Ma'akouda or Moroccan Potato Patties

Ma'akouda, similar to the potato latke is a dish well known in Essaouira the Moroccan city. This can be served as an appetizer or made into a sandwich with some tomato Sauce and lettuce leaves .

Ingredients:

1    Pound of potatoes, peeled and diced
1   TBS of finely chopped cilantro
1    TBS of finely chopped parsley
1    Teaspoon of cumin
1    Teaspoon of salt
1/4 Teaspoon of pepper
1     Egg
1/2  Minced garlic cloves

Mix :1 Cup Flour, 1 Cup water , 1 Teaspoon baking Powder, Pinch of turmeric & salt  and set aside .

Oil for frying

Steps:

Preparing the Potato Mixture

1- Cook the potatoes in boiling water until they become soft.

2-  Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them from the water.

3-  Mash the potatoes with a fork or a manual potato masher.

4-  Add the parsley and cilantro, egg and garlic and splices to the potatoes. If you like spicy food you can add hot chile pepper to the potatoes.

5- Make small patties out of the potato mix.

Frying the Ma'akouda

1- First heat the oil in the skillet

2- Dip the potato patties in water and flour with the baking Powder, salt and turmeric thick Mixture and then fry them. Make sure the oil is very hot before frying so they don't absorb so much oil or melt .

3- Cook the Ma'akouda until it becomes golden brown and use paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

4- Serve the Ma'akouda immediately. You can serve it as an appetizer or as the way it is sold on the streets in Morocco as a sandwich using bread or Moroccan bread lettuce, tomato and hot sauce.

P.S you can always refrigerate it and reheat whenever you like. 

Baked Oatmeal

What is baked oatmeal and why is it different than regular old boiled oats?, the difference is that the Baked Oats are thicker on their texture , i tried today Baked oatmeal recipe which is very Healthy and rich .

Ingredients:

1/2       Cup Blueberries 
1           Apple cut into cubes ( you can use more)
1          Cup Plain Yogurt
1&1/2  Cup milk
1           Large egg
1/4       Cup Brown Sugar
2          Cups Old fashion Oats 
1/2       Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4       Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4       Teaspoon Salt 
1          Teaspoon Ginger
1/4       Teaspoon Cinnamon

Steps:

1- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Clean the Apples and cut them into cubes. Place the Apples cubes and blueberries in the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish coated with non-stick spray.

2- In one bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (milk, yogurt, egg, sugar), In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon), Combine the two bowls and stir until evenly mixed. Pour the mixture over the fruit in the baking dish.

3- Cover the dish with foil (to keep the moisture in and steam the oats) and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove the foil at 20 minutes and continue to bake until the top is golden brown (about 25 minutes more).

4- Serve warm with cold milk, whipped cream, vanilla yogurt or just plain.

PS: I used a very minimal amount of sugar here. If you want a richer, more decadent, dessert-like baked oatmeal, double the brown sugar.

Also This dish can be refrigerated and eaten either hot or cold throughout the week.

Meatballs Sandwich

Meatballs in tomato sauce with melted cheese on a lightly toasted baguette.

Delicious and not messy at All!

Ingredients:

for the Meatballs:

1    Lb Ground Beef

1/4 Cup Bread crumbs 

1    Egg

1    TBS Dijon Mustard 

1    Teaspoon Paprika

1    Teaspoon Garlic powder

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Marinara Sauce:

1    Cup sliced Mushrooms

1/2 Cup sliced Onion

1/2 Cup Sweet red pepper

2    Cloves of garlic Minced 

1    Cup Tomato sauce

1    Teaspoon Italian herbs ( or the Herbs of your Choice)

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Mozzarella Cheese & Baguettes to Form your Sandwich.

Steps:

1- In a Bowl Combine the Ground Beef , Bread Crumbs , Egg , Mustard , Paprika , Garlic , Olive Oil , Salt and Pepper.

2- Form balls with 1 Teaspoon and 1/2 of Ground beef mixture for each.

3- In a Pan Cook the meat balls on 1 Tbs Olive Oil till they are Golden Brown then remove them.

4- In the same pan Cook the Mushrooms , sweet red Pepper , Onion , Garlic then add the tomato sauce and the meatballs Bring to Boil,  reduce the heat and Cover and let cook for about 15 min.

