Life 'n' Such

My picture for Kumpir disappeared (I deleted it …), now I have to make it soon, so I can take a picture! 

Yumm Yumm, and so easy!!!!!!!!! This version of Kumpir is made my one of my turkish friends ‘khichuk’(meaning small) Zehra’ husband. Hacer showed me how to make this today.

Ingredients:

Baked potatoes, (washed and baked at 450 deg F for 1 hour)
mayonnaise, about 1 tsp for each potato
mozarella cheese grated,
salt
1 can of sweet corn,
1 can of sweet peas,
1 can of black or green olives (cut into slices)
pickled cucumber cut into small pieces
tomato ketchup (to be drizzled on the top)

Method:

In a bowl, cut the potato in half (not completely) length wise. Smush the inside of the potato and then mix mozarella cheese and sprinkle a little salt in it. Pat it down slightly. Brush the mayonnaise on this. Generously layer the olives, cucumbers, peas and corn in this. Finally drizzle tomato ketchup over it.

Done, serve immediately!

Easy? Told ya!

Update: Hey bachelors everywhere, try this, you will thank me!

Look at Sarah’s comment for a variation to this recipe. Thanks Sarah!

2 Comments | In: Appetizer/Snack, Food, Recipes, Turkish | | #

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Having a Tea party? Make these, they will be a great complement to your sandwiches/salad menu with tea.

Had these cookies at Ulfet’s house, they are crispy and delicious.

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, softened
1 turkish teacup oil,
1 tbsp yoghurt,
1 egg yolk and white seperated,
1 1/2 turkish teacup sugar powdered,
1 tsp baking powder,
2 cups cornstarch,
approx 2 cups flour

Mix the butter, egg yolk, oil and yoghurt together, then add the sugar and baking powder to this. Mix the cornstarch into these, and finally add the flour little bit at a time. The dough should not be soft (as we have for breads or pizza bases).

Make little balls, or the shape shown in picture and then dip them in egg white and then in sesame seeds to coat them completely.

Arrange on baking tray and bake at 350 deg F, till you get the smell of cookies. They should be little pinkish in color, not gold.

Let it cool and then enjoy with tea!

No Comments | In: Dessert, Food, Recipes, Turkish | | #

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Called milkshake in India, made with fresh mangoes and milk, its one of the most popular summer drinks!

Here in US, we do not really have the fresh mangoes, but we buy pulp cans from Indian/Pakistani/Arabic stores, and then use the pulp to make the smoothie

For approx 1 -9 oz glass,
Ingredients:
6 oz mango pulp,
3 oz cold milk
sugar if required

Either use a blender for this, or just mix the milk and pulp till blended properly. (Taste and add sugar if needed)

Enjoy it chilled anytime.

Note: You can use vanilla icecream in place of the milk, but then I recommend using a blender.

No Comments | In: Food, Indian, Recipes | | #

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I tasted this cheese at Ulfet’s house. I dont remember the brand name, but its called Armenian cheese. Its texture is like spanish cheese, or like paneer (indian cheese). The taste is different, because it contains black sesame seeds in it. Its shape is also different. It looks like a ribbon wrapped in a bundle.

I have it sometimes for breakfast, with fresh tomato pieces, toast with lots of butter, and a glass of mango smoothie. Yumm!!! Thats what I call a King’s breakfast!

No Comments | In: Food, Recipes | | #

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Ate this at Nur’s house. She told me the recipe, it is really simple. She has an adorable son. She is from Turkey. I met her mother, she makes amazing desserts.

Ingredients:
Cabbage, fine cut
carrot, grated
mayonnaise (Nur said use Hellman’s)
lemon juice,
1/2 onion grated
salt if needed

Mix the mayo, onion and lemon juice (salt if desired). Pour this over the cabbage and carrot mix. Mix well. Let it sit for about an hour, and then enjoy!

No Comments | In: Food, Indian, Recipes, Turkish | | #

Another variation for marinating shrimp, just plain ol’ Ranch dressing straight out of your fridge. A dash of lemon juice and sprinkle some garlic powder. Add salt if required. Barbecue the shrimp or just grill it on george foreman grill.

Easy huh?

Oops forgot to mention, this recipe is by Firdaus. She has tons of this kind of short cut recipes.

No Comments | In: Food, Indian, Recipes | | #

You want a iPod Nano…go to Key Bank! Basically, if you open a checking account with direct deposit or CC, then you are eligible to receive a free iPod!

Interested? Check it out then at your local Key bank or their website key.com

Update: The above link wont work now, since the offer has expired. Sorry!

No Comments | In: Interesting stuff, Shopping, deals n such | | #

There was awesome clearance on Labor day weekend at Joann‘s on fabrics etc. Beautiful embroidered, denims, linens, home furnishings etc were at prices you wont believe!

I am sure there will be more in the future too, so keep a watch!

No Comments | In: Shopping, deals n such | | #

We wanted to buy plastic chairs for outdoors. Since its end of summer, most of the stores were sold out!

Last we went to Rite Aid, and to our surprise, not only they had white plastic chairs, they were at an incredible price. Normally this type is sold for $5-6 everywhere. Here it was 75% off! We got half a dozen. Then they also had other summer stuff on clearance like hawaiian slippers, inflatable kids rings, outdoor candles, solar lights etc. We found an incredible plastic dining table for 12.50 (again it was 75% off).

Now thats what I call a bargain!

No Comments | In: Shopping, deals n such | | #

Today we are going to barbecue shrimps and chicken. Our friend Babar, he is from Pakistan, got us lots of spice mixes from Canada. He got us different kinds; spices for fish and seafood, chicken etc

Sometimes its ok to use store bought spice mixes, you are allowed to take shortcuts once in a while

What I do is, I use a little bit of the spice mix and add my own spices to it. This was told to me by Tehsin my dear friend.

Ingredients:
1/4 packet Laziza masala for seafood,
other ingredients listed on the package usually are garlic paste, lemon juice, yoghurt etc
my own spice mix: red chilli powder, garam masala, turmeric (haldi), cumin (jeera) powder (little bit of all this)
salt (if needed)
ofcourse shrimp!!

Let the shrimp (or fish) sit overnite in the marinade. Then for presentation purposes arrange them on skewers alternating with cherry tomatoes/peppers/onion slices. Fire up the grill and barbecue!! Relax and enjoy with your friends and family.

Note: I like a simple menu for a barbecue; hot butter pilaf/jeera rice, salads (one or couple kinds), soup (perfect for cool weather) and fruit for dessert. Simple and wholesome.

No Comments | In: Food, Indian, Recipes | | #