Freej Soweileh – Lamb/Mutton Machbous - Kuwaiti Comfort food

I've always been wanting to write about this dish for a long time but probably haven't had the best words to describe it. This is one of our favourite dishes from many years in Kuwait and here's my take on it.

I’m sure most of you in Kuwait have visited this restaurant, but if you haven’t, then this is a must do. Freej Soweileh is an authentic Kuwaiti restaurant serving Kuwaiti food in addition to other Arabic dishes. However the star dish of this restaurant is the Lahamb Machbous or Lamb/mutton Machbous. Kuwait's own amalgamation of rice and meat flavours combined.

Now this is what you would call comfort food. We prefer to get a mega serving of this dish in the comfort of our home, sit in our comfy clothes and gorge on this dish.

I haven’t had anything like this anywhere. The quality of meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth. The long grains of rice slowly passing down your throat, giving you that satisfaction, that magic feeling, making you content. This dish has been cooked by someone who is an expert and has been conjured with some magical ingredients with a method that I have found that no one can replicate. Ofcourse if you have eaten this at Kuwaiti homes, only then you will find superior flavours. However, with no such options any more, Freej Soweileh is our only such source and a great one indeed. I had the priviliege of tasting this dish in my early years when I was employed with a Kuwaiti army man and who would have food coming everyday from his home. Partly one of the reasons for me being so chubby. I have tried many restaurants who tried to replicate this dish, but till date have not found any who could match the same taste. The flavour is so distinct that those who have tasted it will know how I feel. Every time we eat this dish, it has the same taste and consistency.

Other than the Lamb Machbous, they also serve Chicken machbous which for some reason can never match the taste of the Lamb flavours. The fish (Pomfret) Machbous is also pretty good but somehow the quality of the fish is not upto the mark simply because the fish used is frozen. Fresh Pomfrets cost a bomb and I doubt it will be feasible at the price they charge. However it is a very good dish. The machbous is served along with a dish of Dakous which is a tomato based gravy. This may be added to your rice which gives you that free flow down your throat..... Ummm yummmm.. I’m drooling. Also served are condiments like a roughly ground fresh green chilly in oil, a red chilli mix and a garlic and carrot pickle which is sour and delicious.

The other noteworthy dishes are the lamb Kebabs and the Kibbeh which are both stunning. However, we keep off the appetizers as we go only to enjoy the machbous. You can have some soup which is served in a bread bowl and some baba ghanouj which is served in a deep fried crisp dough dish.

I guess this dish may happen again on the weekend. You guys who haven’t tried must if you are in Kuwait.

A sweet desset called Luqaimat is also served along with arabic coffee

A short quick glimpse of the Kitchen

Spice Goa, Thivim, Goa (just off NH17) - A very special Goan lunch

This place was recommended in 2014 by my cousin Louis and specifically to try out the Prawns Biryani at Spice Goa. However, when on a short holiday, it gets difficult to plan anything in advance and then you never make it. During  my last trip to Goa, in April 2015, and the rush to have a biryani, I headed out with another of my cousin, Sandy who is also a foodie and a couple of friends, on our Quest to find Spice Goa.

It was relatively easy to find the place which is on the right side of National Highway 17, if you are heading north and about 200 meters after the Thivim junction on NH17. You need to turn right and get on to a small lane leading to the restaurant. The restaurant can be seen easily if you are on NH11 so you can miss it if you keep looking towards your right. 

We were quickly seated on the upper air-conditioned floor and started of with a few Kingfishers which were chilled perfectly. Infact we had to look at one another to admire the chill of the beer at the first sip and had a good acknowledging smile about it.

Ok now to the main focus which is the food. We first asked if the biryani was available which was nodded pleasantly by the waiter who was going to serve us that afternoon. Very cheerful chap, prompt and well versed with the dishes. A pity we didn’t get his name. We told him to ensure that we get our fix of Prawns biryani after we done with our appetizers and beers and asked him to recommend his best dishes. We were told to try the Prawns Grilled in Banana Leaves and the Erliyo (silver fish) Koshimbir. We also asked him if he had Kalwaan curry (Xacuti) to which he said they don’t have the curry but they had it Rawa fried. We decided to go for it and also decided to try out their reichad masala so ordered some bangda reichard to see if they pass the test. 

We were first served the Prawns Grilled in Banana Leaves and the Erliyo (silver fish) Koshimbir. Both these dishes were fantastic and in my opinion the best two dishes we had there. The prawns were neatly wrapped in Banana leaf and the green masala stuffing was just perfect..not too spicy and just balanced the sweetness of the prawns. 

The Erliyo (silver fish) Koshimbir was something unique and although I have had Koshimbir before, this was different. The fish was fresh, of good size and fried just enough not to overdo the soft tasty flesh. The fish was tossed in a mixture of fried onions, garlic chillies and the works. I would definitely go back for this,

The deep fried mussels too were very good, juicy and crunchy at the same time and had a good buttery taste in it. There are few restaurants that can really do it well and Spice Goa was one of them.

The mackerels were nice and plump and the reichard was ok. Have had better. 

One of  our friends tried out the thali and loved it. The King fish too was fried well but we were too stuffed and our main event, the prawns biryani was on its way

Finally it was time for the Prawns Biryani and which didn’t disappoint. The prawns were quite large and cooked just right. The Biryani was awesome, not too spicy and with enough flavours to give you that twang in your tongue. This was an extremely good biryani and even after eating so much, the taste of the biryani stood out. The next time will focus on a fewer items so that the biryani can be given its due respect.

This restaurant was the highlight of our trip and will definitely make it once I'm back. I highly recommend that you try it out during your trip to Goa.  

Amir Al Khaleej Aiysh Bukhary Restaurant, Kuwait

At the recommendation of a friend and a very enticing picture on facebook, I decided to check out this restaurant located at Khaitan, for Afghan food. The above picture was taken at the time of Dine-in/ 

As we had a very tiring day, the idea was to get the food home and relax and enjoy the meal. Got a bit confused finding the location as the name of the restaurant was in Arabic and we missed the spot. However to make it easy and for those who know Khaitan, its just the free right of the 50 before the stadium and about a 100 meters thereafter and before Abou Tareq Koshairy restaurant. Had a long chat with one of the waiters there and he explained that the Aiysh or the Rice is cooked in the stock of chicken or lamb in one pot and called Bukhary by the Afghans.

We ordered our takeaway which was a dish of Rice with Grilled Chicken and some kebabs to go with it. We ordered three portions, but the quantity was easily sufficient for 5. It was a massive dish. The rice was served half and half in two different flavours. One was a orange coloured rice and the other was white and both had its own distinctive flavours. The char grilled chicken gave an additional flavor to the rice and made it all the more delicious. It was served with a sauce mixture of raw garlic, chillies and tomatoes which the ladies of the house enjoyed. I however felt that an added gravy item would make it really fantastic. When I mentioned it to my friend who had recommended the restaurant, he recommended to try the Channa masala gravy which is a killer. So next time perhaps.

 

The Lamb Kebas in my opinion was OK but the ladies loved it. I will definitely recommend it as it is very cheap and tasty. However, for those of my friends who are looking for an alternative to the Machbous from Freej Soweileh, please don’t confuse yourself. There is no better place for Machbous than Freej Soweileh and you cant compare the two. It’s a different flavor altogether. So for those who would like to try Afghan food, then this probably is one of the few places where you can get good Afghan food. So if you make it, do let me know. Cheers

The Quest for Kebabs- Malek Al Meshawy (King of Grills)

Arabian Kebabs differ from the Indian variety and are much mildly spiced. The meat is mildly flavoured with light herbs so as to retain the meat flavours. Our quest for kebabs in Kuwait had ended with Kebabs from Hijja Kebabs and there was nothing we thought could surpass that taste.

However, after tasting many kebabs we were recommended to try an Iraqi Restaurant in Kuwait city for Kebabs. Chanced to pass by on one of the days at about 6 pm and decided to go for it.

We ordered lamb kebabs and Shish Tawooqs along with sides of hummus and muttabel. The kebabs were fantastic, thick and juicy with a different taste altogether. However, the shish tawooqs was the dish that hit the spot. The chicken was grilled to perfection and  was soft and juicy. The taste too was different and went well with the hummus and muttabel. The piping hot and soft Khubz (Iraqi/ Iranian Style rotis) was an added incentive and was brought as and when required.

 

The price surprisingly is bloody cheap and easily affordable. Its located at the Sawaber intersection in Kuwait city adjacent to the KIPCO tower.