What Should I Eat For Breakfast Today ?

Granola with lemon yogurt and edible flowers

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:23:00 +0200

I read on one blog that if Spring doesn’t look like it should, at least we can have it on a plate. This is what I did. I put flowers on mine. I’m sure you’ve heard about edible flowers, I did as well. But today was the first time I tried it. I made a small research in internet and found many interesting informations. For instance, we should be sure that flowers have not been sprayed with chemicals before we use it. The best idea would be to collect it from your or your friend’s garden, or maybe buy it from a garden, where we’re sure that anything dangerous for our health was used on it.

I must tell you that it’s an amazing feeling to have a delicious bowl decorated with flowers, that you can actually eat. And, of course, it’s like eating Spring. I used pansies, nasturtiums and carnations. You just need few, it’s worth trying.

You will need for lemon yogurt creme:

juice from 1/2 lemon
zest from 1 lemon
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp butter cut into small (30g)
1/4 cup greek yogurt

You will also need:

1/2 cup toasted almonds
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup granola
edible flowers (pansies, nasturtiums and carnations)

In a small pot place lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar and egg yolk. Cook it on a medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it gets thick (about 10 minutes). When ready, put it on side and add butter cut in small pieces. Stir it until butter melts and leave to cool. When it’s cold add yogurt and mix it in.

Toast almonds on a frying pan on one teaspoon of oil. When all ingredients are ready start to layer all ingredients. Start with granola, than half of nuts, yogurt-lemon mix, berries, the rest of nuts, cover with the rest of yogurt mix and garnish with edible flowers.

Enjoy, Marta

Chocolate cupcakes with basil buttercream frosting

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:02:00 +0200

Cupcakes were on a back of my head for years now. From the moment I put my eyes on this beautiful little treasures, I knew that we’ll be friends. But…it’s not an easy one to make, at least it’s what I used to think. Another thing is that just behind a corner I have a lovely store with the best cupcakes in Berlin. I buy them as a treat for me and Mr T. a bit too often. But, of course, it tastes even better when you make it yourself. I found this recipe on Eats Well With Others, it seemed to be perfect for breakfast with it’s delicious basil frosting. The recipe is time consuming but quite easy. It’s better to prepare a part of frosting the night before, so it will go faster in the morning.

You will need for cupcakes (for 24)

1/2 cup & 1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup & 1 tbsp hot water
2 & 1/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
250 g unsalted butter, room temperature
1 & 2/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup sour cream

For basil buttercream frosting:

1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup fresh basil leaves, pack as many as you can
1 & 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup flour
170 g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 tsp vanilla extract

It takes awhile to make frosting, so prepare a part of it first, the best would be to make it the night before. In a saucepan combine milk, heavy cream and basil. When it starts to boil, remove from the heat. Put it on a side so it cools, and then place in a fridge for at least 2 hours (overnight will be perfect).

Let’s start with cupcakes. Preheat your oven to 175*C and place papers in cupcake forms.

In a medium pot combine the butter and sugar and cook over a medium heat until the butter melts. When ready, transfer it to a bowl and using mixer, mix it for about 5 minutes. Mix in eggs, one by one. In a small bowl combine together cocoa and hot water and add it to the butter mix. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and combine all the ingredients until smooth. In the end slowly add the sour cream.

Divide the batter between forms and bake for about 20 minutes. After this time check cupcakes with a toothpick. Leave it to cool down.

And now frosting. Take milk and basil mix from a fridge and remove the basil leaves. Using your hands squeeze out juice from basil. Pour the mix into a pot, add flour and sugar, mix it and cook over a medium heat until it starts to boil and gets thicker (around 10 minutes). Transfer it to a bowl and with a mixer mix (on high) for 7-9 minutes, until it cools. Reduce mixer to low and start to add butter, piece after piece. When the frosting is smooth, increase the speed and mix for another 2 minutes. Add vanilla and mix 2 more minutes. The frosting should be fluffy and delicate. If it’s not, place it in a fridge for 10-20 minutes and then mix some more.

Now everything is ready and you can cover your cupcakes with frosting.

