Category Archives: marmite

how to make a classic homemade guacamole and tips to prevent browning


guacamole

First allow me to do some myth busting!

Adding citrus juice to the guacamole doesn’t prevent browning. We only put lemon for the taste. Yes this the truth! What really works is preventing its exposure to air. Oxygen turns avocados brown.

How you should restrict oxygen from spoiling your guacamole?!

Place the guacamole in a bowl and flatten with the back of spoon to remove any air pocket, cover it with 2 layers of plastic wrap pressed firmly against the guacamole and put it in the fridge.

I promise this will prevent browning for 3-4 hours.

For a basic guacamole you need:

  • one large ripe avocado
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • dash of salt to taste

Use a fork to mash the avocado. You can use a pastry blender, but i like my guacamole to be a little chunky.

guacamole

Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Why garlic powder, because it’s milder than the fresh one, it blends in better.

Add the lemon juice and the finely chopped onion. If you prefer guacamole with additional ingredients, you can stir in:

  • tomatoes
  • or cilantro
  • or peppers
  • or parsley….

But for me i like guacamole where the seasoned avocados are the only event!

Try my sizzling chicken fajitas recipe with this delicious guacamole.

chicken fajitas

refreshing cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar syrup


cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger syrup

It’s time to fly back to our nest in doha. Filling our luggage with lebanese goods and our hearts with ample dose of fun and love. It was a mahragénial* vacation!

Obviously, we can never get used to goodbyes, but we learnt to be optimistic with a “see you soon” shower of kisses.

We will miss you all so much until we meet again.  Antoun, here we come for sure!

As i greeted you from lebanon with the fresh lemonade, I will leave you with a fresher cantaloupe and watermelon salad with ginger sugar sauce.

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

To make this delicious salad you need: (yields 4 servings)

  • 2 cups watermelon (cut in balls shape)
  • 2 cups cantaloupe (cut in balls shape)

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

If you don’t have this special utensil, you can cut in cubes or wedges.

To make the ginger syrup you need:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh ginger sliced and left unpeeled

Bring to boil water, sugar and ginger then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and let it cool in the refrigerator.

Once the syrup is cold, soak in the cantaloupe and watermelon for at least an hour, keeping it in the refrigerator

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

Serve it cold and jazz it up with couple of mint leaves, not just for a beautiful presentation, but for the taste that it adds.

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauceStay tuned for more posts from doha. I won’t be late!

*mahragénial: is a composed word meaning splendid festivities, quoting Rawad Matar. I promised to use the word in my last post from lebanon.

  • mahragen مهرجان (arabic word) meaning festival
  • génial (french word) meaning brilliant

embellish your simple cheese appetizer


feta cheese appetizers

Appetizers are meant to stimulate your appetite! The more attractive they look, the more inviting they are. Embellish your simple cheese appetizer and let beauty be on your plate.

Mix feta cheese with dried thyme or italian herbs then shape them into balls. On a cracker (i used ritz) place a small frisé lettuce then the ball of cheese. Halve a cherry tomato and place it on top.

 feta cheese appetizer

Isn’t that too cute to eat? Impress your guests with simple and quick appetizers. I will post more ideas of beautiful and attractive starters. Stay tuned!

 

all berries no bake cheesecake


all berries cheese cake

No bake desserts are the best! Quick, easy and delicious. This creamy layered treat is one of the incredible indulgent sweet course. Each layer by itself is inviting. Follow me for a step by step tutorial:

To prepare the crust, put 250g of digestive biscuits into a food processor and blend until you get fine crumbs.

digestive

Add 80g of softened butter and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix well until you get sand like mixture.

all berries cheesecake

For the filling, blend 500g cream cheese (I use philadelphia cheese) with 1 cup of icing sugar. Once mixed well add 2 cups of whipping cream and zest of half a lemon. Whisk to become fluffy.

all berries cheesecake

For  individual portions, choose a glass or shooter of your choice to press the crust in the buttom. Add the cream cheese, then all berries jam and let it cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

all berries cheesecake

You can use any jam you favor; could be strawberry, blueberry or even caramel…..

all berries cheesecake

If you like frozen sweets, put it in the freezer for couple of hours before adding the jam. Trust me it will be your summer dessert, you will melt for it!

all berries cheesecake

 

 

 

You are going to love these cheesecakes. Enjoy!

all berries cheesecake

fondue chocolate: 2 ingredients and less than 2 minutes


fondue chocolate

Fondue was always presented in a special pot where we dip long stemmed forks of fruits, marshmallows, cake or bread. I want to tell you, you don’t need these exact utensils anymore. Fondue is now simpler than you think.

Whip up this exceptional treat in less than 2 minutes! In any heatproof bowl put 200g of dark chocolate (must first be chopped into small pieces so that it will melt evenly) with 250 ml of cream and heat it for 1.5 mns in microwave. Stir the mix until the glossy dark brown chocolate appears. Add 1 tsp of rum (optional) and it’s ready to dip in any fruit of your choice, cake or brownies and even marshmallows. Use the small size skewers instead of the forks.

For instance, i used strawberries, brownies and marshmallows.

fondue chocolate

chocolate fondue

Who can resist this luscious chocolate fondue! You don’t need a special occasion to serve it. Indulge yourself and your loved ones in this heavenly treat.

chocolate fondue

There are various possibilities of food to dip in; strawberry, banana, pineapple, melon, cake, brownies, cookies, marshmallows… and some people like to dip in salty crackers or pretzels. Bottom line, chocolate goes with everything!

chocolate fondue