Flavor Of Valley

Flavor Of Valley

Treasure Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups graham -----er crumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a small bowl mix -----er crumbs, flour and baking powder.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat condensed milk and margarine until smooth.
4. Add -----er crumb mixture and blend well. Stir in coconut, chocolate chips, and pecans.
5. Drop by rounded teaspoon on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake 9-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Moist Coconut Cake

3/4 cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sifted cake flour, plus more for pans
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ cup sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup sour cream
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ cup coconut milk
1-1 ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
1-2 cups flaked coconut
1 lb whipped cream

Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Line the bottom of a 10-by-2-inch buttered round cake pan with parchment paper. Dust the bottom and the sides of the cake pan with flour, and tap out any excess. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, and set the bowl aside.
In another bowl, cream butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, and keep beating until the mixture is fluffy and light in color (about 3 minutes). Then drizzle in eggs, beating on medium speed until the batter is no longer slick. Beat until the mixture is fluffy again, about another 3 minutes.

Carrot Cake
3 eggs
1 ½ cup sugar
1 cup oil/7 Tbsp melted butter or margarine
1 cup carrot, shredded
1 cup walnut/pecan, crushed
2 cups flour
1-2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp orange/lemon zest
1 tsp baking powder

Beat eggs and sugar with a mixer till it becomes foamy (3 mins). Add oil/margarine and mix for a while. Then mix in shredded carrots, lemon/orange zest and crushed walnuts/pecans. Finally add flour, cinnamon and baking powder and mix for 3-4 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C) and grease the cake pan and pour the cake mixture in.
Bake the Carrot Cake until it becomes golden brown, for 40-50 minutes. To check whether the cake is ready, insert a toothpick in the center and pull it out, if it comes out clean, your cake is done.
ENJOY
P.S: To remove the cake form the pan easily, cover its bottom with a wet cloth and allow to cool 10 to 15 minutes before removing.

Spiced Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, finely minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef*
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash allspice
3 to 4 tablespoons butter or margarine, for cooking meatballs
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups beef broth or bouillon


Preparation:

*or 1 pound lean ground beef and 1/4 pound ground pork. Cook onion in 2 tablespoons of butter; combine with meat, bread crumbs, milk, eggs, and seasonings. Mix together and form into firm balls about 1-inch diameter. Cook in small batches with a little butter or margarine and shake pan frequently to help prevent sticking. When all meatballs have been browned on all sides, stir flour into pan drippings. Gradually stir in beef broth. Stirring constantly, cook over low heat until thickened

BENEFITS OF APPLE

Antioxidants are disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation damage that happens during normal cell activity. Apples are also full of a fibre called pectin’a medium-sized apple contains about 4 grams of fibre. Pectin is classed as a soluble, fermentable and viscous fibre, a combination that gives it a huge list of health benefits.
1. Get whiter, healthier teeth
An apple won’t replace your toothbrush, but biting and chewing an apple stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.
2. Avoid Alzheimer’s
A new study performed on mice shows that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain. Mice in the study that were fed an apple-enhanced diet showed higher levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and did better in maze tests than those on a regular diet.
3. Protect against Parkinson’s

Breakfast Casserole
This fabulous recipe is made by my skillful husband for a Sunday Breakfast. It is a really unique and wonderful flavor. You should try it!

3 slices of bread, cut into cubes
1 tomato, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup milk
½ cup red/green/yellow pepper, cut in stripes
1 tsp salt to taste
¼ tsp thyme/mint (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F (180 C). Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Then, mix in the milk and cheese. Add the bread cubes and carefully stir until all pieces of bread are moistened (don't over mix or the bread may disintegrate). Add all the remaining ingredients. Grease a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish. Pour mix into casserole dish.
Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes, until the top is browned and the center springs back when touched. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
ENJOY

Mercimek Koftesi
½ cup red lentil, washed and drained
1 cup fine bulgur
2 ½ cups water
1 onion, chopped finely
2 tbsp tomato paste
¼ cup olive oil
½ tsp black pepper
1/3 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt to taste
¼ cup hot water
½ bunch fresh parsley, chopped finely
½ tsp dried mint/3-4 pairs of fresh mint, chopped finely
2 green onions, only green parts chopped finely
Lettuce leaves or arugula
Lemon wedges

Boil red lentil with 2 ½ cup of water. Make sure the lentils are soft but there is still some water in the bottom. Turn the heat of and stir in fine bulgur, close the lid. Leave for at least 10 minutes to make bulgur absorb all the water and expand.

Spinach Salad Recipe -

Ingredients:

1/2 cup salad oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup sliced red onion
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 ounces thinly sliced fresh mushrooms
1 pound spinach leaves, torn into bite-size pieces

Preparation:

In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar, onion, basil, salt, and pepper. Add mushrooms, cover, then let marinate for about 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. Stir occasionally to keep mushrooms coated with marinade mixture.
Place spinach in a salad boil; add mushroom mixture and toss well. Serve immediately.

