31 March 2012

Weekend goodies

Ahhhh.  Saturday.  It's a magical day.  Commencing the weekend proper and bringing a myriad of hopes and plans with it.  In my world, the weekend actually starts on Friday evening.  Right around the time D gets home from work.  :o)  Still, Saturday; a glorious day indeed!



I found some pretty neat things during the past week that filled me with glee!  I hope you find some glee amongst them for yourselves.
We're off a-visiting this weekend, so I thought it would be fitting to leave a nice chocolate cake recipe.  A decadent hostess gift perhaps?  Bonus: it's almost completely idiot proof.  Almost.  

Happy weekend!







DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE (dairy free)

1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 1/2 tsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chunks

Heat oven to 350 degrees C.  Grease a square 9x9" pan.  Mix dry ingredients together.  Add wet ingredients and combine well. Sprinkle in chocolate chips and mix.  Pour into pan and bake for about 45 minutes until firm.  Remove and let cool.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with strawberries.  :o)

29 March 2012

A dash of orange blossom water



Around Easter-time is usually the time where Lebanese homes break out their Maamoul skills.  Maamoul is a traditional dome-shaped shortbread pastry cookie filled with dates, walnuts or pistachios and dusted with powdered sugar.  (See any downside yet?  I thought so.)  Not being one to relish last-minute rushing, I decided to get an early start.



I am loathe to share recipe I used.  Why, you ask?  Because of the myriad of Lebanese baking experts who a) could easily serve me a generous portion of humble pie, and b) likely have much better renditions to offer.  That being said, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, I am determined to post it nonetheless.  Just consider yourselves warned.  (Oh, and if you be Lebanese and likely a gourmet chef in your own right, both of which I am not, I crave your indulgence.)



Now that I've sufficiently covered my back, I will say that I found this recipe to be a melt-in-your-mouth explosion of buttery goodness.  Positively epicurean!  As you can see, my son M was recruited to help bang the mold.  Initially he was helping form the whole cookie (can you tell which ones he made?), but the banging just got too exciting and he left his post to be crowned "official maamoul banger".  



One of the coolest things about this project for me was finding out about some of the traditions surrounding maamoul.  Here are a few tidbits, courtesy of Fouad Kassab:
  • The wooden mold (oops, I used plastic!) symbolizes the cross of Jesus
  • The patterned mold represent the sponge used to give Christ vinegar
  • The inside is an explosion of sweetness to symbolize the Resurrection... also kind of paralleling Christ lying in the tomb (outside cookie) but rising on the third day (inside filling).  :o)
So, without further ado, though still quite reluctantly, here's the piece de resistance... aka: my recipe.




MAAMOUL

2 cups fresh unsalted butter, melted (but cooled afterwards)
3 cups flour
4 cups fine semolina
1 pinch salt
1 pinch baking soda
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp orange blossom water
~1 cup water 

Filling:
2 cups finely chopped walnuts (or pistachios)
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp orange blossom water (or plain water)

Mix semolina, flour, salt, baking powder and sugar together.  Rub in butter with fingers until mixture is homogeneous and resembles fine meal.  Cover dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 1-2 hours.  (This softens the semolina.)  Sprinkle orange water over the dough and then drizzle a little more than 3/4 a cup of water uniformly on the dough.  Mix lightly with a fork until just combined - like pie dough.  Don't overwork dough or cookies will end up chewy... take it from me and my first round failure experience!  Perhaps knead it 10 times maximum?  (If necessary add a little more water.)  Dough might be a little crumbly and that's fine.  It worked out for me on round 2.  Anyhow, if you're a pastry chef, you probably get this better than I.  Think pie pastry not cookie.

Take all filling ingredients and mix together until combined.  Set aside.  

Pinch off about a walnut-sized ball of dough.  Flatten or indent it slightly with your finger.  Try not to overwork dough here either.  (In the pictures above - obviously my first round - I've rolled it out thinly, and my final product didn't work out as well - it's better to keep it thicker.)  Place the dough in a lightly floured maamoul mold (I didn't need flour with my plastic one!) and fill the cavity with a spoon of nut filling.  Join the edges to seal and if necessary add a little more dough to fill the mold.  Press dough well into the mold to achieve good pattern indentation.  (If you don't have a mold, you can form the dough into a dome shape, or flatten the top gently and then decorate with a fork.)  NB: make sure you carve off excess dough once you've pressed it into the mold, or else you'll get a cookie with a rounded bottom that will develop cracks on top once it bakes.

