Wednesday, December 12, 2007

SWEET TREATS FOR XMAS

Chritsmas day (and my birthday) is now less than two weeks away and if you haven't already thought about preparing yummy treats for the end of year festivities, then it's more than time to get moving!

Some of you might already have spent days in the
kitchen, but procrastinators like me have not really started yet. In fact, I still have to think about what I'm going to bake/make... Therefore, in order to ease your task and make things a little easier for you, I have listed all the cookie, bar, cake, tart and dessert recipes which might interest you ...

Have fun while browsing through my blog and happy baking!

~ Milk Chocolate & Caramel Tart ~

Sweet & festive recipes (recettes en anglais, malheureusement):
Apple Latkes (see recipe)
Bostoni Cream Pie (see recipe)
Brazilian Coffee Cookies (see recipe)
Cantuccini - Biscotti Cookies (see recipe)
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (see recipe)
Chocolate Intensity Cake (see recipe)
Chocolate Mousse (see recipe)
Chocolate Walnut Fudge (see recipe)
Deadly Blondies (see recipe)

~ Deadly Blondies ~
Dream Bars (see recipe)
Earl Grey Chocolate Mousse (see recipe)
Fudgy Low-Fat Cocoa Cookies (see recipe)
Ginger-Flavored Banana Cake (see recipe)
Honey Cinnamon Graham Cookies (see recipe)

Italian Ricotta Cookies (see recipe)
Kriegskuchen - War-Time Spice Bread (see recipe)
Lamingtons (see recipe)

Lemon Curd (see recipe)
Lemon Honey Cookies (see recipe)
~ Chocolate Intensity Cake ~
Luscious Lemon Bars (see recipe)
Luscious Pumpkin Jam (see recipe)

Macadamia Nut Cookies (see recipe)
Magenbrot (see recipe)
Mailänderli Cookies (see recipe)
Milk Chocolate And Caramel Tart (see recipe)
Nian-Gao (see recipe)
Pfeffernüsse Cookies (see recipe)
Profiteroles (see recipe)
Pumpkin Apple Bread (see recipe)
Sienese Panforte (see recipe)
Swiss Brunslis (see recipe)
Swiss Mailänderli - Milan Cookies (see recipe)
Swiss Zimsterne (see recipe)
Tahinopitta - Tahini Cake (see recipe)
Tiramisù Mousse & Lemon Curd Tart (see recipe)

~ Tiramisù Mousse & Lemon Curd Tart ~
Tiramisù Mousse & Lemon Curd Verrine (see recipe)
Triflemisù (see recipe)

(Tiramiù Mousse & Lemon Curd Tart by Rosa -Pic by Hal Ogreid)

Monday, December 10, 2007

MAILÄNDERLI - XMAS COOKIES

As 25th of Decembers is soon here, I have decided to talk a little about Switzerland's traditional festive cookies. Today, I am presenting you the most popular Christmas treat in our land: Mailänderli (see link, pronounce: my-lend'rrlee) Milanais (in French) or Milan cookies (in English)...

Those rich shortbread cookies are very basic and simple, but ever so refined and gorgeously delightful taste-wise with their tinge of lemon and divine buttery flavor. For me, it is the quintessential end of year cookie, the one which symbolizes the Christmas celebrations on it's own. Mailänderli (see link for more infos) were always baked at my home and generally, they were extremely successful.

They behold the spirit of my childhood. Now, every time I eat one of those little biscuits, I am transported back in time when I still believed Santa Claus existed and I used to enquire on the morning of the 25th to see if he (Mr. Santa) had drunken the small glass of Sherry which I had left for him along with a few cookies. I can remember how excited I was, because I saw shoemarks on the floor, the consumed offerings on the living room table and the proof that he had been sitting on the settee! Then, my joyful was even bigger when I discovered my presents lying under a wonderfully fragrant tree!! It was a heavenly feeling!

~ Mailänderli Cookies ~
Recipe by Rosa @ Rosa's Yummy Yums


Makes around 40 cookies.

