Oreo Truffles

These are fun, quick, bake-free treats! Although I dipped these in white chocolate, I personally prefer them in milk chocolate. I make these as party favors, if you're interested email me!

WHAT YOU NEED (Makes 27-30 truffles)

1 Package of Oreo Cookies
1 Package of Cream Cheese (8 OZ)
White chocolate, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate for coating.
Food Processor

LET'S GET STARTED

1. Place the entire package of Oreos in food processor and keep pressing until it turns into crumbs.
2. Add the cream cheese (I mixed the cream cheese with the crumbs by hand, and then back in the food processor) Make sure you do it quickly so the cream cheese doesn't get too soft.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, then put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
4. Melt the chocolate of your choice over a double boiler, or the microwave.
5. Dip the truffles in the chocolate, and place it back on wax paper or parchement paper. You can then deccorate with swirls, coconut, sugar dust, etc..


Enjoy!

FUN MEAL: Omelet Sandwich with Fries

Everyone that has a child knows how difficult it is to feed them, especially if they are picky eaters. This is not a recipe, but just an idea for all of you who want to make something different. My son stared at this for about 5 minutes before he jumped in, but he did eat it all!!

I cut up some potatoes and fried them. If you want to be a bit healthier, you can bake them, or boil them then sautee in olive oil.

I sauteed some spinach with garlic and onion powder, added in two mixed eggs, salt and pepper to make an omelet.

Using a cookie cutter (You can use a star or any other shape), I cut out a piece of toast, and the omelet. (I ate the rest of the pieces so nothing goes to waste)

Put it all together and top it with some cream cheese!

Good Luck!

Apple Zeppole

Ok so I was watching the food network and Giada made these look so easy and delicious so I thought I'd give them a try. They came out great (for my taste buds) but the best thing is, it took me 25 minutes to prepare the dough and cook them, so I highly recommend them!

WHAT YOU NEED

1 large apple, peeled and grated (I used a cheese grater) 1/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup water 1 cup flour 4 eggs confectioners' sugar for dusting Oil for frying (She recommends Olive, I used vegetable)

LET'S GET STARTED

1) In a sauce pan, bring the following to a boil: Butter, water, sugar, and salt.
2) Add flour and stir for about 5 minutes
3) Transfer the flour mixture into a bowl and beat smooth, then add one egg at a time
4) Add the grated apple into the mix, and stir with a spoon
5) Start Frying!

I used half a teaspoon because it doubled its size when it was fried, dry on a paper towel, transfer to a plate and sprinkle with confectioner sugar.

For more details, please visit:

Food Network Site

Enjoy!

Algerian Holidays Sweets

Marzipan Fruits

These are delicious homemade Almond Paste cookies from scratch, and I mean from scratch! I first peeled the almonds, roasted, and then turned them into powder. After mixing with sugar and eggs, the fun begins!

Now as much as I want to put the recipe up, I think this one will remain a secret as it is in the process of turning into a business.

Algerian Cuisine: Roses

It is the Algerian tradition to celebrate with sweets. Holidays, weddings, births, you name it, we bake it! The more variety, the better. It’s not uncommon to see 5-10 different almond/walnut sweets at Algerian celebrations. I tried these for the first time, although it takes practice to make them look as actual roses, they are worth it!


WHAT YOU NEED

Dough

3 Cups of Flour
1 Cup of Melted Butter
1 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
3-5 Tablespoons of Orange Blossom Water (OB)
Red/Blue Food Coloring

Mix flour, salt, and sugar, then add the melted butter. Knead the dough well, and add the OB slowly. Mix red and blue food coloring (3:1 ratio) to get a rose color. Set aside to prepare filling

Filling

1 Cup of Ground Walnuts
1/3 Cup of Confectioner Sugar
Zest of 1 Lemon (I used orange)
1-2 Teaspoons of Orange Blossom Water (OB)


Mix the first three ingredients then add OB slowly. Mixture should not be too soft or too sticky but smooth when you roll it in your hand.

Syrup

1 Cup of Honey
1 Tablespoon of Orange Blossom Water (OB)

Melt honey in the microwave for about 45 seconds so it liquefies, then add OB.

LET’S GET STARTED

1) Pre-heat oven to 350, butter a tray then sprinkle with flour and set aside.
2) Roll the dough on a flat surface, use a cookie cutter or something circular to cut our even circles ( I used my napkin ring holder)
3) Place 5 circles overlapping each other
4) Roll the walnut mixture in a thin log and place in lower half of the circles
5) Roll the circles slowly from one end to the other, then cut the ending with a sharp knife. Place on tray, and repeat.
6) Bake for about 20-25 minutes
7) As soon as it comes out of the oven, dip the roses in the honey syrup then set aside on wax paper and voila!

This should make about 25-30 roses!

Enjoy!

(Click on Image to view a closup)

Family, Husband, and Guests

I’ve made my kitchen a culinary lab; a place to innovate, test, and create. The judges consist of my kids, husband, extended family, and friends.

My family loves to eat, and judges mainly on presentation. My father always said: Your eyes eat first. My parents have taught me that presentation matters, and to respect yourself, family, and guests by serving in the best manner possible.

My husband’s eyes never lie. He is the most honest judge, but judges oh so gently. His taste buds are different then mine. His mother is an experienced homemaker, who’s fed her children the best of Pakistani cuisine. However, our tastes are extremely different, but hey we still get along! How do I know he likes a dish? Well he goes for second, third, and so on and so "fourth".

My guests and friends are always considerate, and of course they will never judge harshly. I get extremely excited when we invite friends over for dinner, as it’s the best time for me to really try out new and old recipes.

Having a grandmother full of traditional Algerian recipes, a mom who’s an expert baker, a husband of Pakistani background, and an American culture filled with opportunity, the culinary innovations are endless! So please enjoy, and feel free to throw in suggestions!