Eid Recipes | Roasted Winter Squash and Apple Soup

Eid al Adha 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a fantastic hearty soup that is delicious and healthy! This soup recipe has been created by Dr. Andrew Weil, who is among the best-known doctors in America, an alternative health guru who espouses the power of healthful eating and stress reduction as the best way to improve health.

We think it would be great for an Eid soup dish. It is called the Roasted Winter Squash and Apple Soup.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!


Eid Recipes
Roasted Winter Squash and Apple Soup




Ingredients:

1 large winter squash (about 2 1/2 pounds), such as butternut,
buttercup or kabocha; peeled, seeded and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tart, firm apples, peeled, cored and quartered
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and red chile powder to taste
4 to 5 cups vegetable broth

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large roasting pan, toss the squash, onions, garlic and apples with the oil to coat. Season well with the salt and chile. Roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until the vegetables are fork tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes.

2. Put half of the vegetables and 2 cups of the broth in a food processor and purée until smooth. Repeat with the remaining vegetables and broth. Return puréed mixture to the pot. If the soup is too thick, add more broth. Correct the seasoning and heat to a simmer.

3. Serve in warm bowls with dollops of cilantro-walnut pesto.

Cilantro-Walnut Pesto

Ingredients:

1 cup walnut pieces
2 cups cilantro leaves, washed, drained and stemmed
1 green jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Method:

1. Put the walnuts in a food processor and grind them fine.

2. Add the cilantro, jalapeño pepper, salt, vinegar and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and blend. Blend in a little more water if necessary to make a thick sauce. Taste and correct the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Oven Roasted Butternut Squash

Eid Recipes | Moroccan Meat with Olives and Preserved Lemon

Eid al Adha 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Moroccan main dish recipe that would be great for an Eid main dish. It is called the Moroccan Meat with Olives and Preserved Lemon. This meat dish is very popular during Eid in Morocco.

This dish can be prepared using beef, lamb or goat. It is traditionally prepared in a tagine, but the recipe below uses a pot or pressure cooker, if you do not have a tagine at home.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!


Eid Recipes
Moroccan Meat with Olives and Preserved Lemon




Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 lbs. (700 g) beef or lamb, cut into 3-inch pieces
* 1 large onion, chopped fine or grated
* 2 cloves of garlic, chopped very fine or pressed
* 1/3 cup olive oil
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (or 1/8 teaspoon Moroccan yellow colorant)
* 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled
* 1/4 cup chopped parsley and cilantro
* 2 1/2 cups water
* 1 handful red or green olives, with pits
* 1 preserved lemon, quartered and seeds removed

Method:

In a large pot or pressure cooker, mix the meat with the oil, butter, salt, pepper, ginger, and turmeric. Heat the meat over medium-high heat, and stir to brown all sides.

Add the water, saffron, parsley and cilantro. Cover the pot, and bring the liquids to a fast simmer.

Pressure cooker method:

If using a pressure cooker, cook the meat with pressure over medium heat for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the meat is quite tender. Add the olives and lemon. Reduce the liquids until they are mostly oils, or have the appearance of a thick sauce.

Pot method:

If using a pot, simmer the meat, covered, over medium heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the meat is quite tender. Stir occasionally and add a little water if necessary to prevent the meat from scorching. When the meat is cooked, add the olives and lemon, and reduce the liquids until they are mostly oils or have the appearance of a thick sauce.

Meat with Olives is traditionally served Moroccan style on a large platter, with each person eating from his own side of the plate with crusty bread for scooping up the meat and sauce.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipes | Dahi Gosht (Lamb in Yogurt Sauce)

Eid al Adha 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular North Indian main dish recipe that would be great for an Eid main dish. It is called the Dahi Gosht, which is lamb cooked in yogurt sauce. This meat dish is very popular during Eid in India.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!


