- Title: QATAR-QATAYEF SHOP Qataris flock to bakery known for Qatayef
- Date: 22nd June 2015
- Summary: QATAR (JUNE 20, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF SAIDA BAKERY PEOPLE QUEUING OUTSIDE BAKERY VARIOUS OF WORKERS PICKING UP QATAYEF FROM BAKING TRAY OWNER OF SAIDA BAKERY, ABDULLATIF AL-NADDAF, PICKING UP PLASTIC BAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAIDA BAKERY OWNER, ABDULLATIF AL-NADDAF, SAYING: "We have been famous for Qatayef for 60 or 70 years. Since we came to Doha, we started prepar
- Embargoed: 7th July 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Qatar
- Country: Qatar
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA6XHCYRCL6W202F856CH6LVWZY
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Saida bakery in old Doha looks like any other shop in the area, but during Ramadan, it bustles with activity.
Several hours before sunset, shoppers start queuing outside the family-run bakery which has been in business for over 50 years.
Saida enjoys a reputation for its Qatayef, a popular Ramadan dessert in Levant countries and in Egypt. The bakery here is owned and run by an expat Lebanese family.
Bakery owner Abdullatif al-Naddaf said his family claim that they were the first to introduce the delicacy to Qatar.
"We have been famous for Qatayef for 60 or 70 years. Since we came to Doha, we started preparing Qatayef. We were the first to introduce Qatayef in Doha," he said.
The shop was established in 1957 by Abdullatif's uncle; Abu Ahmed al-Naddaf. The renovation work in some areas of old Doha led the family to move their business to another location.
"My uncle comes from Lebanon. He came from Lebanon in the year 1957 and started in "Kahrabaa" street that is being demolished now. We had our shop there. When he started there weren't any gas stoves. He cooked Qatayef on coal and fire wood. We developed gradually and now use tools and gas cookers. We still have the same good reputation created by Abu Ahmed," he said.
The shop is so popular that customers come from all over the Gulf state to snap up the treats.
The owner says his regular customers appreciate the quality that comes from the long experience in Qatayef making.
"They come from the north and south of Qatar, from Mesaied, Rayyan and other districts. We have more customers coming from outside of Doha than from Doha. Clients come from Al-Khor city to buy Qatayef. They know we have been making Qatayef for several years. The cooked batter can be easily opened for stuffing several hours after it's bought," he said.
For several customers, buying Qatayef from Saida Bakery is almost a Ramadan ritual. Most have been buying from the shop for several years.
Ashraf has been a regular for 15 years.
"It has a distinctive taste. The batter is delicious with the stuffing. There is a secret in this Qatayef that I don't understand. I tried other shops, but after several attempts, I came back here. I live in Al-Wakra and I come here to buy Qatayef and go back," he said.
Qatayef chef Nasser Abdulaziz joined Saida Bakery in 1983. He said that the quality of the ingredients was the secret behind their Qatayef.
"We have been working with the same quality since 1983 till now. We import all the Qatayef ingredients from Lebanon. We bring the semolina, flour, milk and buttermilk from outside Qatar," he said.
The batter is usually made from a combination of flour, semolina, yeast and water. The skilled workers then pour the batter onto a hot metal surface and cook it on one side only.
The result is a pancake-like circle, which is then stuffed with nuts or cream cheese and folded. It can then be served as it is or deep fried and covered in a sugar syrup. It is traditionally eaten in Ramadan as a desert after the iftar meal. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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