Fruit Cobbler

Have you ever been faced with a cake that you over baked? Or are you getting guests over and the only thing left are a tin off fruit or two and this cake that has seen better days but it is just a real shame to bin it.

Well, try this fruit cobbler. It is quick to make and so delicious that no one will be able tell that you have made it because you just had nothing else at home.

You will need:

• 1/2 cups sugar, adjust it to your taste
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup oil
• 5 slices dry cake, cut into stripes. crusts removed and cut into strips
• Fruits to cover the bottom of the pan
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon (but that is optional)

Mix the first 4 ingredients together and set aside. Place the fruits in a buttered 20x20cm pan and top with cake strips. Pour sugar mixture over the crumble and and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
Bake in a medium hot oven (180°C) for about 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Ice cream or whipped cream on top make it even better.

Note: The reason why I can't give you an amount for the fruit is that I just fill it into the pan and that's it. It really depends what you use. Canned fruits work great, frozen fruits should be defrosted slightly. soft fresh fruits are good as well, however, if you use anything that is harder, like apples, you should precooked until softened for best results.
Also, if you don't have any cake but only bread (white, light, fruit...) use that instead. Just increase the amount of sugar to 1 cup and remove the crust.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies

Tired of having to drop batter into individual cookies? Try this recipe for a cookie that is baked as a brownie and then cut into cookies!!!

½ cup plus 2 tbs oil

1 ¼  cup sugar

1 large Egg plus 1 egg yolk

2 tsp Vanilla extract

2 c and 2 tbs flour

1/2 tsp Baking soda

1 package chocolate chips (any flavor desired)

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Dry fry nuts in a frying pan until light brown and aromatic. Transfer nuts to cutting board to cool; chop coarsely and set aside.

Do the same with the coconut.

Heat oven to 170C.  Prepare a 30 by 25 cm (or there off) baking pan; set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together oil and sugar until well combined. Mix in the rest of the wet ingredients. Sift in the flour and baking soda. Fold until just combined – do not over mix!! Fold in chocolate chips and nuts (if desired), and turn batter into prepared pan, smoothing top with spatula.

Bake until top is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan. This takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature on wire rack before transferring to cutting board. Cut into bars and serve.

This will make about 36 4-by-5 cm cookie bars.

IMPORTANT: If you are using a glass or Pyrex pan, the oven heat needs to be 150C.

Avocado Tomato Salad

This quick to make salad goes great with grilled chicken, steak or even grilled fish. It is also nice as a sort of salsa when you crave some Mexican food.

2 large tomatoes; seeded and chopped in large chunks

2 large Avocados; cut in large chunks

1  Red onion; cut in very fine strips

1/2 tablespoon jalapeno pepper; finely chopped - adjust to how hot you like it

juice of half a Lime (approx. 1 – 2 Tbs)

2-3 branches of fresh cilantro, chopped finely

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cut the avocadoes and tomatoes so they are approximately the same size. Combine all ingredients and serve straight away.

Important: De-seed the tomatoes or you will have way too much juice. Adjust lime juice so there's not too much liquid.

Tip: Try it with diced red or yellow pepper, green onions and a sprinkling of chili powder and cumin.
You could also add diced mozzarella for an Italian twist

Basic Vinaigrette with variations

With spring being here I find myself wanting more and more salads. Now, I really enjoy salads and especially in the warmer month this is some food that does not require any cooking.

Another thing I really look for in my food is variations. I don’t like tasting the same over and over again. One way that I spice up a simple salad is real quick and simple: salad dressings. Below you have the recipe for a very basic vinaigrette, followed by a few variations.

There are different ways of making dressing, which will also influence the texture. One way is by adding everything into a glass container (e.g. an old jam glass), close the lid and shake vigorously for a few seconds. This will be like the bottled version that you get.

On the other hand, if you whisk it, either manually or in a mixer, you will get a really smooth, velvety dressing – more like what you get in restaurants.

Both versions work fine. I usually make up quite a bit at a time and then use it during the week.

A very simple way of making variations is using herbs. Dried herbs have a more intense flavor but need extra time to rehydrate and release their flavorings and should be prepared about 2 hours in advance.  If you don’t have fresh herbs, which are always preferred, you need to substitute it with about ¼ of the original quantity with dried herbs – that means if a recipe calls for 4 tsp fresh chopped herbs, you need only 1 tsp dried herbs.

You can add just about anything. You can also play around slightly with the vinegar-oil ratio, however, the basic ratio is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil.