Enjoy, Marta

Eat Berlin - Thai food in Preußenpark

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:52:53 +0200

On Thursday we went on Street Food Thursday again. While eating and hanging out with friends, someone mentioned a park in Berlin, where Thai community living in Berlin meets on weekends and makes amazing food. I came back home, googled it and made a plan to go there on Sunday. The park they were talking about is Preußenpark. If you get there by U-Bahn and get out at Fehrbelliner Platz station, you can walk around a flea market and then move to Thai picnic area. If you get out at Konstanzer Straße station, it will be like 2 minutes walk and you’ll get there by following people with delicious Thai snack in hand.

Last Sunday we tasted fried spinach in dough, papaya salad, banana fritters, fish and delicious soup with rice noodles. When our stomachs were full, we had a citrus cocktail and sweet sticky rice. Then we had to lay on a grass and digest for a while, but it was worth it. If you find yourself in the area of Preußenpark on Saturday or Sunday, check this out. If not, just go there.

Mekice with roasted radish

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:36:24 +0200

I love simple and effective recipes. What do I mean? I like when it’s easy to make, doesn’t contain too many ingredients, is delicious and looks good (my eyes like to eat as well). There is one additional element I use quite often while cooking - curiosity. I am curious about world. For the past 6 years I managed to visit many interesting and delicious places, usually Mr T. was somewhere around. There’s one thing you should know about him - he’s always hungry and I am not joking. The sentence “I could eat something” is our often companion. It is hard to believe that after 8 years of me watching him eat, he’s still slim and has no problems with fitting through the door.

I remember sitting in a small restaurant in Changdu few years ago. It was 6am, we were waiting for a bus to Litang. Mr T. ordered soup and chef asked if he’d like it not spicy. The answer was “I want it spicy”. The chef tried to explain that they eat very spicy in Changdu and it can be a bit too spicy for people who are not used to it. Mr T. did not give up. After 10 minutes he was eating his soup. His forehead was covered with sweat, eyes with tears, water was leaking from his nose, but I’ve never seen him that happy. What I’m trying to say? I share my life with someone who’s always looking for new flavors and is not afraid to experiment.

Yesterday we were sitting in our kitchen, drinking melissa tea (tough weekend) and talking about Serbia. From word to action, the next morning I made Mekice - fried dough for breakfast. It is very easy to make, that’s for sure, and looks great. It also has to be tasty as I made 12 and we ate all of them. I served it with roasted radish, that did not taste like a raw version at all. It was juicy and sweet. I definitely recommend it.

You will need for Mekice:

500 g flour, sifted
250 ml lukewarm water
20 g fresh yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp oil for frying

Mix yeast, sugar and salt in water and leave it on side. It should start to bubble. Add it to the sifted flour, combine ingredients with a wooden spoon and start to knead with hand. If your dough is very sticky, add more flour, bit by bit. Place your dough in greased bowl, cover with towel and leave for about 1h or until it doubles in size. Then knead a bit more and divide in about 12 small rolls. Apparently you should leave it formed on edges of a bowl (like on picture) till your frying pan gets warm. I did it as I like to follow tradition. Place pieces of dough on a pan and fry until golden on both sides.

I served my Mekice with a roasted radish. I cut, placed in a baking dish, drizzled with oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper and baked in 200*C for about 20 minutes.

You can find more Serbian recipes on Palachinka blog.

Enjoy, Marta

Sausage a'la octopus

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:26:00 +0200

This is the cutest sausage ever. I found it on one of my favorite food blogs - Just One Cookbook, where Nami creates an amazing Japanese meals. She also has children and prepares their lunch boxes and I’m sure that she’s tired of me writing all the time how cool it looks. It does! This cute sausage a’la octopus comes from one of this boxes. I made 5 for my big boy - Mr. T. and he was very excited to eat it. It takes only few minutes to make, so if you feel like a sausage for breakfast, make it an octopus style.

You will need:

sausage

I had a regular one, not short, so i cut it in half and then cut it lengthwise, rotate 90* and cut lengthwise again. You can stick to 4 legs or go further. Fry it over a medium heat with a bit of an olive oil.

I served my “octopus” with eyes made of aniseed, asparagus and tomatoes. It was delicious.