Knock mold firmly on the table (can't imagine a kid not loving this part) or your palm to release the cookie.  

Arrange maamoul on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees F (around 200 degrees C), for about 12 minutes.  They will be a sort of golden-blond.  Do not let them brown.  Remove from the oven and let cool.  When cool (I actually do this step when the cookies are still a little warm so the sugar will stick better...), sprinkle powder sugar on top.  Serve to family and friends during the Paschal season.

Keeps well for up to 10 days in an airtight container.  Can also be kept airtight in the fridge or freezer for longer periods.  


27 March 2012

Tuesday morning




A few sentiments that come to mind when I remember M "washing" the dishes this morning: My hero.  Bless his little heart.  Mmm-hmmm, sweet and helpful just like his daddy.  What a champ.  I love you.

As my son toiled away at the sink, J was underfoot.  Causing trouble.  As usual.  What's new.






Look at that face.  That is the face of someone plotting.  Plotting, no doubt, how best to get mommy to acquiesce to offering a sweet morsel of something before lunch.  Such devious conniving.  How could I resist those saucers of brown (hazel?).  Or that half smile on her little rose-petal lips.  

I love my kids.

I also love that I've found a minute to paint.  It's pretty small and insignificant.  But it's something!  Part of a fun project I'm trying to finish before M's birthday.  April 20th deadline.  Bring it on.  



PS - Someone inquired about my baby blankets.  After ripping out x number of rows, I'm now seeking group therapy for the trauma.  Will resume work when my psyche has recovered sufficiently.



23 March 2012

Drawing board



I'm spending nap time writing a quick hello here and then it's back to the drawing board.  I've discovered that both of my baby blankets have an inexcusable error woven through them.  I wonder if it's as obvious from the pictures I took.  It's glaringly obvious to me.  So, I need to start over.  That doesn't make me as sad as I would have thought.  I spent all of last night reconciling myself to the inevitable and today brought renewed gusto!  

A few things that have caught my attention or just made me happy this week:

Have a sunny weekend!

20 March 2012

Sand, rocks dirt & sun



Sand, rocks, dirt and sun.  That pretty much sums up the past three days for us.  Ever since the weather gods decided to skip March and most of April, we've been enjoying summer-like temperatures!  Of course, the irony is a little thick... it being the first day of the SPRING equinox and all.  Only, it seems as though spring took a vacation this year.  

The kids just LOVE the weather.  J has been hiking up little hills, tasting sand, pointing out ants on the sidewalk, and obsessing over the millions of dogs that have suddenly appeared.  M spends his time climbing mostly.  Climbing rocks, climbing play structures, climbing hills.  Also, he is desperately trying to find a friend for Slimy.  He spent most of our morning walk hunting around in the grass.  Our search recommences this evening after dinner...



Needless to say with all this that our time indoors is at an all-time low.  :o)  No complaints from my corner.  Certainly none from the kids!  In fact, it doesn't seem like they have much energy to complain - minus Miss J's characteristic whining that is.  And M, well, he's usually asleep once head and pillow make contact.    

What limited inside time does mean is that my crocheting time has dipped significantly into the "1-row-a-day-before-jumping-into-bed" territory.  Don't judge my enthusiasm for my new hobby by these results.  I love crocheting.  Deeply.  Someday I will vie for greatness alongside Jill, Emily and Julie.  

Until then, I'll be here.  One row at a time.  And preferably after bath time.  

Happy Spring!


17 March 2012

Apple-y goodness

M found a snail today.  It was climbing the wall of our condo building.  It had got to eye-level - at least to a 3-year-old's eye - when M spotted it and snatched it up.  The snail wisely retreated into its shell, and M joyously poked his finger into the opening as he yelled "Look Mommy, a SNAIL!"

Honestly, I felt sorry for the snail.  Could you imagine being that poor little guy?  Some kid's finger jabbing at your eyes as you try to squeeze yourself further into your shell.  That shell probably seemed quite spirally spacious at one point.  Now, the number of spirals are nowhere near enough.  Even just one more would be oh so helpful...



