Croki, Biscotti, Fekkas

How simple is it to be simple?

It is a skill… believe me it is a sophisticated skill

A skill you would struggle to acquire

In a world where every thing and every matter is complex

Last week I said yes for a matter and I was told it was the wrong answer….

Few days after a similar matter arose and I said No…

And guess what.. I was wrong again!!!

Can I ever… simply get it right?

Well Faiza… on occasions like that.. just have break… Have it simple… Have a Croki!

Basket Ball Shoes Cake

Deception is not caused by people.. It’s caused by expectation..
The highest you set up your expectation… the more deceived you’ll be.
I asked a friend for care..

I did not get it …
Deceived? 
No …
Expected care?
No!!!..I expected friendship!

However… There is a cure for everything… for example.. try making this shoe..
It is a soothing cure!!!.

Fruity cake

People see happiness differently,
For me, it comes in bright colours, beautiful shapes, delicious tastes and pleasant smells.
For me, Happiness is in nature..
For me, Happiness is a present from the Lord
For me, Happiness is Eid…

Saha Eidkoum. 
Honestly.. 

Look at the cake again..

 Don’t you see happiness?
Well… I do.

Healthy Gratin and Salad

This morning, a friend told me that I have not put any post on my blog for a while….

I did not know that this friend followed my blog….

You go through phases in life when you do things with passion because you just like doing them … and then you stop…..

Not because you don’t like doing them anymore…

You stop because you are looking for somebody to tell you you should do them again.

This somebody is your friend…

Then you go back to doing what you like doing …

Not for your friend.. but

For the love of doing them…

And for the love of being reminded by your friend that you love doing them…..

Isn't that a healthy thought...?

As Healthy as my gratin and salad...1

Et Voila!

Zlabiya

  Zlabiya

Now!.... I have a wish. I wish I could make Zlabiyat Boufarik! Can anybody help?

For those who do not know what is Zlabyat Boufarik…It is the Algerian speciality for Zlabiya. The recipe is apparently kept  secret for the people of Boufarik only (a city beside Algiers). I keep trying it ..I always end up with long stripes of beignets/khfaf.

O people of Boufarik I urge you to send me the recipe as soon as you could ..otherwise …and be warned …I shall keep trying. If I guess the secret and make it on my own I will change its name and call it Zlabiyat Aberdeen watch me out!!!

Recipe

1 Cup flour

1 Tbs corn flour

1 Cup lukewarm water

1 tsp yeast

Yellow/orange food colouring

Syrup

2 cups sugar

2 cups water

Orange flour water

Method

In a bowl mix 1tsp yeast and around 2Tbs of the water and leave for few minutes.

Add flour, cornflour, the remaining water and the food colouring.

Let the batter rest and raise for about 15mins.

Heat the oil to really warm then reduce the heat to medium.

Pour and shape the zlabya by using a piping bag.

I use a little pan to cook the zlabiyas and that is how I get all round same size zlabiyas.

Immerse in syrup..be generous!

Les Macarons

Les Macarons

Les petites delices…Qui n’aime pas les macarons?

Do you know that they are in fashion now?

Well they have been for a while.

Since last Christmas I was told….!

In fact, in my opinion, these delights should never go out of fashion.

They would not.

Last time I travelled through Charles de Gaulle airport, I was amazed by the variety, the colours, the flavours in the beautiful “macaron” specialised shop.  

I wanted to taste all of them…but  the price!..they were expensive…

But you know what? Hmm delicious…they worth the price.

Try them.

Ingredients:

2 egg whites

¼ tsp Cream of Tartar

125gr ground almonds

125gr icing sugar

3 Tbs caster sugar

1Tsp vanilla

Any colour ( I choose brown)

Any Flavouring ( I used Coffee)

For the butter cream:

75 gr butter softened

150 gr icing sugar

1Tsp strong coffee

Method:

Whisk the egg whites with the cream of tartar until it forms a soft peak.

Add the caster sugar and continue beating until stiff.

Fold in the icing sugar and the ground almonds mixed together.

Add colour and flavouring.

Using a piping bag, pipe in small blobs on a grease proof paper.

Cook in a medium heat oven (6) for around 12min.

Combine all the ingredients for the butter cream and beat well.

Assemble and sandwich two macaroons using the butter cream.

Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake:

Yes! Another chance to make a cake…It’s a pleasure!

This one was for a birthday party for a colleague’s Mum!

She likes….her shoes!

I was looking forward to making it but then my back started hurting… I thought I may not be able to make it… I kept praying… for my back!

