Cookie Mosque

The foundation stone of this idea came from the Classic Gingerbread house. I made it last month for Eid. Living in a different culture I always make a tiny bit extra effort to create something that my 5 year old son can associate with in terms of religious festivities. His friends get cookies, gingerbread houses and presents on Christmas; I want him to have the same feeling of celebration too.

The end result of my Architectural venture resembled the Blue Mosque a bit! Our printer had some last minute issues so I could not print a template. Good old paper and pencil came to the rescue.

 I drafted a shape for the dome and minarets which seemed all balanced on paper but I did end up with issues during assembly.

I cut out the drafted mosque template using a sharp knife on the cookie dough. *Chilled Cookie dough* yes thats important. I was worried that the shape will stretch out if I tried lifting it up from the counter to the cookie sheet so i actually placed the rolled dough onto the baking sheet and just peeled the excess off after cutting the shape.

Once all my pieces were baked and cooled I started the assembly. This is where I realised that the dome part was thicker and thus heavier than the rest of the piece. it started cracking as soon as I had it standing up in position with the side walls. Eventually it toppled under its own weight !

So a good tip would be to choose a shape that is balanced in a cookie form not just on paper AND to roll the dough evenly.

I troubleshooted by slicing the dome off completely with a sharp knife and adding it separately behind the front wall. I used thick royal icing for the entire assembly. I used instant royal icing this time instead of the egg white method. recipes of which can be found on the internet.

How To make Sugar Lace without Tylose Powder

For the design details I tried making sugar lace for the first time,without Sugarveil. Turned out really well. I got the recipe for it from youtube but finding ingredients here in germany is like finding dory! I took the liberty of replacing tylose powder with Kukident available at all drogerie markets. its cellulose and it worked perfectly. Here is the link to the recipe 3 Ingredient Sugar Lace

After peeling the lace from its mat I just snipped it off to add details on the windows and minarets.

Loved the end product.

Football Themed Party

I know its August and I am about to share a party that took place in December 2015. The thing with party trends and for that matter any thing 'trending' these days is that its all a short lived affair. Who would have thought just 20 years ago that our living spaces, crockery, phones, apps and bucket lists could change at such  rapid pace.

I hope my son's 5th birthday party pictures are still a little in the trending zone. Mama was not blogging all this time!

Selecting a theme is second on my list. I first scan and see whats available and then I try to match that to my son's interests. So far this approach has worked well with me. He goes to football training once a week but if I had asked him what he wanted for his birthday he would have said Chuggington, Minions, or Ninjago. Fair enough he should be allowed to choose..but giving him and using mama skills to convince him on something that I would find convenient is a skill I own. *10 points to me*

I wanted it to look modern and appealing by playing with black, white, and green with gold accents (my go to colours at the time and still )

 Referee's  Whistles instead of Party Horns

 Mini Trophies for the champions

 Good old timer hand games, No tabs or apps needed ;)

Goodie Bags ordered off eBay, styled by using clothespins which I painted and added gold glitter for the oomph. I cut out the circles from a single sheet of printed card paper. 

 Ikea placemats if you didn't guess already! 

P.S I have a thing against printed party plates and cups. I just steer clear of them.

Football/Soccer Shirt Cookies- These cookies were such a hit with the kids. I mean children always like things with their names written on them. Especially 5 year olds who can actually read and write only their own names!

I free handed on that 'Goal' banner..since I don't own a fancy circuit machine. Painted it gold and then added a layer of glitter glue. Isn't it pretty!

 Here is the tallest cake on my scoreboard. It was not as easy as it seemed it would be. I don't make fondant cakes too often so after watching many youtube tutorials this was made. I used a wilton ball mould for the Football Cake. For the middle I used the Wilton Easy Layer Pans. I had to divide the baking, cooling and icing 2 days ahead of time. For the grass I used a Fondant Extruder.

 We had Mini Sausage buns, Fries, Chicken Balls and popcorn on the menu.

Finger Football for the elder siblings invited. and Musical Chairs for the little ones. During the party we had out German neighbour knocking at he door for turning the music off. Ahhh there is always a party spoiler !

 Our apartment is not too big but still we accommodated more than 20 children. I made a small photo backdrop in the foyer/ entrance to snap photos as soon as a guest child entered. I used astro turf and white masking tape to mimic a football field.

