WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #87 ROUND-UP

Hello and welcome to my humble little blog!!!

I am very happy to announce that this weekend's WCB round-up is hosted here on "Rosa's Yummy Yums"!

To join the party, you just need to leave a message in the comment section without forgetting to give your permalink. You can also e-mail me (grandchamp@gmx.ch) the needed informations. I will then feature the link to your kitty picture on my blog.

I'm looking forwards to seeing your cute kitties!!!

Have a nice weekend,

Maruschka, Fridolin & Rosa

Every time I lie on the bed to read or watch TV, Maruschka has to be by my side.
She follows me everywhere...
Once she's on the bed, she generally stays calm and sleeps.
As both Fridolin and Maruschka like the bed, I had to arrange a spot for them with a towel (to protect the bed from their hairs).
Believe it or not, the two little angels have learned not to lie anywhere else than on this place!
They even go there alone, without any kind of encouragement from us...

The WCB Round-Up:

Iasca at "Jo Tourtit" (France) is a beautiful and independent 7 years old gray cat who is not afraid to fight for his territory or go after all kinds of critters. Do visit Johane's blog, it is full of beautiful pictures (animals, places, nature, etc...)!

After having squatted the "Tequila Lime Wings" box, the little Taboo at "Jelly Pizza" (USA) is happy to return to a more familiar and comfortable old standby ...


Othello and Kashim at "Paulchen's Foodblog?!" (Austria) are looking very cute on their cat tree and when they are sleeping. They even accept to share with us one of their favorite kitty recipes: "Fish Potty"! Yummy...


Black Kitty at "Kitikata-San" is a cute outdoor kitty who refuses to live in a house and prefers a hard life outside. Kitikata-San loves to watch her as long as her territory is not endangered...


Boo_licious of "Masak-Masak" (Malaysia) regularly gets the visit of an adorable ginger cat who comes for food. Of course, with the sweet Fluff Puff around, small fights and power plays occur...


Mr. Mao at "Kross-Eyed Kitty" (Canada) is feeling very poorly. He is in the cat hospital since Tuesday and is under heavy medication. Poor little darling. He needs your support, so don't forget to send him hugs. Do get better Mister!


Harmon and Bustopher at "Kate In The Kitchen" (USA) love to play with each other. Sometimes their games turn into brotherly fights, but that doesn't stop them from being very sweet kitties...


Mini at "House Of The (Mostly) Black Cats" (USA) is Sanjee's sister. She is a very nice kitty with everyone, but Sanjee who would like to see her go! At least, Mini's mom doesn't want to sell her...


Mysri and Coca at "Café Créole" (Guyana) are two very adorable kitties who were lucky enough to have been adopted by a sweet woman named Brigitte! The two family dogs have accepted them immediately. A happy tale...


Puddy, a majestuous black kitty, at "A beautiful Life" (Australia) is going back to basics this weekend and is enjoying her first ever bed, a laundry basket with a pillow and towel in it...


Boots aka Bootstrap Bill at "The Hidden Paw" (USA) is an extremely sweet and fluffy kitty. In a short movie starring directed by D, you'll learn how he hot into a pirate...


Kako at "Xenogere" (USA) is a real poser. It is very understanble since she is such a beautiful black kitty. But, as it is the case with all famous people, she is not always in the mood to pose, so she'll get figity and just go away...


Mina, Maya and Oliver at "Cuisine Guylaine" (France) are three magnificent kitties that like to lie around in the garden. All cohabit harmoniously, although it was a bit difficult for Oliver to accept other kitties at home! A thought goes for Poussy wo was poisoned by an mean idiot...

Upsie and Sundance at "What Did You Eat?" are two really sweet kitties that are getting to know one another, week after week. Upsie finds that Sundance is a pain in the neck because he's too juvenile, but she is nonetheless starting to feel for him ...

Lizzie at "It's All Good" (USA) is a very special kitty with a sweet face and nice color patterns!...



