys have for dinner?

Chicks...

.

.

.

.

.....the feathered kind ;)

Well..thats a question that I would not normally answer..

Well..thats a question that I would not normally answer..

And are you coming here to eat or study? :-)

Elegance..Good english is part of the reason i got the scholarship..and yes..I think 800 riyals should be good enough..

You have good English, Abdul Samad..

And if you need some help when you come over, let us know....Just know that here a lot of people who survive here on 5oo Riyal and less....

What do u guys have for dinner?

Yea..thanks for your help mingled with satire..

Some nice men becoming cruel...how?

I have to leave you now, Abdul. Have to watch the Formula 1 qualifying session. Good luck.

That looks how a pirate would make bread...

You also can make your own bread. Flour is relatively cheap, and salt, too. What is expensive is water. Get an empty oil barrel, start a fire inside, make the dough from flour, salt and water and drape it over the barrel once the fire has made it hot. Nothing tastes as good as this freshly made bread.

The best would be 1pack Kubus and 1 cup yogurt...QR2/-

...you can save some kubus for dinner too...lol

Now guys beat that!

That was a nice one..I would prefer to catch one though..

Another cheap way would be to go fishing at the Corniche. You either will catch fish or they will catch you.

Yea..that was helpful..could u think of any other items that a novice like me could easily make?

I dislike Mcdonalds too... but love KFC... so does my husky and my GSDxSaluki mix... although... the husky will eat anything....

samad, cooking is not so dificult if u know the basics..!! still for u it would be difficult if u knw nothing abt it. Besides noddles u can try chicken frank/sausage, ready noodles at which u hv to add boiled water n keep it for 3 mins,nuggets. Outside u'll find many restaurants in which u can find affordable food itmes based on ur main course. But the best is cooking food by urself.Unless soon u'll become bored with these foods

That is not an option...my friend

P.S. Of course we remove the chicken bones before the dog eats it.

Just drink beer, it provides all the nutrients you need and will help you study or get yourself a rich qatari girlfriend and let her pay for everything....

Not sarcastic, Xena. I really hate KFC and McDonalds. Our Saluki loves it, though.

Just to make this simple..what items do u take for breakfast...do mention prices too..

you won't be anywhere near Mansoura - but near Immigration R/A which has its own food chain literally - you will find take aways shops of all variety there... however, don't use a taxi, you will end up paying your saving on Karwa...

sorry, on heavy meds for my cold so not totally with it right now;-P

Thanks..ghazalz

KFC, Xena.

Abdul Samad123

If you're somewhere near mansoorah, be a member of Qutba Hotel Or sara Hotel...If you're near Arab Bank you may try Shaheen...

or try home delivery from the link below;

http://foodforfriendsdoha.blogspot.com/

Yeah, I was just thinking how 'soft' that little boy is, ghazalz. Why don't you come here, Abdul, have a look around, make your decisions like a man, and feel fine because you solved a problem on your own?

LP?

Ghazalz..I am indebted to all those who are helping me out of this corner..

if you are staying somewhere near Lulu, they got some cooked foods, reasonable price, good taste. :)

Abdul Samad123

You're lucky, as all the members have a soft corner for you ;)

That sounds like dog food to me, Xena.

Yea..eating out from the canteen is not the most plausible option..I plan to eat one meal out..As for the breakfast..what items do u say I could eat and this applies for the dinner too..Also ,do mention some prices..

have more than enough money at the end of the month...

When you eat out... at any of the cafetarias you can buy a mutton curry and rice for about 12QR.

KFC 2chick pc + small fries + drink - 11QR

Most shawarma outlets sell their shawarmas for between 6 - 9QR - sure you can pick up a Sharwama meal for less too if you add the drink and fries.

Buy cereals and milk or Kubus and humous for breakfast... that should see you till lunch time. Kubus is QR1 for a pack of 5 - depending on the size - you can buy tinned humous for 6QR - its as good as freshly made...

If you buy a whole chicken for about 15QR - some kubus and some humous - you will be able to make your own shawarmas for at least 2 - 3 days - make sur eyou keep the chicken in the fridge or it will go off...

Hope this helps...

It will be eating from the LAS dining...My main course will be bread,rice and wheat.

What is the favourite thing your Mom makes and what is your preferrence when you eat out? What is your "comfort food"? List all these and we can help you :-(

Eating all the meals from the hotel or canteen will not be the best option for the health of your body or your pocket..

"Fasting is the most intelligent thing a hungry man can do." (Siddharta Buddha)

Tuna solid pack in sunflower oil between QAR 2.50 to 7.50 depending on the brand.

Eggs, a tray with 30 between QAR 10 and 50 depending on the origin.

Spaghetti range from QAR 2.50 to 7.50 depending on the brand.

lol

and if u r fasting, it will last longer

OMG... Men in the kitchen...!

Ok,Abdul Samad, What is your main course usually? Khubz, Bread, noodles, spaghetti, or rice?

Where do you stay Abdul Samad123 ??

I,for one just love your math skills..Can you think for me items that can be easily made..just a few examples would do...like noodles

Depends on how many you eat per day. If you eat 5 per day, it lasts for 4 days. If you eat 4 per day, it lasts for 5 days. If you eat 10 per day it lasts for 2 days.

Got that..and these nuggets can last for how many days?

Any idea about the prices of easy to cook frozen food items..

16 Riyals for 20 nuggets from Sadia.

Yeah, frying nuggets is easy as long as you keep the flame low.

Dont you think that you have some items that can easily be made even if they are frozen, with chiken and meat being the exception..like nuggets? You just have to fry them..that cant be that hard plus I can learn to deal with frozen food at home now...

Abdul, if you can't cook, then frozen food is of no use for you. Frozen chicken maybe 15 Riyals a kilopond. Beef filet is between 50 and 100 Riyals a kilopond depending on the country of origin.

What would really be helpful if you could quantify ur answer by giving me numbers..

You can sometimes get deals with local restaurants for two/three meals a day at reasonable rates.

Yes..there is one..on average meals cost like 15 riyals..The thing about this is the diet gets mundane... I am trying to exlpore other options that do justice to my budget..whats ur say on frozen food?

There should be a cantine on the campus providing meals for staff and students at reasonable prices.