Mint Yogurt

   You will need:

o     2-3 cups of plain yogurt

o     1 tsp salt 

o     1/2 tsp peppercorns

o     1/2 cup chopped mint leaves 

o     1/3 cup olive oil

ü    Line a clean white dishtowel in a medium-large bowl; place the yogurt into the center of the dishtowel.

ü    Bring the four corners of the dishtowel together tie off the top corners and lift the yogurt over the bowl.

ü    Hand the dishtowel from one of kitchen cabinet handle and place the bowl underneath.

ü    More you leave it hanging more water will come out. When the majority of the surface liquid has been drained, it will start to drip more slowly (at least 4-5 hours); the yogurt should be at least as thick as sour cream.

ü    Open the cloth and using a spoon put the yogurt in a bowl for use.

ü    Add Olive oil, salt, peppercorns and chopped Mint leaves. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes and Enjoy!

Keep in mind that the volume of yogurt will reduce by half, and if you use fat-free yogurt, it will not be as thick.

Feedback

Everyone,

Thank you for your support and positive feedback. I really love cooking and enjoy sharing my passion with you. Please feel free to write feedback and tell me what other recipes would you like to see.

AGeV

Grechka ~ Buckwheat

Buckwheat is a type of grain that grows in Russia. Despite its name, buckwheat is not a type of wheat, it is not even related to wheat; is not even a grain; 

it is the fruit of a plant that is related to rhubarb.

It is very healthy, has lots of protein. Buckwheat is a great tool for weight loss as it is rich in fiber and it fills you up quicker and suppresses appetite! 

It is an excellent source of magnesium

a boon to your blood pressure. 

It is very easy to cook and it can be served 

with meat or a side dish to soups.

Ingredients: 

~ 1 cup of grechka ~

~ 1/2 tsp salt ~

~ 1 tbsp of butter (for serving) ~

~ 2 cups of water ~

~ 1 cup of rice (optional) ~

~ rinse buckwheat in cold water a few times until water runs clear 

~ place in a pot, add water and salt

~ cover with a lid and boil for about 15-20 minutes or until buckwheat is fluffy and absorbs all of the water. 

You may need to add little more water to make sure it is cooked. 

~ add butter before serving and Enjoy!

~ optional ~

cook rice separately and mix with grechka before serving

you can buy grechka at whole foods or any russian grocery store

Almonds

• 20-25 almonds contain as much calcium as 1/4 cup of milk.
• Almonds are an effective weapon in the battle against heart disease; you may decrease your risk by as much as 50 percent just by eating almonds five times a week.
• One-ounce serving of almonds provides more than 35 percent of your Daily Value of vitamin E

Banana Almond Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 - 3 large bananas, mashed

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup butter, melted

3/4  almonds

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, almonds and salt; set aside.

Combine bananas, sugar, egg, and melted butter in a large bowl. 

Fold in flour mixture, and mix until smooth. 

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Scoop mixture into muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy! 

Peppercorns

When ripe, pepper berries are red. 

Black peppercorns are dried, unripe berry used whole or freshly ground. 

White peppercorns are riper berries, de-husked and dry. They are hotter and less aromatic than black. 

Green peppercorns are the fresh, unripe berries. 

S'pas - Armenian yogurt soup

You will need:

•2-3 cups of water

•1 tsp. salt 

•1/2 cup wheat 

•3 cups plain yogurt 

•1 tbsp. sour cream 

•2 tsp. flour 

•1 tbsp. butter

•1/2 cup chopped onions 

• Chopped Parsley

~ Cook wheat in one cup quart of salted water until it is almost cooked    

~ In separate pan add the yogurt, 2 cups of water, flour and sour cream. Mix with hand beater. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring constantly

~ Add the wheat and let stir for another 10 minutes until the wheat is completely 

    cooked 

~ Add the butter, onions, and parsley and. Let it simmer 5 minutes. Ready to serve

Each Armenian family has its traditions when it comes to making and serving s'pas. Often you will find it without onions, or sometimes wheat is substituted by rice.Also it can be served hot or cold.

Enjoy! 

Hello to the world

It is Happening!!!

Dear Family and Friends help me decide if I shall blog about cooking and sharing my passion for food with you or I shall blog about making jewelry. Now as much as some you think I should blog about both, I think I need to stick to one topic now and master it.