In the deep summer months, one of the most refreshing dishes around is ceviche. We went to Ben Wan, head chef at the hot Four Seasons eatery Coya Dubai, with some pressing questions about this Peruvian essential. He came back with not only the answers, but his recipe for Tuna Chifa.
What is the essence of Peruvian food?
Maybe it has to do with pride, the Peruvians’ pride in their national cuisine, stemming from the incredible produce of their land. Maybe it’s the original fusion food. It’s been influenced by almost every continent over the last few hundred years, the consistent flow of immigrants from Africa, through Europe to Asia, bringing their own ingredients and techniques mixed with the produce of Peru, is in essence what you have today, as Peruvian food.
When and how were you introduced to Peruvian cuisine and what were your thoughts then and now?
Roughly three years ago, at a London restaurant. I always had this misconception that Peruvian food was spicy, should be spicy, has to be spicy, because of the amount of aji [a spicy “sauce” of tomatoes, coriander, ají pepper, onions, and water] varieties. Now, yes, we use a lot of chillies. More than I’ve ever encountered before, with many different levels of heat, but the aji we use is first and foremost for its flavour, not for its heat. Aji Amarillo, Limo, Arnaucho, Mirasol, Charapita, Panca, all with their very own unique flavour.
People are sometimes scared of ceviche – can you tell them why they shouldn’t be?
I’ve never met anyone that is scared of having ceviche, but to reassure those who are, I can honestly say there is nothing to fear. Use the best ingredients, the freshest of fish. It’s as safe as sashimi/sushi, more so as we cure the fish with lime juice.
What fish is best suited, and why?
Most fish works for ceviche, firm white flesh as opposed to an oily fish. Medium-sized, anything larger than 3.5 kilograms can be quite tough with a lot of sinew and strong in flavour.
Where is the best place to buy raw fish in Dubai and what questions should you ask when doing so?
For me if I was to buy for home I will go to Deira fish market. I want to touch the fish, lift it up, look at the eyes and smell the gills. To make sure it’s fresh, you can’t do that when it’s filleted, off the bone at the supermarket. Ask about the varieties, the texture of the fish, what it’s best used for. Act like you know and the fishmonger will spend time with you and maybe give you a better price. But remember, prices change daily. The prices today will be different from last week. It’s about supply and demand, seasons, weather conditions, the fishermen will want a higher price for fishing in bad conditions. For Coya Dubai, our fish comes directly from Europe and Japan, but local fish is something we are exploring right now.
How central is the concept of ceviche to Peruvian cooking?
Ceviche is absolutely integral to Peruvian cooking, it was born there. They have a National Ceviche day. That tells you everything you need to know about how important it is.
Recipe for Tuna Chifa
Chifa dressing
150g Konbu water (filtered water infused with konbu for 24 hrs)
100g white ponzu
30g Chilli garlic Paste
5g chilli oil
2g sesame oil
Lime juice to taste
Maldon salt
Garnish
Prawn crackers
Sliced spring onions
Chopped chives
Sesame seeds
100g Diced Yellowfin tuna
Method
Add the tuna to a mixing bowl and season with the salt and lime juice, to taste.
Continue to mix for a minute or two to semi-cure the tuna.
Add a pinch of chives, sesame seeds and spring onions and mix further.
Add enough Chifa tiger (dressing) to dress the fish.
Serve in a bowl over ice, garnished on top with a prawn cracker, spring onions, chives and sesame seeds.
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A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