Enjoy, Marta

Apple fritters

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:24:00 +0200

I am a sweet tooth. I’m trying to fight with my urge for sugar and cheat with healthier options. It’s not easy at all, whenever I see chocolate I feel like grabbing it. But it is possible to make something delicious and healthy. Like this apple fritters. It will be more healthy without a glaze, but come one, you can pour just a little bit, just for a taste. I found this recipe on Erin’s healthy blog - Texanerin. It is definitely too good to be healthy.

You will need for fritters:

1 cup oat flour
2 tbsp coconut flakes
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
6 tbsp apple juice
1 egg at room temperature
2 apples, diced
oil for frying

For glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar
2 tbs apple juice
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg

Heat an oil on a frying pan and mix all the dry ingredients for fritters. When oil is warm, add apple juice, egg and apples to the dry mix. Combine ingredients and start frying. I put 1 tablespoon of dough for each. Fry until brown on each sides. Because you’re using an oat flour you need to flip it in a very delicate way.

When fritters are fried mix all the ingredients for glaze and pour it over.

Enjoy, Marta

Cinnamon roll

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:31:00 +0200

When Mr T asked me what smells so good I told him that it must come from neighbours’ apartment. He did not look disappointed, he just said that he’s curious what they’re making. I was smiling inside, because the smell was coming out of our oven and I knew that what’s inside will make him very happy. There’s something magical about cinnamon, the smell, taste and that it goes so well with so many different kinds of food. Especially with baked goods.

We’re trying to finish organizing our apartment after leaving it for two months and who would think that it’ll include painting half of furnitures. My kitchen is occupied by drying tables and benches, away from my curious cat. The only thing is that this little crazy Ryszard knows how to open door, so I have to be alarmed most of the time. There are consequences of having super smart and too energetic creature at home.

I made this cinnamon roll few times, it is not too big and it is perfect for two people. It will make a great breakfast if served with kwark, jam or cream cheese. It would make a great dessert as well. If you think it’s complicated, I assure you it’s not. You can follow steps on pictures on Totally love it blog, where the recipe comes from.

You will need:

For dough

1/2 cup warm milk
1 envelope active dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
2 cups flour
pinch of salt
2 tbsp melted butter
1 egg yolk

For filling:

4 tbsp melted butter
4 tbsp sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

In a glass or a small bowl mix milk, yeast and sugar. Leave it for few minutes, it should create a foam on a top. Add the rest of dough ingredients and combine it with a wooden spoon, then knead with hand and shape in a ball. Place it in a bowl brushed with an oil, power and leave in a warm place for one hour (You can heat an oven to 30*C, then turn it off and place the bowl inside the oven).

After an hour your dough will double its volume. Preheat the oven to 200*C.

Place a dough on a floured surface and roll it on a thickness of about 1 cm. Spread the melted butter and sprinkle with sugar combined with cinnamon. And now the fun begins. Roll up the dough and with a sharp knife cut it along in half. Then you will have to twist two parts in a kind of a braid and create a circle out of it (like on a picture). Transfer it on a baking tray and top with remaining butter.

Bake for about 30 minutes. There was a tip in original recipe to reduce a heat after 10 minutes to 170*C, I did not do it the first time and did it the second. Both versions worked out good. You know your oven and this is your choice. If you’re not sure, just observe the dough.

Enjoy, Marta

Green smoothie with pear, arugula and ginger

Sun, 05 May 2013 23:24:00 +0200

There are mornings so hectic that you don’t have time to make a breakfast or to eat it. There are mornings when you feel like something fast, so you grab a banana or an apple. If you know that next morning will be just like it, this is what you can do. Make a smoothie that is full of vitamins the night before, refrigerate it and drink in a morning. It’s a nice replacement for an apple of yogurt. And despise arugula, it taste great. I’ve found this recipe on The New York Times website and I believe they know their stuff. Make it, try it, love it.

You will need:

1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
big handful arugula
1 tbsp walnuts, cut
1/2 pear, peeled
1/4 tsp ginger
4 tbsp soy yogurt

Just place everything in blender and blend it baby!

