Recipes for success: Chef Massimiliano Blasone shares insights as L~ARIA pop up delights Riyadh foodies

Recipes for success: Chef Massimiliano Blasone shares insights as L~ARIA pop up delights Riyadh foodies
Chef Massimiliano Blasone heads the kitchen at L~ARIA and oversaw the launch of the pop-up, which runs until Feb. 26.  (Supplied)
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Updated 09 January 2025
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Recipes for success: Chef Massimiliano Blasone shares insights as L~ARIA pop up delights Riyadh foodies

Recipes for success: Chef Massimiliano Blasone shares insights as L~ARIA pop up delights Riyadh foodies
  • The head chef of L~ARIA offers advice and a tasty seafood pasta recipe 

RIYADH: Last month, the Mandarin Oriental Al-Faisaliah in Riyadh welcomed an exclusive pop-up of L~ARIA, from its sister property on the shores of Lake Como in Italy’s Lombardy region. Along for the ride was chef Massimiliano Blasone, who heads the kitchen at L~ARIA and oversaw the launch of the pop-up, which runs until Feb. 26.  

L~ARIA, according to a press release, “fuses traditional Italian dishes with strong Oriental influences. Japanese cooking practices and techniques enhance the finest seasonal ingredients…” 




L~ARIA pop-up restaurant. (Supplied)

The menu at the Riyadh pop-up includes lobster tempura, truffle taglioni and A5 Wagyu, as well as artisanal gelato for dessert.  

Here, Blasone discusses early errors, love for lemons, and comfort cuisine. 

When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made? 

Trying to add in too many elements. It just disrupts the harmony of flavors and confuses the palate. 

What’s your top tip for amateurs cooking at home? 

Base your cooking on fresh and balanced ingredients that will maintain freshness and lightness. Your dishes will then be a celebration of both those things. 

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? 

Lemon. It’s so versatile. You can use its lemon juice or lemon zest to add flavor to salads, to seafood dishes, and even to desserts. 

What’s the most common issue that you find in other restaurants when you go out to eat? 

A lack of communication between the staff. In the restaurant industry, mistakes are inevitable, so the real challenge lies in minimizing them through continuous refinement. The focal point of my attention is always constant training and timely communication. Communication is the key to smooth and immediate coordination: every detail, every need must be shared clearly and promptly, so that every team member is aligned towards the common goal of providing a flawless culinary experience, without hesitation or misunderstandings.  

What’s your favorite cuisine?  

I am a passionate fan of comfort food — that type of cuisine that embraces the soul. So I’m always looking for dishes that are fresh, natural, and full of authenticity — qualities that only the most genuine dishes can convey. 

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

Risotto. I’m a true Italian, and risotto is one of the most beloved and versatile dishes in our cuisine. It’s a dish that, despite its simplicity, lends itself to countless interpretations, seasons, and ingredients. 

What customer request or behavior most annoys you? 

I always try to maintain a balanced, positive attitude; that’s just my natural inclination, professionally. But I do find it quite annoying when I sense signs of impatience from guests. 

What’s your favorite dish to cook and why?   

Right now, while I’m in Riyadh, my favorite dish to cook is salt-crusted sea bass. It perfectly embodies the harmony between simplicity and sophistication. It is a dish that respects the quality of the ingredients and enhances every nuance of their flavor. 

As a head chef, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Do you shout a lot? Or are you more laid back? 

I’d say that, as a head chef, I’m the result of all the experience gained from working with professionals of great precision and discipline. I think my leadership is based on a foundation of rigor, but, at the same time, I firmly believe in the importance of serenity and clear communication, and, above all, balance. 

