Tag Archives: qatar

Advent calendar – Santa claus beard

Posted on December 1, 2016 | 1 comment

Welcome to that time of the year that works magic on my serotonin! They say in each one of us there is a hidden child… mine really likes to have an appearance around Christmas time.

…Everything gets dressed in festive look; windows at the shops are more joyful, same food and desserts taste better, red and green are not just ordinary colors anymore and all eyes are on that enchanting sky hoping to see the red nose between the stars…

It’s the time when we all pause and reconsider our values, belief and attitude.

It’s the perfect quality and happiest time with the family, especially for those living abroad, but unfortunately this year we can’t make it back home for the reunion… It’s sad we are not sharing this Christmas with the family, but thinking positively, Santa got me an early gift this year, I have a new friend. And this is what Christmas is all about; something new and precious is born…

Today is the first day of the festive month and i am aaaaaaall ready for Christmas, this buzzword “Christmas” you will be reading zillion times in my posts during December until we reach the D day. So let’s start the countdown folks!

This year i have to prepare 2 advent calendars, one for Nady and one for Joud! They are both about Santa’s beard; one is trimming it while counting down to reach Christmas and the other about growing it, since Joud is only 16 months and can’t use scissors, sticking cotton balls on the beard was a good and fun idea for his age.

If you are wondering about the fun part, the daily sweet or toy, Nady will find it written behind each strip he will cut and Joud will collect it from the christmas tree 🙂

If your kid’s age let you take the advent calendar to the next level, don’t just offer sweets or toys, you can teach them the real meaning of Christmas by putting words of values (such as faith, forgiveness….) instead or along with the daily surprise.

Click here to download the trimming option and click here for the growing one.

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!

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Posted in design, DIY, special occasions, way to play

Tagged advent calendar, art and craft blogger, beirut, christmas, countdown, craft, create, design, DIY, doha, festive season, kids activity, kids blog, lebanon, qatar, Santa Claus, santa's beard, way to play

A five minutes lazy cake bahamas

Posted on November 23, 2016 | 1 comment

This lazy cake (some call it biscuits au chocolat or gateau froid) without doubt, will be a staple in your fridge. When talking about winning combos, we shouldn’t undermine the marriage power of chocolate and banana!

A classic lazy cake is already a hit, I always wondered how it will turn out if i stir in some bananas, and here is the day i dared trying it. Trust me it’s heaven in your mouth.

All you need is:

75g butter
200g dark chocolate chopped
1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder
1 cup caster sugar
2 bananas ripe (mashed with a fork)
40 pieces biscuit marie

Heat butter and chopped chocolate until melted, you can do it in a heat prood bowl in the microwave or simply in a pot on a medium heat. Stir in cocoa powder and sugar, whisk until sugar is melted. Take off the heat then add bananas and finally crush each biscuit in 4 and toss in the chocolate banana sauce.

Fold gently so you don’t crush the biscuits in tiny pieces until all of them are well coated. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap to put the biscuits and chocolate, this way it will have a rectangular shape, easy to cut. Depending on how thick you want your cake to be, use the convenient mold size, mine is 11¨. With the back of a spoon (or your hand) shape the mixture in the loaf pan.

Refrigerate at least for 3 hours, take it out, unwrap, cut in slices using a sharp knife and savor!

Some people like to sprinkle over icing sugar before serving, it’s not a bad idea actually, it makes it look more festive and appetizing. You can serve with roasted walnut as well, it goes well with chocolate and banana.

It’s a new recipe to add in my creations, i am sure i will revisit more often, it’s a real pleasure to the palate. When you try it, i would love to have your opinion, don’t hesitate to write for me.

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 interesting posts are yet to come.

