Tasty Mediterranean

Tiramisu Birthday Cake

2017-09-03T18:06:00.000+01:00

Another comfort food recipe... Another cake!! A no bake one and who doesn't love that?
I made this for my husband's birthday and it was a hit. It took me literally 15min from start to finish but the results were amazing. The hardest part is remembering to make it the night before so it has time to set in the fridge.

The recipe calls for mascarpone cheese but regular full fat cream cheese will work too.

Also, when talking about tiramisu, ladyfingers would be the biscuits to go with but I thought chocolate chips were a great alternative. The chocolate chips gave the cake a really nice texture and flavour.

Try it, I promise you'll love it!!

Pepperoni and Leek Pizza Braid

2017-02-27T11:19:00.000+00:00

Saturday Pizza Night has become a nice little tradition at our house and we love it!! It's relaxing after a long week of work and quite rewarding especially when you have your homemade pizza (and wine, but we won't talk about that now :))

This weekend I wanted to steer away from the traditional open-faced pizza and thought would go with this pizza braid. It was rich, delicious, moreish... Amazing!!

The nice thing is that you can go crazy with your toppings!! Put in whatever your heart desires or whatever you have on hand but I'd say stick with the garlic and parsley oil on top as that adds a tonne of flavour. It seeps nicely into the dough, leaving it super soft.

This recipe also makes for nice leftovers so don't be afraid to double up the recipe.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

2017-02-21T22:37:00.002+00:00

This cake is a delight!! Soft, chocolaty, indulgent.... Pure bliss!! It doesn't require any flour which is where the lightness (and the name duhh) comes from.

I first saw it on an old Nigella video recipe and decided to customise it a bit to my liking.

I'd say it's an absolute showstopper for when you have visitors yet it's so easy to put together. I made it with my 2 year old and he thoroughly enjoyed helping, especially at the end... Decorating a cake with a little one is so much fun!!

What we really liked is the chocolate base going so well with the soft whipped cream but adding the berries and fresh mint on top takes it to a completely different cloud like level. I opted for raspberries on top but any berry you have on hand will absolutely do.

Now go ahead, get baking and treat yourself!!

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Burek so Sirenje - Cheese Filo Pie

2014-03-01T12:24:00.000+00:00

Where I come from this is the ultimate breakfast!! Everyone has a slice of burek. Whether you're on your way to work, school or a busy day of running errands, you can't resist the smell of fresh burek coming out of the town bakeries.

I had a craving for one this morning... And what's a girl to do? :-D Gotta buckle down and make some. Oh and trust me, this will make your house smell like a nice little bakery. Better than any candle for sure :-)
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Olive Tapenade

2014-02-18T20:04:00.000+00:00

For all the olive lovers out there... This is an amazing spread!! It gets together literally in 5min and lasts in the fridge for days. It's super duper delicious, and oh so satisfying!!!

Couple of weeks ago I went to London for lunch with some friends. They served this on a sharing platter with some warm bread and it was divine.

So when I got back home I decided to whip up my own version... And yeah, now I can't get enough :-) You can use green or black olives, I opted for green here because that happened to be in the fridge, but a black tapenade is just as yummy!

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Sweet Potato and Bacon Risotto

2013-12-05T20:13:00.000+00:00

Sweet potatoes are super autumnal, wintery, comforting, delicious... There is something about them that makes the perfect meal when it's chilly outside. No wonder they are used so much around the Christmas holidays. You can probably find thousands of recipes out there to put them into and every single one of them is amazing.
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Chocolate Macarons

2013-10-12T19:31:00.003+01:00

Macarons... So delicious and delicate. So many people love them, but yet so few of them dare to make them. Yes, they do require a bit more TLC but once you set your mind to it you can do it.

These delicious bites of heaven were actually my husband's masterpiece. Since they were gone by the end of the night (yes, that's how yummy they are), I wanted to share the recipe. Just follow these steps and you'll be amazed by the baker inside you.
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The Simple Bread Roll

2013-09-29T15:16:00.002+01:00

I know I haven't been blogging for a little, but in between a wedding, new job and a bunch of other friends' and family celebrations to attend, I put my blog on the back burner...

So on this warm, autumnal Sunday I got the craving for some home made, soft rolls and I thought... Why not share the recipe?

The fact that these rolls are made without any eggs, milk and butter makes me rave even more about them. They are super light, soft and you can use them for pretty much anything...

Sandwiches, burgers, sausage rolls, gravy rolls...

