Mini Eclairs

The first time I was introduced to this delicious, mouth watering dessert was when my cousin ordered it in a restaurant 16 years ago. This has been my go to dessert ever since! The thing that hooked me into this dessert was the pastry cream. This cream is so versatile, you can pipe it into donuts which tastes amazing! You can use it as a filling for cakes or have them with fruits (I think they go well with berries). 

Eclairs might be an intimidating French dessert to begin with, but it is actually not that difficult. The "dough" which is called 'pate a choux' is so easy to make because there is an obvious sign that happens (mentioned in the recipe) which lets you know when the dough is ready for the next step and there aren't a lot of steps. When it comes to cooking the pastry cream it can get tricky if you wander off. You have to pay attention to it at all times so you don't burn the cream and little bits of brown parts ruin that beautiful pale yellow cream (been there, done that!).

For the recipe, click here! 

Tuna Stir Fried Rice

A classic Chinese dish, so versatile and easy to make. Just bring out left over rice (or make new ones if you don't have left overs), vegetables (broccoli, peas, beans, corn, baby corn, carrots), your choice of protein, eggs with some soy sauce and sesame oil then mix everything together!

For a detailed recipe, keep reading :)

Ingredients:
-Cooked rice (2 cups)
-Small onion (chopped)
-Mix of vegetables (around 1 cup of each depending on how much you are making)
-Your choice of protein (chicken, beef, tuna)
-2 eggs
-Soy Sauce
-Sesame oil
-Salt
-Pepper
-Stir fry sauce (optional)

Directions:
-Heat up a skillet or wok on medium.
-Add some sesame oil or vegetable oil and add chopped onions.
-Add vegetables, season and cook until tender.
-Cook protein if it needs cooking.
-Remove cooked vegetables onto a plate and scramble the eggs in the same skillet, when done, add in the vegetables and protein mix.
- Add in cooked rice.
-Add soy sauce, sesame oil and stir fry sauce and mix well.
-For something extra add a bit of 5 spices or Sriracha (hot sauce)

Bon Appetite!

Strawberry Cupcakes

What prompted me to make these cupcakes? Left over strawberries! I'm loving this flavor and it is somehow different from others I've made. It kind of tastes like strawberry shakes so yay! I've paired this cake with cream cheese frosting but for next time I would just add a nice strawberry on top! I started with a cake pan then used a cupcake pan for the rest of the batter. For the cake, it took me 20 minutes more in the oven than the time specified, but for the cupcakes,the timing was right. 

For the recipe click here! :) 

Homemade Spinach Fatayer

Spinach fatayer is one of the food that got me through all the lectures and exams during my undergraduate years. When it was lunchtime, my friend and I would run to the cafeteria and get ourselves each one big hot spinach fatayer (imagine the ones in the picture but 5 times bigger). Fatayer is a Middle Eastern cuisine that can be stuffed with meat, cheese or spinach and are usually found in many if not all traditional restaurants in Lebanon. It is fun making these and you don't need to wait too long for them to be baked in the oven. Whenever I make these there never seems to be any left for the next day so that is the only downside to this :) 

For the recipe click here!

Spinach Fatayer Recipe

Spinach Fatayer

For the dough:

• 425 g. flour (approx 3 cups) 
• 3/4 cup  warm milk (not too hot or else the yeast won't function) 
• 1/2 tsp sugar

• 1 tsp dry active yeast
• 1/4 cup canola or extra virgin olive oil

For the filling:

• 500 g spinach, finely chopped
• 2 medium onions, finely diced
• juice of 2-3 lemons, or more to taste
• 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt and black pepper, to taste

Putting them together: 

1. Add the yeast to the warm milk with the half teaspoon of sugar. Set aside and covered for 5-10 minutes.
2. Prepare the dough: mix the oil with the flour and gently mix in the yeast/milk mixture. Add salt and knead until the dough is soft and elastic (10-15 minutes)
3. Divide the dough into small individual balls and cover with a damp towel while you prepare the filling.
4. Dice the onions then add salt and pepper. In a separate bowl add salt to the spinach and rub the leaves until they begin to wilt (the salt helps the spinach release its water).
5. Squeeze out as much water from the spinach as you can. Then mix with the seasoned onion. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste. (If you leave the mix over night, I suggest adding additional lemon when you are ready to use the filling)
6. Form the fatayer by flattening out each piece of dough. If the dough starts to contract too much, let it rest more.
7. Add a spoonful of the spinach mixture to the center of the rolled dough. Make sure to keep the sides of the dough clear of oil or filling. This step will help you seal it easier. 
8. Pinch the dough into a triangular shape and set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Brush the fatayer with milk or a light egg wash and bake in a 450 degree F oven (232 degrees C or Gas Mark 8) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Enjoy hot or in room temperature!