Fuji Apple Preserve with Walnuts and Raisins.

A sweet and nutty homemade treat perfect for spooning over yogurt, ice cream, or enjoying on its own!

🧾 Ingredients:

• 6 Fuji apples (peeled and sliced or diced)

• 2 cups sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3–4 cloves

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• 1/3 cup raisins

• Optional: a dash of vanilla extract or lemon zest for extra aroma

🥄 Instructions:

1. Prepare the apples:
   Slice or dice the apples and toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning.

2. Make the syrup:
   In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the syrup begins to gently boil.

3. Cook the apples:
   Add the apples to the syrup and cook over low heat for 10–15 minutes until the apples soften but retain their shape.

4. Add walnuts and raisins:
   Stir in the chopped walnuts and raisins, and cook for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

5. Flavoring:
   Add a dash of vanilla or some lemon zest at the end if desired for extra aroma.

6. Storage:
   Let it cool and transfer to clean jars. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks.

✨ Tip: This preserve is wonderful on top of yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, or even enjoyed on its own as a sweet snack!

Recipe: Homemade Mango Ice Cream (No-Churn!)

🍨 A delicious tropical treat made with just a few ingredients no ice cream maker needed!

When the summer heat kicks in, nothing beats a cold, fruity dessert. This homemade mango ice cream is creamy, refreshing, and bursting with tropical flavor. The best part? You don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy it. Just blend, whip, fold, freeze… and indulge!

 🧾 Ingredients:

2 ripe mangoes (or 2 cups mango purée)

1 can (14 oz / 400g) sweetened condensed milk

2 cups cold heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

 A squeeze of lime juice (optional, for brightness)

🥄 Instructions:

1. Prepare the mangoes:

Peel and chop the mangoes, then blend them into a smooth purée. If using canned purée, make sure it’s unsweetened.

2. Whip the cream:

In a large bowl, beat the cold heavy cream until soft peaks form.

3. Mix it all together:

In a separate bowl, mix the mango purée, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and lime juice. Gently fold this mixture into the whipped cream using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix — you want to keep it light and airy.

4. Freeze:

Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.

5. Serve:

Scoop and serve with fresh mango chunks, a sprig of mint, or a sprinkle of shredded coconut for that tropical finish!

Recipe: Pork with Apples and Walnuts in Balsamic Sauce.

 Ingredients:

600g pork tenderloin, cut into medallions

2 large apples (e.g., Granny Smith), sliced

100g walnuts, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup chicken broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a pan, sauté the onion in olive oil until softened. Add the pork and sear on all sides until browned. Add the apples and walnuts and cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and honey, stir well, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot, with mashed potatoes or rice. 

For extra flavor you can adding thyme or rosemary.

Recipe: Cheesy Tortilla Pie

 

 

Ingredients:

• 8-10 flour tortillas
• 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can (10.75 ounces) diced green chilies, drained
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven: to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the filling: In a bowl, combine shredded cheese, sour cream, green chilies, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
3. Layer the tortillas: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer tortillas, overlapping slightly.
4. Add the filling: Pour the cheese mixture over the tortillas.
5. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve: Let cool slightly before cutting into squares. Serve hot or cold.

Optional:

• Add protein: For a heartier meal, add cooked ground beef, chicken, or beans to the filling.
• Top with salsa: Serve with your favorite salsa or guacamole for extra flavor.
• Customize with veggies: Add chopped onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños to the filling.

Enjoy your cheesy tortilla pie!

Recipe: Barley Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Herbed Feta Dressing.

 Ingredients:

- 1 cup pearl barley

- 2 cups water or vegetable broth

- 1 red bell pepper, diced

- 1 zucchini, diced

- 1 small red onion, chopped

- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook barley according to package instructions.

2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place diced vegetables on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until vegetables are tender and slightly charred.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together feta cheese, basil, parsley, and olive oil to make the dressing.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked barley, roasted vegetables, and herbed feta dressing. Toss gently to combine.

5. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

6. Serve the barley salad warm or cold as a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Recipe: Gnocchi with mushrooms.

 

Ingredients:

- 500g gnocchi (store-bought or homemade)

- 300g fresh mushrooms (such as cremini or button mushrooms), sliced

- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 tablespoon butter

- 1/2 cup heavy cream

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the gnocchi according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.

3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the mushrooms are golden brown and tender.

