Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 

Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 
Saudi chef Mohammed Salman Albasha took a role as a junior sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh about six years ago. He is now the executive sous chef there. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 August 2024
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Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 

Recipes for Success: Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha offers advice and a recipe for beetroot salad and roasted goat cheese 

DUBAI: Saudi chef Mohammed Salman Albasha took a role as a junior sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh about six years ago. He is now the executive sous chef there, managing a team of more than 100 chefs. 

“It has been one of the most unique experiences of my career, having lived in the US and Dubai, before moving to Riyadh,” he tells Arab News. “Working in one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, I’ve grown in my career as well as a professional in the kitchen.” 

 

 

Albasha, who was raised in the US, earned a degree in finance before making a shift to the world of culinary arts. He has worked under celebrity chefs including Jose Andres and also spent time learning Japanese cuisine at Zuma. 

Here, Albasha discusses cooking with love, customer peeves, and his favorite cuisines. 




Chef Mohammed Salman Albasha is the executive sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. (Supplied)

What’s your top tip for amateur chefs? 

Always cook as if it’s for the people you love the most. That’s not really a tip, but when you cook with love all the flavors and the aromas and the ingredients come together in a harmonic way. There are no rules to cooking. Just do it with love. 

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? 

Maldon salt. I learned that from my mentors when I started cooking Spanish cuisine. They put Maldon salt on everything. And it definitely enhances the flavors. 

 

 

When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?  

I wouldn't say I critique, because, as I just mentioned, there are no rules in cooking. Everybody has their own way of making a dish. So I might not like it, but a lot of people might. However, when I go out to eat I always like to think about how I would do a particular dish or how I would present it. 

What’s your favorite cuisine?  

I love Japanese food and Spanish food because I learned those cuisines when I was growing in my career. So, every now and then, I would go out and try new places, just to enhance my knowledge. 

 

 

What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home? 

You won’t believe it, but you can make a delicious chicken kabsa in a pressure cooker in 20 minutes. You just put your rice, chicken, tomato paste, and everything else into the pressure cooker and cook for 20 minutes. Back when I was in school in the US I used to make it all the time. 

What customer behavior most annoys you? 

When you go to restaurants, you should either eat the dish as it is or just don't go. A lot of people — including some of my friends — have demands like, ‘Oh, don't put garlic, don't put this or that.’ And then you end up taking 90 percent of the ingredients out of the dish. You can’t present a dish like this. So, in my opinion, if you're that picky, just don't go to the restaurant. 

What’s your favorite dish to cook?   

I’m from the Eastern side of Saudi Arabia. So, I would make a nice fish and grill it and take my time and try new techniques and use different herbs and spices. 

As a manager, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Or are you more laidback? 

I'm not the kind of chef who likes yelling. However, I learned under a lot of chefs who used this style. But, leading a team of almost 110 chefs, I definitely say, ‘Be the leader that you want to see.’ You have to lead by example. You have to guide people through what you want, and you don't have to yell. Yelling and all that is disrespectful in any environment. Show them. 

 

RECIPE: Chef Mohammed’s beetroot salad and goat cheese recipe 

For the labneh 

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups labneh; 1 cup wood chips (Applewood or hickory); Saudi olive oil (for drizzling); salt to taste 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Place the labneh in a bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Mix well. 

2. (If using a smoker): Place the wood chips in a smoker and heat until they start to produce smoke. Place the labneh in a heatproof dish and put it in the smoker for about 30 minutes. (If using the stove): Place the wood chips in a deep pot and cover with aluminum foil. Poke holes in the foil. Place a wire rack over the foil and place the labneh in a pot on the rack. Cover the pot and heat on medium until smoke appears. Smoke the labneh for about 30 minutes. 

3. Once smoked, transfer the labneh to a bowl, drizzle with Saudi olive oil and set aside. 

For the roasted beetroot 

INGREDIENTS: 4 medium beetroots, peeled and cut into wedges; 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers; 2 tbsp Saudi olive oil; salt and pepper to taste 

INSTRUCTIONS:  

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). 

2. Toss the beetroot wedges with olive oil, lavender flowers and salt and pepper. 

3. Spread the beetroot wedges over a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until tender and slightly caramelized. 

For the fried breaded goat cheese: 

INGREDIENTS: 200g goat cheese, cut into 1-inch rounds; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 cup bread crumbs; vegetable oil for frying 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Place the flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs in three separate shallow bowls. 

