Best of the Maldives: Pancakes – Joali

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Joali - pancakes

My biggest laugh this week was a gem of a line in the bio-pic flick “Judy” (about Judy Garland) which during a visit to London says, “You ever tried a crumpet?…Mm?…It’s like a pancake that’s had the living sh*t kicked out of it” (I couldn’t have put it better…if you visit London, don’t order the “crumpets” no matter how daintily British they sound). As an American by upbringing, we take our pancakes extremely seriously. I have yet to find the level of griddle cake quality in the UK that is standard fare in the USA. And, the same is true for most of the chewy circles serves at some of the resort buffets. Until we came to Joali. They have a special a la carte pancake menu including some savoury versions that are simply delicious:

  • Spiced Jaggery, fresh coconut
  • Cinnamon, prunes, honey
  • Banana, yoghurt, strawberry, mint
  • Chocolate, walnut
  • Exotic tropical fruit
  • Mixed berry, sweet mascarpone
  • Savory tuna tapenade, olives, remoulade
  • Sweet corn, cherry tomato salsa, crispy bacon

I had the spiced Jaggery (an unrefined sugar in Asia) and it was truly delicious (see photo above). Or as Lori and I would say for recipes we like, “a do-again”. A more-ish classic dish with a distinctly Maldivian twist.

 

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Best of the Maldives: Breakfast Puree – Joali

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Joali - breakfast puree

Fruit stations and fruit juices are standard items for most breakfast menus, but Joali adds a selection of fruit purees.

For your yoghurt, pancakes, porridge or whatever. They evoked fond memories of the iconic American restaurant chain “IHOP” (International House of Pancakes) which not only served maple syrup with its famous pancakes, but raspberry, strawberry and blueberry (!) to drizzle over your stack.

At Joali, you have an even more extensive selection of…

  • Coconut
  • Passion Fruit
  • Mango
  • Guava
  • Raspberry
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Best of the Maldives: Dhoni Pool Breakfast – Fushifaru

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Fushifaru - dhoni pool breakfast

A number of resorts offer breakfast in a boat, but I think Fushifaru is the only resort that offers breakfast in a boat (thanks Paola). A number of resort offer breakfast in the pool, but again Fushifaru seems to be the first to offer breakfast in a boat in the pool. And not just any boat, but a charmingly stylish traditional dhoni.

Whatever floats your boat (that certainly does).

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Best of the Maldives: Egg Croissant – LUX North Male Atoll

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LUX North Male Male Atoll - truffle croissant

Happy Egg Day. Obviously, not Easter, but the national holiday to celebrate all things EGGY. I love me my breakfasts. Lori often remarks that I don’t just eat breakfast, I eat Breakfast #1, Breakfast #2, and then I top it all off with Breakfast Dessert. I also thorough savour the delicately rich flavour of truffle. So LUX North Male Atoll’s Truffle Egg Croissant was a treat for me.

Eggcellent!

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Best of the Maldives: Breakfast Nuts – Joali

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Joali - nuts 1

A resort buffet staple are a selection of some nutty bits in the form of muesli or granola for topping ones yogurt. As a bit of a breakfast condiment, it’s not an item with lots of variety…except at Joali. They set out an entire table filled with bowls of nuts and dried fruits of every type imaginable. Aside from people who are just very particular about their legumes, the obvious beneficiaries were the growing number of vegans in the world. Often making do with the scraps of selection, a Joali they have a banquet of choice for one of the few sources of protein in their diet.

The art of the meal.

Joali - nuts 2

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Best of the Maldives: Private Breakfast – Hurawalhi

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Hurawalhi - private breakfast

Quite possibly the most luxurious breakfast in the world. One of the most extraordinary dining experiences in the world for starters. But to have the Hurawalhi 5.8 restaurant all to yourself as the sunshine starts to stir the underwater life must certainly be hard to be beat for breakfast. The cost is just as extravagant at $1,500, but some people pay that for a single bottle of wine.

  • “The breakfast itself is built around healthy staples that include fresh pressed juice, assorted pastries and exotic cut fruits, with Executive Chef Warren Moore stepping up the game with creative dishes such as quinoa breakfast salad with fluid gels, mango, beetroot and pea finished with edamame beans, carrot and wild berries, while the seafood trilogy platter boasts oysters, beluga caviar, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and the absolutely amazing truffle omelette with saffron and activated charcoal served with sautéed stuffed mushrooms in a mushroom sand saffron truffle jus. Fun fact: the omelette takes a whopping three hours to make!”

We always did our family snorkels first thing in the morning. The water was clearest (before the warming air started to stir it and the water a bit). But at Hurawalhi, you can have your underwater adventure WITH your breakfast.

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Best of the Maldives: Steak and Egg Station – Cocoon

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Cocoon - steak and egg station

The main rival to eggs benedict for breakfast luxury is steak and eggs. More of an American staple, you don’t find it that often on European menus. So I was delighted to find Cocoon’s Steak and Egg Station at their breakfast buffer. Quite nice cuts of beef grilled to your liking along with your choice of egg accompaniment (I tend to prefer scrambled with my steak and a bit of ketchup, which they also had at hand).

Cocoon - steak and egg station 2

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