Making your own salad dressing at home is so much better than getting store-bought — think fresh ingredients and none of the artificial flavouring, added sugar, or low-quality ingredients. It could even save you money in the long run if it’s something you use a lot. Plus, using fresh ingredients is another way to get creative with eating mindfully and exploring your relationship with food.

Making key ingredients like salad dressing at home is a small but powerful way to take complete control of what goes in your food, as well as what doesn’t. These simple salad dressing recipes are a great way to balance meals and make them more exciting. Every salad dressing recipe shared here — a basic vinaigrette, tahini sauce, and a riff on the traditional green chutney — starts with a few basic building blocks: a base, an acid, and something that adds a rich, creamy consistency. These recipes are fully customisable and function as a base for you to add your favourite ingredients to and experiment with flavour profiles.

You can also add herbs to season your dressing; dry or fresh, they’ll add further depth to the dressing and your meal by extension. Just remember to let the dressing rest for at least 30 minutes to allow fresh herbs to infuse with the mixture.

Salad dressing can keep for up to a week if stored properly in the fridge: fully covered and in an airtight glass container. It’s perfectly normal for oil-based dressings to harden or congeal in the fridge, but don’t worry — let it come to room temperature on the counter before serving.

Looking for a healthy breakfast fix that won’t take more than a minute? Look no further than the smoothie, which can be served as a breakfast, afternoon snack, or as an alternative drink alongside your lunch.

While the key to a great smoothie is fresh ingredients, they’re a great way to reduce food waste, an easy way to transition away from added refined sugar, and increase your intake of fresh fruits and veggies. Make sure to add on some granola, seeds, or nuts for extra protein, especially at breakfast, to avoid a sharp glucose spike in the morning.

January is well and truly here and brings with it a fresh sense of renewal and resolutions for the New Year to come. Whether it’s committing to a skincare routine or detoxing after the intense festive season with a plant-based diet, the start of the year is all about stepping back and dialling things down. Moderation. Abstention. Veganuary. Dry January.

Dry January started out in 2013 as a campaign in the UK in which participants volunteer to give up alcohol for the entire month of January. The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness about alcohol-related health issues, but it also serves to highlight unhealthy drinking culture and the widespread dependence on alcohol to socialise and entertain. Finding alcohol-free alternatives and non-alcoholic options on menus is far from a novelty now, especially when they’re this good and not just canned sodas or pumped full of sugar and food colouring. Read on to find some of the best places to go in Dubai if you’re not touching the bottle but still want to catch those after-work drinks with friends or a nice dinner with a special someone.

Amazónico

Step into a tropical paradise at Amazónico with a menu centred around seasonal and superfood ingredients, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails served in fantastic custom sculpted glasses. From the appetisers down to the mains, sides, and desserts, each course offers options that are perfect if you want to go out without the breaking your detox and dry January resolutions. Choose the Peacock Spritz, made with non-alcoholic Belli-No, maracuya, lemon, and tonic, or the best-selling Jaguarete with a carefully concocted mixture of papaya, tangerine, and salted cashew, finished with Perrier and Bôtan’s signature ‘No ABV’ spirit.

Amazónico, Gate Village 11, DIFC, Dubai, 04 571 3999 @amazonicodubai

KATA

This contemporary Japanese restaurant with iconic views of the Dubai Fountain at Dubai Mall’s Waterfront Promenade offers a year-round menu of delicious mocktails that complement its world-class food and has a wide range of alcohol-free beverages. Drinks include fruit-based takes on classic drinks, like the Redroni, which features red grape, botanical infusion, and forest fruits, as well as Ryui’s Kiss, which consists of infused juniper berry, hibiscus, and dragon fruit. The huge outdoor terrace dining area seals the deal.

KATA Dubai, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 04 273 3800, @kata.ae

NoLo

As Dubai’s first dry bar, NoLo serves thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails that feel just like the real thing. Open until 1am. With a food menu that features light bar snacks, the casual atmosphere is perfect for catching up with friends after work.

NoLo, Dusit Thani Dubai, 04 317 4515, @nolodubai

Lobby Lounge

As an alternative to boozy brunches, enjoy a calm, luxuriant afternoon tea any day of the week at the iconic Ritz-Carlton Dubai with an extensive tea menu featuring 10 different types of teas, as well as an assortment of finger and open-faced sandwiches, scones, pastries, and sweet treats.

