Thank you and a homemade pizza

On May 28, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Bread and Pizza, Brunch, Uncategorized10 Comments

Thank you so much to all of you, my over 200 followers, for taking the time to stop by and following my blog.

Thank you for your comments but also for all your posts that inspire me daily.

This week, I had a couple of days off, so called a short vacation that I needed it so much. My mind and body were crying for some time off. When I was asked what my plans were, I said that I just wanted to relax. Now I believe we are all different and we relax in our own way. Usually, when I relax means, I want to be equally productive and physically active and just at the end of the day, lazy. 🙂 I really like exuberance and happiness I feel after a good and thoroughly house cleaning or after a five-kilometer ( or more ) walk.

I just wanted to share with you what a day off means to me. I woke up at 06:00 AM instead of 05:00 AM. I started as usual with coffee and getting the breakfast ready. Becuase there was no rush I decided to make a frittata with feta cheese and fresh dill.

Around 06:50 hubby and daughter left for work and college, so there were only my babies left in the house and me. After a few coffee sips, I put my furry boys in the crate on the balcony so they can enjoy the warm morning, so I started to clean the house. By 08:30 I finished two laundry loads and by 09:30 the cleaning was done. The cleaning included the windows as well. 😉

After a quick shower, I could finally enjoy the fresh scent of a clean house and my second cup of coffee while browsing the internet for lunch ideas. Homemade pizza was the winner. I decided for a Three Cheese Tuna- Crab Meat Pizza. I have to admit it turned out delicious. My daughter said: “I have no idea what you do or put on your pizza that makes it always the best pizza comparing with the takeout ones ;)”

Ingredients for the dough:

2 1/4 cups of whole-wheat flour ( I used 1/4 cup when kneading the dough )
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 a teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
1 1/2 cups of warm water
the juice of one lemon

For the pizza topping:

sweet basil tomato sauce
100 gr mozzarella
100 gr feta cheese
50 gr of Parmigiano petals
1 large tuna in water ( no drain one )
1 can of crab meat ( well drained )
1/2 of a large organic white onion
green olives

Combine the flour, salt, turmeric and chia seeds if using.

Put the yeast in a cup of warm water. When it start to bubble, pour the mixture over the flour. Add the olive oil and lemon juice and mix all together. Once combined, knead by hand for about 5 to 10 minutes. The dough is ready when it feels soft, springy and elastic. Place the dough in a clean, oiled bowl, cover it and set it in a warm place.

In about an hour the dough should triple the size and be ready for the pizza. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Oil a work surface and roll the dough into a rectangle shape. Rol the dough in half and place it on the baking tray and start topping it.

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Using a ladle add the sauce and using the back of the spoon swirl it all over the top of the dough. Top it with tuna, crab meat, thin slices of onion and green olives. Crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmigiano petals.

Cook in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes.

It feels like I’ve been making pizza since I was young. I started by using the ready made dough, but once I learned to make the dough, it became so natural to have a homemade pizza a few times a month.

Some people might think that is time-consuming, but I like it because while the dough is getting ready, I have the time to prepare the topping. While the pizza is in the oven, I got ready and left to wait for my daughter so we could enjoy 3 kilometers walk back home. We kept hydrated with lemon infused water. It was a good exercise that made us hungry, so when we reached home, we were so eager to enjoy that pizza and watch our favorite show: The Bridge.

In the evening I didn’t do much but watched some videos on Youtube, planning my new knitting – crochet projects 🙂 when I did not play with my furry babies 😉

Long Weekend Specials

On May 23, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Breakfast, Brunch, Chicken, Uncategorized11 Comments

We celebrated Victoria Day this Monday, so we had a long and relaxing weekend. The weather was not friendly, and I had in mind a weekend with smoothies and salads, but it did not turn as I wanted.

The strawberries that I bought for the smoothies ended up in a melt-in-the-mouth goodness: Strawberry Clafoutis. I know I have another post about Clafoutis, which you can read here. This time I used strawberries ( abut 250 grams) but they were giant in size, so I cut them into pieces.

Ingredients :

250 g strawberries
4 eggs
400 ml cashew milk (warmed up)
juice from half of lemon
1/4 cup of grape seeds oil
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 cup of all purpose flour

Preheat the oven at 350. Oil a baking dish. Wash, drain and cut the strawberries. Place the strawberries on the baking tray.

Lightly beat the eggs; add the sugar and whisk together until smooth. Stir in the flour.

Add the milk ( warmed up ) and the lemon juice. Pour into the baking dish over the fruits.

Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown.

