Category Archives: appetizers & salads

Meatless braised artichoke with potato, carrots and peas (suitable for vegetarians)

Posted on March 9, 2020 | Leave a comment

Artichoke is high in fibers and antioxidants, it maintains a healthy heart, reduces bad cholesterol, prevents and treats cancer, improves digestion and acts as a diuretic.

Did you know that if artichoke is left to grow wild, it blossoms into large purple flowers? yes artichoke is a bud of a thistle!

This astounding vegetable can be consumed from leaves to heart and even the bottom, this recipe calls for hearts. Braised artichoke hearts with carrots, potato cubes and peas. It’s usually presented as a side dish, salad or mezza, but if paired with rice you can eat as a main dish.

you will need (serves 4):

medium onion finely diced
400 g artichoke hearts
1 cup carrots, chopped in small cubes
1 cup potato, chopped in small cubes
1 cup peas
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
juice of one big lemon
3 cups water
salt to taste

Sautée the onion in butter until fragrant, add the flower and let it cook a bit until it starts to have a golden shade, then pour the lemon. Whisk the mix the same way of doing the roux then the water little by little. You will obtain a silky and viscous sauce. Add the artichoke, potato, carrots and peas and let it cook on low flame until tender.

As i said you can serve it cold as a mezza or hot with rice, or maybe why not trying it with mashed potato. I am personally a big fan of this dish. I love vegetables and i love everything that has citrus, so it is a heavenly combination. Give it a try and i am sure you will love it.

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter and instagram. More posts yet to come, stay tuned. Happy cooking!

Leave a comment

Posted in appetizers & salads, main dish

Tagged art direction, artichoke, carrots, cooking, cooking lebanese, easyrecipe, food, food blog, food blogger, food layout, food photography, foolproof recipe, jaymmy, lebanese food, lent, marmite et ponpon, meatless, peas, potato, recipe, traditional recipes with a twist, vegetarian

Creamy spinach gnocchi

Posted on March 14, 2019 | Leave a comment

The word gnocchi is derived from the Italian word nocchio, meaning knots (gnocco is the singular form). In italian cooking gnocchi are small thick dumplings usually made with potato, semolina or wheat flour, egg and cheese. Can be served with a sauce or in soup.

Creamy spinach gnocchi, this velvety deliciousness, is a very easy and quick recipe, served on your table in less than 30 minutes. For a quick lunch or dinner after a long day all you need is this foolproof recipe. It calls for: (serving two people)

500g fresh gnocchi cooked as per package directions
500ml milk or 2 cups (you can use skimmed milk)
200 ml cream, or one cup
2-3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1 cup fresh spinach (or thawed)
1 tbsp garlic salt
salt to taste

Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions and set aside.

Melt the butter over medium heat then add the flour and cook it to make the roux. Slowly add the milk and cream to the roux and whisk constantly to avoid any lump.

Before the sauce starts to thicken add the garlic salt, salt and spinach and cook for 3-5 minutes until the spinach has wilted and sauce thickened.

Return the gnocchi to the sauce and fold to combine. You can add parmesan cheese to the sauce or simply sprinkle on top. Serve immediately and enjoy heaven in you mouth.

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More posts yet to come, stay tuned. Happy cooking!

Leave a comment

Posted in appetizers & salads, main dish

Tagged comfort food, cream, easy recipe, food blog, food blogger, food photography, foolproof recipe, garlic, gnocchi, italian cuisine, italian dish, lebanon, marmite et ponpon, qatar, quick recipe, recipe, roux, spinach

Brie, pear and honey crostini

Posted on December 30, 2018 | Leave a comment

A tiny bouchée to hold so many deep flavors! i would rather call it the brie symphony!

Though these are not the main hero on your menu, but a holiday table can’t be set up without these festive hors d’oeuvres.