Basic vinaigrette

1/2 cup wine vinegar (red, white, balsamic)

1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 to 2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Mustard Honey vinaigrette:

Add 1 tsp French Dijon and 1 tbs honey.

Herbed vinaigrette:

Add 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 tbsp. fresh minced basil, and 1 tsp. marjoram, chives to the Mustard Honey vinaigrette.

Herbed Italian vinaigrette:

Add 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 5 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp. fresh minced basil, 1 tsp. fresh minced oregano (optional), 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes.

Piquant Dressing:

Add 1 chopped hard cooked egg, 1 tsp. mustard, 1 tbsp. finely chopped onion (green works great), 1 tsp. paprika.

Avocado Dressing:

Add 1 cup pureed avocado and blend until smooth. Add a little bit of lemon juice (stops it from going brown/grey).

Sour Cream or Buttermilk Dressing:

Add 1 cup sour cream or buttermilk to basic dressing and blend until smooth. Add herbs as desired.

Red Beef curry

I love Indian food, totally dig it. But going to an Indian restaurant is not something that I like too much. First, what we get in this country is not really that good. And if I eat abroad I have to stick to vegetarian dishes.

This very simple dish only requires the most basic ingredients and is quick to make.

Serve it over Basmati rice for a very filling dinner

1.5 tsp oil (or 1 Tbs Gee)

1/2 Tbs red pepper

1/2 tsp curry

1 tsp paprika

1 garlic clove

1 cardamon pot, slightly broken, but so that you can fish it out later

1/2 tsp each of cinnamon and pepper

500gr beef stew meat

1 can coconut milk

Heat the oil in a heavy based pan on medium high heat.

Add the spices and fry them slightly until fragrant (make sure not to burn it).

Add the meat and brown it for a few minutes. Then add the garlic and fry it for a few seconds.

Pour in the coconut milk. Put a lid on the pan. Reduce the heat to very low and simmer until done (this takes about 2-3 hours, add water if

needs be).

If you serve it with rice and a light side salad this is a hearty meal for four.

Things you can seriously do without

Yesterday I was driving with my husband to a meeting. It was rush hour and I took a shortcut that he didn’t know. I actually commented to my husband that it is a good thing that we don’t have a GPS as this way I always learn about detours.

Following this line of thought I actually came up with a whole bunch of things that we could do without.

1. GPS Devices. Of course, this is how the whole thing started. I don’t believe in GPS devices and for the life of me don’t understand why we cannot use a road atlas.  I actually know Israel really well because when I moved here a few years ago I was constantly getting lost LOL. A road atlas costs about $20 in this country and is good for at least 3 years, depending on how much road work is going on.

But not just that, by getting lost, or having to take a slightly different way, I made some great discoveries – shops, restaurants, parks etc.

2. Microwaves. Now, if there is one kitchen item I really can do without, and do without, is the microwave. First of all, I read that it is not exactly the healthiest way to heat up the food. But regardless, I actually timed how long it takes me to heat up something on the stove top and in the microwave – and the difference was maybe one minute!!!

Next to the fact that you have to BUY a microwave (most people actually do have a stove/oven), you also have to get the right utensils to use the microwave. AND it takes extra space up in the kitchen.

True story, when I moved in with my husband he had a microwave. We lived together in his apartment for a year. We used his microwave exactly 3 times during that one year – to make popcorn!!!  Yes, you guessed right. We passed the microwave on to someone who thought that this is one kitchen item that he  really cannot do without.

3. Electronic Book Readers. Why not just read a real book?!? First of all, you need to buy the device and then buy e-books. I can see that it will get rid of the space problem at home, but honestly, just go to the library, the books there are for free. Where I live, even signing up is for free!!! In Germany you have to pay an annual payment of EUR 5, which is also not a lot.

I take my kids once a month to the library. Ok, they are 2.5 and 1.5 years old, so I usually choose the books that we take home, but they really look forward to going. We sit in the library, I read books to them, they love pulling them out and making a mess… which I don’t have to tidy up afterwards LOL.

But honestly, going to the library is one of those cost efficient leisure time activities that you can enjoy with your kids. This way you may also implant the love of reading in your children’s life. Oh, and as a side effect, they may not even want to spend that much time in front of the computer (my space/Facebook or whatever other popular trend is taking them in their grip).

