Blue rose Cake

  Hey, Do you keep secrets?
Well I want to tell you a story... But please do not tell anybody.
I discovered a time machine... Yeah, a real one.. Last time I tried it and went all the way to year 1600!
I met a princesses! a beautiful princess. I gave her a picture of my cake!!.
I went again to year 1640. the Princess was 58 years old and guess what? I found out she had never married. She insisted to put a condition for who ever proposes to her to find and offer her a blue rose!!! otherwise they will have their heads cut off!
She was determined the blue roses existed!!.. She had seen them before... or so she says...



                    

Well, I believe her... I know they exist!!!... I fought the dragon to get them!

A pink shoe cake

Sorry!
I tried to explain to a friend how saying “Sorry!” to somebody incites different emotions

Well I said:

“It is the most difficult word to say for some people but the easiest for others!

The cutest thing to say in some circumstances but the ugliest word to utter in others.

The bravest thing to do sometimes and the cowards’ get away other times.

Some say it with pride and some say it with shame.

It often costs Lives … to be lost or to be born…”

“Did I confuse you?” I asked.

“Yes” she replied

“Sorry?!!” I said

Well one thing I am certainly not sorry for making is this cake..However I do apologise for not showing some stages of the process... I deleted some pictures by mistake... Well may be the next time.....

                               

Ice cream dessert

Some recipes are simple they only need 2 or three ingredients , yet many of us fail to make them..

Take the recipe of life for example, You only need two ingredients
1)    lot of strong belief
2)    and 1 or 2 friends
While the belief is inside many of us and can come in abundance, we usually fail to harvest it.
Friends are actually rare ingredients… you really need to dig everywhere for them…
You don’t need a lot… one will do…
If you are lucky to find one, grab tightly onto (him/her/ them… because they are the ones who will help you gather your first ingredient… Your belief
As for the method of how to actually realise the recipe..
Easy… Once you find your ingredients… you’ ll see… you won’t even need to worry… 
Take the example of this cake... all is needed is a good quality Ice cream... the more the merrier...
cook a two inch sponge then top up with your favourite ice creams, freeze , decorate...

Terrine tricolore

When you decide you do not like a friend anymore, you have two options:

First you can just detach yourself from them, avoid them , stop talking to them and feel discomfort every time you meet them …( Well! you are bound to meet them.. You would certainly see them at friends’ gatherings, weddings, celebrations…)

Your second option is to keep inside all your emotions and keep smiling.. go with the flow … And then , you will feel the biggest discomfort ever…. Even when they are not around .. you feel hypocritical, deceitful…

But I found a third option… You change them!!! You change what you do not like in them! And then they will look nice and you start liking them… loving them… adoring them…

Well I am still working on this theory..

I know it works on vegetables!!!! I am not sure about friends!!!)

Look at my terrine!!

I bet , all the kids who don’t like broccoli and carrots and for their taste and potatoes for their shape, would love my terrine.

Its beautiful and it tastes great but most importantly it has all the bounties of the vegetables.

You know what?

What is wrong with the Broccoli, The Carrot, the Potato in their nature form and taste???

You know what?

I wish we can stop looking at shapes and tastes and concentrate on the inner beauty of the Broccoli, Carrots, Potatoes and Friends!!!!!!

Beef Wellington

When Pride and Arrogance failed to carry Love, Time carried it.
But Time also carried Regret and Sorrow
Time carries them and never disposes of them
When it wills, it shows them and when it wills, it shades them.
At moments,Time carries them with love but often it carries them with pain.
The wisest amongst us, is he/she who knows when to celebrate them..or when to bury them!
What does this has to do with Beef Wellington???
Well... nothing..
Except that I cooked it with love and had no regret...
Yeah! Yeah!
I know... In Algerian we call that "tfelseef bla ma3na!" (Useless fluff or Talking rubbish!)
Well.... Time will tell.

Birthday Cookie

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…