Apricot Jam.

Hello everybody.

A dear friend of my mother in-law called me saying that her apricot tree is overloaded and most of it is over ripe so she wants me to come pick as much as I want

A custom of mine each year I make this jam just as my late grandma used to make it,she had a big tree in her garden and we used to help her pick it and make ripe ones jam,she even used to break the seed and add the nut inside to the jam,but this is really hard work,poor teita. she was very patient and did them all without grumbling at all,God bless your soul my dear grandma<3

Well I did go yesterday to auntie Haifa’s ,had a cup of coffee and took a big big bag of beautiful fresh apricots,perfect for jam.

last night I cleaned and pitted them then added sugar and cooked them today, by the way lunch today was steak sandwiches,same that I did before.

Ingredients and method of jam:

* 1 kg ripe apricots.

* 1 kg sugar ( you need equal amounts of fruit and sugar,you can measure in cups also)

* 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

* add sugar to apricots stir well then put on gas on medium heat till bubbly.

* reduce heat to minimum and keep boiling for 40-50 minutes removing froth whenever it’s formed.

* keep stirring mixture then blend it with hand mixture if you like or leave it in chunks as you prefer.

* add lemon juice and leave it boiling for another 15-20 minutes or till it’s thick .

* cool and fill in cleaned glass containers,then keep in fridge.

I usually wrap jars with ribbons or accessories, great gift full of love 🙂

tasty with white cheese!

this is today’s lunch.

Broad Green Beans Salad.

Hello everybody.

Grocery day again,ended up buying lots of fruits and vegetables,so fresh and tempting,couldn’t resist the red cherries and seedless grapes, don’t you just love Summer with all its colors and varieties?

I got some broad green beans and cherry tomatoes to make this salad that my cousin who lives in Rome posted in my Facebook group, turned out absolutely delicious,even kids loved it 🙂

As for lunch it was fresh mloukhieh with chicken,really good as always,dessert was a big bowl of fruits !!

Ingredients and method:

* broad green beans cut and boiled in salted water till a tender but not overcooked.

* cherry tomato.

* lemon zest.

* sauteed garlic cloves.

* salt,pepper,lemon juice,pomegranate sauce or balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

* just mix all ingredients and toss with dressing .

very easy healthy dish.

Enjoy <3

Strawberry Shortcakes :)

Hello everybody. This morning my youngest son amazed me with a question ” Are we allowed to repeat one of the recipes you posted or you have to cook something new? ”

I was really impressed,my hubby and boys are becoming like me,always thinking what to cook the next day and how to keep ideas and recipes flowing !! Thank God I think one can always innovate and search,each day comes with its new post without even planning 🙂

So upon my son’s request I cooked chicken with broccoli and mushrooms but made rice instead of pasta on the side.As for today’s title,I made these cute strawberry shortcakes for my son’s friends who came over this afternoon,better than eating candy and sweets !

Ingredients and method:

* fresh strawberries.

* cream ( 2 packs dream whip)

* for the shortcakes:

* 1 3/4 or 2 cups flour.

* 3/4 cup butter.

* 1/2 cup sugar.

* 1 tsp baking powder.

* 1/4 cup cream or milk.

* pinch of salt.

* crushed almonds (optional)

* stem and cut strawberries,add a bit of sugar on them and leave aside till cakes are done.

* beat cream powder as directed till stiff and keep in fridge to cool.

* beat butter with sugar then add salt,baking powder and flour.

* mix with your hands till dough is crumbly.

* add milk or cream gradually and knead till you form a firm but not hard ball then leave to rest 15 minutes.

* roll dough to a rectangle then using a cookie cutter or cup form circles then move to a floured baking pan. keep flouring surface of table or use wax paper to avoid sticking.

* add crushed almonds on top then bake for 10-13 minutes or till biscuits are golden.

* assemble layers of biscuits,cream then strawberries in cups or glasses or plates as you wish,garnish with strawberry syrup and fresh mints.

* keep in fridge to cool before serving.

That’s today’s post,hope you all like and try it 🙂

Congratulation <3<3<3

Hello everybody.

Please excuse me today, I have a big family event,my brother is getting married so no time to cook for sure.

Congratulations dear bro and beautiful bride,wish you health ,wealth and happiness ever after.

Have a nice day dear viewers and followers,love and appreciate you all <3<3

Friday Breakfast.

Morning everybody

Lovely Friday, we’re all invited to to my sister in-law’s for a big brunch rather than a breakfast. Her husband made his famous omelet with veggies plus of course many dishes like sunny side ups, hummus, fatteh, falafel, labaneh, cheese….etc.

