Happy 2015 -- the year of our 15th Biennial Aramco Brat Reunion in Houston this Memorial Day weekend (May 21 - 25). We think your immediate "to do" list should include finalizing your plans to attend this amazing event. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to book your room(s) at the fabulous Omni Hotel NOW as there are only 60 rooms left! Everything is BIG in Texas...and this reunion is definitely going to be BIG!

Past reunion attendees will be very familiar with the benefits of staying at the reunion hotel where much "reunion-izing" takes place into the wee hours of the morning. We can't wait to share our "Top 11 Reasons" why you should meet your fellow Brats in Houston, Texas this May. Registration will be opening soon, but you should reserve your hotel room(s) today!

Commissary Highlights Bulletin for December 25, 1978 - Recipes for making friends, a Wassail Bowl, and some Christmas trivia, including the derivation of "toasting" at the table.

Here's to another great year with our Aramco Brat family and the upcoming "reunion year!" CYC* and happy holidays!

*Consider yourself clinked

'Tis the season for parties, so who doesn't need yet another cheese ball recipe? Maybe even your momma's cheese ball recipe!

"Food for Arabian Days and Nights," the third in our series of Aramco cookbooks, is now available for downloading. This one was published in 1980 by the Dhahran Women's Group.  The pretty illustrations were done by Rose Batato.

We really enjoyed reading "Helpful Hints."  Emergency substitutions and instructions on how to make cake flour, whole grain flour," and "real" sour cream all speak to some of the everyday hardships that were just part of the adventure.

If you missed the previous cookbook links, here they are again:

• Family Favorites Vol. 1
  
• Family Favorites Vol. 2
• Al Hasa Cookbook

Click on the cookbook cover to download (PDF).

25 Mb

Contents: Appetizers - Salads, Dressings, Beverages, Soups Main Dishes - Sauces & Batter, Relishes, Seafood, Egg & Cheese. Poultry, Meat, Lamb, Pork Vegetables Desserts Cakes Cookies & Candy Breads Helpful Hints

Commissary Highlights Bulletin for December 9, 1978 - A new Customer Relations Clerk, the demographics of microwave ownership, a seasonal recipe for a chowder, and some handy kitchen tips, including how to make your own powdered sugar.

It's Cyber Monday!  While you're doing your online holiday shopping, don't forget to shop like a Brat (or for a Brat) and visit ABI's Suq for some unique gifts for those special Aramcons.  In addition to reunion t-shirts, polos and hats, we have some great stocking stuffers like ghutra-print phone cases, ghutra-print pens, mugs and lapel pins. Our all-time holiday favorite, the 1975 Nativity Pageant DVD, will be on sale ($10) now through the holidays.

We are running low on some items, so please order early to ensure availability and delivery in time for the holidays!

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Commissary Highlights Bulletin for November 18, 1978 - Safety tips for handling and cooking a turkey and a recipe for for homemade cranberry relish.  Yes, put away the can opener.  No food should still be shaped like a can when served.

Commissary Highlights Bulletin for November 6, 1978 - Id al Adha holiday store hours and do-ahead cheese flan and no-bake fruitcake recipes for drop-in holiday guests.  Or just throw them some of that Thanksgiving candy!

The second in our series of Aramco cookbooks, "Al Hasa Cookbook," is now available for downloading. Published in 1976, it features recipes from 340 different contributors from the three Aramco communities, Northrop in Khobar and U.P.M.  In the "Gourmet Specialties" chapter, you will even find a few recipes contributed by some Aramco dads!

"An idea in 1974, a few plans in 1975 and a reality in 1976.  That is the brief history of the Al-Hasa Cook Book.  Through the combined efforts of the committee and their respective women's groups, we have compiled what we hope will be a representation of culinary pleasures of all our areas.  With the current expansion of the population and the availability of more products in the local markets, we can broaden the scope of our previously limited menus and thus enrich our daily lives.  The recipes in this book may not have been laboratory tested, but their merit has been established by the most critical group of all - husbands and families."

Along with recipes for family standards, you will find instructions for cooking an elephant, preserving a husband, hedgehog cake, and even homemade pudding mix.

We hope you rediscover some old favorites from childhood and find some new ones for your Thanksgiving table or your next family gathering!

Click on the cookbook cover to download (PDF).

40.9 Mb

Contents: Appetizers, Canapes and Beverages Soups, Sandwiches and Miscellaneous Salads and Salad Dressings Vegetables Casseroles and Crock Pots Seafood, Meat, Poultry, Eggs and Cheese Gourmet Specialties Breads and Rolls Cakes, Cookies and Pies Desserts and Candies

Commissary Highlights Bulletin for November 4, 1978 - Review of Ali Zaid Al Quraishi & Brothers sporting goods store in Khobar where you could buy everything from sailboats to Fred Flintstone cars.  Thanksgiving candy available for the holiday.  Hmmm... Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like a marshmallow turkey!

ABI needs a Database a Director. Are you a detail-oriented Excel pro? Volunteer to help ABI keep track of and communicate with fellow Brats!

The responsibilities and qualification for the position are described below.  If you are interested in serving for the remainder of this term (through 10/31/2015) or next term (11/1/2015-10/31/2017), please contact Duane Hopple or Melanie Penoyer.  Feel free to email either if you would like to know more about the position.

Responsibilities:

• Manages and a user-friendly online database and member application form.
  
• Approves new membership requests.
• Enters address changes/corrections/additions regularly to keep the ABI membership database current and accurate.
  
• Provides mailing address lists and information to Board members, class representatives, and Brats as appropriate.
  
• Provides database reports as needed.
  
• Maintains confidentiality of information in the database.
  
• Helps plan and implement enhancements to the ABI database based on Board priorities, policy directions, and goals.
  
• Provides assistance to members regarding their database records.
  
• Maintains a Database Director handbook.

Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Excel (used for bulk operations on online database).
  
• Previous database management experience preferred.
  
• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently.