Volume 2, 6th Edition
June, 2022
Location of the Month
Philae Temple
This month we are highlighting the beautiful island of Aglika, the current home of Philae Temple. This temple was originally built on the island of Philae during the reign of Ptolemy II (Egypt’s Greco-Roman Period), the Temple of Isis at Philae was dedicated to the Goddess Isis, Osiris and Horus. Due to the construction of the Dam, the temple began to flood, the Egyptian Government knew they had to relocate the temple or it would be lost underwater. When the Aswan Dam was constructed, thanks to the efforts of UNESCO and the Egyptian Government, the temple was taken apart stone by stone (over 50,000 stones) and rebuilt on higher ground and in its current location of Aglika Island.
In this temple you will see the walls that depict the scenes from the Egyptian mythology of Isis bringing Osiris back to life, giving birth to Horus and mummifying Osiris after his death.
Your Egyptologist will guide you through this spectacular temple and explain the history of the site while also pointing out several architectural and structural points of interest.
You will also learn about the importance of the relocation of this temple due to flooding that endangered this piece of history being submerged underwater and gone forever.
Departure Schedule
Sept. 18 – Oct. 1, 2022
Oct. 9 – Oct. 22, 2022
Oct. 30 – Nov. 12, 2022
Nov. 20 – Dec. 3, 2022
Dec. 4 – Dec. 17, 2022
Tour Highlights
- Cairo – Giza Pyramids & Sphynx
- Abu Simbel – Temple of Abu Simbel
- Luxor – Valley of Kings- King Tut
- Karnak – Karnak Temple
- Aswan- Philae Temple
- Dendara – Zodiac Temple & Cleopatra
- Kom Ombo – Temple of Kom Ombo
Join us in the Centennial celebration of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, along with the 200 year celebration of the discovery of the Rosetta Stone by Jean-Francois Champollion, and giving us the key for understanding ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. An experience that is not to be missed.
Word of the Month
Arabic: La’a
English Meaning:
No
Monthly Weather
June is the first month of the summer, and is still a tropical month in Egypt, with temperature in the range of an average high of 93°F (33.9°C) and an average low of 68.2°F (20.1°C). of 82.9°F (28.3°C).
Recipe of the Month
Chicken Shawarma
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 tbsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tbsp turmeric powder
- 3/4 tbsp ground coriander
- 3/4 tbsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, more if you prefer
- Salt
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large lemon, juice of
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil
To Serve
- 6 pita pockets
- Tahini sauce or Greek Tzatziki sauce
- Baby arugula
- 3-ingredient Mediterranean Salad
- Pickles or kalmata olives (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small bowl, mix the cumin, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, sweet paprika and cloves. Set aside the shawarma spice mix for now.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt on both sides, then thinly slice into small bite-sized pieces.
- Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the shwarma spices and toss to coat. Add the onions, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss everything together again. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (if you don’t have time, you can cut or skip marinating time)
- When ready, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit in room temperature for a few minutes.
- Spread the marinated chicken with the onions in one layer on a large lightly-oiled baking sheet pan. Roast for 30 minutes in the 425 degrees F heated-oven. For a more browned, crispier chicken, move the pan to the top rack and broil very briefly (watch carefully). Remove from the oven.
- While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pita pockets. Make tahini sauce according to this recipe or Tztaziki sauce according to this recipe. Make 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad according to this recipe. Set aside.
- To serve, open pita pockets up. Spread a little tahini sauce or Tzatziki sauce, add chicken shawarma, arugula, Mediterranean salad and pickles or olives, if you like. Serve immediately!
NOTES
- Cook’s Tip: If you have time, marinate the chicken for 3 hours or overnight in the fridge. Otherwise, you can skip the marinating time as indicated in the instructions. It will still be delicious!
- Cook’s Tip: Because ovens vary, be sure to check chicken at about 25 minutes or so of roasting/baking and go from there. Chicken is ready when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the chicken ahead of time, one or two nights in advance, if you like. Warm up in a skillet over medium heat, adding a little bit of liquid and tossing the chicken pieces until warmed through. Assemble pita pockets as instructed.
- Serving Ideas: Chicken shawarma is best served in pita pockets with salad and sauces, like I mentioned already, but it can be served as an appetizer to a larger crowd. In that case, you can serve it in smaller slider buns with just a little sauce and fresh arugula.
- Recommended for this recipe from our all-natural and organic spice collections: cumin; turmeric; coriander; and Spanish paprika and extra virgin olive oil.
