Fried Ice Cream With Maple Syrup.

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Hello again.

End of the day treat to wrap up my hubby’s birthday celebrations is this yummy desert, no cake this time cause I guess we had enough cakes and cookies over the last month.

Fried ice cream is our favorite dessert that we end up each meal ,though full, at the most delicious restaurant in Limassol, Meze Tavern. We usually order one portion and end up fighting for the last bite. Though owner doesn’t give her recipe to anyone but I’ve been searching for something close to it for so long, all recipes I found usually coat ice cream balls with crushed cornflakes or coconut but it’s not the same as the one we eat, last night I came across one that uses pancake mix so I decided to try to make it for our special occasion.

For a first trial it was not bad at all, gone in seconds actually, may thicken the mix next time or freeze ice cream for a longer period.

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It’s an easy recipe but must be done and eaten at once, shape ice cream into balls then coat it completely with crushed biscuits and freeze for 3-4 hours, make pancake batter ( I added some orange zest for flavor) ,heat oil very well, coat ice cream balls with batter and into hot oil till golden.

Serve with maple syrup on top.

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As I said they were good but not exactly like Meze Tavern’s ,hope one day Madame Kicoulla will share her secret recipe with me 😍

 

 

 

 

 

Baked Feta Cheese.

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Hello everybody.

Alone for lunch today so I was looking for something light and quick to do,though hate eating alone but well one have to sometimes.

Found a pack of feta cheese in my fridge so I directly decided to this super easy appetizer that we always eat in our favorite restaurant in Limassol /Meze Tavern in old town. Of course it’s served alongside a wide selection of meze but today only with some rocca salad and crisp toasted bread.

Though the one they make stays more firm cause it’s originally this way so it stays the same after baking,mine was a bit crumbly but yummy nevertheless.

You simply coat the feta in foil paper then drizzle with olive oil and add oregano,tomatoes,olives and herbs. bake for 10-15 minutes and that’s it.

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Honey Cakes.

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Hello everybody.

Happy Easter to all friends celebrating today,though usually it’s supposed to be a Spring warm day this time of year specially on Easter Sunday but today happened to be rainy and cold, but I’m sure everybody celebrating felt the warmth and spirit of this Holy day.

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Honey cakes are traditional Cypriot and Greek dessert usually done Easter time or New Years, so delicious and aromatic plus very easy to do.

 

Ingredients and method: ( I did half quantity only)

* 1 cup butter.

* 1 cup light olive oil.

* 1 kilo flour.

* 1 cup sugar.

* 1 tsp cinnamon.

* 1/2 tsp cloves.

* grated peel of a lemon or orange.

* 2 tsp baking powder.

* 1 cup yogurt.

* 1 cup crushed walnuts.

For the syrup:

* 2 cups sugar.

* 3 cups water.

* 1 cup honey.

* juice of one lemon.

* walnuts and cinnamon to sprinkle.

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* Put the butter and flour in a big bowl and beat well.

* add oil ,sugar, cinnamon,cloves and peel.

* add soda and yogurt and knead well.

* add walnuts .

* make small balls then roll them over the grater to get a nice shape.

* bake in a medium heated oven till golden from bottom and surface.

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* meanwhile make the syrup by boiling sugar and water for 10 minutes then adding the honey and lemon and boil further more till it’s thick.

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* when cakes are done and cooled dip them in syrup then sprinkle with cinnamon and crushed walnuts

 

 

Lovely Limassol.

Hello everybody.

I wanted to post this article a month ago,but then decided to wait till after Ramadan and Eid so as to write it in the proper mood with a cup of coffee!

Many  friends and family always ask us why  we always chose Limassol/ Cyrus as our vacation destination and why not try other places?

Well the answer is very simple,perfect place for a perfect holiday, clean beaches,DELICIOUS food,easy going town cause you can walk to your destination most of the time,friendly hospitable people,short flight,nice weather most of the time and most important for me great shopping!

It is as if going to a mixed European Mediterranean nearby country,has a bit of Lebanon,Syria,Turkey and London (cause they drive on the right side) all together. though this year I felt sorry for Cypriots cause many of them are affected from the economic crisis,too many shops closed and people are complaining,hope things will be better soon.