Eid Recipes
Dahi Gosht (Lamb in Yogurt) Recipe




Ingredients:

* 500 gms boneless leg of lamb, cubed
* 500 gms yoghurt
* 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
* Salt to taste
* 1 tsp turmeric powder
* 3 tbsps each of garlic and ginger paste
* Green chillies to taste, finely chopped
* 3 tbsps vegetable, sunflower or canola oil
* 2 medium-sized onions, sliced
* 3 tbsps garam masala (see recipe below)
* 3 tsps coriander powder
* 3 tsps cumin powder
* 4 bay leaves
* 500 gm can of diced tomatoes
* 500 ml lamb stock
* 3 tbsps finely chopped mint leaves
* 3 tbsps finely chopped coriander leaves
* 1” piece of ginger, julienned

Method:

1) Mix salt, pepper, yoghurt, turmeric powder, half the ginger and garlic pastes and green chillies together.

2) Marinate the lamb in this mixture for 30 minutes.

3) Heat oil in a deep pan and fry onions and remaining ginger and garlic pastes till fragrant.

4) Add the tomatoes, cumin powder, bay leaves, coriander powder and garam masala and continue to fry till the oil separates from the mixture.

5) Add the marinated lamb and cook till most of the liquid has evaporated. Pour in the lamb stock and cook till the meat is tender.

6) Adjust seasoning if needed.

7) Garnish with chopped coriander and mint and juliennes of ginger and serve.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipes | Moroccan Saffron Lamb

Eid al Adha 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Moroccan main dish recipe that would be great for an Eid main dish. It is called the Moroccan Saffron Lamb. This meat dish is very popular during Eid in Morocco.

This Moroccan lamb recipe uses mild seasoning to allow the natural flavors of lamb and fragrant saffron to dominate the dish.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!


Eid Recipes
Moroccan Saffron Lamb Recipe




Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 kg. (about 3.3 lb.) lamb, cut into 3" or 4" pieces
* 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or pressed
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1 teaspoon turmeric (or 1/8 teaspoon Moroccan yellow colorant)
* 1/2 teasooon saffron threads, crumbled
* 1/4 teaspoon ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 small bunch cilantro, tied into a bouquet

Preparation:

Trim excess fat from the lamb, and then mix the meat with the garlic and spices in a pressure cooker or Dutch oven. Add the butter and oil, and cook over medium heat, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring to lightly brown the meat. Don't allow the butter to burn.

Add the cilantro and about 3 cups of water – enough to come up the sides of the meat but not enough to fully cover it. Cover the pot, and increase the heat to high.

If using a pressure cooker: When pressure has been achieved, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for about 50 minutes. Remove from the heat, and check the meat to see if it's tender and can be pulled from the bone. If more cooking is needed, add a little water if necessary, and cook with pressure for another 10 minutes. When the lamb tests done, leave the pot uncovered and reduce the liquids to a very thick sauce which covers the bottom of the pot.

If using a Dutch oven: When the liquids are boiling, reduce the heat to medium and continue simmering, covered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the lamb is tender and can be pulled from the bone. Check the level of water occasionally, adding water if needed to avoid scorching. When the lamb tests done, leave the pot uncovered and reduce the liquids to a very thick sauce which covers the bottom of the pot.

To serve: Discard the cilantro. If desired, transfer the meat to an oven-proof dish and brown lightly under a broiler to color the meat. Place the meat on a platter or preheated serving tagine, and add the sauce. Serve with bread.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipes | Shish Barak from Lebanon

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Lebanese main dish recipe that would be great for an Eid dessert dish. It is called the Shish Barak. This meat dish is very popular during Eid in Lebanon.

Shish Barak is Small Lebanese meat patties, cooked and served in a yogurt sauce made with garlic & onion, served with rice. The unusual flavor comes from the combination of garlic and coriander.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Shish Barak




Ingredients

1 cup ground meat
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup samneh (or butter)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp. chopped kizbara (coriander)

Dough Method

1) Prepare a dough with 1 1/2 cups bread flour, half cup shortening, 1 tsp. salt and half cup cold water. Knead lightly and roll out a thin sheet on floured board.

Stuffing Method

2) Fry onions, pine nuts and meat lightly. Season and mix well.

Next

3) Cut the dough into circles not larger than two inches in diameter.