Get your party started with these irresistible and elegant brie crostini. You will need: (you decide on the quantity)

baguette (toasted) sliced
brie cheese slices
pear slices
walnut chopped
cranberry
honey
arugula (or rocket leaves) for decoration

Layer the crostini with a slice of brie topped with a slice of pear. Drizzle with honey then add few chopped walnut and cranberry. The arugula comes at the end to shout out the spectacular look!

With this season full of special occasion, i am sure you will add this easy yet delicious appetizer to your repertoire.

This impressive combination of cheese, fruit and nut is a little bite of heaven. the smoothness of cheese with the crunchiness of walnut, the sweetness of honey and pear along with the sour taste in the cranberry create the symphony i told you about in the beginning!

This is my last post in the 2018. I wish you all a happy end of this year and a great 2019 ahead full of happiness and endless beautiful moments and blessings your heart can hold! Love always xoxo

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More posts yet to come, stay tuned and see you in 2019! Happy new year 🙂

Leave a comment

Posted in appetizers & salads

Tagged appetizer, beirut, bouchee, brie, cheese, cranberry, crostini, doha, easy recipe, festive food, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food porn, fruit, honey, hors d'oeuvres, jaymmy, marmite et ponpon, nut, pear, quick recipe, starter, walnut

Mini sausage Christmas wreath

Posted on December 23, 2018 | Leave a comment

Christmas food challenge is elevating a simple hors d’oeuvres to a next level. Food just tastes better when it looks festive. Mini hotdogs wrapped in dough, baked and arranged in a festive wreath. This easy appetizer comes together in minutes and get devoured just as quickly!

shortcrust dough
mini sausage
egg wash
ketchup
rosemary sprigs (for decoration)

Cut the dough lengthwise into triangles to roll in the mini sausages, starting from the thick end of it. Brush with egg wash before baking for 20-30 minutes on 180ºC. Lay them in circle to form the wreath. Put the ketchup bowl in the center and lay around the rosemary sprigs.

This eye pleasing starter is really simple and so addictive that you keep coming for more. Dijon, bbq or any other favorite sauce could be another option than ketchup.

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More posts yet to come, stay tuned!

Leave a comment

Posted in appetizers & salads, special occasions

Tagged appetizer, christmas food, doha, easy quick, entree, food art, food blog, food blogger, food photography, food porn, hors d'oeuvres, jaymmy, lebanon, marmite et ponpon, mini sausage, qatar, recipe, side dish, wreath

Guacamole tostitos scoops

Posted on December 22, 2018 | Leave a comment

The most joyful and blessed time of the year has arrived.

Hello Christmas! My favorite and special holiday that still play magic on me. . . May you never stop searching the skies on Christmas eve!

Food is a big part of the festivities, and why not deck the table with some relish hors d’oeuvres to wow everyone. Go beyond regular and add let your food presentation as well say it’s Christmas time.

At this time of the year, red and green are not just regular colors!

Guacamole tostitos scoops, are a beautiful and festive amuse bouche, to be on your christmas table. It’s always good to have an easy-to-pick-up food that requires no fork or spoon.

You will need:

20 tostitos scoops (tortilla chips)
1 big ripe avocado
1 tsp garlic salt
lemon juice (as per your taste)
diced capsicum for garnish
sour cream optional

A very easy and last minute preparation, no efforts or time needed. All you have to do is to layer the ingredients in the tostitos scoops. Starting with the sour cream, (if you decided to put), then guacamole and finally garnish with the finely diced red capsicum. To make the guacamole, puree the avocado, roughly with a fork, (when it’s really ripe, you don’t need more than a fork to mash it) and mix it with garlic salt and lemon juice. Adjust the ingredients as per your taste, condiments are always subjective.

You will love these bites, and trust me they will disappear in seconds!

I wish you an extraordinary “reveillon” full of delicious food, warmth, blessings, lots of gifts, memories, laughter and love. Chocolate doesn’t come as a wish, i am sure it’s for granted 😉

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More posts yet to come, stay tuned!