Miquette and Daisy at "Gastronomades" (France) are very important to Lilizen who adopted them both. She could never live without her cute kitties! It's not very difficult to understand why...

Tiggy at "Tiggy The Tiny Tiger" (USA) has moved into a new home and also has two new kitties to live with! This gray cutie has now to learn to share her mom with the two newcomers...

The lovely Sergei at "Music And Cats" (USA) doesn't want to be annoyed while he is washing! So, he asks us to "talk to the paw"...


Luna at "Catsynth.com" (USA) is a sweet cat who loves to take in the sights, smells and sounds of a warm Californian Spring-like day through an open window...


The adorable Kamikaze at "I Got Two Shoes" (South Korea) is a real food enthusiast with a stubborn and extremely attaching character... So when Jelly wants to give him food, she literally has to fight with him in order to get room in order to pour his dry cat food into his dish!

The sweet Mamina at "Et Si C'Était Bon..." (France) is being a little cheeky and very sarcastic! She proposes to offer a white mouse to all of the WCB participants...



2007 Weekend Cat Blogging Schedule:

• #88 February 10-11: Amar and Luna at CatSynth
• #89 February 17-18: — Two Volunteers, Sorting It out now! hehehe
• #90 February 24-25: Kate, Bustopher and Harmon at Kate in the Kitchen
• #91 March 3-4: Lisa of Champaign Taste
• #92 March 10-11: Sher at What Did You Eat
• #93 March 17-18 - St Patrick’s Day Weekend: ??? You ???
• #94 March 24-25: ??? You ???
• #95 March 31-April 1: D, Boots and Tess at The Hidden Paw

To volunteer to host WCB one weekend, just e-mail Sanjee at "Cat Blogosphere" and let them know...

CHANDELEUR - CANDLEMAS - IMBOLC

Today, February the 2nd, it is "Candlemas/Chandeleur/St Bride's Day", the Christian festival that commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. This feast originates from the Celts or Pagans who celebrate(d) "Imbolc" (see link) on the 1st of February, thus marking the beginningss of Spring and the coming back of light...

For many people, religious or non-religious alike, this day is also the feast of "Pancakes" (see link) and it is a good excuse to eat "French Pancakes" 'till your literally explode!!!

Of course, it is not the only time of the year during which you can have a "Pancake" party, but it is nonetheless the best way to honor this delicious treat...

For those who want to celebrate "Candlemas", I thought that it would be a good idea to give you "Pancake" recipes and links that will rejoice your gourmet palate.

My recipes:

• "French Pancakes" (see link)
• "American Pancakes" (see link)

Other recipes:

• Bed & Breakfasts Online (see link)
• Cooks.com (see link)
• Love To Know (see link)
• Razzle Dazzle Recipes (see link)
• That's My Home (see link)

Have fun and eat well!!!

(Imbolc -Pic by www.unicorngarden.com)
(Crêpes -Pic by www.alhsidras.com)

ICY DAYS

Although it hasn't snowed again since more than a week, a coat of white still covers the landscape and everything still looks dreamlike...

Of course, it has melted a little and since it's freezing cold outside, there is ,in reality, more ice than snow. Nonetheless, it is very beautiful!

In my kitchen. Looking out of the window.
I am lucky to be able to enjoy the remarkable view that is offered to me.
Both Salèves are a real treat for the eye...
Icicles hang from the water pipes and the (horse) chestnut tree has a glamorous silhouette.
The Salève looks very cold and frosty, almost surreal...

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING REMINDER

I would like to inform you that this weekend (February 3-4), Fridolin, Maruschka and I will be hosting the WCB #87 round-up...

To join the party, you just need to leave a message in the comment section without forgetting to give your permalink. You can also e-mail me (grandchamp@gmx.ch) the needed informations. I will then feature the link to your kitty picture on my blog.

See you soon!!!

P.S. By the way who will be hosting the two next WCB editions? Does anybody know? Thanks for telling me.