Now you have endless possibilities to get creative here. You can either leave them plain or you can jazz them up a little bit. Right before you bake them you can brush them with olive oil and sprinkle whatever your heart desires:
sesame seeds, poppy

seeds, rock salt, salt and pepper, dried rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, basil... Really anything. I went with Italian seasoning blend.

Makes 12

Ingredients:

- 1 packet of active dry yeast
- 2tbs sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2tbs vegetable oil
- 1tsp salt
- 4 cups plain flour

Process:

- In a bowl, add the yeast, sugar and warm water. Let it sit for about 5min or until bubbles start to form.
- Add the oil and salt and give it a stir. Start adding the flour little by little, while stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon. You should end up with a non-sticky dough, so you might have to add or subtract a few tablespoons of flour. Knead for about 5min. I used my mum's technique, throwing the dough in the air 100 times and let it fall on the surface :-)
- Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel and put it aside for 1h so it can double in size.
- Then lay it on a lightly floured surface, punch the air out and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Form them into balls and put them on a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving about an inch in between.
- Lightly cover the rolls with greased cling film and let them rise for 45min. Brush them with olive oil and sprinkle your topping of choice (this step is optional).
- Preheat the oven to 200 C degrees. Bake for 12-14 min or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Bacon and Tomato Risotto

2013-07-20T16:38:00.001+01:00

They say, if you can make risotto, you can make anything... Well honestly it's not that complicated :) I've perfected my way now and if you follow these steps, I promise you will end up with the creamiest, tastiest risotto you've ever had. So let's get going...

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Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad

2013-07-16T18:11:00.000+01:00

Pasta salads are so popular, aren't they? They go with pretty much anything and can be very diverse. But one thing that's so, so common in each one of them is... wait for it... yes you guessed... Fatty mayo!! Pasta is already a high-caloric dish, why add hundreds more calories in it? I decided to share my grilled veggie pasta salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette that blows everyone's mind once they try it.
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Vanilla Blueberry Cake

2013-05-29T22:01:00.003+01:00

Last weekend I went to a charity coffee morning, dedicated to the MS Society. Everyone had a slice of cake and enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee or tea.
When I had to think of what dessert to make and bring over, I figured everyone likes vanilla and berries, so I went ahead and made a delicious combo of these two ingredients.

The cake by itself is amazingly delicious but when topped with the crumb topping it's definitely taken to the next level!! The crunchiness of the topping goes really well with the moist cake, which is perfect when enjoying it with a cup of coffee.

All I can say is that this was an absolute winner and people kept coming for more. Make it the next time you have visitors over... I promise you won't regret it!!

Ingredients:

For the cake mixture:

- 300g plain flour
- 2tsp baking powder
- 1/2tsp baking soda
- 1/2tsp salt
- 135g sugar
- 3tsp vanilla extract
- 1 heaped tbs sour cream (ricotta works too)
- 250ml milk
- 2 eggs
- 125g butter, at room temperature
- 375g fresh blueberries

For the crumb topping:

- 50g white sugar
- 50g brown sugar
- 2tbs plain flower
- 1/4tsp cinnamon
- 3tbs cold butter

Process:

- Preheat your oven to 190 C degrees and grease a spring form pan.
- In a bowl mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Take two tbs of this mixture and toss with the blueberries to ensure they stay all over the cake, otherwise they'll drown to the bottom. Then, set aside.
- In another bowl mix the butter, sugar, eggs, milk, sour cream and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry to the wet ingredients, mix well and then carefully fold in the blueberries. Pour this mixture in the greased pan and set aside.
- In a small bowl, add all the crumb topping ingredients and mix them well together. Sprinkle on top of the cake batter. Bake for 60min, let cool completely end enjoy!

Grilled Chicken Salad

2013-05-11T18:53:00.000+01:00

I love the freshness of spring!! Veggies are in season, the farmer's market is full of people and the best of all... You can't wait to get home and make some fresh salad!!
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Rice & Chicken (Oriz so Kokoska)

2013-05-06T19:12:00.000+01:00

I've been loving this meal ever since I was past the baby food stage. No kidding! :-) There is a rice and chicken meal in almost every culture around the world, but since I grew up with the one that's common in Macedonia, it would have to be my favourite. My grandma makes it, my mum makes it, so that's why I make it now :-) And every time it brings back memories and puts me into my comfort zone :-)

Easy Chocolate Fondant

2013-05-05T15:49:00.000+01:00

The best thing to do when hosting a dinner party is to prepare things in advance. That way you have the time to spend time with your guests and still wow them when it's dessert time. This chocolate fondant idea came about when my mum mentioned how it's one of her favourite sweet treats, so my husband rolled up his sleeves and buckled down the recipe. It's super easy, simple, yet it makes for a delicious and comforting treat. The reaction on everyone's face as the gooey chocolate comes out is priceless :)