5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

6. Add the cooked gnocchi to the skillet, tossing them gently with the mushroom sauce to coat evenly.

7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the gnocchi and mushrooms, and gently stir to incorporate.

8. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

9. Once ready, remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Serve the Nioki with mushrooms immediately, and enjoy this flavorful and comforting dish!

Greek cuisine: Moussaka Recipe.

Moussaka is a classic Greek dish made with layers of eggplant, meat sauce, and a creamy béchamel sauce. Here is a traditional recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

For the meat sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the eggplant:

• 2 large eggplants

• Olive oil

For the béchamel sauce:

• 4 tbsp butter

• 4 tbsp flour

• 2 cups milk

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Make the meat sauce: Cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is browned and the onion is softened. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch rounds. Brush both sides with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Make the béchamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened. Stir in the nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Assemble the moussaka: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer the eggplant slices, meat sauce, and béchamel sauce.

Bake the moussaka: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and classic moussaka!

Sip, Savor, Chill: 3 Strawberry-Infused Ice Latte Recipes for Summer!

1) Strawberry Swirl Ice Latté

Ingredients:

- 2 cups brewed coffee, chilled

- 1 cup milk (dairy, almond, or oat)

- 3 tbsp strawberry puree (or strawberry syrup)

- 2 tbsp vanilla syrup (optional)

- Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the chilled coffee, milk, strawberry puree, and vanilla syrup (if using). Blend until well combined.

2. Fill a glass with ice cubes.

3. Pour the strawberry-coffee mixture over the ice.

4. Stir gently to incorporate the swirls of strawberry.

5. Enjoy immediately!

2) Frozen Strawberry Ice Latté

Ingredients: 

- 1 cup brewed coffee, frozen into ice cubes

- 1 cup milk

- 1/4 cup fresh strawberries, hulled

- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup

- Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the frozen coffee ice cubes, milk, strawberries, and honey/syrup.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. Pour the icy latté into a glass.

4. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

5. Serve immediately.

3) Strawberry Latte Popsicles

Ingredients:

- 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled

- 1 cup milk

- 1/2 cup strawberry puree

- 2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)

- Popsicle molds

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the chilled coffee, milk, strawberry puree, and sugar until well combined.

2. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds, leaving a little room at the top for expansion.

3. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until completely solid.

4. To release the popsicles, run the molds under warm water for a few seconds.

5. Enjoy the refreshing strawberry latte popsicles!

Η Ομορφιά των Κόκκινων Κρασιών!

 

Το κόκκινο κρασί - μια από τις πιο αγαπημένες ποικιλίες κρασιού σε όλο τον κόσμο. Με τον βαθύ, πλούσιο χρώμα του και την πλούσια γεύση του ενώ έχει κατακτήσει τις καρδιές των λάτρεων του κρασιού παγκοσμίως. Από τα αρώματα των κόκκινων φρούτων και των μπαχαρικών μέχρι την ευχάριστη οξύτητα και το βελούδινο τελείωμα, το κόκκινο κρασί προσφέρει μια απόλαυση για τις αισθήσεις.

https://mikk.ro/DumQ

Η ιστορία του χάνεται στο πέρασμα του χρόνου. Από την αρχαιότητα, οι άνθρωποι ανακάλυψαν τη χαρά και την ηδονή που προσφέρει το ποτό αυτό. Από τους αρχαίους Έλληνες και τους Ρωμαίους έως τους γαλλικούς αμπελώνες και τα καλλιεργούμενα αμπέλια στην Νέα Υόρκη, το κόκκινο κρασί έχει γίνει σύμβολο της κοινωνικής συνύπαρξης και της ευχαρίστησης.

https://mikk.ro/DumR

Είναι ιδανικό για να συνοδεύσει μια ποικιλία φαγητών, δημιουργώντας μια απόλαυση γευστικών αντιθέσεων και συμπληρωματικών γεύσεων. Η πλούσια δομή και τα έντονα αρώματα του κόκκινου κρασιού ταιριάζουν ιδανικά με τα ακόλουθα φαγητά:

https://mikk.ro/DumS

 Κόκκινα κρέατα: Μια εντυπωσιακή στέκα με βραστό βοδινό, μοσχαρίσιο φιλέτο ή κόκκινο κρέας στη σχάρα θα αναδείξει την ευωδία και την οξύτητα του κόκκινου κρασιού, ενώ τα μαλακά τανίνη θα προσφέρουν μια ισορροπημένη γεύση.