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Posted in dessert

Tagged bahamas, banana, beirut, biscuits au chocolate, blog, blogger, chocoholic, chocolate, chocolicious, doha, easy and fast, food blogger, food photography, food porn, how to do, jaymmy, lazy cake, lebanon, marmite et ponpon, no bake, qatar, recipe

M&M wheels experience – little scientist

Posted on November 14, 2016 | Leave a comment

Experimental science, one of the favorite activities that Nady really enjoys and looks forward to! He is absolutely fascinated by science, for him it’s magic, mystery and fun. I totally understand him since we share same interest and enthusiasm, i am as passionate as him when experiencing something for the first time 🙂

It’s been a while i see on the net the M&M experience, so i decided to take it to another level and make it more interesting and fun.

Already having the M&M creating those colorful streams when melting with warm water is something, but what if we make it as the bicycle wheels to create optical illusion?!

First draw the bicycle and use two white plates as wheels. Place the M&M in circle then pour inside each circle warm water.

mm-wheel-experience-little-scientist-marmite-et-ponpon

Watch how the melting M&M start forming rays/ streams of colors inside of the wheel

Place one M&M in the center to make it look like a real wheel

Watch out not to shake the plates to keep the lines defined. Nady was so excited he moved the plates, that’s why you see the colors a bit mixed. But it’s ok, it’s not the end of fun 🙂

And here is our beautiful bicycle, that looks like moving. Isn’t it?

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.

Thai chicken noodles with sesame and sweet soy sauce

Posted on October 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

I must admit that i approach any Thai meal with blind faith! I mentioned before my devotion and love to Thai food and how it tickles my senses with all its beauty, colors and aromas.

I like to cook all types of cuisines but when it comes to Thai, i believe it’s kind of art and every dish is a master piece. This colorful sesame chicken noodles is so flavorful and easy to come together!

You will need: (4 servings)

400g noodles cooked as per pack instructions
500g chicken breast cubed or cut lengthwise
one big onion chopped coarsely
1/3 cup sesame oil
2 big carrots cut thin and lengthwise (about 1 cup)
2 medium capsicum (green and red) cut in medium squares (about 1/2 cup)
1 /2 cup red cabbage chopped coarsely
1/2 cup sweet soy sauce
2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp water
2 scallions chopped coarsely (about 1/2 cup)
4-5 mushroom sliced (about 1/2 cup)
sesame seeds for garnish

Heat up the oil then add chicken and onion, stir-fry until onion is fragrant and chicken starts to turn opaque. Add carrots, capsicum and cabbage to cook for 3-4 minutes. Pour in sweet soy, sweet chili, white vinegar and water and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the veggies starts to get a bit tender. Stir in scallions and mushroom then simmer again for another 2-3 minutes.

Serve with cooked noodles (or if you prefer steamed rice) after sprinkling some sesame seeds on top (as per your taste).

It’s quick, served in 20 mns and not complicated at all. A delicious dish packed with deep flavors. It’s the type of dishes, while eating, i wish to have leftovers for next meal!

Don’t hesitate to try it and give me your opinion.

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.

Caprese quiche

Posted on August 26, 2016 | 1 comment

This luscious caprese quiche is always a hit! A crazy delicious filling in a flaky homemade crust that will make you fall in love with quiches. Get ready to hit the kitchen as soon as you see this post.

To bake a 12″ (30cm) quiche you will need:

2 large eggs (or 3 regular)
200 ml cream
200g shredded mozzarella
1 cup coarsely chopped basil (plus a handful basil leaves for garnish)
1 tsp salt
2 cups cherry tomatoes (around 20 pieces cut in halves)
200g fresh mozzarella

Roll out the dough and bake for 15 minutes.

Mix eggs, cream, shredded mozzarella, basil and salt and pour over the dough. Place tomatoes and fresh mozzarella evenly and bake for 45 minutes. Take out and garnish with basil leaves.

Very easy for such beauty, isn’t it? Plus you can’t go wrong with this unapologetically rich and festive quiche. Serve it for any meal of the day and i am sure you will get hooked on it. Each bite is packed with all the flavors depth. Paired with a salad, makes a satisfying supper on its own.

An ideal table center piece!

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.