Ricotta and Walnuts Sauce

I always have ricotta either in the fridge or in my freezer. With ricotta you can be creative and use it in many ways. This recipe comes from an Italian cookbook (Silver Spoon); use it for pasta or canapes.

Ingredients:
250 g Ricotta cheese
4 tbs mascarpone cheese
2 tbs milk
1 egg yolk
5-6 walnuts, chopped
1-2 tbs fresh chives, chopped
salt and pepper
Method:
Place ricotta in a bowl, add milk and mascaropne. Season to taste, add yolk and mix well. Add half of walnuts and chives, mix again. Other half leave for sprinkling over the sauce.



Sos (namaz) sa Rikotom i Orasima

Uvijek imam rikotu u frizideru (ili zamrzivacu), jer se svasta moze napraviti sa njom. Recept, koji danas predstavljam, dolazi iz Italijanske knjige recepata ' Srebrna kasika'. Mozete ga iskoristiti kao sos za pastu, ili kao namaz.

Potrebno:
250 gr rikote
4 K maskarpone sira
2 K mlijeka
1 zumance
5-6 oraha, sjeckanih
1-2 K vlasca, sjeckanog
so i biber
Nacin:
Stavite rikotu u posudu, dodajte mlijeko i maskarpone. Zacinite prema ukusu, dodajte zumance i promijesajte.Dodajte polovicu oraha i vlasca, promijesajte. Preostalu polovicu stavite po povrsini namaza.

A few ideas on what to use Ricotta for:
Nekoliko ideja za Rikotu:

Savoury-

Cheese and Pesto Scrolls

Baked Ricotta (savoury)

Cheese and Parsley Pide

Rustic Pesto and Ricotta Roll

Ricotta Spinach and Semolina Gnocchi with Butter-Sage Sauce

'Kifle' - Milk rolls filled with Ricotta (or Frankfurters, or Ham'n'Cheese)

Sweet-

Cannoli with Ricotta and Lemon Curd Cream

Classical Baked Cheese Cake (Donna Hay recipe)

Cheese and Cherry Strudel

All my recipes with Ricotta .
Svi moji recepti sa rikotom.

Joconde Cake with Hazelnuts

There are moments in our lives when we crave something different...Not necessarily better, just different. 

Ingredients:
Decor paste-
50 g egg whites
50 g sugar
50 g butter, softened
50 g flour + colour (or 15 g cocoa + 43 g flour)
Sponge-
3 eggs (150 g)
3 egg whites (90g)
75 g icing sugar
85 g almond meal
25 g flour
2 1/2 teas caster sugar
30 g butter, melted
Mousse-
300 g (dark) chocolate
300 ml cream
3 eggs
1/2 cup icing sugar
Hazelnut meringue -
2 egg whites
100 gr hazelnuts, roasted and processed / grated  (skin removed)
1/4 cup sugar
Cream for decoration- whipped with 1 tbs of icing sugar
Method:
Decor paste-
Mix butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, add egg whites (one by one). Mix in flour and cocoa by hand.
Use bakers comb or strong plastic bag to make decorative patterns on silicon mat. Put it in freezer. Rest of this paste spread on a bottom of a cake pan (over baking paper) that you're going to use  and bake for 6-7 minutes. That's going to be bottom of your cake.
Sponge-
Mix egg whites with caster sugar; set aside. In another bowl, mix eggs, sugar and butter; add flour and almond meal. Put 1/3 of egg white mixture and fold by hand; repeat with other 2/3.
Cover decor paste from freezer with this sponge.
Bake 5-6 min at 200* C, or until edges start browning. Take out and cool.
Cut sponge into desired sizes and shapes, in this case you need 2 long strips, that are going to be inside a cake pan (like a ring). 
Hazelnut meringue-
Beat egg whites, add sugar and beat until thick and sugar melted. Spoon hazelnut meal and fold in. Place in baking tin (lined with baking paper) and bake for 30 minutes at 160*C.
Mousse-
Heat cream until very hot (don't boil), add chocolate and mix until melted. Let it cool.
Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale. Add cooled chocolate mixture and mix really well.

Assemble-

Dark circle comes on bottom of a cake pan, around comes decorated sponge. Pour 1/3 chocolate mousse over the bottom, place hazelnut meringue, then pour other 2/3 of chocolate mousse. Decorate with whipped cream and refrigerate for 2 hours before slicing.

Ponekad pristignu oni trenutci u nasim zivotima, kada zelimo nesto drugacije...ne neophodno i bolje, samo drugacije.

