Zachary Backes - CP 6

6/10/12

After meeting with Maud earlier that day I had to get to work. It was a quick shift so I figured I'd bike into work. It's an awesome ride and a great way to start a shift. After the 10 miles to work however I was starving, which is not a good thing to be in an Ice-Cream shop. I knew I was going to meet Faisal that night for dinner at his place. So I abstained from all temptations throughout my shift, dreaming of this mysterious Kabsa that he had mentioned.

The ride back was not nearly as fun as the ride in. My stomach was growling the whole way and I swear the hills were bigger and the roads longer than normal. but I made it home, grabbed a shower, and scooted over to Faisal's apartment as fast as the legal limits would allow. We greeted each other as normal, him trying to use a new English phrase (How have you been? was his) and me trying to respond in Arabic (منح or "good").

The minute I stepped inside his house I was engulfed in the most amazing smells. The spices he used on the rice we so pungent my stomach did a rather embarrassingly good impression of lawn mower trying to start. Faisal sat me down and brought me some good black tea, and asked me in Arabic if I would like milk or honey or sugar. Since I only knew the words for milk and sugar I asked for those. As I was sipping down the spiced tea Faisal's roommate Justin came home, hes a med student from Kentucky. This is how I learned that Faisal is the established chef in the home, as Justin didn't seem at all nonplussed by having a plate of deliciousness awaiting him when he got home.

Kabsa (كابسة) is a staple dish in Saudi Arabia, the main ingredients are mostly chicken and rice, but what makes the meal interesting is that different regions, families, and even restaurants all make it in slightly different ways. For instance, the Kabsa Faisal was making was based off his father's recipe which includes a lot of spices and onions in the rice and big chunks of chicken and lamb sauteed in garlic. Faisal told me that if I ever need to see if a restaurant is good while in Saudi Arabia I should ask for the Kabsa. He said the key to a good kabsa is making it taste like there are more ingredients in it then there really are.

As soon as the plates were brought out and we all settled into eating the only sounds were the clanking of silverware and the murmured "oh my god this sooooo good" in between mouthfuls. I have never eaten such a satisfying meal. The meat was moist and the rice was so well seasoned I had two plates. Then Faisal presented us with some deserts and more tea. I'm pretty sure I went up two pant sizes that night and I couldnt have been happier.