Slimy (as he was eventually named) was finally rescued and placed in a clean little jar.  With a lid.  See, snails have a neat trick they like to try.  It's called "watch-how-fast-I-can-climb-out-of-this-jar".  The first snail we ever brought home tried this one on us.  One moment he was at his ease in a cozy jar.  The next minute, he had disappeared.  M found Houdini making a bee-line for the bookshelf.  (Perhaps slugs like to read...? )

Anyhow, that explains the lid.  I've yet to meet a snail who could get out of that one.  Here he remains at present.  Until we decide we're ready to take the plunge and boil him.  I'm kidding.  Escargot may be considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, but I for one cannot imagine eating a snail at this point any more than I could eating spiders.  Slugs can stay on the ground for all I care.  Same with spiders.

Apples are a different story.  I can't get enough of apples.  I tell you, truly a wondrous fruit.  They pair well with many gastronomical delights.  Salads, cheeses, meats, pies.  And cake.  Who doesn't love cake?!  That is a heavily rhetorical question, so if your answer to cake be "nay", do keep it to yourself and don't spoil my illusion.  Back to apples and cake - I had a hard time deciding if apple cake is better in Fall or springtime.  Solution?  Bake an apple cake and see!  

Out came the apples.  And the pans.  And all the fiddly ingredients that make cake!  Mixed it all up, popped it into the oven and an hour and a half later, a cake was born.  A sinful cake.  When you think "apple", even for desserts, you don't usually think "sinful".  This was sinful.  Why?  The topping.  Caramelized brown sugar with pecans and oats.  And butter.  I must confess though that I also use margarine.  It's not bad, but you'd have to be pretty hard pressed to use margarine if you've ever tried it with butter.  

My friends, there are no pictures of this cake.  No pictures at all.  Alas.  Do come back at some point in the near future when I have the presence of mind to snap a photo before demolishing a whole cake.  In one sitting.  (Such apple-y goodness...)


APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup applesauce
about 3 granny smith apples (don't fret if ye have not - other types will suffice)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter (or margarine!)
1/2 - 1 cup oats
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Peel apples and chop finely.  Mix dry ingredients together, save the apples.  Add water and oil and mix well.  Add apples and mix to combine.  Pour into a lightly greased loaf pan.  Bake for about 20 minutes.  Remove and sprinkle (or gently spread as the case may be) evenly with topping mixture.  Bake for another 40-50 minutes until toothpick inserted into centre comes out clean.  Let cool.

Topping: Cream butter and sugar together.  Add oats and pecans and mix well.


15 March 2012

Inspiration Thursday



This project marks the beginnings of spring crafts (read: Pascha gifts).  M doesn't much like to help with these critters since the fine motor skills required are a little advanced for my almost-three-year old.  Perhaps a four year old would fare better?  If you have one, do let me know.  

For me it's kind of an on-and-off endeavor for when I run out of yarn to crochet.  Or when the kids are occupied and I have a spare minute.  (Obviously this doesn't happen often, especially since J is sick...) 

It's pretty simple though.  Just "sew" three squares of plastic canvas with your choice of yarn.  Make sure not to edge the back piece with yarn, just the two "mouth" pieces, and only on two sides.  (See two photos below if confused.)  Attach two "mouth" pieces to the back piece around the edges with yarn.  Affix googly eyes, feathers, feet, ears, etc.  And off you go!  We've made quite a few canvas creatures: doves, chicks, ducks, frogs, rabbits, etc.  Maybe one day I'll have the presence of mind to take photos of the above...






Anyhow, not a bad idea for inspiration.  What I really love about these canvas critters is that their mouths open nice and wide.  Perfect for slipping a little treat inside.  Say, a Lindor truffle.




I love Lindt.  That, however, is another topic completely.  And certainly one that will not be attempted until after Lent.

PS - Excuse the blurry photo.  It does kind of mirror where I am at this moment though.  Slighty out-of-focus from lack of sleep.  Sick babies are no fun.


12 March 2012

A maxim




Periodically sick kids.  Definitely not amongst my favourite memories.  And yet, here we are again.  It's been a long winter.  Not because of the cold, but because of the colds.  

Owing to that, or perhaps to my tendency towards inertia, we've been surviving on bean salads for the past week.  Many different variations, to be sure.  But they've definitely become my go-to food.  My own particular favourite is a fresh and colourful version requiring red kidney beans.  Hearty beans and fresh vegetables.  It's a sort of transition dish to match the turning of winter to spring.  

Don't upset yourself with this recipe.  Some recipes are exacting.  Quantifiable.  Not this one.  This is one of those "taste and see" types.  The lemon juice provides a pleasant zing to reconcile the beans and vegetables.  How much zing required is, most emphatically, a personal choice.  Myself, I use a 1:1 ratio of acid and oil.  Otherwise, I cannot offer much coaching.  Embrace your inner empirical self and go with it.  