4) Put a teaspoon of stuffing on each and fold over. Press edges together firmly.

5) Now bend the half circle so that both ends meet.

6) Place on a tray and dry in a slow oven for 15 minutes. Heat one recipe of cooked laban (yogurt) and simmer the shish barak until the dough seems cooked.

7) Crushed garlic, salt and kizbara should be fried separately and gently in a small amount of samneh to enhance their flavors.

8) If fresh kizbara is not on the market, use the dried or substitute a few pounded seeds. Add to laban and simmer.

9) Serve tepid with rice.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipes | Dukkah from Egypt

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Egyptian spice-nut recipe that would be great as accompaniment for an Eid dessert dish. It is called the Dukkah.

Dukkah, Dokka or Dükkah is an Egyptian dry mixture of chopped nuts, seeds and Middle Eastern spices and flavors. In some countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine it is called Za'atar.

Traditionally Dukkah is eaten by dipping fresh Egyptian baladi bread first into olive oil and then into the nut mixture. Dukkah is a versatile seasoning and can also be sprinkled on salads or vegetables. It can also be used as a crust or breading for foods like lamb, shrimp, fish or chicken.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Dukkah




Ingredients

¾ cup sesame seeds
½ cup pine nuts
½ cup coriander seeds
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp chilli powder
½ tsp baharat (white and black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg)

Method

1) In a large frying pan combine pine nuts and coriander seeds over medium-high heat.

2) When the mix has started to colour, add the sesame seeds and continue to toast until golden brown.

3) Pour the mixture into a food processor. Add cumin, baharat mix, chilli powder and salt. Blend together.

4) Use as seasoning in cooking or serve as an accompaniment with bread and olive oil.

Eid Recipe | Dukkah with Bread

Eid Recipes | Turkish Delights from Turkey

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Turkish dessert recipe that would be great for an Eid dessert dish. It is called the Turkish Delights. This dessert is very popular during Eid in Turkey. It is served to visiting guests.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Turkish Delights




Delicious and Easy Turkish Delight.
Makes about 50 pieces

Ingredients

1/4 cup powdered halal gelatin
2 cups caster sugar
3/4 cup cornflour
1 1/3 cups icing sugar mixture
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon rosewater
1 to 2 drops red food coloring
1/2 cup pistachio kernels, roughly chopped
75g milk chocolate, chopped

Method

1) Lightly grease a 4cm-deep, 17.5cm x 27.5cm (base) slice pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, allowing a 2cm overhang at both long ends.

2) Place 2 1/2 cups hot water in a large heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Using a fork, whisk until halal gelatin dissolves. Stir in caster sugar. Microwave, uncovered, on high (100%) for 5 minutes. Stir well. Microwave, uncovered, on high (100%) for a further 4 to 5 minutes or until mixture is thick and syrupy.

3) Whisk cornflour, icing sugar and cream of tartar into gelatin mixture. Microwave on high (100%) for 3 minutes. Stir in rosewater, food coloring and pistachios. Pour into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm.

4) Remove Turkish delight from pan. Using a hot knife (To heat knife, hold under hot, running water for 1 minute or stand in a jug of hot water for 1 minute), cut into 3cm squares. Remove squares to a new sheet of baking paper.

5) Place chocolate in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high (100%) for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring with a metal spoon every 30 seconds, or until melted and smooth. Spoon chocolate into a snap-lock bag. Snip off 1 corner. Pipe chocolate over squares. Stand at room temperature until set. Serve.

6) Store Turkish delight in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipes | Katayef from Saudi Arabia

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Saudi Arabia dessert recipe that would be great for an Eid dessert dish. It is called the Katayef. This dessert is very popular during Eid in Saudia Arabia. It is served to visiting guests.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Katayef




Katayef is the traditional sweet that is made during the Holy month of Ramadan and Eid.