Lobby Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai, DIFC, Dubai, 04 399 4000, ritzcarlton.com

After a long season of indulging in rich food, festive drinks, and way too many desserts, it’s time to treat your body to a refreshing juice. Go for an apple, cinnamon, and ginger shot to detox – apples are in season this time of year, and so good for you. The cinnamon and raw ginger in this recipe are anti-inflammatory and help boost immunity to fight those nasty winter colds, while the fibre from the apple is good for your gut and skin, as well as full of antioxidants.

Optionally, you can add a dash of turmeric, too – powdered or raw – for that brilliant yellow colour as well as its functional benefits. You can strain the juice after blending, but you’ll be missing out on all the good stuff that’s in the fibre. The same goes for peeling the apple before blending it for juice.

Apple Cinnamon Ginger Detox Shot

Serving Size:

1 cup

Time:

5 minutes

Difficulty:

Easy

Ingredients

• 1 large apple
• 1/2-inch knob of ginger, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnnamon powder
• 1 cup (or 200ml) water
• Pinch of turmeric (optional)

Directions

1. Wash, core, and cut the apple. Peel, if you prefer.
2. Add the chopped apple, ginger, water, cinnamon powder, and turmeric powder into a blender.
3. Blend on high speed for a minute, or until completely blended. If the juice is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time.
4. Pour into a glass and sprinkle with more cinnamon or turmeric according to taste.

Christmas is only two sleeps away, so now’s the time to give our chocolate chip cookie recipe a try. Not only is this homemade dessert easy and fuss-free, but it’s also ideal if you’re looking to fill up those goodie bags, cookie jars, or dessert trays. You can also scoop (or roll into balls by hand) and freeze the cookie dough, making this a great make-ahead recipe, so you always have fresh cookies on hand.

Be sure to chill the dough for at least three hours before baking, or even overnight. If the dough is too soft, the butter will be too runny, meaning the cookies won’t hold their shape and the dough will spread too thin. Plus, letting the dough chill and rest makes for richer, toffee-like flavour thanks to the brown sugar.

Let your cookies have some space on the baking sheet – it’s exciting to turn out a big batch at a time, but place your dough evenly spaced apart. These chocolate chip cookies will stay soft and chewy for days if kept in an airtight container, and you can always use the cookie dough as a base for other toppings, like coarse salt, white chocolate, or nuts. If they do dry out or get overbaked – it happens to the best of us – place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies to soften them up again.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Serving Size:

24-36 cookies

Time:

35 minutes

Difficulty:

Very Easy

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 150g butter
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 egg, beaten
• 200g chocolate chips

Directions

1. Soften the butter in a microwave until just partially melted, and allow it to melt slowly as it comes back to room temperature once out of the oven. In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together both sugars and melted butter until creamy and no lumps remain.

2. Add the beaten egg and vanilla essence and whisk again on high speed, then add the baking powder and all-purpose flour. Fold gently to combine instead of beating or whisking. Gently mix in the chocolate chips and press the dough together. It should be neither too runny nor too dry.

3. Cover and chill the dough for three hours in the freezer, or in the fridge overnight.

4. Preheat the oven to 180°C for 10 minutes. Scoop the dough (or roll into balls, if you don’t have a cookie scoop) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes, or just until the edges are set and beginning to brown. If baking the frozen dough, bake for an extra three to five minutes.

5. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to finish baking on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

The festive season is officially here, and it is just so tempting to overindulge during this time of year – but you don’t have to. These recipes will help you jumpstart that New Year’s resolution a little earlier this year without feeling like you’re missing out on all the good stuff. Want more healthy holiday treats? Check out this recipe for Pumpkin Spiced Baked Oats.

Chocolate-Orange Protein Balls

I am a big fan of homemade energy balls. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also packed full of nutrient-rich ingredients such as oats, dates, and cacao to help boost our energy levels and support good health in general. In this recipe, each ball is filled with protein, heart-healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, fibre, plus a whole host of minerals and antioxidants. Post-holidays, you can enjoy this snack as a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon or alongside your morning tea/coffee to get you going with your day! These chocolate-orange protein balls can be made in larger batches and placed in the freezer so you always have them on standby.

