Lazy chocolate truffles dessert

 

Here is another easy and simple dessert recipe to make in minutes and it doesn't require any baking :)

It's one of my childhood's favorit dessert:) which we call it "sukséh"

The original recipe is made with eggs, butter, and cocoa powder for the chocolate batter but in this recipe I used Belgian chocolate truffles;) 

You can also use baking chocolate or any kind of chocolate bars with 60% Cocoa  or more "the darker the better" the way I like it;)!! but any kind of melting chocolate works fine!.

Ingredients you need to make it:

One box of Chocolate truffles (i got mine from Sam's) or you can use any chocolate bar or baking chocolate

One package of tea biscuits or marie biscuits :)about 24-30 pieces:)

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut 

1/3 cup milk or half n half

Zest of one large lemon 

1 tablespoon of Arak (a middle eastern liquor) you can use any kind of liquor or you can eliminate it, totally optional!

Candied orange peel chopped (optional) "but it takes it to a different level"

Toasted almond slivers for coating

2-3 tablespoons of Nutella 

Combine the milk and the chocolate truffles or the chocolate you are using in a heat proof or a microwave safe bowl.

Put in the microwave for 90 seconds then take it out and mix it well until all the chocolate has melted. You can put it back for 30 seconds if still needs melting. Make sure you mix it well before putting it back into the microwave to prevent from burning! 

When it's all melted liquid chocolate, add the coconut, the candied orange peel and the liquor and mix to combine.

Then break all the biscuits into small pieces and mix well making sure everything is well coated with chocolate and combined.

My 4year old loves to help:)

Finally, open a big sheet of plastic wrap flat on the table and scoop half of the mixture in the center. Wrapping it firmly into a long salami cylinder shape by tying each end tightly and rolling it back and forth on the table to smooth out the surface and distribute it evenly.

(Sorry, forgot to take a picture of this step)  repeat the process for the other half of the mixture 

Lay flat in the freezer for few hours. Once firm, unwrap and spread with some chocolate spread such as Nutella and rial the cylinders into the toasted slivered almonds. Put back in the freezer to set for 30 minutes or so.

To serve, slice into half inch discs and enjoy! 

Ps. Shaped this into a triangle!

Tiramisu (new version /no eggs no mascarpone cheese)

I learned this recipe from my cousin when I visited my home town in Syria back in 2005. 

I fell in love with the combination of flavores and the lightness of it as well as the level of easiness to make it! The ingredients are so simple I just added the prailines to add crunch and caramel flavor plus it gives it an elegant looking piece of dessert ;)

To make this light twisted version of tiramisu (I call it the Syrian tiramisu:) )

You will need:

Cool whip 2. 8oz containers

Maries biscuits or tea biscuits 45-60 (depending on the shape and size)

3 tablespoons Instant coffee dissolved in one cup of water or a cup of any kind of strong coffee.

For decorating :

Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.

Caramel candy (optional):

1 cup of sugar 1/4 cup of water

Bring to boil and gently swirl the pan to even out the color and prevent from burning in isolated spots. Spread quickly on a prepared parchment paper in a thin layer and let it set and cool completely.

For the assembly of the tiramisu :

Spread a thin layer of the cool whip 

Then dipp the biscuits in the coffee and arrange a layer in a round pan or a plate.

Spread about 1/3 of the cool whip from one container on top. Repeat the same process until you have at least 3-4 Layers to finish it with a thick layer of the cool whip and by covering the sides too! 

Freez for at least 4-5 hours or overnight 

To decorate, dust the top with a good amount of cocoa powder then finish with hard caramel pieces (pralines) on top and sides (explained below) 

ps. If you want to use the pralines, break the caramel you layered on a parchment paper into small pieces it should look like broken glass. Crumble half of the pieces into fine crumbs (I put them into a ziplock bag and smashed with a rolling pin) spread between the layers and on top of the coco powder and use the larger pieces to stick on the side of the cake (pictured).

Take it out of the freezer 2 hours before serving!

Enjoy :)

Red Lentil Stew

I watch the Chew when I have some free time,  It's a fun cooking show on abc network, hosted by Clinton Kelly, Chef Mario Batali, Chef Michael Symon, Karla Hall and Daphne Oz. 


Daphne and chef Mario made this lovely stew with red lentils and sweet potato which I really loved and had to make it the same day. It is very similar to the one I usually make with some more healthy extras!

I used:

• Olive Oil
• 1 Red Onion (finely chopped)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 7 Carrots (thinly sliced coins)
• 2 Celery Ribs (finely chopped)
• 1 Bunch of Kale or spinach (chopped)
• 3 Garlic cloves (finely minced)
• 2 cups Red Lentils (rinsed)
• 2 teaspoons ground toasted Cumin Seeds 
• 1 teaspoon ground toasted Coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon Chipotle powder or smoked paprika or Aleppo pepper  
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
• 6 cups Water or more
• 1 Sweet Potato (peeled and finely diced; about 1 cup)
• freshly squeezed lemon juice from one lemon

Served with whole grain crackers

Method :)

Sautéed onions in a heavy bottomed pot with the hot oil.

add the celery, carrots and cook for 3 more minutes. 

add garlic and saute for 1 more minute.add in lentils and sweet potato and cook for about 3-4 minutes, toasting in the oil.

add the cumin, coriander, chipotle powder or any of the substitute u have and the turmeric with a pinch of salt and peper.

add the hot water, stir and bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 45 minutes or until the lentil is cooked thoroughly and has a good consistincy. then add the greens, stir and cook for 3 more minutes.

to serve:  splash with lemon juice and a pinch of cumin along with toast or crackers or my favorite (Trader Joe's Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips )

find the Chew recipe here:
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/red-lentil-sweet-potato-stew-daphne-oz 

Enjoy :)

Thai chicken curry recipe

There are so many variations of chicken curry recipes out there. I have tried few recipes I found online, in cookbooks or some I came up with! 

This recipe is so easy and delicious! 

and the ingredients are very simple! It is a one pot meal and semi-homemade!

Ingredients:

1 medium onion cut in half and sliced 1/2" thickness 

5-6 small skinless boneless chicken thighs

2 sweet potatoes roughly chopped 

2 carrots chopped 

One red bell pepper thickly sliced

1-2" piece of fresh ginger minced

 3 gloves of garlic sliced

1 (11oz) trader joes Thai yellow curry sauce 

In a hot heavy bottomed pot, sauté the onions with 3-4 tbls olive oil for 4-5 minutes. Add the ginger and cook for another minute

Add the chicken and brown each side

Add garlic, carrots, sweet potato and mix  everything together!  Cook for 8-10 minutes then add red peppers and let cook for 2 more minutes.

add the curry sauce, mix well, cover, bring to boil then let it simmer till the chicken and the veggies are tender and the sauce has thickened!!!

Serve it warm on a bed of jasmine rice

(1cup jasmine rice 2cups water, bring water to boil add salt and a table spoon of cooking coconut oil then add the rice cover and let simmer on low till the water is all absorbed! ) 

Enjoy! :)

Nancy

Cheese kenafeh

Katayfie dough filled with fresh mozzarella cheese and simple syrup 

Kibbeh Labanieh

this was my second challenge!

  to make an authentic Syrian food

Thanksgiving bakings!!

Carrot cake

Carrot Cake

Cardamom Coconuts Cookies

Ricotta cheese pie

this is just a delicious cheese pie. the dough is made with wine and the filling is mixed with candied peel of lemon, orange and grapefruit in addition to the dark chocolate chips!!! one of my favorites..u have to try it....