Summer Salsa!

I had a lazy day last week, and got together with my friend Cat, and we made some salsa! From start to finish, this recipe will take you about 8 minutes-- so you won't be stuck in the kitchen this long weekend. Oh, and don't forget to enter my contest:)

Ingredients

- 4 to 5 plum tomatoes

- 1 half green pepper - de-seeded

- juice of one lime

- clove of garlic ( 2 if your adventurous)

- 1 table spoon fresh cilantro

- 1 medium white onion

- tsp salt

- 1/2 habanero chili (optional, add more for extra heat)

- bag of nacho chips

Directions

- Roughly chop all ingredients, and place them in a food processor

- Pulsate food processor until all ingredients are chopped; serve with chips (be carful not too over blend, you don't want salsa soup).

- Thats it; told you it was easy

C'mon, Enter this contest!

I'm back from vacation, and I found some goodies that I want to give to you guys:)  You know the rules, so what are you waiting for... who knows, it might be your lucky day

- Madalina

** Contest is now over; check below for winners **

A little Bakeation. heh

I'm taking a few days for rest and relaxation. I've had so much on my plate lately (yes, a culinary pun heh) that its about time I take a few days off. 

See you in a few fellow readers.

Love,

Madalina

Gogoshi--A Romanian Style Donut

I was asked by Women On the Web to submit my favorite recipe passed down from my mom-- I instantly thought of 'Gogosi' (Go-go-shii). It comes with no surprise that this is my favourite recipe. Not only does it taste great, and brings back memories of my childhood, it also what sparked the relationship between my mother and I (not to mention my infatuation for baked goods!)

“Gogosi” 

Prep time: 15 minutes 

Cook time: 1 hour

 

Ready in: 1hr 15m

 

Yield: 2 dozen 

Ingredients: 

4 cups flour 

2 tsp dry yeast 

½ cup warm milk 

2 eggs 

¼ cup oil

 

¾ cup sugar 

Zest of one lemon 

pinch of salt 

--

2 cups of powered sugar (to dust donuts) 

vanilla sugar

3 cups of oil for frying

Directions: 

1. Mix the yeast, warm milk, one teaspoon of sugar, and one teaspoon of flour 

in a small bowl and set aside to activate for 5 minutes. 

2. In a large bowl, combine eggs, the remaining sugar, salt, lemon zest, and 

¼ oil. 

3. Add yeast mixture and slowly incorporate the flour, until the dough is well 

combined. 

4. Gently flour your workspace, and knead your dough. Place the dough in a 

clean bowl, cover with a tea towel, and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. 

5. Once the dough is rested, separate it into four sections in order to make it 

easier to work with and roll the dough out about ¼ inch thick. 

6. Use a medium-diameter glass to cut out circles. 

7. Heat about 4 cups of oil (about 3” deep) in a large pan to ~350 degrees. 

8. While the oil is heating, combine vanilla sugar, and powdered sugar in a separate bowl (this is for sprinkling your donuts) 

9. Place about 5 donuts in at a time, allowing them to fry for about a minute 

on each side. 

10. Once the donuts are golden brown, remove and place them on paper 

towel lined tray. 

11.  Allow the donuts to cool down for a couple of minutes, and you can 

either roll them in icing sugar, or use a sieve to sprinkle them lightly. 

Cottage Canapes

I just came back from a few days at the cottage. I was completely grateful to have some time to myself, lounging around in the sun and being completely lazy. These canapes (a fancy french word for appetizers) are simple to make, refreshing, and diet friendly :) Enjoy-- waterfront and deck optional

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of real mayonnaise (sub light for diet friendly)

- 1 can of white tuna- drained and flaked

- 2 large cucumbers

- 2 slices of cheese (optional)

- 1 small pepper (optional-- sub hot pepper for extra zing)

- 15 croutons (optional)

serves 10-15

Directions:

1. Combine tuna and mayonnaise until smooth. Season to taste

2. Cut cucumbers into 1" slices, and scoop out centre. For added appeal cut the edges of the cucumber to create a pattern.

3. Fill cucumber slices with filling and garnish. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. 

* To make the pepper twist, cut a small thin strip of pepper, and twist around a chopstick. Simple enough:)

How perfect is this picture? Courtesy of Andrew. Just add canapes