Flavored Water

Its summer, its hot and unbearable! you know you need to drink more water, I personally have to force myself to drink water, I just get bored of drinking it.

I have just recently noticed myself through my daughter, she just loves flavored water she's always excited wanting to know what flavor is in the water today! She chooses her flavor sometimes for her school water bottle.
Keep a few flavors in your fridge at all times, that way you'll always have a bit of variety and never get bored. Because I only like a hint of flavor in my water, find what works best for your taste buds though!

Its very simple you can do it per glass or jug, just pour water(add ice, if the water is not chilled) then add any of the following

palm water
rose water
adding fresh lemon/lime and mint leaves
adding oranges and cucumber slices
peeled cucumber slices alone
lemon grass

Play with it! be creative, see what you like! worth the try, it looks good and its absolutely refreshing, have it in a pitcher always ready for your family!

Guest Writer Recipe :)

Garlic Grilled Shrimps & A Hearty Salad...

Half a Kilo of de-vained Shrimps (not peeled but buterfly cut)
2 lemons
Salt & Pepper
5 Garlic Gloves
Olive Oil

Salad

Arugula
Cherry tomatoes
Feta Cheese
Pine Nuts
Artichoke
Alphalpha seeds

Dressing

Mustard, Olive Oil, Lemon and a spoon of italian dressing :) and just ad some oregano and salt and pepper.


1. Add Olive Oil to prawns while marinating them
2. To marinate the shrimps just rub them them with garlic and some lemon.
3. Grill them for just 2 minutes, you dont need more than that. If you dont have a griller at home use a similar frying (flat pan) available at IKEA with engraved lines... it gives you the same effect. Before grilling make sure pan is hot and with Olive Oil
3. Remove them and place them in a cover ed plate while you prepare the salad.

Salad

Simple just add all the ingredients and leave the dressing on the side .



Thanx S.B!

Pesto

I love pesto, its great to always have it ready in the fridge or even frozen. you can have it as dip, pasta sauce, a spread with grilled veggies, feta cheese or with roasted potatoes.

It is very simple


Ingredients

1 bunch fresh basil
3 cloves garlic (depending on taste)
¼ cup roasted pine nuts
1 small block Parmesan cheese
¼ cup olive oil
Salt
Pepper




Method:

Place the pine nuts in the pan and toast them on the stove using a medium-low fire,
cut the garlic in quarters, chop the basil roughly, to make it easier to pound. Place the garlic, pine nuts(leaving 1 tbsp. aside) and a small pinch of salt in the mortar (hawan) and smash using a down and outward motion. Add some of the basil and a small amount of olive oil. Smash and pound until the basil has a chopped appearance. The oil is important because it helps to smooth the texture, continue to add more basil and oil, pounding and using all of the basil.

Finally, add the tablespoon of nuts and pound lightly, leaving the pieces slightly rough for texture, Grate the cheese until you have ¾ cup and add it into the pesto,add pepper and salt to taste.

Measurements may differ every time, add more or less olive oil according to texture of the basil leaves especially when you add the grated Parmesan cheese.


Storage:

Store the pesto in a small bowl in the refrigerator, topped with a thin layer of oil and plastic wrap to prevent drying out and it can remain fresh for around a week, you can also freeze it in the freezer for 2 months, although some of the flavors may not be as strong.


A lot of recipes mention to put all the ingredients in a grinder, or blender but i just don't like the texture if its done in that way, others chop and keep on chopping till they get the right texture, i found that pounding the ingredients gives the best result for a true thick pesto texture.

Try it out yourself and tell me how it goes :)

Inspired from Bobby Flay and Father Leo

I love watching Bobby Flay's show, its fun when he goes and surprises owners of restaurants when they do a perfect yummy tasty dish and try to compete with them with his own style, its absolutely challenging for them!

This week i was tired, sick with the dusty weather and wasn't able to cook any new dishes :/ So watching Food Network was the highlight of my lazy slouchy day.

Father Leo is also a great cook and has his own cook book he is a very cool vibrant priest, very FUN to watch, he loves to cook food that "brings family together" so he was cooking steak fajitas in his own way and recipe and then came along Bobby Flay surprising him with his crew to compete the best meat fajita wrap!


A little of inspiration from both mixed to mine and the available ingredients i had in the kitchen i came up with absolutely a simple yet YUMMMY results!

Ingredients:

1 bag of flour tortillas
3 slices of pounded meat steaks
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 white onion thinly sliced
1 handful shredded lettuce
balsamic vinegar
cheddar cheese
sour cream
jalapenos

* check the Guacamole recipe, on an older post "tacos" *

The meat:

Marinate the steak with:

2 cloves of minced garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons of apple vinegar
1 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

mix all together, put in a Ziploc bag and refrigerate it for at least one hour.

In the meantime, roast orange, yellow, red bell peppers in the oven, wrapping each with 1 tablespoon of olive oil wrapped in foil for at least 2o min until they are nice smooth and tender.

