Tag Archives: blog

sail away with paper boats

Posted on July 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

Sail into summer with fun paper boats. Such a fun water activity, sailing boats into water streams played magic on me when i was a kid.

Since we arrived to lebanon, i wanted to take Nady to this specific place where i used to play when i was his age or even bigger.

The sound of water flowing increases the energy and causes great eagerness! With less than a dollar you can make 20 colored boats to launch in this cool water.

Here is a detailed tutorial paper boat craft:

Fold an A4 paper in half. Again fold from both sides to the middle two side triangles to make like the roof of a house.

Fold up the rectangular part under the triangle from both sides. Fold the edges to the inside to make hat shape.

Fold the hat exactly in the middle, then fold up the edges (triangles) from both sides. Again if you open it it looks like a hat.

Open the hat sideways, et voila the beautiful paper boat!

The multi colored boats and the green on the sides of the water stream created a charming frame! If you don’t have natural water streams nearby, you can play by the sides of a pool or even in the bathtub to make the shower more fun.

We could stay forever playing, sensory water activities are endless, as i always say it’s one of the most exciting things to explore! Even when all the boats sailed away, Nady found another game to stay by the stream. Throwing stones in the water! Yes splash, slosh and slop! He was so excited he just wanted to soak his hands in the cold water…

Imagine how exciting and fun playing with water!

Tomates – cerises (cherry tomato) salad

Posted on July 21, 2014 | 1 comment

As promised, here is an adaptation of the tomates cerises salad that i first tasted at la maison de la foret in “tawlet bkassine” restaurant www.tawletbkassine.com

So delicious, couldn’t get enough of it. We need:

300g cherry tomato cut in halves
two small shallot or white onion cut a la julienne. For more information of which type of onion to use click onion guide
handful of mint leaves
handful of basil leaves
handful pine seeds roasted
handful dried raisin soaked in water for 15 mns at least

Mix all with a dash of salt and olive oil drizzle. If you are a fan of lemon you can add one tbsp as well.

As i always say, a healthy salad doesn’t mean a boring salad! Enjoy health on your plate!

1 Comment

Posted in appetizers & salads

Tagged blog, cherry tomato, dried raisin, jaymmy, la maison de la foret, marmite et ponpon, pine seeds, recipe, salad, tawlet bkassine, tomates cerises

La maison de la foret – Bkassine (south Jezzine) – South Lebanon

Posted on July 19, 2014 | Leave a comment

” It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone” – Gandhi

This famous quote came to my mind after crossing more than 70 km from Beirut to reach Bkassine, this beautiful charming village south of jezzine (south Lebanon). Thinking to my self there should be something really fascinating about this eco-touristic piece of heaven “la maison de la forêt” to be far from the crowd and yet succeeding.

Few are the places that captures my heart and am not an easy to please person. I admit i fell in love with this jewel nestled in the heart of the largest pine forest in Bkassine.

“A home with nature”.

Absolutely true. A lovely team greeted us with a warm welcome, made us feel at a fresher home. If it wasn’t our last days of vacation, we would have stayed and slept in one of their beautiful bungalows or tents in this evergreen escape… If it is up to me i can spend a night “a la belle etoile” enjoying the enchanting mesmerizing nature.

“Tawlet”, their amazing authentic lebanese restaurant, where i can use all the culinary lexicon to describe how succulent and delish the food is. Couldn’t get enough of their “tomates – cerises” salad and “rose water” drink. I promise to post the “tomates – cerises” recipe soon.

If you wish to escape from the routine of life and indulge in an unforgettable experience, visit “la maison de la foret” where nature tickles your soul.

Finally, hats off to Gilbert, you made this experience memorable. You are far more than professional, you represent the hospitality and generosity of the south. Thanks to your team, Maher, Georges, Raafat, Dani and to the beautiful Eliana, Myriam and Viviane. Until we meet again… Love always

succulento caprese pasta salad

Posted on July 9, 2014 | 3 comments

A brilliant dose of colors on your plate brings life to your dish and health to your life! Original caprese salad was made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green. Caprese pasta salad is deep in colors and flavors!

Basil is a highly fragrant plant, it has become one of the most recognizable herbs ever since pesto.
Cherry tomatoes are a treasure of riches when it comes to their antioxidant benefits. Intake of tomatoes has long been linked to heart health. And who doesn’t fall in love with buffalo mozzarella, that soft, delicate cheese of southern Italy.

To make this salad you need: (4 persons)

500g spaghetti cooked as per the pack instructions
pesto sauce (click to get redirected to the recipe)
200 g cherry tomato cut in half
350g buffalo mozzarella
salt and pepper to taste
garlic oil/ chilli oil (optional)

Mix all the ingredients and serve it as entree or main dish

One of my favorite cuisine and my comfort zone in cooking! I always had a leaning towards italian food! I confess i am a pasta and pizzaholic.

3 Comments

Posted in appetizers & salads, main dish

Tagged basil, blog, caprese pasta salad, jaymmy, marmite et ponpn, mozzarella, olive oil, pasta, pesto, recipe

chocolate volcano cake au coeur coulant

Posted on July 8, 2014 | 4 comments

Molten chocolate cake, chocolate fondant cake, lava cake…. Many attractive names for one succulent addictive cake that melts your heart with it.

If you are planning for a romantic dessert, this is a heavenly one with its divine melting texture.

You will need: (recipe yields 7-8 ramekins)

200g dark chocolate cut in small pieces
4 large eggs
10 tbsp granulated sugar
8 tbsp softened butter
6 tbsp flour
2 tbsp creme fraiche

Melt the chocolate then add the butter. Whisk eggs with sugar, and add it slowly to the chocolate butter. Add the flour and finally the creme fraiche.

Lightly coat the ramekins with butter, then dust with granulated sugar. Distribute the batter evenly in the coated ramekins.

Place in the fridge for 4-5 hours. Take it out to bake it for 20 minutes in a 300°C oven. Take out from oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Use a sharp knife to scrape along the edge of the cake before inverting onto a plate. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with strawberries.

Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and let the chocolate mania start!

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