We do take our abilities for granted…

We do take our good health for granted

Its good to be able to celebrate a birthday in your seventies.... being able to wear your shoes and.... dance…..

Chakchouka, Houmous, Caramelised onion and other stuff!

My daughter who is 17 and works part time wanted to invite her friends over, She has a very tight budget and I was suffering from back ache for 2 weeks… (Still feeling the pain !).

I needed to cook for 15 Young people (My kids, my daughter’s friends and me (Well I am still young!.. Besides, age is not a number…it is a feeling!...Well that’s the only way you can deal with it with pride!)

Cooking for a big number, with a very tight budget and by a woman on a stick(its my BACK not my age… I insist) seemed as an impossible mission!

But we succeeded…. In two hours, I produced a good variety.. have to say, my daughter did all the cleaning, clearing, stretching and bending… I think we formed a good working team… the girls were good at bringing in other stuff.. we had a cake, some pastries and nachos… A well enjoyed evening!

I shall write the recipe for each dish in the next new blogs... Keep following!

Khobz lahchiche ( Herbs' Bread)

I had a phone call from an old friend yesterday…Someone I haven’t

seen or spoken to for quiet a while! 

I had previously thought about phoning her… I felt I lost contact… What

would I say to her…It is such a long time… The conversation won’t be

natural!!! But then when she phoned… We spoke for ages… we had a lot to

catch up… It was easier than I thought.. Natural things come naturally…

So is my return to my blog tonight! 

It is weeks since I left it.

With a lot of struggle I published my 1st video (You can check it in

youtube as well!) . I thought that this could answer the request I had

from my sister to write in Arabic or French… but many of my friends who

follow my blog speak English only!!

So I thought about this idea!!

I won’t do it for all posts though… 

It needs time and organising to record!!

You need to clean the kitchen to perfection! (My standard of

perfection!!!)

You need to put all the ingredients in nice dishes…

And you need to measure everything… ARGGGH … I don’t.

Anyway this is my first attempt… I will do more (InshaAllah)… it is fun

seeing my hands! And hearing my voice.. and making mistakes… did you

spot any???

For this recipe, my brother says why did you call it khobz l’hchiche…

some people may think you are referring to the stuff that …the minds!

When lahchiche in Algerian only means herbs..

Yes but (With all humblness) my bread does….  the minds ( Humbleness

Faiza, Humbleness!) … Well Try it!!! 

As to the ingredients I used:
wholemeal flour
plain flour
fine semolina
salt
yeast
olive oil
black onion seeds
sesame seeds
water
flax Seed and egg yolk
as to the method , the videos explain that clearly

Wedding Cake (Cute)

Finally my computer is fixed..

I was dying to post pictures of this wedding cake..

My friends called it cute…

I was inspired by the beautiful fresh, spring, blooming flowers.

Aberdeen is a beautiful place in spring

The temperature reached 16˚ C..I was told.

I did not need my gloves..

In fact even my jacket seemed heavy..

And my clothes dull…

Colours…Yes colours..

Everyone needs colours in their life

Wedding Cake 2

This is today..

I came back very happy from the wedding party.

The cake looked good and tasted good…

That is what I was told by everybody…

It was finished!

 People loved the details..

I was Happy.

 

There is another wedding next week! and I got an order!

Wedding Cake 1

A Wedding Cake.

I Wrote this Yesterday.

A friend is organising a post-wedding party.

Recently I have been dying for an opportunity to make a wedding cake.

Since it is just a post wedding. Someone has to trust me!

Not that I have not made any Wedding-cake-like cakes.

The ones I made before were mostly for big occasions..in my own house… new babies! Eids..ect. I never took pictures.

But this time I want to take a picture and share my pride! In Algerian we call that “Ezzoukh…” hahaha.

Any way it is a three tiers cake… I have been planning it for a week and sharing and discussing the ideas with my friend and colleague at work!!!!(I mean during breaks..a way to lighten up our days).

Any way it is nearly finished now.

I made some flowers yesterday and the day before.

I baked the cakes today

I have my butter cream ready for coating the cakes… But I am now undecided on presentation

Do I stack one on the top of the other…the traditional way…

Or do I present them separate but play on stands of different heights..

(My friend gave me the idea an it is beautiful

Here is a mock set up.

I am undecided…

As we say in Algeria..

Ghedwa rabi ydeer ettaweel.

  I like both ways and I am undecided!

Good night.

Handbag Birthday Cake

Handbag Birthday Cake.

It is not unfair that people get different things. That is life. Some people live rich with little effort..others are poor even though they always work hard.

Some live with a fairly good health, others get illnesses.

What is unfair is that people do not appreciate what they get.

