Morrocan Carrot Soup.

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Hello everybody.

A soup is a must in this weather,was about to make lentils but then it’ll be heavy with yesterday’s cabbage leftovers.

So I decided to make carrot soup instead.Came across this recipe while looking for a new or different version from the one I usually make, really yummy and full of flavors.

Must say that garnish must be yogurt and fresh coriander but I used oregano instead cause I don’t have it.

Ingredients and method :
* 2 tablespoons butter.
* 1 small finely chopped onion.
* 2 cloves garlic.
* 2 cups chopped carrots (4-5 big ones)
* 1 tsp fresh grated ginger.
* 1 tsp all spice.
*1 tsp cumin.
* 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth.
*salt and pepper.
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
* 1 tsp honey.
* 1/2 cup yogurt.
* fresh chopped coriander.

* saute onions, garlic in hot butter till tender.
* add carrots, ginger and all spice.
* add stock and leave to simmer till carrots are tender.
* spin all together with hand mixer or blender till you get a smooth creamy texture.
* add lemon juice and honey.
* season with salt and pepper as preferred.
* leave to simmer for another 20 minutes.
* garnish with yoghurt and coriander upon serving.

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Really good believe me!

 

 

 

 

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Greek Semolina Cake.

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Hello again.

A usual companion to cabbages and cold weather is this semolina cake or harisseh.

Frankly the usual harisseh that most people do never turn out successful,don’t ask me why 😀,not my specialty I guess. So to ensure that it’s good I make this Greek one, very similar but contains eggs so it’s more like a cake but same taste and texture.

Here are the ingredients and method :

*4 eggs.
* 1 tsp vanilla.
* 1 cup sugar.
* 1/2 cup coconut (optional).
* 1/2 yoghurt.
* 3/4 cup butter.
* 2 1/2 cups coarse or fine semolina.
* 2 tsp baking powder.
* 1/4 tsp sodium bicarbonate.
For the sugar syrup :
* 3 cups sugar.
* 1 1/2 cups water.
* 1 small spoon lemon juice.

*Mix all ingredients alternatively. Grease a
medium size pan with butter or tahini (طحينه ).add the batter
*Sprinkle with almonds then bake in a medium heated oven till golden.
* As for the syrup mix sugar and water, heat till it boils, add lemon juice and leave to simmer till it thickens .approximately 20-30 min.leave to cool.
* Add cold syrup on cake when still hot so as to be well absorbed .

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Stuffed Cabbages.

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Hello everybody.
It’s cold and rainy today, cooking plan is just perfect for this weather which is stuffed cabbages.
Just remembered that I made a video last winter of how to stuff and cook them,will repost it below.

how to stuff cabbages

how to cook cabbages

You should do it this week since it’ll be raining for few more days.

* minced meat.
* rice.
* ghee and vegetable oil.
* salt, pepper, all spices, dried mint.
* cabbage,  boiled and stems removed.
* garlic as much as you like.
* lemon juice.
Method:
*  Wash the rice then add the meat. I usually cook it before a bit.
* add spices, salt, mint.
* stuff the cabbages and line them with garlic in between.
* add lemon juice, a bit of oil and enough water to cover all cabbage.  I have this heavy pottery lid I use as weight or you can put a heavy plate.
* cook for 10 minutes over high heat then lower it and cook it for another hour or till rice inside is done.

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Pumpkin Rolls.

Hello everybody.

Remember I posted this dish a while ago but didn’t have the recipe?  Well I got it at last and did it today.

Though original recipe is done with phyllo pastry but I used puff pastry instead and omitted oil and butter.

You simply cook the pumpkin cubes with some finely chopped onions then season them with salt,pepper, cinnamon, ginger and a pinch of cloves,then you spread the pastry to a thin rectangular shape,spread a bit of pumpkin filling and roll all together.

Bake in a moderate heated oven for 30 minutes then when done and golden turn off the oven and add a bit of milk all over them and leave in the oven to cool.

I also made some with minced meat and Russian salad.

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Stir Fry Steaks and Broccoli and Caprese .

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Hello everybody.

Only two for lunch today and must be quick cause my son had to leave so thought this small easy dish will do.

A stir fry steak broccoli with rice and corn on the side plus two tomatoes with basil and cheese salad known as Caprese.

wpid-wp-1445605368756.jpg caprese is always an elegant dish.