Ingredients

6 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of yeast (ferment)
6 cups of milk
3 cups of fresh Kushta cream
3 cups of home made kushta
3 cups of minced walnut
1 cup of powdery sugar
1 tablespoon of rose water
2 tablespoons of orange-flower water
1/2 cup of lemon jam
1/2 cup of fine pistachio
6 cups of frying oil
3 cups of Syrup

Method

1) Mix the flour,yeast (ferment) and the milk until you get a soft and combined dough.

2) Keep it aside until it gets double the size.

3) Fill the pouring bad (that has a steel head) with part of the dough.

4) Start pouring small circles on a steel pan you have put on the fire. You can make the circles as big or as small as you like.

5) After 1 minute of pouring the circles turn the Katayef to the other side for 2 seconds and then we take them off the steel pan.

6) Mix the finely minced walnuts with the powdery sugar, rose water, orange-flower water.

7) Take 1 teaspoon of the mixture and distribute it at the middle of the Katayef .
Do the same thing with the Kushta, take 1 table spoon and distribute at the middle of the Katayef. You can make 6 of the walnut mixture and another 6 of the Kushta filling, it depends on the quantity you want from each.

8) Close the Katayef (with the filling inside) to make a half moon shape. Close it tightly by pressing on the edges of the dough.

9) Fry the filled Kateyef with the oil until it gets a golden color.

10) Take them out and put them in the Syrup for few minutes.

11) Take them out of the Syrup and serve them hot.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipes | Eid Cookies from Malaysia

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Malaysian dessert (Eid Cookies) recipe that would be great for an Eid dessert dish. It is called the Pineapple Tarts. This cookie is very popular during Eid. It is served to visiting guests.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Walnut and Coconut Cake




Ingredients

Pastry

150g flour

l/4tsp salt

2 tbsp corn flour

100g butter or margarine

1 1/2 tbsp icing sugar

1 egg yolk

Jam

250g grated pineapple

150g sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

1) Sieve flour, corn flour, salt and icing sugar into a mixing bowl. Rub in margarine or butter and add egg yolk to form a dough.

2) Making the jam: Bring to a boil grated pineapple, sugar and lemon juice. Let it simmer for 30 minutes or until it thickens. Sieve in half a teaspoon of cornflour.

3) Roll pastry into 0.5cm thickness and stamp out with a cutter. Press about 0.25cm deep in the centre. Add one teaspoon of filling. If you like, you can decorate the tart with two strips of pastry placed to make a cross on the top.

4) Bake in a preheated oven at 180ºC for 10 to 15 minutes or till lightly brown.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipe | Walnut and Coconut Cake

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Arabian Gulf dessert (cake) recipe that would be great for an Eid dessert dish. It is called the Walnut and Coconut Bread Cake.

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Walnut and Coconut Cake




Ingredients

For Cake

1 cup whole wheat flour.
1 cup white flour.
1/2 cup sugar.
1 Tablespoon baking powder.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
1/4 teaspoon salt.
3 Tablespoons shredded coconut.
1 egg.
1/4 cup low fat yogurt.
1/4 cup low fat milk.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
2 Tablespoons oil.

Coconut & Walnut Topping

1/3 cup walnut.
3 Tablespoons shredded coconut.
1/4 cup low fat cream cheese.
Vanilla powder or vanilla extract.
3 Tablespoons oat.
2 Tablespoons sugar.
1 Tablespoon sugar for sprinkling.

Method

1) Mix all cake Ingredients & press the mixer onto a 9-inch glass pie plate, press firmly into the edges.

2) Mix all topping Ingredients then sprinkle the mixer over the cake to cover completely.

3) Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of sugar on the top.

4) Bake for 18 minutes at 350 F, & another 10 minutes at 375 F.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipe | Albokary from Saudi Arabia

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Arabian Gulf main dish recipe that would be great for an Eid main dish. It is called the Albokary . The Albokary is a rice dish that is similar to the Indian Briyani. The Saudis love their Albokary. And you will too when you try it out this Eid!

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Albokary - Saudi Arabian Rice with Chicken




Ingredients

2 whole chickens, each cut to 4.
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil.
3 large onions, finely chopped.
3 cloves garlic, crushed.