Chef Massimiliano’s maccheroncini with shellfish recipe 




Chef Massimiliano’s maccheroncini. (Supplied)

(Serves 6) 

Dry pasta maccheroncini  

400 gr  

Ingredients: 

Lobster Bisque 

Lobster meat 

Shrimp meat 

Spring onion 

Tomato coulis 

Tomato concasse 

Sun-dried tomatoes 

Almond pesto 

For the Bisque: 

Ripe tomatoes 

Celery 

Carrots 

Onion 

Fennel 

Double concentrated tomato paste 

Leeks 

Non alcoholic white wine 

Garlic 

Shells (lobster carcasses) 

Basil 

Thyme 

Instructions: 

Roughly chop the vegetables. 

Toast the lobster heads. 

Sauté the vegetables and garlic. 

Deglaze with non alcoholic white wine. 

Add the tomatoes and the toasted lobster heads. 

Add ice and water to cover, along with the aromatic herbs. 

After 45 minutes, remove the shells and vegetables and strain the bisque through a fine mesh strainer. 

Let the bisque reduce over low heat, then strain it again through a fine mesh strainer. 

Tomato Coulis (for 1 portion): 

Ingredients: 

Date tomatoes (300g) 

San Marzano tomatoes (300g) 

Spring onion (100g) 

Garlic cloves, without the germ (20g) 

White onion (80g) 

Instructions: 

Chop the spring onion and white onion finely. 

Crush the garlic cloves. 

Sauté the garlic, then add the tomatoes, cut into large pieces. 

After 40 minutes, add salt to taste. 

Remove the garlic and infuse the basil in the sauce for 10 minutes. 

After 10 minutes, remove the basil, then blend the mixture using a Thermomix (or similar blender), adding extra virgin olive oil slowly in a thin stream while blending. 

Almond Pesto 

Ingredients: 

Cow’s ricotta (300g) 

Toasted, skinless almonds (150g) 

Confit tomatoes with thyme (30 pieces) 

Vegetable broth (200g) 

Garlic clove, without the germ (1 piece) 

Maldon salt (3g) 

Cooked basil, squeezed dry (150g, from cooked basil) 

Extra virgin olive oil (200g) 

Instructions: 

Prepare the broth by simmering carrots, celery, and onions that have been charred. 

Blanch the garlic 3 times in boiling water, using 3 different pans each time. 

Blanch the basil, then cool it in ice water and squeeze out any excess moisture. 

Combine the liquids (which should have been previously frozen as a cream), along with the confit tomatoes, almonds, garlic, and salt. 

Finally, add the ricotta, making sure not to overheat the mixture. 

Place the mixture in the Pacojet and freeze it. 

Blue Lobster Cooking Method 

Ingredients: 

1 kg Blue Lobster 

100g Leek 

100g Carrot 

100g Celery 

80g Fresh Parsley 

100g Lemon Juice 

10g Black Peppercorns 

Procedure: 

Prepare the vegetable broth: In a large pot, combine the leek, carrot, celery, and parsley. Add water and bring to a gentle boil, allowing the vegetables to release their flavors and aromas. Season the broth with black peppercorns and lemon juice for a delicate balance of freshness and heat. 

Cook the lobsters: Once the broth is simmering, carefully tie the lobsters in pairs, securing them upright to maintain their shape during cooking. Gently immerse the lobsters into the boiling broth and cook for exactly 5 minutes, ensuring the flesh remains tender yet firm. 

Cool and extract the lobster meat: After 5 minutes, immediately remove the lobsters and allow them to cool in the cooking liquid to preserve their flavor. Once cooled, carefully extract the lobster meat from the shells, preserving the delicate flesh. Store the lobster meat in the refrigerator until ready for use, ensuring it remains fresh and juicy. 

Dish Preparation 

Use a sauté pan made of stainless steel, with a height of 7 cm and a diameter of 20 cm, to allow for perfect emulsification of the pasta. Begin by gently sautéing the garlic in extra virgin olive oil, making sure not to burn it, to extract the flavors in a balanced way. Next, add a finely chopped mix of confit tomatoes, along with a spoonful of fresh tomato concassé, peeled and seeded, for a touch of freshness and sweetness. Cook gently over low heat, allowing the flavors to blend harmoniously. 

