marmite et ponpon

Cheesy pull apart bread

Posted on June 16, 2016 | 3 comments

How perfect is this cheesy pull apart bread for the football season? But i am afraid no one would actually be watching the game when you serve it. A perfect and fun amuse bouche to serve when entertaining!

Very easy to make and everyone will rave about.

You will need:

one round (or long) country bread
100g butter melted
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp knorr salad seasoning powder (garlic and herbs)
100g cheddar shredded
100g mozzarella shredded

Start by cutting the bread vertically and horizontally, making sure not to cut it all the way. Mix butter with garlic powder and knorr salad seasoning. If you don’t find knorr use any mixed herbs of your choice with the garlic. Brush the bread in between the cuts then stuff it with the cheese.

1-cheesy pull apart bread|marmite et ponpon

2-cheesy pull apart bread|marmite et ponpon

3-cheesy pull apart bread|marmite et ponpon

Bake for 20 minutes on 180°C in the middle rack.

I dare you not to eat this straight from the oven! That’s why i didn’t take so many pictures, i was in a hurry to dig in. Try it and i am sure it will become a favorite in your house.

If you want deeper flavors you can choose also olive bread or zaatar bread… they go heavenly with the cheese.

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 interesting posts are yet to come.

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Posted in appetizers & salads

Tagged amuse bouche, appetizer, cheddar, cheesy bread, country bread, how to do, marmite et ponpon, mozzarella, pull apart bread, recipe, step by step

Balloon science – My Little Scientist

Posted on June 13, 2016 | Leave a comment

Outside the temperature hits the 50°C (Doha) , it’s ramadan (the daily fast from dawn until sunset during this month of the Muslim calendar) and nowhere to go during the day. School is over and the entertainment challenge is back until we travel home (Lebanon)for the summer vacations.

The challenge of non stop playtime is to keep it interesting and captivating. So nothing is better than the magical science experiments.

The magic: blowing up balloons with the bubbles of baking soda and vinegar.

The science: chemical reaction when you mix baking soda and vinegar can be used to blow up a balloon due to gas released.

It’s a fun learning activity for all ages. All you need is empty bottles, white vinegar, balloons, baking soda and food coloring (optional).

Fill half the balloons with baking soda and 1/3 to half the bottles with vinegar (the more you put the stronger the chemical reaction is). You can put food coloring in the vinegar for more fun, you can see better the reaction (bubbles).

Attach the balloon to the bottle, but don’t let the baking soda pour out just yet.

Empty out the baking soda and watch the reaction unfold. The combination of vinegar and baking soda will bubble up, and the gas released will blow up your balloon!

We had a lot of screams and laughter! It’s really magical for kids, you can explain the reaction to your kid according to his age. Nady who is 3 years and a half, knows by now that when you mix baking soda and vinegar, a gas is released and it inflates the balloon.

Enjoy this fun science project and expect not to stop until you run out of baking soda or vinegar!

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 interesting posts are yet to come.

Hasselback potatoes

Posted on June 12, 2016 | 1 comment

Hasselback potatoes or sliced baked potatoes are my new addiction now. Being a potato lover, and who doesn’t anyway, i guarantee you are going to make it right away!

They might look difficult to make but in fact they are absolutely simple. With a sharp knife, cut slits across the potato (well washed), about half a centimeter, taking care not to cut all the way through. This might be the most difficult part, while it’s really easy, all you need is to stop before the knife reaches too far.

And here is your accordion potato. I prepared 1.5 kg potato, for that you will need:

100g butter melted
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups cheddar cheese

Mix butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper and brush the potatoes, making sure you reach as well between the slices.

Bake on 250°C for half an hour and take it out to brush it with the remaining butter before you bake it again for half an hour. If your potato is too big, poke it to make sure it’s done, or you can leave it for more time. If you want crispy finish make very thin slits, all depend on your taste.

Take it out of the oven and gently open each slit to insert the cheese. I chose cheddar, you can also use parmesan or gruyere, or any melting cheese of your choice. Return to bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Hasselback potatoes are very versatile, you can add bacon, ground beef, eggs… anything that you find it pairing well with potato.

Top it with sour cream and serve it immediately while cheese is still melted and bubbling!

Now i will leave you to gorge on this…

If you like this post give it many likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

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Posted in appetizers & salads, main dish

Tagged baked potato, blog, butter, cheddar, cooking, garlic, hasselback potatoes, jaymmy, marmite et ponpon, recipe, sour cream

Achtalyeh – cream pudding

Posted on June 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

Achtalyeh, Lebanese cream pudding, is one of the most famous homemade dessert. Achta (arabic word) means cream, though its recipe doesn’t call for cream but i assure you it’s so creamy as in texture.

It might look a very simple dessert with ordinary ingredients, but when adding orange blossom water and mastic, the whole thing is taken to another level.

Heavenly texture, flavors and aromas in less than 10 minutes and with only 5 ingredients:

1 L milk
5 tbsp cornflour
2 tbsp sugar
mastic, 3 pebbles grounded
2 tbsp orange blossom water

Mix the milk, corn flour and sugar together and place over medium heat and keep stirring until the mixture becomes viscous then add the orange blossom and mastic. Whisk for a minute and take off the heat.

Pour in cups and let it cool to room temperature before putting in the fridge for at least 5 hours, or better for overnight.

Usually it’s served with sugar syrup if you fancy a really sweet dessert. To prepare this syrup you need:

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp orange blossom

Combine water, sugar and lemon juice. Place over medium heat to allow the sugar to melt, keep stirring until it starts to thicken. Add the orange blossom and remove from heat.

Sprinkle with crushed pistachio or almond and serve. Usually i prepare this dessert (without syrup) for my kids, they love it! You can skip adding mastic if you’re preparing it for your baby, it will still be so tasty. My 10 months old boy loves it, it’s a wholesome dessert for kids and also can replace the breakfast.

If you like this post give it many likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

Pomegranate and mandarin feta salad

Posted on May 26, 2016 | 1 comment

Summer is here, but having fun in the sun is a faraway dream when it hits the 50°C in Doha. Getting laid in the shade is a smarter idea where you can beat the heat with refreshing food and especially with a fruity salad.

Pomegranate and mandarin feta salad is a delicious and refreshing combination, and more than that it’s a wholesome option.

All you need is:(serves 2-4 people depending if served as main or side dish)

one medium lettuce (frisé type)
150g feta cheese cubed
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1 big mandarin (slices)
handful walnut

You will be surprised to tell you it’s a type of salad that you can have for breakfast, without dressing as the pomegranate and mandarin are juicy enough.

If you are having it for lunch, a vinaigrette or lemon mayo sauce goes well with it.

As you know pomegranate are low in calories and high in nutrition. It’s a cancer fighter fruit and improves the heart health.

The mandarin are a good source of Vitamin C, antioxidant and cancer fighter.

As for the walnut, this powerful antioxidant, promotes a healthy brain, fights cancer and improves the heart health.

Have you had your salad today? Don’t hesitate to try this colorful delicious and nutritious fun food. Eat healthy, stay healthy and the most important enjoy your food.

If you like this post give it many likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.