Something Fishy

I've been really into looking at cookbooks and especially of lately, Middle Eastern cooking. I recently checked out 3 that looked fun and interesting! I've been looking through the pages and have instantly become inspired but what I see from the pictures and recipes alone. An extra dose of excitement is linked to the possibilities and what I will decide to cook!

So this past Wednesday, I made a fish dish. Since it is the Lenten season, and it was Ash Wednesday, fish was a likely option. I actually don't mind cooking with fish, I find it to be interesting and almost like a whole new realm that I haven't fully discovered yet. The Persian recipe called for sea bass, but I instead used Talipia, it's still good and soaks in the the flavors well.

I would rate this recipe as super simple. If you like fish or seafood and want something that is fairly quick and not a lot of steps, then this one is a go to! I didn't have a lemon but used a lime instead. Luckily I had some saffron strands and some pinches of sumac- what a great smell and flavor it has!:) I look forward to more seafood dishes in the future, as well as more delicious recipes from these inspiring cookbooks!

Fuchsia's Recipe and Making Things Interesting

I've been meaning to share a semi- recent dish that I made last weekend. I decided to make a Chinese dish since it's been a while and also since we're still celebrating the New Year of the Rooster. This cookbook that I checked out caught my eye because the author is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has a cooking memoir about her experience with Chinese food, specifically the Sichuan province. Her cookbook has a lot to offer, with many interesting and exotic dishes that I had never heard of. Here is her book, if you're interested. I've been meaning to still read/finish it.

I made a dish that is pretty typical yet not so common, since the ingredients and steps have a turn of their own, yet make for a great and delicious meal at the end of it all!

For this recipe, there's ingredients for the main dish, the sauce and the marinade, however, it's all pretty easy and doesn't take too long. I think in all, it took me a little over an hour before we could eat. That day, my Mom and I went to lunch at Clementine's, and then explored Anthropolgie. It had been almost a year since visiting this cool and inspiring store, I needed all the inspiration I could get! Lol See this post about Anthro http://plummtree.blogspot.com/2016/11/anthropologie-and-anthropology.html, and this one for
Clementine's:) http://plummtree.blogspot.com/2016/09/clementines-inspiration-through-time.html

Last night, I made glazed meatloaf. It had a lot of flavor and spices in it, but I didn't take a picture of it since, I guess you already know what it looks like lol

On another note, I've been trying to create a schedule that makes my time more interesting, exciting and maybe even a little more random. Yesterday, I decided to wake up earlier than ever, even though I did sleep in a little, but regardless, I went on a quick and early run, eager and ready to start the day! Yesterday, I also went to a new coffee shop in the area, which I had heard about but never gave it a try. My experience there was pretty good, though, there were times when it was loud, and I didn't like my drink all that much, but it's okay- it was for the (new) experience and that's all that really mattered. This reminds me of a CD I listened to a year in a half ago that talked about how to become an interesting person...unfortunately it skipped so I couldn't listen to it anymore. A few years back, what I though that made for an interesting person was speaking lots of different languages and I wanted to be able t do the same. Of course, this is interesting but not the only way and surely not the only thing that will make for an interesting person.

On Valentine's Day, I was thinking about giving blood since there was a blood drive at school, but then I remembered that I've been out of the country and still need to wait a few more months if I want to donate. In a way, I was semi- relieved since I do not like the idea of a pricking my finger or a needle in my vein, but sometimes the thought is worse than actually doing it. I guess that's like a lot of things in life.

What are some things that you've been cooking lately, and or something you did that was new or out of your comfort zone?:)

This picture was taken about a month ago, at a favorite Chinese restaurant that my Mom and I share. Sweet and sour soup, I believe, and next time I will order my Mom's choice, and maybe even say a few words in Chinese! Till next time!

Arabic Food and Sumac:)

Middle Eastern food is something that is always fun, interesting and even a little difficult to put together. Tonight I decided to make Kefta (or Kafta), but it's a different version than what I made before. This recipe is more like a roll, with some filling inside that is already pre-cooked and the meat of the Kefta (both lamb and beef) cook altogether on very high in the oven.

This dish in all took about an hour in a half to cook. Like most Middle Eastern dished I've tried to concoct in the past, I notice a recurring pattern- there are a lot of steps, and or, each step is a process in a itself as well. I wouldn't say I'm always on the mood to cook a 'fancy' dish like this one tonight, however, when I am and when I do attempt to recreate the recipe, I always feel rewarded and good that I got a bit or even a lot out of my comfort zone and tried something different, and even fun. I usually am surprised at the strong flavors and smells from the exotic spices. Sumac, being one of these spices that is particularly strong. I've come across a few times now in dishes, yet never had it and didn't know what it was. My Mom recently purchased sumac at a cooking store, that was actually surprisingly cheaper and bigger than a grocery store. So now, I'm happy to say that I have sumac in my back pocket whenever I need it!