 A cheer leader pom pom made out of bin bags! 

 After party clean up!

I did ask him what he wanted for the cake that he had to take for his kindergarten and he said Jake the neverland pirate.

Easter Bunny Swiss Roll

Being Muslims we have no concept of Easter celebrations. 

We do love buying easter chcoloate bunnies and Choco Eggs though! Since, we live here in Germany and our son is growing up in this community we do let him participate ( without relegious interference)  in his play group activities so that he does not feel singled out.

Easte Egg Hunt in the Forest

This week the kindergarten had an Oster Eltern Cafe and i had to take something to add to the easter table. I baked a chocolate swiss roll, with whipped cream filling and philladelphia cream cheese frosting.

The bunny had a slight migraine in its right eye:p

The ears are paper with toothpicks taped at the back.

For the the whiskers I used a toothpick and black gel color.

Ramadan: Ideas and Tips

Ramadan Mubarak to Muslims all around the globe. I hope this month brings countless blessings for us. I had written this post earlier but yould really not find the time to post it. Our Ramadan is Alhumdulliah going well so far.

I thought about sharing some ideas that might help you while you prepare for Ramadan. I am not here to give out religious advice on how to spend your Ramadan. I pray that everyone who can fast and can not fast be equally guided by Allah. I am here to share some very simply tips that I have found useful.

Make Life Easier

I do not boast of a squeaky clean house, infact sometimes an unexpected door bell sends waves of horror down my spine when I look around to see a dining table heaped with toys..oh the relief to find out that its just the postman! BUT I do like to try making life easier in the kitchen. Before Ramadan started I decided to rearrange my tiny pantry shelf to make it more practical keeping Ramadan in mind.

 PS. The postman sometimes brings treats too :p

A box of Luxurious Pecan Filled Bateel Dates Sent from my Brother

I generally don't like Dry Dates..but These are just heavenly.

You can find out more about these 'designer dates' shall I say, in the online catalogue.

http://www.bateel.co.uk/documents/Product.pdf

  Coming back:

I got my self some plastic containers for ingredients that I know would be consumed more often then usual. Labeled them with chalk paint stickers.

Tang, White Sugar, Boondi, Almonds, Brown Sugar, Sultaniens, Besan, Cereal

Stackable boxes for pulses extra spices and other dry ingredients. They save so much space!

Make Waddu Easier

I was wondering whether to share this or not because it might seem stupid to share that my bathroom sink's faucet was a bit clogged..I do use an old toothbrush to clean the mesh but the stream of water was very strained..you know what I mean? Offcourse you wouldn't if your taps are perfectly in order!

Anyways! I did the old trick I learned from Aggie from bbc's 'How Clean is Your Home'

Pour some vinegar and lemon juice in a plastic bag and tie it around your faucet or shower head with a rubber band. The head should be completely immersed in the liquid. Go out to the shops or write a blog or stalk people on facebook! Just leave it for a couple of hours. After that..its magic..a clean spring of fresh bubbly water! I cleaned it with the intention of making waddu easier and cleaner:)

Make Dahi Bharay Instantly

If you make Baray from Urid and yellow lentils..I have tried and tested that they freeze super good. Fry and Freeze the bharay in portions. To defrost soak them in hot water from the kettle. Let them soak for 15 mins and then press between palms to use as you would normally do.

If you don't make bharay from daal..like I don't always make them that way..I use besan..and haven't tried freezing them. .what you can do to make life easy is to make imly chutney before hand and freeze it in large cubes. When needed just take it out of the freezer and let it thaw..ready to use!

Boil n Shred Chicken

Before Ramadan started I boiled 3 large chickens in a pot with some salt, pepper corns, and onion. I shredded the chicken and freezed it in small portions. This can be used to add to

potato-chicken bread pakoras,

Chinese rice,

spring rolls etc.

The Stock can also be frozen..for pulao or soup. Double benefits

 I did not make spring rolls in advance because I wanted to avoid them as they need frying. I'm also doing a pakora free Ramadan!

Chop and Freeze Carrots and Peppers

I like bell peppers and they can be used in soooo many ways..In sweet n sour, in noodles, with potato curry, finely chopped one can be used for potato cutlets, chicken meatballs...and so on.

