White chocolate mocha

Today was a hectic day. I decided to spend time at home.  As i had some cleaning chores to complete , i decided to take the day off. But no sooner than lunch break came, i get the call to go to office for an emergency case ,  .. i groaned at Aj for such situations. When husbands are boss its a  difficult situation . I love my work but i really miss my cooking , being with kids and the reason why I just love harthals and sundays . Its a huge relaxation time for Me and Aj on weekends and we try to be recreational most of the time . But there are days when weekends are just dozzing in beds. Anyways me and zame had lunch together and that was a relief for me . Anyways  zame was complaining its been long since i  had lunch together . With that fulfilled i was content and rushed to work. Sometimes  everything is complicated nowadays. But  i always fight it out and tell my kids if your Imaan is strong then there is nothing to worry as long as we are doing it the right way. 

Actually i am not a chocolate fan. the main reason is baking too much in chocolate cakes make me dizzy by just the smell of it.But my kids love it . recently i had few bars left behind and it wouldn't last for any dessert  . I gave to zamee and he made recipe right away .  

Ingredients

• Milk - 1 cup
• 50 grams Good Quality White Chocolate 
• 1 tablespoon Coffee Granules 
• 1.5 teaspoon  sugar 
• Hot water as needed.

Method

Heat milk in  pan to boiling point  and cook till it is reduced .

Let it simmer for 5 mins.

Add in white chocolate  whisking gently till  melts.

In the serving glass pour the coffee and the granules with hot water

Add while chocolate mix and whisk well

Serve hot.

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Manakeesh,| ARABIC DISHES

I just wish to  jump into a pool. I love swimming . It simply let's you go of everything that just brainstorming.  I have been on  stress, my usual time partner and anxiety that always has a way with me.We are given the best by our master and still we are not able to understand its value . The stress really churns us upsides down in tummy and we end up leaving everything we put be to do further. For me my only  stress reliever is my kitchen and cooking .
I love baking and always have enjoyed it ever since i was young . While I posted chicken mandi recipe  , I had an array of dishes to make for this  month . So far, the process has been slow but steady. I am slowly wakening to try a few new and old dishes that are not yet on my space .  Very dearly you will find a couple of arabian dishes featuring on the blog  in the coming posts . 

I was introduced to Manakeesh by our Egyptian friend  . Actually i didnt like it at first . It was too salty for me .  That was when the bread festival at cornish bakes happened and I got my first bite of this dish. Mashallah it was so delicious  I ended up eating  and bought a whole bunch for dinner that night . That little portion that our friend gave us was a little mistake of overdose of salt . Realized myself then  From then, I had been wanting to make this at home and i found  manakeesh and cheese combo are my favorite. 

Ingredients

• 3 and 1/2 cups all purpose  flour 
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• A pinch salt 
• 1 teaspoon  yeast
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 and 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• Zatar paste
• 1/2 cup olive oil 
• 1/2 cup zatar

Method 

• Add all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix  well . 
• Add olive oil and water and knead well  to smooth dough . Cover for one hour . 
• Mix zatar and olive to paste. Keep aside.
• After it has risen to  double the size, make small patties gently with hand, size of the inner palm .
• Add a tablespoon of zatar paste to one flattened dough . And spread grated cheese to the other . 
• I made 10 zatar and 10 cheese manakeesh each. 
• Bake for 5 to 10 minutes at 200 degree c.

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Instant white sauce pasta

This year is nearing its end. And my kids are enjoying planning their  coming vacation. And three of them want to go three different places . They are  in their own world of joy.  And as parents we are constantly calculating , changing and .... getting old.  Why am i feeling old  all of a sudden.... well the other day i was on my way to the office . I travel mostly by bus.. Actually I love it . Aj doesn't like it . Only when he is busy i get to travel by bus. . 
Usually the bus is a suffocating crowd and amidst all that its when the conductor calls me 'Amma . .. u may please move aside. !! ' ohh goodness.   First it was sister and now its amma ?!!. I gave him a look that made the poor thing shrink . The whole day i kept looking at the pouch mirror and .. quizing myself.   Am i old .. do i look old.. or was the guy just mistaken someone for me . .. 樂
My family is in full swing after listening to this hilarious story..
My Faizi .. youngest .. he remarked "umma dont get old otherwise you have to wear a nightgown like umama ( grandmom) and you wont look good in it. My heart melted when he said that . Young children always tell their innocent stories honestly.

Ingredients

2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon   Plain flour
1 cup Milk
A pinch of Salt
2 chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon Oregano
 2 cups Pasta (i  used shells)
1/2 cup cream
2 cubes cheese ( cheddar)
1/2 cube maggie.
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon Chilli flakes.

Method

Cook macaroni in salted water as per package directions
Heat butter in a pan, add garlic and saute for a min.
Add in oregano and mix well.
Add flour and mix well.Add milk and cook till it starts to thicken.
Add the cream , cheese and maggi stock.
Add salt to taste.
Add cooked macaroni and mix well.
Serve

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