Kitchen

Homemade Fresh Fruit Cocktail

I found an en-genius way to get my daily recommended fruit portion without having to think too much about it or feel horrible about eating 4 or 5 fruits everyday!
I said to myself 'why not stick everything in a blender and whizz it all up into a smooth fruit cocktail?'
The end result was a refreshing, cool and very healthy fresh cocktail!
I enjoy every sip and i get all the benefits of the fresh fruit and i get the needed portions of fresh fruit that my body needs!

I mix in any fruits i have at hand, for example:
Strawberries, an orange, a banana and half an apple!
Of course add a cup of water and a tiny bit of honey to the mixture before blending.
If you'd like it a bit sweeter, don't add honey, just add a tablespoon or two of sugar.

]]> You can play around with the ingredients and the quantities.
Yesterday i added half a cantaloupe to the mixture and i omitted the apple, i got something kinda' exotic, which was very refreshing.
You can also add yogurt in to make a smoothie!

Fresh Fruit Cocktail make a very good breakfast meal too.
You can have it in the morning with a whole wheat cracker and you're set for the day!

Other variations i like to drink are:
Strawberries and Oranges
Strawberries, Bananas and yogurt

Experiment and use other fruits to come up with your favorite combination! Enjoy it and be healthy!

I promise to take a photo of my next cocktail and post it here!

Rich Chocolate Cake

I've finally attempted to make the richest, most chocolaty-est chocolate cake ever!
My husband is a chocolate junky and i wanted to surprise him with a special cake that he's be more than happy to dive into!
So, i found this recipe and thought it would be perfect ... it was!
Here are the ingredients:
For the cake:
200g good quality plain chocolate, broken into pieces
175g softened butter
175g sugar
4 eggs, separated
100g ground almonds
75g self raising flour, sifted
1 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted

For the chocolate Ganache:
400ml double cream
225g good quality plain chocolate, broken into pieces

]]> Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees/ gas mark 4. Grease and base line a 20cm round spring form cake tin. Place chocolate in a bowl and set over a pan of simmering water to melt.
Beat butter and sugar together until fluffy and creamy and then gradually beat in the egg yolks.
when mixed well, gradually mix in ground almonds and melted chocolate. Then mix in the flour and cocoa powder.
In another big bowl, use electric whisker, whist the egg whites until stiff.
Fold in the egg whites into the chocolaty mixture until well combined.
Pour mixture into prepared cake tin and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.

For the chocolate Ganache, place cream in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate until melted.
Leave to cool and chill in the fridge until firm.

When cake is cool, split in the middle, use the Ganache to sandwich the cake back together and spread the remaining Ganache over the top.

Enjoy!

Three Kings Bread

I came across this recipe in a Mexican food brochure ... How happy I am for finding it!
Three Kings Bread is the perfect thing to bake in the Holidays, but it's also a treat all year round.
I goes perfectly with a cup of coffee ... that's how I enjoy my slice; in the morning with a big mug of coffee with a splash of milk ... YUM-O !!!
The good thing about this bread, is that you cane make the dough, leave it to rest and do something else while waiting ... no hassle!
Oh! i had to learn how to braid dough for this recipe! That was fun! And the result is a master piece! You'll feel proud!

Ingredients: after the jump!

]]> 1/3 cup warm water
1 packet active dry yeast
4 cups flour (may need a tad bit more)
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup soft butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (be generous)
4 tsp vanilla
for decoration: candied peel/fruit - egg wash - powder sugar

In a large bowl, add yeast and mix ... wait for a few minutes until puffy.
Add rest of ingredients and mix. when combined, knead and let stand for 2 whole hours.
Make three strands and braid into a nice loaf.
Put candied peel/fruit on the dough and press (so they stick). Let stand for 30 minutes.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for 45 minutes in a preheated oven (350 Fahrenheit or 180 Celsius)

Cool on a rack and sprinkle with a bit more powder sugar ... ENJOY!

Easy & Simple Cinnamon Rolls

I have been in an affair with cinnamon rolls since i was 7 years old!
I used to wait for the school lunch break just so that i can get me fluffy, sticky and mouthwatering roll! I admit it now ... I'm addicted to cinnamon rolls and i can't help it!
In my many attempts to perfect the rolls at home, i came across a very easy recipe, that will make you feel like you're a professional pastry chef! The outcome is unbelievable!
Don't be afraid ... it needs a bit of work and a bit of waiting (which is the most difficult part), but it's worth it and you'll love yourself for making it!!!

