Kofta with Vegetables.

Hello everybody.
Weekend almost over, hope everybody relaxed and boosted for next week.
My husband brought various vegetables from Ghor Thursday so today I made kofta or kebab fingers with a selection of veggies, as I recall some people call this ” Masfoufeh” meaning lined up cause of the way you arrange it in the pan. Please confirm this info if correct or not.
I also made Fatoush, kind of salad with toasted bread and summaq.
Plus, I bought some fresh fruits and mixed them into a great refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients and method:
* 1 kg ready mixed kofta (minced veal with onions and parsley).
* sliced mixed veggies: eggplants, courgettes, pumpkins, potatoes.
* sliced tomatoes and green peppers.
* 1 pack tomato paste.
* 1 cube maggi.
* 1 1/2 cups water.
* salt and pepper.

* form the kofta to fingers shape then cook on low heat till golden and done.
* grill veggies till brownish on both sides, some people fry them but dish will be too oily.
* arrange veggies in rows then add kofta in between. * dissolve tomato paste and maggi in water then add on pan.
* add salt and pepper.
* cook on low heat for 1 hour.
* serve with white rice.

Fatoush:
This salad is of Libanese origin, it’s basic salad with the addition of radishes,watercress (بقله ), toasted pitta bread with summaq, pomegranate sauce, lemon and olive oil as dressing.

I was lucky my best friend came by for coffee after lunch, great with some dark chocolate.

Enjoy your week ♡♥.

Kofta with Vegetables.

* form the kofta to fingers shape then cook on liw heat till golden and done.
* grill veggies till brownish on both sides, some people fry them but dish will be too oily.
* arrange veggies in rows then add kofta in between.

* dissolve tomato paste and maggi in water then add on pan.

* add salt and pepper.
* cook on low heat for 1 hour.
* serve with white rice.

I was lucky my best friend came by for coffee after lunch, great with some dark chocolate.

Enjoy your week ♡♥.

Chicken Burgers.

Hello everybody. As every Friday what to eat for lunch is always a problem.

I was about to tell the boys to order food cause I was busy helping my brother moving his stuff to his new house. Can’t believe my little bro getting married this week. I’m so excited ♡♥♡♥.

Back to lunch plans, found out I do have time to cook when done, kids said burgers, decided to make chicken not beef this time for a change. Also I made hot potatoes as a side dish, will try new kind of mixed spices i bought last Saturday.

Ingredients and method:

* 3 big boneless chicken breasts finely chopped.

* 1 chili pepper.

* 1 green pepper.

* 2 cloves garlic.

*1 small onion.

* 1/2 cup bread crumbs.

* 1/2 cup milk.

* salt and pepper.

* mix all ingredients very well in food processor .

* wet your hand with water and form round balls, cover them with bread crumbs and flat them to burgers.

* keep in fridge to harden for 1 hour.

* grill them or roast in the oven till golden.

* serve with veggies and cheese.

Potatoes were good but kids said spices I usually use are tastier, these have too much curry.

Aromatic Herbs.

Hello everybody.

Friday’s lunch is always a dilemma cause all is home, late sleepers, late breakfast or outings. Decision wether to eat at home or what to eat is usually spontaneous.
As for today I stopped by grocery shop before Friday prayers, after a look of available vegetables and options got some ready frozen chicken scallops, baby potatoes, fresh bunch of basil and pasta.

I made roasted potatoes with rosemary, oregano and basil with olive oil, fried the scallops. Made fresh pesto sauce and mixed it with cooked pasta.
As for salad, I made sliced white cheese (originally made with fresh mozzarella ) with tomatoes, pesto sauce, walnuts and some fresh mint leaves on top, very refreshing.

Turned out a nice meal, even invited our cousin at the last minute.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Easter. ♡♥

Potato Kibbeh (كبه بطاطا )

Hello again.
My sweet niece is my guest for lunch today, we do have great time together. A truly lovely sweetheart.
Planned to do burgers and potato croquettes as a change for usual fries, actually prepared all ingredients and cooked potatoes, but the mix was so soft and I couldn’t make them at all though I added flour . My niece insisted to help but seems kind of potato is not suitable or they must dry very well before shaping.

Anyway a solution isn’t hard at all, took out some cooked minced meat from freezer and made them kibbeh 😉
Ingredients send method:
*2-4 large potatoes.
* cooked minced meat.
* breadcrumbs.
* butter
* salt, pepper and bit of nutmeg.

