Arabic Cooking Class at Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Cost: $54-includes a three-hour class, refreshments, dinner
Lodging: Not included
Sure, you can taste other-worldly cuisines just about anywhere, but learning how to cook them requires a bit more effort. After all, Eastern and Western cooking technique doesn't exactly go hand in hand. On Sir Bani Yas Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, the Desert Islands resort offers a glimpse into the preparation of Arabic cuisine, with a discussion of the unique ingredients used to make moutabel (similar to babaganoush), and prawns harra (prawns cooked in a spicy tomato sauce).
As is Arabic tradition, the course includes dinner, Arabic coffee with cardamom, and umali, a puff pastry dessert made with cream, almond and coconut. Classes are held every day from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
But if your interests go beyond working in the kitchen, this Anantara resort offers several dining options, including an open-grill seafood restaurant, an a-la-carte international and Middle Eastern Breakfast, and a lounge with coffee, loose leaf teas, and cocktails. When you're not taking in the cuisine, you can play a round of tennis, go on an island excursion, kayak on lagoon waters, or simply relax in the spa.
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