Russian Beet Salad
INGREDIENTS
3 whole russet potatoes
2 large carrots ,peeled
2 beets, washed with tops and bottoms removed
½ yellow onion chopped
1 jar herring fillets,packed in oil
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
Salt and ground black pepper to taste


DIRECTIONS
1-Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the potatoes, carrots, and beets in the boiling water until cooked but still firm, 15 to 20 minutes for the potatoes, 25 to 30 minutes for the carrots, and 40 minutes for the beets. Allow each to cool to the touch before further handling. Remove and discard the skins from the potatoes and beets. Shred the potatoes, carrots, and beets, keeping them separate.

Turkish Dumpling
Manti is one of my favorite Turkish traditional dishes. Manti is very popular and common in Turkey. It takes time to prepare, but it’s really worth of your time! You should try it to taste a real Turkish flavor. Preparing manti is very fun and easy if you make it a team work.

3-3 ½ cups flour
1 egg
2/3 cup lukewarm water
1 tsp salt to taste

Filling:½ lb ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped/shredded
½ tsp salt to taste
½ tsp black pepper

For cooking:
8 cups water
1 tsp salt

Sauce:2 cups yogurt
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt to taste
3-4 tbsp butter/oil
1 tbsp tomato paste/2/3 tsp paprika
2-3 tbsp water
Dried mint
Sumac

In a bowl place the flour, crack the egg and add the salt and water. Then knead till you get a firm and smooth dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes. Make sure to make it firm to flatten easily later. Cover it with a damp towel or cloth and leave for a rest (15-30 minutes).

Tahinli Cake with Sesame Coating


3 eggs
1 ½ cup sugar
1 cup canola oil
½ cup tahini
½ cup cold milk
1 tsp/1 package baking powder
2 cups flour

For the coating:
1 tsp soft margarine
½ cup sesame
2 tbsp walnut pieces

In a large bowl, mix the eggs and sugar with a mixer till it gets foamy (for about 5 minutes). Add canola oil and cold milk. Stir with a wooden spoon. Then, stir in flour and baking powder. Finally add tahini and stir well to dissolve all ingredients.
Meanwhile, apply soft margarine all over the cake pan with a brush or your fingers. Pour the sesame inside and try to coat inside the cake pan evenly (). And then, pour the cake mixture inside and sprinkle with walnuts on top.
Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C) and bake for about 40-50 minutes till the cake turns golden brown.
ENJOY

Cake with Raisins

4-5 eggs
200 gr (1/2 lb) butter or margarine, melted
1 ½ cup sugar
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup raisins
1/3 cup chocolate chips
In a large bowl, place the eggs, butter/ margarine and sugar. Beat with a mixer till it becomes foamy. Then, add flour and baking soda. Beat for additional 5 minutes first in low, then medium speed. Add the raisins and chocolate chips and mix them all.Grease the cake pan and pour the cake mixture in. Preheat the oven to 380 F (190 C) and bake for about 25 minutes until your cake turns to golden brown. To check whether the cake is ready, insert a toothpick in the center and pull it out, if it comes out clean, your cake is done. To remove the cake form the pan, allow to cool 10 to 15 minutes before removing.
ENJOY!
**********

Stuffed Eggplants With Ground Beef
1 lb (450-500 gr) eggplant
1 cup oil for frying
1 onion, chopped
200 gr (~1/2 lb) ground beef, medium
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tomato, diced / 5 tbsp crushed or diced tomato
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp cumin
¼ tsp black pepper

Sauce:
3 tbsp crashed tomato / 1 ½ tbsp tomato paste
½ tsp sugar
¼ tsp salt
½ cup warm water

Wash and peel the eggplants. If they are slim, cut them in half in length. If they are chubby ,cut them into four slices lengthwise. Then place them in a bowl and add water to cover the slices. Leave them in water for 15-20 minutes for better taste. Then take the slices and dry with a cloth.
Place the oil in a skillet and turn heat to high. Fry both sides of eggplants till they become soft. Do not over fry. Place the fried eggplants into a Pyrex dish and sprinkle some salt on them. With a spatula or spoon, smash them lightly to make them softer.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF STRAWBERRIES

“Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C,” says Toronto-based registered dietitian Madeleine Edwards. Most mammals—except for humans—have the ability to produce vitamin C naturally, which is why it’s so important to get your daily requirement. “One serving of strawberries contains 51.5 mg of vitamin C—about half of your daily requirement,” Edwards says. “Double a serving to one cup and get 100 percent.” Vitamin C is a well-known immunity booster, as well as a powerful, fast-working antioxidant. A 2010 UCLA study discovered that the antioxidant power in strawberries becomes “bioavailable” or “ready to work in the blood” after eating the fruit for just a few weeks.

10 Health Benefits of Strawberries
1. Helps burn stored fat

Mushroom Frittata

8-10 mushrooms, sliced
4-5 eggs, whisked
1/3 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
2-3 Tbsp parmesan cheese, shredded
¼ cup milk
1 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt to taste
½ tsp thyme
Black pepper to taste

Saute mushrooms with olive oil over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Then, in a bowl, combine whisked eggs, milk, salt, thyme and cheese. Mix well.
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C) and grease a round pyrex. Transfer the mushrooms and then add the egg-milk mixture. Gently give a toss for an even frittata. Sprinkle some black pepper on top. Bake for about 5 minutes and then broil for 3-4 minutes or until the egg settles.
Slice and serve hot.
ENJOY