Ingredients:
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 sachet active dry yeast
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup water
1 egg

(+ 1/2 cup sugar - 1 tsp cinnamon - 1/4 cup soft butter)

]]> Combine 2 1/2 cups flour - 1/2 cup sugar - yeast - salt in a big bowl.
In a saucepan combine 3/4 cup milk - butter - water and warm over medium heat.
Add mixture and egg over flour, beat in medium speed.
Then stir in enough flour to make hand handling easy.
Turn dough onto floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, turn greased side up, cover and let stand until doubled in size. (about 1 hour)
Combine 1/2 cup sugar and the cinnamon in a bowl.
Roll dough to a 16inchX14inch rectangle on a floured surface.
Spread butter over dough and sprinkle with the sugar-cinnamon mixture. (you can add chopped walnuts too if you like)
Roll up from the 16inch side (just like you would a swiss-roll)
Cut or slice into 16 rolls. Place on baking sheet and cover. Let rise for 30 minutes.
Bake in pre-heated oven (375 Feh) for 13 to 15 minutes.
Serve warm ... YUMMY!

Tiny Cheese and Olive Scones

Holidays are the perfect time of year to gather you close friends and loved family around a fireplace and share funny stories and yummy food.
Yes, it's time for ham and turkey, minced pie and bread pudding, stuffing and cranberry sauce ... but it's also a good time to experiment with new recipes!
You can start with simple finger food ... easy recipes and yummy outcomes!
I tried these cheese and olive scones last night ... they were a hit!

Ingredients:
40g grated Parmesan
40g grated Cheddar
1 medium onion, diced
10 black olives, pitted and chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
175g self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
25g butter
1 large egg
3 tablespoons milk
freshly ground black pepper

]]> Pre-heat your oven to gas mark 6 (200�C).
Fry the onion in the oil for a few minutes or until it's brown caramel color and darkened at the edges. Keep it moving about so that it doesn't burn. Now transfer it to a plate to cool.
Take a large mixing bowl, sift in the flour, salt, mustard powder and cayenne, and add black pepper.
Rub in the butter, toss in the cooled onion, the olives and the grated cheeses. Beat the egg and pour it in, mixing well, then dig in with your hands, adding only enough milk to make a soft dough. Be careful, it shouldn't be too sticky.
Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured surface, knead it gently till it's smooth. Form balls with your hand, about a bit smaller than ping-pong balls. Then, when all the scones are done, brush them with milk and bake them near the top of the oven for 10-12 minutes.
When done, cool and devour!
Happy holidays!

Italian Brunch Bread Pudding

I have to say this is an invention of mine! I'm not sure whether it exists anywhere else, but i came up with it as i went along!
It is perfect for a brunch and it can be changed to suit your taste!
So, here are the ingredients i used, remember that you can play around with the ingredients as you like.

Ingredients:
1/2 baguette, cut into big cubes
2 black bread rolls, cut into cubes
Sun-dried tomatoes, shredded
Italian sausages, cut into pieces and half fried
Mozzarella, sliced
3/4 cup milk
3 eggs, beaten
salt & pepper
dried oregano
Butter

]]> Place your bread cubes in an oven-proof dish, preferably round and deep.
Squeeze in the sausages and sun-dried tomatoes between the bread.
Whisk the milk, eggs, salt & pepper until frothy and pour over the bread, wait until the bread soaks in the liquid.
Cover the bread with the mozzarella slices and sprinkle with the dried oregano.
Throw a few cubes of cold butter on top.
Place in a pre-heated oven until puffy, gooey and golden brown. You'll know when it's done!
Let sit for a few minutes before serving.

So, the thing is you can add more cheese if you like, more mozzarella slices between the bread.
You can substitute the sausages with diced smoked ham.
If you would like to change the mozzarella into cheddar, then be my guest!
Experiment ... that makes a good cook!

Bon appetite!

Bread & Butter Pudding

Bread Pudding is the best dessert you can have in winter! It's soft, gooey, warm and filling ... Yum-O!
Well, this is such a delicious recipe that I've made it 4 times in one week! I think I'm going to make it again today!
It's so easy and yummy ... you'll get addicted!

Ingredients:
1 baguette (sliced) or a sliced loaf of Brioche
soft butter
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream fresh
4 eggs (beaten well)
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
raisins or dried cranberries
jam of your choice

]]> You'll need a Pyrex oven dish for this ... a square one or a round one.
So, butter the bread slices well on both sides and layer in your Pyrex.
Between the layers you can sprinkle the raisins or cranberries and slab on some jam!
In a bowl, whisk the milk, cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla until frothy.
Pour over the bread and wait for 10 m. until the bread soaks up the custard.
Sprinkle the bread with more sugar and put in a pre-heated oven (200 degrees)
When the bread is puffy and a sort of crust forms on top, take out the pudding, let rest for 10 m. then devour!