(Cat Party -Pic by www.msgr.ca)

BASBOUSSA - EGYPTIAN SYRUP CAKE

"Basboussa" (or "Basboosa", "Arissa", "Haressa") is a rich Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dessert cake made with semolina flour and drenched in a fragrant syrup...

This cake is supposed to originate from Egypt, but it is also well-spread and very popular amongst the Jewish and Arabic communities worldwide. The Jews know it under the name of "Tishpishti" and it is generally baked during the holidays or for special occasions: Rosh Hashanah or Passover (for Pesach, the semolina is replaced by Matzah meal). The Muslims eat this sweet pastry during the Ramadan. "Basboussa" can also be found in Algeria ("Kabel Louz"), Morocco ("Chamia"), Syria ("Namora/Namoura"), Lebanon ("Hrisseh/Nammoura"), Palestine ("Namoura"), Jordan ("Basboussa") Egypt ("Basboussa"), Turkey ("Revani"), Greece ("Revani"), Bulgaria ("Revani"), Cyprus ("Shammali") and many more place...

Sometimes, the syrup is made with honey instead of sugar, the flavorings (Orange Blossom Water, Rosewater, Lemon, Cinnamon, etc...) differ depending on the country where it is made and certain toppings can be added (walnuts, pistachios, almonds, etc...).

The version I am blogging about comes from my much beloved as well as used Joan Nathan cookbook "Jewish Cooking In America" and the recipe that she gives is of Egyptian Sepharadic origin.

This "Semolina Cake" is amazing both in taste and texture. It is wickidly sweet, tangy, delightfully moist, very delicately perfumed and exquisitely exotic. I love it!!! "Basboussa" is very delicious and comforting to please...

~ Lebanese Namoura. ~

Makes about 24 squares.

Ingredients:
2 Cups Cream of wheat
1 Tsp Baking powder
1 Cup Plain yoghurt
1/2 Cup Castor sugar
3 Tbs Unsalted butter, melted
1/4 Cup Bread crumbs
2 Dozen Blanched almonds
Syrup:
2 Cups Castor sugar
2 Cups water
1-1 1/2 Tbs Orange blossom water (see link)
1 Cup Whipped cream (optional)

~Aswan, Egypt. ~

Method:
1. Mix together the cream of wheat and the baking powder in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the yoghurt, the sugar and the melted butter.
3. Add the yoghurt mixture to the cream of wheat and mix well.
4. Grease a 25cm (10 inches) round baking pan and dust with the bread crumbs.
5. Pour in the cake mixture and use your hands to pat it down into the pan.
6. Make a design of diamonds by scoring with a knife.
7. Place a blanched almond in each diamond.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180° C (350° F) for 30 to 45 minutes or until slightly brown on top.
9. Meanwhile, make the syrup by mixing the sugar and water together.
10. Bring to a boil in a saucepan and simmer until it forms a syrup and is sticky.
11. Add the orange blossom water.
12. As soon as the "Basboussa" comes out of the oven, pour the syrup over.
13. Let the cake stand until cool.
14. Cut slices following the diamond design and place the diamond-shaped pieces in paper cups.
15. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream (optional).

Remarks:
"Cream Of Wheat" is also called "Semolina Flour" or "Durum Wheat Semolina".
You can easily replace the yoghurt by the same quantity of sour cream.
Instead of using orange flower blossom water, try flavoring the syrup with rosewater, lemon rind or cinnamon (powder).

Serving suggestions:
Serve with "Turkish Coffee" (see info) or mint tea (see recipe).

(Namoura -Pic by www.cedarsky.com)
(Aswan -Pic by Danos Kounenis www.trekearth.com)

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #86

Kate, Bustopher and Harmon of "Kate In The Kitchen" are proud to be hosting this weekend's WCB event! So, all cat lovers are invited over to party...

To submit your kitty picture, you can either leave a message in their comment section (with your permalink) or email (kate4797 at hotmail dot com) them without forgetting to give all the informations needed.

