Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Haleem - Persian Breakfast

Haleem / Haleem: A Wheat and Meat Persian Breakfast by Fitri D. // Rumah Manis
 
One evening, while we had dinner, my husband told us about his childhood memory - it always fun to hear about Persian custom from him; and one of his story was about 'Haleem' - a type of breakfast dish , which is so popular until today. Haleem is a thick Persian high calorie dish. It is a special dish prepared for breakfast or during Ramadan since its good for the stomach.  This dish is slow cooked for some hours which results in a paste like consistency.  *in fact the other side of story was, he kind of missed this dish too , but he won't even bother to tell me to make this dish for him *eh, is this typical of man ?  *

Anyway, short story I search for the recipe and next day, I visited one biggest International food store in my city which sell (almost) every products from different country. I'm sure, everybody there know me, since I always go there once at least once a month. I picked some stuff to make this dish, but not tell my husband until ready to serve *oooh, what a nice wife *wink*

I admit, this dish is not (so) appealing and I'm not blame on you if you don't feel like to try but as my little one always say 'don't judge by the cover' - the dish it self absolutely delicious!! . As my husband recommend the original recipe is using lamb shoulder but I couldn't find the lamb at the store that day, I substitute with turkey tight.

I let my little one, involved in a cooking process , *well.. this is part of trick to make her eat a new kind of food too* . She read the product label, (oh.. turkey!! - she loves turkey meat) , wash the turkey , put in the slow cooker pot etc. Hey, I'm not surprise when she asked the porridge for breakfast and even dinner LOL
 

Haleem (A Wheat and Meat Persian Breakfast)

Recipe : from Azita - Turmeric & Saffron - with a little change from me
 
Ingredients:
3 cups pelted wheat, rinsed, soaked overnight in 4-5 cups of water, drain before cooking
2 pounds meat (preferably lamb shoulder or turkey breasts) - in fact I chose turkey tight
enough water
1 sliced onion
3 cups of milk
Salt , Pepper to taste

Toppings:
Cinnamon
Butter, melted
Sugar *I'm skip this one*

Method:
Place the lamb or turkey in a medium sized pan, add salt, pepper, onion slice and enough water to cover. Cover and cook for about 1-1/2 hours on medium heat or until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally, to prevent the formation of a crust on the bottom of the pan.  If juices evaporate before turkey is done, add 1/4 cup water. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove and separate meat from bones if using turkey tight like mine and shred into small pieces. Reserved the liquid for next step

Place wheat in a heavy bottom large stew pot on medium heat, pour in about  6cups of water and some of liquid from the meat, bring to a gentle boil for a few minutes, reduce heat to low and cook for about 1-1/2 hours. - if you like to use a slow cooker pot, it will work too - trust me, no mess in the kitchen.

Pour the cooked wheat in a food processor in small batches and pulse till it becomes of a creamy and smooth texture. Using a wooden spoon is recommended.
 
Combine the meat and the wheat mixture and return back to the heavy bottom pot on medium to low heat. Add the milk one cup at a time. Simmer for an additional 30-40 minutes till it reaches the desired consistency and becomes sort of supple and stretchy. Taste and add salt if needed. If you don't like to add milk to your haleem substitute it by adding water instead.

To test the stretchiness, use a wooden spoon and gently scoop some haleem. If there is some stretch as you are lifting the scoop then that's the perfect haleem. Your chances of reaching the desired pull of the haleem is better if turkey breasts are used instead of using lamb.

Serve warm in individual bowls or place it in one big bowl. Top with cinnamon, sugar and drizzle with melted butter. If there are any left overs you may freeze them in small plastic containers.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

celebrate of sweetness..

celebrate of sweetness.. by Fitri D. // Rumah Manis
 
We get an invitation from our friend, Iranian-American couple this Sunday afternoon . My friend didn't say anything what kind of occasion is, she said, just want to be together with some friends who not seeing each others for long (well, I know every body are busy and has their own schedule, some time won't be match with others)  .Though is a good idea, since the weather 'kind' of nice , no rain, no snow.

As usual, I bake something to bring and share with others. And today, I'm not bragging but the chocolate butter cream I used for the cake is really kill me !! By *sweet* accident I end up at a very lovely Blog belong to a pretty lady,
Heather Wong - *go check her blog, you will amaze with her creations*

Anyway, let me copy the recipe of chocolate butter cream, in case you need to impress your guest or friends too.  Trust me, you wont regret !

The Scootabaker's Chocolate Buttercream
Recipe from The Scoot A Baker
*my cake is 3 layer - 8 inch round and the recipe is more than enough to frost about 36 cupcakes depending on how much buttercream you like on your cupcakes. *

20 ounces unsalted butter, softened
24 ounces confectioners sugar, sifted
18 ounces Belgian chocolate (high quality chocolate), chopped, melted & cooled
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1. Mix coffee granules w/ vanilla and whipping cream until coffee is dissolved. Set aside.

2. Beat butter until smooth, about a minute on high. Add sugar, beat on low then on high for about 2 minutes or until fluffy. Add coffee mix, and beat on low then high for another 2 minutes. Without scraping bowl down, pour melted chocolate over buttercream. Beat until just incorporated. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat on high for 10 seconds. You're done!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie by Fitri D. // Rumah Manis
 
Are you in stage of being 'sick' when I posted recipe with left over / ugly banana ? LOL - I know , I know .. but to be honest, I need more creative than just make a banana bread , all right actualy I have another reason , I need to get more healthy as my healthy new year resolution is being fade in just second month of new year .. *eeeww..*  
And mommy need a new bikini for summer break *grin*

The recipe is so simple, and I can just drink this smoothie and won't feel hungry until late afternoon ...

Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Ingredients :
1 banana
1-2 tbsp. peanut butter
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tbsp honey
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ice

even more better you can add (as I do)
1 scoop protein powder or
1 scoop flax seed or
1 scoop antioxidant omega 3 or
any kind of protein food that you can find from a healthy store near by

Method:
1.Combine all of the ingredients in a blender.
2.Blend until smooth and creamy.
3.Pour and serve cold.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Just a little something

A little pouch.. by Fitri D. // Rumah Manis
eeekss.. change my mind in last minute from making this craft, I don't know.. why always like that ? playing around with fabrics, in the middle of work I stop and all sudden thinking something else, and voila .. 1 hour work!  A little pouch
And Finally after 2 years in bag, I used this pretty corduroy apple fabrics (seem I always missed this fabric) and the stripes? I think I use a lot for my little projects.

This little pouches will send away, for a beautiful ladies for Valentine's Day gift. Hope they will like it..
In fact I love the lining fabric so fresh..

Friday, February 8, 2013

Whoopie Pies with Salted Dulce de Leche

Whoopie Pies with Salted Dulce de Leche by Fitri D. // Rumah Manis
 
Before going to school, my little one told me -  : today I want you make a meat ball (Mie Bakso)soup for dinner , whoopie pies for snack (*again ???*) and I need hand nail polish too - WHAT ???

She said, every girl in her class room (she is just 1st grade) having a pretty nail polish .. OMG .. in 7 she might asking for leg shaving ? LOL - no one know what on her mind ..

Ok, since I'm still in good mood of baking I agree with her request , here is another batch of whoopie pies... wuhuuuuu ....  And Happy Weekend everyone, thank you for stopping by .  I really appreciate of your nice comments :)

Whoopie Pies with Salted Dulce de Leche
Recipe from : William Sonoma Blog

For the cookies:
6 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup natural cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

For the filling:
4 Tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 Tbs. heavy cream
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/3 cup dulce de leche (caramel condense milk)

Directions :

To make the cookies, in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until combined. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until blended. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt into the bowl and beat just until blended. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough until firm, about 2 hours.
Space 2 racks evenly in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

With dampened hands, shape tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls. Place them firmly on the prepared pans, spacing them slightly apart and squishing them a little. You should have about 20 balls. Bake until the cookies are puffed and slightly firm, 8 to 10 minutes, rotating the pans about halfway through. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

While the cookies are cooling, make the filling: In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar on medium-high speed until lightened. Stir in the cream and salt, to taste, on low speed, then stir in the dulce de leche until the filling is smooth.

Spread the flat side of half the cookies with a big dollop of the filling. Top each with a second cookie, placing the flat side on the filling. (You’ll probably have a bit more filling than you need, but if you’re like us, you’ll find a good use for it and will sneak spoonfuls here and there.) Refrigerate until the filling is set, at least 1 hour. Whoopie!
 
Makes 10-12 whoopie pies.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

A beautiful memory

Beautiful Cross Stich by Fitri D. // Rumah Manis
 
Last week, I was contacted by my daughter's teacher ..(Mrs.H) she asked me if I willing to do extra quilting work outside of personal. And without doubt I said 'Yes' - oh No, the story not just that .. Mrs.H sister will having a baby on April and their family will having a baby shower  next week, their late grandma started a cross-stich baby quilt, and so sad, she passed before she finishing the work.

Honest to GOD, I had a goose bump when I saw her work for the first time, the cross stich absolutely beautiful - I can feel her hand 'dancing' on the fabric while she made this beautiful blanket.

So short story, I agree to sew backing and binding , well.. I still feel nervous even I sew several blankets already .. you know, this work has a beautiful memory, I don't want to messing it up.

And in 2 hours I finished the quilt, and still have a left over fabrics and I decided to make a little pillow too.
 


I'm not taking credit for the quilt, I'm just did a little sewing on quilt . But still, this is a nice thing ever happened in my sewing experience.

So, what do you think about the quilt ? I know you will agree with me .. this is a such a beautiful handcraft made by a beautiful lady.. God Bless Her..