Kushari

You must be wondering what 'Kushari' is ... It's a traditional Egyptian dish ... Totally Yum-O!
Kushari is an easy dish to make, but you'll need time in the kitchen to make it! Don't freak out! It's worth it!

Ingredients:
1 cup brown lentils
1 cup rice
1 cup cooked pasta -small elbow macaroni-
2 large onions, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 can chopped tomatoes
olive oil
vinegar
Salt & pepper

]]> Cook the lentils in salted water, when tender, add the rice into the boiling water and cook until done.
Fry onion in oil until dark brown and crispy -be careful, you don't want to burn them!-
In a sauce pan, cook tomatoes and garlic in a little oil, then when cooked and thick, add 2 tbsp of vinegar, salt and pepper.
Mix the lentils, rice and pasta together.
In each plate, put a couple of spoons of the mixture, top with the tomato sauce, then a bit of the crispy onions.
Sprinkle with powdered cumin for a twist! Enjoy!

Lebanese Sfiha 'Lahm Bi Ajin'

Lebanese cuisine is absolutely mouthwatering ... it's difficult finding a dish that isn't delicious!
One of my favorite yummy things are pastries called Sfiha or some like to call them Lahm Bi Ajin, which translates into meat with pastry!
These make a great snack or soup accompaniment!
I guarantee that if you try this, you'll fall in love with it!

Ingredients: (this amount makes a whole lot!)

Dough:
1 kg (5 cups) plain flour
1 tsp dry yeast
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 1/4 cups water

Filling:
1/2 kg ground meat
1 kg firm tomatoes, finely chopped
5 medium onions, finely chopped
1 tsp salt
A dash of: cayenne red pepper, cinnamon, ground allspice
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp yogurt
1 tbsp sesame paste (Tahini)
5 tbsp fried pine nuts

]]> For the dough, mix all the dry ingredients then add the water & knead until it forms a ball.
Put in a bowl & cover & let sit in a warm place for two hours.
For the filling, mix meat, tomatoes, onion and spices. Add yogurt & sesame paste. Mix all with fried pine nuts. Add butter & mix more.
Divide dough into walnut size balls. Roll between hand palms to smooth.
Roll out balls with a rolling pin to form 8 cm diameter circles. Put one tbsp of meat mixture on dough circle.
Bring the edges up and press to make a square.
Arrange meat pastries in a tray brushed with butter. Bake in a pre-heated moderate heat oven (180� C) for 30 minutes or till dough is golden and meat is cooked.

Bon appetite!

Easy, Savory Chicken Tajine

It�s been too long since I�ve last posted a recipe � sorry about that!
Now, it�s Ramadan and I�m back with a few yummy dishes, ones perfect for the Holy month.
I don�t know about you, but in Ramadan most of the times I crave Arabic food! I don�t go for the mashed potatoes & steak, but for the lamb & potato stew, as an example!
In the coming couple of weeks, I�ll be posting Arabic dishes and today I�ll be starting with a favorite of mine, which my dad used to make a lot; Chicken Tajine.

Tajine is a traditional Moroccan dish, literally a dish � one made of heavy clay.
The ingredients are mixed in it, covered & it is put in an oven or over a fire to cook. Thus, any recipe made in that dish is also called Tajine.

]]> Ok, as for the ingredients of this Chicken Tajine:

2 chickens, cut into 4 or 6 pieces
6 tsps crushed garlic
juice of 1 lemon
20 green, pitted olives, cut into small chunks
salt & pepper
3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
2 onions cut in quarters
2 potatoes cut into quarters
3 carrots cut into big chunks
1 preserved lemon, diced (optional)

Put your diced vegetables in a pot & drizzle with olive oil.
Put veggies in the bottom of the Tajine.
Mix garlic, lemon and olives. Take your chickens & coat them with the mixture.
Put chicken in Tajine, drizzle rest of the garlic-y mixture on top. Add lemon pieces.
Season with salt & pepper.
Cover the Tajine & put into a pre-heated oven for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Make sure the chicken has become extra tender & soft before serving.
Enjoy!

Smoked Salmon & Creme Fraiche Sandwich

This is one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted! It is so special, that it doesn't count as an ordinary sandwich anymore, it's a treat! If you want to indulge yourself, try it ... you won't regret it!
You just need to have just the right ingredients ... good quality wholemeal bread, good quality smoked salmon -Scottish would be great- & you're ready!