Chocolate Caramel Brownie Bites

2013-04-28T19:27:00.000+01:00

This recipe is so good, it doesn't even need a description :) We all love chocolate brownies!! But when you add caramel to them, it takes them to the ultimate level of deliciousness :-D Now, you can use a store-bought sauce or if you have a minute to spare, make your very own salted caramel sauce. Tip: You could double up the sauce ingredient amount and use it as an ice-cream topping ;)

Pita Rustica

2013-03-05T20:28:00.000+00:00

I love country food! It's warm, welcoming and super enjoyable. This definitely is a go-to recipe every time I am in a baking mood and it's always a hit. I've heard it being called pizza rustica, rustic pie, country pie, Easter ham pie..., but the first time I had it was called pita rustica and I am choosing to stick to that name :-)
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Brisket Biscuit Sliders

2013-03-03T17:12:00.000+00:00

Oh how I love weekends!! It's always so much fun to think of a nice dinner idea, have the house smell like heaven and indulge like never before...
Well, this weekend it was time for my Brisket Biscuit Sliders!! Yep, I know... It sounds amazing :-) And the best thing is that it's super easy to put this together. I cooked my brisket in a slow cooker, but you can also do this in the oven. So, let's roll!

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Lightened up Mac & Cheese

2013-02-04T01:00:00.000+00:00

Mac & Cheese is probably a meal that floats everyone's boat. It's quick, simple, delicious and requires just a handful of ingredients that we all have in the fridge. It's the perfect meal to make after a long work day, on a lazy weekend or really whenever you crave some Mac & Cheese. The bonus is: kids love it!!

Now, normally people finish the meal with putting breadcrumbs on top and baking, which is very delicious. This lighter version comes together in 10min on the stove top, there are no breadcrumbs, no baking, and it requires less sauce... Less calories, less fuss, still very delicious!!

Millet Cakes

2013-01-24T20:53:00.001+00:00

Who thought healthy food can be so delicious? Not me, for sure :-)
This recipe came up not because I planned on making millet cakes, but because I wanted to empty my pantry. Have you ever gone into that cleaning mode and sworn that you'll first use up everything you have and then go food shopping? Yep, that's what happened today. So, I thought I'd give this a go and... WOW! So delicious, super crispy and very filling (yet, so few calories) :-D

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The Ultimate Chocolate Cake (Reform Torta)

2013-01-11T15:54:00.000+00:00

Chocolate and walnuts... Ohhh such goodness!!
My grandma used to make this cake every time someone asked for a dessert. According to her, this is the only chocolate cake recipe you'd ever need because it's super rich, extremely comforting and very delicious!! Seriously, anyone you make this for, will love you forever... Yep, I promise :-D

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Festive Cupcakes

2012-12-30T22:19:00.000+00:00

I made these moist orange cupcakes* as a NYE dessert and everyone loved them. They are super easy to make, can be prepared in advance and I promise they'll be a hit at any party! I decided to decorate them with these cute star flowers from the local bakery, but feel free to go crazy with decorations :-D It's New Year's Eve after all!

Yummy Grilled Pizza

2012-12-26T15:27:00.001+00:00

Who doesn't love pizza? It's quick to make and super delicious to enjoy! And what's the most fun part? Choosing the baking method and toppings!!! I wanted to sway from the traditional oven bake method, so I decided to grill it on the panini maker (you could also do it outside on the BBQ grill or in a griddle pan). Then, came the toppings part! I decided to use up all the leftovers I had in the fridge :-) So feel free to do any combinations you like, because the possibilities are really endless. Any leftover sauce, meat and cheese will work! So let's get going...

Dad's Leek & Feta Crumpled Pie

2012-12-24T15:06:00.000+00:00

I've had this pie on a few occasions now, and every time it tastes better than ever. It's my dad's proven recipe and since he is so awesome, I've decided to watch him make it, help around and put the recipe up, so everyone else can enjoy it :-) The great part is that you can fill it with absolutely anything your heart desires... Veggies work (spinach works really well), meat... Really, any leftovers would do :-) The only "must" is that you really MUST try it because it's extremely delicious, yet quick and easy.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

- 30 filo (phyllo) pastry sheets (might need a few more or less, depending on the size of the baking dish)
- 1kg leeks, finely chopped
- 300g feta cheese, crumbled
- 250g butter
- 50ml water
- 3tbs vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste

Process:

- In a skillet, add the oil, leeks and seasoning. Sauté for about 10min over a medium high heat. Mix in the cheese and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 200 C degrees and generously brush a baking dish with oil.
- Place 4 filo sheets on the bottom, letting the edges fall out on each side.

