News flash

Orchid fiesta

Orchid lovers and gardening freaks had a rare treat last weekend, as the Bangladesh Orchid Society organised a two-day Orchid show last weekend. Around 50 varieties of this exotic flower were put on display for all to marvel at.

About 2000 items of the potted beauties were on offer, some hanging from suspended earthen pots, and some arranged in decorative wooden racks. The prices ranged from Tk 350 to Tk 2500, and other than the flowers, there was also a small booth for fertilizers and guide books on how to maintain orchids. Naseem Iqbal, the society president was present to offer tips on caring for these lovely epiphytes. "These are actually very easy to maintain. Just make sure they receive adequate water, air and sunlight, and feed them fertilizers once a week, and that's all they need. Even though they are of foreign origin, these orchids have comfortably adapted to our local environment."

Those who missed the show, but would still like to check out the orchids can drop in at House 2, Road 95 and see for themselves.

By Sabrina F Ahmad

Sozpodor's fashion show

It was an evening of fashion in a tribal theme, as Sozpodor, an indigenous and Bangali design house, organised a fashion show at the Saffron restaurant in Gulshan, featuring the designs of Tenzing Chakma and SK Rahman, in a bid to popularise the colourful tribal apparel internationally.

The show was divided into six segments, each with a specific theme. It started off with the basic pinon (tribal skirt) and khadi (top) combination, then in segment two, moved on to 'urban scenario', presenting typical attires, which these ethnic people usually wear when they visit cities like Chittagong or Dhaka. 'Party dress' was the next theme that showcased party wear. There was a segment called 'Gypsy' featuring gypsy-inspired apparel using local tribal handloom fabrics. The fifth segment featured Western wear, and the entire show wrapped up with the Bridal wear segment.

The outfits were put on display and cost between Taka 500 to Taka 25,0000, featuring indigenous handloom fabrics in a myriad of colours.

By Ershad Kamol
(For the full review, turn to centre fold for a scoop on the event)

Change by exchange: A new Siemens fridge

If you are looking for a new fridge, then Lipro Communications Ltd, the sole distributor of Siemens Home Appliances, is broadening its hand to help you out. Lipro has set a milestone in selling and marketing of world famous fridge band, Siemens, and they are helping you by launching the "Fridge Exchange Offer". To avail this offer, all you have to do is to contact with Lipro personnel and then they will send some experts to your home. The experts will examine your fridge and will set a price for that, and then you can buy a Siemens Fridge by exchanging your old one. The total transportation for this purpose will be borne by Siemens. Already this unique offer has got a huge response from all over the country.

Only Siemens of Germany is manufacturing hi-tech fridges with antibacterial technology. Siemens fridge is best not only for its cooling efficiency but also for its quality hygiene factors. Siemens offers 3 years warranty and satisfaction of smooth operation, and is available in the market in various sizes (from 11.5cft to 19.5cft) and prices.

Siemens has their Showrooms all over the country, and their contact numbers are:
Head Office : 9893469, 8817147, and 8818082
Hotline Exchange Info : 0172-786677, 0171-036369, 019-350016, 011-811010

Diary of a Food Obsessed Person By Sam Q

Dearest diary,
As my mom says, "beta, we have a fantastic cook, a great digestive tract, active taste buds, economic freedom to buy from all the great eateries from road number 11, banani, but the irony of the situation is, we can't eat." Why? Because, both mother and daughter share not only looks, but also our matching girth. My question to God is, if you have given food on this planet, why have you given the curse of getting fat? Yeah I know…I know… as my (very fashion and weight conscious) friend Asif would say, " God has also given you brains which tells you when to stop." I agree Asif, but greed overtook my future consequences, and here I am today…
fat and alienated from the rest of the society.

You do know, diary, that Bengalis are the most racist. Not in the color and religion creed, but by your body shape. If you are fat… you have had it. You are made to feel like the lowest of the lows. As if you have committed the highest crime in the echelons of society. As if you are not in control of your life. Basically you are made to feel your opinions on fashion, style, life, nothing matters. I used to feel that stuff a couple of years ago, but slowly with coming of age into the liberating forties, I am free of myself bound to shackles. Having very supportive friends and family have helped me shape my very (over) confident persona.

I know my friends really love me and think I am one of them when they ask me before any party what I am going to wear. And when I answer them in a very matter-of-fact and droll voice that, (I'm wearing a) a tank top for a blouse and a sheer chiffon sari, they gasp and then the penny drops and then they get it that I was being sarcastic. With my size, my wardrobe is very limited. Either it is a sari or a shalwar kamiz. But by limited, it means, limited choice not quantity of clothes limited. I had to write this bit, because, I could hear the shrieks from a mile long already, by the implications implied by my previous sentences.