2. Coat each piece of goat cheese in flour, dip in the beaten eggs, then coat with the bread crumbs. 

3. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the cheese rounds until golden brown and crispy (about 2-3 minutes each side). Drain on paper towels and set aside. 

For the final dish 

INGREDIENTS: Smoked labneh; roasted beetroot with lavender; fried breaded goat cheese; ready-to-eat figs, halved; microgreens for garnish; beetroot powder for garnish; Saudi honey for drizzling 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. On a serving plate, place a dollop of smoked labneh. 

2. Arrange the beetroot wedges around the labneh. Place the fried goat cheese rounds next to the wedges. 

3. Place halved figs on the plate and sprinkle with microgreens. 

4. Lightly dust the dish with beetroot powder and drizzle with honey.  

5. Serve immediately. 

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In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  

In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  
Updated 20 September 2024
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In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  

In memory of Safeya Binzagr: ‘She had a remarkable eye for beauty’  
  • The Saudi artist, who died earlier this month, led an inspiring life of a ‘true pioneer’  

DUBAI: Safeya Binzagr, one of Saudi Arabia’s foremost female artists, died on Sept. 12 at the age of 84. Art institutions, artists, cultural experts and enthusiasts and former students were quick to pay tribute.  

Among them was the influential Swiss curator and art critic Hans Ulrich Olbrist, who posted a picture of a handwritten note from Binzagr from 2022. “If you have the will, you will,” it read; a quote that encapsulates Binzagr’s own story as a persevering artist, who has been affectionately called “the mother of Saudi art.”  

Binzagr was born in 1940 in the Harat Al-Sham neighborhood of Jeddah, a place she developed a long-lasting bond with. From a young age, at a time when it was rare for Saudi and Arab women to travel, Binzagr had the opportunity to see the world outside of the Kingdom. When she was seven, her family relocated to Egypt, where she was educated until high school.  

'Zabun' 1969. (Supplied)

Although she was away from her beloved Jeddah, the streets of Cairo reminded her of home. “The scent of the old alleys lingered with her, their images dwelled in her memory, and a strong sense of nostalgia pulled her back to a special place enriched by the warmth of its people, their valuable customs and traditions,” reads a statement published by Darat Safeya Binzagr, the late artist’s cultural center. 

England played an important role in her formative years too. After completing her education in Egypt, Binzagr moved there to attend finishing school, and in 1976, she graduated with a degree in drawing and graphics from London’s prestigious St Martin’s School of Art.  

1968 was a defining year for the artist, then in her late twenties. She showed her paintings publicly for the first time in the Kingdom (along with her Saudi contemporary, the late Egypt-trained artist Mounirah Mosly) at Dar at-Tarbiyah al-Haditha School in Jeddah, making them reportedly the first women to exhibit their art in Saudi Arabia.  

Traditional costumes inside Darat Safeya Binzagr. (Supplied)

During the 1970s and 1980s, the ever-active Binzagr held shows in Jeddah (where she eventually returned), Dharan, Madinah, London, Paris and Geneva. She continues to be honored in public events decades later. For instance, at the Diriyah Biennale in Riyadh earlier this year, a selection of her colorful drawings of women in traditional Saudi attires charmed audiences.  

Binzagr’s oeuvre was mostly devoted to telling a variety of narratives surrounding Saudi culture, everyday scenery and architectural heritage. Whether depicting a wedding ceremony or pilgrims at the Holy Kaaba, children playing games or hardworking fishermen, she was a dedicated chronicler of her surroundings, but also a preserver of native traditions, which some were forgetting as the country rapidly modernized. 

Perhaps Binzagr’s greatest work is “Al Zabun,” her stunning 1969 portrait of a woman dressed in a bright yellow gown, seated against an ornamental background. It has been described as “The Arab Mona Lisa” or “The Mona Lisa of Hijaz.” The title, according to a statement from Darat Safeya Binzagr, refers to the type of dress the woman is wearing.  

'Memories' 1987. (Supplied)

“The bodice underneath, which served as a vest or bra, was fastened by six buttons of silver, gold or diamonds — depending of her wealth — all connected by a chain,” the statement explains. “Her hair is worn in the Mihrama wa Mudawwarah style, in which the hair was braided with a cotton scarf coiled around the head, then covered with a cap.”  