Enjoy, Marta

Dutch baby with chocolate, raspberries and mint

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:31:00 +0200

I do not live in Amsterdam anymore, but I still love Dutch baby pancakes. It is easy to make, looks awesome and the way of serving is interesting. One pancake is good for two people and you can put whatever you want on it. I made it a couple of times with a different topping and when I came across this recipe, I had to do it again. This time with chocolate, fresh mint and raspberries. It wasn’t the lightest breakfast ever, but everything with chocolate makes you happy. At least it makes me happy.

You will need:

90g butter
110ml milk
120g flour
2 eggs
pinch of salt
100g milk chocolate
fresh mint
raspberries
custard sugar

Heat an oven to 220*C and place an iron pan or a baking form with butter inside. Meanwhile in a small bowl mix flour, eggs, milk and salt. When the it melts add the dough (pour it in the middle) and bake for about 12 minutes.

Meantime place the chocolate in a small saucepan and melt it. Take it off a heat as soon as it melts.

When your Dutch baby pancake is ready, remove a butter swimming on it, place it on a table, sprinkle with a castered sugar and decorate with raspberries, chocolate and mint.

Enjoy, Marta

Goodies in a jar

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:23:00 +0200

It’s May! Can you believe in it? One month ago it was cold, snowy and dark. Today it could not be more beautiful. It makes me very happy. I had a chance to bike around Berlin a couple of times and I want more. As I’m trying to be healthy and enjoy all goods that nature brings, I made a healthy breakfast. I found this recipe on Passionate about baking and I simply had to make it. The big advantage is that you can place everything in a jar and it can make a nice picnic meal as well. I’ll do it, as a picnic season is on.

You will need (for 2):

1 can 400g chickpeas, drained
2 tbsp raisins
1/2 cucumber, grated
6 tbsp soy yogurt
1 tsp lime juice
2 tbsp walnuts, toasted
2 tbsp pistachios
1 tbsp capers
tomatoes on top (4 cherry tomatoes 4 small yellow tomatoes)
few leaves of mint
pinch of salt

It could not be easier to prepare. Divide all the ingredients between two jars. Place chickpeas, raisins, cucumber, soy yogurt mixed with lime juice, on it toasted walnuts, pistachios, capers, top with cut tomatoes and few leaves of mint. Sprinkle with salt.

Enjoy, Marta

Berry water

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:48:00 +0200

It was a small thing. We got up, took a shower, made sandwiches and a fruit water and we left. We did not go far, just downstairs. It was warm, sunny, we were sitting on our sweaters and talking. Sandwiches were good, made on a sourdough bread. But what was very refreshing and a good idea to do, was a fruit water. I took an old bottle, placed some frozen berries inside, pour sparkling water and that was it. Great taste, we’ve finished the bottle. I like this small things that make my day.

I think that this water could be a hit on picnic as well.

You will need:

frozen berries
sparkling water
agave syrup (optional)

As I wrote above, place fruits in a bottle, pour sparkling water and it’s ready. You can add a tablespoon of agave syrup if you like it sweet. You can also add ice, but it will be already cold.

Enjoy, Marta

Eat Berlin - Lemongrass, Friedrichshain

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:14:40 +0200

I have a thing for Thai food. Ok, to be honest, I have a thing for Pad Thai Noodles. You may even call it a small obsession. It’s started with a first bite in Big Boy Thai in Sydney in 2007 and through the years it got worse. Whenever I am in a Thai restaurant, I need to eat it. To make a clear picture - I spent two months in Thailand and except for sticky rice with mango, this is what I had almost each day. But it’s not easy to find a good place, where you can eat a proper version of Pad Thai, and by this I mean my favorite version. It takes time to find this right place.

When we came back to Europe, the first place we were living in was Amsterdam. After a month I’ve discovered Khorat Top Thai and it made me very happy. Two years later we moved to Berlin and I am very grateful to discover Lemongrass in my neighbourhood.

I won’t tell you how delicious food over there is, but Mr T. said that he will test each position on menu while we’re living in Berlin and luckly close to this restaurant. I just need to write that Pad Thai is fantastic, curry as well and if you come here during Monday-Friday between 12 - 17, you’ll eat everything for 5-6 euros. This is one of those places that like hungry people, as portions are huge.