Whole Spices
4 cinnamon sticks.
8 whole cloves.
8 whole cardamom pods.
2 shaiba leaves.
1 teaspoon black peppercorns.
1 teaspoon cumin seeds.

pinch of nutmeg.
Fresh ground black pepper .
1 teaspoon salt or to taste.

3 cups basmati rice.
1 cup tomato juice.
3 1/2 cups water.

Method

1) Heat oil in large pan; cook onions until browned, than add garlic and stir

2) Add chicken, salt, ground black pepper and Whole spices, stir, cook, until chicken brown, simmer cover, for 20 minutes per side.

3) Remove chicken from the pan.

4) To cook the rice: add rice to same pan you cook chicken in, just discard cinnamon sticks + shaiba leaves.

5)Add tomato juice +water + salt to basmati rice and bring to boil, simmer cover, cook on a very low heat for 12-20 minutes.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipe | Arabian Mamool Cookies

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Arabian dessert recipe that would be great for an Eid dessert. It is called the mamool. The Mamool is a pastry that is made with dates filling. Arabs love their sweet date-filled pastry called the mamool. And you will to when you try them out this Eid!

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Mamool - Date Pastry




INGREDIENTS

flour 1 kg.
butter 6 tbsp
shortening 6 tbsp
yeast 1 tbsp
water 1\2 cup
milk 1 cup
fennel root 1\2 tsp
nigella 1\2 tsp
mahlab 1\2 tsp
kamiryhat 1\2 tsp
ground sesame seeds 4 tbsp
icing sugar for decoration

Ingredients For Stuffing

roasted sesame seeds 1 1\2 cup
ground cardamom 1 tsp
shortening 3 tbsp
soft dates 1 kg

Stuffing Method

1) Remove the seeds from the dates.

2) Add shortening and ground cardamoms and mix well.

3)Shape the date mixture into walnut sized balls then coat with the roasted sesame seeds and keep aside.

4) Shape the dough into egg sized balls.

5) Then flatten into rounds with the palms of your hands.

6) Put the date balls onto half of each circle.

7) Moisten edges of the dough with mixture of egg and 1 teaspoon of water.

8) Fold in half, seal edges by pressing with fork.(Alternatively use a dough press.

9) Dough press can easily be found at local shops). If using dough press , the dough must over hang the edge of the press.

10) Place a date ball in the centre of the dough, fold over the dough overhang, close the dough press firmly to seal the dough.

11) Tap on a wooden surface to remove.

12) Grease a baking tray and arrange stuffed dough on it.

13) Bake in a 375F oven for about 10-15 minutes or until brown.

14) Allow to cool and sprinkle icing sugar on top and serve.

METHOD

1) Mix the yeast with the sugar and warm water and put aside to ferment.

2) Place flour in a large bowl, add spices and ground sesame seeds.

3) Meanwhile melt the shortening and butter in a small sauce pan over low heat.

4) Pour the melted butter onto the flour mixture and rub with your finger tips until it resembles fine bread crumbs.

5) Add the yeast and milk to the flour mixture and mix thoroughly to a soft dough.

6) Cover and leave aside for about 20 minutes.

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipe | Cinnamon Rolls from USA

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular American dessert recipe from USA that would be great for an Eid dessert. It is called the cinnamon rolls. Americans love their sweet sugary cinnamon rolls - and you will to when you try them out this Eid!

This Eid recipe is a must try for you!

Eid Recipes
Cinnamon Rolls




Recipe courtesy of LogicGirl

Ingredients

Dough:

1/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
1/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
3 large egg yolks
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
4 to 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

Filling:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Topping:

3/4 cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
3 Tbsp. honey
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) chopped pecans

Method

1) Making the Dough

In the bowl, combine warm water, yeast and 1 tsp. sugar. Stir to dissolve and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add milk, butter, remaining sugar, egg yolks, salt and 3 cups flour. You can use an electric mixer to mix till blended. I however used a spoon to do the mixing. Later on I used my hands to knead the dough. Slowly incorporate the remaining 1 cup of flour. Knead the dough until smooth and slightly sticky (adding a little more flour if too wet). Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour (or 2 hours if not in an entirely warm place). After the dough has risen, punch down. Turn out onto a lightly floured cutting board and let sit 20 minutes.