Mona Liza  Torta sa Ljesnicima

Potrebno:
Dekorativna masa-
50 gr bjelanaca
50 gr secera
50 gr maslaca, omeksalog
50 gr brasna + boja (ili 15 gr kakaa + 43 gr brasna)
Biskvit-
3 jaja (150 gr)
3 bjelanca (90 gr)
75 gr secera u prahu
85 gr mljevenog badema
25 gr brasna
2 1/2 k sitnog secera
30 gr maslaca, otopljenog

Cokoladni mus-

300 gr chocolade, otopljene

300 ml slatkog vrhnja

3 jaja

1/2 solje secera u prahu

Beze kora sa ljesnicima-

2 bjelanca

1/4 solje secera

100 g ljesnika, ispecenih, oljustenih i samljevenih

Slatko vrhnje- za dekoraciju (umuceno sa 1 K secera u prahu)

Nacin:
Dekorativna masa-
Miksajte maslac i secer , dodajte jedno po jedno bjelance, zatim brasno i kakao.
Napravite dekorativne sare na silikonu, uz pomoc spatule, poslasticarskog 'ceslja' ili kese sa odsjecenim vrhom. Stavite silikon u zamrzivac. Ostatak tamne mase stavite na papir, velicine kalupa i ispecite 5-6 minuta. To ce vam biti dno.
Biskvit-
Miksajte bjelanca sa sitnim secerom, dok ne postane cvrsto. U drugoj posudi miksajte jaja sa secerom i maslacem; dodajte brasno i bademe. Ubacite 1/3 snijega bjelanaca, promijesjte rukom pa ubacite i ostale bjelance. Dobro promijesajte.
Ova masa ide preko dekorativne mase. Pecite 5-6 min na 200*C, ili dok krajevi ne pocnu rumeniti. Izvadite i ohladite.
Isjecite zeljenu velicinu, stavite u kalupe (za tortu ili napravite druge oblike od jace plastike).

Beze kora sa ljesnicima-

Umutite bjelanca. dodajte secer i mutite dok ne postane gusto i sjajno. Ubacite ljesnike, pa rucno umijesajte. Pecite (u kalupu sa papirom) na 160*c oko 30 minuta. Ohladite.

Aranziranje-

Na dno kalupa dolazi tamna kora, okolo izrezane trake od dekorativnog biskvita. Uspite 1/3 cokoldanog musa, stavite koru od bjelanaca i ljesnika preko, zatim uspite ostatak cokoladnog musa. Umutite pavlaku i ukrasite. Rashladite  najmanje 2 sata prije rezanja.

Grilled Spiced Fish (Flounder)

Ingredients:

2 large or 4 small flounder, cleaned

2/3 cup yogurt

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground coriander seeds

1/2 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 tbs lemon juice (or vinegar)

1 tbs oil

salt

Method:

Make a few slashes on both side of fish. Mix remaining ingredients adding salt to taste. Divide and spoon over each side of each fish. Let it stand for 1 hour+. Cook under grill, or in hot oven, turning once and collecting and spooning loose juices. Serve with lemon slices.

Pečeni Pikantni Iverak  (Pasara / Ploča / Iver)

Potrebno:

2 veca ili 4 manja iverka, ocisceni

2/3 solje jogurta

2 cena bijelog luks, protisnuti

1 k sjemena korijandera u prahu

1/2 k chili praha / ljute paprike

1 k garam masale

1 K soka limuna (ili sirce)

1 K ulja

so

Nacin:

Zarezite ociscenu ribu nekoliko puta na obje strane. Pomijesajte ostale sastojke,dodajuci so prema ukusu, pa njima namazite ribu sa svih strana. Ostavite oko 1 sat + u marinadi.

Pecite ispod grila ili u vreloj rerni, okrecuci jednom. Skupite i vratite sokove na povrsinu ribe prilikom okretanja. Servirajte sa kriskama limuna.

Hungarian Goulash Slovenian Way

I befriended many people that I met through blogging. One of them is Sonja from Slovenia. She is a very creative and talented card maker and blogger. Her blog is called 'Na obisku pri Oldpunci'.
Sonja sent to me a book of recipes from a part of Slovenia that is very close to Hungary, so recipes are mixture of Slovenian and Hungarian influence in cooking. I've tried a few recipes from that book, and I'm glad I can share it with you.
Thank you Sonja!

