Tag Archives: how to do

how to make a classic homemade guacamole and tips to prevent browning


guacamole

First allow me to do some myth busting!

Adding citrus juice to the guacamole doesn’t prevent browning. We only put lemon for the taste. Yes this the truth! What really works is preventing its exposure to air. Oxygen turns avocados brown.

How you should restrict oxygen from spoiling your guacamole?!

Place the guacamole in a bowl and flatten with the back of spoon to remove any air pocket, cover it with 2 layers of plastic wrap pressed firmly against the guacamole and put it in the fridge.

I promise this will prevent browning for 3-4 hours.

For a basic guacamole you need:

  • one large ripe avocado
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • dash of salt to taste

Use a fork to mash the avocado. You can use a pastry blender, but i like my guacamole to be a little chunky.

guacamole

Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Why garlic powder, because it’s milder than the fresh one, it blends in better.

Add the lemon juice and the finely chopped onion. If you prefer guacamole with additional ingredients, you can stir in:

  • tomatoes
  • or cilantro
  • or peppers
  • or parsley….

But for me i like guacamole where the seasoned avocados are the only event!

Try my sizzling chicken fajitas recipe with this delicious guacamole.

chicken fajitas

refreshing cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar syrup


cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger syrup

It’s time to fly back to our nest in doha. Filling our luggage with lebanese goods and our hearts with ample dose of fun and love. It was a mahragénial* vacation!

Obviously, we can never get used to goodbyes, but we learnt to be optimistic with a “see you soon” shower of kisses.

We will miss you all so much until we meet again.  Antoun, here we come for sure!

As i greeted you from lebanon with the fresh lemonade, I will leave you with a fresher cantaloupe and watermelon salad with ginger sugar sauce.

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

To make this delicious salad you need: (yields 4 servings)

  • 2 cups watermelon (cut in balls shape)
  • 2 cups cantaloupe (cut in balls shape)

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

If you don’t have this special utensil, you can cut in cubes or wedges.

To make the ginger syrup you need:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh ginger sliced and left unpeeled

Bring to boil water, sugar and ginger then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and let it cool in the refrigerator.

Once the syrup is cold, soak in the cantaloupe and watermelon for at least an hour, keeping it in the refrigerator

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

Serve it cold and jazz it up with couple of mint leaves, not just for a beautiful presentation, but for the taste that it adds.

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauce

cantaloupe and watermelon in ginger sugar sauceStay tuned for more posts from doha. I won’t be late!

*mahragénial: is a composed word meaning splendid festivities, quoting Rawad Matar. I promised to use the word in my last post from lebanon.

  • mahragen مهرجان (arabic word) meaning festival
  • génial (french word) meaning brilliant

chalk spray art for your kids


chalk spray art

It’s a definite outdoor activity; so much fun but so messy, I am telling you! (but since it’s a washable paint don’t worry).

Lucky us we have a beautiful space at jeddo and teta house, but still my little artist manage to spray the walls, plants, curtains… leaving behind memorable pieces of art.

To make the chalk sprayable paint you need:

  • spraying bottles
  • 1/4 cup corn starch
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 3 cups warm water
  • food coloring gel (wilton as i always recommend)

You have to really mix well until all dissolved, and shake it before starting to spray.

chalk spray art

The world of water, colors and art provides a soothing sensory experience and it’s an excellent avenue for children to learn physical, cognitive and social skills. I love those kind of messy activities, It’s an important part of early education. Children will be given the tools to develop and practice fine motor skills, for instance, spraying bottles are great for developing kids tiny hand muscles.

chalk spray art

Get down on the floor with your child. You are the ultimate plaything, and any activity will seem more fun if your child can share it with you. Introduce the game and let your child improvise. But always talk to him while you play and you’ll help boost his language skills.

chalk spray art

chalk spray art

Chalk spray art develops concentration, problem-solving and planning. He learns how to aim correctly, but trust me in the beginning he will spray everywhere.

spray chalk art

This game is open ended. You can introduce the brush or your kid  favorite play thing. Nady decided to spray the balloons, his favorite toy. He was extremely happy!

spray chalk art

spray chalk art

spray chalk art

Small tip: If your bottle nozzles are clogging, means the inner tubing is touching the floor of the bottle. You only need to snip off a small piece of the tube so it doesn’t sit in the residual corn starch and get clogged.

Happy playing!

embellish your simple cheese appetizer


feta cheese appetizers

Appetizers are meant to stimulate your appetite! The more attractive they look, the more inviting they are. Embellish your simple cheese appetizer and let beauty be on your plate.

Mix feta cheese with dried thyme or italian herbs then shape them into balls. On a cracker (i used ritz) place a small frisé lettuce then the ball of cheese. Halve a cherry tomato and place it on top.

 feta cheese appetizer

Isn’t that too cute to eat? Impress your guests with simple and quick appetizers. I will post more ideas of beautiful and attractive starters. Stay tuned!

 

a welcome drink – traditional batrouni lemonade (laymounada batrounye)


lemonade

Batroun is a touristic destination in North Lebanon. My home town, a major destination for the beautiful beaches and the vibrant nightlife.

Batroun is known for its fresh lemonade, which is sold by most of the cafés and restaurants in the town. This simple drink made from lemons, sugar and water has many variations in different parts of the world.

IMG_0183

 

 

This version is the famous batrouni one:

  • juice of 4 big lemons (1 1/2 cup)
  • zest of one lemon
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 cups cold water

All i can say It’s about the technique:

lemonade

  • Wash the lemons and cut in four.
  • Add the sugar and squeeze the lemon wedges with your hands until they release half of the juice.
  • Add the zest of one large lemon and let the mix stands in the fridge for 15 minutes
  • Take it out and totally squeeze the lemons, strain the juice, add the water and mix until the sugar is totally melted. Et voila!

lemonade

The most refreshing and succulent lemonade.

Some like it more diluted, or more sweet or less sweet… It’s subject to taste. You can add orange blossom water too if you want to take it to another level. As you can add few mint leaves, but the traditional one is the simplest basic one.

If you have people visiting, a pitcher of fresh homemade lemonade is a traditional welcome drink especially on hot summer days!

lemonade

Daily consumption of 120 ml of lemon juice per day, when mixed with two liters of water, has been shown to reduce the rate of stone formation in people susceptible to kidney stone.

Batroun has the largest cup of lemonade (more than 5000 liters) to break Guinness world record! Enjoy and regards from Lebanon 🙂

lemonade