Birnen-Vanille-TarteVanilla-Pear-Tart

Birnen-Vanille-Tarte

Diese Tarte habe ich nicht nur für uns, sondern auch für das wiederbelebte Event der Hüttenhilfe gebacken. Das Event heißt Fremdkochen und geht über 2 Monate, in denen man seine Rezepte/Bilder einreichen kann. Der Witz an der Sache ist, dass man sich ein Rezept aus einem anderen Blog sucht und das nachkocht/nachbäckt. Natürlich braucht so ein Event immer ein Motto und das ist diesmal „Tartes“. Perfekt, da ich Tartes sowieso überalles liebe.

Birnen-Vanille-Tarte

Schön finde ich, dass man einen Lieblingsblog fördern kann und man auch den ein oder anderen „neuen“ Blog für sich entdeckt. Denn der Blog, von dem das Originalrezept stammt wird selbstverständlich verlinkt.

Ich habe mir diese Birnen-Vanille Tarte rausgesucht von Simone von Pi mal Butter. Einer meiner absoluten Lieblingsblogs, seit dem ich ihn kenne. Das Originalrezept hörte noch auf den klangvollen Namen Mascarpone-Tarte mit Pastis-Vanille-Birnen und Zitronenthymian. Da ich aber hier und da ein paar Änderungen vorgenommen habe, habe ich auch gleich den Namen geändert.

Birnen-Vanille-Tarte

Und jetzt mal im Ernst: Diese Tarte ist der absolute Oberhammer! Das ist die beste Tarte, die ich jemals fabriziert und gegessen habe. Der Teig ist so schön mürb und blätterig (auch wenn ich mit ihm im ungebackenen Zustand gekämpft habe), und die Birnen, die Birnen! Herrlich vanillig, karamellig, weich, ach ein Traum! Die Creme auf der die Birnen liegen ist auch nicht zu verachten. Frank war ganz begeistert davon, dass man eine so leckere Creme aus Crème fraîche, Quark, etwas Zucker und Vanille herstellen kann. Obendrauf noch ein bisschen dickflüssiger Karamell… was will man mehr?

Ganz klare Empfehlung von mir: Nachbacken! Es lohnt sich. Aber sowas von.

Birnen-Vanille-Tarte

Vor einem Jahr: glutenfreie Donuts

Birnen-Vanille-Tarte

 

Vanilla-Pear-Tart

I made this tart not just for us, but also for revitalised Event of the Hüttenhilfe. The event’s name is „Fremdkochen“ (in English something like „cooking unfamiliar“)  and takes 2 months. The root of the matter is cooking/baking a recipe from another foodblogger. Of course you link the original recipe with your duplicated recipe. On this way everyone discovers new blogs and supports their favourites. The theme of the event is „Tarts“ until the end of October. And that’s just perfect, as I love tarts!

Vanilla-Pear-Tart

I picked this vanilla-pear-tart from Simone of Pi mal Butter. One of my absolutely favourite foodblogs, since I know it. The original recipe answered to the sonourous name of mascarpone-tarte with pastis-vanilla-pears and citrus thyme. But since I made some adjustments, I changed the name, too.

Vanilla-Pear-Tart

So for serious: This tart is the bomb! The best tarte I’ve ever baked and eaten. The dough is perfectly flaky and tender (although we’ve had some battles to fight before he was baked), and the pears, the pears! So full of vanilla and caramel flavour and perfectly mellow. Not to mention the cream, on which the pears are laid on. Frank was overwhelmed by a cream, which consists only of crème fraîche, quark, some sugar and vanilla. To top it all with some thick caramel… can there be anything more charming?

My distinct recommendation: Bake it! It’s worth it. Totally.

Vanilla-Pear-Tart

One year ago: gluten-free Donuts

 Vanilla-Pear-Tart

 

Erdbeertörtchen mit Joghurt-Limetten-MousseStrawberry Tartlets with Yogurt-Lime-Mousse

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

Erdbeertörtchen mit Joghurt-Limetten-Mousse

 

I’m back from Flanders! Bruges is such a beautiful city. You can just stay there for a couple of days, because there is so much to see and the beauty of the town is just overwhelming. Another pleasure was a shop there, called Dille & Kamille, which was heaven for everything in the kitchen. And it was cheap! If you’re ever in Belgium or the Netherlands, go there!

  dillekamille

                                                picture by http://www.dille-kamille.nl

 

Before the (straw)berry season is over, I want to give you access to a delicious and beautiful recipe. I found that recipe a while ago in a magazine and this year it was the time to make it.