I kept them waiting till I come to take photos of omelet making steps.
Ingredients and method:
* eggs.
* 1 small finely crushed clove of garlic.
* finely chopped hot pepper, sweet pepper, tomatoes, small onion, green onions.
* salt and pepper.

* heat some oil ,vegetable or olive, add onions till tender.
* scramble eggs add garlic salt ,pepper. Mix well.
* add other veggies
* when onions are almost done add egg mixture then stir till all egg is dry but be careful if it over dries it won’t taste good at all.
* you can add double cream or cheese if you like also (optional).

This is an Iraqi samawer for tea.

Breakfast was followed by lazy cake and coffee. ..yummy yummy.

Enjoy you’re weekend and keep warm.

Freekeh with Chicken. ( فريكه )

Hello everybody.
As I mentioned earlier today we’re having a big lunch, friends and relatives coming.

My mother in law made freekeh with chicken among other things.
Freekeh is a roasted green wheat, meaning wheat is harvested when still green and roasted outdoors on a big fire. Very healthy and nutritious. I even saw an old episode of Dr. Phill today by coincidence advising people to eat it cause of its many benefits.
Freekeh is mainly done with roasted chicken on top and cooked with the chicken broth.served with salad or yoghurt.
Quantities depends upon how many people you’re serving.

Ingredients and method:
* chicken cut to big pieces ( with bones)
* 3 cups freekeh.
* seasoning for making chicken broth : salt, pepper, all spice, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and onions.
* ghee or margarine.
* roasted almonds and pine nuts for decorating.

* Make chicken broth by cleaning chicken very well, sautee them till excess water is dry ,add all seasoning and water then leave to boil till done.

You can do this only with the wings, back and neck of chicken then discard them and use broth.
* As for breasts and thighs, rub them well with salt , pepper and olive oil and put them over a bed of coarsely chopped onions in a big oven tray. Cover with foil paper and cook them in the oven for 1 1/2-2 hours.then roast till golden.
* wash freekeh very well,make sure you look through it before cause usually you might find some small stones or dirt specially if bought directly from farms.
* saute them with ghee then add to each cup of freekeh 1 1/2 cup of broth.
* you may add some salt according to your liking.
* leave to cook on high heat till it absorbs most of broth.
* lower heat to minimum and leave covered to cook slowly for 1 hour or a bit more till it’s done.
* serve in big wide plate with roasted chicken, almonds and pine nuts on top.

Yummy yummy :).

California Coffee Cake.

Hello everybody.
It’s been a while since I backed a cake..2-3 weeks, I searched in my cook book for something light and a bit different than I usually make.
Found this recipe, think I copied it from a magazine long time ago. Goes along great with a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients:
* 2 eggs.
* 1 tsp vanilla.
* 1 cup sugar.
* 1/2 cup butter.
* 1/2 cup milk.
* 2 tsp baking powder.
* a bit of lemon zest.
* 1 1/2 cup flour.
Filling:
* 1/2 cup brown sugar.
*1 tablespoon butter.
* 1 tablespoon flour.
* 1 tsp cinnamon.
* 1/2 cup crushed walnuts ( optional).

Method:
* mix filling ingredients together very well.
* mix cake ingredients alternatively in order.
* grease or place wax paper in a cake pan, round or rectangular as you like.
* pour half of cake batter then sprinkle filling to cover then add remaining batter.
* bake in a medium heated oven for 30-35 minutes or till toothpick inserted is dry.
* cool completely then remove from pan.
* serve with tea or coffee.

Enjoy♡♥♡♥.

Turkey:)

Hello everybody…well last night’s dinner was a big success. …as a matter of fact my uncle’s wife is a great cook.
Food was dellliiiiciiiooouusss!!!
Table was full of various dishes…main dish was roasted turkey..stuffed with oranges, green peppers, celery sticks ,all spices and butter.
Other dishes were.,stuffed vine leaves..lasagne..spiced rice with peas and carrots covered with nuts..2 kinds of salads..pickles…all yummmyyyy….thank you dear auntie♡♥.
As for the cake I took …frankly it wasn’t as expected…I will try to contact some people who did it before so as to figure out where I went wrong.
It did look great..but custard layer was very dry and needed sugar. ..from my experience I think either I overbaked it or too much flour…also I think it needs lemon or orange zest so that egg flavor won’t be strong…..promise i’ll search for failure cause and tell you.

Here are pictures of last night dinner……wait for today’s dish in couple of hours Inshallah♡♥

Have a nice day.

What to cook today?

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Apricot Jam.

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Broad Green Beans Salad.

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Strawberry Shortcakes :)

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Congratulation <3<3<3

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Friday Breakfast.

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Freekeh with Chicken. ( فريكه )

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California Coffee Cake.

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Turkey:)

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