English Breakfast and Almond Hariseh.

Hello everybody.

What did you cook in this weather? all my group members started posting dishes since morning,all locked up in snow and cooking !!

My kitchen was busy doing lots of stuff,a brunch rather than a breakfast cause we ate late, I made a typical English breakfast sunny side ups,scrambled eggs,hot dogs and beans ,a favorite dish for my husband and boys but not me so I baked some ka3ek like last time but today’s batch was much better and more fluffy , ate them with cheese my kind of meal !

hotel style breakfast.

my ka3ek 🙂

yum yum.

Last night I made this new recipe I found,wanted a change from usual hariseh or semolina cake so after searching decided to do this ,turned out nice but as my hubby said it’s not hariseh something totally different guess because it has almonds in it and eggs are separated so it’s a more a cake.

Ingredients and method:

* 4 eggs separated.

*1 cup sugar ( i think 1/2 or 3/4 are enough)

* 3/4 cup melted butter.

* 1 tsp vanilla.

* 2 tsp baking powder.

* 1 tsp lemon zest.

*1 1/2 cups semolina.

* 1 cup ground almonds.

*pinch of salt.

* sugar syrup ( 3 cups sugar,1 1/2 water and 1 tsp lemon juice)

* Separate egg yolks from whites.

* beat butter,sugar,lemon zest and vanilla till creamy.

* add eggs and beat well then add baking powder, semolina and almonds.

* beat egg whites till frothy and stiff.

* fold in whites into mixture slowly with a wooden spoon.

* grease a medium sized pan and pour mixture in.

* bake in a medium heated oven for 30-40 minutes toll golden.

*Note: you can decorate it with almonds or coconut on top as you wish.

* when done add the cold syrup on top.

almond harisseh or semolina cake.

Swedish Meatballs.

Hello everybody.

After searching many food apps and sites for a dish containing mined meat, something new and easy,

I decided to do this recipe at the end Swedish meatballs or as many say IKEA dish, actually it is very tasty, heart warming and satisfying , sorry IKEA but homemade ones are much tastier than yours.

Ingredients and method:

For meat balls:

* 1/2 kg minced beef.

* 1 egg.

* 1/2 cup bread crumbs.

* salt,pepper,nutmeg,all spice.

* grated small onion.

* 1 big tablespoon butter.

For the sauce:

* 1/3 cup flour.

* 4 cups chicken broth or 1 cube Maggi cubes dissolved in 4 cups water.

* 1/2 cup heavy cream.

* salt,pepper,all spice to taste.

* some chopped parsley for garnish.

* Mix beef with all ingredients and form it into balls.

* heat butter and saute balls till done and golden.

* remove balls and add flour to remaining butter and mix well.

* gradually add broth and whisk quickly to get a smooth silky sauce.

* leave to simmer and thicken for 10 minutes.

* add the cream and seasoning then return balls in sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.

Serve with rice or mashed potatoes, a special kind of jam is usually served with it but I didn’t have time to look for it,guess it’s available in IKEA called lingonberry jam.

final outcome .

Beetroot Apples Dip.

Hello everybody.

What a busy eventful day, nonstop activities since morning which started by a gathering at mom’s for my dear aunties , lovely ladies with so many old stories to tell. I made some spinach pastries and almond pudding,mom made za’tar cookies and orange cake.

As for lunch at home I made this lovely bright beetroot apple dip or salad that my sister told me about since beetroots are in season these days,this can be a very nice healthy dish to make instead of processed ready dips.

Ingredients and method:

* 2 large beetroots boiled or baked.

* 2 apples.

* 2 tablespoons mayonnaise.

* 2 tablespoons labaneh.

* 2 tablespoons crushed walnuts.

* salt and pepper.

* grate beets and apples then squeeze them with your hands to remove all excess water.

* mix mayonnaise,labaneh,walnuts,salt and pepper.

* add beets and apples then mix well.

* put mix in a bowl then leave in fridge a bit .

* turn it upside down and serve with chips or toasted bread.

yummy good looking dip.

I also made a quick pesto pasta with the dip.

Then I went out with my lovely college friends to Yoshi for sushi, though I’m not a fan of it but food was great and atmosphere and service were excellent, company was the best part of the evening as always.

Yoshi !

As soon as I arrived back home my aunt and her lovely daughters passed by and brought Falafel sandwiches, unfortunately I was full 🙁 though I love it, again it’s the company that matters. Love you 3amto <3.

Banana Caramel Pie.( فطيره الموز والكراميل)

Hello everybody.

Craved something sweet last night or actually I saw this recipe on TV couple of days ago,bought puff pastry Saturday so as to do it when the occasion pops up.

It’s a very easy dessert that you can do anytime you have sudden guests, just keep a pack of puff pastry always ready in your freezer and I guess bananas are always available most of the times.

Ingredients and method:

* 1 square pack of puff pastry.

* 1 cup sugar.

* 1/4 cup water.

* 1 tsp butter.

* 5-6 big bananas.

* a sprinkle of cinnamon.

* In a deep oven skillet or pan add sugar and water, heat till caramelized and golden.

* add butter then cut bananas to medium sized pieces and arrange over caramel.

* sprinkle with cinnamon.

*roll the pastry to a big circle then cover all over bananas and secure edges.

* bake in a well heated oven till pastry puffs and become golden.

* while still hot turn it upside down quickly.

* serve with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream.

Lunch today was frittata ( عجه) and I made some spinach pastries and rest of dough I baked it in a deep pan and made a loaf.

frittata.عجه

whole wheat loaf.

deep pan loaf.

Kept some spinach and made a spinach cheese quiche,yummy yummy.

spinach cheese quiche.

Yemini Mendi and Digestive Log.

Hello everybody.

Planning to cook this dish a month ago or actually since my cousin posted it in my group,this is a traditional Yemini dish usually bought ready here from several restaurants.

My husband bought a pack of ready mixed Mendi spices and I added a bit of the spices originally in the recipe, I also used local chicken that my husband brought from the farm.

I also made this super easy dessert cause I have some cream left from yesterday’s cupcakes thought I’d use them, you simply stack plain digestive biscuits with cream in between,I added some coconuts also , then you cover all with cream, leave to cool completely then top with chocolate ganache all over and decorate, looks a lot like Christmas Log Cake and looks very elegant , a nice idea for Valentine tomorrow right?

Ingredients and method of Mendi:

* Marinade for chicken:

* Ketchup.

* olive oil.

* salt,pepper,coriander,cardamon,cloves.

* bay leaves.

* copped onions and garlic.

* Marinade chicken pieces in all these for two hours then cover and leave in a medium heated oven 1 1/2 -2 hours then roast till golden.

* Rice:

* saute some sliced onions and garlic till golden.

* add one grated carrot.

* wash the rice and add it on them.

* add same spices as above then add add water and leave to simmer till rice is done.

*Note: use basmati rice or long .

* When rice and chicken are done arrange all in a deep serving dish then heat a piece of coal till very hot and red then add some oil on top and place it in the middle of rice chicken dish and cover for 15 minutes so as to give a smoky flavor to the whole dish.

* serve with roasted raisins,Tabasco and green salad.

smoked chicken and rice.

fumed charcoal.

original recipe in Arabic.

yummy biscuits log.

stacked biscuits and cream.

Dry Fruits Cookies.

Hello everybody.

Was privileged by a visit from my dear uncles this morning,e had coffee and Coconut Jam cake, a favorite of my best uncle Ziad, I was really happy he ate from it cause I know how much he loves coconut.

Started cooking lunch after they left which was upon kids request ” Shakshouka” and some baked beets. Did them a different way than usual, wrapped in foil then baked till tender , yummy and easy.

baked beets,you can mash one to use as food coloring !

My son invited some of his friends over so I baked some mixed dried fruits cookies and prepared a chocolate chip giant skillet cookie to bake when they arrive. I actually prepared a basic batter then divided it to two portions one with fruits and one with chocolate.

Basic cookie dough is:

*1 egg.

* 3/4 cup butter.

* 1/2 to 3/4 cup brown sugar.

* 1 tsp vanilla.

*1/2 tsp bicarbonate.

* 1 tsp baking powder.

* 1/2 cup oats ( optional)

* 1 1/2 cups flour.

* pinch of salt.

* beat butter and sugar till creamy then add egg and rest of ingredients then you can add any kind of nuts,dried fruits,dark or white chocolate or marshmallows.

* spoon a walnut size amount of dough and place in a big oven pan.

* bake in a medium heated oven for 10-13 min max.

* I decorated today’s cookies with some melted chocolate.

dried apricots,cranberries and raisins.

drizzled some chocolate on top when cooled.

Milk Pudding with Almonds ( مهلبيه باللوز).

Hello everybody.

My mother in -law invited some of her friends for an early dinner today, main dish will be Eggplant Maqloubeh as requested and I made roasted chicken which will be posted tomorrow.

My part is to make a kind of dessert , was a bit in a dilemma of what to do then the idea just came right to me when my best friend asked me to do a rice or milk pudding for her dear father’s birthday today so I made a big quantity for her and us.

After searching for a new different recipe I decided to do this one from Nestle website,really good and almonds gave it a lovely crunchy taste.

Ingredients and method:

* 1 can sweetened condensed milk.

* 1 liter water.

* 2 big spoons rice flour.( رز مطحون)

* 2 big spoons corn flour.

* 3/4 cup finely crushed almonds.

* 1 tsp cardamon.

* 1 tablespoon rose water.

* 1 tsp crushed gum mastic ( mistika مستكه)

* 4 tablespoons powdered milk.

* some crushed pistachios and cherries for decoration.

* Mix all ingredients except rose water and gum very well with a hand mixer till all are combined.

* Over a high heat keep mixing till it’s bubbly and thick.

* add gum and rose water.

* pour in serving dish or small cups.

* when cooled decorate with pistachios.

* cool in the fridge for 2-3 hours.