* boil potatoes in water till tender.
* mash them and add seasoning .
* add butter and cheese if you like.
* butter bottom of oven pan and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
* spread half of potato mix.
* spread the meat.
*note: you can add some vegetables like corn, peas, mushroom .if you like of course.
* spread the other half of potatoes.
* sprinkle top with breadcrumbs and some butter slices.
* bake for 20-30 minutes then toast surface.
* serve with ketchup or salad.

Moussaka.

Hello everybody.
Today’s lunch is Greek ♡♥.
Mom gave me some fresh eggplants looks really good, moussaka was the choice, first thing I wanted to do them as we normally cook it..I mean arabic version of it (منزله باذنجان ) but then changed my mind, white sauce in moussaka gives it a delicious twist, plus Greek moussaka reminds me of beautiful picturesque small village in Cyprus mountains where I ate it the first time..It was really really good.

Ingredients and method:
* 1 cup cooked minced veal.
* 2-3 large eggplants.
* 2-3 potatoes. (Optional).
* thinly sliced green peppers (optional).
* 1 small onion finely chopped.
* 1 clove garlic.
* 1 big ripe tomato. Peeled and chopped.
*1 spoon tomato paste.
* 2-3 cups white sauce (bechamel).
* mozzarella cheese for topping.

* saute onion, garlic with meat till tender then add chopped tomato and paste, season with salt and pepper and leave to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
* cut eggplants and potatoes to circles, sprinkle with salt and leave for 15 minutes to drain.
* deep fry them in oil till golden.
* set on kitchen towel till extra oil is out.
* layer potatoes , half of eggplants and green peppers in a deep oven pan.
* add meat tomato sauce.
* layer the other half of eggplants.
* pour all white sauce in top.
* cook in the oven in low heat for 30-40 minutes then sprinkle grated cheeese on top and roast.
* serve hot with Greek salad .

Appetizers:Russian Salad,Broccoli Soup and Spinach Pastries.

Hello eveybody.
Today I only made a salad and soup cause I still have some leftovers from yesterday. I also made some spinach pastries. Tomorrow i’ll make a new dish Inshallah.
* Russian Salad:
This salad is very easy but a bit fatty cause It has lots of mayonnaise. But I always use light one hoping to decrease the damage :).
You simply boil some beans, carrots, sweet corn and potatoes in water till tender then add salt, pepper, bit of vinegar and a good amount of mayonnaise to cover them. Mix gently.
Note: boiled eggs are usually used in this salad also in it or as garnish but I don’t actually use it..it’s fine without it as well.

*Broccoli Soup:
Love this delicious healthy soup.
Used to make it with fresh cream but one day I ate it at my sweet aunt Nabiha, it was very light but creamy as well. Trick is using one big potato with it so that when mixed together with the broccoli it gives a creamy rich texture.
Ingredients and method:
* 1 big potato peeled and cubed.
* 5-6 broccoli florets.
* 2 green onions.
* 1 cube maggi.
* 2-3 big spoons oatmeal.
* 1/2 cup milk.

* heat a bit of butter, stir chopped onions, potatoes and half of the broccoli.
* add the oatmeal, maggi, salt and pepper. Mix all together.
* add 4 cups water and the milk.
* simmer till vegetables are done.
* mix with hand mixer or in blender.
* add rest of broccoli florets. Leave to simmer for 15-20 minutes.

* Spinach Pastries.
I was looking in my freezer and fridge wandering what else to do, found some puff pastry left from last time’s chicken pie and some spinach so thought to do these pastries . Hoped they’ll taste as good as they look.
I simply added black pepper, a piece of white cheese and a small piece of cream cheese, then closed the pastry as a parcel and baked them.

Actually all tasted delicious and satisfying. ♡♥♡♥

Steak Sandwiches♡

Hello again.

Lunch today is a favorite for all, plus it’s convenient when family members arrives home at different times.

Steak sandwiches can be a goid trick for kids who doesn’t like meat..making it into sandwiches is more convincing.

Ingredients:
* shredded beef steak.
* shredded onion.
*shredded mixed sweet peppers.
* shredded mushrooms.
* gravy powder or steak seasoning.
* buns or steak bread.

Method:
* sautee the onions in butter and oil till tender. ( a trick I learned from cooking tv shows, mixing butter and olive oil keeps them both from burning and adds a delicious flavor).
* add beef, seasoning and salt. Mix till meat is almost done.
* add the veggies then leave to simmer for 30 minutes. You can add a bit of water to ensure all ingredients are well done.
* fill the breads, add cheese, lettuce, mustard, ketchup as each one favors.
* heat them in the oven till crispy.
* make french fries or baked potatoes or salad on the side.

I also made noodles soup with peas and carrots.

