Iftar is the meal following a day of fasting during Ramadan. When breaking a fast, it’s best to start with water and some dried fruits like dates or apricots. The reason for this is simple: when someone hasn’t eaten all day it’s important not to eat too much too fast. If they do, they may end up with an upset stomach.

The Iftar buffet at the Grand Hyatt was really amazing! I can’t remember a time when I had seen so many tasty things in one place. There were lots of cheeses and breads. My team members and I tried the falafel and shawarma. My favorite dish was sajj, a grilled, burrito-like sandwich stuffed with spinach and cheese.

Cooking Class. The staff at our hotel has helped us to learn a lot about Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. Some of the chefs at the hotel even gave us cooking lessons. Ilana learned how to make an Egyptian dessert called om aly or um ali. It’s a little like a bread pudding made with coconut, almonds, milk, sugar, and puff pastry.

Adam learned how to make yolangi. Yallangi or Yolangi, are stuffed grape leaves. It’s a popular appetizer in many Middle Eastern countries. I was surprised by how many steps went into making them.

The best part -- when both dishes were finished my job was to taste them! I liked Ilana’s better, but that’s because I love desserts.

Um Ali or Om Ali? Why are there two different spellings for om ali and yolangi? Remember learning about transcription in our Arabic lessons? The different spellings are a perfect example of transcription.

FUN FACT: In Arabic cooking, appetizers are also called mezze.

Next: Listen to some Middle Eastern Music.

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