halal restaurant food Archives

Mandi Biryani at Home in House of Mandi!

August 20, 2022 Comments Off

The signature **Mandi Biryani** platter at House of Mandi in Little Arabia

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Summer Sundays in Anaheim can be as sticky and hot as the original home of Mandi Biryani in Mandi (the name for this feast) in Hadhramaut, Yemen. We arrived for a meal here in the name of research because Banana Leaf Chef-Owner, Sri Sambangi, LocalFoodEater.com publisher, added Mandi Biryani platters his menu after discovering its new popularity in India.

Mandi biryani is prepared with specially seasoned proteins or vegetables and rice are cooked separately instead of layered in one pot (dum biryani). Generous sharing platters encourage communal finger-food dining. House of Mandi stays full continually. Even without word of mouth, when we phoned minutes before arrival, no less than owner Sarem Mohamed welcomed us on the phone.

t **Mandi Biryan** platter at House of Mandi in Little Arabia

Mandi biryani originated in Yemen and traveled to India by way of the Arabian peninsula. Meats are traditionally slow-cooked underground on smoldering fires, or at the very least in special ovens to keep them moist, which is gives “mandi”its name.

Lamb Mandi, a traditional dish from Hadhramaut in Yemen, can be ordered individually or for large groups. A very young fresh lamb is gently roasted underneath the oven until the ultra-tender meat literally falls of the bone. It is served on a bed of specially seasoned Mandi rice with slivered almonds and yellow raisins, and arrived with a little container of Yemeni sauce and yogurt. ($24.99 “serve 2-3” and can serve six)

**Mandi Biryani** platters draw a crowd at House of Mandi in Little Arabia run by family and friends

Hrada of Fahsah is traditional dish from Sana in Yemen. A shredded lamb and deer whipped fenugreek is served bubbling hot, cooked in the traditional Yemeni plate carved of stone. One blanket of a Yemeni bread and yemeni sauce comes with the dish. ($21.99 “serves 2-3” and can serve four)

Famous Hrada of Fahsah at House of Mandi features shredded lamb

When we heard about House of Mandi, we headed right to Little Arabia although we later discovered other restaurants that serve the dish near DTLA.

House of Mandi, 518 S Brookhurst St Unit 1, Anaheim, CA 92804, Phone: (657) 220-5272, //www.houseofmandi-yemenirestaurant.com.

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. No alcohol. Credit cards accepted. Lot parking.

Thank you @tableconveration, @foodfaye and 2photosbyyakir for introducing me to this restaurant when it was Olive Tree and creating such special memories. And this included going to the Middle Eastern Market to see the fresh ingredients for yourself!

No trip to Little Arabia feels complete without a trip to the Fresh Market!

For the story of how regal Biryani was brought to India by the powerful, ruling Mughals to the northwest to be transformed by a shah’s wife, when It was already a classic rich with fruits and meats in the Mughal royal kitchens of Persia and how Mandi Biryani arrived in the south by way of traders from the Arabian peninsula, where it was cooked in special ovens that kept the meat moist and gave “mandi” its name, please see www.localfoodeater.com

I first experienced finger food eating, on the floor inside of a house of the Asian Culture when I was doing a special on a network TV special on Immigrants. I was quite surprised. And then remembered the outdoor picnic in western cultures that does the same thing, and with insects!

What Is Halal and Why It Is Going Viral

January 8, 2022 Comments Off

(Gerry Furth-Sides) With everyone turning every which way to be healthier these days (vegan, non-GMO and raw), it was just a matter of time before healthy eaters turn to Halal. And, like it’s close relative, Kosher, it definitely implies and means eating meats, foul and poultry on a certification list that you can trust to be clean, and that are slaughtered in a humane way. You can expect a lot more restaurant tauting this feature in the coming year.

Like “kosher,” too, the term is often misunderstood. It is not an ethnic food, it is not a style and it does not refer to a style of cooking.

Lamb is in the halal category when raised and slaughter properly

Lawful halal animals include cattle, sheep, goats, camels, deer, antelope and rabbit. Although not banned, it is considered offensive to eat horse, mule or donkey. It is not permitted to eat the meat of any animal with canine teeth, fangs or tusks. Followers of Islam can consume any sea creature that has scales.

Goat and all meat at Banana Leaf restaurant is certified Halal

Kosher is acceptable to halal other than , but halal is not acceptable kosher because kosher laws are stricter.

Halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible.” Halal food is that which adheres to Islamic law, as defined in the Koran. Halal foods meet Islamic dietary guidelines and are allowed for consumption.

In culinary terms, it means food that is permissible according to Islamic law. For a meat to be certified “halal,” it cannot be a forbidden cut, such as meat from hindquarters) or of certain animals not considered clean, such as pork.

Halal meat is reared—and slaughtered—differently from conventional meat. Muslims who eat Halal do not consume the fresh blood of animals. So once an animal is killed, its blood must drain completely. The Islamic form of slaughtering animals or poultry, dhabiha, involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe.

Animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter and all blood is drained from the carcass. During the process, a Muslim will recite a dedication. This is known as tasmiya or shahada.

There is debate about elements of halal, such as whether stunning is allowed. Stunning cannot be used to kill an animal, according to the Halal Food Authority (HFA), a non-profit organisation that monitors adherence to halal principles. But it can be used if the animal survives and is then killed by halal methods. The debate rages in the UK and Greece continually.

If slaughtered/harvested properly, beef, lamb, goat, venison, bison, chicken, turkey, fish and shellfish can be halal meats. Pork and alcohol are considered haram (forbidden).

Kosher food complies with Jewish dietary law, known as kashrut, which governs what can and cannot be eaten by practitioners. Both methods require use of a surgically sharp knife and specially-trained slaughtermen. Jewish law strictly forbids the use of stunning and meats are not blessed after an initial blessing.