Ingredients:
3 tbs oil
750 g onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
50 g smoked bacon, diced
750 g beef, diced into 4 cm cubes
1 green capsicum, diced
5 chillies, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbs paprika powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
500 ml water
0,5 kg potatoes, diced into  2,5 cm cubes
2 tomatoes, diced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Method:
Heat oil in a pot, add onion and bacon. Sautee until onion become transparent. Add other vegetables (except potato) and meat. Cook, stirring, until meat change colour. Add spices and water; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 1 hour, or until meat almost done. Add potatoes, cover and cook for another 20 minutes, or until meat and potatoes become soft. Serve with crusty bread.



Madjarski Gulaš na Slovenački način

Kroz blogiranje sam upoznala mnoge i sprijateljila se s nekima. Jedna od dragih prijateljica mi je Sonja iz Slovenije. Ona je veoma talentovana i kreativna u izradi cestitki i blogiranju. Njen blog se zove 'Na obisku pri Oldpunci'.
Sonja mi je nedavno poslala knjigu recepata iz dijela Slovenije koji se granici sa Madjarskom, tako da je interesantno vidjeti mjesavinu uticaja ove dvije zemlje  na pripremu hrane. Isprobala sam nekoliko recepata, koje cu rado podijeliti s vama.
Hvala puno Sonja!

Potrebno:
3 K ulja
750 gr crvenog luka, sjeckanog
50 gr mesnate dimljene slanine, sjeckane
750 gr govedine, sjecene na 4 cm kockice
2 mrkve, sjeckane
1 zelena paprika, isjecena na kockice
5 feferonki, isjecene
2 cena bijelog luka, isjeckan
2 K crvene paprike, prah
1/4 k kima u prahu
500 ml vode
0,5 kg krompira, sjecen na 2,5 cm kocke
2 paradajza, sjecen na kockice
1 k soli
1/2 k crnog bibera

Nacin:
Zagrijte ulje, proprzite luk i slaninu, zatim dodajte ostalo povce (osim krompira) i meso. Dinstajte dok meso ne promijeni boju. Ubacite zacine i vodu, poklopite i kuhajteoko 1 sat ili dok meso skoro ne bude gotovo. Ubacite krompir pa kuhajte jos dodatnih 20 minuta, ili dok meso i krompir ne budu sasvim meki. Sluzite sa nekim dobrim kruhom / hljebom.






No sugar, flour, eggs and dairy Biscuits (Apple Sauce, Banana and Oatmeal Biscuits)

These are beautiful, healthy biscuit suitable as gilt free treats, or even breakfast. Makes 14-15 biscuit.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almond meal
1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)*
1 tsp cinnamon

Method:
Preheat oven to 175*C; prepare a biscuit pan, cover with baking paper.
Grind 1 cup of oats, leave other 1/2 cup whole (or use oat as it is). Mix with cinnamon, cranberries and almond meal. Add mashed bananas and apple sauce; mix until all incorporated.  Take spoonfuls of this mixture and place it onto pan (I used ice-cream scoop). Press slightly the top of every biscuit with fork. Place in oven and bake for 20(+) minutes.
*If you can't buy apple sauce, cook 2-3 peeled and chopped apples until all moisture evaporates and apples become soft. Puree it into thick sauce (you'll need 1 cup)
.

Keksi sa Bananom, Jabukam i Zobenim pahuljicama (keksi bez jaja, maslaca, secera i brasna)

Divni su i veoma zdravi, a mogu posluziti kao dorucak ili poslastica bez-osjecaja-krivnje . Dobicete 14-15 keksica.

Potrebno:

1 1/2 solja zobenih pahuljica

1/2 solje mljevenog badema

1/3 solje susenih brusnica, isjeckanih

2 zrele banane, propasirane

1 solja sosa od jabuka (nezasladjen)*

1 k cimeta

Nacin:

Ukljucite rernu na 175*C; pripremite tepsiju za keksice, oblozite je neprijanjajucim papirom.

Sameljite 1 solju pahuljica (u mlinu za kafu, npr) drugu polovicu ostavite kakva jeste (ili mozete sve koristiti kako jeste - presovana zob). Pomijesajte sa bademovim brasnom, brusnicama i cimetom. Umijesajte pasirane banane i sos od jabuka. Izmijesajte dobro. Uzimajte po kasiku ove smjese (ja sam koristila hvataljku za sladoled)i smijestajte na papir. Svaki keksic malo pritisnite viljuskom, zatim smjestite u rernu i pecite 20(+) minuta.

*Ako nemozete kupiti gotov sos od jabuka - ogulite i narezite 2-3 jabuke, stavite u manju serpicu i dinstajte dok tecnost ne ispari, a jabuke postanu mekane. Ispasirajte; treba da dobijete 1 solju sosa.