The end result looked something like a hamburger patty, but it tasted a little spicy with the help of the sumac, and a mix of lamb and beef. I happen to like the mix of lamb and beef, as well as just lamb by itself, but my sister begs to differ. I somehow always seem to be cooking recipes with lamb ?;)
I feel that this too will go in my recipe archive. Now the next thing I need to get a hold of is Tahini paste- which many recipes have also called for that I've seemed to notice and haven't included, yet.

Hope you'll give this one a try!: Till next time...

6 o'clock Lamb

I haven't been cooking too regularly but I didn't post an amazing recipe which I cooked when my sister and brother-in-law were here two weekends ago. I think I was just taking in the moment and too busy prepping things and making sure nothing burns, although I did burn myself a little. That recipe I will just have to put on here anyway, since I feel that it was a keeper. It was a salmon dish, although the original was with trout, but I guess now you know that I like to switch some ingredients around. Ha

This latest recipe was from my Jerusalem cookbook. It usually doesn't take me too long in order to find a recipe that I would like to concoct. So this time I made lamb, with eggs, and other spices and such that made the dish worth what it is. I didn't however, and perhaps even unfortunately use tahini or harissa paste, or sumac. When you're not living in an Arab country, somethings may be a little harder to find. But I still found this recipe to be really good and interesting, with all the flavors in unison. My family who tried it said the same:)

With this one, there were a good number of steps that I had to pay attention to. But luckily nothing was too crazy or should I say even very difficult. I seriously started making this dish at 6 pm and had it ready a little after 7:30 pm. Sundays, (which was the day I cooked it) can always be a bit hard. I love Sundays, and I love going to the library on Sundays up until the late afternoon. My Mom and I kept telling ourselves that we would leave the library to go to store at a descent time, yet we kept pushing it back at least 3 times. We were thoroughly engrossed in our reading and work, and the quiet, glowing ambiance of the library was another factor. After finding all that I would need at the store, except for those three ingredients I mentioned earlier, I was ready to start cooking, and cooking fast, for my Dad highly dislikes eating 'late' on a Sunday evening, but fortunately everything seemed to unravel nicely and there were no big hiccups in the process.

Eggs, lamb, and all other ingredients cooking swiftly

Add the cooked tomatoes, and the eggs are supposed to be a bit runny

Here's the cover of the cookbook again, as well as the same recipe:)

My sister isn't too fond of lamb, but I guess I surprised her with this one because she liked it better than before. I personally like the smell of ground lamb cooking, and with the ingredients in this recipe, it worked well with the lamb, and the eggs, tomatoes and everything else. I look forward to the other recipes I will try in this gem!

Persian Twist

I've been meaning to cook a Persian dish, and for a while had no luck in finding a cookbook from this region. With a little more scoping, something came up, and I found the same recipe that I had had at a Persian restaurant just 3 weeks ago, with my sister and brother in law. I was excited to make this recipe, yet I've learned a few things about the cooking process. Always read the whole recipe before starting, and once I did this I realized that I had the wrong kind of lamb. Lamb shoulder instead of ground lamb. Oh well. So the recipe made a turn of its own, and I created a kind of lamb chops with rice. It wasn't what I wanted initially but it turned out alright in the end.

The delicious Persian meal

With great company:)

Hopefully in the future, I can cook more Persian meals, and maybe try this one again, with the right ingredients;) Now, I'll need to figure out what I'll be baking this holiday season! Till next time...

Spices and Flavors for the Chicken

I made a Pakistani dish, according to Mary Knoll International Cookbook. This dish seems to have many variations to it, since I've made a similar recipe but the Indian version. The recipe is Chicken Curry, and upon seeing this recipe, I immediately knew that I wanted to cook it. That's the thing about me, even looking for a recipe to cook (or bake) has to inspire me in some way! I think I also have to be in the mood to cook as well.

This recipe was fairly easy, and the ingredients were not too crazy or unfamilar, except I wasn't sure what a cheesecloth was, so just used the ingredients separately for that. I think it turned out similar to what it was supposed to, hopefully :) I really like chicken dishes where there are lots of flavors and spices- I find that the Middle Eastern and Asian recipes have the most of those.

 My next recipe will be something new for me, and I've been looking for these kind of recipes from this certain country for quite sometime, and finally found a cookbook, which made me stretch my arms to reach this beauty. I am excited to cook and share it here on Plum Tree, so stay tuned for that next week! 