Anyway diary, I have not given up my quest on losing weight . I am still going to the gym. Thought the weight has not shifted much, but my skin is looking great, the pains in my knee are gone, I can climb 3 flights of stairs at one go, and I have turned up. That's not so bad. So another healthy recipe for you. Actually you know me, it is not so healthy in the calorie section, but nice and healthy for slim people. So here goes…
Combination fried rice-(serves 4-6 )

2 cups of rice
olive or canola oil spray
150g green prawns, peeled and deveined with tails left intact
1 ½ tsp minced garlic
200g beef, sliced
200g chicken breast fillet, sliced
1-cup broccoli florets
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
6 button mushrooms, thinly sliced
¼ cup bamboo shoots, rinsed and drained
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced cabbage
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 ½ tsp caster sugar
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Cook rice according to packet instructions. Spray a non-stick wok or fry pan with oil and stir fry prawns over high heat for 3 minutes or until opaque. Remove and set aside. Add garlic, beef and chicken and stir-fry for 5 minutes or until cooked through. Add vegetables, sauces, sugar and pepper and stir fry until heated through. Serve with rice.

Tips

The magic of vinegar
Although vinegar is mostly used to flavour food and for pickling, it also has various amazing qualities that can help to keep many daily hassles at bay. There are some interesting uses of vinegar.
Instead of using this liquid only to soften meat, you can use vinegar to deter ants from your house. Just spray vinegar in areas commonly frequented by ants.
To well clean your eyeglasses, wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.
To get rid of cooking smells from pans and pots, boil a solution of vinegar and water in the affected vessels.
To remove rust from rod, bolts and other metal tools, soak them in strong vinegar.
To clean china and fine glassware, add a cup of vinegar to a basin of warm water and then gently dip the glassware in the solution and let dry.
You can also use equal quantity of water and vinegar to clean your refrigerator.
To cut grease and odour that cling to dishes, wash them in warm soapy water with a spoon of vinegar added to it.
To remove fruit stains from hands, rub vinegar on them.
You can also heal a sore throat by pouring a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water and then gargling with it.
You can use vinegar as a hair conditioner too. Rinse your hair with vinegar to remove the stickiness often left by shampoo. Rinsing hair with vinegar and 2 cups of warm water will also help you fight dandruff.
If you have stowed vegetables in the refrigerator for longer than usual, they must have wilted by now. But no worries; just soak them in a solution of water and vinegar and watch the magic.
And lastly, if a naughty bee ever stings you, then apply vinegar on the affected area for immediate relief.

By Penelope

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Hanging Out

The Recipe

If you think there's more to a good meal than just good food, then The Recipe is the place for you. Literally taking the art of dining to 'new heights', the restaurant, located on the top floor of Tower Hamlet in Kemal Ataturk Road, went into operation on Tuesday, September 7.

The décor is an interesting study in textures and silhouettes, with its layered false ceiling, accent lighting, textured pillars, and engraved terracotta tiles on the walls, all done in a contrast of dark blue against neutral, earthy shades of khaki, sand and beige. Adding a splash of colour are the back-lighted painted glass panels, but perhaps the best visual effects can be obtained by simply looking out of the window. From high up in the 13th floor, a good portion of the city is spread out below, and this view looks even better at night.

With a seating capacity of just over a hundred, the restaurant is split into two separate areas, a formal dining hall on the right, and a slightly more casual seating arrangement on the left, with space for buffet tables.

The Recipe boasts a comprehensive menu of Continental and Thai cuisine and seafood. This includes the familiar Thai soup and wan-thon, and other oriental savouries, as well as items like minestrone soup, salmon toast and steaks. The meat for the steaks is imported from New Zealand. The restaurant has a highly trained Thai chef, and two professional Continental chefs from Dubai.

With a wide range of food items to pick for, the place definitely merits several visits just to try them all out. The Continental dishes are perhaps uncharted territory for restaurants in this part of Dhaka, which makes them all the more intriguing, but the Thai food is equally good. The desserts, however, are the real show-stealer. Word of advice: don't forget to try the caramel pudding and the chocolate mousse!

The Recipe will be offering set menus at a special price for students around lunchtime, and should be starting a buffet system soon. Bookings may be made for parties and other occasions.

Great view, good service and superb food…do you really need another reason to check this place out?

Sabrina F Ahmad