Ingredients:
250g Unsalted butter

240g Castor sugar
1/2 Tsp Salt
3 Eggs (~53g), at room temperature

The zest of 1 - 1 1/3 lemons
500g Plain white flour, sifted
Ingredients for the glazing:
1 Egg yolk

1 Tsp water

Method:
1. Cream the butter with the sugar.

2. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition, until the mixture is smooth in consistency.
2. Add the salt and the lemon zest.

3. Incorporate the flour until you get a soft dough.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic cellophane and refrigerate for a few hours (2-3 hours).
5. Get the dough out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before rolling it.
6. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
7. Roll out the dough (5-6 mm thickness) on a lightly floured
surface.
8. Cut out shapes
with the cookie cutters of your choice.
9. Place cut out shapes on a baki
ng tray lined with baking paper.
10. Brush the tops with the egg yolk and water mixture.
11. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 10 minutes, until golden in color.

Remarks:
Do not knead the dough, otherwise the biscuits would be too
hard. You have to work the dough delicately, a bit like shortcrust pastry (see the shortcrust recipe).
The “Mailänderli Cookies” should not be rolled out too thinly nor too thickly, therefore you should rigorously respect the instructions.
If you wish you can cut out biscuits with a hole in the ce
nter so that you can hang them on the Christmas tree or use them as gift decorations/ornaments.

Serving suggestions:
Eat your "Mailäanderli Cookies" with a good cup of tea, coffee or
hot chocolate.
Keeps in a metallic tin for up to a month.


***************


~ Milanais ~
Recette par Rosa @ Rosa's Yummy Yums

Pour environ 40 biscuits.

Ingrédients:
250g de Beurre non-salé

240g de Sucre cristallisé
1/2 CC de Sel

3 Oeufs (~53g), à température ambiante
Le zeste de 1 - 1 1/3 citrons
500g de Farine fleur, tamisée
Ingrédients pour badigeonner les biscuits:
1 Jaune d'oeuf

1 CC d'Eau

Méthode:
1. Battre le beurre en crème avec le sucre jusqu'à ce que l'appareil blanchisse.
2. Incorporer les oeufs un à un en mélangeant bien après chaque ajout afin d'obtenir une pommade légère et homogène.

2. Ajouter le sel et le zeste.
3. Incorporer toute la farine afin d'obtenir une boule de pâte.

4. Emballer la pâte dans une feuille de plastique alimentaire et la mettre au frigo pour quelques heures (2-3 heures).
5. Sortir la pâte du frigo au moins 30 minutes avant de la travailler/l'abaisser.
6. Préchauffer le four à 200°C (400°F).
7. Sur un plan fariné, abaisser la pâte sur 5-6mm d'épaisseur.
8. Découper la pâte abaissée avec les emporte-pièces de votre choix.

9. Déposer les biscuits (non-cuits) sur une plaque recouverte de papier sulfurisé.
10. Badigeonner avec le mélange jaune d'oeuf/eau.
11. Cuire au milieu du four pendant environ 10 minutes, jusqu'à ce que les biscuits deviennent dorés.

Remarques:
Ne pétrissez pas la pâte autrement les biscuits seront durs. Travaillez-là délicatement telle une pâte à tarte (
voir ma recette de pâte à tarte).
Les "Milanais" ne doivent pas être trop abaissés/minces ni trop épais.
Vous pouvez découper des biscuits avec un trou au centre afin de les accrocher au sapin ou de les utiliser com
me élément de décoration pour vos emballage-cadeaux.

Idées de présentation:
Il n'y a rien de meilleur que d'accompagner ces biscuits d'une bonne tasse de thé, de café ou de chocolat chaud.
Vous pouvez les garder au maximum un mois dans une boite à biscuits.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #131

This week, Sher and the poor little Upsie (who has diabetes) at "What Did You Eat?" (USA) are happy to announce that they are hosting Weekend Cat Blogging #131...

To submit your kitty picture(s), you can either leave a message in their blog's comment section (with your permalinks) or contact them via e-mail without forgetting to give all the needed informations.