Let it cool down, then cut them into strips and leave aside.

While the peppers are roasting start chopping 1 white onion into long thin strips, place them in a oven plate, add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and a dab of olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper, pop them in the oven and let them caramelize.

NOW, the meat

place the grilling pan on high fire, then add the meat pieces and have it grill both sides until its cooked, cut the meat into thin slices on the pan, then on a separate bowl mix 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce and 1tablespoon of Ketchup, brush it over the meat strips and flip both sides just for anice quick saucy glaze, add the peppers and onions and mix all together on the grill.

on a separate pan, heat the tortillas on both sides and start filling in your wrap
1. spread the tortillas with sour cream
2. add the meat with veggies
3. top it of with Cheddar cheese
4. some lettuce
5. a couple of jalapenos
6. wrap it tight and cut it into two pieces

and there you go a yummy juicy wrap! with loads of flavor!

we had it 2wice already give it a try and tell me how it goes, a nice quick dinner/snack

A Recipe from a Guest Writer ;)

Rocca & Grilled Salmon Salad..

Ingredients:
Arugula
1 Salmon Steak
1 Eggplant
Feta Cheese
Pine Nuts
onions
Mint
sun dried tomatoes
onions (if u want)

Dressing:
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Half a lemon
( you can ad one spoon of Dijon mustard if u want as well)

How?
1. Grill the salmon steak till sides are white.
2. slice the eggplant and let it drain, once drained grilled them ( brush each slice with olive oil)
3. Mix the arugula with dice 1/2 onion and mint leaves.
4. Fry the pine nuts till brownish color
Mix all the ingredients but add the salmon and the eggplant at the end so your salad wont soak.

The dressing leave it separate so it can be added individually per person so the salad wont soak.

Enjoy!




S.B

Game Night *Tacos*

NOW I'm not testing my cooking abilities with the tacos for that they are extremely simple and there is nothing much to it! Tacos are fun, and easy especially when everyone gets to build their own. We usually have them when we have friends over on Big Game Nights like this Saturday.

For those who don't eat it much, start doing it at home because its a fun dish

To prepare you need a Big Trip to the supermarket, its not easy having all the ingredients in the house

Ingredients:

1/2 ground meat
1 pack old el paso hard taco shells
1 avocado
1 sour cream
2 onions
handful lettuce
3 tomatoes
1 bag of shredded Cheddar cheese
salsa


Directions:

2 ways the easy and MY WAY

Easy:

Brown ground beef in a medium skillet over medium heat. Make sure to drain out the fat. When ground beef is cooked then add the taco mix and the water. Mix it up all together.Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and let it simmer make sure you uncover. Cook about 15 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally. With it uncover it should come nice and brown that is what you want.

My Way:

Brown the 1/2 kilo ground beef in a medium skillet over medium heat. Make sure to drain out the fat, add 3 cloves of fresh garlic, and spices1/2tsp black pepper,1/2 tsp ginger,pinch of salt, 1/2 tsp cumin powder and mix. In another pan you add oil and fry the 2 chopped onions and 1 clove garlic, 2 fresh diced tomato's and 2tbsp tomato paste stir and simmer with the meat and let it cook, then add 1 glass of water, cover and let it cook 15- 20 min stirring occasionally until its brown and has some sauce to it on low fire..

Put taco shell's into oven on low heat, this is just to heat up shell's to serve.

Then when finish get your taco shells spread with sour cream, ground meet,then top it with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and the grated cheese, a little of mild or hot salsa and a couple of jalapenos if you like it spicy, mix in the taco shell how much you like.

Be creative! I like everything on my taco!

Guacamole

Cut avocados in half, remove the seed, scoop out avocado from the peel, put in a mixing bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork add the chopped onion, cilantro, lime or lemon, salt and pepper and mash some more. Add the diced tomato when about to serve :)

muy delicioso !!

what to order at work?

Casper and Gambini's Tomato Soup
If you fancy tomato soup its perfect! I am simply addicted to it whenever I feel like ordering at work. It would be soup, its not too light or creamy. It's just fulfilling, perfect to have lunch later with the family at 4:00.

Vegetarian Tomato & Basil
Vine-ripened tomatoes puréed with fresh basil for a velvety smooth flavor, with a touch of balsamic vinegar and fresh oregano.

Order it with croutons on the side, so you keep the crunch for the office ;p

Chicken Finger Lovers

This recipe always reminds me of Ramadan, when you get the fun food from the neighbors and every one wants to try what looks good from the other house. I got this recipe from a friend and it turned out to be great, with different trials I came up with those yummy results


Chicken Fingers with Mango Chutney Dip

Ingredients:

Fresh boneless Chicken breast (they usually come 3-4 pieces per tray)
Pound the chicken breasts until they are thin and flat and cut them evenly into finger strips, then marinate the chicken fingers over night in the fridge with
1 yogurt,
2 1\2 tablespoon vinegar
2 tablespoon sunflower oil,
black pepper and salt.

