salad

Big Happy Lunch

Hello everybody.
Big family gathering, happy lively and full of love and old memories.

Mom made roasted lamb, I did my famous rice ( chicken, veggies with curry rice), spinach cheese pastries and mini pavlovas which turned out really cute.

Love you all, always a pleasure to meet.

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wpid-wp-1429031454290.jpeg chicken curry rice

wpid-wp-1429031462113.jpeg roasted lamb.

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wpid-wp-1429031488941.jpeg  successful table thank God!

wpid-wp-1429031529065.jpeg  mini pavlovas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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wpid-wp-1428590481336.jpeg  lovely table.

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Pasta and Couscous Salad.

Hello everybody.
Very long hectic day, usual Saturday I guess, I really wish to have a no work lazy weekend sometimes, never ever had one, maybe a Friday but never actually whole weekend!

Well lunch was all veggies I have in fridge with some minced meat,pesto and tomato sauce with pasta and cheese on top with a bowl of couscous salad. Sorry photos aren’t that good cause I was in a hurry.

 

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Grilled Pina Colada.

Hello everybody.

Went out noon time for a drive to IKIA,lovely spring day and greenery everywhere, love this time of year.

On our way back home we suddenly decided to BBQ, though weather is a bit cold and wind is crisp but it was nice cause quantity is not big like when you have a crowd.
I did the usual appetizers roasted tomatoes, yogurt mint oregano mix, hummus, salad. Plus I baked some fresh bread which was a real treat.

While eating I peeled a fresh pineapple and put it on the grill, when done I sliced it, added some sugar and grilled it more till golden then served it with nuts,cream and coconut, yummy yummy :).
Of course a BBQ must end with tea on charcoal, though boys made it a bit sweet but it was warming since we stayed outside enjoying the last minute of daylight.

Hope you all enjoyed your day.

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wpid-wp-1428081650538.jpeg wpid-wp-1428081657433.jpeg  tea time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Style Tuna Sandwiches.

Hello everybody.

Every time I decide to stay home and relax in end up working too much or doing multiple things at the same time.

First thing when I entered the kitchen this morning I realized I have one very ripe avocado and one lonely eggplant so made a dip (mashed with some lemon juice,tahini,yogurt and salt)   and baba ghanouj ( chopped grilled eggplants with diced tomatoes,peppers and some mints then topped with pomegranate sauce)

Then the daily question of what to cook started nagging in my mind, then decided to do a new sandwich style my cousin posted last night with shredded chicken but I made it with tuna, turned out really good, kids loved it.

Secret ingredient is the crunchy sandwich bread or crust done by cutting edges of toast  then soaking each couple together in whisked eggs then coating all with breadcrumbs.  I let them cool in the fridge so as to hold better then deep fried till crunchy, when cooled open and fill with any stuffing you like, today is added tuna with corn,capers, relish, mustard, mayonnaise and green onions,served with fries and big mixed salad.

Another task for today was making fresh pesto before basil turns black and a fresh fruit cocktail from new honey from Ghor, oranges, pineapple and bananas, really refreshing after all this.

 

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wpid-wp-1427724814840.jpeg guacamole dip with tomatoes,chili,dried mints and olive oil on top.

wpid-wp-1427724827238.jpeg  baba ghanouj بابا غنوج

wpid-wp-1427724841568.jpeg mixed salad with everything in .

wpid-wp-1427724857679.jpeg fresh pesto.

wpid-wp-1427724862878.jpeg fresh oranges and new honey.

wpid-wp-1427724833542.jpeg colorful table!

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Brioche.

Hello everybody.
Lunch today was a not a favorite to all family members so in order to compensate I did mushroom soup and made some Brioche with it, first time I do it, unfortunately result wasn’t that good either it needed more salt or it didn’t rise as it should. Recipe was easy though I felt it’s not going to be as supposed to when I finished kneading it,if anybody has a better one please recommend.
Ingredients and method :
* 2 1/2 cups flour.
* 2 tablespoons sugar.
* 1/4 tsp salt.
* 2 1/4 tsp yeast.
* 4 tablespoons warm milk.
* 3 eggs plus extra one for glaze.
* 1 cup cubed butter.

* mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt.
* add milk and beaten eggs.
* knead well then start adding butter cubes gradually till all quantity is folded in.
* leave to rise in a warm place, then form into balls in molds or cupcake pan.
* leave to rise again then bake in a medium heated oven till golden.
* brush surface with eggplants wash and roast till golden.
* serve with soup or butter and jam.

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wpid-wp-1426530516890.jpeg brioche with mushroom soup.

Lunch was lamb chops with onions and potatoes all seasoned with a new citrus organic spice, really aromatic and tasty.I also made mushroom soup as I mentioned,some Persian rice and a big bowl of mixed salad with avocado slices.

wpid-wp-1426530523659.jpeg lamb chops with onions and potatoes.

wpid-wp-1426530242433.jpeg  citrus and herb spices.

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wpid-wp-1426530549739.jpeg  my brioches !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch at Mom’s.

Hello everybody.

Lunch today was at Mom’s honored by the presence of our newly born grandson who was polite enough to let his mom eat peacefully, good boy.

Lunch was cauliflower with meat,chicken fatteh, rice with veggies,tabouleh and a big salad.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

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wpid-wp-1426268921638.jpeg tabouleh

wpid-wp-1426268936414.jpeg rice with veggies and nuts.

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wpid-wp-1426268947693.jpeg  delicious chicken fatteh.

 

 

 

Custard on Cake Crumble.

Hello everybody.

Woke up to a rainy cold day, I really don’t like this weather specially if I have to go out, anyway a breakfast gathering was already fixed from last week at a coffee shop ” Commodo “, to be honest food was good but service was awful, hate it when food comes before tea and hot plates before cold, anyway I don’t think I’ll be going again 🙂
Lunch today was cauliflower with rice and salad suitable dish in this weather.Dessert was recycled chocolate cake leftovers crumbled with its sauce then I made simple custard and topped crumbles with it, nice dessert with coffee after the afternoon nap.

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wpid-wp-1425489483863.jpeg custard cake cup.

wpid-wp-1425489476318.jpeg aren’t these cute?

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Detox Water and Couscous Salad.

Hello everybody.

Very busy Saturday as usual,too much was done today.

In an attempt to cut down food or at least try to start a diet  I made a big jug of detox water,recipe was shown on Roya TV you simply add two slices of lemons,oranges, one strawberry and a bunch of fresh mint leaves, I also added some ginger slices and rose water. Leave to diffuse for two hours then start drinking from it all day. It’s excellent for cleansing your body from all toxins.

Lunch was pizza and a bowl of couscous salad, this one is simply done by adding hot water to 1/2 cup of Italian couscous till it’s light,tender and fluffy then add it to your regular salad, really yummy.

wpid-wp-1425152354056.jpeg so refreshing.

wpid-wp-1425152308632.jpeg couscous salad.

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