It must be good, because whenever I’m trying to give someone from Berlin a tip about good Thai restaurant, they know this place.

Lemongrass

Simon-Dach-Str. 2

10245 Berlin, Friedrichshain

Bowl of greens with poached egg and parmesan

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:03:00 +0200

Can you feel spring? It’s officially here. I can feel it in my bones and sun helps to believe in what’s happening. I hope that for the next two months it will be warm and beautiful. It’s hard to work with birds singing outside, but a girl has to do what she has to do. To make this time nicer I buy flowers and then fight with Ryszard who’s trying to eat them. But it’s fun, he’s a smart, crazy cat. I also feel like eating vegetables and fruits all the time. I’ve been thinking about a green breakfast, that would taste good and reminded me more of breakfast than lunch. Egg is a breakfast thing for me (ok, not always), I add zucchini, italian cabbage, parmesan, maybe toasts and here comes my breakfast. You should try it as well.

You will need (for 2):

1 garlic clove
1 zucchini
6 leaves italian cabbage
1 ciabatta, opcional
olive oil
2 eggs
pepper
parmesan

Dressing:

4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp holen
1 tsp white vinegar
salt and pepper

Prep time: 15 min, Cook time: 15 min, Total time: 30 min.

Heat an olive oil on a pan and fry squeezed garlic. Add sliced zucchini, fry it for 3-4 minutes, then add torn leaves of italian cabbage. Cover it and simmer.

In a small cup mix all ingredients of a dressing.

Meanwhile in a big pot boil water with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tbsp vinegar. Break egg into a small cup. When water starts to boil, stir it with a wooden spoon, and place the egg in a middle. After about 2-3 minutes egg will be ready.

In a bowl place greens, egg, spread dressing over it and then parmesan.

You can serve it with ciabatta fired on 1 tsp of oil.

Enjoy, Marta

Bread with rice

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:28:00 +0200

Last weekend I took a part in a very interesting project. A group of people were baking bread at home and meanwhile we were contacting each other via internet. I’ve met a very nice fellows bloggers and ended up with tree breads. I also got to know a thang zhong method, that is easy and tasty.

You will need (for two about 550 g breads or four 280g each):

480g bread flour
30g milk powder
40g suger
8g salt
8g instant yeast
200ml milk
170g thang zhong
40g butter
180 g brown rice, cooked, unsalted

For thang zhong:

30g bread flour
150ml milk

Let’s start with preparing thang zhong. Sounds complicated but could not be easier. In a small pot mix milk and bread flour, put on a small heat and cook, while mixing, until it will become thick. Then remove from a heat, cover with a foil and put on a side to cool down.

Remember that you’ll need a cooked brown rice, that is cooled down as well.

In a big bowl mix all the ingredients for bread except for butter and rice. Knead it for about 5 minutes, then add butter, knead a bit more, add rice, knead until it will be equally distributed in a dough. Form a ball, place it in a bowl brushed with an oil, cover with a tea towel and put aside for about an hour to grow.

When your dough grown, place it on a tabletop, divide into 2 or 4 pieces, cover and leave for another 15 minutes. After this time place the dough in 2 or 4 forms brushed with an oil and leave it in a warm place for about 45-60 minutes. During this time the dough should cover 80-90% of a form. Bake in 190*C for about 35 minutes. Baked bread cool down on a grid.

Original recipe comes from here.

Enjoy, Marta

Chocolate, cheese and strawbery sandwich

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:10:00 +0200

I had to make my taxes in 3 countries this year, don’t ask me why/how/WTF, I can’t even say a word “taxes” anymore. I just hope that it’s all good. This forbidden word equals stress in my case. When I stress out, I eat sweets, but not any sweets, I eat super extra good sweets. Today I spent 2 hours with my advisor. Do you know what I did to prepare my mentally for that? I had an awesome sweet breakfast. I found a recipe on How sweet eats (cute name for a blog, isn’t it?), modified it a little bit and then I kept smiling for this 2 hours. Food helps in life, but strawberries with a mint chocolate and cheese on a toast make you crazy happy. Try it when you’re feeling blue and you’ll understand me.