I have to admit this delicious French pudding became mine and my daughter’s favorite dessert. So versatile and easy to make: 15-20 min prep time and 45 minutes baking time and you can have it warm or cold. When I say versatile, I was referring to the variety of fruits that you can use: cherries, grapes, berries and I saw very interesting versions with figs and persimmons on Alison’s Trials blog that I will have to try one day.

Another thing that I love about this delicious dessert is that you don’t have to wait for it to cool down before you can dig in.

There is only one problem with this pudding: it disappears the same day 😉 😉

Additionally, Sunday morning I woke up with a thought to make

Turmeric Onion Flakes Buns.

They turned out yummy, fluffy on the inside but with a crunchy crust on the outside.

Alongside the bunsI also prepared an omelet…

Baked chicken breast and potato ended our long weekend on Monday.

In a deep glass baking dish, I put together the potatoes, yellow onion, and fennel all cuts in thick pieces and the chicken breast cut into chunks.

I seasoned everything with grapeseed oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and paprika.

I really hope that the next weekend there will be a good weather so I could share some smoothies with you.

Sunday’s Specials

On May 7, 2017 By felisrecipesIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

This Sunday I was very busy, and because of that, I had to think of a really easy and fast meal. There was no time for my Sunday pancakes, so I made a fresh batch of muffins. I know what you might think, but I did it again. This time I decided for a Peanut butter coffee flavor.

Here are the ingredients:

1 cup old fashion oats
5 teaspoons of chocolate peanut butter powder
1 teaspoon French vanilla instant coffee
1 tsp baking soda
lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup grape seeds oil
2 cups cashew milk
1 1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar
a few almond flakes for topping

They were moist and delicious, and they had to keep us going until 3 PM when we returned home for a late lunch.

First, I was thinking of ordering out for lunch today, but before I left the house I browsed the internet for a few minutes, and I found a recipe that inspired me. My inspiration was Sabrina from Dinner and then dessert: Easy Greek Pasta Salad. I adapted the recipe with my ingredients and here is the result: Easy Tuna Pasta Salad.

Ingredients:

Makes: 4 servings; Prep time: 15 min; Cooking time: 20 min

for the salad:

225 gr rice and quinoa fusilli pasta
1/2 of an English cucumber, chopped
1 cup sweet grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 cup green olives
3 small tuna cans in olive oil
50 gr feta cheese

for the dressing:

I saved the olive oil from the tuna cans, but I did not use all of it. ( approx 3-4 tbsps )
juice of one lemon
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Boil the pasta as per the instruction from the package.

Place the cooked pasta in a large porcelain bowl. Add the chopped cucumber, halved tomatoes, red onion, green olives, and tuna.

In a small bowl whisk together: olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and black pepper.

Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and stir slowly. Add some extra black pepper if you wish.

We spoiled ourselves a bit today by having a Chocolate mousse topped with Pistachio Ice Cream ( Indian style. Both, the mousse and ice cream were storebought).

There is a frost advisory here in Toronto, but I would like to end my post with some beautiful yellow tulips and the hope that Spring will come soon 😉 ❤

Banana Peanut Butter & Oats Muffins

On May 6, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Brunch, Cakes16 Comments

muffin post 2.jpg

I woke up with an undeniable urge to bake. As you might know from reading my previous posts, sometimes I make pancakes or crepes when the mood strikes me. And there’s also that odd batch of sweet and/or savory muffins that makes the cut as well.

Today, while the rest of the family slept I scoured the fridge to see what I could make for breakfast. There wasn’t a lot to pick from (we had yet to go grocery shopping, heh) but that didn’t stop me. I see an (almost) empty fridge as a challenge, not a defeat.

And so, here we are: Banana Peanut Butter & Oats Muffins. Not bad, if I do say so myself 😉

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashion oats
6 teaspoons of chocolate peanut butter powder
1 tsp baking soda
lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/4 cup grape seeds oil
2 cups cashew milk
1 1/2 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners.

Whisk together: flour, oats, sugar and peanut butter powder. Make a hole and add the two eggs, milk, vanilla extract and grape seeds oil. sprinkle the baking powder and add over the lemon juice. Stir until the flour mixture is moistened – do not overmix.

Using a medium size ice-cream scoop, pour the batter into the muffin cups. Each cup will get 2 ice-cream scoops.

Bake until muffin top springs back when lightly pressed, it should take no longer than 20 minutes. Leave to cool for 5 minutes in the pan then move the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

And, if you’d prefer a bit more sweetness you can top the muffins with a teaspoon of Nutella. Yum! 😊

Bon Appetit! ❤

Makes: 12 muffins; preparation: 10 – 15 minutes; baking 15 – 20 minutes.

muffin post 1

The Versatile Blogger Award

On April 16, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Uncategorized15 Comments

I know my last post was about a nomination and here I am again posting about a new nomination. This time Jessica from DaringtoJess thought about me. I am very humble and accept her nomination. Please check out her blog. I promise you won’t regret it. She is a wonderful, talented and inspiring young person.