- Place a filo sheet on a cutting board* and sprinkle some of the leek and cheese mixture. Crumple it with your hand and place it in the dish. Repeat the process and line up the crumples one next to another.

- Melt the butter and water together. Spoon the mixture over the crumples, then put the hanging edges of pastry on top to act as a cover. If they aren't long enough to cover the pie, place a whole filo sheet on top, to ensure the pie is covered.

- Bake for 15min, then flip by putting a plate or another baking dish on top, flipping the pie and sliding it back in. Bake for another 25min and enjoy this delicious Pita!

* Place a clean plastic bag on the cutting board, so you ensure easy movement for the pastry. If it's hard to move around, the pastry might break.

Mint Vodka Lemonade

2012-12-22T15:51:00.000+00:00

OK, so this is probably the easiest cocktail ever and if I say so myself, one of the most delicious out there. It fits perfectly for a late Saturday afternoon or for a workday evening... Or whenever you are in a mood for a cocktail :-) I made it for my family on a Friday night, everyone loved it, so I had to put the recipe together.

Serves 4 (may vary depending on the size of serving glasses you use)

Ingredients:

- 1 cup good quality Russian vodka
- 3 lemons, zested, juiced and strained (lime works too)
- 2 1/2 cups club soda (Sprite, 7up or Lemon Mineral Water work too)
- 4tbs sugar
- 4tbs water
- a handful of fresh mint (fresh rosemary works too)
- some ice

Process:

- In a saucepan, add the water and sugar and swirl around. Bring it to a boil, lower the heat to a medium and let it simmer for about 5min. Set aside and let it cool completely. This will make a simple syrup* to sweeten the cocktail.
- When you're ready to make the cocktails, put the vodka into a pitcher, add the lemon juice, along with the syrup and mint and give it a stir. I made mine on the rocks. If you want a smoothie, add everything to a blender and get it blended for 1min.
- Pour into a glass filled with ice and enjoy!

* Take the extra minute to make the simple syrup (you can also make it days in advance). If you just add the sugar and water to a cold drink, the sugar won't dissolve and will sink to the bottom of the glass.

Homemade Buttery Soft Pretzels

2012-12-14T20:35:00.000+00:00

While I studied in Germany, I used to get a soft pretzel (Laugenbrezel) for breakfast every so often. It was the treat of the day and I figured (since I like them so much) I should learn how to make them on my own. Now, I know that the ones in Germany are dipped in lye solution, but as it is a little dangerous to use I think baking soda does the job just as well. Also, I am more of a savory girl, so I prefer my pretzels with salt on top (or sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cheese...). But if you like your pretzels with cinnamon on top, this recipe* works just as fine. So, let's get to it...

Makes 12 pretzels

Ingredients:

- 500g plain flour, and a little more for dusting

- 2 1/4tsp yeast (or one individual package)

- 1tbs sugar

- 1tbs salt, and some more for sprinkling on top

- 350ml warm water (not hot)

- 2tbs butter, melted

- 5tbs baking soda (optional)**
- 5cups of water
- a little bit of vegetable oil for brushing

Process:

- In a bowl, add the yeast, pour the warm water in along with the salt and sugar and let it sit for about 10min to get activated.

- Add the flour and melted butter and start kneading. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle some more flour on it and keep kneading till it's smooth and no longer sticky.

- Put it in a clean, oiled bowl, brush it with vegetable oil and put a kitchen towel over it. Place it in a warm area and let it rise for an hour.

- After an hour, place the dough on a floured surface and cut it into 12 equal pieces. Roll every piece into a 15" rope, shape into a pretzel and put it on a greased baking sheet or parchment paper.

- Let the pretzels rest for 20min (covered) while preheating the oven to 230 C.

- Bring the 5 cups of water to a boil, mix in the baking soda, then place 1 to 2 pretzels in for 1min. Take them out and put them back on the baking sheet. Baking soda gives them a rich brown colour.
- Once they are all out of the water, sprinkle some salt on top and pop them in the oven for 15-20min or until golden brown. Enjoy!

* Freezer tip: Let them cool completely, freeze them and once you want them again, stick them in the microwave or oven.

** You can still make the pretzels without baking soda. To give them a golden colour, brush them with a beaten egg before baking.