See you there, then!

Fridolin loves to lie like a lazy king on the tree top, next to the boiling hot radiator. It is his favorite spot as from there he can see and control everything (birds, landscape, Maruschka,etc...) while behaving like a sphinx.

He feels so comfortable up there that when his supper is served, he has to get fetched!!!
Yes, as unimaginable as it sounds, he won't come down even if you call him a hundred times. So, we have to carry him into the kitchen and position him right in front of his plate...
Crazy isn't it?!?

And don't forget that next week, I'll be hosting the WCB #87, so I hope that you'll participate!

(Sphinx -Pic by www.egyptiandreams.co.uk)

A COAT OF WHITE...

Yay, finally winter has arrived , and in beauty!!!

On Tuesday, the weather changed radically and the temperatures dropped drastically (from 12° C to -2°C). Then, in the afternoon it started to snow and by the evening, everything was covered in white...

In Geneva, the amount of snow which had fallen wasn't too bad (10-12cm). The airport had to be closed for a while and the electricity was cut during the night, because of falling trees.

I love the way things look when everything is white and that very special silence which enshrouds everything when it's snowing is incredibly soothing!...

Wednesday, early in the morning...
The Salève gets brightened up by the last light of the day...
The village houses look rather cold...
A snow-covered end of afternoon Salève...

DEATH BY...

Here are a few hilarious pictures by Daniela Edburg (see link)...

Enjoy this culinary delirium!!!

~ "Death By Cake" ~
~ "Death By Nutella" ~
~ "Death By Oreos" ~
~ "Death By Tupperware" ~

Which picture do you prefer the most and why?...

BLOOD SAUSAGE - BOUDIN NOIR

"Blood Sausage" (see link 1, link 2 & link 3) or "Blutwurst", "Black Pudding", "Boudin" is a Swiss charcuterie speciality I didn't like when I was a kid. For me it was too bizarre and totally yucky to eat blood. My reaction was always: "Eeek, not those things again! Bleh!". But now that I'm a little older, wiser and can prepare them my own funky way, I love those "Dracula" sausages!!!

I can understand that for some people it might be a very sick and repulsive (taboo food) act to eat blood, but believe me, once you are able to leave your misjudgements or disgust behind, you'll discover a real delicacy. Yes, "Blood Sausages" are actually succulent and ideal during the wintertime as they are nourishing (calorific and rich in protein, vitamin D and minerals such as iron)!

"Blood Sausages", here in Switzerland, are quite soft (they don't keep their shape very well once the casing is removed unlike "Black Pudding" in the UK), delicately spiced with cinnamon and enhanced with cream.

The following recipe is based on my family's Swiss version of "Blood Sausage" and I must say that it is a great comfort food classic...

Serves 2.

Ingredients:
2 Boudins noirs (black)/Blood sausages
30g Unsalted butter
2 Medium onions, sliced
5 Cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped
A pinch Italian dried herbs (optional)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Method:
1. Open the sausages, discard the skins and coarsely chop them.
2. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the butter. Let it get slightly brown.
3. Add the onions and garlic, stir-fry until the onions are golden brown.
4. Add the chopped sausage and herbs. Stir-fry over high heat until slightly "dry", about 10 minutes.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve.

Remarks:
If you wish, you can also parboil the sausages before opening them and chopping them.
After it has been fried, the blood sausage mixture should still be a little moist.

~ Black and white boudin. ~

Serving suggestions:
Serve the stir-fried "Blood Sausage" with apple sauce/compote and Spätzlis (see recipe), pasta or potatoes puree.

(Pierre Léman -Pic by www.fond-ecran-image.com)
(Boudins -Pic by www.fict.fr)

QUIZ III

I'd like you to tell me what this speciality is, where it comes from and how it's used...

It's exotic, it's not spice powder, but it's a condiment and it's made with something which can be found in South America, Africa and Asia (by the way, the lime on the picture is only decorative)...

Will you find out? I wonder...