marmite et ponpon

all berries no bake cheesecake

Posted on August 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

You are going to love these cheesecakes. Enjoy!

homemade paint to my little artist masterpiece

Posted on August 6, 2014 | 4 comments

This homemade paint recipe is closer to paint dough due to the thick texture you get. But it all depends on how much you want to dilute it!

The original recipe calls for:

3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup salt
3/4 cup water
coloring gel (wilton as i always recommend)

Whisk together the water, flour, and salt, then add the coloring gel. The dough will be just barely pourable, if you want it less thick, add 1/4 cup of water. Pour the dough into squeeze bottles.

To take advantage of the nice weather (before going back to doha heat), we took everything we might need and we head to the closest parc to let my little artist create his colorful chef d’oeuvre!

To kick off the play, i handed him sponge cut outs to paint with. Knowing that after 5 minutes he will go excited and use only his hands. Let your child choose how to play, you can suggest new things or present new options, but he should be the boss. The most important is to talk to him while you play and you’ll help boost his language skills and widen his imagination.

Time for a messy play! I just sat down and watched him while naming the colors, textures, and things around us. He was enjoying squeezing the paint out of the bottles and mixing! Lots of mixing!

As always Nady likes to taste everything! That’s why i always prepare homemade recipes with edible ingredients to play with.

When we first played with noodles and playdough we had doubts he inherited my OCD tendancies, but this time i am sure he does 🙂 look how he always tidy the sponges!

After 45 minutes of painting, here is Nady’s chef d’oeuvre! I am really impressed!

Drying times will vary depending on the dough’s thickness!

It was such a fun and quality time together. Always spend time with your kids, this is the best you can do to them.

4 Comments

Posted in DIY, way to play

Tagged blog, DIY, homemade paint, jaymmy, marmite et ponpon, paint, recipe, way to play

fondue chocolate: 2 ingredients and less than 2 minutes

Posted on August 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

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.

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.

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!

DIY- suave lavender sachets

Posted on August 4, 2014 | 4 comments

The English word lavender is derived from the french word lavande, ultimately from the Latin lavare (to wash).

It is grown as a condiment and used in salads and dressings. The flowers yield abundant nectar from which bees make a premium honey.

Lavender is used extensively with aromatherapy. Infusions are believed to soothe insect bites, burns, and headaches. Lavender aroma repels insects. In pillows, lavender seeds and flowers aid sleep and relaxation.

Since i was a kid i always found between my cloths sachets of lavender. My grandmother used to sew them to scent the cloths, drawers and pillows. Not only does it smell good, but it’s also a natural bug and moth repellent.

This craft held a sweet nostalgia to these old days, and especially to my grandma rose, god bless her and keep her!

To make these beautiful sachets, cut two same-sized pieces of fabric, preferably linen (mine are about 12x10cm ).

Place them back-to back inside out and sew them together from three sides. Keep one side open to fill it with the lavender seeds.

If you don’t know how to use the sewing machine, just handle the job to someone professional to make it for you. I used the help of my friend.

Lace, ribbons or bows will give it this elegant touch. You can even use colorful textile, but always remember it should be a breathable one to let the scent come out, linen is the best!

Then turn them the right way out and fill with dried lavender through the side you have left open, then sew it to close it up.

These sachets turned out to be so beautiful that i feel bad to just put them in the closet or the drawers! Don’t you agree?!

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Posted in design, DIY

Tagged blog, DIY, jaymmy, lavender, marmite et ponpon, pouches, sachet

thyme goat cheese and bake rolls salad

Posted on August 1, 2014 | 1 comment

Salads are so versatile, can be served at any point during the meal, they can be appetizers, side dish or even a main dish! All i can say, salads and summer go really well; light, nutritious and refreshing. Go as much creative as you wish, mix the ingredients that you like, drizzle your favorite dressing and enjoy!

Thyme goat cheese and bake rolls salad is so easy to adapt and takes less than 10 minutes!

lettuce of your choice (i used frisé)
avocado
tomato
black olives
bake rolls
and of course the goat cheese, i cut them in slices and dipped them in dry thyme

Lemon mayo dressing tastes beautiful with it!