Tag Archives: recipe

Farmers capsicum salad (low-carb)

Hello guys! Do you have a farmers market near to your place? Is it only fruits&vegetables market or some other produce are sold there, such a dairy or grains? How often do you visit it? Or do you prefer supermarkets?

Not far from my place there is a small nice market where you can get fresh and seasonal vegetables and herbs from small local farms, plus few stands with olive oil and freshly-baked bread. Why do I like it? Continue reading →

Lamb and Pearl Barley soup

Hi guys, how is your foodie-life going on out there? It’s such good weather now here – in Dubai, I’ve heard that this year March is one of the coldest months of the past 10 years! Believe me or not, but I’ve been living here approximately the same time and it really seems colder than usual, especially in the evening or those very windy days, that even with the jacket on I want to go in and hide somewhere with a cup of hot tea. 😄

And this warm and nourishing soup exactly what I need these days. I’ve been enjoying it for the last couple of weeks, as I cooked it twice and both time in a large pot so it will be enough for at least two days. This soup combines Russian and Middle Eastern flavors and textures: pearl barley is a well-known grain in my home country, and lamb is a popular meat in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries. Continue reading →

Russian Cabbage stew with mushrooms

What is y our comfort winter food? Is it roasting chicken or meaty stew? Or maybe you are making lots of sweet pies during cold days? Everyone has their own preferences and favorite dishes that warm you up when outside is cold, and undoubtedly, such food should be warm, aromatic and delicious.

For me, one of such winter dishes is stewed cabbage. The recipe is very simple, easy to cook and affordable. White cabbage is not expensive, and nowadays available all year round. Continue reading →

Wholewheat Cherry Pie (with pecans)

Hi all! I supposed to post this recipe long time when cherries were still in the season..and I was not sure at first whether to publish the recipe or not but luckily nowadays you can buy frozen cherries in any large supermarket and it’s not a bad substitution at all. So, go ahead and make this delicious beauty, especially if you already know that cherries are a good source of vitamin C and contain some antioxidants. With crunchy streusel on top – it is a perfect treat at any time of the day! Wholewheat Cherry Pie (with pecans)

I used fresh sweet dark cherries if you can’t get it, use sour and add a bit more sugar. And do not refreeze frozen berries, scatter them over the pie straight from the fridge. Also if you prefer brown sugar to the white one, you can use it; probably it works even better: the taste will be richer and the color more golden.

Wholewheat Cherry Pie (with pecans)

Servings: 6-8
Difficulty: moderate
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I used a 20cm square baking pan

What You’ll Need

150g butter, soften

75g white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

a pinch of salt

2 eggs

250g wholewheat flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

50g ground oats (I used medium oatmeal)

200-300g fresh sweet cherries, pitted

Streusel (crumble topping)

4 tbsp wholewheat flour

2 tbsp white sugar

2 tbsp butter, softened

2-3 tbsp chopped pecans (or walnuts)

How to Make it

For the batter, beat softened butter with sugar until slightly pale.
Add vanilla and salt, and beat in eggs one by one until just combined.
Mix in flour (no need to sift) along with baking powder and oats.
Spread the batter on a baking pan (lined with baking paper if needed), scatter cherries.
For the streusel, mix the flour and sugar together in a bowl. Rub in butter with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Stir in chopped nuts.
Sprinkle the streusel over the pie.
Bake in preheated 200C oven for 45 minutes.*
Take the pan out from the oven, allow to cool slightly in the pan and then put on the serving plate.

*Note: if the pie begins brown too much, loosely cover with a piece of foil, and continue to bake.

Enjoy!

Chocolate cherry cookies

Hi there! It’s been a while, and I kept telling myself I’d get back to blogging tomorrow, in a day, a week, etc, but finally, I’m here writing the post. Hope you all had w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l holidays, full of surprises, lovely moments and delicious food. What is your favorite sweet treat during winter? Hot chocolate, spiced orange cake or just lots of chocolates? I’m still eating chocolates from the Christmas tree (yes, it’s still in our house, and probably will be here until the beginning of February). Chocolate Cherry cookies

I adore dark chocolate with cherry pieces in it, and I like cookies: good, buttery with those tiny little dots of pure vanilla in it. So, I combined my both desires and prepared these beautiful cookies. I’m thinking you will really love it. Even though, I prefer vanilla cookies over chocolate, but not this time. Better you cook and try, and you will never buy a cookie. Ok, maybe you will but nothing taste like homemade cookies, prepared with high-quality ingredients and the most important – your passion and love. Give these a try and you will be as happy with them as I was. ChocoCookies

Triple the quantity and take some to share with your friends or co-workers, or maybe even a neighbor. ChocoCherryCookies

Chocolate cherry cookies

Servings: 14 pieces
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What you’ll need

100g mild dark chocolate

50g dark chocolate with cherry pieces, or plain dark chocolate

180g plain flour

30g cocoa

1.5 tsp baking powder

a pinch of salt

120g butter, at room temperature

50g light brown sugar

50g white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

100g dried cherries

100g chopped/slivered almonds

20-30g dark chocolate with cherry pieces, optional

How to make it

Chop 150g chocolate or break into pieces, and put into heatproof bowl and microwave on low power or melt over a pan of simmering water.
In a large mixing bowl, sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk butter with sugar for 5 minutes or until light. Whisk in vanilla extract and then eggs (one by one). Add the melted chocolate and stir well.
Add the dry ingredients to the batter mixture and stir well. Stir in cherries, almonds and chopped chocolate (if using).
Line the baking sheet with baking paper and scoop out equal portions in some distance apart. Make 14 equal balls, flatten them.
Bake in preheated 180C oven for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!