It looks more difficult than it is. All you need is some time to prepare the different elements. Assembling those isn’t tough.

The tartlets are light and fluffy, fruity and have a nice addition, because of the lime. They are just perfect for summer, and even better for a dinner with friends, because they are so good looking. Don’t forget the chilling time for the end result and maybe even some in between for the mousse. I used dessert rings, that were 8 cm in diameter, which were just perfect for that purpose. In the recipe cleaned yogurt pots were used. You can also use other moulds, that fit. The rings were perfect, because you haven’t turn the whole thing upside down and then turn it around again. You just pull of the ring. Easy. 

Erdbeertörtchen mit Joghurt-Limetten-Mousse

Vor einem Jahr: Pfirsich Tartelettes

Erdbeertörtchen mit Joghurt-Limetten-Mousse

Erdbeertörtchen mit Joghurt-Limetten-Mousse

Strawberry Tartlets with Yogurt-Lime-Mousse

 

I’m back from Flanders! Bruges is such a beautiful city. You can just stay there for a couple of days, because there is so much to see and the beauty of the town is just overwhelming. Another pleasure was a shop there, called Dille & Kamille, which was heaven for everything in the kitchen. And it was cheap! If you’re ever in Belgium or the Netherlands, go there!

  dillekamille

                                                picture by http://www.dille-kamille.nl

Before the (straw)berry season is over, I want to give you access to a delicious and beautiful recipe. I found that recipe a while ago in a magazine and this year it was the time to make it.

It looks more difficult than it is. All you need is some time to prepare the different elements. Assembling those isn’t tough.

The tartlets are light and fluffy, fruity and have a nice addition, because of the lime. They are just perfect for summer, and even better for a dinner with friends, because they are so good looking. Don’t forget the chilling time for the end result and maybe even some in between for the mousse. I used dessert rings, that were 8 cm in diameter, which were just perfect for that purpose. In the recipe cleaned yogurt pots were used. You can also use other moulds, that fit. The rings were perfect, because you haven’t turn the whole thing upside down and then turn it around again. You just pull of the ring. Easy.

Strawberry Tartlets with Yogurt-Lime-Mousse

One year ago: Peach Tartelettes

Strawberry Tartlets with Yogurt-Lime-Mousse

Strawberry Tartlets with Yogurt-Lime-Mousse

Kartoffel-Fenchel-Gratin mit pochierten EiernPotato Fennel Gratin with Poached Eggs

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!
 
We had this wonderful dish for a simple late lunch last friday. It’s easy and not time-consuming.
Since it was Friday we hadn’t much vegetables at home, anymore. Just one fennel. So I combined it with the idea of a potato gratin. As an accompaniment eggs suited just fine. And lately I began with making poached eggs. I’m not a huge fan off eggs, as  in form of fried, scrambled or boiled. Maybe then I like it best fried. But the poached eggs are really nice. They are such moist. Unfortunately you cannot season them while cooking. So you have to season them on your plate.
 
Potato-Fennel-Gratin with Poached Eggs
 
Now, if you are already thinking „oh no, not poached eggs, those are really difficult and I do not have the guts at lunch time to try these“, let me say you, it is not THAT difficult. I thought that, too. Ever. I’ll give you some tricks and advices. With those you are ready for poached eggs at lunch time, or even for breakfast. I mean look at those beautiful eggs, and those were only my third attempt to make poached eggs!
 
The gratin is the hearty component of this meal. If you don’t want to layer your gratin as nicely as did (I understand. I just had too much time.), just throw it all in your baking dish. It will turn out great, too. I only have one, ok two recommendations to you for the gratin. First season every layer of vegetables (or season everything while tossing it) GENEROUSLY. Really, really, do it. Lots of salt, pepper and nutmeg (or whatever you like). The potatoes adsorb it. And don’t ask whereto… Second use a cheese, that has a lot of flavour, like feta, goats cheese, Emmentaler or something similar (not mozzarella!). Gratin is nothing without a good cheese flavour, and the crispiness of the cheese crust. Also it goes wonderful with the eggs.
 
So this makes a delicious vegetable meal. Of course you can cheat and make some fried bacon, too. But then don’t forget to drizzle it with some maple syrup!
 
