Tag Archives: easy cooking

Hearty shepherd pie


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In a previous post, i shared the recipe of batata soufflé, explaining that is the lebanese variation of the french dish “hachis parmentier” and the british dish “shepherd pie”.

Et voila the shepherd pie, a great comfort food recipe that’s easy to make!  For Lebanese people or to the one who knows the traditional lebanese dishes, you will notice that it’s a mix of “batata soufflé” and “bazella w riz” but instead of the rice it’s served with potato purée on top.

This recipe is so versatile, some add cheese or herbs and some add more veggies, gravy or broth. For marmite et ponpon recipe you will need: (serving 4-6 people)

  • 2 medium onion, medium diced
  • 1/4 cup celery and leek, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 250g minced beef
  • 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 large carrots coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup or almost 250g peas (frozen or canned)
  • salt to taste
  • 1 kg mashed potato (purée style with milk and butter)
  • dry mint to sprinkle on top
  • 1 cup grated parmesan

Cook onion, celery and leek with olive oil until tender and fragrant. Add mince beef and cook together until the meet is browned. Stir in tomato paste, carrots and  water then simmer for 20 minutes. I you are using frozen peas, add them to simmer for another 10-15 minutes but if you are putting the canned ones, you only need to simmer for another 2-3 minutes as they are already cooked and you don’t want them to melt in.

Pour them in a baking dish to cover with the mashed potato. Sprinkle some dried mint (almost 1 tsp) and grated parmesan and bake on 180°C for 15 minutes or until cheese is melt and golden.

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shepherd-piemarmite-et-ponpon

shepherd-piemarmite-et-ponpon

shepherd-piemarmite-et-ponpon

You don’t need to be expert or love cooking when you have a foolproof recipe. It’s an easy and flavorful dish, if you have kids i am sure they will love it. Don’t hesitate to try one new dish each week, food is always a great pleasure!

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.

shepherd-piemarmite-et-ponpon

Savoury Christmas tree – feta and thyme filling


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I bet on a Lebanese Christmas dinner table you can find 10452 kind of food, it’s not that we eat a lot, but we love and cherish good food. And since it’s a night for family reunion, all tastes should be satisfied!

I am someone who likes entrées, amuse bouches, salads…. and i like to add the festive look on the presentation for this special night that i believe it’s like no other! This year, I will be celebrating with my small family as we are not going home for this Christmas. My tiniest fans who are the most sincere fans and speaking the truth straight forward; it’s either yummy or yaki. So i had to try this feta zaatar (thyme) tree to see how many thumbs up i will get from Nady and Joud to avoid disappointment on Christmas eve! And lucky me I got 6 thumbs up counting in my husband 🙂

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It’s very easy to prepare and can be presented in less than 20 minutes, to be eaten in 2 minutes 🙂 Few ingredients are needed, as: puff pastry, zaatar, olive oil, feta cheese crumbled or cut in small cubes, and one egg for the wash.

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Roll out the dough on a parchment paper and cut 2 equal tree shape. Brush one tree with zaatar and olive oil, sprinkle the feta and cover with the second tree. Cut parallel and equal lines on both sides of the tree as the photo shows. Twist each part to do the branches and press it down to the parchment paper. Brush with the egg wash and bake on 200°C for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

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There is no accurate amount for the ingredients, as you can make the tree the size you want, and put zaatar and cheese as per your taste! I told you it’s very easy and quick. Try it, i am sure it will add more fun to your Christmas table, and more yummy to your tummy.

Don’t forget to add some decoration on the side. Beauty is in details!

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If you really like this post give it many likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More festive posts are yet to come. Ho Ho Ho!