NOTE: if mixture wasn’t thick enough when boiled you can dissolve another tablespoon of corn flour and add it to ensure good consistency.

Happy Birthday 3ammo Abu Tareq 🙂

Walnut Rolls ( برمه او لفائف الجوز)

Hello everybody.

Sorry for the delay but I was tied up and busy.

Since it’s still so cold till now and you feel yourself needing something really sweet to warm up I decided to do this kind of wintry dessert.

Remembered this dish last night ,ate it many years ago at a gathering done by a relative, called her today to recall details and ingredients and she was really sweet to give me the exact small ones.It’s called Burma or simply Walnut Rolls.

Lunch was stuffed cabbage,a favorite on our table all times.

Ingredients and method:

* 1 pack phyllo pastry leaves ( رقائق الهنا)

* 2 cups finely crushed walnuts.

* 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

* 1 tsp cardamon.

* 1 tablespoon rose water.(ماء ورد)

* 1 tablespoon blossom water ( ماء زهر)

* 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

*some vegetable oil in bottom of a Pyrex.

*thin long piece of metal ( I cut a part of metallic clothes hanger)

* 1 1/2 cup sugar syrup ( قطر)

* cut the phyllo sheets to in half.

* mix walnuts with cinnamon,cardamon,rose and blossom water.

* spread one sheet then place the wire in half and add one spoonful of walnut mix.

* cover with other side of sheet and roll with wire inside.

* close up the side of roll till it form wrinkles.

* remove wire slowly then place in the oiled Pyrex and so on till all sheets are used.

* bake in a very hot oven till crispy from bottom and surface.

* while still very hot pour cold syrup on top.

Wait till it cools and serve, absolutely delicious specially with a cup of Turkish coffee.

the metal rod here wasn’t good I used the hanger later on much better.

final result.

Here’s a video showing how to roll them.

Zaynab Fingers or Tweitat.(اصابع زينب)

Hello everybody.

I guess everybody is still locked in today as well,weather was a bit better noon time but still freezing outside. Last night was phenomenal ,temperature reached -10 in some areas which is a rare thing to happen.

Lunch today wasn’t a big meal,frankly we’re all fed up from everything so I made a dish of avocado dip and fried some potatoes then topped them with herbs,garlic powder and cheese. We still have some shepherd pie from yesterday. very satisfying meal !

As for dessert I made Mom’s versions of this old Arabic sweet , baked Zaynab fingers or tweitat as some people call them. I know most people usually deep fry them but this recipe differs cause they’re baked not fried,less guilt for sure.

Though I posted the recipe before but I’ll write it again better for easier accessibility.

Ingredients and method:

2 cups plain flour.
2 cups whole wheat flour.
1 cup olive oil.( or half olive and half vegetable oil)
1 small spoon of instant yeast.
1 small spoon grounded fennel,anise and cinnamon.
Half a cup of sesame seeds. (سمسم محمص).
Half a cup of black seeds,I think they’re called sativa (الحبه السوداء.قزحه ).
1/2 cup sugar.
Pinch of salt.

For the syrup:
3 cups granulated sugar.
1 and 1/2 cups water.
1 small spoon lemon juice.
Boil all ,then leave to simmer till syrup is thick (30- 35 minutes).

* Mix all ingredients then start adding warm water (almost a cup) and knead well till you form a ball.
* Leave it to rest for half an hour then form it to small balls.

* Spread each ball on a grater and roll it to make it as fingers.(I use the hand grater)
*Bake in a well heated oven till bottom is brown.then roast surface as well.

Dip in syrup then remove..leave to cool and serve.

sweets before baking.

Avocado dip.

French fries with tomato chili dip.

Great in this snow 🙂

This link will show you how to roll the sweets,hope you find it useful .

Hubby’s Birthday Celebrations.

Hello everybody.

Big Intercontinental breakfast this morning or actually noon celebrating my beloved hubby’s birthday,his favorite dishes eggs in different kinds and cheeses, it was really a nice gathering since we seldom meet for breakfast, a benefit from this storm at least 🙂

We skipped lunch cause all was full and now we’ll have the cake he asked for Red Velvet and of course a must every year Cream Caramel also a big big favorite.

Hope you’re all having a good time in this cold weather, I know it’s boring and makes one eat a lot but what else to do ?

Red Velvet Cake.

Cream Caramel.

breakfast.

French toast.

Happy Birthday <3

What to cook today?

day by day cooking ideas

dessert

English Breakfast and Almond Hariseh.

Like this:

Swedish Meatballs.

Like this:

Beetroot Apples Dip.

Like this:

Banana Caramel Pie.( فطيره الموز والكراميل)

Like this:

Yemini Mendi and Digestive Log.

Like this:

Milk Pudding with Almonds ( مهلبيه باللوز).

Like this:

Walnut Rolls ( برمه او لفائف الجوز)

Like this:

Zaynab Fingers or Tweitat.(اصابع زينب)

Like this:

Hubby’s Birthday Celebrations.

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: