The post 3 Dreamiest Italian Pastries to Try appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Cannoli
Originating from Sicily, cannoli are among Italy’s most famous pastries. These crispy, fried dough tubes filled with a sweet, creamy mixture of ricotta cheese, sugar, and often chocolate chips or candied fruit, offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. Making cannoli at home can be a fun challenge!
Tiramisu
While not a pastry in the traditional sense, tiramisu deserves a mention. It’s a delicious combination of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar, and cocoa powder. This no-bake dessert is a testament to the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine, easily recreated in any home kitchen for a taste of Italian luxury.
Pasticciotto
Coming from the region of Puglia, pasticciotto is a shortcrust pastry filled with creamy custard. Often enjoyed as a breakfast treat with a cup of coffee, its simplicity belies its deliciousness. Making pasticciotto at home allows for customization of the filling, with variations including chocolate, almond, and lemon.
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]]>The post 3 Traditional German Breads Worth Trying appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Brötchen (German Rolls)
Brötchen, which translates to “little breads,” are small, crusty rolls that are a ubiquitous sight at German breakfast tables. They come in various forms, including plain white, whole grain, and versions dotted with seeds, nuts, or grains. Crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, there’s nothing like a fresh Brötchen.
Brezel (Pretzel)
While the pretzel has become famous worldwide, its origins are deeply rooted in German baking traditions. The classic German Brezel is larger and softer than its international counterparts, with a distinctive dark, shiny crust and a soft, chewy interior. Perfect for a snack and excellent with a cold beer.
Schwarzbrot (Black Bread)
Schwarzbrot, or black bread, is a whole rye bread that is popular in Northern Germany. It gets its name from its dark color, which comes from a combination of rye flour and a longer baking process. It pairs best with strong cheeses, smoked meats, and fish.
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]]>The post Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Roasted Garlic Bread appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Infuse Your Butter
Infuse the butter with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a deeper flavor profile. Simply melt your butter and add finely chopped herbs, allowing them to steep for a few minutes.
Add Cheese
Sprinkle grated Parmesan, mozzarella, or a blend of your favorite cheeses over the buttered bread before baking. The cheese melts into a beautiful, golden layer of deliciousness that adds texture and a savory depth to every bite.
Use Artisan Bread
Switch out the standard baguette or Italian loaf for something with more character, such as sourdough, ciabatta, or focaccia. These breads will bring new flavors and textures to your garlic bread.
Add a Drizzle
After baking, finish your garlic bread with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, balsamic glaze, or even truffle oil for an added touch of luxury. This not only adds flavor but also gives your garlic bread a more appealing presentation.
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]]>The post How to Make Your Own Sourdough Starter appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water (filtered or bottled is preferred)
Instructions:
- Day 1-3: In a clean glass jar, combine the flour and water. Mix well. Cover loosely with a breathable lid and leave at room temperature (70-80°F).
- Day 2-7: Each day, discard half the starter and feed it again with equal amounts (¼ cup each) of flour and water. Mix well, cover, and let it rest. By day 5-7, you should start to see small bubbles forming on the surface.
- Day 8 onwards: You can switch to feeding every other day. Continue discarding half the starter and feeding it ¼ cup each of flour and water.
- Testing: By day 10-14, your starter might be ready. To test, take 1 tablespoon of starter and mix it with 3 tablespoons of water. If it floats within 30 minutes, it’s active and ready to use! If not, continue feeding every other day until it passes the test.
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]]>The post Make Your Own Bread on Real Bread Week appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>What’s Real Bread Week, Anyway?
Real Bread Week isn’t just a carb-rich bread bash (as fun as this may sound). It’s a nationwide celebration of all things fresh and additive-free. Launched in 2010 by the Real Bread Campaign, this week-long event is part of Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming. Their mission? To support the making of wholesome bread made without any additives or preservatives. It’s all about getting back to basics, caring for the environment, and savoring simple pleasures.
Making Homemade Bread on Real Bread Week
This week is a golden opportunity not only to support local bakeries making real, fresh bread; but to actually dabble with making some at home. If you’ve never attempted bread-making in your own kitchen, this may sound intimidating – so here are a few tips to get you started.
