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Eid round-up

Where to go and what to do during the festivities

MIRDIF CITY CENTRE is celebrating Eid Al Fitr with a wealth of dining options and family entertainment.

On Friday, September 2, meet and take photos with Ben 10 alien Humungousaur. Cartoon Network Arabic will also screen popular animated shows on the hour from 5pm to 9pm.

Race car Lightning McQueen from Cars 2 fame will also make a special appearance at Hamleys toy store from August 31 to September 8, and Crate & Barrel hosts the ‘Match Maker’ game wall for children and adults, who can try their luck to win fabulous offers.

The shopping mall also boasts 79 dine-in restaurants including P.F. Changs, Tony Roma’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, plus cafes and fast food outlets.

For further information and the chance to win prizes, go to www.facebook.com/mirdifcitycentre. Alternatively, call 800 MiCC (800 6422) or visit www.mirdifcitycentre.com.

DUBAI DOLPHINARIUM HAS announced it will have a new stage design and a new show programme for Eid Al Fitr and the upcoming season.

The ‘Beach Stage’, featuring a real wild waterfall, improves the show for both the dolphins and the audience – while visitors will also be entertained with mascots, face painting, live music, jugglers, a puppet show and lots of prizes.

Show timings during Eid will be from August 31 to September 3, at 11am, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm. Tickets for adults start at Dhs100 and for kids at Dhs50.

For more information, call 04 336 9773 or toll free at 800 DOLPHIN (365 7446) or visit www.dubaidolphinarium.ae.

THE COPTHORNE HOTEL Dubai is offering room-only packages for Dhs399 for a deluxe one-bedroom suite, with two-bedroom family suites available for Dhs699.

All children under 12 receive a 50 per cent discount on food and beverages at the hotel in Deira, plus all guests can take free shuttles to Dubai Outlet Mall and Jumeirah Beach Park. Call 04 295 0500.

EID PACKAGES AT the Grand Millennium Al Wahda start at Dhs399, including breakfast.

Guests staying at the Abu Dhabi hotel will also receive a 25 per cent discount on food & beverages, and a 35 per cent discount on spa treatments. Call 02 443 9999 to book.

JOIN KIDVILLE’S SPECIAL Eid party on Saturday, September 3, where youngsters can participate in themed activities including story time and a puppet show. Head to the learning and entertainment centre’s locations in JBR Rimal 5 (11am to 12.30pm, tel: 04 440 1220), Motor City (2pm to 3.30pm, tel: 04 454 2760) and Uptown Mirdif (5pm to 6.30pm, tel: 04 236 3648).

Confirm your attendance by e-mailing swapnali@pulse360me.com.

EID RECIPE

Lima Beans with Dill Rice

(from Sous Chef Hassan Mohammed Kanso, Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek)

Servings: Approximately 6 to 8 persons

Preparation time: 20 minutes (plus soaking for rice)

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

· 1 recipe steamed rice

· 1 package (10 ounce) frozen baby lima beans, thawed

· 14 tablespoons butter

· 3 cups freshly chopped dill

· 3 medium potatoes, cut into 1/inch slices (optional)

· ¼ teaspoon cinnamon threads crushed and steeped in 2 tablespoons hot water

· Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Method:

· Prepare Steamed Rice. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a non-stick 6-quart saucepan. Arrange potato slices in single layer in saucepan.

· Spread one-third of prepared rice over potatoes. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Cover with half of lima beans, and half of dill. • Cover with half of remaining rice and remainder of lima beans and dill. Top with remaining rice. Keep ingredients mounded high in centre so steam can circulate. Sprinkle 4 cup water over rice. • Place remaining butter over rice. Cover rice with waxed paper. Wrap cover of pot in kitchen towel and place over saucepan to keep steam inside.

· Cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, reduce heat to low, and cook 35 minutes or until rice is soft and fluffy.

· Set 1 cup rice aside. Mound remaining rice on serving dish. Remove potatoes from saucepan with spatula and place around rice or in separate dish. Sprinkle reserved cup of rice with saffron and mix well. Spread saffron rice on top of plain rice. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.