You will need:

1 or 2 slices of bread
handful strawberries
brie or camembert cheese
after eight chocolates
fresh mint
butter
olive oil

Preheat an oven to 170*C, cut strawberries and place it on a baking paper, toss it with olive oil and roast for about 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile butter your bread and fry on a medium heat until golden brown. When your toasts are ready place few mint leaves on it, slices of cheese, pieces of chocolates and cover it with hot strawberries. You can make another layer in the same way if you like. The chocolate and cheese will melt and everything together tastes like heaven.

Enjoy, Marta

Quinoa with baked apples and almonds

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:40:00 +0200

Two days ago the sun appeared in Berlin. It was a sign to leave my apartment as fast as possible. To draw you a picture - when it’s sunny everyone dance on streets and no one stays inside. That’s why I went on an Open Air Festival in a full sun and I had the best weekend. I really hope that a warm weather will stick to Berlin and that I’ll be able to wear my summer dresses soon. Also good outdoor events start to appear in my city. On Thursday I’m going on a Street Food Thursday, where I’ll be able to taste goodies from all over the world. If you’re happen to be in Berlin, it will be hosted each Thursday. There may be lines, as my friend warned me, but it’s worth waiting for something delicious.

Coming back to a breakfast subject, I feel like eating healthy. Does Spring has this strange impact on you that you want to be healthy, beautiful and very active? I have 5 ideas each hour and I have start writing them down. Today proposition is super healthy, you can replace Greek yogurt with a soy one if you like. It will make you feel good, that’s for sure.

You will need:

1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 apple
1 tbsp coconut
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp brown sugar
handful almonds
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup greek thick yogurt

Cook quinoa with 1 cup of water (if you’re not sure how to do it, check over here). Cut an apple in small pieces, place it on a baking plate, spread with cinnamon, sugar, coconut and bake in 150*C for about 5-10 minutes, until soft.

Cooked quinoa place in a bowl, add apple, almonds, pour an orange juice over it. Mix everything and in the end add yogurt. It is the best when served warm.

Enjoy, Marta

Fried mozzarella with champignons on toast

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:14:00 +0200

I’m not crazy for kitchen gadgets. I usually don’t have them. I got my first kitchen mixer one year ago, so not too fast. But there are things I really want to have, like Chemex (I love it) or an iron pan. After a long time of wanting (I told you, I’m not too fast) I got my first iron pan. It is heavy, perfect for two and very pretty. I went through hundreds of recipes and finally I ended up on Donna Hay’s site. I found this amazing recipe including mozzarella, mushrooms, rosemary and the iron pan. It’s easy to make, so perfect as a tryout of my new toy. I hope you’ll like it as much as I did and, obviously, you don’t need an iron pan to make it ;)

You will need:

3 big champignons
2 balls of mozzarella
2 sprigs rosemary
40g butter
1 baguette
olive oil for baguette
salt and pepper
garlic clove

Start with preparing baguette. Cut it in slices, brush with an olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat a pan on a medium heat and fry on both sides until golden (be careful as it’s easy to overdo). When your toasts are ready you can rub it with garlic. You’re half way through.

Now it’s time to make mozzarella with mushrooms. I used an iron pan, but it’s not necessary. Melt butter, add add cut champignons, rosemary, salt pepper and fry for few minutes. When mushrooms are soft and brownish add mozzarella torn in smaller pieces. It will take 2-3 minutes for it to melt. Serve hot with toasts. You’ll be amazed how good it is.

Enjoy, Marta

Polish yeast pancakes with raspberries

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:26:00 +0200

When I was a child, among me and my friends there were three favorite breakfasts: pancakes with apples, crepes or pancakes with yeast (racuchy). The choice depended on parents or grandparents who made it in a particular home. In my house we were eating pancakes with apples. I used to terrorize my grandmother to make it as often as possible. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner (sometimes I did). My mother used to make crepes but it was nothing in comparison to my grandma’s pancakes (sorry mom). I loved them.

