Guacamole fast & cheesey

Since I learned how to make my own Guacamole dipping I never went out to buy one.
Its easy tasty and healthier to make it at home without all the extra preservatives, colors and God knows what they put in it!!

Ingredients ( 2-3 servings) :

1. 1 ripe Avocado (Guacamole),mashed
2. 1/2 garlic clove minced
3. 1tea.s finely chopped onion
4. 2 table.s cream cheese softened
5. 1/4 cup or less of finely chopped tomatoes
6. some chopped jalapeno (optional)
7. salt, black pepper,chilli powder,lemon juice to taste

Method:

1. mix all the above ingredients in a bowel
2. cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour at least..Serve with nacho chips and Enjoy :-)

Yummy Banana Muffins

Hearty Muffins that are great anytime of the day.

Ingredients: ( yields 1 1/2 dozen approx)

1. 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
2. 2 eggs
3. 3 bananas smashed
4. 3/4 cup sugar
5. 1/2 cup butter
6. 1 tea.s vanilla
7. 1 tea.s cinnamon powder
8. 1 table.s baking powder
9. 1/4 cup milk
10. some lemon zest ( optional)
11. about 1/2 cup or less walnuts (optional)

Method:

1. pre heat the oven on 350F
2. using an electric mixer,mix the eggs first with the vanilla extract and cinnamon powder
3. add sugar and butter and mix
4. add the rest of the ingredients and mix well
5. using an ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes on 360F.Cool and Enjoy ;)

Groats & Mixed Vegetables

A traditional dish served back at Home ( Bahrain ).

Ingredients: ( 3-4 servings)

1. 1 1/2 cup of Groats
2. 1 onion finely chopped
3. 2-3 tomatoes diced
4. 1 or 1 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
5. 2 1/2 cups chicken stock ( homemade if possible )
6. 3 minced garlic cloves
7. 1/4 cup tomato sauce
8. 1/4 cup chopped parsley
9. spices to taste ( cumin powder, garam masala (or any mixed spice available ),curry powder,hot chilli powder,turmeric, 1 1/2 tea.s salt.

Method:

1. using a non stick pan brown the groats then set a side to cool.
2. using a pot , saute the onions first until browned then add the garlic
3. add the diced tomatoes and let it cook until its melts then add the tomato sauce and the mixed vegetables.
4. add the groats and parsley and season with the spices mentioned above.
5. add the salt.
6. gradually add the chicken stock while stirring on medium heat, until most of the stock is absorbed lower the heat and seal the pot with aluminum foil then cover and let it sit for 45 minutes aprox on low heat. you can check if its done after 30 minutes. if you feel it needs more moisture just add a little water on top and cover again.. Enjoy..

Roasted Vermicelli sweet balls

This simple treat will only take few minutes to prepare but with a lasting sweet taste to remember.

Ingredients:

1. 1 package roasted Vermicelli
2. About 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk(depends how sweet and sticky you like it)
3. Butter
4. Crushed pistachio (optional)

Method:

1. Crush the vermicelli in a bowel with your hands then Saute with some butter until its comes soft. It takes only few minutes.

2. Return it to the bowl and add sweetened condensed milk gradually while mixing until it sticks together and you can shape it with your hands or using a shot glass or something similar.add some crushed pistachio to the mix or just on top. Shape it into small balls or cones.

3. Cool in the refrigerator for 15 minutes at least before serving..Enjoy..

Tameece Bread

The most Delicious bread I have tasted yet!! You can eat it by itself :)
Its made inside the old clay or stone ovens but you can make it at you regular oven.
Its originated form the Arabian Gulf countries mostly in KSA(Saudi Arabia).Some stuff it with cheddar cheese , chocolate or even meat.

