Tag Archives: blog

irresistible sablé aux abricots

Posted on April 30, 2014 | 8 comments

Sablé (a french word meaning sand), is a shortbread biscuit. It’s called “sablé” because of the sandy texture you get when you rub the butter, flour and sugar together before adding the eggs.

These delicious sablés are filled with homemade apricot jam and flavoured with lemon zest. Simply irresistible!

They are so tempting that am sure you’re going to the kitchen the minute you finish reading the ingredients.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
250g butter
2 whole eggs
2 tbsp powdered milk
1 tsp vanilla
zest of one lemon

Method:

Mix butter, flour and sugar, and rub them until they become like sand. Add the eggs one by one then powdered milk, vanilla and lemon zest. Mix well until you get a consistent dough. I recommend to put it for half an hour in the fridge before shaping the rounds (5mm thickness). Don’t forget to make equal number of rounds with a hole in the middle for the upper part. Place them on a parchment paper and bake for 15-20 mns on 175°C.

P.S: For the people who don’t have the cutters, they can use a glass cup to cut the big circles and the cap of a bottle of water to make the hole on the upper one.

When they cool down to room temperature fill them with any jam of your preference, i used apricot jam that my mom made, then sprinkle icing sugar (or powdered sugar) on the top.

Thesy are so seductive! Don’t you agree?!

8 Comments

Posted in dessert

Tagged abricot, apricot, biscuit, blog, butter, cooking, dessert, jam, jaymmy, lemon zest, marmite et ponpon, recipe, sablé, shortbread, sugar flour, sweets

jungle playdough – Introducing the playdough to your toddler for a great sensory learning and fine motor skills

Posted on April 29, 2014 | Leave a comment

Today we are using the playdough we made yesterday. Click playdough recipe for more details.

Playdough brings out the fun and creativity in your kids, there are open ended games great for hands on, sensory learning. The first very basic game with the playdough consists of introducing the texture to just squeeze and poke . We are all sensory creatures, especially kids they use all their senses when learning something new.

Introducing playdough to your kids can start from age of 15 months. At this age they are not able to create shapes yet, so don’t expect your baby to grab it and start playing. It’s a bit disappointing in the beginning, he can throw it or reject it. Nady was giving me faces and keep on throwing it! You need a gentle introduction, that’s why putting his favorite toys with it can help for more fun.

Nady is learning colors and animals. Jungle playdough is a great fun idea for his first experience.

We started by creating the jungle and introducing the animals one by one inserting their legs in the playdough!

Adding some broccoli trees created a realistic atmosphere. As said Nady likes to taste everything, and he loves broccoli!

Poking sticks in the playdough was so much fun we used popsicle sticks. It’s a great way to encourage his motor skills.

We were shaping balls for him to poke with the sticks.

Mommy loves playdough too! It’s important to talk while playing and introducing new words like squeeze, poke, naming the colors or the things around us. Nady loves the music, we were singing all the time too 🙂

Daddy decided to introduce the legos as well (his favourite).

First he was showing him how to print the lego pattern then he filled them with the playdough and Nady was trying to take it out.

This way we extended more the fun, and we all participated in the play!

When you decide to introduce playdough to your baby or toddler, just make sure it’s safe and at a right pace without pushing too fast.

DIY homemade playdough (pate a modeler) – kids safe recipe

Posted on April 28, 2014 | 4 comments

Making playdough at home is easier than you think. A healthy way to ensure your kids safety. All you need is couple of ingredients and 10 minutes of your time and let the fun and creativity begin.

Ingredients: (make about 2 cups)

1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 tsp cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil
food coloring

In a sauce pan combine all dry ingredients then add water, oil and food coloring. Mix well until no lumps show.

Cook over medium heat and stir constantly until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticky. This will take almost 3-4 minutes.

Remove from the pan and keep to cool before kneading until smooth.

This playdough can stay long if you store it properly. Wrap it with cling film and keep it in a locked container or simply put it in a plastic zipper bag at room temperature.

This playdough is 100% safe if your kid wants to taste. My boy is still under 2 years he likes to taste everything, i make sure we always play with edible or safe games.

Stay tuned, i will post tomorrow one of many playdough games that we do:

Jungle pate a modeler (playdough) game

4 Comments

Posted in DIY, way to play

Tagged blog, DIY, homemade playdough, jaymmy, marmite et ponpon, pate a modeler, playdough, recipe, safe playdough

How to add fresh fruits to your green salad – 4 succulent combinations

Posted on April 24, 2014 | Leave a comment

Introducing a fresh fruit to your simple leafy salad transforms it to a delicious and non ordinary dish.

Pomegranates, apples, oranges or strawberries pair well with cheese and nuts. Add any type of fruit you like, a handful nut of your choice or cheese and expect an interesting sweetness, that will go beautifully with the crunchiness of the vegetables.

it’s not just the delicious taste that will invite you to dig in but also the beautiful colors.

Here are 4 of my favorite salads that I prepare frequently:

Goat cheese and pomegranate salad

Mix greens (rucola, frisée, boston)
Goat cheese
Pomegranate
Walnut

Apple chevrette salad

Lettuce
Red apple
Chevrette cheese
Walnut

Goat cheese and strawberries salad

Mix greens (rucola, frisée, red romain)
Goat cheese
Strawberry
Walnut

Tangy crab salad

Iceberg and romaine lettuce
Shredded crab
Avocado
orange
grapefruit

These pretty salads could be served with balsamic or lemon mayo.

It’s a pleasure to the palate and the eye. Enjoy!

ooey gooey goodness! mac n cheese

Posted on April 23, 2014 | 2 comments

Indulge in my favorite comfort food, the creamy gooey mac n cheese. Super rich, you can’t get enough of it, but prepare yourself for 2 days fasting after that 🙂

Saying it’s the best mac n cheese, has no exaggeration! Try my no fail recipe!

Ingredients:

400g elbow macaroni
500ml milk
250 ml heavy cream
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp butter
150g shredded cheddar cheese
150g shredded mozarella
150g shredded gruyere
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
a dash of nutmeg (optional)

Cook the pasta 3 minutes less than the written directions. Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions. You don’t want it mushy, it will absorb from the milk and cream in the oven.

In a pot combine milk, cream, garlic powder, salt, nutmeg and flower and then bring it to heat, this way you don’t get lumps.

Whisk it until they start to get viscous then add the butter to melt. Remove the pot from the heat and add the cheese.

Set the cheese sauce aside for 6-7 minutes then add the macaroni.

Heat the oven to 350ºC.

Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Scatter breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until browned, about 25 minutes.

It serves 4 people for main dish and 8 for a side one. You can easily cut in half the ingredients. But trust me you don’t want to. Thinking of leftovers for dinner or next day lunch will make you feel better.