Ingredients:
4 slices wholemeal bread
8 slices smoked salmon
Creme Fraiche -cream fresh-
1 Lemon
Butter
salt & pepper

]]> In a small bowl, put the creme fraiche, juice of half the lemon, salt & pepper & mix.
Butter your bread slices, place a layer of salmon on top & put some of the cream fresh on, add another layer of salmon & then grate some lemon zest over it. Cover that with another slice of bread.
When you bite into this fabulous sandwich, your tastebuds will just jump with joy!

Sophisticated Walnut, Cheese & Pear Starter

Ok, the name might give you the impression that this starter is difficult or really sophisticated! No, not at all! This recipe is as easy as pie ... Even easier! Its so good & so tasty that your guests will think it really sophisticated! Yup! The keyword here is Sophisticated!
This will take you about 10 minutes to prepare & will make a good start to any meal.

Ingredients:
3 ripe pears, peeled & thinly sliced
6 slices wheat bread
12 walnuts, coarsely chopped
Blue cheese -Roquefort- crumbled

]]> Toast the bread slices under a preheated grill on one side.
Arrange the pear slices on the untasted side of the bread & top with cheese & some walnuts.
Grill until the cheese has melted ... Yummy!
Cut the slices in half & serve hot ... That will be literally mouth-watering!
You can make another version of this, using apples & cheddar cheese instead! But don't skip the walnuts!
Enjoy!

Chocolate Brownies with Caramel Sauce

This is not your ordinary Brownies ... This one has a crunchy crust below the chocolaty goodness! Yummy!
This recipe is easy, but it will need some patience on your side ... Because there are a few steps before the whole things is put in the oven.

Ingredients:
- Crust:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, soft
1 1/2 cups crushed digestive cookie crumbs
A pinch fine salt

- Brownie:
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
110 grms unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
4 large cold eggs
1 cup flour

- Caramel Sauce:
30 caramels -toffee-
1/4 cup milk

]]> Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 200c. Line an baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges.
Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs & salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Put in refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Put the butter & chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir in the sugar, vanilla & salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs & beat vigorously to make a thick batter. Add the flour & stir until mixed well.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, this take about 40 to 45 minutes.
When cool, cut a piece & drizzle with the caramel sauce & ENJOY!

I love Strawberry Clafoutis

Clafoutis is a baked dessert that contains a lot of fruit ... That makes it extra yummy!
It isn't a cake or a pie ... It's a sweet delight that is more like a custard & it originated in France.
In the beginning, when I first ate it, I thought it would be difficult to make, but when I searched for a recipe, I found that it's easy to make & doesn't take a lot of time.
The good things about it too, is that you can use different sorts of fruit ... Cherries, Grapes or Strawberries ... You can try other fruits & combinations, but it is best with those three.

]]> Ingredients:
- 55 g butter
- 600 g fresh strawberries
- 60 g flour
- 50 g whole blanched almonds
- 100 g sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- A pinch of salt
- 3 large eggs
- 185 ml milk
- powder sugar

Preheat the oven to 180c & grease a glass or ceramic baking dish with one tablespoon of the butter. Melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan & set aside.
Rinse the strawberries under cool water & drain in a colander for a few minutes & gently pat dry.

In a food processor, mix together the flour & almonds until finely ground. Add the sugar, cornstarch & salt, mix again. Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in the melted butter & milk, mix again until well blended. The mixture will be thin, like pancake batter.

Cut strawberries in half & arrange in a single layer in the prepared dish. Pour the batter over the strawberries & put the dish in the oven to bake for 40 minutes until puffy.
Transfer dish to a rack, and let cool. Sprinkle with powder sugar & serve.

Cheesy Garlic Bread

To me, the best compliment to a hot dish of Spaghetti & Italian tomato sauce is a good, hot, cheesy peace of garlic bread ... What do you think?
Your family will want to eat spaghetti more frequently ... Trust me, I know!
Here's an easy recipe for you to try ...

Ingredients:
1 baguette -french bread- cut into thick slices
Butter or olive oil -it depends on your diet choices-
Garlic, minced
Grated cheese ... A lot of grated cheese!

]]> Heat your oven ... Slather each slice of bread with butter or olive oil, then add the garlic.
Slip bread into the oven until hot & a bit crunchy.
Take out of oven, cover with grated cheese & slip into the oven again until the cheese is totally melted ... Keep an eye on them, you don't want them to get too crunchy or too burnt!
Easy Peasy! Enjoy!