For a change I looked through my cookbooks for something new and came across this one, personally I loved it meaning not all family members found it unusual but it was worth trying.
It’s basically two thin slices of steaks stacked together with cheese, onions and blackened or roasted capsicum or sweet red peppers.
You then wrap them as a parcel then grill on both sides till golden. Leave in the oven covered for half an hour later on in very low heat.
I did some mushroom risotto and sauce on the side.
Lots and lots of eggplants in my fridge, have to cook them before they’re ruin I guess.
Lucky me my sister came to lunch today and she’s an eggplant lover cause half of my family doesn’t eat it at all by the way.
Quick lunch solution, kofta balls wrapped in fried eggplants as bundles then cooked in tomato sauce. Though the shape wasn’t perfect but taste was very good.
I also did some Gazpacho soup, good in this hot weather.
Two days ago my husband brought me two giant pumpkins from the farm, I’m not exaggerating they’re really giant that’s how they grow.
Thank God I managed to give away one of them to my neighbor and today I began processing the other, some for freezing and some I cooked today and guess I’ll give away some more cause I don’t have more space!
Today’s recipe was sent to me by my dear chef Rahmeh, pumpkin pieces cooked in tahini sauce with minced meat on top, really delicious and tasty plus everybody loved it, will definitely be on my favorite list.
Ingredients and method :
# 1 kg of pumpkin cut to large cubes.
# 1 kg of plain yogurt.
# 6 tablespoons of tahini.
# 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
# 1 cube chicken stock.
# salt, pepper.
# 3 cloves crushed garlic.
# 1 bunch fresh coriander.
# some cooked seasoned minced meat.
# sauted almonds or pine nuts.
# cooked white rice to serve with.
# deep fry the pumpkin and leave in a sieve till all oil is out.
# meanwhile whisk yogurt, tahini, lemon, salt and pepper all together very well.
# transfer into a pan and cook till it boils and thickens.
# saute garlic till golden then add the chopped coriander to it.
# add garlic to sauce and stir very gently.
# add the pumpkin pieces and leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
# you can add a bit of hot water if sauce was very thick.
# pour in a deep dish then garnish with minced meat and nuts.
# Serve with rice or pitta bread.
How are you all doing in this heat? Guess hot fatty dishes aren’t desirable in this weather though many made mansaf or maqloubeh nevertheless.
Well a last minute decision cause all woke up late was this long time no cook dish. Shushbarak with tomatoes, I added mushrooms black olives, pesto, oregano and a bit of feta cheese over ready made shushbarak pieces then all topped with mozzarella.
Yummy cool and fulfilling, fake ravioli my kids call it.
Longest fasting day ,thank God it’s cool and weather is nice.
Dinner was kebabs with tomatoes and rice and a plate of Nachos plus a big salad .
Ingredients and method of Kebabs.
* kofta meat ( ready from butcher)
* onions.
* garlic.
* tomatoes.
* green peppers.
* 1 can chopped tomatoes
* 1 spoon ketchup and mustard.
* mix kofta with ketchup and mustard.
* form it to small kebabs finger shaped.
* coat them with flour then keep in fridge for a while.
* heat some olive add the kebabs till brownish from all sides.
* add chopped onions, garlic, peppers sautee with meat till tender.
* add 2 peeled chopped tomatoes and the can.
* leave to simmer for 30-40 minutes. Or you can put it the oven if you like.
* serve with rice.
Ingredients and method of Nachos:
* 1 big pack nacho chips.
* 1 small onion finely chopped.
* 1/2 cup red beans.
* 1 big ripe tomato also finely chopped.
* a bit of hot pepper and Tabasco.
* salt and pepper.
* cheddar cheese.
* sour cream or labaneh.
* saute onions till tender in oil.
* add all other ingredients except cheese
* simmer on low heat till done.
* spread nachos in a wide oven pan.
* spread sauce over it.
* add cheese and put in the oven till cheese melts.
* serve with sour cream or guacamole on the side.
* Note: you can add jalapenos, black olives and fava beans to sauce also.
Today I decided to try my cousin’s recipe of Qatayef ,a homemade one cause she lives abroad and this typical Ramadan dessert is not available, but my version was to make a big one filled half with cheese and half with walnuts.
ingredients and method:
* 1 cup flour.
*1 cup semolina.
* 1 tablespoon corn flour.
* 1 tsp vanilla.
* 2 tsps baking powder.
* pinch of salt.
* 1 tablespoon sugar.
* 2 1/4 cups warm water.
* syrup
* Mix all ingredients well in a blender then leave to rise or bubbly.
*heat a nonstick pan till very hot then reduce heat and pour a bit of dough the size you like.
* leave till all dry then remove to cool on a clean cloth.
* stuff and close with sweet cheese or walnuts.
* fry or bake as you wish then dip in syrup.
Dinner tonight was a bit of leftovers a plus a steak sandwich loaf ,which is usual steak sandwich filling ( shredded beef,onions,peppers,mushrooms) spread over a rectangular pizza dough , I added mustard and cheese also. Fold the dough and bake all in a medium heated oven till golden and crispy.
Usual appetizers were mashed fava beans and fatoush.
original photo in the cookbook.