Potato-Fennel-Gratin with Poached Eggs
 
 
Potato-Fennel-Gratin with Poached Eggs

We had this wonderful dish for a simple late lunch last friday. It’s easy and not time-consuming.
 
Since it was Friday we hadn’t much vegetables at home, anymore. Just one fennel. So I combined it with the idea of a potato gratin. As an accompaniment eggs suited just fine. And lately I began with making poached eggs. I’m not a huge fan off eggs, as  in form of fried, scrambled or boiled. Maybe then I like it best fried. But the poached eggs are really nice. They are such moist. Unfortunately you cannot season them while cooking. So you have to season them on your plate.
 
Potato-Fennel-Gratin with Poached Eggs
 
Now, if you are already thinking „oh no, not poached eggs, those are really difficult and I do not have the guts at lunch time to try these“, let me say you, it is not THAT difficult. I thought that, too. Ever. I’ll give you some tricks and advices. With those you are ready for poached eggs at lunch time, or even for breakfast. I mean look at those beautiful eggs, and those were only my third attempt to make poached eggs!
 
The gratin is the hearty component of this meal. If you don’t want to layer your gratin as nicely as did (I understand. I just had too much time.), just throw it all in your baking dish. It will turn out great, too. I only have one, ok two recommendations to you for the gratin. First season every layer of vegetables (or season everything while tossing it) GENEROUSLY. Really, really, do it. Lots of salt, pepper and nutmeg (or whatever you like). The potatoes adsorb it. And don’t ask whereto… Second use a cheese, that has a lot of flavour, like feta, goats cheese, Emmentaler or something similar (not mozzarella!). Gratin is nothing without a good cheese flavour, and the crispiness of the cheese crust. Also it goes wonderful with the eggs.
 
So this makes a delicious vegetable meal. Of course you can cheat and make some fried bacon, too. But then don’t forget to drizzle it with some maple syrup!
 
Potato-Fennel-Gratin with Poached Eggs
 
 
 
Potato-Fennel-Gratin with Poached Eggs
 
 
 

Pasta mit PilzenMushroom Pasta

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

There is not much to say about this dish. It’s easy and quick. It’s light. It’s one of those dishes, that are great for evenings, when you don’t want to stand in the kitchen for an hour or even a half. Just because you don’t want. Or because you are that hungry, that you cannot concentrate on something else than being hungry. Well that’s me… sometimes.

Mushroom Pasta

 It’s also one of those dishes, that are great, when you have nothing at home, unless some mushrooms (I take it for granted, that pasta and cream are always in the pantry/fridge).

For those occasions one needs to have something up the sleeves. Like mushroom pasta.

Mushroom Pasta

 As I have nothing more to say about this wonderful emergency dish, I recommend you to have a look in Shauna’s new cookbook, which I just received as a belated Christmas gift. As I’m flipping through the sites and looking at recipes like „potato-mushroom-tart“ or „chicken braised in red-wine“ or „chocolate-peanut butter brownies“, I’m really glad I already prepared some of the dinner tonight. Because hungry cooking is not my kind of style, as you already may’ve guessed. Anyway the cookbook is full of delicious recipes, which are in addition to that all gluten-free – naturally or intended. Altogether great compositions.

So if you have now spend too much time reading food blogs, instead of making dinner/lunch, go ahead for some mushroom pasta!

Mushroom Pasta

Vor einem Jahr: Heidelbeer-Buttermilch-Panna Cotta

There is not much to say about this dish. It’s easy and quick. It’s light. It’s one of those dishes, that are great for evenings, when you don’t want to stand in the kitchen for an hour or even a half. Just because you don’t want. Or because you are that hungry, that you cannot concentrate on something else than being hungry. Well that’s me… sometimes.

Mushroom Pasta

 It’s also one of those dishes, that are great, when you have nothing at home, unless some mushrooms (I take it for granted, that pasta and cream are always in the pantry/fridge).

For those occasions one needs to have something up the sleeves. Like mushroom pasta.

Mushroom Pasta

 As I have nothing more to say about this wonderful emergency dish, I recommend you to have a look in Shauna’s new cookbook, which I just received as a belated Christmas gift. As I’m flipping through the sites and looking at recipes like „potato-mushroom-tart“ or „chicken braised in red-wine“ or „chocolate-peanut butter brownies“, I’m really glad I already prepared some of the dinner tonight. Because hungry cooking is not my kind of style, as you already may’ve guessed. Anyway the cookbook is full of delicious recipes, which are in addition to that all gluten-free – naturally or intended. Altogether great compositions.