Ingredients:
* 1 small onion, finely chopped.
* 1 cup frozen peas and carrots.
* 1 cup small noodles (شعيريه ).
* 1 cube chicken broth or fresh chicken broth.
* 4 cups water.
* salt, pepper, all spice as desired.
* small bunch chopped parsely.

Method:
* sautee onions till tender with little oil.
* add noodles stir till golden.
* add peas and carrots.
* add chicken cube, seasoning and water.
* leave to boil then simmer for 20-30 minutes.
* add parsley before serving.

Old fashion meat and potato ( صينيه بطاطا )

When we were kids we used to run away or grumble when grandma cooked certain dishes…called it a grown ups meal. It’s funny that we crave them now, I’m sure cause of the memories they bring. Those were simple lovely days. (.الله يرحمك تيتى ام جعفر ).

Today I made meat and potatoes in the oven, you may add more vegetables like eggplants, courgettes, or tomatoes. I added mushrooms today cause kids love it.

Ingredients:
* big pieces lamb meat with bones.
* 1 big onion.
* 3-4 cloves garlic.
* green sweet pepper.
* 4 big potatoes cut to medium sized cubes.
* bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, salt, pepper and all spice.

Method:
* Rub meat with salt and pepper , heat some olive oil in a pan.add meat pieces , stir till brownish.
* Add one small onion, bay leaf, cinnamon stick , salt, pepper and all spice.
* Add water enough to cook meat .leave to boil till done.
* In a big oven tray, sautee sliced onions, garlic and sweet pepper till soft.
* Deep fry potato cubes then leave on paper towel to remove excess oil.
* Remove meat from broth,put them on top of onion mix.
* Arrange potatoes and other vegetables you’re using around.
*Add sieved meat broth and season with extra pepper and all spice as desired.
* Put it in the oven in low heat for 1 hour and roast it till potatoes are crispy.

Well gandma used to have big old fashion oven which makes these kinds of dishes extra delicious. Atually many people still use it till now. Excellent for baking and roasting.
* Serve it with white rice and simple salad.

A small plate of fresh fruits after lunch was a delightful dessert!!

Enjoy ♡♥♡♥

Homemade Kebab.

Hello everybody.

Sometimes you don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant or pay too much money for a fancy meal.
You can make homemade kebab and let it taste like it’s done on a bbq even.
I usually make many side dishes with it.today i’ll make yoghurt dip,roasted tomatoes, hot spicy potatoes.
I learned the yoghurt and tomato recipies from my husband. He usually makes them when going hunting with his friends.easy and quick.convenient for outdoor picnics also.
Yoghurt dip is made by mixing 3 big spoons of yoghurt with 2 big spoons of labaneh.add 1 small spoon of dried mint leaves and oregano.drizzle with olive oil.

As for roasted tomatoes, you roast 3-4 ripe red tomatoes, one hot pepper, 4-5 cloves of garlic sprinkled with salt and oil and folded in foil paper,,all in a hot oven till done.
You peel all, mash them with a fork add salt to taste…that’s it.

For the spicy potatoes.cut them to cubes and soak them in salted water.chop 4 cloves of garlic sautee in a bit if olive oil.
Deep fry the potatoes till crispy.leave on paper towel to remove excess oil then when still hot sprinkle with pepper, paprika, hot pepper and Tabasco if you like them extra spicy.mix well then add over garlic.
Before serving heat the potatoes till extra crispy and sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander (you can put them in the oven a bit also ).

Now to main dish.kebabs are simply kofta meat ( minced lamb meat mixed with onion, parsley, salt, pepper) usually bought ready from butcher. I add to it small spoon of mustard, ketchup, soy sauce and 2 spoons if flour and mix it very well.
Then you mould them over wooden sticks.
Tip: soak the sticks in water so as not to burn in the oven.
Place the sticks in a pan put leave them on the sides not bottom.
Put them in a well heated oven for 30-40 minutes. When all done and crispy heat one quick flaming charcoal till red and put it between the kebabs and close the oven so as they’ll absorb the flames..a trick that’ll give them a bbq taste.

Enjoy♡♥♡♡

What to cook today?

day by day cooking ideas

potatoes

Kofta with Vegetables.

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Kofta with Vegetables.

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Chicken Burgers.

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Aromatic Herbs.

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Potato Kibbeh (كبه بطاطا )

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Moussaka.

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Appetizers:Russian Salad,Broccoli Soup and Spinach Pastries.

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Steak Sandwiches♡

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Old fashion meat and potato ( صينيه بطاطا )

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Homemade Kebab.

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