I made a packet of finely chopper chopped ( is that a right way to say) carrot and shimly for quick fillers.

!

Ramadan: Freezer Cooking (Part 1)

I mentioned in my last post that Ramadan provides the perfect oppurtunity to fast and cleanse the Body. Thats what we really are supposed to do BUT customarily muslims all around the world take Ramadan as a fest and celeberate it by breaking the fast with large crowds of People, friends and Family that we don't meet and share a meal with so often throughout the year. Therefore, FOOD is an essential part of the Iftar gatherings. I do admit that in our culture we oftentimes submit to the sin of gluttony at Iftar which is totally against the Spirit of Ramadan.

  Please do not take this post as a central Agenda of Ramadan. It is only an example of how things can be planned beforehand so that during the month itself one gets all the time to concentrate on praying and not worrying about Food and guests all the time.

This year around I tried the Easy Freezy Way. I am lucky to own a  large upright freezer.

Why not make use of it.

Here's what I have stocked up in prep for Ramadan, which is only 1 week away!!

Today I spent a few hours in the kitchen making the 'BASICs'

These are the time consuming things that if you already have ready to be pulled out of the freezer..you don't have to worry about last Minute Company or a busy day with the toddler!

Here are a few suggestions to have in mind before you find yourself Setting your Alarm for the first Sehri !

• Stock up on as much meat as your freezer space allows. Wash, Clean and Freeze. (Since we buy halal meat, we have to Skin and cut the chickens ourselves! )

• Depending on Family preferences, decide what are you going to offer for aftar. Is it going to be 4 different Snacks or just one solid meal? whatever you decide think how can you prepare stuff in advance.

Eva Image

 For instance if you make shami Kebab it serves as

a burger patty

as a Snack

as a side dish

or make a Paratha Roll with it!

OR

If you choose to have dinner as usual with a Curry and chappatti:

Make the 'Basic masala' and freeze into smaller portions.

Here's how:

Throw onions in to a chopper. Blitzz

Tomatoes..Blitzz

Fry the onions in a lil olive oil..then add tomatoes. I used a pressure cooker to soften it all up. Stir on high heat to reduce. I added just a Little bit of spices..so that I can adjust later.

Bring to R.T and Freeze in portions.

• Prepare the chicken for an instant pulao in case you have Company. Just fry the chicken in some oil with ginger garlic. Add a cininmon stick, a black cardamom and cloves. Put it in a zippy and you'll only Need to add Rice and fix the spices when needed. OR just put a Portion of your already prepared masala in it.

• I also cooked some minced chicken and freezed it.

This can be used as a filling for

Lasagne

Macaroni

or just have it with naan!

• Emergency Pull out Dinner
Have atleast one small Portion of a fully prepared meal for last Minute plans. I made sesame chicken.

You never know...who shows up to have a pakora or two you gotta hav sumthin'
• Prepare the Base for Corriander and Mint chutneý.
 Chutney!! After ketchup this is the one Thing that gets consumed so much during Ramadan.
Add yougurt to your premade Chutney base and serve it with anything!! I even love it on my fruit Chat!
• Fruit Chat / Fruit Salad

I have made this a rule to have fruit Chat atleast 4 times a week if not everyday! thats the only way I can eat all the fruit that I never have otherwise. Healthy!! (This really does not belong in the freezer cooking post but anyyyyway!)

• Chopped Herbs
Mint and Corriander are the compulsory Dressings of most of our dishes. We dont get them easily here in munich. Sow henever we do get them I always freeze them ! Avoid that chopping board as much as you can during Ramadan!!
• Plan a couple of Desserts too
• 

Desserts often are the most time consuming. Have a rough idea of what could be made for a Party.

I made the most ridiculously easy Thing to do. Sugar Syrup! But hey think of it when you have your guests coming you've got more stuff to worry about. So there'S one less pot to wash on the actual day.

 I cooked a thick 'sheera' and freezed it.

 I plan to use it for Jalebi or ghulab jamun.

 I plan to do another post on some more items that can be stashed into the freezer not just for Ramadan but otherwise too. How have you prepared ?