What is unfair is that Some people prefer to suffer when they are given the chance to live in peace with themselves..  

What is that to do with the cake?

I had an interesting discussion with my little daughter when she pointed out that she is the only one who got a “bought cake from the supermarket!” the rest of the family (including some of their friends!) I made the effort and time to make the cake for them…

I explained that it was unfortunate that her birthday was not on a week end.

But then she had a good time with her friends at the week end when she had “a lot of fun” including making the cheese cake….

Chocolate Mousse Gateau

Every one makes mistakes in this life.

It is what you do about it that counts

Some would say “just make a learning experience out of it!”

“Fine!” I would say “But what do you do about it then!”

“live the consequences” some would say….Pessimism

“Limit the damage” others would say!... that is better..that is positive

But how many would say… use it as an opportunity and take the challenge to turn the situation into a win situation.. a better situation.

Not always possible..Some would say.

“Not always easy!” I would correct.

When I was designing this cake.. I had in mind to have a biscuit base, then a thick layer of light Ganache then decorate it with meringues..

The result is very different of the image I had in mind..

This is due to a mistake I made …and to my resolution to take a challenge.

Recipe

Base

½ pack of digestive biscuit crushed

1/3 cup walnuts

75g butter melted

Light Ganache

200ml custard made with:

200ml milk

3Tbs cornflour

5Tbs sugar

2Tbs cocoa powder

Ganache:

120ml Double cream

150g fine dark chocolate( good quality for a better taste!)

8-10 small meringues

Method:

First mix all the ingredients for the base.

Layer a 23cm oiled round tin with the biscuit mix. Press with your fingers and refrigerate until it hardens.

Meanwhile prepare the Ganache

In a saucepan,on a low heat mix the ingredient for the custard until thickened. Set aside

In another pan boil the cream and add the chocolate broken into small pieces.

Mix until the chocolate is melted.

Mix with the custard and pour on top of the biscuit base. Add the meringues and let them sink.

Refrigerate until set..

Decorate…

Mediterranean Heaven

Croissants au Chocolat

My twist to the Croissant is that I do not have a special recipe.

For successful croissants, it is the technique that matters rather than the ingredients in the dough.

For a less fatty version, I reduce the amount of the “usual” butter by nearly half and use oil rather than butter in the dough itself.

To be honest, I used the right recipe when I was learning how to make them years ago..but soon I stopped making them given.. the amount of the butter used…It just scares me.

However with the confidence I gained in baking now..I turn any dough into croissant.

I do not get as much layers… but the result is quite satisfying and at least I don’t eat with guilt!

Chorba

Life is like a bowl of soup.
It could be served to you burning hot, ice cold or just to the right
temperature.
It is really up to you how you have it..
In fact what matters is not the soup's temperature…
What matters is your approach..
Do you burn your tongue and blame the heat... or do you blow on it to
cool it down and then enjoy?
Do you eat it cold and moan about the taste..... or  do you heat it up
and enjoy?
For me, I like to adjust the temperature, adjust the seasoning..... and
enjoy life!

I sent this though to some friends and they replied with the following!!!
BM said “..and your perfect bowl of soup could be half empty or half full too!”

SA said “By the way it depends of what kind of soup you were talking about... some I will adjust, take time and enjoy but some I won't”
YD said “me, I like it burning hot and consider the pain of burning my mouth as a small price to pay for maximum enjoyment!! Does that make me a masochist?!!!”

And CA said: “ Sometimes, it doesn't matter if it's too... this or too...that, as long as I have the soup with the right person.
I rely on the friend to do the adjustment for me.
I will remember the amazing taste of that soup later on.
I will try to recreate it with the right ingredients.
I sometimes get closer to what i am looking for.
Then..I just need to say:You come to see me or I will come..
I need to enjoy that soup again.
These thoughts are dedicated to all the jaffa cakes I used to share with.
your kids in your old house but never buy them for myself again.
As F used to say: don't even try.. Outside this house they’ll never taste the same” 

Interesting… How a bowl of soup triggers conversations.

Les Millefeuilles

You know what happens when you start thinking about a diet to loose some weight?

Well the first day it goes fine… you say to yourself it is not bad after all..I managed my first day with a fat free, sugar free diet. I could do that for ever… and soon your mind digs deep in your memory to remind you about the good old days when you were in your teens and twenties ... when what ever you ate never affected your waist…

Can’t remember the last time I made millefeuille …Ages ago!

Here I am today…thinking about…a diet!

As for the recipe

I used to make my own Puff pastry…It took me all day!

Now I buy ready made! It is equally nice..