But arguably Binzagr’s greatest achievement in her storied career was the establishment of her namesake cultural center in Jeddah in 2000, where countless students have had the opportunity to study art, thanks to Binzagr’s generosity and commitment to education.  

Safeya's paintings. (Supplied)

One of the center’s former pupils, artist Daniah Alsaleh, told Arab News: “I had the privilege of studying at Safeya Binzagr’s atelier from the early 2000s until around 2008, under the guidance of painter Dorothy Boyer. Safeya created a unique space where students could immerse themselves in the principles of drawing and painting, something that was quite rare at the time. She would often visit our lessons, sharing her personal experiences and stories about her work. Her passion extended beyond art — she was a dedicated collector of traditional Saudi costumes, tea cups, and various artifacts, and had a remarkable eye for beauty. Safeya also opened her extensive art library to the public, fostering a sense of community and education.  

“I am incredibly grateful for the impact she had on my artistic journey,” Alsaleh continued. “Safeya was a true pioneer, dedicated to both art and education, and her contributions will continue to inspire many.” 


Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  

Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  
Updated 20 September 2024
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Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  

Russ, Jason Derulo, more added to MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2024 lineup  

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST announced on Thursday the star-studded lineup of artists and DJs from around the world for its 2024 Soundstorm music festival, scheduled to take place from Dec. 12 to 14.

The lineup for the festival’s fifth edition includes US rap stars Tyler, the Creator, Jason Derulo and G-Eazy. Rising hip-hop artist Russ and Nigerian singer Tems, known for her R&B and Afrobeat hits, are also set to perform.

House music fans can look forward to sets from Black Coffee, Afrojack, DJ Snake and trance legend Armin van Buuren. The festival will also feature techno and house acts like Adam Beyer, Bedouin and Ricardo Villalobos, while David Guetta, James Hype and Morten promise electrifying performances.

The electronic lineup also features renowned acts like Meduza, Kölsch, Sonny Fodera, and Folamour, alongside emerging talents Miss Monique, Tita Lau, and Megatronic, offering a diverse range of styles.

The festival will also host previously announced stars, including Eminem, Muse, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Adriatique, Boris Brejcha, Marco Carola, Richie Hawtin, Brina Knaus, Chelina Manuhutu, Fleur Shore, Baloo, Anmarz, Dorar and Vinyl Mode.

As the region’s biggest music festival, Soundstorm delivers a vibrant mix of music styles and genres from around the world.

Ramadan Al-Haratani, CEO of MDLBEAST, said in a statement: “Soundstorm, the region’s biggest music festival, has successfully made a remarkable impact on the regional and global music scene, making it an eagerly anticipated annual festival for music fans worldwide.

“This has contributed to enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the music entertainment sector.”


REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up

REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up
Updated 20 September 2024
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REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up

REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Officer Black Belt’ is a confusing genre mash-up
  • South Korean film is billed as an action-comedy, but the laughs rapidly fade

DUBAI: South Korean director Jason Kim’s latest project, “Officer Black Belt,” is marketed as an action-comedy. And for the first 40 minutes or so, you can see why: it sets out as a so-so take on the “odd couple/buddy cop” trope. But then comes a shift.

The story: likeable-but-aimless Lee Jung-do (Kim Woo-bin) spends most of his time hanging with his gamer friends and working as a delivery driver for his dad’s restaurant. One night, he happens across a probation officer who’s being badly beaten by one of the violent ex-cons whose ankle bracelets he monitors. Jung-do, it turns out, is a master martial artist. He rushes to help the probation officer, likely saving his life.

Probation department manager Kim Sun-min (Kim Sung-kyun) offers Jung-do a temporary job while the officer he saved recovers. He accepts, and the two quickly become friends — despite a considerable age gap and what at first seems like a major difference in lifestyle choices. There are some vaguely humorous scenes as the two get to know one another and as Jung-do gets to grips with his new role — and with several parolees.

The general goofiness of these early scenes takes a turn when a notorious child abuser is released from prison and becomes the responsibility of the already over-worked probation department. The fight scenes are no longer comic-book-style entertainment, but grimly lethal, and the storyline gets especially dark when a young girl is abducted with the intent of forcing her to ‘star’ in a video for a dark web pornographer.

It's impossible to overstate just how jarring this narrative and stylistic shift is; but it’s a bit like watching an episode of “Friends” and having Phoebe turn up at the coffee shop bloodied and traumatized having been brutally assaulted. It’s not just a shock, but a shock that feels entirely out of place contextually.