2) Making the Filling

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt butter; keep separate.

Then roll dough out into a rectangle shape. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Starting with the long side, roll dough into a cylinder. Place seam side down on a flat surface and cut crosswise into slices.

Place dough slices, flat side down. Crowd them so they touch. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving room for the buns to rise, and refrigerate for several hours. I left mine overnight and baked them the next day.

3) Baking and Making the Topping

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, honey over low heat; stir until sugar and butter are melted.

Remove the rolls from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature while the oven pre-heats. Preheat oven to 375°. Pour some of the topping mixture on the buns. Sprinkle the pecans. Be sure to use only what is necessary to allow the pecans to stick onto the cinnamon rolls. Leave the rest of the topping mixture for later use. Bake cinnamon rolls until golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove pan from oven and immediately pour the topping over the cinnamon rolls. Let cinnamon rolls cool slightly and serve warm.

Note: The original recipe had called for the topping mixture to be poured onto the un-cooked cinnamon rolls, and then refrigerated overnight. The rationale for that is that the melted butter and brown sugar mixture will harden onto the cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator and then melt when baked. However, the melted butter and sugar can also harden when placed in the oven for too long. Then instead of gooey sweet cinnamon rolls, you will end up with hardened toppings. My method of adding the topping mixture at the end - immediately after you remove from the oven - ensures that the cinnamon rolls are moist and sweet.

Also, the original recipe had called for pouring all of the topping mixture and pecans onto the baking pan, AND then placing the sliced un-cooked cinnamon rolls on them. The idea is is invert the cinnamon rolls into a dish after baking, so that the pecans and topping mixture is on top. But this inversion method is risky business - imagine overturning a hot baking pan - piping hot topping mixture may slip onto your toes, and other parts of your body. My method avoids this risky step.

Try it and see if it works for you too :)

Try this Eid Recipe Today!

Eid Recipe | Beef Rendang from Malaysia

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Eid recipe from Malaysia. It is called the beef rendang. The beef rendang is a main dish (beef with thick coconut gravy) that is served with white or brown rice. It is customary to cook beef rendang for lunch on Eid day.

The flavorful and fragrant beef rendang is a must try recipe for you!

Eid Recipe
Beef Rendang




Ingredients

3/8 pound shallots
3 cloves garlic
15 dried red chile peppers
5 slices fresh ginger root
5 lemon grass, chopped
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 pinch whole nutmeg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/4 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
2 cups shredded coconut
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 2/3 cups coconut milk
7/8 cup water
salt to taste

Method

1) Heat the coconut in a dry wok, stirring continuously until golden brown. Set aside to cool.

2) Using a blender or a food processor, blend the shallots, garlic, chilies, ginger, and lemon grass to a thick paste.

3) Grind the coriander, fennel, cumin and nutmeg.

4) Using the wok, fry the shallot paste in a little oil for a few minutes. Add the ground coriander, fennel, cumin and nutmeg; cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring continuously. Add beef; cook over a medium heat for a further 3 to 4 minutes, or until meat is browned.

5) Stir in sugar, coconut, cloves, cinnamon stick, coconut milk , and water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until most of the liquid has gone and the meat is tender (about 1 hour). Season with salt to taste.


Beef Rendang served with white rice

Eid Recipe | Klaicha Dessert from Iraq

It is common when you visit a Muslim home to celebrate the end of Ramadan (Eid al Fitr) to be served with varieties of desserts, like cookies and cakes, along with tea and coffee.

In Iraq, a popular pastry called the klaicha, a date-filled pastry, is made during Eid.

Today, we feature this recipe below. Try making it for your Eid celebration!