Both Kashrut forbid the consumption of certain parts of the carcass,

Historic Long Beach NOMAD asian bistro’s New Look

September 11, 2020 Comments Off

NOMAD asian bistro in Long Beach is spacious enough for distancing and also offers patio service. Specials are on the wall as you walk in the door.

(Gerry Furth-Sides) NOMAD asian bistro in Long Beach, long a cornerstone of the exploding Long Beach community dining scene, has also been worthy of a destination dining as the only halal Chinese restaurant in North America. Manager Cary Huynh, who is a chef himself, exemplifies the hospitality and outstanding service. Born and raised in Viet Nam, Cary’s family is Chinese.

Chef Cary Huynh, NOMAD restaurant manager

Patio dining is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday but these days, take-out is the star. Patio hours are Sunday from 11 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. Lunch specials are so inviting you can just go up and down the menu at will and happily eat from it daily. Pick up is available, and so is delivery by Postmates.

特價午餐 LUNCH SPECIALS
daily | 11am – 4pm

Each order comes with steamed or brown rice & cup of daily soup

Upgrade to egg fried rice +2.00

Daily 11am – 4pm

Excluding holidays
Menu prices are subject to change without notice

蒜香牛仔骨 Nomad Short Ribs 12.95
法式牛柳 Filet Mignon w/ Black Pepper Sauce    12.95
公保三鮮 Kung Pao Three Flavor   11.50
蒙古牛 Mongolian Beef    10
陳皮雞（牛）Orange Chicken or Beef 10
芥蘭雞（牛）Broccoli Chicken or Beef 10
公保雞（牛）Kung Pao Chicken or Beef 10
腰果雞（牛）Cashew Chicken or Beef 10
雪豆雞（牛） Chicken or Beef with Snow Peas 10
麻辣雞丁 Garlic Chicken with Jalapeño    10
雞雜碎（牛） Chicken or Beef with Seasonal Vegetables 10
辣椒炒雞片（牛）Chili Chicken or Beef 10
黑椒蘑菇雞（牛）Caramelized Black Pepper Mushroom Chicken or Beef 10
古老雞 Sweet & Sour Chicken 10
咖哩雞（牛） Yellow Curry Chicken or Beef    10

核桃蝦 Honey Walnut Shrimp 12.95
干燒蝦 Hot Braised Shrimp 11.50
蝦龍糊 Shrimp with Lobster Sauce 11.50
麻辣蝦 Garlic Shrimp with Jalapeño 11.50
公保蝦 Kung Pao Shrimp 11.50
芥蘭蝦 Broccoli Shrimp 11.50
腰果蝦 Cashew Shrimp 11.50

豆䜴蝦（魚）Black Bean Shrimp or Fish 11.50
雪豆蝦（魚）Shrimp or Fish with Snow Peas 11.50
蝦雜碎（魚）Shrimp or Fish w/ Seasonal Vegetables 11.50
黑椒蘑菇蝦（魚） Black Pepper Mushroom Shrimp or Fish 11.50
古老蝦（魚）Sweet & Sour Shrimp or Fish 11.50

公保豆腐 Kung Pao Tofu. 10
豆腐雜碎 Tofu with Seasonal Vegetables 10
紅燒豆腐 Tofu with Shiitake Mushroom 10
冬菇青岡菜 Bok Choy with Shiitake Mushroom 10
塔香中茄 Basil Eggplant 10
干煸四季豆 Spicy Green Beans 10
炒菠菜 Garlic Spinach 10

NOMAD is as famous for its Asian fusion cuisine as for being the first restaurant certified to serve Chinese Halal in Southern California, especially its Hui specialties. The Hui are a Chinese ethnic tribe who originated in regions along the historic Silk Road. The unique blend of traditional Chinese food with Mediterranean influences introduced by Persian and Middle Eastern travelers along the trading route culminated in what we know today as Hui cuisine. Staying true to its Hui roots, NOMAD serves familiar classic Chinese staples and seasonal specialties from all over the Asian continent.

NOMAD asian bistro’s menu holds a variety of halal food.

Dishes arrive fresh from the kitchen to all parts of the restaurant. Different areas of seating include private booths plus a sunny indoor and outdoor patio section at the front of the roomy dining areas for distancing. Specials are on the wall as you walk in the door. Free parking in a more than ample lot is right outside the door.

NOMAD asian bistro in Long Beach remains a cool oasis during COVID

As the only Halal-certified Chinese restaurant in North America NOMAD is famous throughout the Islamic community nationally and internationally. “Certified Halal” means that animals must be slaughtered as prescribed by Muslim law, as defined in the Koran. The specific respectful manner is followed by a blessing. There are similarities to Kosher food that complies with Jewish dietary law but all “kosher” food falls within the requirements of being “halal” although not all “halal” food is “kosher” due to more requirements.

The feast for eight or more people can be adjusted to vegetarian or even vegan preferences at NOMAD asian bistro, Long Beach

Chicken Roti Wrap

The chicken roti wrap incorporates Indian Paratha that gives an Indian flair to the menu at NOMAD asian bistro, Long Beach

Main Dish Menu

Mix Green Chow Fun

Apple Walnut Shrimp

Lobster in Black Pepper Sauce

Filet Mignon in Brown Butter Sauce

Lamb Rack in Basil Sauce

Jade Fried Rice

Our favorite rice noodles, here thinner and longer and refined at NOMAD asian bistro, Long Beach

Apple Walnut Shrimp

Chinese restaurant favorite, Walnut Shrimp, is unique. Here Chef Cary adds apples for an unexpected crunch and Cary lightens the mayonnaise with yogurt.