Fridolin, this little rascall, has badly behaved today.
When I opened the apartment door in order to go out to throw the dustbin, he profited of one second inattention to slip out and run down the building stairs!
Thankfully there were no cats in the corridor (as it is the case sometimes).
At least, I caught him real fast and sent him bouncing back inside.
What a mischievious kitty he is!

Friday, December 7, 2007

AUTUMN HAS FADED AWAY...

Now that the leaves have all fallen, that snow is covering the mountain tops and that the air is crisp, it undeniably feels more like winter than autumn...

I already miss that very short period during which everything looks fiery and so beautiful! Here is my last set of fall-oriented pictures (click on photos to enlarge). May you enjoy them and let the euphoric colors of autumn transport you!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

HAPPY SAINT-NICOLAS DAY!

Hopefully, you have been very brave lately, otherwise Saint-Nicolas will come to fetch you...
Have a nice day!
Here's a "Grittibänz/Mannele Bread" recipe for you: see link.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
J'espère que vous avez été sages, autrement Saint-Nicolas viendra vous chercher...
Bonne journée!
Voici une recette pour les fameux "Grittibänz/Mannele Bread": lien en anglais.


(Saint-Nicolas Pic by www.joyeuse-fete.com)

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

HANUKKAH 2007 - FOOD IDEAS

HAPPY HANUKKAH!!!
~ December 4th - 12th ~

As it is the case wth most celebrations around the world, food is often the centerpiece of family reunions and holds a very important/symbolic role during the festivities. The Jewish tradition isn't an exception when it comes to feasting well...

It is for that reason that I have compiled a list which contains a few interesting recipes and links for all of you who celebrate Hanukkah (The Festival Of Lights) and/or for the adventurous and curious foodies in search of new culinary horizons. May it help you in your quest for new recipes...

Have a happy holiday and eat well!!!

My Recipes:
Interesting Blogs:
Cooking With Yiddishe Mama (
see link)

Is That My Buréka? (see link)
kosher Soul Food (see link)

My Mom's Recipes And More (see link)
Once Upon A Feast (see link)

Interesting links:
All Recipes (see link)
Better Recipes (see link)
Chabad.org (see link)
Chiff.com (see link)
Diana's Desserts (see link)
Epicurious.com (see link)
My Recipes (see link)
Norene Gilletz (see link)
Recipe Goldmine (see link)
Recipezaar (see link)

(Menorah Pic by www.spcc-storrs.org)
(Hanukkah Cookies Pic by www.thisnext.com)
(Dreidel Pic by www.judaicaspot.com)

Monday, December 3, 2007

WHOLEWHEAT & RYE SOURDOUGH BREAD

I am an avid home (bread) baker who likes to try various recipes and test new methods, yet although I have been making my own bread since about 10 years, I have taken up using sourdough only very lately and I must admit that it is a revelation!

Now, I always have my rye sourdough starter bravely waiting for me to take advantage of it's unique leavening power. Everyday, I feed it religiously and try to use it as often as possible (2-3 times a month)...

Today, I wish to share with you my love for this unique breadmaking method and for a dazzling sourdough specimen that has found grace in the eyes of the critic baker that I am. I baked it for our last "Dinner Party" (see link) in November and I must say, without trying to sound too pretentious, that it was pretty successful. The whole loaf disappeared incredibly fast! It was a real pleasure for me to see all those foodies eagerly cutting slice after slice of my baguette. Extremely gratifying to be rewarded in that way!

The recipe comes from the serious and incontrovertible The King Arthur Flour site which is a real baking goldmine. With them, it is impossible to mess up the things you bake!

This "Wholewheat And Rye Sourdough Bread" is incredibly pleasant. As wi
th all sourdough breads, it's crust has a wonderful dark golden brown color and is wickidly crispy. The interior has a deliciously and distictively tangy/soury taste, and texture-wise it is viciously chewy and moist. The addition of aromatic seeds brings a pungently mesmerizing and refined flavor of licorice to the whole loaf. Delightful and unique!