4. Tanning Salons. Now, if there is money waster, this is really high up there on the list. It totally is beyond me why anyone would pay for something that you get 100% for free just about every day of the year??? And I won’t even go into the health issue!!!

5. Internet on Cell Phones. Yes, although it is available, why do it? First of all, it is expensive. And where would you use it? At home? Don’t you have a more comfortable alternative you’re your computer? While traveling? Ok, I am not even suggesting that you do it while driving in the car, but what about when you are on the train or bus? One option is to just read a book, relax, do a crossword…

6. SMS Another one of those senseless money wasters. Granted, SMS is quite a useful feature if you really have to contact someone urgently but cannot get hold of him in any other way (too late, no answer). I don’t understand why I have to spent loads of money on conversations that go something along the way of “See you later” “ Sure, where” “You choose” “No, you choose” “No you choose”… you get the picture. Totally mindless. And what fascinates me is that once it was the teens that where SMSing senselessly, now, it is just about anyone.

I don’t have a plan for the SMS service. I just pay whatever I use. Yes, sometimes I send about 4 per month, most of the time I send out 1 or 2.

7.  Wii, Xbox, PlayStation and the like. I remember that when I was a kid I really wanted one of those Gameboys. My parents were very adamant about not getting me one. I hated them for about 2 month, played on my friends’ one during the spring trimester (I was in boarding school), and when we came back from summer holiday I had but forgotten that I really wanted one. A few years later (erm, over 15) I remembered the whole episode as one as my brother-in-laws (who was 17 at the time) got a PlayStation that he REALLY WANTED AND COULDN’T DO WITHOUT.  And he has hardly ever played with it…. (this was a few years ago). Still collecting dust at my in-laws.

Ok, I have to admit that I really like Wii Fit and actually used my sister’s a few times. I even considered getting one. BUT it is quite costly, sport is not really that high up on my agenda at the moment (way, way, way too tired at night), and I am sure that with my two kids the “Stepper” of the Wii wouldn’t last too long…

What can you do instead? For any function that is mimicking something (playing guitar, dancing, sport) go do the real thing!!! (Except the shooting stuff, of course). And for all the other things, just find a hobby, read, meet up with friends (not on the Net).

8. Health Clubs. Why pay a lot of cash to go to a gym? You want to walk/run? Do it outside! The weather doesn’t allow it, go to your nearest mall (not something done in this country, as the malls are quite small, but then we have good weather most of the year). If you live near a beach you get free swimming resources. Maybe you have some free exercise equipment available for you. If not, grab some bottled water, cans or use your own body weight.  

9. Bottled Water. Now, here is a total money waster. Although water is not for free 100%, the stuff that you get out of the tab is really cheap. You can get yourself a reusable bottle (like a sports bottle) and hey presto.

Granted, there may be places, where the water you get out of the tab is undrinkable, so bottled water may actually be not negotiable.

10. Disposable Bags. In my household we use containers (plastic, jars, dishes) and when we finish we just wash them and reuse them. We have some disposable bags, but hardly ever use them. Not only is it more cost efficient, it is also better for the environment.

11. Plasma Televisions. My sister has one, my parents have one, my in-laws have one. We don’t. We have one of those old fashioned TV’s. Since we don’t watch that much TV anyway it doesn’t really make such a difference. And I cannot complain about the TV quality.

12. More than one TV. Why have more than one TV? Totally beyond me. Why have a TV in every room? There are places that have a TV in the Bathroom/Toilet!!! Get real. Make watching TV a family event. If you have one TV only everyone learns to negotiate. Kids, never mind what age, don’t need their own TV. You want to have control over what and how much they watch. And the last place you want a TV is your bed room. Talk about intimacy killer.

13. Cigarettes. I am not just talking all the health risks associated with it, and that it smells like hell (and your cloth, your skin, your hair, your house). But every time you lighten a cigarette you actually burn money. Not a very clever thing to do.

Chicken-Tomatoe Crock pot dish

I made this yesterday evening. I put everything into the crock pot just before going to sleep. When I woke up I just had to put the food into a container to take to work with.

1 large onion, halved and sliced thinly.
1.5kg chicken breast (mine was frozen when I put it into the crock pot)
ca. 1kg potatoes, diced
1 large can diced tomatoes (crushed tomatoes would work just as well)
1 cup tomato sauce (reconstructed from 1 part tomato paste and 2parts water)
1.5 cups water mixed with 1tsp bouilon
Basil, oregano, or any other seasoning that tickles your fancy 

Add everything into the crock pot in the order listed. Switch on your crock pot on low and let it cook for about 7 to 9 hours.
Right at the end add about 3 cups frozen peas, sweetcorn or green beans. If you want to eat the meal straight away just put the lid back on and wait for another 15 to 20 minutes until the veggies are cooked through. If not, just mix it in and switch the crock pot off.

