Eggplant Appetizer.

Hello everybody.

Got some fresh vine leaves yesterday so better to cook them immediately, hate freezing fresh stuff feels like a waste of something valuable.

So I stuffed some courgettes with them, best dish ever. Plus I made this appetizer that my Italian cousin posted yesterday.

You simply grill your sliced eggplants after salting them then add sliced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon, salt and oil on top before serving, I even added some olives turned out absolutely delicious.

Happy day with good food and best friend coming for a short visit.

yummy easy dish.

fresh vine leaves,courgettes and cucumber yogurt salad.

Armenian Freekeh and Pineapple Salad.

Hello everybody.

Interesting and joyful atmosphere at Botma market this morning, been intending to go every Saturday but hadn’t got the time till now.

You can find a wide selection of seasonal veggies and herbs plus many jars of delicacies like jams and spreads,all looks fresh and healthy. Market is open each Saturday from 9-2 don’t miss it.

Well I certainly shopped some things including lettuce and baby spinach immediately made a big bowl of salad with fresh pineapples and walnuts.

Lunch was Armenian Freekeh with onions, mushrooms, cream and cheese with chicken breasts on top.

Botma honey.

fresh vine leaves.

baked beans.

fava beans

yummy spreads and dips.

Fruit Garden -Dabouq.

Hello everybody.

Been wanting to go to this place for a while now specially after they posted last week that they have an offer on berries ( buy 5 get 2 for free).

Well today since I had some spare time before picking my son from his exam and to stop worrying about it I passed by the Fruit Garden shop located in Dabouq and how happy I was that I went.

Neat,clean, cheerful place with helpful staff and very good prices, they even told you should come take pictures on Friday cause all Asian fruits arrive Thursdays,will definitely go back.

They have many services like preparing and cutting your veggies, sanitized herbs and vegetables, juices and fruit baskets, my dream shop.

Can’t wait to do yummy things with those fresh berries, started by a detox water mix with some mints.

Lunch today is pizza,again comfort food cause of the exams.

Fruit Garden / Dabouq.

detox water.

yummy healthy fruits.

Avocado Cheese Burgers.

Hello everybody.

First day of external exams today, a special comfort meal is needed,nothing beats a good burger and fries don’t you think?

Tried my new Lodge cast iron grill,though I did as directed meaning I sprayed it with special oil ( Canola Oil Spray) then heated it well in the oven, all this so as it won’t stick but burgers got stuck a bit. Guess it needs more time or more oil.

Burger topping was mashed avocado with spring onions and garlic, really yummy and rich. I just love avocados.

grilled burgers.

Rice in Puff Pastry.

Hello everybody.
Home all day cleaning and putting away carpets and heavy clothes, an annual ritual!

Even the kitchen had it’s turn, arranging fridge and freezer , I don’t like keeping frozen food for long periods always try to use it specially if fresh veggies are in season, so today took out some green thyme and made za’tar sticks, some pieces of puff pastry stuffed them with spiced rice, peas,carrots and meat plus some poppy seeds and made orange cake with seeds in.

Too much work but all yummy and needed as snacks for my son studying for his finals.

Good luck to all IB students around the world.

a rich nice meal !

Orange cake and za’tar sticks.

my lovely pot and mints 🙂

Milano Restaurant.

Hello everybody.
After a long day working and cleaning up at home we decided to go out for lunch to a long time favorite place of ours,Milano Restaurant.

I’m sure all fellows my age remember this nice cozy place in Shmeisani, used to be and still our favorite hang out though it’s been a long time since we came but greetings and words of the eversince waiter were so welcoming as usual.

Outside garden is renovated,relaxing summary atmosphere, food excellent and yummy.

So glad we came

specialty of the house french fries with cheese.

steak melt sandwich.

a coffee is a must after such a meal !

Soft Pretzels.

Hello everybody.

Stayed home today,a relief after busy days and a chance to put away heavy clothes and boots, hoping that no more cold rainy days are coming.