Ingredients:(6 medium disks approx)

1. 4 cups all purpose flour
2. 3 table.s milk powder ( I used Needo brand)
3. 1/2 cup melted butter or ghee ( you can mix them )
4. 1 table.s yeast
5. 1 table.s sugar
6. 1 tea.s salt
7. 1 tea.s baking powder
8. chredded cheddar cheese(optional )
9. sesame seeds and milk to brush the face
10. warm water

Method:

1. mix the dry ingredients first then add the melted butter.
2. add the water gradually while kneading until you got an elastic dough.
3. cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours
4. after it doubles in size cut the dough into how many balls you desire.
5. have a griddle or pan on the stove on medium-high heat ready to use and your oven on on the broiler.
6. roll the ball into medium thickness then sprinkle with cheddar cheese or brush with chocolate spread if desired.and flip it close and roll again.
7. brush  the top with milk and saseme seeds. and poke it with a fork or with your fingers.
8. cook it on the griddle until you see it rise a bit and check that its browned under then transfer it to the oven to brown the top.it takes few minutes the whole process.Enjoy :-)

A date with DATES!

DATE CAKE

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2. 5 eggs
3. 3/4 cups sugar
4. 1 cup oil
5. 1 cup crushed walnuts ( optional)
6. 30-40 dates + 1 table.s butter
7. 1 table.s baking powder
8. 1 tea.s ground cardamom,cinnamon and ground fennel seed
9.1/2 tea.s vanilla

Method:

1. in a small sauce pan heat up the dates (seeds removed ) with the butter until its all melted and set a side.
2. whisk the eggs with the vanilla extract and cardamom,cinnamon powder and ground fennel seeds
3. add the sugar then the oil
4. add the flour and baking powder and then add the dates paste and walnuts.
5. pour into a greased cake pan or Pyrex and bake in a pre-heated oven on 360 F for 40-45 minutes..ENJOY..
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Date Rolls

Ingredients:

1. thawed spring rolls
2. around 15-20 dates
3. cinnamon powder and ground fennel seeds,ground cardamom ( optional) to taste
4. 1 table.s sweetened condensed milk
5. Tahini for garnish

Method:

1. in a small sauce pan heat the dates ( seeds removed) with some butter (optional) and add the condensed milk
2. melt the dates and add the flavorings and set a side to cool
3. cut the square spring roll sheets into four small squares 
4. fill each square with little of the dates paste and roll up, seal it with water if needed
5. fry until golden brown in medium heat ( it will take few seconds to cook)
6. drizzle with Tahini and serve..Enjoy..

Maglooba

Maglooba means upside down :)..
Its a rice dish made with meat or chicken or even shrimp and fried vegetables ( onions,carrots,potatoes,eggplant,tomatoes,squash) ( Middle Eastern ).

Ingredients: ( 2-3 servings )
1. I used lamb this time but you can exchange it.
2.  1 carrots cut into round or thin strips
3. sliced onion
4. sliced 2 potatoes
5. sliced almonds ( for garnish )
6. lamb spices used (a dash of black pepper,salt,cumin powder,turmeric,curry powder or any other mixed spice you got,3-4bay leaf,7-10cloves,7-10cardamom seeds,2-3 cinnamon sticks 2-3 inches long approx, ).
7. 1 1/2 cups of rice ( soaked in water for 15 minutes at least before cooking )

Method:

1. In a pressure cooker add your lamb shanks and add water until its covered or almost and the spices mentioned above. set it on high for 10 minutes then on medium heat for 1 hour.
2. meanwhile fry your veggies but not deep fry..add salt and pepper and cumin (optional ) to taste and set aside.
3. brown the sliced almonds and set a side
4. when the meat is done. take it out and broil for few minutes ( optional )
5. strain the water from the spices seeds and sticks and then bring to a boil and add the rice in it for 3 minutes plus 1 1/2 tea.s salt or you can add salt to your measurements. then drain it.
6. spread a little ghee butter or clarified butter in the bottom of the pot then place your potatoes and the vegetables then add the rice and top it with the meat and almonds and cover on low heat for 20-30 minutes or until its fully cooked..Enjoooooy :)