Deglaze with a slight splash of lime juice to add freshness and a subtle acidity. At this point, add the lobster bisque and allow it to reduce gently until a rich, flavorful sauce forms. Then, incorporate the tomato coulis, which will add an additional layer of freshness and depth to the sauce. 

Add a handful of chopped parsley, a few finely sliced basil leaves, and a small pinch of Espelette pepper, which will provide a mild spicy note without overwhelming the other flavors. Keep the sauce warm so it can meld together perfectly. 

Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente, then drain it and transfer it directly into the sauce, stirring gently to allow the pasta to absorb the flavors. If necessary, add a bit more lobster bisque to adjust the sauce's consistency. 

Remove from heat and add the previously cut lobster meat, making sure the residual heat warms it through without overcooking. Finish the dish with a final sprinkle of fresh parsley, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice to balance and enhance all the flavors. 

Pomodori Confit Preparation 

Ingredients: 

1 kg San Marzano tomatoes 

100 g Extra virgin olive oil 

100 g Fresh basil 

60 g Fresh thyme 

80 g Garlic, in the skin 

Procedure: 

Blanch the tomatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Immerse the San Marzano tomatoes for about two minutes. Once the time has passed, quickly remove the tomatoes and transfer them into ice water to stop the cooking process and preserve their color and freshness. 

Peel and seed the tomatoes: Carefully peel the tomatoes, removing the seeds as well to obtain a clean pulp, ready for slow cooking. 

Prepare for the confit cooking: Arrange the tomatoes, well-spaced, on a steel baking tray. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, add the garlic cloves (still in their skin), a few fresh basil leaves, and sprigs of thyme to create an aromatic bouquet that will enhance the flavor. 

Slow cooking: Place the tray in a static oven set to 70°C (160°F) for a prolonged period of 6 hours, allowing the tomatoes to slowly dehydrate and concentrate their flavors without overcooking. 

Cooling and storage: Once the cooking is complete, let the tomatoes cool in the tray, then store them in the refrigerator to preserve their freshness and delicate flavors. 

 

 

 


Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai
Updated 11 February 2025
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Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

DUBAI: French luxury label Cartier this week hosted its “A Journey of Wonders” high jewelry exhibition in Dubai, drawing a star-studded lineup of regional celebrities. 

Among the attendees were Egyptian Montenegrin actress Tara Emad, Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, TV presenter Raya Abirached and entrepreneur and host Anas Bukhash. Each guest showcased Cartier’s signature pieces.

Emad wore pieces from the Trinity Collection, featuring a mix of pink, yellow and white gold. Her ensemble included Trinity earrings with black lacquer and diamonds, a matching Trinity necklace and bracelet, and a Trinity ring incorporating the same materials.

The actress, who recently debuted a new short haircut on Instagram to her three million followers, paired her jewelry with a tailored black pantsuit by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. The ensemble featured a structured blazer with sharp lapels and intricate gold stitching along the edges and pockets.

Abirached wore a black Magda Butrym midi-length dress. (Supplied)

Abirached wore a black Magda Butrym midi-length dress featuring a strapless, structured bodice and an asymmetrical draped detail at the waist. She accessorized with Cartier’s Grain de Café collection, known for its intricate detailing. Her jewelry included Grain de Café earrings, a necklace and a ring, all crafted in yellow and white gold and set with diamonds. She completed the look with black open-toe heels adorned with floral embellishments. 

Meanwhile, L’Abidine, who sported a black suit, chose a refined selection of classic Cartier designs, wearing a Santos de Cartier watch in steel paired with a Love bracelet in white gold. 

L’Abidine sported a black suit. (Supplied)

Bukhash, on the other hand, opted for a mix of the brand’s signature pieces, including a Santos Dumont watch in yellow gold, a Juste un Clou bracelet in white gold, and a Love ring in white gold. 