So if you have now spend too much time reading food blogs, instead of making dinner/lunch, go ahead for some mushroom pasta!

Mushroom Pasta

One year ago: Blueberry and Buttermilk-Panna Cotta

WeihnachtsplätzchenChristmas Cookies

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

Today we are talking about Christmas cookies, or Weihnachtsplätzchen as we call them in Germany. It’s tradition here to bake in Advent. A lot of „Plätzchen“. So I began already before the 1.Advent and since then I made 5 different kinds. Unfortunately most of them are almost eaten. I don’t know where they all gone…

Christmas Cookies

At least it speaks for itself, that they are good. Very good.

Most of them have the same basis of dough. So it’s possible to make a huge amount of dough, then divide the dough, so you can shape and fill every part different.

I offer you the satisfaction of different tastes: fruit – in this case apricot, nuts, cocoa.

On the picture below you see the cookies filled with apricot jam. Behind them are the cream cookies. They are the only ones, made of different dough. I give you the recipes of the three cookies, which have the same basis dough, so it’s easy to vary. And believe me, everyone is different.

Christmas Cookies

As time flies by until Christmas, I’m planning what culinary presents I will make. Next week I will start with the ones, that will keep longer and maybe I can show you something delicious, that you can gift to someone, too. As we are heading to my family in Nürnberg a few days before Christmas, the last preparations need to be made there.

I’ve planned to make „Baumkuchen“: a cake with many many layers, a terrine, anis cookies (especially for my father, who loves them as much as I), eggnog for my grandmother and different savoury cookies. My christmas cookies are also very fancied, but as it stands things look black.

Christmas Cookies

On the picture above you see the black and white cookies on the left, and the nut cookies on the right.

Today we are talking about Christmas cookies, or Weihnachtsplätzchen as we call them in Germany. It’s tradition here to bake in Advent. A lot of „Plätzchen“. So I began already before the 1.Advent and since then I made 5 different kinds. Unfortunately most of them are almost eaten. I don’t know where they all gone…

Christmas Cookies

 At least it speaks for itself, that they are good. Very good.

Most of them have the same basis of dough. So it’s possible to make a huge amount of dough, then divide the dough, so you can shape and fill every part different.

I offer you the satisfaction of different tastes: fruit – in this case apricot, nuts, cocoa.

On the picture below you see the cookies filled with apricot jam. Behind them are the cream cookies. They are the only ones, made of different dough. I give you the recipes of the three cookies, which have the same basis dough, so it’s easy to vary. And believe me, everyone is different.

Christmas Cookies

 As time flies by until Christmas, I’m planning what culinary presents I will make. Next week I will start with the ones, that will keep longer and maybe I can show you something delicious, that you can gift to someone, too. As we are heading to my family in Nürnberg a few days before Christmas, the last preparations need to be made there.

I’ve planned to make „Baumkuchen“: a cake with many many layers, a terrine, anis cookies (especially for my father, who loves them as much as I), eggnog for my grandmother and different savoury cookies. My christmas cookies are also very fancied, but as it stands things look black.

 

Christmas Cookies

 On the picture above you see the black and white cookies on the left, and the nut cookies on the right.

Flan TarteFlan Tart

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

As a child I didn’t like flan. It was too slippery and wobbly for me. Today I really like it. I like Flan, Crème Caramel, Crème Brûlée. And Crème Brûlée really works well. But as I tried to cook Flan some weeks ago, I wasn’t very successful. The caramel just didn’t want to caramelize. Then it didn’t wanted to harden in the moulds. I was really disappointed. And the worst thing was, I didn’t know why! I even do not know it today. I looked up several cook books and blogs, but they weren’t a helping hand.

As I looked through the blogs, some unknown, some of my favourites, I discovered something called Flan Tart on Aran’s blog. I’ve never tried something like this, although we spend a lot of holidays in Spain. Also I read, that the tart is somehow popular in Spain. Now I know why!

Flan Tart

I infused my Flan Tart only with vanilla beans, because I wanted to get as near as possible to the original Flan. I think it worked. Of course, you can’t expect a Flan. But a Flan formed in a tart, with a taste almost as Flan and a bit of the texture. Just no caramel. That was just the right thing for me, as I remember my caramel experiences.

