Soup Season

It seems winter is swiftly approaching, although the temperatures outdoors are fairly warm and calm. Indoors, it gets a bit chilly. You'll probably see a few soup recipes in the days ahead inshaa'Allah. This weekend I made lentil and zucchini soup. It was delicious Mashaa'Allah. Anyway, stay tuned for soup recipes.

Applesauce

First and foremost, applesauce is one word :). I finally decided what to do with those apples. We haven't had applesauce in a long time and we've never  had homemade applesauce. While being creative, I thought I'd test out my own recipe. So here it is, it was deeeeeeeelicious Mashaa'Allah.







By the way, the applesauce will be tangy and sweet. If you don't like the tang, skip the lemon juice.




Ingredients:
3 small apples
2 medium apples
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tbsp molasses
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water

Directions:

Peel, cut and chop apples. Squeeze lemon juice over apples or measure using 1 tsp of lemon juice. 

Boil all ingredients in a saucepan  for 15 min on medium heat until water absorbs. Mash with a spoon, masher or fork  until you get the desired consistency. I like my applesauce a bit chunky.

What to do with these apples...

Yesterday I made a batch of cinnamon rolls to surprise the kids. I have some apples but don't know what to do with them. Not in the mood for apple pie. I want to try something different soooo let me see I think I'll search online for awhile and let you know what I come up with inshaa'Allah. 

By the way, check out the cinnamon rolls...

Recipe courtesy of: http://www.laurainthekitchen.com/all/episode.php?episodenumber=300

Lentil Soup

My dear friend and ex-colleague once made lentil soup for me. It was the first time I  had it and it was delicious Mashaa'Allah. We ate it with fresh onions and crisp bread. Although, I don't think I will ever master her recipe, I decided to make one up of my  own and it was deeeeeeeeeelicious Mashaa'Allah. 

Ingredients:

4 small tomatoes

2 large red onions

2 large carrots

4 cloves garlic

freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tbsp olive oil

4 cups lentils

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 vegetable cubes

5 cups water

2 tsp curry powder

2 tsp cumin powder

3 small bay leaves or 1 large leaf

First, prepare the lentils, by washing them and allowing them to soak in water for at least 20 min.

Saute onions in olive oil. Add garlic. After 5 min add shredded carrots and stir.

Add all of the other ingredients. I added the tomatoes first, not sure if that matters. 

Bring to a boil and cover.

Cook  until the the water has completely dissolved. 

Blend in a blender on low speed for about 2 minutes. 

garnish with freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)

Somaya - One Pot Meal

This is  one of my favorite one pot meals. My neighbor Somaya gave me this recipe but she never told me the name of it, so I'm naming it after her :).

 Ingredients:

1 kilo chicken breast chopped
1/3 cup dill
1 tbsp cumin seeds
2 large carrots chopped
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup olive oil
1 1 /2 - 2 cups rice
4 cups water

Heat oil in a large pot, add carrots and chicken breast. Cook until chicken breast turn white,
add rice allow to cook for 5 min, stir, do not allow rice to stick . Add water

 When water comes to a boil, add cumin and dill. Cover and cook until rice is tender.

Quick Fix - Hot Chocolate

Here's the recipe for a warm cozy drink and it's really easy to make. 

Ingredients:

Corona Drinking Chocolate Powder

Dreem Whipped Topping

Directions:

Prepare each according to package instructions. Put the whipping topping on top of the hot chocolate and ENJOY!!!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs made easy!!!

Ingredients:
3 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic
2 (16 oz) crushed tomatoes
3 (6 oz) tomato paste
1 cup water                                                                                                              
1 tbsp sugar
divide 1/4 cup oregano
1 dried bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste

Meatballs:
1  pound beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup parsley
2 eggs lightly beaten

Directions:


Heat oil on medium heat

 cook onions until light brown

mix in 2 cloves, cook for 1 minute











stir in crushed tomatoes

add half of the oregano

I didn't have 1 large bay leaf so I used 4 small pieces

add 1 cup of water

add tomato paste. Cook on medium heat while preparing the meatballs.

Mix all ingredients for meatballs

shape into round balls and drop into the spaghetti sauce. Cook for 20 min. remove from heat and spread over spaghetti.

Dinner Rolls

Who loves bread more than me? I love eating breads especially dinner rolls, croissants, flat breads, etc., but I've never enjoyed waiting  6 hours for it to rise etc.  Here's an easy recipe that takes approx. 2 hours.

Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1 egg
1/3 cup soft butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 3/4 cup flour
1 (.25) pack or 1 1/2 tsp yeast
1/4 cup butter (to spread)


Directions:
1.Dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in warm water. Allow to sit for 10 min.

2.Warm milk until it bubbles. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar and butter until melted. Cool  until lukewarm.

3. In a large bowl combine yeast mix, milk mix and egg.















4. Stir in a little flour at a time.

5. Knead lightly on floured surface for about 3-5 min.

6.Separate dough in half. Roll out into  (2) 12 inch circles. Spread 1/4 cup butter evenly over both circles. Cut 8 wedges. Roll from the wide end














7. Place in baking pan pointed in faced downward.















8. Cover for 1 hour.
















9. Bake 15  min or  until golden brown

Zahritah

Ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onions
4 pieces of chicken breast (chopped)
1 sliced green pepper
1 can red kidney beans
1  1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups rice
3 tbsp tomato puree
4 1/2 cups of water
1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

Directions:
Heat oil in pan on medium heat. When hot, add onions; stir until soft and yellow. Add chicken. Stir chicken until white. Add the green pepper; after 3 minutes add the salt, paprika, chili powder, parsley and garlic powder. Stir and add kidney beans. Add rice and tomato puree.







Stir until mixed well.

Add water. Cook until rice is done.