Healthy quick and light.

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  • Ingredients and method :
    # 4 pieces of veal steaks cut to squares.
    #1 tablespoon flour.
    # 1 green onion.
    # broccoli florettes.
    # sweet and sour sauce:
    * 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
    * 1 tablespoon honey.
    * 1 tablespoon vinegar
    * 1 tablespoon corn starch.
    * 1 tsp chili powder.
    * 1 tsp fresh ginger.
    * 3/4 cup water.

#some sesame seeds.

# coat veal with flour very well then stir fry in some hot sesame or vegetable oil.
# when golden and crisp  add chopped onion and broccoli and stir well till all crispy.
# add the sauce which is a mix of all ingredients.
#leave to simmer for 5 min then sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

 

Orange Coconut Cookies.

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Hello everybody.

Had a small gathering this morning, didn’t have too much time but managed thank God.

A cheese platter with dried fruits, some veggies and za’tar puffs is always an elegant easy thing to do, so that was the salty part.

As for the sweets I made a dry fruits cake last night and since I’m baking the puffs thought I’d do these old times favorite cookies.

These were a big hit back when we were kids, mom used to make them all the time,along with the pineapple upside down cake and jello with apples, life was very simple and basic back then right?

Ingredients and method :

* 2 eggs.
* 1 tsp vanilla.
* 2 tablespoons butter.
*1 cup sugar.
*zest and juice of one big orange.
*3 cups coconut flakes.
* 2 teaspoons baking powder.
* 2 cups flour.

*beat sugar and butter till smooth and creamy.
* add eggs,vanilla, zest and juice.
* add coconut, flour and baking powder.
* dough must be neither soft nor tough so you can easily scoop it with two small spoons.
* line your cookies on a cookie sheet then bake them in a moderately heated oven for 10-13 minutes.
Note: be careful not to over bake them or else they’ll be dry.
*cool and store in a well sealed jar.

These cookies were featured in Family Flavors October issue by the way.

 

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wpid-wp-1445426486352.jpg rocca salad.

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Green Onions Mushrooms Cheese Omlette.

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Hello everybody.

I’m talking the day off since it was a very tiresome weekend plus beginning of the week.

Went to a gathering at a friend’s house, met new lovely ladies, enjoyed delicious food and desserts. A real nice change from household work.

Well back to reality afterwards cause nevertheless kids and dad were hungry so I made a quick omelette, rich and fulfilling with green onions, mushrooms   and cheese in the middle.

I also had some ready made hummus that completed the issue.

 

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Beets Orange Salad.

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Hello everybody.

Did the second step in makdous today, stuffed it and put it aside so all water will drain till tomorrow.

Had some extra small ones left so they were today’s lunch, stuffed with minced meat and cooked in tomato sauce.

Side salad dish was both simple and juicy, beets with orange slices with a sprinkle of orange juice and drizzle of oil.

 

My Interview About Family Family Flavors Magazine.

Hello again.

Yesterday morning I was interviewed in Roya TV during the morning show Dunya Ya Dunya to talk about my monthly posts in Family Flavors magazine.

Can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I started my monthly menu planner and recipes pages and my column in healthy and happy segment.

A very nice informative interview with two lovely TV anchors.

Shrimps With Tomatoes and Spaghetti.

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Hello everybody.

Too much work today,stuffed pickled eggplants,pickled olives and even did some with carrots,walnuts,chili and coriander.

Nevertheless this didn’t mean I didn’t cook so I made something quick and easy , I posted the recipe before but it was with risotto ,today I did it with plain spaghetti.

* Shrimps:

* 1 kg medium or jumbo shrimps.

* 2-3 garlic cloves.

* chopped sweet peppers.

* 1 can chopped Italian tomatoes or fresh ones.

* bunch of coriander.

* salt,pepper,and some chili powder.

* saute garlic and peppers in some olive oil.

* add shrimps and stir till color changes then add salt,pepper and chili.

* add tomato can and a bit of water then leave to simmer on low heat till sauce is thick.

* add chopped coriander and cook for another 5 minutes.

 

Absolutely delicious meal 🙂

 

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12115967_10153571566355907_6206582965766922115_n yummy end result.

 

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