A bread that you will not regret trying for it leaves an everlas
ting positive impression on any gourmet who likes to titillate his/her tastebuds...

~ Wholewheat And Rye Sourdough Bread ~
Recipe by The King Arthur Flour (USA) and adapted by Rosa @ Rosa's Yummy Yums.

Makes 3 normal loaves.

Ingredients:
1 Tbs (1 packet) Active dry yeast

1 3/4 Cups (420ml) Lukewarm milk

6-7 Cups (765-893g) Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 Cup (158g) Whole Wheat Flour

1 Cup (120g) White rye flour

2 Cups(420g) Sourdough starter

1/4 Cup (60g) Packed dark brown sugar

2 Tsp Salt

1/2 Tsp Ground cardamom

1 Tbs Caraway seeds

1 Tsp Whole anise seeds

Method:
1. Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the lukewarm/tepid milk.
2. Add 1/2 cup of the unbleached flour and let this sit for a few minutes to get the yeast going.
3. Add the rest of the milk, the sourdough starter, sugar, salt, cardamom and
seeds.
4. Stir in the rye flour and beat until the batter is smooth.

5. Add the whole wheat flour, then the balance of the unbleached flour, a cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
6. When the dough has formed a shaggy mass, turn it out onto a lightly floured counter.
7. Knead the dough (and continue incorporating the leftover flour/see remarks) for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
8. Place the dough in a greased bowl.
9. Cover with a (damp) towel or plastic wrap and let rise (in a warm place) until it has doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

10. Punch the dough down and place it on a lightly floured counter/surface.
11. Shape as desired (see remarks).

12. Cover (with a tea towel) the loaves and let rise (in a warm place) for about 45 to 60 minutes, or until they're puffy and swollen.
13. Bake at 220° C (425° F) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread is nicely browned and sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom.
14. Get out of the oven and let cool on a rack.

Remarks:
While kneading the dough add as much flour as you need to keep it fr
om sticking to the working surface/counter. The dough should be a little tacky, but not sticky.
You can make one huge loaf or three normal loave
s (I made 3 baguettes/see method) or 4 mini loaves or about 24 rolls. You can also reserve a small amount of dough and roll it into long, thin strips that can be snipped with scissors to form a stalk of wheat to decorate the top of each loaf.

Serving suggestions:
This bread goes well with everything (jams, sweet/savory spre
ads, cheese, dried meat, stews, soups, etc...). It is also very practical if you want to make sandwiches or bruschette.
I particularly recommend it with pate, Brie/Munster/Maroille chee
se or with my "Greek Pork Stew With Quinces" (see recipe).

***************

~ Pain De Seigle Au Levain & A La Farine Complète ~
Recette par The King Arthur Flour (USA) et adaptée par Rosa @
Rosa's Yummy Yums.

Pour 3 pains.

Ingrédients:
1 CS (1 sachet) de Levure sèche
1 3/4 Tasses (420g) de Lait tiède
6-7 Tasses (765-893g) de Farine fleur/blanche
1 Tasse (158g) de Farine Complète
1 Tasse (120g) de Farine de seigle
2 Tasses (420g) de Levain
1/4 de Tasse (60g) de Sucre brun foncé, tassé
2 CC de Sel
1/2 CC de Cardamome en poudre
1 CS de Graines de carvi
1 CC de Graines d'Anis

Méthode:
1. Dans un grad bol, dissoudre la levure dans 1/4 de tasse de lait tiède.
2. Ajouter la farine fleur, mélanger et laisser reposer pendant quelques minutes afin que la levure devienne active.
3. Ajouter le reste du lait, le levain, le sucre, le sel, la cardamome en poudre, les graine d'anis ainsi que les graines de carvi.
4. bien mélanger afin d'obtenir une pâte lisse.
5. Ajouter la farine complète, le reste de farine fleur, un tasse à la fois en mélangeant bien après chaque addition.
6. Quand la pâte formera une boule approximative, la mettre sur un plan de travail légèrement fariné.
7. Pétrir la pâte pendant 10 minutes (en incorporant le reste de farine/voir remarques) jusqu'à ce qu'elle soit lisse, souple et élastique.