Bukhash opted for a mix of the brand’s signature pieces. (Supplied)

These stars, who also serve as ambassadors for the brand, have previously collaborated with Cartier and attended its events.

In 2023, Emad, L’Abidine and Bukhash walked in the brand’s runway show in Dubai. 

That same year, in April, Emad starred in a Cartier campaign alongside L’Abidine, Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabri and Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek.


Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark
Updated 11 February 2025
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Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

TORONTO: “Muslim Matchmaker” premiered on Hulu this week. The series is directed and produced by Smriti Mundhra (of Netflix’s “Indian Matchmaking” fame).

But this time around it’s not Sima Aunty and her outrageous comments, but rather two older sister types – Hoda Abrahim and Yasmin Elhady – who are helping eight Muslim Americans find love.

The premise of their matchmaking business is the “Rules of Three: Three dates, three months, and three hundred questions.” In an era of dating apps and superficial swipes, the duo urges couples to approach their search for love with intention. They emphasize the importance of giving the relationship time and space to grow while asking the right questions.

The eight-episode show provides a fresh perspective on Muslim Americans as they navigate both their Muslim and cultural identities in the West. It offers captivating discussions on topics like cultural expectations when dating an older woman, the appropriate timeline to “date,” and finding a partner with an equal “halal-to-haram ratio.” These discussions are sure to resonate with many. And perhaps, offer a glimpse into a Muslim world that’s rarely seen in mainstream Western media.

The show comes with good intentions. For one, it acknowledges dating app fatigue. It offers a refreshing take with matchmakers who approach singles’ choices without judgment or sacrilegious remarks about “wanting too much” (looking at you, Sima Aunty).

But that’s also probably the biggest failing of the show. Dating shows thrive on drama – and there’s none here.

Tension doesn't surface until episode four. A Bengali-American woman is older than the man she’s dating, and cultural norms deem this unacceptable. We’re left on a cliffhanger, wondering how the Bengali-American man will disclose the relationship to his family.

It shouldn’t take that long to get us hooked.


Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
Updated 10 February 2025
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Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
  • Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe”

DUBAI: Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has unveiled a Ramadan campaign directed by Lebanese Sudanese auteur Dana Boulos and starring Saudi actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah and Saudi Olympic rower Husein Alireza.

The cast is rounded out by Omani artist Mays Almoosawi, Kuwaiti visual artist Najd Al-Taher, Emirati film director Sarah Al-Hashimi, Kuwaiti DJ Cascou and Bahraini contemporary artist Salman Al-Najem.

Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe.”

The campaign promotes the brand’s Silver Capsule Collection, its first-ever release for Ramadan by designer JW Anderson. With the concept, creative direction, casting and production by Between Us Boys Studio, and post-production handled by DAHOUL Studio, the clip focuses on a clock ticking down until iftar, the meal that breaks a Muslim’s fast during Ramadan.

The Silver Capsule Collection released at select stores the Middle East and at Harrods in London, on Sunday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dana Boulos (@danaboulos)

The collection sees the brand’s signature bags get a Ramadan makeover; the Puzzle bag appears in vetiver crocodile, while the Flamenco clutch and Squeeze bag are offered in metallic textures with intricate beading. The ready-to-wear selection boasts silky belted pajamas, soft nappa leather sets, and day-to-night silk dresses.

Los Angeles-based Boulos, who directed the campaign, has worked on short films, music videos, and fashion commercials for the likes of Mercedes Benz, Glossier, and Farfetch.

For her part, Taibah shot to fame for her show “Jameel Jeddan,” the first Saudi show starring, written, and created by a Saudi woman.

The plot of the 2022 release was anything but typical. Strong-headed Jameel wakes up from a five-year coma and is forced to finish her last year in high school and rejoin a society she no longer associates with. As a coping mechanism, she begins to experience glitches in the form of an animated alternative reality.