It called for yogurt to be mixed in with the chicken and the spices and other main ingredients.This part reminded me of one of my favorite recipes- Syrian Meatballs, which I still have not made and put on PT, but I want to do that soon! I made white rice to go on the side for this dish, which worked well, as most chicken and meat dishes do. Enjoying the late Fall rain on this cozy Saturday! So many things I want to do and capture my melancholy, creative soul once again;) Till next time...

Full of Noodles

Noodles, noodles, noodles. I came to realize that I enjoy cooking with noodles, and that I want to keep going with this interest of mine. This funny and quirky allure of noodles reminds me of the book I read this past Summer, On the Noodle Road. Like I mentioned before in my Summer Books post, that the author traveling and becoming knowledable about throughout the regions of Asia, Central Asia and to the boot heel of Italy. This book inspired me, within the art of cooking as well as traveling, and learning about the various and eclectic cultures in these geographical locations of the world.

Now for the recipe, which is something that is easy and simple along with no sweat or tears, except maybe the onions that are optional for this dish.

Here are noodles, cucumbers, mushrooms, onions, and chicken.

Easy, breezy directions.  Directions with 1,2,3 always makes you feel better!

This stir fry dish is always a go to, and doesn't make you feel too bad because it's still cooking, and a process. There will be many more times when I cook this go to recipe, and other noodle recipes to come!

Not Just Plain Quiche

The quiche I made for a Thanksgiving appetizer turned out well. It was so nice to cook on a cloudy, Fall day and contributing something to the special pre-dinner. I've had quiche so many times, but never once made it myself. There are variations to it, but all with the neccessary ingredients to make it taste and look like quiche:)

Just before going into the oven

Sometimes holidays such as Thanksgiving can bring nostalgia. Remebering Thanksgivings past, the memories, the company, the laughs and the happenings, all bound together. This year was new and refreshing, with a sense of calm, and comfort- making all the difference because I wasn't part of the hosting crew, and could enjoy all the hard work my sister and husband did in making a very special and thoughtful Thanksgiving meal.

I loved this recipe, not only because it was my first time trying it, but also because it had a variety of parts to it that made it more enjoyable to create. Mixing all of the ingredients together was fun, and seeing the texture come together was interesting, and making the dough in order for it to have a crust was a little time consuming, but also relaxing at the same time. I'm not used to rolling dough, and using flour and having it cling to my hands and clothes like it were sticky candy. I do want to get better at baking. I feel that I've become so comfortable with cooking, it's almost like there's no need to learn how to bake. But that's not true, I don't want to believe it either. I'm always up for an enticing challenge, and growing more comfortable in my skin which can feel like it has limits, but inside it denies that boxy category.

Pretty soon, I'll need to start making a (long) list of 2017 goals and challenges and ideas that I want to leap forward to do and create. And I think baking will be one of those items ready to make the mark. Of course, the race to finish my reading list/goal is still in the air, as well as a Winter chill and holiday cheer.The start of something new is about to come underway, It's coming quickly, but softly. It's not plain, or bland, but with lots of exotic and rich flavor. I'm excited for a new season to begin, a new year, and new ideas, goals, dreams and people. I hope you're excited as well, and join in with me!

Making Kafta For A Not So Formal Goodbye

I've finally made time to make a recipe from one of the nice and invititng cookbooks from the library. The cookbooks section is one of my favorites, so many ideas and inspiration that it makes me excited looking at all of the options. This time I picked a recipe from a Middle Eastern Cookbook.

This cookbook is interesting to look at and seeing all of the possibilities. I decided to make a similar dish to what I made before, Kafta but a different version than before. I wanted to make a nice dish for my sister's last night, since she moved out today with her husband to a place not too faraway, which is good. :) It will be a good deal different without her here everyday, I've gained so much and we've had so much amazing and enjoyable times these past 5 years especially. Life is truly a journey, and I would say an unpredictable one, so many twists and turns, times where it feels like a big, long tunnel and others when it feels like it's a sunny day all day. I've seen all of these avenues, and although have expereinced them from time to time, not as powerful as my sister has. Those 5 years have been mighty, meaningful and full of discovery. I had my close sister by my side, while she was figuring everything out while I was by her. Our best support system that didn't stop, but only grew and grew made our friendship and bond stronger and closer than ever. I realized more and more that sisters are a blessing but the ones who become really good friends are an extra blessing. What a blessing she has been in my life- in my young adult expereince, college days and in creating new ideas and hobbies. 