Flan Tart

The tart looks like a lot of work, but it is not. You need to make a pastry crust (choose your favourite one or use the recipe I recommend below) and then the filling, which is no magic art. I recommend to bake this tart in a small spring form. I used a 20 cm one.

Be careful in the last minutes of baking. My tart burned a bit on the surface. But luckily the burned parts could be easily peeled off (maybe you see it in the picture below, that there’s a part of the surface, that is out of harmony with the rest).

Flan Tart

As a child I didn’t like flan. It was too slippery and wobbly for me. Today I really like it. I like Flan, Crème Caramel, Crème Brûlée. And Crème Brûlée really works well. But as I tried to cook Flan some weeks ago, I wasn’t very successful. The caramel just didn’t want to caramelize. Then it didn’t wanted to harden in the moulds. I was really disappointed. And the worst thing was, I didn’t know why! I even do not know it today. I looked up several cook books and blogs, but they weren’t a helping hand.

As I looked through the blogs, some unknown, some of my favourites, I discovered something called Flan Tart on Aran’s blog. I’ve never tried something like this, although we spend a lot of holidays in Spain. Also I read, that the tart is somehow popular in Spain. Now I know why!

Flan Tart

I infused my Flan Tart only with vanilla beans, because I wanted to get as near as possible to the original Flan. I think it worked. Of course, you can’t expect a Flan. But a Flan formed in a tart, with a taste almost as Flan and a bit of the texture. Just no caramel. That was just the right thing for me, as I remember my caramel experiences.

Flan Tart

The tart looks like a lot of work, but it is not. You need to make a pastry crust (choose your favourite one or use the recipe I recommend below) and then the filling, which is no magic art. I recommend to bake this tart in a small spring form. I used a 20 cm one.

Be careful in the last minutes of baking. My tart burned a bit on the surface. But luckily the burned parts could be easily peeled off (maybe you see it in the picture below, that there’s a part of the surface, that is out of harmony with the rest).

Flan Tart

 

 

Kürbis-Apfel-SuppeWinter Squash-Apple-Soup

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

8°C. That’s it, what the thermometer is saying outside. To cozy up yourself, this squash-apple-soup helps. And it’s fast and easy done. Especially if you are using a squash, that softens in minutes.

Winter Squash-Apple-Soup

We had luck, that F. parents gave us a huge one from their garden, that softens so fast and tastes so good. I don’t know what kind it was, so I’m not a helper here. But if you have no clue what to choose, choose a red kuri squash. red kuri squash softens fast, too, taste delicious and the best: you don’t need to peel them!

The clue of the soup is the apple. The apple adds a slightly fresh and acid taste. It’s more than a squash soup. Because of the apple it’s a whole new soup. Something special.

Make a large batch. Double the recipe below, so you have more soup the next day.

Winter Squash-Apple-Soup

Vor einem Jahr: Apfeltarte

8°C. That’s it, what the thermometer is saying outside. To cozy up yourself, this pumpkin-apple-soup helps. And it’s fast and easy done. Especially if you are using a pumpkin, that softens in minutes.

Winter Squash-Apple-Soup

We had luck, that F. parents gave us a huge one from their garden, that softens so fast and tastes so good. I don’t know what kind it was, so I’m not a helper here. But if you have no clue what to choose, choose a hokkaido. Hokkaido’s soften fast, too, taste delicious and the best: you don’t need to peel them!

The clue of the soup is the apple. The apple adds a slightly fresh and acid taste. It’s more than a pumpkin soup. Because of the apple it’s a whole new soup. Something special.

Make a large batch. Double the recipe below, so you have more soup the next day.

Winter Squash-Apple-Soup

One year ago: Apple Tart

glutenfreie ButterkekseDecorated Sugar Cookies with the Daring Bakers [gluten-free]

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of “What the Fruitcake?!” Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking.

For this months challenge everybody should choose a theme. I chose simply „autumn“, because it’s everywhere present for me and I’m totally enjoying it. So I cut out some different shaped leaves with the cookie cutters and decorated them with green, orange and yellow royal icing.

Decorated Sugar Cookies with the Daring Bakers [gluten-free]

Since the only time in the year when I bake sugar cookies is normally before Christmas, I wasn’t so eager on the cookies. So I chose to make them gluten-free, just to give it an extra twist and to try a new flavour. Also I didn’t want to try a different sugar cookie recipe than mine, since I believe mine is the best ;). But before Christmas there is just not the right time to reveal it. I used a sugar cookie recipe from Shauna and it worked out very well. Besides it tastes really good.

