Ep 9. Belly Dance Night

Aarti Party season 2 episode 9, titled "Belly Dance Night," is an exciting and energetic episode full of exotic flavors and sensual moves. As the title suggests, the episode is all about belly dance, and Aarti begins by introducing her viewers to the history and cultural significance of this ancient art form.

Aarti welcomes her guest, Leila, who is a professional belly dancer and also happens to be her dear friend. Leila shares her personal journey about how she got into belly dance and what it means to her, while Aarti prepares delicious dishes that complement the theme of the evening.

The first dish that Aarti makes is a mouth-watering spinach and feta phyllo triangles, which she serves with a spicy harissa dip. The phyllo triangles are crispy and flaky on the outside and packed with cheesy spinach goodness on the inside, and the harissa dip provides a nice kick of heat that perfectly complements the mild flavors of the pastry.

The next dish on the menu is a refreshing Moroccan carrot salad, which is a perfect accompaniment to the phyllo triangles. The salad is made with fresh grated carrots, toasted cumin seeds, lemon juice, and cilantro, and it is balanced beautifully with a dollop of tangy Greek yogurt.

As Aarti and Leila enjoy their snacks, they talk about the various styles of belly dance, from the traditional Egyptian to the modern fusion styles. Leila demonstrates some of the basic moves and encourages Aarti to try them out. Aarti is a bit hesitant at first but soon gets into the rhythm and even adds her own quirky twist to the routine. The two ladies have a blast showing off their moves and laughing together.

For the main course, Aarti prepares a fragrant Moroccan lamb tagine with apricots and almonds. The tagine is slow-cooked with tender chunks of lamb, sweet apricots, and crunchy toasted almonds, and it is infused with aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Aarti serves the tagine with fluffy couscous, and Leila compliments the dish by saying it tastes just like her mother's tagine.

To end the evening on a sweet note, Aarti makes a delicious apricot and almond baklava, which is a traditional Middle Eastern pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, honey syrup, and nuts. Aarti's version has a fruity twist, with apricot preserves and almond paste sandwiched between the layers of phyllo. The baklava is golden and crispy on the outside and sticky and sweet on the inside, making it the perfect dessert to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Throughout the episode, Aarti and Leila share not only their love for food and belly dance but also their deep friendship. They reminisce about their travels, share stories about their families, and even plan their next belly dance performance together.

Overall, Aarti Party season 2 episode 9, Belly Dance Night, is a fun-filled and engaging episode that celebrates one of the oldest and most captivating dance forms in the world. Aarti's delicious dishes, along with Leila's amazing dance moves, make this episode a must-watch for anyone who loves food, culture, and dance.