- Start Simple: Don’t be intimidated by fancy recipes. Start with a basic bread recipe consisting of flour, water, yeast, and salt. You’ll be amazed at how delicious it can be.
- Get Hands-On: Embrace the knead. There’s something therapeutic about getting your hands dirty and working the dough. Plus, it’s a great arm workout.
- Patience is Key: Let your dough rise at its own pace. Don’t rush the process—good things come to those who wait.
- Share the Love: Homemade bread is the perfect gift. Whip up a loaf for a friend or neighbor and spread the carb-filled joy.
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]]>The post Have You Ever Made A Quiche Lorraine Before? appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 3-4 tablespoons ice water
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 1 cup of shredded Gruyere cheese (or Swiss cheese)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
2. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a circle large enough to line a 9-inch pie dish. Carefully transfer the dough to the pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges as desired. Scatter the chopped cooked bacon and shredded cheese evenly over the bottom of the pie crust.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg until well combined. Pour the custard mixture over the bacon and cheese in the pie crust.
5. Place the quiche on a baking sheet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
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]]>The post This Banana Bread Recipe is the Epitome of Easy appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Let’s just get something out of the way before we begin—banana bread is basically banana cake. And it goes perfectly with your morning or afternoon coffee or tea. Now, here’s a ridiculously easy banana bread recipe you should try ASAP.
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas (the riper, the better)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A grain of salt
- Optional: some chocolate chips or walnuts
feelgood food (@melissa.hemsley)Instructions:
- Mash the bananas well until you get a smooth mixture (try to make the mixture as uniform as possible, but even if there are some lumps, it will still work, so no worries).
- In a large bowl, beat the egg together with the mashed bananas, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.
- Then add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix well until you get a uniform texture.
- If you want, you can add chocolate chips (as many as you like) or chopped walnuts (same).
- Pour the whole thing into a silicone cake mold (preferably a standard rectangle one) and bake for about 30 minutes (or until golden brown) at 375°F.
- Voila – you have yourself a banana bread that’s soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and absolutely delicious.
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]]>The post How To Make Gluten-Free Focaccia appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 1 package quick-rise yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (105°F to 110°F)
- 2 1/4 cups gluten free baking flour with xanthan gum
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, stir together the yeast, sugar, and water until the yeast and sugar are fully dissolved. Then add the flour, baking powder, salt, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well before covering the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread one teaspoon of olive oil across the surface of a baking tray and then add the dough to the pan. Stretch the dough so that it covers the whole pan.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough is golden brown. Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.
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]]>The post This Classic Biscuit Recipe is Perfect for Breakfast appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes
- 3/4 cup milk or buttermilk
Instructions:
- Start by preheating your oven to a hot 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Pour in the milk or buttermilk and stir until just combined.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times. Roll it out to about 1-inch thickness, then use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out the biscuits. Reform the scrap dough and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
- Place the biscuits on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.
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]]>The post Make Your Own Samosa at Home appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
]]>Ingredients
- 3 large Potatoes
- 1 cup Peas
- 2 large Carrots
- 1 onion
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt
- Fresh cilantro
- Samosa wrappers (readily available or make your own with flour and water)
Instructions
- In a pan, heat vegetable oil and add cumin seeds. Once they start spitting, add finely diced onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add chopped carrots and peas to the pan. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Stir in garam masala, ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Mix well to create a fragrant spice blend.
- Add the boiled and mashed potatoes to the spice mixture. Combine all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution of flavors. Mix in fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness, then set the filling aside to cool.
- Take your samosa wrappers and cut them into triangular shapes. If making your own, roll out the dough and cut it into triangles. Form cones with the triangular wrappers, sealing the edges with a water-flour paste.
- Fill each cone with the prepared potato mixture, then seal the open edge, creating a triangular samosa shape.
- Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the samosas until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the samosas from the oil, allowing excess oil to drain on a paper towel. Serve your homemade samosas hot, accompanied by mint chutney or tamarind sauce.
(@nidaz.home_)The post Make Your Own Samosa at Home appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.
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