Coat the chicken fingers, with flour, dip them in beaten eggs and coat them with breadcrumbs. (either crushed cornflakes, toasted toast,or popcorn.)

my husband suggested the popcorn and it turned out to be so crunchy and nice!

Deep fry the chicken fingers and then place on kitchen papers to drain.

Meanwhile prepare the dipping sauce:

Mix the mango chutney, mayonnaise, mustard and one clove of crushed garlic.




Chicken Fingers Coated in Za'atr with Labna dip

Ingredients:

Fresh boneless Chicken breast (they usually come 3-4 pieces per tray)
Pound the chicken breasts until they are thin and flat and cut them evenly into finger strips, then marinate the chicken fingers over night in the fridge with

1 yogurt
1 tablespoon vinegar
black pepper and salt

Coat the chicken fingers, with flour, dip them in beaten eggs and coat them with za'atar.

Deep fry the chicken fingers and then place on kitchen papers to drain.

Meanwhile prepare the dipping sauce:

Mix the lebnah (small full pack) , yogurt (1/2 pack), mayo 1tbsp, 1 clove of crushed garlic, and diced sundried tomatoes.




Enjoy :)

Pizza Pizza Pizza

Quick, warm, and just hits the spot when your hungry! here is a basic dough recipe that you can use for just about anything! i always have it ready in a Ziploc in the fridge for a quick morning lunch box snack ( my little one just loves it stuffed with labnah) or when i have the kids over to fix there own pizzas or when I'm just too lazy to think what to cook for a quick dinner! go ahead try it with any of your favorite toppings as on open pizza or stuff it like a calazone.


Ingredients:

1 Kilo brown flour
8 tablespoons powder milk
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons yeast
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 cup water

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the flour, powder milk, salt, white sugar, yeast, baking powder, and water; stir well to combine. Knead the dough with your hands pushing and folding. Knead just long enough for the dough to take in a little more flour, and until it no longer sticking to your hands.Cover and rise until doubled in volume, at least 8 hours in a warm room, for best results leave over night.


Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Form dough into a round and roll out into a pizza crust shape. Cover with your favorite sauce and toppings and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

We love the Arugula Pizza

Once you have your dough ready:

roll out the dough into a pizza crust shape either using a round baking pan or cutting out round shapes and placing it on a baking tray.

spread the tomato sauce on it and have it bake in a preheated oven until its almost ready.

in the meantime, mix the arugula, red onion strips, crumbled feta cheese together and dress it up with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and chili flakes. top of the pizza and pop it back to the oven for a couple of minutes

make sure you don't over dress the arugula so it doesn't sogg up in the oven!

Enjoy!

So Garlic! pasta

Ever hungry in the middle of the night and was just too lazy to go cook something? and all those yummy thoughts drive your head crazy while watching T.V??

Here is a simple yummy basic pasta that you can do in minutes! and its actually one of our favorites!


You start of by getting a full clove of garlic,Place the garlic head in a baking pan. Drizzle a couple teaspoons of olive oil over, make sure the garlic head is well coated. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cloves feel soft when pressed,(if in a hurry and no time to roast the garlic, add 10 whole cloves of garlic with chili flakes on low fire and simmer.)

In a deep frying pan generously add olive oil, red chili flakes, and simmer until the olive oil is infused with the chili then add the roasted garlics, and some chopped parsley, let it settle for a while on low fire, then roughly mash the roasted garlics.




In the meantime boil the pasta in a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente, then drain and add the pasta to the pan with the olive oil sauce when ready.


add a bit of chopped parsley. Toss all together, along with crumbled feta cheese.

tell me what you think once you try it!

Seyayig "Club Sandwich"

I've always had a thing for club sandwiches in hotels ever since i was little, my sister and I would always order the "club sandwich" and rate the room service according on how the club is ....

so here is my version of a home made club sandwich for today's dinner

Simply:

1st you start of by grilling the chicken breast on a grill pan, with salt and plenty of pepper only, in the meantime put four pieces of toast (preferably brown multi grain) 2 with cheddar cheese in the oven/toaster until the toast are slightly toasted and the cheese is nicely melted

when the toast and chicken are ready, you cut the chicken breast into thin slices and start building the club with luv ...

1st slice with cheese on it spread the chicken breast with some shredded red onions.
2nd slice, spread with mayo and ketchup and add lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. (if you like turkey add it here)
3rd slice, also spread like the above, get a pan and fry an egg sunny side up and cover the pan, wait a few seconds depending on how you like your egg then toss it over the toast.
4th slice, spread it again and cover up the club.

As simple as that! your done with the club! but whats a club without crispy crisps or fries?

Homemade FRIEZ for best results!

wash and peel the potatoes, soak in warm water with salt, rinse, dry it with a towel and fry on medium fire not to hot the secret is to maintain the same temperature.




i tried my best taking pictures but ill get better capturing more soon...
if you try it i hope it turns out to be as good as mine :)