Here are the Rules

Display the award.
Thank the person who gave this award (and include a link to their blog.)
Share seven things about yourself.
Nominate bloggers.

The seven things about me

This is my favorite part of any nomination. Trying to say something new every time. LOL

I studying piano when I was younger for about 7 years and I performed in the City Concert Hall once 😉
My father thought me how to swim. I can make 30 lapse at once on my own speed LOL
I had to give up cheese. I haven’t had any in six months. Do I miss it ? A lot ! I cannot eat vegan cheese either. 😦
At work my colleagues are calling me : Miss Good 😉 I am wondering why ? LOL
I saved all the plants from one of my colleague from my office when she was on sick leave for about one year but I successfully kill all of mine. 😦
I love to walk. My record is 15 km a day. I made it only twice.
Recently I discovered I have gluten intolerance. 😦

The Nominees Are ( not in a particular order but these are blogs that I just love visiting almost daily 😉 )

Congratulation to all the nominees and I really hope you will enjoy this nomination.

I hope that all of you that celebrated Easter had a happy one and lots of delicious food and family and friends around the table 🙂

And I am going to end my post with a picture from my sister-in-law’s garden from back home: Romania, where spring has arrived and green is marked by colorful flowers

toporasi _ zoe 2

The Blog-aholic Award

On March 19, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Uncategorized11 Comments

This year, it seemed as though there would be no end in sight to this Winter season (just this past week we got another 10 cm of snow in Toronto) and it’s left me feeling drained, mentally. At first I thought I was stressed out because of my hat projects. But even after I finished the hats I couldn’t find my usual energy and happy-go-lucky attitude. Finally, I realized that my overall increase in stress had more to do with work rather than the long Canadian Winters, like I first thought. We’ve had a lot of changes throughout the department and that, for me, means a lot more work. And stress. It’s really a never-ending cycle; you know how it is, I’m sure.

Anyway, why am I saying this? I guess it’s because I wanted to explained my sudden (but short-lived) absence lately. However, simply because I’ve not had enough energy to post something new, that doesn’t mean I stopped conversing with YOU, the bloggers out there, followers or not. Your posts helped me get past this state and kept me sane. 😛

During my hiatus, I was nominated for the Blog-Aholic Award by Carol through the “Cooking from the time Challenged” You can find her wonderful blog here. I feel immensely honored that she took the time to think of me, and Carol, once again, thank you! 🙂

And just like this,though Carol I was able to find the founder of this award, Esme “The Recipe Hunter (Cook and Enjoy), who said it wonderfully:”blogging is creating. Connecting, Sharing and Inspiring other. So this is actually what this award is about: Share and Inspire others! 🙂

Here are the rules of the award:

Put the above award logo/image on your blog
List the rules
Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog (it can be to the post in which they nominated you or any other post or you can even link to their “About” page)
Mention the creator The Recipe Hunter (Cook & Enjoy) of this award and please provide a link or pinback
Write a post to show your award
Share a link to your best post(s)
Share 3 interesting and different facts about yourself
Nominate 5-10 fellow bloggers, or more if you wish. Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created.

Now I should share 3 interesting and different facts about yourself. I am not sure if they are interesting but they are true fact about me:

I love chocolate. No, this is not true. I am addicted to chocolate. LOL
Playing with my two cats is my new cardio 😉
I cannot go to sleep if there are still dishes in the sink to be done.

The most loved post is Frittata ❤

And here are the nominees:

I really hope all the nominees are willing to ” share and inspire others ” and participate in this award recognition. Good luck !

Happy Women’s Day and Happy Mother’s Day

On March 8, 2017March 8, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Uncategorized8 Comments

Happy Women’s Day ! to all of you special women out there !

Happy Mother’s Day ! for all of you who celebrate Mother’s Day today !

Wishing you all my dearest ones to have a wonderful day !

Love,

Felicia

Hats

On March 6, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Knitting and Croche, Uncategorized6 Comments

Along with cooking and photography I have another hobby that’s very dear to me, even though I never seen to have enough time to actually do it. However, this winter I decided to change that.