The icing was interesting, since I’ve never did it before. It worked well, too. But I’m not a fan of artificial colouring and to decorate cookies like this.It just does not look natural to me. Additionally the cookies just taste great on them selves. The sweet icing is not necessary for me. But it was a good experience.

Decorated Sugar Cookies with the Daring Bakers [gluten-free]

Vor einem Jahr: Triple Mousse

The September 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mandy of “What the Fruitcake?!” Mandy challenged everyone to make Decorated Sugar Cookies based on recipes from Peggy Porschen and The Joy of Baking.

For this months challenge everybody should choose a theme. I chose simply „autumn“, because it’s everywhere present for me and I’m totally enjoying it. So I cut out some different shaped leaves with the cookie cutters and decorated them with green, orange and yellow royal icing.

Decorated Sugar Cookies with the Daring Bakers [gluten-free]

Since the only time in the year when I bake sugar cookies is normally before Christmas, I wasn’t so eager on the cookies. So I chose to make them gluten-free, just to give it an extra twist and to try a new flavour. Also I didn’t want to try a different sugar cookie recipe than mine, since I believe mine is the best ;). But before Christmas there is just not the right time to reveal it. I used a sugar cookie recipe from Shauna and it worked out very well. Besides it tastes really good.

 

The icing was interesting, since I’ve never did it before. It worked well, too. But I’m not a fan of artificial colouring and to decorate cookies like this.It just does not look natural to me. Additionally the cookies just taste great on them selves. The sweet icing is not necessary for me. But it was a good experience.

Decorated Sugar Cookies with the Daring Bakers [gluten-free]

One year ago: Triple Mousse

Tomaten und ÄpfelTomatoes and Apples

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

Summer ending and autumn beginning. That is what tomatoes and apples are standing for, right now. That is how I feel. I’m yearning for the warm summer air and long nights, but I also like when it rains all day and the sky is cloudy. It’s a good excuse to cozy up and eat meals, that warm from inside. And it’s a good excuse to drink glühwein, yet. Yeah, I already had my first  some days ago…

Tomatoes and Apples

For enjoying the last summer bits and preserving it until autumn and winter, make some good old homemade pasta/pizza sauce and can it. It’s a bit of work chopping all the tomatoes, but the rest is just easy going. And there’s definitely no need to  peel the skin off them! I made sauce of 2 kilos of tomatoes and it looked a lot in the pot. But afterwards it ended in 5 jars. That’s good, don’t get me wrong. But if you have access to a lot tomatoes, don’t be shy or scared of the amount, you will be rewarded with a lot of yummy pasta sauce, that will bring you through the summer-less seasons.

Tomato Sauce

For enjoying the first autumn bits, I give you a simple apple compote on the way, which can be spiced up with your favourite spices or made with additionally pears. This compote is just perfect as a topping on arroz con leche, creams or the flan tart, I will post next time. It can also used as a filling for a sweet snack made of puff pastry or enjoyed with pancakes. Make a lot, it disappears fast!

Apple Compote

Diese Rezepte sind nur Richtlinien. Lasst Zutaten weg oder fügt andere hinzu, wenn ihr möchtet.

Wenn ihr Pastasauce einmachen wollt, müsst ihr vorher die Gläser und Deckel sterilisieren. Hier gibt es gutes und sehr witziges Video darüber und wie man ganze Tomaten einmacht.

Tomatoes

 

Summer ending and autumn beginning. That is what tomatoes and apples are standing for, right now. That is how I feel. I’m yearning for the warm summer air and long nights, but I also like when it rains all day and the sky is cloudy. It’s a good excuse to cozy up and eat meals, that warm from inside. And it’s a good excuse to drink glühwein, yet. Yeah, I already had my first some days ago…

Tomatoes and Apples

For enjoying the last summer bits and preserving it until autumn and winter, make some good old homemade pasta/pizza sauce and can it. It’s a bit of work chopping all the tomatoes, but the rest is just easy going. And there’s definitely no need to peel the skin off them! I made sauce of 2 kilos of tomatoes and it looked a lot in the pot. But afterwards it ended in 5 jars. That’s good, don’t get me wrong. But if you have access to a lot tomatoes, don’t be shy or scared of the amount, you will be rewarded with a lot of yummy pasta sauce, that will bring you through the summer-less seasons.