https://mikk.ro/DumT

Παραδοσιακά πιάτα: Φαγητά με έντονα αρώματα και γεμάτη γεύση, όπως κόκκινες σάλτσες, λαχανικά ψητά στο φούρνο, κρεμμυδόσουπες και πίτσες με κρεμμύδια, ταιριάζουν επίσης άψογα με το κόκκινο κρασί, αναδεικνύοντας τη βαθιά γεύση του.

https://mikk.ro/DumU

Πιάτα με τυριά: Τα γεμάτα αρώματα τυριά, όπως το γκούντα, το παρμεζάνα ή το ροκφόρ, συνοδεύονται εξαιρετικά με ένα ποτήρι κόκκινο κρασί. Οι τανίνες και η οξύτητα του κρασιού συνδέονται με τα λιπαρά τυριά, δημιουργώντας μια ευχάριστη ισορροπία γεύσεων.

Το κόκκινο κρασί είναι πηγή έμπνευσης για πολλούς. Από τους λογοτέχνες και τους ποιητές έως τους φιλοσόφους και τους καλλιτέχνες, έχει εμπνεύσει πολλά από τα μεγαλύτερα έργα της ανθρωπότητας. Η ομορφιά του κόκκινου κρασιού αποτυπώνεται σε αρκετά αποφθέγματα:

"Το κόκκινο κρασί είναι σαν ένας ποίημα που αγγίζει την ψυχή και ζωντανεύει τις αισθήσεις." - Ernest Hemingway

 "Το κόκκινο κρασί είναι η απόλυτη απόδειξη ότι η ομορφιά μπορεί να είναι γλυκιά και παράλληλα πειραστική." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

 "Όταν πίνεις κόκκινο κρασί, φαίνεται σαν να περπατάς σε έναν κήπο γεμάτο με κόκκινα τριαντάφυλλα και ευωδιές που παρασέρνουν τη φαντασία." - John Locke

Το κόκκινο κρασί συνεχίζει να είναι ένα πολυαγαπημένο ποτό που επιβραβεύει τις αισθήσεις μας και προσφέρει μια μοναδική εμπειρία γευστικής ικανοποίησης. Από την αρχαιότητα μέχρι τις μέρες μας, το κόκκινο κρασί συνεχίζει να εκπλήσσει και να εμπνέει με την πλούσια ιστορία, την κοινωνική αξία και την απόλαυση που προσφέρει.

Σαλάτα με λαχανάκια Βρυξελλών και κάστανα!

 

Chicken With Pineapple Recipe

 

Ingredients:

- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

- 1/4 cup soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons honey

- 1 tablespoon cornstarch

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Optional: chopped green onions for garnish

1. Begin by preparing the chicken breasts. Season them with salt and pepper on both sides to your liking.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch until well combined. Set the sauce aside.

3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side or until they are cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

4. In the same skillet, add the pineapple chunks and cook them for about 2-3 minutes until they become slightly caramelized.

5. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet with the pineapple. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and pineapple, ensuring they are evenly coated.

6. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken and pineapple.

7. Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove the skillet from heat.

8. Serve the chicken with pineapple over steamed rice or alongside your favorite side dish. You can also garnish it with chopped green onions for an extra touch of freshness.

Delicious Healthy low calorie Banana Bread Recipe!

 

Ingredients: 

 

·      2 cups self-rising flour

·      1 teaspoon baking powder

·      1/2 teaspoon salt

·      1/3 cup brown sugar

·      1 glass of low-fat/skimmed milk

·      1 egg

·      3 mashed bananas (overripe)

·      1 tablespoon Nutella with stevia (or any alternative such as Torras Stevia Hazelnut chocolate spread, Nutilight Sugar-Free Hazelnut spread with cocoa, Nuttvia Hazelnut spread)

·      1 tablespoon vanilla extract

 

  Feel Free to add:

- Stevia chocolate chips

- Walnuts

- Dry cranberries

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. Set it aside.

 

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir them together until well combined.

 

3. In a separate bowl, add the brown sugar, low-fat/skimmed milk, egg, mashed bananas, Nutella with stevia (or alternative), and vanilla extract. Mix all the wet ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated.

 

4. Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined, at this stage please ensure you don’t over-mix. 

 

5. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

 

Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely before slicing.

 

Personal Serving Suggestion:

A piece of banana cake bread with a scoop of mascarpone ice cream or any other flavor you prefer. Enjoy!

 

Coach Ellie.