Tag Archives: recipe

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

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!

 

all berries no bake cheesecake


all berries cheese cake

No bake desserts are the best! Quick, easy and delicious. This creamy layered treat is one of the incredible indulgent sweet course. Each layer by itself is inviting. Follow me for a step by step tutorial:

To prepare the crust, put 250g of digestive biscuits into a food processor and blend until you get fine crumbs.

digestive

Add 80g of softened butter and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Mix well until you get sand like mixture.

all berries cheesecake

For the filling, blend 500g cream cheese (I use philadelphia cheese) with 1 cup of icing sugar. Once mixed well add 2 cups of whipping cream and zest of half a lemon. Whisk to become fluffy.

all berries cheesecake

For  individual portions, choose a glass or shooter of your choice to press the crust in the buttom. Add the cream cheese, then all berries jam and let it cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

all berries cheesecake

You can use any jam you favor; could be strawberry, blueberry or even caramel…..

all berries cheesecake

If you like frozen sweets, put it in the freezer for couple of hours before adding the jam. Trust me it will be your summer dessert, you will melt for it!

all berries cheesecake

 

 

 

You are going to love these cheesecakes. Enjoy!

all berries cheesecake

homemade paint to my little artist masterpiece


homemade paint

This homemade paint recipe is closer to paint dough due to the thick texture you get. But it all depends on how much you want to dilute it!

The original recipe calls for:

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 3/4 cup salt
  • 3/4 cup water
  • coloring gel (wilton as i always recommend)

Whisk together the water, flour, and salt, then add the coloring gel. The dough will be just barely pourable, if you want it less thick, add 1/4 cup of water. Pour the dough into squeeze bottles.

homemade paint

To take advantage of the nice weather (before going back to doha heat), we took everything we might need and we head to the closest parc to let my little artist create his colorful chef d’oeuvre!

homemade paint

To kick off the play, i handed him sponge cut outs to paint with. Knowing that after 5 minutes he will go excited and use only his hands. Let your child choose how to play, you can suggest new things or present new options, but he should be the boss. The most important is to talk to him while you play and you’ll help boost his language skills and widen his imagination.

homemade paint

Time for a messy play! I just sat down and watched him while naming the colors, textures, and things around us. He was enjoying squeezing the paint out of the bottles and mixing! Lots of mixing!

homemade paint

As always Nady likes to taste everything! That’s why i always prepare homemade recipes with edible ingredients to play with.

homemade paint

When we first played with noodles and playdough we had doubts he inherited my OCD tendancies, but this time i am sure he does 🙂 look how he always tidy the sponges!

homemade paint

After 45 minutes of painting, here is Nady’s chef d’oeuvre! I am really impressed!

homemade paint

Drying times will vary depending on the dough’s thickness!

homemade paint

homemade paint

It was such a fun and quality time together. Always spend time with your kids, this is the best you can do to them.