Healthy Banana and Oat Cookies

Today, while browsing for some healthy breakfasts I came across these too instant and healthy to be true 'cookies'. The best part is that they contain no flour, sugar or butter or eggs! Just a little olive oil which makes them all too good. I found the original recipe at Vintage Zest and I made some changes to it...the result is a quick Snack or breakfast to go.

I added two scoops of Panjeeri ( nut spice mix) to add richness. It contains the gum of Butea or Flame of the Forest flower known in hindi as 'kamarkas'.

I like coconut and the recipe called for coconut oil which I did not have but insted I used dessicated coconut..some good 2-3 tablespoons.

I had a box of fruit musli ( not a favorite choice of breakfast here) I added that too, to add a bit more crunch. 

To shape I just used a  tablespoon and scooped them on the baking sheet, rounding them off with the back of the spoon.

I was expecting them to be more crunchy the sort of bite you get off from a Corny health bar but they turned out to be more on the soft side. Its good to try out new recipes and bring them out of the hat at tea time instead of stealing cookies from little tod's jar ;)

 This recipe packs a punch and takes just under 20 minutes.

I skipped the 15 min rest time indicated in the recipe.

Ricotta Cheese Khoya / Mawa

This is a quick note for anyone who's looking for a khoya Substitute to make sweet delicacies without fail. I always thought of it to be the trickiest things to try but hey this man in the Video made it look sooo fuss free. No fancy kitchen or measuring Cups..just a plain home made Video helped me make the best Ghulab Jamuns I've ever made before.

If you live in a place where desi Shops are far and few  and dont stock on khoya..this is the recipe to go for. Look no further.
Here's the tried and tested recipe:

• 250 gms Ricotta Cheese
• 250 gms Milk

Reduce into a soft Dough by continuously stirring both Ingredients on a low flame.

Instant Microwave Kulfi

This post came into being after a late night venture in the kitchen by my sweet toothed husband!
Its almost crazy how the idea came and at midnight we were having kulfi ! Later he did 40 mins on the cross Trainer..but I was under the effects of kulfi I just had and wanted to doze off.

We watch our local home news channels after dinner and this advertisement was poping up on every commercial break. Its a hilarious one with an even more cheapo Jingle but...I came up saying that its been Ages since I've had kulfi....and that my friends was when hubbs searched for a recipe on Google and was in the kitchen after 8 minutes and 56 seconds!

The recipie as shown in the Video was quick..but it obviously lacked the creamy texture..which I think Comes from Khoya..but it was a nice try to satisfy nostalgia.

Kheer / Rice Pudding

I'll get down to the point as quickly as possible. Rice Pudding otherwise known as kheer in the sub-continent is a  Dessert staple. It Needs Basic ingredients from the pantry. No whipping, no piping bags no layering just plain simmer, cool and serve method.

Here we go. I followed the exact recipe written by momsie in my handy book of all recipies a beginner would ever need! Ignore the water marks please :)                             

1. I use White Basmati Rice. You Need one fistful (thats a reletive measurment, i guess it would be a Little more then half a Cup) for every one litre of milk. You may use low fat but the creamy texture of kheer may be lost.
2. Take your Rice and milk. Add one Cup of water to it. Bring it to boil, add crushed seeds of four cardamom pods. From this point on reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 and a half hour. The Rice should be really soft and the milk bubbles should be thick and round by then.
3. Now add 1 Cup of sugar to this simmering pot, stir and cook for another 4-5 mins. Saffron and kewera essence is opptional..I didnt have them so I skipped. They add a  rich Aroma tot he kheer.
4. I liike the Rice to be slightly broken, but not completely pureed. I ran a Hand mixer in the pot..quick 3 or 4 blitz not more.
5. Remove from pot into a dish of choice.
6. Garnish with crushed pistachios, almonds, cashews or if you like raisins too.
7. Give a final finishing toch by adding pure silver leaves. they are hard to find, I got mine from Pakistan.

Notes:

• Use a heavy based steel pot..non stick pots will burn the milk.
• Stir several times while it simmers.
• Refridfgerate it once it cools on R.temp.
• Decorate only after it has cooled, otherwise the nuts will sink at the bootom.
• The consistency should be creamy..not runny and not too thick. Keep in mind that it will thicken more once it sits in the fridge.
• A hard film might form while it cools..give it a stir before serving or decorating.

Hope it all helps.