Easy and light version of moussaka

 

Summer is the perfect time to bake greek moussaka, as eggplants are at their best, so I highly recommend it! The caveat is that it is not an easy task and usually in summer we want to rest and recharge. In addition, frying too is not the best summer task either.

So, here's an update to my original and authentic recipe of moussaka: Follow the exact recipe apart from the way of cooking the vegetables. For them, I suggest instead:

1. you cut them in small cubes, 
2. empty them in a big oven tray, 
3. pour some olive oil all over, add, salt, pepper and thyme or oregano
4. mix well
5. bake at 200 degrees of Celsius for about 30min or until softened 

My son even said that he prefers this version better :) Enjoy!

Spaghetti carbonara, excellent for debutant cookers!

Happy bday Carbonara!!! 80 years this year! (rumors say that it was invented in 1944 to use the american bacon) Here's how it is linked to our family history below ;)

When I met hubby, I was impressed; I did not know how to cook and he knew how to cook one recipe: Carbonara! No surprise, ages later, our son, picks up the same recipe to start his cooking career, although he is way more experienced in cooking than we were at his age :) In a busy day like today, he proposed to cook and my, I am soooo grateful!

So, find today the original italian recipe, that is excellent for beginners like students. I cheated adding a bit of cream although he insisted on not adding as in the original recipe, mea culpa ;)

As always, enjoy!  

Pavlova cake

This is a big moment for this blog...
I will include the recipe of a divine cake, the one that is needed for an Indian summer period that we are having right now in my place...

Pavlova cake!!!

Gorgeous, royal, "sexy", summer-ish, full of anti-oxidants, tastes like heaven, ... whatever I will say, it will be less for this cake. Just try it yourself and you will see and taste what I mean ;)
Origins of the cake looks like to be New Zealand or Australia and the name comes from a known Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova (weird combination, I know). For the fans, check to verify all that by yourselves. Let's concentrate here with the essentials: how to make it!
I would like to thank Joachim, who likes to cook and inspired me with a similar recipe ;)

Chocolate chip muffins

Start your day with them!

A classic recipe that still not so easy to find that works well...
So, here it is my favorite!

Vanilla flan

Easy summer recipe discovered through my Spanish neighbor (thnx!) Really fast to prepare but needs to be prepared a day ahead!

Moist coconut cake

I really love coconut and one of my favorite greek cakes is the coconut Ravani.
Given that it has a syrup, it makes it quite heavy in calories though. So, I was looking for a cake with coconut that is close to ravani but lighter.
Find today this version that I tried and I really liked a lot...

the moist coconut cake ! 

(In french we could call it "gateau moelleux au noix de coco")
If you like coconut, you have to try this easy but tasty version!

Jam roll

Old time classic recipe coming straight from our youth... jam rolls!
Here's a fast & easy recipe to keep track in my blog. Thanks Vilma for reminding it to me!
I use strawberry jam here, but my dear friend Vilma brought one in our place for a bbq, a tasty one filled with Nutella ... hmmmm just gorgeous!!!
The result here is a fast prototyping, as I am busy and do not have the luxury for better photos or decoration... the essential is here though :)

Zucchini and feta tarte

Here's a simple, light and tasty tarte for summer dinners...

Cherry clafoutis (clafoutis aux cerises in french)

Cherry clafoutis (clafoutis aux cerises in french) is a classic french dessert for summer that is pretty easy to make. It has actually fresh cherries in a rich custard that you can serve warm or at room temperature.
Traditional clafoutis is made with cherries that have still their pits that french say that make a difference in taste. I have used ready-made cherries that have already been pitted and preserved in a light syrup, though. It's so easy to make and so summerish that I could not resist to add it to my blog that time of the year! And if you are among the lucky ones that have a cherry tree, here's how to use your extra cherries :)

Happy & tasty summer !