5- in your Bread Sandwich put the meat balls then pour some of the Sauce over them and Mozzarella Cheese , put it in the oven to toast and to allow your cheese to melt.

Enjoy! 

Home-made Baguettes

the famous French bread means 'stick' or 'wand' in French , Very delicious and Crispy used in making several sandwiches , This recipe is very Good and Easy to realize at Home.

Ingredients:

2 Cups All purpose Flour
1 TBS Bread Yeast
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 TBS Olive Oil
1 Cup warm water to Form the Dough

Steps:

1- In Large Bowl Combine Flour and Salt , Olive oil , make a well at the center and pour the Yeast , Sugar and some warm water , cover and Let it rest for 15 min

2- when the Yeast form a foam start to mix with your finger tips and add more water little by little, till you get a smooth dough start to knead for some min ( it should not be hard dough).

3- Cover and let raise for 1 Hour 

4- After that form 5 equal Balls 

5- make a circle from each one and Follow the Pictures steps Folding to form your Baguettes 

6- Sprinkle each Stick Formed with Flour & Cover and let raise for 30min 

7- Preheat the oven at  480F for 15 min and Put a pan full of water inside 

8- make wounds on your Baguettes and spray with water, and put them in the oven to Cook for 15 min , Drop the Oven temperature to 425F and Spray your Bread again with the water and let them continue Cooking for an other 10 min .

Simple Tuna Pasta Salad

Mustard and dill really add wonderful flair to 

the flavor of this simple salad. It's really very 

inexpensive to serve.

Ingredients:

1    Package (7 ounces) small pasta shells or the one of your Choice , cooked and drained

1    Can (6 ounces) tuna, drained and flaked

1    Large carrot, shredded
1/4 Cup chopped Green onion
3/4 Cup mayonnaise
1    TBS lemon juice
2    Teaspoons prepared mustard
1    Teaspoon dill weed
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/8 Teaspoon pepper

Steps:

1- In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, tuna, carrot and onion. Combine remaining ingredients, whisk until smooth.

2- Pour over pasta mixture , toss to coat. 

3- Cover and refrigerate for1-2 hours. 

Enjoy!

Beignets de Carnaval or Bugnes

These French-donuts are very easy to do , often flavored with lemon peel or orange and sprinkled with icing sugar. They are Called Beignets de Carnaval or Bugnes or oreillettes This recipe will delight all ages on Snack time.

Ingredients:

1   Cup and 3 TBS all purpose Flour ( you may need some more to get a smooth dough)

3   Eggs

3   TBS sugar

3   TBS butter (Softened)

1   Pinch of Salt 

1   Lemon Zest

Canola oil to Fry 

Icing sugar to Sprinkle 

Steps:

1- in Large Bowl pour the Flour , form a well and add the Lemon Zest , Eggs , the Sugar, salt , and the Softened Butter .

2- Work with the fingertips adding the flour and form a ball of dough.

3- Wrap in foil and let set between 1 and 2 hours in the fridge.

4- Roll out the dough as thinly as possible with a rolling pin (5mm Max thickness).

Cut squares with a knife ( about 3 x 7 cm) or other forms according to your desire.

5- Heat a frying oil. Fry donuts on each side a few minutes (the time they are golden)

Drain on paper towels and let cool.

6- Sprinkle with icing sugar.

PS: We can put the vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice or orange blossom water to vary the flavors, also use the cinnamon or a little honey to Drizzle ...It's up to you!

Chicken Tikka Masala

An easy recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and then served in a tomato cream sauce.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1    Cup yogurt
• 1/2 Lemon Juice
• 2   Teaspoons ground cumin
• 1   Teaspoon ground Cinnamon
• 2   Teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2   Teaspoons freshly Ground Black Peppers
• 1   TBS minced fresh ginger
• 4   Teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 3   Chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

4   Long skewers

For the Sauce:

1 Tablespoon butter

• 1 Clove garlic, minced
• 1 Jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
• 2 Teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 Teaspoons paprika
• 3 Teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1 Can tomato sauce
• 1 Cup heavy cream

Steps:

1- In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, Ginger and  salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2- Preheat a grill for high heat.

3- Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.

4- Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. 

5- Serve hot over Steamed Basmati Rice