Whether that’s intentional, as an attempt to subvert audience expectations, or simply sloppy storytelling is hard to say — and the result is ultimately the same: confusion. Which is only compounded when the director delivers a ludicrously saccharine, plot-hole-riddled ending.

Woo-bin, who shows himself to be a charismatic and capable lead, deserves better.


Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center

Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center
Updated 20 September 2024
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Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center

Highlights from ‘One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017’ at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center
  • This free exhibition runs at Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center until Oct. 13 

Amine El-Bacha 

‘L’Orchestre’ 

The late Lebanese painter, who died in 2019, was — according to the exhibition brochure — “an ardent observer of people and places and a master colorist who always managed a synergistic ensemble of light and hues.” This particular piece was inspired by — and an homage to — his brother, Toufic, a respected musician and composer. (The brothers’ uncle was also a composer and a painter.) El-Bacha is quoted in the exhibition notes as having once said, “One can hear music while looking at my artwork.”  

Najat Makki 

‘Untitled’ 

This is a fine example of the veteran Emirati artist’s abstract takes on the natural landscape of her homeland — a constant theme of her work, along with local folklore. Makki is a true pioneer; she was the first Emirati woman to gain a government scholarship to study art abroad (which she did in the late 1970s). She studied at the College of Fine Arts in Cairo, and has been heavily influenced by Egyptian artists including the Alsader brothers and Mahmoud Mukhtar. In 2018, Makki spoke to the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation about her fascination with color. “When I was a child, my father owned a herbal medicine shop. It was full of boxes of herbs as well as indigo dye and alum-block. I used them all to paint on paper bags. That’s when I started to love color … I learned about light and shadow from watching my mother fold our clothes. My relationship with color didn’t just come; I worked on it by learning from everything I saw.” 

Khaled Ben Slimane 

‘Wind’ 

This is one of several calligraphic paintings by the Tunisian artist on show at the exhibition based on the classical elements. Although best known for his ceramic works, Ben Slimane is also an accomplished painter, as these works show. Calligraphy also forms a major part of his work — he often uses Qur’anic verses in his pieces, which tend to be a blend of Islamic and Western artistic influences. 

Farid Aouad  

‘Sortie de Metro’ 

The melancholy beauty of this Aouad painting is typical of the late Lebanese artist’s work, as is the subject matter — the city of Paris. He first traveled to the French capital in his early twenties and it later became his home, after spending the Fifties in Beirut. “In Paris he dedicated himself to immortalizing the City of Light and its legendary cafés, bars, bistros and metro,” the show notes explain. That might sound like he was having a good time. Not so. “He lived his life in solitude, misery and poverty,” the notes state. “He often depicted scenes of lonely strangers in the city.” 

Saad El-Khadem 

‘Landscape’ 

El-Khadem is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in Egyptian modern art. He was of aristocratic descent, and was a keen historian and anthropologist as well as an artist. His marriage in 1954 to Effat Naghi — arguably Egypt’s most prominent 20th-century female artist — cemented his celebrity. This landscape is one of El-Khadem’s more traditional works, showing no real sign of what auction house Bonham’s described as his “profound interest in folklore, traditional rituals, practices and esoteric religious beliefs.” 


Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo

Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo
Updated 19 September 2024
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Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo

Saudi artworks attract crowds in Cairo
  • Nahed Turkistani, a professor of ceramic art at Jeddah University and one of the exhibition’s organizers, said the event featured around 20 Saudi works
  • Turkistani highlighted the distinctiveness of the Saudi pieces which showcased works representing innovative artistic ideas

CAIRO: Saudi artworks at the second edition of the Beyond the Frame art exhibition — currently at the Cairo Opera House — have attracted visitors of various nationalities and ages, who have praised the diversity and uniqueness of the works.

Nahed Turkistani, a professor of ceramic art at Jeddah University and one of the exhibition’s organizers, said the event featured around 20 Saudi works in photography, sculpture, Arabic calligraphy, and painting.

She highlighted the distinctiveness of the Saudi pieces which showcased works representing innovative artistic ideas reflecting intellectualism, diversity and creativity.

Turkistani said the event emphasized the spirit of cooperation and cultural and artistic exchange between the participating Arab countries, with the focus on the traditions of the societies involved.

She also noted the support provided by the Saudi Embassy in Egypt during the event.