Tag Archives: cheese

How to host a Raclette party at home

Posted on December 30, 2015 | 2 comments

Raclette is a type of cow milk cheese, consumed in Switzerland and France. It’s commonly used for melting in small pans known as coupelles that are placed under a specialized grill looking like an electric table-top grill. Then the slices of melted raclette are poured over veggies, pickles, charcuterie and meat. Served with wine to seal the deal!

Throwing a raclette party at home is the most fun thing. Tomorrow is new year, and with kids outing became a bit difficult; We are hosting at home a raclette concept party.

Not going so much traditional, we are not just melting raclette, we got gruyere, mozzarella, gouda and brie. You can use any cheese of your choice that melts. As for the side ingredients with the cheese, you can go as much creative as you want; go for anything that pairs well with your choice of cheese.

My favorite raclette ingredients that i am serving :

Veggies (fingerling potatoes, sliced courgettes, sliced aubergines, sliced mushrooms, asparagus spears, broccoli florets, sliced capsicum, onion rondelles and cherry tomatoes). You can precook them if you want to save time.
Fruits (melon, strawberry and grapes)
Pickles (cornichons, pearl onions, jalapenos and olives) you can add to this list anything pickled that you fancy
Meat (strips of beef, bresaola, salami)
Condiments (salt, pepper, basil, rosemary and oregano)
Nuts (walnut), the crunch of nuts is a tasty contrast to the creaminess of cheese.

You can simply pour the melted cheese over these ingredients or include baguette slices.

If you want to end your dinner with a dessert, melt chocolate and marshmallows to satisfy your sweet tooth. With fruits you can take it to the next level.

Hopefully this post was beneficial to you whether it’s your first time to have a raclette or you are already a connoisseur. Enjoy it, nothing says happiness more than cheese 🙂

With this post and being the 7th most viral blog for 2015 (in lebanon), i wrap up this year, wishing you a beautiful new one ahead full of blessings, joy, good health and new exciting events in your life.

If you wish to see me again among the top Lebanese bloggers in 2016, like my post and give it some 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. See you in 2016!!

2 Comments

Posted in appetizers & salads, DIY, special occasions

Tagged bread, cheese, DIY, fruits, homemade, jaymmy, marmite et ponpon, meat, nuts, pickles, raclette, veggies, wine

“Mini chef in the kitchen” 3- Easy and quick as 10 mns cheese bechamel spaghetti

Posted on May 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

Beside preparing a delicious dish, it’s also important to be an easy and quick one to keep your mini chef focused and entertained.

I believe the majority of kids are fan of spaghetti. It’s one of my son’s few favorite dishes because peppa pig loves it! Today’s recipe will not take more than 10 minutes the time of boiling the pasta.

To make this yummy dish you need: (for 2)

150g spaghetti
1 1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup emmental cheese
dash of salt (optional)

Cook the spaghetti as per the pack instructions. Meanwhile, in a casserole mixmilk and flour until it’s well combined then bring to heat.

Keep on whisking until you see the first bubbles (2-3 minutes) add the butter and cheese(optional) and mix all well (less than a minute). Turn off the heat as the cheese is totally melt in and the sauce became thick. Toss in the drained pasta and let your kid enjoy the rewards of his efforts.

If you put emmental, disregard the salt, but if your kid is not fan of cheese, add a dash of salt to flavor it.

As i mention in every “mini chef in the kitchen” post, this activity provides your kids with plenty of opportunities to learn.Click on benefits of cooking with your kids to know more about it.

I hope you have a good time with your kids. Enjoy 🙂

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.

To “nouilles” lovers – (creamy chicken tagliatelle)

Posted on September 2, 2014 | 5 comments

If you try to google “nouilles” without “lebanese” you will not find any recipe near to the one our mums cook. I don’t know why it’s called nouilles it’s not even an arabic word, but you can call it in other words, creamy chicken tagliatelle.

Very simple and easy recipe, but it takes time and care. When you savour it, you will know why it’s one of the favorite dishes for the majority of the lebanese.

The nouilles as we know it: (yields 6-8 servings)

500g tagliatelle
200g ham cut in pieces (optional)
100g parmesan or mozzarella
1 kg chicken (boneless thighs or breast) cut in pieces
1 tbsp butter
1 cup sliced mushroom
1 small onion chopped finely
1/2 cup white wine
salt to taste

For the cream sauce:

4 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
6 tbsp flour
100g butter
salt to taste
dash of nutmeg (optional)

Cook the tagliatelle as per pack instructions for al dente, it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and keep aside.

Heat the butter and cook the onion and mushrooms until fragrant (3-4 minutes) then add the chicken and keep cooking until almost done. Add the wine (for a deeper flavor) and cook until half the liquid is evaporated.

To make the sauce, heat the butter until melted but not colored. Add the flour and cook for few minutes until light golden brown. Add the milk and cream one cup at a time and whisk continuously until smooth. Bring to boil then cook for 30 seconds before removing from heat. Season with salt and nutmeg (optional). If you are cheese lover, you can add a handful grated parmesan to the bechamel to give it rich flavor.

Stir in the chicken and ham (I mentioned that the ham is optional for the people who doesn’t like the taste) and pour over the tagliatelle and mix until all components are well incorporated.

Put the mix in a baking dish and sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake (on 180°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Enjoy the pleasure on a plate, indulge in rich flavors and sahtein a la libanaise!

5 Comments

Posted in main dish

Tagged blog, cheese, chicken, ham, how to cook, jaymmy, lebanes nouilles, marmite et ponpon, mushroom, recipe, tagliatelle, white wine

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.

A small tip: you can choose any cheese you like, but make sure you always put gruyere or sharp cheddar for a deep flavor.

Bon appetit!

2 Comments

Posted in main dish

Tagged blog, cheddar, cheese, comfort food, cooking, gruyere, how to do, jaymmy, mac n cheese, macaroni, marmite et ponpon, mozarella, pasta, recipe

cheese mouse breakfast

Posted on March 7, 2014 | 2 comments

Nothing is worth the look on your baby’s face when he sees this breakfast! it’s friday meaning it’s the weekend in Qatar. No work, no nursery let’s have fun. It’s breakfast time.