Snickers Date Bites

These chocolate-covered peanut butter stuffed dates taste just like Snickers but are so much better for you as they’re naturally sweetened – perfect if the stress of this season prompts you to reach for those candy bars. Besides, once you have a chocolate-covered date, you will not want them any other way! And with only five ingredients, it’s so easy to make. These treats aren’t limited to the holiday season – if you love having something sweet in the middle of the day or after dinner, make a larger batch, store them in the freezer, and enjoy whenever the craving strikes.

Farewell, 2022 – a year when cinnamon rolls were upgraded, charcuterie boards stole the spotlight, and microgreens continued to reign supreme. But a new year is upon us, bringing with it a whole host of culinary trends that are set to dominate the food and beverage landscape. Here are our favourites at a glance.

Swice Makes Nice

If the likes of mango salsa, Thai chilli sauce, and Mexican hot chocolate sound appealing, 2023 will be a good one for your taste buds as ‘swicy’ – sweet and spicy – food will take over. Incidentally, we can thank the birthplace of BTS for this one. South Korean cuisine is often swicy, most notably pairing spicy fried chicken with strawberry jam.

Pasta x Plants

As we continue to look for ways to increase our intake of vegetables, plant-based pasta will be on the rise in the year ahead. Now, we’re all aware of zucchini noodles and chickpea pasta, so plant-based pasta is hardly the new kid on the block. Food experts, however, predict that new alternatives made using hearts of palm and spaghetti squash will soon make an appearance.

Time for Tinned

Canned tuna may be a staple in most homes, but 2023 will remind us that the tinned fish aisle boasts so much more – think: sardines, anchovies, and mackerel, which can be used in a myriad of dishes such as pâtés, tartines, frittatas, fried rice, and more. Unsure of where to start? Follow San Francisco-based chef Ali Hooke on TikTok for inspiration.

The Date Update

The Middle East has celebrated the merits of dates for millennia, and it seems that the rest of the world will catch on come 2023. Food experts say this fruit will soon trend as an alternative natural sweetener, showing up on supermarket shelves worldwide in the form of date syrup, date paste, and dehydrated dates. Elsewhere, more people will consume the date as it is, tossing them into smoothies and salads.

The Colour Purple

Between its Instagrammable hue and uniquely delicious taste, ube – a purple yam native to the Philippines – will be one of 2023’s most popular ingredients. Sweeter and more mellow in flavour than its orange counterpart, it is most commonly used to make ube halaya (ube jam), which is then used in Filipino desserts such as ensaymada and halo-halo.

Citrus 2.0

Beer, mocktails, sparkling water, ice cream, and even vinaigrettes – yuzu, a zesty fruit found in China and Japan, is slowly dominating food stores and restaurant menus. Tangy and versatile, it boasts endless culinary appeal. Not only does yuzu taste like a combination of lemon, orange, and grapefruit, but it also has a highly unique and powerful scent.

Spread the Word

Butter boards crept into our lives towards the end of 2022, courtesy of TikTok – and will only continue to rise in popularity. For the uninitiated, a butter board features a flat spread of softened butter accented with various toppings (think: nuts, seeds, herbs, olives, cheese, and peppers) over the entirety of a board, ready for your guests to swipe their bread across.

It’s time to break out the party hats and sparkly dresses because Christmas is almost here! And with Christmas comes celebrations in the form of themed décor, festive beverages, and loads of food. But before you get too excited, make sure you know what’s on offer this season. Gaggler has you covered, bringing you a guide to the best Christmas brunches in Dubai.

Amazónico

The Jungle Bell Brunch at Amazónico is one of the best Christmas Day brunches in Dubai. Taking place from 1pm to 4pm, the restaurant will be serving up signature Latin American dishes along with some exciting new festive additions, along with entertainment and back-to-back live DJ performances. This is the only time of year you’ll be able to enjoy this special holiday experience at Amazónico, so be sure to book before it’s too late.

Amazonico, DIFC, 04 571 3999, amazonicorestaurant.ae

Social Distrikt

Social Distrikt is pulling out all the stops this year for the festive season from Christmas to New Year’s Day. The experiential food and bar hall at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah will be throwing the usual family-friendly Sunday Fam Bam x El Kiddo brunch but as a fun, festive edition with turkey on the menu. On Christmas Day, between 1pm and 5pm, kids eat for free while guests can choose between two beverage packages. The buffet-style approach will serve a variety of delicious meals at different food stations, including the classic festive turkey and trimmings, a roast dinner, pancakes and waffles, and special platters exclusive to the Sunday brunch.