Since I have leftovers for lunch from yesterday which was fresh new baby string beans in olive oil and I had time before lunch I tried this recipe, been searching for the most suitable and light one for a while and did this with slight changes.

I also made a simple cake since the oven is on and hot,been craving it since I made it for my brother’s colleagues last week.

Ingredients and method :
* 1 1/4 cups warm water.
* 2 tablespoons instant yeast.
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 5 cups flour.
* 1 tsp salt.
* 1 tablespoon butter.
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
* 1/2 cup baking soda.
* 4 cups boiled water.
* 1 egg yolk.
* some kosher or coarse salt.
* some melted butter.

* mix water, yeast, sugar till bubbly.
* mix flour, salt, butter and oil.
* add water yeast mixture and knead well.
* leave to rise for 40-50 minutes.
* make long ropes from the dough, this quantity makes 10-12.
* shape them into Pretzels.
* mix soda with hot water then dip each pretzel into it for few seconds.
* line them in a floured pan.
* brush with egg yolk then sprinkle with salt.
* leave to rise again then bake in a medium heated oven for 10-15 minutes.
* brush with a bit of butter to keep them shining then roast till golden.

Turned out amazingly delicious, kids loved them.

lovely !

so easy to do dough.

ready to go.

lunch and dessert.

will definitely do them again.

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

Jamie Oliver’s 15 Minutes Tomato Soup.

Hello everybody.

Well it’s Winter all over again with low temperatures and heavy rain as if we’re in mid January. A soup will be perfect specially a chili hot one.

Saw this recipe on TV last week Jamie Oliver’s 15 minutes meal,I just love this chef, he cooks with a style and makes everything looks easy and yummy like this soup.

Ingredients and method:

For the soup:

* 1 green onion chopped.

* some chopped chives (optional)

* 1 red chili pepper.

* some preserved roasted red peppers ( didn’t have today )

* some chopped fresh coriander.

* 1 can diced tomatoes.

* 3 cups water.

* salt,pepper.

* Saute onions,peppers,chives and coriander with some olive oil.

* add tomatoes and water then season with salt and pepper.

* leave to simmer till done then blend with hand mixer.

* Toppings and additives:

* Roasted tortillas with melted cheddar cheese.

* chili peppers,coriander, feta cheese and black olives.

* yogurt mixed with fresh mint leaves ( original one contained crushed jalapenos also)

Upon serving put tortillas in bottom of bowl,add whatever you like from toppings, add soup then drizzle yogurt mint sauce on top.

A real genuine dish ,we loved it !

Upside Down Toffee Date Cake.

Hello everybody.
Another cozy warm breakfast at my cousin’s this morning, simple elegant table full of yummy food.

Dessert was a new cake, upside-down toffee it caramel date cake, easy and yummy. Resembles a lot the upside down pineapple one but with dates instead and my favorite jello with apples and reminder of our lovely childhood.

Ingredients and method:
# 1/2 cup sugar.
# 1 stick butter (100 g)
# pitted dates ( 2 cups)
# cinnamon and cardamom
Cake batter:
# 3 eggs
# 1 cup sugar.
# 1 cup oil.
# 2 tablespoons yogurt or milk
# 1 1/2 cups flour.
# 1 tsp vanilla.
# 2 tsp baking powder.

# heat sugar in baking pan till it caramelizes then add butter and mix.
# arrange dates and sprinkle the cinnamon and cardamom.

# beat cake batter ingredients alternatively then add over dates.
# bake in a medium heated oven for 30-35 minutes or till done in the middle.

# leave to cool down then flip over and serve.

lovely table.

What to cook today?

day by day cooking ideas

beAmman

Eggplant Appetizer.

Like this:

Armenian Freekeh and Pineapple Salad.

Like this:

Fruit Garden -Dabouq.

Like this:

Avocado Cheese Burgers.

Like this:

Rice in Puff Pastry.

Like this:

Milano Restaurant.

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Soft Pretzels.

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Honey Cakes.

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Jamie Oliver’s 15 Minutes Tomato Soup.

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Upside Down Toffee Date Cake.

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