Cuddles and Crumbs

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Banana Biscoff Bread

Published by Abigail

Yes, I know another banana base recipe. We love them. It’s affordable and you can use it in a lot of things – smoothies, ice cream and pastries.

I have a bottle of Crunchy Biscoff that’s going to expire in two months, the kids are over the biscoff cravings so I’m finding creative ways to use them.

I have a lot of zebra ripe bananas, compared to other recipes we have here this recipe make use of more bananas which makes it yummier. I ladle about two cups of batter and add biscoff then top it off with banana slices and repeat till your pan is 3/4 full.

Looking at the biscoff swirls made so happy, I imagined how pretty it would look when we slice the bread. But…

The swirls were not obvious when I sliced the bread. Unless you look at each slice closely will you see the biscoff swirls, it will be a different story with nutella spread.

Swirls gone but bread is moist and bursting with banana goodness.

Tag me when you get a chance too bake this bread. Enjoy!

Banana Biscoff Bread

Time: 6 mins
Difficulty: easy
Print

BananaBiscoffBreadCover

Ingredients

1 cup softened unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
5 cups mashed banana (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 cups Biscoff crunchy or smooth spread (warm on microwave for 5-10 seconds)
2 banana, sliced

Procedure

Pre-heat oven to 180C. Lightly grease and line bread pan with parchment paper.
Mix softened butter and sugar over medium speed then add eggs, vanilla and 1/2 cup of Biscoff spread.
Mix sifted dry ingredients to your wet mixture just until just combined. Fold in mashed banana.
Spread about 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of batter on your pan. Dallop about 2-3 spoonfuls of biscoff then swirl with a knife of fork then add a few of banana slices. Place another spread of batter, biscoff and banana slices. Repeat till the pan is 3/4 full. End with banana slices.
Place pan in the middle of the oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick/cake tester inserted comes out clean. Let bread cool inside the pan for about 20 minutes then remove to completely cool on wire rack.

Linked to What Kids Eat Wednesday

Best restaurants in the Middle East

Published by Abigail

A lot of new restaurants has been opening around the UAE, it’s already hard to keep up on who now serve’s the best Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine. Today, I welcome a guest post from Nihad Huzayen who will share with us his take on the best restaurants in the Middle East.

Nihad Huzayen is a passionate person who loves reading, writing, and of course… Food! His passion lies in sharing the love of food through leading people to restaurants that offer the best cuisines, service, and atmosphere.

***

Home to 16 countries – Arabic speaking mostly – the Middle East is a region famous for its exquisite cuisines, which is inspired and dates back to the oldest cultures and civilization. Consisting of both small and large dishes; cuisines commonly use rice, wheat bread, cheese, various salads and dips, such as tabbouleh, hummus and mutabbal, pickles, and more substantial items, such as grilled meat, kibbeh, and sausage to their table.

SUFRA – Jordan

Dedicated to deliver a truly authentic Jordanian experience, Sufra perfectly reflects and celebrates the Jordanian taste savored for over a thousand years based on culture and heritage through dishes prepared in their Arabic kitchen set in an old house. Jordanian food paired with the famous Jordanian hospitality. Each time a dish is served, Sufra creates an atmosphere of festivities. Ahlan wa Sahlan wa Sahtain…

Sea Fu – Dubai

One of the exceptional restaurants in Dubai, and located in the five-star Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Sea Fu – as the name suggests – is a seafood restaurant set on a terrace with a waterfront view to enjoy the breezy al fresco dining. An intimate place that is perfect to enjoy your meal with your special one while gathering around the sunken fire pit and enjoying the sunset.

Set El Hesen – Lebanon

Also located in Beirut, Set El Hesen is undoubtedly one of the most genuine Lebanese restaurants that makes you feel right at home, with their oriental mezza, fresh meats and fish, aside to several delicious desserts, Set El Hesen is a dream for traveling in time and space to enjoy traditional and various Lebanese dishes that have become a part of the Lebanese kitchen.

KOI – Abu Dhabi

Located in Abu Dhabi, KOI offers their guests a range of imaginative dishes inspired by traditional Japanese dishes, and signature cocktails, paired with an atmosphere that evokes both intrigue and serenity. KOI introduces their featured Crispy Rice topped with Spicy Tuna, Hamachi Fusion, and Spicy Crunchy Yellowtail Tartare, and many more plates to offer a truly unforgettable experience.

The Meat Co – Bahrain

With their new place in Bahrain, The Meat Co is located in the heart of the popular culinary area of Al Quadaibiya, is considered one of the must-go-to restaurants in Bahrain, bringing experience in slicing meet and cooking it, they also bring an elegant design mixed with polished wooden flooring perfectly blends with the tastes offered by this restaurant.

Al Dana

As the only oceanfront restaurant in Doha, Al Dana entertains their guests with a visually exciting show kitchen and sushi counter where they can observe the art of cooking in action while gathering over evening cocktails, and enjoy an outdoor beach terrace with stunning views of wind swaying palms over Doha bay.

International Children’s Day at Petit Bateau

Published by Abigail

Earlier this month, I attended a media breakfast hosted by Petit Bateau held at La Serre Dubai. Have you been to this cozy place located at the heart Downtown Dubai? They have one of the most amazing Eggs Benedict I have ever tasted.

It was a really nice morning spent with some of my favorite UAE Bloggers, we got a chance to see Petit Bateau’s AW15 Collection before they hit the stores.

I was only able to snap photos that I know LittleMiss will love because she has been requesting for a new set of clothes. They have really nice choices for our boys as well, I will share some of our favorites when we visit the store.

“The Petit Bateau AW15 collection this season shakes things up as French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac visits his colourful, whimsical style on iconic Petit Bateau pieces. This kind of poetic reinterpretations is an art-designer who is constantly renewing his style and passion for colour. Reimagining Petit Bateau’s wardrobe and its nautical themes has been a fun cruise. In his talented hands the brand’s iconic pieces change to take on a new meaning. The classic raincoat becomes a poncho and its hood a hat. The traditional mariner goes “pop” with shoulder pads in bright patent yellow or red canvas fabric.”

Kids + Parents are invited to have fun on all three stores located at Dubai Mall, MOE and Yas Mall to celebrate International Children’s Day with sand art, t-shirt painting and a chance to win movie tickets and shopping vouchers when you play the “spin to win” wheel. You might just see us at the MOE or Dubai Mall branch, please say hi!

Minions Themed School Bento Lunch Box

Published by Abigail

We love minions. The LittleOnes are crazy about them, after watching the latest Minion movie they spent a few days talking like minion Bob and Stewart.

Mini Minions Tamagoyaki (Egg Rolls), steamed rice, fried dumplings, fruits and pretzels

Open face cheese sandwich, edible pen was use to draw a minion face.

Tamagoyaki hearts, mix fruits and animal crackers.

Make sure you also connect with us on Instagram and Facebook, where I do regular updates.

Linked to Let Kids be Kids | What Kids Eat Wednesday

Tag us on any of your bento lunchbox creations and use #UAEMakesBento and #WhatToEatMom on instagram. We are @cuddlesncrumbs on all social media platform.

Kuya V’s 8th Birthday iFly Dubai Challenge

Published by Abigail

Every time we pass by iFly Dubai located at Mirdiff City Centre, we would always spend a few minutes staring at people brave enough to fly and do tricks. The boys would always tease each other on who would be brave enough to do it.

While standing in amazement by the tricks done 7 years old Kuya V blurted out “Ok! I’m doing it. When I turn 8 years old, I challenge myself to do iFly.”

He is terrified with heights so this is a big deal for him.

He finally did it on the eve of his 8th birthday with a request that Daddy do the challenge with him.

So proud of your Kuya V!

Our hotel stay at Ceasars Palace, Las Vegas

Published by Abigail

We left Downtown, Los Angels around 7 am and arrived at Las Vegas shortly after 12 noon. Yes, it took us almost 5 hours (should be just 4 hrs) because we had to do several stops to get food, refill car fuel and toilet break.

We were not in a hurry because Uncle B was scheduled to arrive at 11 am so he checked-in the Ceasar Palace hotel for us, it was a blessing because there was long line waiting to be checked-in. As soon as our baggage arrived in the room, we headed out to get proper food, it was the first time that the kids refuse to have another bite of hotdog, chips or bread.

photo credit: http://www.ceasars.com

Our room had 2 queen size bed and had a view of the Pallazo.

