Inspired by the Desert Dune Dinner at Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa and the amazing Arabic flavors and setting at Amaseena at the Ritz Carlton Dubai, I’ve put together a desert picnic full of sweets, celebrating Dubai’s bedouin history and adding lavish touches like the modern day city.

CIROC Martini Madre

1 oz CIROC Amaretto

1 oz Cranberry Juice

.5 oz Triple Sec

.25 oz Honey Syrup

.5 oz Lemon Juice

*Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice

*Shake well then strain into martini glass garnished with a twist of lemon

Chef Rami Almaket of The Ritz Carlton Dubai’s Oum Ali (Arabic Bread Pudding)

Ingredients:

1,000 g milk

200g sugar

150g rose water

500 g croissant

400 g cream (soft whipped)

Method:

• Cut the 1 day old croissant into large pieces.
• Heat the milk, sugar and rose water
• Add in the croissants to the milk mixture and stir gradually, letting the croissant to soak up the milk.
• Place the mixture in baking dish
• Whip the cream to soft peak and spread evenly on top of the mixture.
• Place in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake until the cream turns golden brown, approximately 10 minutes.
• Serve warm.