Make a batch of this soup, freeze it and serve chilled as a summer starter or as a hearty main course.
Besides being rich in iron, protein and other nutrients, red lentils are easy to cook, as they require no pre-soaking.
Ingredients:
1.5 cups of dried red lentils
10cm piece of kombu seaweed
1 clove of garlic, very thinly sliced
8 cups of water
1 leek, finely chopped
2 stalks of celery finely diced
2 carrots, diced
2 teaspoons of curry powder
¼ cup of umeboshi vinegar
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger juice
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup of coarsely chopped parsley to garnish
Steps:
1. Wash the lentils thoroughly in cold water and drain.
2. Bring the lentils, garlic, kombu, leek, celery and carrot to a boil in a large saucepan.
3. Stirring occasionally, simmer for 20 minutes or until the lentils become soft.
4. Skim any discoloured/dark foam from the top of the broth.
5. Remove and discard the kombu.
6. Add the curry powder, vinegar and ginger juice before simmering for a further 5 minutes.
7. If desired, add cubes of tofu or shiitake mushroom to complete the meal.
8. Season and garnish with a liberal sprinkling of fresh parsley.
For more recipes inspired by Shamadi restaurant, part of SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain go to blog.shawellnessclinic.com
Read more about the health centre which will soon be coming to Dubai at
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