Oh my jaccuzi! The kids told us that they want to have one in our house, if we have the space. They once had so much fun in the jaccuzi and they did not hear me knocking the door (I left my key card and phone inside), I had to ask a security guy to help me get inside since the phone line to our room had problems as well.

Early morning (8 am) stroll at the hotel with Lolo Dino, it felt like we were the only ones staying because the lobby was not busy with guests.

Mornings are spent at the Temple Pool area of Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, if I remember correctly the pool opens at 9am and the pool restaurant open at 11am so we would buy coffee and pastries at Payard Patisserie & Bistro. If the kids made the plans, they would choose to stay in the pool area all day.

Madame Tussauds was our first activity at Las Vegas.

Junior Food Critic for Jumeirah Restaurant Groups

Published by Abigail

The LittleOnes were invited to play the role of Junior Food Critic for 20 restaurants under the Jumeirah Restaurant Group (JRG). Ben Tobitt, JRG Group Head Chef and Gabrielle Kurz, Executive Well Being Chef were given the task to come up with nutritious and yummy wholesome food that will appeal to little diners.

Although the menu is still in the early stage of research and development, the JRG Chef’s wanted to get the feedback of the kids and parents to further improve the dishes prepared.

To be a Junior Food Critic was a serious job, kids were given feedback forms to rate each dish they manage to try.

Our picky eater Kuya V was happy to take on the challenge and was able to try almost all of the dishes prepared, he even ate a vegetable salad! Most of the dishes he tried was given the happy smile rank. Here are some of our favorites:

Watermelon Fruit Pizza

Prawn Cocktail

Mushroom Gnocchi

Chunky Fish Cake with Coleslaw of Rivington Grill

Dahi Papdi Chaat of Naya

Carrot Cake of Alta Badia

Kuya V kept on going back to get more of the Dahi Papdi Chaat prepared by Naya restaurant. LittleMiss who did not get a good nap that day only got to eat Chunky Fish Cake of Rivington Grill and Carrot Cake of Alta Badia. Everything was really delicious, the Mushroom Gnocchi was my number 1 dish.

Here’s a clip from the City 7 Tv New, Kuya V was interviewed.

My only suggestion is that I hope they find a way to present the dish in a fun way – serve dish in a colorful plate or cut in fun/animal shapes. Looking at the Dahi Papdi Chaat photo, it very much looks like a volcano. I know that it will take a lot of work and complicates things but presenting food in a fun way encourages children to try new stuff.

Thank you for having us.

We are looking forward to it’s official launch early 2016 across 20 Jumeirah Restaurants.

Halloween Themed School Bento Lunch

Published by Abigail

It’s the last week of October which can only mean that preparations for Halloween is on a roll. We prepared some school lunches to celebrate this month’s festivities.

Scary Bat Lunch

I have been using a lot of nori sheets to add fun in Kuya V’s school lunch. For our first lunch I cut out a bat out of a single nori sheet, placed on top a fried rice and use ketchup for the eyes. We then paired it with deli meat designed with some wakame seaweed and lettuce, pretzel sticks, orange slices and chocolate.

Ghost and Scary Cat Pizza

I use a Halloween themed cookie cutter for this lunch. Get a piece of bread and flatten it with a rolling pin then use your cookie cutter to get the shape you want. Spread a pizza sauce, it can be store bought or left over pasta sauce or a mix of ketchup + sugar + pepper + grated carrots then top it mozzarella cheese. Toast bread on your oven or frying pan till cheese completely melted. Cut out eyes and mouth for nori sheets or use olives.

Pizza was paired with watermelon balls, grapes, pretzels and jelly belly candies.

Spooky Owl Rice

Once again nori sheets played a big role to turn our simple rice meal to something fun. Simple shape your rice to an owl, you can use a cut out paper or cookie cutter as a guide to make your owl and use nori sheet cut-out for the eyes, ears, mouth and tummy. This was paired with our homemade chicken nuggets, baby carrots, grapes and ketchup.

Mummy Turkey Dog

We have a turkey hotdog wrapped in puff pastry strip to look like a mummy. All you have to do is flatten your puff pastry to about a quarter inch then cut into strips then just wrap it around your hotdog making sure you leave a space for us to draw the eyes, bake for 15 minutes and you’re done. Our Mummy Turekey Dog was packed with Bacon Broccoli Quiche, Zespri Kiwi and Strawberry mix with chia seeds, ketchup and chocolate.