Social Distrikt, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 052 515 8995, @socialdistrikt

Tandoor Tina

At Tandoor Tina’s special Christmas brunch, you can anticipate contemporary Indian cuisine in a cool, whimsical holiday setting. The ambiance is perfect for the occasion, with festive décor and live music. The buffet will include savoury options and a wide selection of desserts. Bonus: there’s three different packages to choose from, offering diners more flexibility.

Tandoor Tina, 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central, 04 210 2500, tandoortina.com

LAH LAH

LAH LAH is a Pan-Asian restaurant in Dubai that offers a range of delectable dishes, including sushi, Wagyu skewers, dynamite prawns, crispy chilli lamb, and grilled lobster. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a Christmas brunch with a Pan-Asian twist. And if you’re feeling peckish after all that eating, try out LAH LAH’s dessert platter, which features classics like the renowned roasted banana and pandan crème brûlée. Choose from lunch (1pm to 4pm) or dinner (8pm to 11pm).

Lah Lah, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, 04 519 1111, jumeirah.com

Netsu

Netsu is a Japanese steakhouse specialising in traditional straw-fire Warayaki-style grilling, sushi, sashimi platters, and more – all complemented by the restaurant’s dramatic interiors, mesmerising flames, and live music. This year, they’ve added an Omakase Brunch (12:30pm to 3pm) to their offerings, and it’s sure to be a hit. The atmosphere for an afternoon of celebrations will be set by Christmas crackers and holiday treats. Tip: book a table overlooking the central kitchen for the full experience.

Netsu, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, 04 777 2232, @netsudubai

Folly

Folly is a casual restaurant located at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a great shopping destination and place to spend time with family and friends. The restaurant will be serving a traditional turkey roast meal with all the fixings from 1pm to 4pm, so you know it’s going to be good! There will also be plenty of entertainment during this festive season, perfect if you’re hosting out-of-towners,

Folly, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, 04 4308535, folly.ae

Bai Bar and Terrace

Bai Bar and Terrace is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones. With a casual atmosphere, great views of the city skyline, and live music, this establishment will make your holiday truly special. The joyful venue will offer an unlimited selection of small appetisers, five live stations, and a sharing-style dessert from 12:30pm to 4pm. Additionally, it has an outstanding drinks menu that will fuel you throughout your meal.

Bai Bar and Terrace, Radisson Blu, Canal View, 04 875 3340, radissonblu.com

Sushisamba

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or just looking for a festive way to spend the day, Sushisamba is the place for you. This award-winning restaurant is known for its innovative fusion of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian cuisines. Sushisamba has fast become a popular destination for those seeking high-quality food and great entertainment. For its Samba Christmas Brunch from 12:30pm to 4pm, the restaurant will host a lively menu of flavourful dishes and performers, including samba dancers and Ibiza-based DJ Megablast.

Sushisamba, Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, 04 278 4888, sushisamba.com

Surf Club

There’s no doubt about it: Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But what makes it even more fun? How about celebrating with a group of friends at a cosy brunch on the beach? Surf Club is offering just that this holiday season. It will be serving turkey-based meals and seasonal snacks while Arkaydyan Voyage and friends provide entertainment from 1pm to 5pm.

Surf Club, West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, 04 589 5444, @surfclubdubai

Lola Taberna Española

If you’re looking to enjoy a traditional Spanish Christmas this holiday season, head over to Lola Taberna Española. This authentic restaurant will be serving up food, drinks, and music as part of its Christmas Day brunch from 1pm to 4pm, as well as special set menus heading into 2023. Guests can choose from a wide array of paella, tapas, and sharing desserts. They will also be treated to a festive atmosphere as a flamenco dancer and live musician will set the mood for a jovial fiesta.

Lola Taberna Española, Tryp by Wyndham, Barsha Heights, 04 247 6688, lolataberna.com

The verdict is out – the inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi shortlisted 42 restaurants for stars covering 16 types of cuisines, featuring the best the capital has to offer. Three restaurants received one Michelin star and four restaurants were awarded the Bib Gourmand, which is given to those who offer good food at moderate prices. In addition, three special awards were also given out. 