Extremly easy tomato sauce

Very often recipes call for tomato sauce. Now, if there is a money waster it must be ready made tomato sauce (or pasta sauce). I NEVER purchase tomato sauce. It is just not justified.

Usually, I buy small tubs of tomato paste and reconstruct it to tomato sauce by doing the following:

Mix together:  1 part tomato paste : 2 parts water. 

Add salt and pepper if you really have to, but usually I don't as I season the whole dish in one go.


Want to make pasta sauce? Just add fresh or dried Basel or Oregano.
Want to make Mexican style tomato sauce? No problem, just add some cumin, coriander, chili and/or cayenne pepper and salt. Or just a Mexican/taco spice mix.

This week, I asked my husband to buy a large tub (in this country they come in small or large plastic containers, or in a large tin). He told me that they were out of the small ones and the large tub cost about 3 times the amount as the one in the tin - and the tin holds more!!!!

What I did was I just used what I needed for one meal and transferred the rest to a plastic container which I put into the fridge. I did this, instead of freezing the rest in two small Tupperware type containers, as the weekly menu plan anyway called for tomato paste this week.

What are the things you wouldn't dream of buying? Please drop a note, I always like to learn from others.

Eggplant salad/dip

In some countries eggplants are used to make salads that are more like dips. This recipe is quite easy, doesn't involve a lot of mess and is very nice. This goes well with poultry or meat or just as a dip with pitta bread

Play around with the type of vinegar you use to get different flavors. This recipe keeps a while and makes 8 very generous servings

1 large eggplant
1 large onion
1 red pepper
1 can pitted olives, drained (black have a stronger flavor, but green olives work just as well)
1-2 tbs minced garlic
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to medium heat (180°C). Wash the eggplant, don't peel it. Cut the eggplant, onion and red pepper into small dices. In a medium to large sized glass pan mix all the ingredients.
Bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the eggplant is tender.Transfer to a glass container, close tightly and let it sit for a day or two - if you can wait that long. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Gift Ideas that will not make you go bankrupt

Pessach/Easter is near. And if it is anything like where I live you HAVE to get presents. This year we decided to get our kids one present that they have to share. The only other person to receive a present from us is our nephew. Anyone else will just have to do without.

Honestly, I think it is a disgrace that we live in such a consumption-focused society that we HAVE to buy something. And you have so many occasions – next to birthdays, which I think are the only occasions that may call for more expensive presents, you have any religious holiday,  Valentine's Day, Mother's/Father's Day, anniversary… I am sure that you will find a lot of occasions where you just HAVE to give a present to someone.

I personally love to buy gifts for my children. But I usually buy it on deals. And I carefully choose the presents. Very often it is something as simple as a coloring in book or stickers that I get at a local "everything for 1 Shekel" (which is the equivalent of about 30 cents). They love it and no-one can honestly say that my kids are poor or have nothing to play with.

You've probably heard it before: you don't have to spend a lot of money to find that perfect gift for someone.  Just be sure to put some time and thought into it and your gift will be well received.

When I was a child my mom used to tell me that she rather receives a single rose that was carefully chosen then a large bouquet that was bought in haste and without thought. And this is the key, everyone appreciates our time and love more than anything.

So, before you go out and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on presents (per occasion or per year), STOP!  Read through the list of inexpensive gift ideas, maybe there is something that you think could work for you or you come up with something else. I would love to hear any new ideas, so, please, do post them.

• There are hundreds of great gifts that can be purchased or made by hand for under $10, you just have to be a little bit imaginative
• Home baked bread, include recipe
• Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
• Home baked cookies
• Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
• Baking pans and supplies
• Muffin mixes with muffin pan
• Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
• Pretty glass jar filled with candy  
• Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
• Teacup with box of herbal tea
• Special coffee cup filled with candy
• Set of Turkish coffee cups with Turkish coffee
•  Set of dish towels and dish cloths
•   Serving bowl or platter
• Decorative napkins and napkin rings
• Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
•  Specialty cookbook
•  Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
•  Craft supplies
• Child's artwork, framed
•  Collage of special photos
• Gel pens and pretty stationary
• Pretty box for keepsakes
• Makeup tote
• Makeup brush set
• Nail polish kit
• Special soaps and bath puff
• Puzzles
• Board games

These are things that are under $10 in Israel. The list may change according to your location. Again, remember, it is  really not about the amount of money you spend for a gift that matters the most, but that you cared enough to give something special.