You can find many places to go to,downtown where you’re always welcomed for a snack or coffee at Petros cafe,Debenhams mall where you can shop,have coffee and eat fresh tasty bakeries,MY Mall,Fassouri water park  for kids amusement and the most recent newly opened Limassol Marina, beautiful scenery and a wide selection of restaurants and coffee shops,you can go enjoy your time and have dinner then coffee or ice cream.

A place we always go to on our first and last night is a small family owned restaurant,Meze Taverna, most delicious variable Cypriot dishes all made with love by the owner and hosted by the most welcoming  Mr. Demidies, warm cozy atmosphere and most delicious dessert you’ll ever have Fried Ice Cream , be sure not to miss it if you go.

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view from hotel balcony.

20140627_140245-1  nothing beats a good book at the poolside .

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coffee and pastries at Debenhams.

20140623_104627  nuts and dried fruits shop downtown.

20140623_144705   loved these elegant raviollis 😉

20140625_154003  fresh salad at Petros Cafe.

20140627_214017  20140623_220825 Meze Taverna.

20140625_223636 20140625_222446 Derlicious Restaurant.

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20140625_220921  20140625_222237 Marina.

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Hope enjoyed this briefing !

 

 

Poppy Seed Orange Cake.

Hello everybody.

Today I feel I’m really back to my routine,cause baking a cake is a real satisfying pleasure to me I guess <3

I brought these poppy seeds from Limassol,really fresh, made this awesome cake with them,always a success. They do give the cake or even bread a nice nutty taste specially when combined with oranges.

Ingredients and method:

* 3 eggs.

* 1 cup sugar.

* 1/2 cup poppy seeds.

* 1/2 cup milk.

* 3/4 cup orange juice.

* 1/2 cup vegetable oil.

* 2 cups flour.

* lemon or orange rind.

* vanilla and 3 tsp baking powder.

* Orange syrup:

* 1 cup sugar.

* 2/3 cup orange juice.

* 1/3 cup water.

Method:

* beat eggs,vanilla,sugar till creamy.

* heat milk and add poppy seeds and leave 20 minutes.

* add oil,juice and milk mixture to eggs then add flour and baking powder.

* bake in a medium heated oven for 40-50 minutes or till done.

Syrup:

* mix all ingredients and leave to simmer till it’s sticky or a bit thick.

* pour over cake when cool.

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Spaghetti and Tzatziki Salad.

Hello everybody.
Saturday is back!!!!

Grocery and errands, kids wanted spaghetti, of course I didn’t object..easiest thing to do.
Today I made the sauce by using:
*minced meat.
* one can chopped tomatoes.
* 1 spoon tomato paste.
*1 spoon pesto sauce.
* chopped mushrooms.
* Mix meat with all other ingredients add a bit of water then leave to simmer till done.
* add salt, pepper, oregano or paprika according to your taste.
* cook pasta then add olive oil, salt and pepper , mix them all till heated
* serve with sauce abd cheese on top.

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I found a bottle of tzatziki herbs in my husband’s picnic basket. Took it to use before it expires.
We usually eat this salad in all Cypriot restaurants, it’s served with traditional meat or fish mezze. It resembles the cucumber and yoghurt salad we make but it’s thick and eaten with bread.
Tzatziki seasoning can be bought ready as the bottle I show you or it can be done easily at home by mixing garlic powder with a bit of salt, oregano and dried mints. Original recipe uses only garlic, salt and vinegar. But adding herbs gives is a great taste.
Ingredients and method:
* 3-4 grated cucumber.
* 2 cups strained yoghurt or thick creamy yoghurt (
لبن بالقشطه او لبن نعاج )
* 1 tsp tzatziki powder.
Or salt, vinegar, crushed garlic, oregano and dried mints.
* Drain and squeeze cucumbers till all water is out.
* add herbs and salt.
* Add yoghurt and mix well.
* drizzle with olive oil.
* Can be garnished with paprika and olives.

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