The Michelin Guide’s Abu Dhabi edition comes just months after the Dubai guide was released earlier this year, which saw 69 restaurants serving 21 cuisines. Two restaurants received two Michelin stars, nine restaurants received one Michelin star, and 14 eateries were named Bib Gourmand restaurants.

“The wonderful diversity of the cuisine proposed by these three restaurants [in the Abu Dhabi guide] perfectly illustrate the curiosity of local gourmets, as well as how Abu Dhabi welcomes international cultures to make them shine at their best level,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide.

“This first Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi selection is the beginning of a long journey for a city with unlimited gastronomic potential,” he added. “Our inspectors discovered a rich variety of cuisines offered in Abu Dhabi, from creative dishes conceived by some of the world’s most renowned chefs, to traditional cuisines of the region: Middle Eastern, Lebanese and, of course, Emirati.”

“This is the first step,” said H.E. Saleh Mohammed Algeziry, Director General of the tourism sector at the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, who emphasised to restaurateurs that not achieving a star, or even not being shortlisted for the Michelin Guide, does not mean a restaurant doesn’t have the potential to do so in the future. One star each was awarded to Talea by Antonio Guida for its family-style Italian food, Hakkasan for traditional Cantonese fare, and 99 Sushi Bar for a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine. 

The four restaurants awarded the Bib Gourmand are Almayass, Beirut Sur Mer, Otoro, and Tazal. In a vibrant black-tie event held at Emirates Palace last night, the award ceremony was followed by a five-course dinner with a menu curated by international Michelin-starred chefs, Bjorn Frantzen of Frantzen in Sweden and Cheryl Koh of Les Amis in Singapore included. Read on for the full list of winners – many have been featured in Gaggler in the past.

The Complete Winners List

One Michelin Star:

• 99 Sushi Bar
• Hakkasan
• Talea by Antonio Guida

Bib Gourmand:

• Almayass
• Beirut Sur Mer
• Otoro
• Tazal

Selected:

• Al Mrzab
• Butcher & Still
• Byblos Sur Mer
• Cafe James
• Café Milano
• Catch by St. Regis
• Cipriani
• Coya
• Dai Pai Dong
• Finz
• Fishmarket
• Fouquet’s
• Grand Beirut
• Hoi An
• Li Beirut
• Li Jiang
• LPM
• Market Kitchen
• Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi
• Mazi
• Meylas
• Mijana
• Moksh
• Namak
• NIRI
• Oak Room
• Oii
• Paradiso
• Punjab Grill
• Shang Palace
• Silk & Spice
• Tean
• VaKaVa Pan Latin Grill and Lounge by Richard Sandoval
• Villa Toscana
• Zuma

Service Award:

• Rawad Hamdan and team, Li Beirut

Sommelier Award:

• Marlon Nuque, Zuma

Young Chef Award:

• Luigi Stinga, Talea by Antonio Guida

What Is the Michelin Food Guide?

Published since the 1900s, the Michelin Guide is one of the oldest and most prestigious food guides in existence, focusing its criteria squarely on the quality of cooking and ingredients as well as the presentation rather than the ambiance or decor of an eatery. The guide rates restaurants anonymously using an in-house team of inspectors and food critics employed directly by Michelin.

Using the same criteria and methodology to evaluate candidates for each category, the guide rates restaurants from one to three stars, as well as curates the Bib Gourmand list of restaurants that offer quality cooking at reasonable prices. Currently, the Michelin guide covers over 30 destinations around the world.

How Is a Michelin Star Awarded?

Inspectors anonymously visit eateries for evaluation and rely on the following:

1. quality of the ingredients
2. mastery of cooking
3. harmony of the flavours
4. expression of the chef’s personality in the cuisine
5. consistency, both over time and across the entire menu

What Are the Different Types of Michelin Distinctions?

One Michelin star denotes a restaurant with high-quality cooking that’s worth stopping by for. Two Michelin stars are for restaurants with excellent cooking that’s not only worth a detour, but also reflects the personality and talent of the chef and team.

Three Michelin stars indicate exceptional cuisine that’s worth planning a journey for. In this category, the award is given for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession. The ingredients are exemplary, the cooking is elevated to an art form, and their dishes are often destined to become classics. This is the most difficult award to achieve and maintain.

Michelin Guide-selected restaurants are those that have the potential to gain a star or feature on the Bib Gourmand list in the future. Restaurants on the Bib Gourmand list are those where inspectors consider they found good-quality cooking for good value.