Grilled Chicken with Pineapple

I personally don't care much for eating my chicken the same way day in day out. I love trying out new marinades and have started even mixing fruits with my chicken (not something that I learned at home).

This recipe is quick and easy and goes really well with rice or mashed potatoes. Serve it with a side salad that is not too heavy in taste and you have a quick and healthy dinner.

1/2  cup  cider or white wine vinegar
2  tbsp  oil
1/2 tsp crushed garlic cloves

1/2  tsp  ground cinnamon (you can increase it to up to 1 tsp if you like a very cinnamony taste)
1/2  tsp  chili powder
750gr boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2  cup  barbecue sauce
600 gr  pineapple, from a tin, cut into 1-inch-thick wedges
1/4  tsp  salt

For the marinade, combine vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and the chili powder. Cut chicken lengthwise into 1 to 2 cm thick strips. In an airtight container (or freezer bag), toss together chicken and marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator 30 min. Alternatively you could freeze it and use it later.
 

For the marinade, stir together barbecue sauce and remaining 1/2 tsp cinnamon; set aside.

Heat a pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade!!). Fry the chicken for about 4 minutes and then add the pineapple. Continue cooking for another 4 minutes - until the chicken is cooked through.

 

Serve with cinnamon-barbecue sauce. 

This is enough for four people.

 

Tip: if you chose to freeze the chicken with the marinade, defrost it and then continue normal once you are ready to put this meal together.

Also, if you get fresh one by all mean use it. In this country fresh pineapple is extremely expensive and hard to get hold of. If I do buy fresh pineapple I rather eat it fresh and not use it for cooking

How to Cook Rice

If you are like I was cooking rice is a bit of a challenge. Either it is mushy and yucky, or it is burned…. Of course, you could invest in a rice cooker, but honestly, it is just another item that sits in your kitchen (never mind how often you use it) and it is an expense that is really not justified once you know how to cook rice properly.

Well, my friends it is time to reveal a little secret that makes cooking rice really easy!!! This is a 100% fool proof way to cook your rice to perfection EVERY time. This method works on all normal white rice, except for the round version (like sushi, risotto, Australian round rice (this is what it’s called here in Israel etc.) .

What you should know in advance is that one cup of raw rice yields about two and a half to three cups of cooked rice.

OK, now let’s get cooking:

1.       1.First of all, washing or pre-soak your rice is totally unnecessary, never mind what people tell you. The only exception may be Basmati, as it helps to get rid of excess starch. However, I usually forget to do it when I make Basmati rice and the rice is perfect. Pre-soaking is really a total waste of time and water. And I am speaking from experience.

2.       Put 1 cup of rice and 1½ cups of boiling water in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

3.       Bring the water again to a boil over high heat. Once the water boils reduce the heat and cook on low heat for 16 minutes (set the timer!!!)

4.       When the timer rings, turn off the burner and remove the pan from the stove (unless you have a gas oven like I have, then you can leave it on the stove).DO NOT OPEN THE LID!!!  Let the rice sit, covered (!), for another 5 minutes.

5.       Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.

Voila, perfect cooked rice

If you want to cook brown rice, you could either follow the cooking instructions on the package, or:

1.       Use 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of boiling water.

2.       Season with a mild curry, this will really boost the flavor of the rice and makes it totally yummy.

3.       Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to very low, and simmer for 45 minutes.

4.       Let stand, covered, for another 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

A note for those of you who don’t like brown rice. First of all, try the round brown rice version (here the cooking instructions are the same as for normal brown rice). Round brown rice is not as strong in flavor, so it is easier to adjust to it. Also, season it with a mild curry flavor. It really turns the overpowering flavor into something outstanding.

We just switched a few month ago to using just about only brown rice and my kids totally love it.

IMPORTANT

·         For food safety reasons, rice should never be left out at room temperature longer than two hours.

·         Also, rice should not be cooked for more then two days in advanced. If you made too much, just freeze it.

·         Sushi rice is ok to use up to 24 hours. If you want to use this kind of rice later on, make a rice pudding out of it. The rice is not ok to be used for sushi after 24 hours (I usually make the rice about 1 to 2 hours ahead of time).