8. Mettre la pâte dans un bol huilé.
9. Couvrir avec un linge (humide) ou un film plastique alimentaire et la laisser gonfler/lever (dans un endroit chaud) jusqu'à ce qu'elle ait doublé de volume, pendant 1 1/2 à 2 heures.
10. Ecrasez-la avec les mains et déposez-la sur un plan de travail fariné.
11. Lui donner la forme désirée (voir remarques).
12. Couvrir les pains/miches avec un linge et laissez lever pe
ndant 45 à 60 minutes (dans un endroit chaud), jusqu'à ce qu'ils aient bien gonflé/levé.
13. Cuire à 220° C (425° F) pendant 30 à 35 minutes, jusqu'à ce que les pains soiten bien dorés et qu'ils sonnent creux.
14. Sortir les pains du four et les laisser refroidir sur une grille.

Remarques:
Lorsque vous pétrissez la pâte, ajouter autant de farine que nécessaire afin qu'elle ne colle plus au plan de travail. La pâte doit être assez humide, mais pas collante.
Vous pouvez façonner un immense pain ou 3 pains normaux (j'ai fait 3 baguettes/
voir la méthode en anglais) ou 4 minis pains ou 24 petits pains. Vous pouvez aussi garder une petite quantité de pâte afin de décorer vos pains avec.

Idées de présentation:
Ce pain est fameux avec presque tout (confitures, tartinades sucrées/salées, fromage, viande séchée, ragoûts, soupes/veloutés, etc...). Il est aussi très pratique si vous voulez confectionner des sandwichs ou des bruschette.
Je vous recommande tout particulièrement de le manger avec du pâté, du Brie/Munster/Maroille ou avec mon "Ragoût De Porc Grec Au Coings" (voir ma recette en anglais).

Sunday, December 2, 2007

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #130

This week, Samantha, Black & Tigger at "Life From a Cat’s Perspective" (USA) are happy to announce that they are hosting Weekend Cat Blogging #130...

To submit your kitty picture(s), you can either leave a message in their blog's comment section (with your permalinks) or contact them via e-mail without forgetting to give all the needed informations.

Yipee, today my Mom was very happy with my overall behaviour!
For the very first time in weeks, I didn't wake her up with my loud opera singing.
This morning, I was very calm and waited very patiently for her to come out of the bedroom.
I made no sound, didn't puke all over her clean floor or create a havoc in the living room.
In fact, she doesn't know that if I was was such an angel, it is because I'm saving up all my energy in order to make her Sunday morning feel as hellish as possible (*nasty smirk* like a Cheshire Cat) !!!!!!!

Friday, November 30, 2007

PUMPKINS - COURGES & CO POUR LE KKVJ

The very bustling Anne at "Papilles et Pupilles" (France) is organizing a very cool game which's main subject is our favorite cucurbitacae: the pumpkin!

On that occasion, this post features my own pictures as well some links to my best pumpkin recipes. I hope that you'll enjoy what you'll see!

La très active Anne de "
Papilles et Pupilles" (France) organise un jeu très sympathique autour de nos cucurbitacés préférés: les courges...

A cette occasion, ce billet contient mes propres photos ainsi que quelques unes de mes meilleures recettes de courge.
J'espère que vous y prendrez du plaisir!

Pumpkin recipes/Recettes de courge (en anglais):
  • Luscious Pumpkin Jam/Confiture De Courge (See recipe)
  • Pumpkin Apple Bread/Pain Aux Pommes Et A La Courge (see recipe)
  • Pumpkin Challah/Challah A La Courge (see recipe)
  • Pumpkin Cheesecake/ Cheesecake A La Courge (see recipe)
  • Pumpkin Latkes/Latkes A La Courge (see recipe)
  • Pumpkin Muffins/Muffins A La Courge (see recipe)
  • Pumpkin Pasta Bake With Speck/Gratin De Pâtes A La Courge Et Au Lard (see recipe)
  • Pumpkin Pie/Pie A La Courge (see recipe)