Tomato Sauce

For enjoying the first autumn bits, I give you a simple apple compote on the way, which can be spiced up with your favourite spices or made with additionally pears. This compote is just perfect as a topping on arroz con leche, creams or the flan tart, I will post next time. It can also used as a filling for a sweet snack made of puff pastry or enjoyed with pancakes. Make a lot, it disappears fast!

Apple Compote

Note: That is just a guideline. Feel free to add and leave things, how you prefer it.

If you want to can the pasta sauce, you need clean jars with lids, that you’ve sterilized before. Here’s a really good and also funny video about sterilizing jars and canning whole tomatoes from The Bitten Word. They put it in a nutshell.

 

 

Tomatoes

 

 

 

Couscous-Avocado-SalatCouscous-Avocado-Salad

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

Just another comfort food. Just another perfect summer dish. Just a perfect snack. Just a perfect everyday dish. Just a perfect picnic dish. Just a perfect side dish for grilling. Just so many options for eating this wonderful, delicious and easy salad.

Couscous-Avocado-Salad

It hasn’t deserved the word salad. I mean salad is something, that involves some lousy leaves of some green plant. It’s something, that doesn’t saturate. Attributes that have nothing to do with that „salad“. You can serve the salad immediately warm, or cold or at room temperature. So versatile again.

Couscous-Avocado-Salad

This dish involves only delicious ingredients. Couscous, avocado, pine nuts, mint, honey. The product has to be luscious. And it is! So next time you go by an avocado, buy it and remember this dish.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, since then we’ll be going to the market again. Maybe I’m making some photos then and a bit of story telling about it next time. We will definitely go to our favourite market stall again, buy vegetables, especially those great tomatoes, buy some bread at the bread stall, cheese and maybe some flowers. Some of the flowers, which we bought last Saturday and I showed you in the last post are still vivid, like the beautiful orange lilies and the gerbera. 

Couscous-Avocado-Salad

Vor einem Jahr: Death by Chocolate

 

Just another comfort food. Just another perfect summer dish. Just a perfect snack. Just a perfect everyday dish. Just a perfect picnic dish. Just a perfect side dish for grilling. Just so many options for eating this wonderful, delicious and easy salad.

Couscous-Avocado-Salad

It hasn’t deserved the word salad. I mean salad is something, that involves some lousy leaves of some green plant. It’s something, that doesn’t saturate. Attributes that have nothing to do with that „salad“. You can serve the salad immediately warm, or cold or at room temperature. So versatile again.

Couscous-Avocado-Salad

This dish involves only delicious ingredients. Couscous, avocado, pine nuts, mint, honey. The product has to be luscious. And it is! So next time you go by an avocado, buy it and remember this dish.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, since then we’ll be going to the market again. Maybe I’m making some photos then and a bit of story telling about it next time. We will definitely go to our favourite market stall again, buy vegetables, especially those great tomatoes, buy some bread at the bread stall, cheese and maybe some flowers. Some of the flowers, which we bought last Saturday and I showed you in the last post are still vivid, like the beautiful orange lilies and the gerbera.

 

Couscous-Avocado-Salad

One year ago: Death by Chocolate

Die besten Chocolate Chip Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

These days it’s all about making research, testing recipes, baking and cooking. The reason is that some events are coming up. First event will be my blog anniversary next week. There will be a big surprise, where not just baking is involved! The second event will be the Daring Bakers in August. And the most important event will be a wedding in October. It’s not just important, because it’s a family wedding, but also because I’ll be baking the wedding cake!

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

Friday bride and groom will be testing the cakes. I’ll be preparing two different cakes with different fillings and I want to try to make another one gluten-free. All that’s a real challenge. But I’m glad, that I finally created some recipes, that appear good to me. So tomorrow is baking and whisking day! I’m really looking forward to the next two days. So wish me luck.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

In between one just needs some cookies. We really longed for some cookies the day before yesterday. But as I never buy some – because I always think I can do it all at home better and cheaper… and with more fun – we didn’t had some. As such craving don’t pass by easily or until the next day, I decided to make some simple chocolate chip cookies. They are simple and easy and I made them a dozen times already. So I can say: they are the best. In my opinion.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

They are crispy on the outside and have a softer core. This time I used dark and milk chocolate. But usually I only use the dark one. And if you don’t have chocolate chips on hand, use normal chocolate bars (you should like the chocolate of course) and chop it into small pieces. You can vary the size of your cookies by forming smaller or bigger dough balls, before baking. Depends on your liking to eat more palm-size cookies or two-bite-size cookies. I lean towards the second choice…