Beef Bombay Curry

This recipe  is ideal for those who are not able to reach many Indian spices, but would love to try something from that country.

Ingredients:
1 kg beef (chuck), diced
1 tbs oil
2 onions, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 green chilies, sliced
1 tbs ginger, grated
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp chilie powder (or more)
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbs coriander powder
1 tsp salt
1 can tomatoes, diced
1 cup coconut milk
Method:
Heat oil, saute onion. Add garlic, chillies, ginger and meat. Cook until meat change colour. Add the rest of spices, then add canned tomatoes and coconut milk. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or until meat tender. Serve with rice or some Indian bread.

Bombaj Kari sa Govedinom

Recept je idealan za one koji zele probati Indijsku hranu, ali su u nemogucnosti pronaci mnoge (egzoticne) zacine koje ova kuhinja koristi. 

Potrebno:

1 kg govedine, sjecene na kockice
1 K ulja
2 crvena luka, sjeckana
 2cena bijelog luka, protisnutog
2 zelene papricice, sjeckane
1 K djumbira, rendanog
1 1/2 k kurkume u prahu
1/2 k ljute paprike u prahu- chili (ili vise)
1 k kima u prahu
1 K korijandera u prahu
1 k soli
1 konzerva sjeckanog paradajza
1 solja kokosovog mlijeka
Nacin:
Zagrijte ulje, proprzite luk. Dodajte bijeli luk, djumbir, papricice i meso. Dinstajte dok meso ne promijeni boju. Dodajte ostale zacine, zatim zalijte sa paradajzom i kokosovim mlijekom. Pokrijte i krckajte 1 1/2 - sata, ili dok meso ne omeksa. Servirajte sa rizom ili nekim .Indijskim hljebom 

Olive Oil and Yogurt Bundt Cake

Recipes like this following-one are so handy to have; you can always adapt them to use seasonal fruit or what you have in your pantry/fridge. Or, simply flavour it with some vanilla or lemon zest. Delicious and stays long fresh...Oh, and not to many saturated fats.

Ingredients:

3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar (or 1/2 sugar,  1/2 stevia ) 
2 tsp vanilla (or zest of a lemon + 1/2 tbs juice)
3/4 cup yogurt (thick)
150 ml olive oil
1 1/2 cup SR flour
Fruit (strawberries, cherries, blueberries...) - optional
* Toppings- juice of 1/2 a lemon + some zest mixed with 2/3 cup icing sugar; or crushed berries + some sugar, quickly boiled/microwaved; or icing sugar. 
Method:
Preheat oven to 180*C, prepare bundt pan.
Beat eggs and sugar into thick, fluffy foam. Add yogurt, oil and flavourings, mix well. Switch mixer off, sift flour on top and fold in. Transfer mixture into pan. (If using fruit, place it in the middle). Bake for 35+ minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool slightly, then turn it onto serving plate. Choose one of toppings and finish your bundt. 

Kuglof sa Jogurtom i Maslinovim Uljem

Recept mozete iskoristiti sa sezonskim bobicavim vocem ili sta vec imate u frizideru/zamrzivacu. Zamirisan vanilom ili limunovom koricom je takodje dobar. Ukusan, bez mnogo zasicenih masti i ostaje dugo svjez.

Potrebno:

3 jaja
3/4 solje secera (stavila sam 1/2 secera, 1/2 stevie)
2 k vanila ekstrakta (ili ribana korica limuna + 1/2 K soka)
3/4 solje cvrstog jogurta
150 ml maslinovog ulja
1 1/2 solja samodizajuceg brasna
Voce (jagode, tresnje, borovnice...) - opciono
* Prelivi- sok 1/2 limuna + malo ribane korice izmijesano sa 2/3 solje secera u prahu; ili zgnjecene bobice sa malo secera, na brzinu prokuhano; ili secer u prahu 
Nacin:
Zagrijte rernu na 180*C; pripremite kalup za kuglof.
Umutite jaja i secer u gustu pjenu, dodajte jogurt, ulje i arome. Iskljucite mikser pa prosijte brasno na povrsinu, zatim lagano rukom umijesajte. Uspite u kalup; ako koristite voce stavite ga u sredinu. Pecite oko 35+ minuta, ili dok ubodena cackalica ne izadje cista. Ostavite prohladiti, zatim preokrenite kuglof na tanjir za serviranje i ukrasite jednim od navedenih preliva.