Please do not use custard…I was tempted once and used it…It just won’t  be the right thing…

Make your own crème patissiere,; I flavoured it with coffee.
For the fondant use either simple icing sugar and hot water or  (my little secret: heat up some ready to roll white icing!!)

Cake and Go!

Cake and go!

It is the same idea as the Wash and go??? No need to condition, just lather and rinse…all done.

For this cake, apply the same principle, put in all the decoration then the cake and cook… turn into a plate and serve.

My daughter said if I put glace cherries it would add some colour and will look beautiful…

I said you should have told me earlier I would have cooked the cherries with it…For this cake, I will hold on to the one principle: It is an all in one, cook and go… Besides what is wrong with one colour?.. in fact I find it very beautiful It is all merging…no add on…It is cake and go.

Recipe

Ingredients:

200gr plain flour sifted

4 eggs

1Tbs baking powder

200gr dark brown sugar

100gr margarine

100gr vegetable oil

100gr dark brown sugar

4 rings of pineapple

¼ cup pineapple juice

You will need a loaf tin (38cm long) lined with grease proof paper.

Method:

Put the 75gr of sugar in the tin first . Line the pineapple and then the juice. Leave aside

Mix the cake’s ingredient starting by creaming the margarine, oil and sugar,

Add the eggs one by one mixing each egg with a tablespoon of flour. Fold in the remaining flour and baking powder.

Spoon the mixture on the top of the pineapple. Level. Cook in a moderate oven 170, until cooked. Check with a skewer which is supposed to come out clean if inserted through the cake.

Once cooked transfer upside down onto a serving plate.  

Pizza Hearts

     

These little pizzas are for my 3 year old daughter for the love she spreads and clearly expresses all the time to me, her dad, her brothers and sisters.

Since her first visit to Pizza Hut, she calls any pizza: “Pizza hut” but with her baby accent it comes out as “pizza heart” hence the idea...
There is no need to give a recipe here. It is all about the idea!
Use your favorite pizza dough, your best pizza sauce.. cut to shape and cook with love...
These little beauties would be perfect as part of a finger food buffet... or simply to offer to your loved ones..

                            

Rechta

I want to invite you to visit my family in Algeria…

Special guests eat Reshta on the first day..

The next day you will feel so homely you would ask for the leftovers!

And who wouldn’t….It is Reshta…

We also prepare Reshta for very special occasions.. El Mawlid, Ashoura..etc.

Last Monday was a very special day….

Orange mousse Cheese cake

I went to Inverness yesterday…for work…

It was a beautiful day up there…Clear sky …crisp sceneries and, strangely enough, the presentations were kind of interesting and informative…

On my way back, in the train, I sat with a group of people who attended the conference as well. They all work for the same organisation..

Although I had met them before, it is the first time I sat with them and had interesting conversations.

I wish I could say they are really nice and genuine people but I learnt in life to never judge people from the first conversation…

One fact is sure they were very good at making time fly and the journey agreable.. Many thanks!

Sun-dried tomatoes and black olives Bread

Sun-dried tomatoes and black olives bread

Mounirah, Thank you for joining my blog, I was really happy to see your name. As for the bread recipe, I need to confess.I have 2 recipes: A secret recipe and a general one that I give away to people. But today and just for you I will give both:

My secret recipe:

Find an issue. This could be a concern, a worry, a memory or even an idea of a project you want to progress…

Ask your children (or members of your family) not to enter the kitchen with you. You will need all the space. Create an ambiance by putting on your best radio programme or CD.

As for the ingredients: let your mood and instinct guide you but most importantly keep an open mind.

Mix and knead firmly…Don’t mind the time..knead from all sides and explore all options

The dough is ready when the issue is clear in your mind..if it is still not clear, you should at least feel relaxed by then…take a break and gather your strength to start another  dough…

Cook your bread and consume with pride.

The general recipe

3 Cups Strong white bread

2 Cups Wholemeal flour

1Tbs salt

1Tbs instant dried yeast

1/3 Cup olive oil

1Tbs sugar

1/3 cup shredded dried tomatoes

1/3 cup sliced black olives

First make the dough by mixing the dried ingredients making sure not to mix salt with yeast directly.

Add oil and enough water to gather the dough. Knead firmly until soft and elastic (Use a dough machine if you have one). Oil and let it rise in a warm and draught fee place until it doubles in volume.

Knead again for few minutes and divide into 2-3 loaves

Roll out each dough, drizzle with some oil, sprinkle with tomatoes and olives and roll to form a baguette. Transfer to appropriate tins and let rise again for half an hour. Brush with oil and cook in hot oven.