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

So if you have just 30 minutes left (for everything!), try and make them. I’m sure you will be convinced, too. I mean, who can stand this:

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

Vor einem Jahr: Death by Chocolate

 

These days it’s all about making research, testing recipes, baking and cooking. The reason is that some events are coming up. First event will be my blog anniversary next week. There will be a big surprise, where not just baking is involved! The second event will be the Daring Bakers in August. And the most important event will be a wedding in October. It’s not just important, because it’s a family wedding, but also because I’ll be baking the wedding cake!

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

Friday bride and groom will be testing the cakes. I’ll be preparing two different cakes with different fillings and I want to try to make another one gluten-free. All that’s a real challenge. But I’m glad, that I finally created some recipes, that appear good to me. So tomorrow is baking and whisking day! I’m really looking forward to the next two days. So wish me luck.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

In between one just needs some cookies. We really longed for some cookies the day before yesterday. But as I never buy some – because I always think I can do it all at home better and cheaper… and with more fun – we didn’t had some. As such craving don’t pass by easily or until the next day, I decided to make some simple chocolate chip cookies. They are simple and easy and I made them a dozen times already. So I can say: they are the best. In my opinion.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

They are crispy on the outside and have a softer core. This time I used dark and milk chocolate. But usually I only use the dark one. And if you don’t have chocolate chips on hand, use normal chocolate bars (you should like the chocolate of course) and chop it into small pieces. You can vary the size of your cookies by forming smaller or bigger dough balls, before baking. Depends on your liking to eat more palm-size cookies or two-bite-size cookies. I lean towards the second choice…

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

So if you have just 30 minutes left (for everything!), try and make them. I’m sure you will be convinced, too. I mean, who can stand this:

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies ever!

One year ago: Death by Chocolate

Pfirsich TartelettesPeach Tartelettes

Update: Für das deutsche Rezept nach unten scrollen!

About a month ago I promised some tartelettes. Actually apricot tartelettes. But as the case may be, they looked good, but the apricots just tasted like nothing. Additionally something was missing. Some cream, which would flatter your palate. Maybe vanilla? So an idea was born.

Peach Tartelettes

1. Pâte sucrée: which I also used for the failed apricot tartelettes, but which is very good. I adapted it from Michel Roux. It’s a bit sticky, but so you only have to press the dough in your molds. No rolling out! If you are making this dough, you have to use butter! Don’t use shortening (Koch-,Back- oder Streichfett)! Trust me, I’ve tried. Also stick to the chilling time. It’s both worth for handling and taste!

Peach Tartelettes

2. Crème pâtissiére: A very fine and also light cream filling for the tartelettes, which has just a slight sweetness and good taste of vanilla. I recommend to use vanilla extract. I also made it with vanilla pods, but I prefer the taste of the vanilla extract. If you don’t know, where to get some vanilla extract, without going to expense, just make your own. I just did it myself and it’s super easy.

Peach Tartelettes

3. Peaches! There is nothing much to say here, just use some that are already ripe and of course have a good taste! Not just like my apricots…

About a month ago I promised some tartelettes. Actually apricot tartelettes. But as the case may be, they looked good, but the apricots just tasted like nothing. Additionally something was missing. Some cream, which would flatter your palate. Maybe vanilla? So an idea was born.

Peach Tartelettes

1. Pâte sucrée: which I also used for the failed apricot tartelettes, but which is very good. I adapted it from Michel Roux. It’s a bit sticky, but so you only have to press the dough in your molds. No rolling out! If you are making this dough, you have to use butter! Don’t use shortening (Koch-,Back- oder Streichfett)! Trust me, I’ve tried. Also stick to the chilling time. It’s both worth for handling and taste!

Peach Tartelettes

2. Crème pâtissiére: A very fine and also light cream filling for the tartelettes, which has just a slight sweetness and good taste of vanilla. I recommend to use vanilla extract. I also made it with vanilla pods, but I prefer the taste of the vanilla extract. If you don’t know, where to get some vanilla extract, without going to expense, just make your own. I just did it myself and it’s super easy.

Peach Tartelettes

3. Peaches! There is nothing much to say here, just use some that are already ripe and of course have a good taste! Not just like my apricots…