Tag Archives: citrus

Mandarin pound cake


IMG_5193I’ve been craving this tangy cake for long! A real pleasure to the palate, made with fresh mandarin (you can replace it with fresh oranges) and comes with a warning label: ADDICTIVE!

This pound cake is not just looking amazing but it’s also uber delicious;  As its name suggests, it’s citrusy, rich and buttery, and will surely please a lot of people. A lot of you would like NOW to pick a piece or two out of the screen.

IMG_5175This recipe calls for:

Cake batter:

  • 1cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (227g about 2 sticks)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup grated mandarin zest
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed mandarin juice
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tbsp rum

Mandarin syrup:

  • 1/2 cup mandarin juice
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Mandarin glaze:

  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed mandarin juice

Many times it happens a recipe calls for buttermilk and you realize you don’t have or find at the nearest supermarket. Luckily you can do it at home in just 5 minutes. All you need is a cup of milk and 1 tbsp of vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon. Pour the milk on the vinegar and let it rest for 5-10 mns. I am sure lot of you will never buy again buttermilk once you know this easy substitution. If the recipe calls for more than a cup of buttermilk you can easily double the quantity.

Heat the oven to 180°C. Grease and flour your bundt pan.

Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the eggs, one at a time, and the mandarin zest.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the mandarin juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Pour the batter in the pan and smooth the tops.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a wooden skewer comes out clean.

IMG_5206Meantime while the cake is getting baked, prepare the syrup: Cook 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with 1/2 cup mandarin juice in a small saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cake is done, let it cool for 10 minutes. Take it out of the pan and place it on a baking rack set over a tray. Spoon the mandarin syrup over and allow it to cool completely.

IMG_5197

 

 

To glaze, combine the confectioners sugar and mandarin juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Add a few more drops of juice, if necessary, to make it pour easily. Pour over the top and allow to dry.

Wrap well, and store in the refrigerator.

Now I am sure it won’t last long stored in your fridge but it will be a staple in it especially it’s spring time!

IMG_5195Happy Baking!

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scrumptious oven roasted chicken with herbs and citrus


herb and citrus oven roasted chicken

That perfect juicy meat and crispy skin in 40 minutes! You will swear it’s the juiciest flavorful chicken you ever tasted.

The wondrous aroma of coriander and citrus that perfumes the house provokes a feeling of excitement.

herb and citrus oven roasted chicken

You still don’t know what to cook for the weekend? Watch that golden brown and gleaming chicken! Simply elegant and inviting!

To try it you need:

  • 12-14 pieces of chicken (could be thighs, drumsticks or breast)
  • 4 medium potatoes sliced
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 2 lemons (one juiced and one sliced)
  • 1 sliced orange
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried coriander
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • fresh coriander for garnish

Directions:

In a bowl mix together oil, lemon, garlic, coriander, onion, salt and pepper.

Soak in the chicken for marination and transfer all to a baking plastic bag. Leave it for 3-4 hours or better for an overnight in the fridge.

scrumptious oven roasted chicken with herbs and citrus

Take your chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before it goes into the oven.

Preheat your oven to 220°C.

Place chicken in a baking dish and spread them evenly. Arrange slices of lemon, orange and potato around and under the chicken. Sprinkle with fresh coriander and drizzle a bit of olive oil.

scrumptious oven roasted chicken with herbs and citrus

Bake uncovered for about 40 to 45 minutes, et voila!!

scrumptious oven roasted chicken with herbs and citrus

Serve it with a big salad or with the famous lebanese tabboule. Click here for the recipe.

scrumptious oven roasted chicken with herbs and citrus

Enjoy!!!

scrumptious oven roasted chicken with herbs and citrus

 

tangy orange sesame chicken


orange sesame chickenA favorite dish of mine, involving crisp, fried chicken bites smothered in a wonderfully sweet and tangy orange sauce.

It’s an easy recipe, served in less than 30 minutes.

orange sesame seeds

Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggwhites
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 500g chicken breast cut in cubes
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 scallion trimmed and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh orange
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp soya sauce

In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, cornstarch, sesame seeds and salt until you get frothy and fluffy batter.

Using egg whites instead of whole eggs (or yolks) in the batter creates a crispier coating.

Add the chicken and toss to coat.

Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat.

Cook chicken until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Work in several batches, you don’t want your chicken to be cluttered.

Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

orange sesame chicken

Wipe the pan with a paper towel. Add orange juice, soy sauce, and sugar. Boil over high heat until a bit thick about 4 to 5 minutes.

Put chicken in sauce and add scallions.

scallion

orange sesame chicken

Cook until heated through and coated with sauce, about 1 minute.

orange sesame chicken

You can serve it like this or pair it with steamed rice.

orange sesame chicken

Damn it’s so delicious! the sauce has so much flavor.

I am a fan of asian cuisine and my husband prefers the italian one, i felt flattered when he said, “this is a very delicious dish you have to make it more often, thumbs up”!

orange sesame chicken