But sadly I must admit that I’ve never had racuchy before (this is hardly possible as I’m polish). And then one day I was wandering around internet, looking for some good places and then I saw it. An amazing picture of racuchy. It was so delicious and tempting that I found an original blog Plate of joy, where recipe was attached. It made me so excited, that at 6 am I made a dough and at 8 am me and Mr T were eating our delicious racuchy, At 8:05 am we were done. It totally made our day. I added raspberries from a jar with a little bit of lemon zest. What more can I add, you have to try it.

You will need:

160g flour
1 tbsp agave syrup
1 tsp instant yeast
pinch of salt
1/2 glass of warm milk
1 egg
lemon zest from 1/2 lemon
oil for frying
custard sugar for dusting
raspberries for serving

In a medium bowl place flour, yeast and salt, mix it and then in the middle add egg, milk and agave syrup. Combine all the ingredients, then add the lemon zest and mix everything two more times. The dough needs to grow, so cover it with a towel and put in a warm place (on a heater or you can leave it in an oven in 50*C) for an hour.

Heat a frying pan with an oil over a medium heat. You will place your dough on a frying pan using a spoon. Simply grab as small balls, it will be sticky so you may need another spoon or a finger to help yourself. Fry until golden around.

I served mine with raspberries from a jar (left overs from last year), I did add a little bit of a lemon zest to it and in the end I dusted my racuchy with caster sugar.

Enjoy, Marta

Tomato and basil juice

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:08:00 +0200

I was visiting Uncle Google and searching for information about the best way to moisturize the skin (after too many hours on a plane it needs water by injection) and I repeatedly came across tomato juice. Knowledge and health can not be ignored, so I’ve began to read. After an hour I was cutting tomatoes, tearing basil leaves, and blender couldn’t wait to start blending. It turns out that this drink is a true friend for your body and the friend must be respected, so you should grab a glass of it quite often. Why is it so good? Just look at it:

helps to eliminate tension and makes you calm
contains lycopene which reduces the likelihood of heart disease, cancer and atherosclerosis
contains fiber which helps with digestion and is great for detoxing your system.
protects the skin from wrinkles, helps in fight against acne and moisturizes the skin
strengthens nails and hair
is a hangover cure

What not to love? If you’d like to twist a taste, follow the recipe.

You will need:

4 tomatoes (medium), cut into cubes
handful of basil, fresh
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
pinch of cayenne pepper

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend it. On a hot day you can always add few cubes of ice.

Read also about water with a lemon juice.

/Marta.

Coconut scones

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 09:50:00 +0200

Welcome to my dream, yes literally. I am still jet lagged and I feel like living in a dream or rather standing next to my body most of the time. But I also have good moments, usually very early in a morning, like 4 am, when it’s still dark outside, apartment is covered in a total silence and I can drink my coffee and enjoy alone time with my sweet cat Ryszard. At this time he’s very tired so he just comes to the kitchen and lies down on my knees.

This is also the time when I’m going through recipes and I want to eat everything. But then the daylight comes (so essential for my pictures), I want to take pictures of what I’ve prepared and the state of “standing next to my body” appears. I promise to make my pictures better soon. I hope that it will pass soon because hanging out with friends in the evening is too hard when the only thing I can concentrate on is my pillow.

I baked this scones in the middle of the night as I needed something for my jam. I used Martha Stewart recipe but I added coconut instead of blueberries and yogurt as a replacement of cream (I did not feel like going to a store at 4 am). Martha says that to create soft scones you shouldn’t mix or knead it too much. I think she’s right.

You will need (for 8):

2 cups flour
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes
3 tbsp coconut
1 tsp grated lemon zest
3 tbsp yogurt plus you can brush tops of scones if you like
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat your oven to 200*C. In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. The next step will be to add butter (remember that you need it cut in small cubes), coconut flakes and the lemon zest. In a small bowl mix together eggs and yogurt and then add it to the dry ingredients. Mix it just a little bit, until all the ingredients come together. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead just a little bit (just few times).

Flat the dough so it’s about 3 cm thick and cut it like on a picture. Transfer it on a baking paper and bake for around 20-22 minutes. Tastes amazing with a homemade jam :)

Enjoy, Marta