So many memories that at times feel like a blur, yet at other times  I can remember every word, occurence and detail in a given moment, I think that's what can make it hard, remembering almost everything and focusing too much on the past. I look at the past more than looking forward to the future, but I think that it's important to do both. These days wont be easy, nor these months but it's going to make me stronger. I know I am ready for this, but sometimes saying a not so formal goodbye until later can be difficult and emotional just as much as a formal one. But as soul sisters, I don't think many things will change, and I need to keep looking toward the future even though it can feel  foreign to me, but it's also exciting!

Now for the recipe...

This recipe is fun to make, you get to use your hands and mash all of the ingredients together- it's easier that way. The aroma is pretty stronger with the spices involved, but people will compliment you and you will shortly have their mouth watering. It's an overall easy recipe, it just takes sometime to put all together and cook- that takes the longest. I didn't put potatos in my dish, since it probvably would have taken twice as long, but I'm sure it would have tasted nice with the addition of them. I will keep this one in my cookbook archives since it will be a keeper! Until next time...

Pumpkin Cheesecake & New Things

Today I made my first cheesecake. I have been meaning to bake, since I have been feeling more and more comfortable with cooking. I have been accumalting recipes for about a year now, and only a few of them are desserts, but I decided to give it a go. White Chococlate Pumpkin Cheesecake. Perfect for the Autumn season, and a mix of flavors. I've heard that cheesecake is difficult to make, since most people buy theirs. I understand that more now since baking a dessert like a cheescake requires a good amount of time and money- there's a lot of ingredients! Overall, it was a good challenge and a learning expereince. Learning how much salt to put in (I unfortunately put in too much), as well as burnt the chcocolate chips the first time around in the microwave making the microwave smoke so heavily, it looked like a thick fog. But somethings you'll never fully learn or remember something until you make a mistake. As a quote I like says, "There is no failure. Either you win or you learn, either is okay."

I think this is my favorite time of Fall, in the middle of October before Halloween and before the onset of the holiday rush. The newness of Autumn is still in the air. The weather is overall nice, with the crisp air and crunchy red-orange leaves; the sun is still shining brightly. This is also the time of year when I soon think about the end of the year, and start looking back on the year as whole. So many exciting things, yet how fast time can truly go!

Went to a new restaurant with sisters, Yalla Meditterean. Liked the inside decour!

I thought it was an interesting place, Middle Eastern style restaurant, although I wouldn't say it's a restaurant. Just think Chipotle style mixed with Arabic food. I ordered Kefta with the Jerusalem style wrap. A lot of different flavors all wrapped in one, including french fires inside! I thought it was a cool place, and especially since I've gotten my feet wet with the Arabic language and tried some food- as well as made some food (Moroccan Kefta), so I felt connected in some way. It was also really nice to enjoy some quality time with my sisters, doesn't always happen too often. 

This month of October has flown by. I figured out what I'm going to be for Halloween...coming soon! And in one week is my sister and brother-in-law's wedding reception. The Maid of Honor has an important role to play, and I think I've lived up to it pretty well. Weddings these days are so commercialized and watered down, and the wedding party along with it. But I see myself as a different Maid of Honor, one without the drama and only room for support and love for my dearest sister and friend. It's not all about catching the boquet (which I have done at my other sister's wedding 3 years back :)), or outdoing the other brides maids, those things don't matter to me. The only thing that I'm worried about is my Toast. It seems so simple and straightforward, but when you're talking about your best friend, sometimes you don't want to leave anything out, or maybe I just put a lot of pressure on myself? Either way, it will be an exciting day- to see new and familar faces all celebrating the marriage of two very important and special people in my life. 

Chicken Manchurian

It's always nice to cook something new, a new challenge up my sleeve once again! I feel that that is the story of my life, a challenge here, a challenge to the right, and a challenge up the corner and back.  It keeps thinghs interesting:) I want to create challenges or new ideas for myself, to learn something new or to improve myself in some way. After getting 9 books at the library today, I think that's a good start!

So recently, I made a new dish, an Indian dish called Chicken Manchurian. I woud give this recipe 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, it was fairly easy and straightforward to make, no hiccups or anything excitedly scary. But it was good none the less. The only thing I wish this recipe had more of was spices. It had some chili sauce and such, but not as much zest as some other recipes I've made in the past, but I will put this one in my cookbook archive.

This weekend has been the coldest and rainest all season. I've actually quite enjoyed it since I like the rain, it gives off a nice, clean smell and gives my mind new inspiration during a down pour. Things look different in the rain, it gives a place a make over and allows one to dream. I don't find myself afraid of it, and like to walk in the rain- with an umbrella usually, as well as run in it, without one- making way for a wet adventure!