Taibah is currently working on off-beat Saudi romcom “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she wrote. The film is being directed by Anas Batahaf and will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan.


Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut

Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut
Updated 10 February 2025
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Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut

Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut

DUBAI: Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund, Egyptian filmmaker Khaled Mansour’s “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” had its US premiere at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

With screenings on Feb. 9, 11, and 14 at the US festival, the film travelled to the country after screenings at the Venice Film Festival and Jeddah’s Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in 2024.

The first Egyptian film to screen at September’s Venice Film Festival in 12 years, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” tells the story of protagonist Hassan as he searches for a safe haven for his best friend, his beloved dog Rambo, after the canine is threatened by their landlord.

“The story of ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ focuses on my generation and, through Hassan’s journey, we went deep into our thoughts, beliefs, fears, and sense of belonging. This project took about eight years to make because I intended to present unique and genuine cinema,” Mansour told Arab News at December’s RSIFF.

The auteur, who has also directed three short films and a mini-series titled “Rawaa Reads” (2023), continued: “It is my first feature-length narrative film, and this film is not (just) about a dog and his friend, but it is about the complexities of our generation, highlighting (the) struggle … that we go through in our society.”

The film was inspired by a real incident that resulted in an Egyptian court jailing four men in 2015 over the brutal killing of a dog, which was filmed and sparked outrage when the video went viral.


Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining

Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining
Updated 09 February 2025
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Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining

Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining

RIYADH: Sotheby’s inaugural auction in Saudi Arabia, titled “Origins,” concluded on Saturday with a total of $17,283,840 in sales in the fine art and luxury categories.

The historic event at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace was a turning point for the Kingdom’s art and luxury scene, with Saudi artists garnering significant attention.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by (@visitdiriyah)

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company, highlighted the significance of the collaboration between Diriyah and Sotheby’s.

“A few years ago, we decided that Sotheby’s, as a 277-year-old brand, had to match up with Diriyah because the value systems were the same, and you can’t be Sotheby’s without being in Diriyah,” he said in his opening remarks.

The modern and contemporary art section featured works by Saudi artists that collectively realized $1.1 million in sales.

Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant 1984 market scene set a personal auction record, selling for $264,000 after fierce bidding online and in the room. (Supplied)

Mohammed Al-Saleem’s untitled work, sourced directly from the artist’s daughter, led the Saudi work on offer.

The piece, blending abstract Arabic calligraphy with Al-Saleem’s vision of Saudi landscapes, sparked intense competition among four bidders before selling for a remarkable $660,000 — triple its pre-sale estimate.

Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant 1984 market scene set a personal auction record, selling for $264,000 after fierce bidding online and in the room.

Ahmed Mater’s “Illumination Diptych (Makkiah Tale)” exceeded expectations at $102,000.

Mater, one of Saudi Arabia’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, is internationally celebrated, with works displayed by institutions throughout the Arab world, the UK and the US.

Rene Magritte’s “L’Etat de veille” sold for $1.2 million. (Supplied)

Maha Malluh’s “Magadeer” (from the “Food for Thought” series), inspired by the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Najd area of the Kingdom, sold for $84,000, also surpassing its estimate.

When it came to international works, surrealist Rene Magritte’s “L’Etat de veille” sold for $1.2 million and Fernando Botero’s “Society Woman” made $1 million. Meanwhile, Banksy’s “Subject to Availability” from his series of vandalised oils, sold for $1.2 million.

The luxury segment dazzled collectors with an extraordinary selection of rare items, such as a Patek Philippe Grand Complication watch, a Cartier diamond necklace from the Art Deco era, and a limited-edition Hermes Birkin bag crafted from exotic leather.

Collectors from 45 countries took part in the auction, demonstrating its global appeal, while nearly one-third of the lots were bought by buyers from Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, more than 30 percent of participants were under the age of 40, reflecting the growing interest in art and luxury items among younger generations.