Oh, and by the way, this particular salad goes smashingly with french fries.  Not thin and wimpy fries.  Thick, meaty, steak-cut wedges.  Think crisp exterior with a mushy heart.  And ketchup.  At least, M thinks so.  His life is organized into what can and cannot be eaten with ketchup.  Fries without ketchup?  Blasphemy.  

I'll leave you with another bite to ponder.  A morsel of food to digest.  Not to long ago, someone directed my attention to a list of 55 maxims.  The whole list resonated with me, but I especially liked #31.  

Be simple, hidden, quiet and small.





FRESH BEAN SALAD

1 can Kidney beans, warmed (I use about 2 cups dried beans and boil them until they're tender)
1/2 English cuccumber, diced
1 Roma tomato, diced
1 small onion, diced
generous drizzle of lemon juice
generous drizzle of vegetable oil
salt, to taste

Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Enjoy warm or cold.

9 March 2012

{this moment}


. . . . . . . .
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
As inspired by Amanda Soule.
. . . . . . . .



8 March 2012

Single stitches & sugar cookies



While hardly solving any real problems in the world, I feel compelled to share my triumph in (finally!) learning how to crochet.  Of course, that is to say, I learned one type of crochet stitch: the single stitch.  How fitting.  My life is comprised of single stitches.  I'm just not competent enough to handle a more complex stitch.  I need to savour each daily event on its own to remain calm and fully connected.  

Knit one, pearl two.  And don't forget to count if you're trying out a zigzag pattern.  (My first project is to be a zigzag baby blanket for a pregnant friend's new baby.)  It's not that I forget to count so much as... well, I miss stitches, which makes for uneven zigzagging.  I often miss things in life too.  For example, this past winter M had an ear infection that took me a couple of days to catch.  I'll spare you the reminiscing of a mother's guilt.  Not fun.  





Thankfully, I rarely miss things when it comes to cookies.  This was my kitchen this morning.  Lots of crumbs, chocolate-smeared hands, and cookies.  Our morning was warm, sweet and chewy.  While these cookies were supposed to be gifts, it's pretty hard not to sample at least a few of the goodness that is chocolate chip cookies.  They reminded me, strangely, of a recent foray with sugar cookies.  (In fact, not so strangely as the recipes are very similar.)

I love sugar cookies.  I mean, what's not to love?  They are perfect for just about any occasion, can be dressed up or down, cut out with various shaped cutters or dropped unceremoniously onto a tray.  The sugar cookies of which I speak are special by virtue of the fact that they are completely vegan.  No milk, no eggs, no butter.  Understand that I am of the opinion it is not blasphemy to construct a sugar cookie without butter. And if you try these, I am sure you will be convinced too.  Slightly crunchy edges, firm yet chewy centre, dusted with sugar granules.  Perfect for a windy, winter day.   That and a warm cup of tea to enjoy alongside my ball of yarn.  Knit one, pearl two.  And counting...


SUGAR COOKIES

1 1/8 cup margarine (or vegetable shortening)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour
1 Tbsp vanilla
1/8 - 1/4 cup applesauce

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream together margarine and sugar.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Add enough applesauce to moisten dough.  Drop onto baking tray and flatten slightly.  Bake for 12-18 minutes until the tops are ever-so-slightly golden.  Remove from oven and allow to cool fully.  

5 March 2012

My list today...

I have several things on my mind simultaneously.  Most of them projects lined up in queue.



:: Learn to crochet.  Learn to crochet before I reach 30.  In fact, learn to crochet before the summer so I can start to make J some cute spring/autumn sweaters!  

:: Start sewing those little forest critters that have been sitting in the back of my mind for months.  

:: Improve French.  I almost despair of this because my memory has become a sieve.  Nonetheless, I will soldier on!

:: Finish sandpaper alphabet letters.  *Sigh*  I am trying to teach M the alphabet and I am using the Montessori method.  Unfortunately, I have not been able to finish making the letters.  Thus, we have yet to start.  Frustrating.  Very frustrating.



:: Work on watercolour.  And simultaneously work on not procrastinating when a spare minute arises to work on watercolour.  

I can go on and on, but my main gripe problem is this: why does it seem like my list gets longer instead of shorter?!  I can't remember when I've crossed something off without adding another 2 or 3 in its place.  Am I the only one with this problem?