I started knitting again. I made myself and my daughter a few hats and scarves. Two of my coworkers were really impressed and I promised I will make them a few hats as well. For two weekends, all I did was: coffee-knit and repeat 😉 LOL

Here are a few of my results I thought I would love to share them with you:

Red Hat, Red and Gray scarf and a curious visitor during the photo session 😉

Blue hat:

blue-hat

Multicolored Hat:

multicolored-hat

Crochet Hat:

croche-hat

Let me know if you liked my hats 😉

Wish you all a great week !!!

Sunday’s Specials – Family Day Specials

On February 20, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Uncategorized3 Comments

This weekend we celebrated Family Day in Ontario, so it was a long weekend. I needed this so much. Honestly, Saturday just flew away since I had a lot of errands to run, that kept me away from home since morning to the early evening. Sunday ended up feeling more like Saturday for me and today, Monday, felt like Sunday. Bit complicating, isn’t it? Yeah, I know. Unless you’ve experienced this feeling before, I sound a bit like a nutter. 😛

In our household, nothing brings our family together like a home cooked meal.

What brought us together for breakfast this lovely weekend, was the famous hummus that all of us are very fond of, but I usually have to stay away because I cannot eat tahini paste and garlic. But my peeps said they can skip those ingredients and they will be just fine. Honestly, it turned out so delicious and I was able to eat it too. Yay !!!

Homemade Vegan Hummus (no tahini):

Alongside the hummus we also had some homemade Lemon Mint Black Tea that even by hubby devoured.. I added a teaspoon of vanilla agave nectar as sweetener and the whole pitcher was empty in just a few hours!

Lemon Mint Black Tea:

For lunch the winner was a Vegan Kale Potato and Chickpea Stew:

And we closed our culinary Family Day adventure with some Vegan Coffee Dark Chocolate Muffins. The addition of the coconut milk was just best option and I think it made them so fluffy and moist and they just melted in our mouths.

Vegan GF Coffee – Dark Chocolate Muffins ( NO SUGAR )

1.5 cups of banana flour
1 teaspoon baking
3 tablespoons organic Cocoa
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
1/4 cup of chopped pecans
1/4 cup of Sultana raisins ( my daughter doesn’t love them but I thought of adding them to help with sweetness )
one pinch of Himalayan salt
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup cashew milk
3 tablespoons organic agave nectar
1 teaspoon organic pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup of grape seed oil

Mix all dry ingredients together. Mix all wet ingredients in a different bowl. Add the wet ingredients over the dry one and mix to incorporate. With an ice-cream spoon place the batter in a prepared with muffin paper tray. Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes depending on the oven.

Melt 50 grams of dark chocolate. Add three tablespoons of coconut milk. Pour over and just enjoy them and try to stop after one LOL

For those of you who celebrated Family Day I hope you had a great day and for all the others I hope you made it through the Monday with a big smile on your face.

ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD

On February 20, 2017February 20, 2017 By felisrecipesIn Uncategorized11 Comments

Hi Everyone! I and so happy to let you know that I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award !!! I know I am a bit late but I finally found time to send a big Thank you to my nominee, Elsie from ELSIE L.M.C. and to complete my nomination. Check out her blog. It is so interesting and funny and diverse!!!

The Rules for this award are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated you and leave a link to their blog
Post about the award.
Share 7 facts about yourself.
Nominate, at most, 15 people.
Tell your nominees the good news!

Seven facts about me

1. I love chocolate way to much. Any kind: dark, milky or white. I try to stay away from milky and white ones but I cannot be that good. I sometimes even get grumpy if several days pass without tasting just a bit of chocolate. My hubby and daughter often hear me say: ” Hand me the chocolate and no one gets hurt ”

2. I love to cook for my family and friends. I can’t wait for someone to say: there will be a party, brunch, etc and I’ll already be thinking of several dishes that I could do. LOL

3. I haven’t learned to bake yet my favorite dessert: eclair/ chou a la creme. After I got married with no baking experience at all I was so eager to try make them. Such a disappointment. It was a complete failure. I have yet to find the motivation to try again. However, they are still on the list! I’ve not completely given up yet!!

4. I love swimming even though I do not do it as often as I would like to.

5. I don’t like nor drink alcohol. On occasions I tried a glass of red or white wine or sometimes I tied my hubby beer but it’s just not for me. I would rather eat an eclair or two than drink a glass of wine 😉

6. I love taking pictures of pretty much everything: food, nature, buildings, cars, peoples…

7. This might sound strange but I like to clean the house. I just enjoy the smell of fresh, clean spaces. Sometimes my husband will say ” looks like no one lives here ” LOL

I nominate:

Lucy from lithianianintheusa
Bernadine from bernbakes
Linda from thedutchbaker
Bea from beafreeblog
Priya from Indiankitche

Thank you one more time ELSIE and good luck to all nominees.