Eid Recipe
Klaicha(Date Filled Pastry)




Recipe makes 25 cookies

Ingredients for Pastry

2 cups (260 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour, fluffed, scooped and leveled into measuring cups
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, optional
11 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
3 tablespoons orange juice (or 2 teaspoons orange flower water and the remainder water)

Ingredients for Date Filling

8 ounces whole, pitted, dates (about 1/2 cup, packed)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons melted unsalted butter

Method

Place the flour in a processor bowl. Add the cardamom, if using it. Scatter the butter on top of the flour. Pulse-process until the butter is cut into the flour to resemble coarse meal.

Sprinkle the orange juice over the flour. Process until the dough forms a ball. It should be very soft and moist.

Remove it from the processor, wrap in plastic wrap, and set aside, at room temperature, for 1 hour.

While the dough is resting, make the date filling. If the dates are very soft, they can be processed without cooking them. Place them in the processor, add the cinnamon, and process until finely chopped. Add the butter, and pulse-process to incorporate (if you continually process instead of pulse-process, the paste gets very soft, and changes to an unpleasant color). If you have miscalculated the moistness of your dates, and feel they need to be softer, remove the metal blade and set the processor bowl in a microwave. Heat on medium-high for up to 2 minutes. Pulse-process again to smooth out the paste. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350°F., with the shelves in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 30 balls. Press your thumb into the center of each ball to form a cavity. Form the dough into a little “pot” with the sides being about 1/16th inch thick. If the dough flattens while you are trying to make the pot, knead in a little bit of flour. If the dough is a little too sticky, sprinkle the work table and your hands with a little flour and then work the dough. Fill each pot about three-quarters full with a rounded half-teaspoonful of filling. Press the dough to seal in the filling and then roll the dough between your hands to form a flattened ball.

To make the characteristic design in the cookies, you will need a special mold. An alternative is to score the balls with fork, or to use some sort of makeshift mold.

Set cookies on the parchment lined sheets and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until lightly browned.

Eid Recipe | Lontong from Malaysia

Eid ul Fitr 2009 is fast approaching. We plan to feature some exciting Eid recipes from around the world in this blog. So that you may try these Eid recipes for your family and friends.

Today, we feature a popular Eid recipe from Malaysia. It is called the Lontong. The lontong is made of compressed rice that is then cut into small cakes, and cooked in a broth with lots of vegetables. It is a healthy dish suitable for people of all ages.

Eid Recipe
Lontong




Serves 4

Ingredients:
60ml cooking oil
10 pieces compressed rice ketupat, from the store and cook according to packet instructions.
2½ cups (625ml) water
2 cups (500ml) coconut milk (extracted from 1 coconut)
1 teaspoon salt or to taste

Ingredients A: Spice paste
8 shallots (80g), peeled and sliced
6 cloves garlic (30g), peeled and sliced
2cm fresh turmeric root (25g), skinned and sliced
7 stalks dried chilli (5g), soaked in hot water until soften

Ingredients B:
1carrot (130g), cut into wedges
50g long beans, cut into 3cm lengths
1 long brinjal (100g), sliced
1 packet tempe "fermented soya bean cake" (100g), cut into 1cm slices
3 leaves cabbage (100g), cut into 3cm squares
50g glass noodles, soaked in water to soften

Method:
1) Using an electric blender, finely grind spice paste ingredients adding some water to move the blades if necessary.

2) Heat oil in a wok over medium heat, add spice paste and sauté till fragrant, stirring continuously. This will take about 5 - 8 minutes.

3) Add in 2 ½ cups water and bring gravy to a boil.

4) Add in Ingredients B except the glass noodles. Once vegetables are tender, add in coconut milk and the glass noodles, bring to a quick boil, stirring continuously as coconut tends to curdle if not stirred at this stage.

5) Season to taste with salt and serve lontong with some compressed rice "ketupat".

To serve:
Place a few pieces of compressed rice "ketupat" in a bowl, ladle hot lontong over and top with a dollop of prawns sambal for that extra kick.

Note: You can buy ketupat (rice compressed cakes) from supermarkets. Soak ketupat in water for 5-10 minutes and wash in several changes of water. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add in washed ketupat and cook over low heat for 45 minutes. Drain in colander. Leave to cool before cutting into cubes.


Compressed Rice Cakes