Sweet Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin season brings us plenty pumpkin spice dish ideas every year. Today we are happy to share quick recipe for lunch, dinner or dessert.
Why is it perfect for each meal? That’s easy: our pancakes recipe is simple, so it doesn’t take you a lot of time; it is semi-sweet and appetizing. Moreover, this is classical European pancake dough recipe, which excludes using baking soda and baking powder. You just need basic ingredients to prepare pancakes.

Thin pancakes filled with mashed pumpkin and apple, poured with maple syrup and decorated by whipped cream.  Prefect fall meal for whole family. 

Total time: 15 min

Servings: 8 pancakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 oz water
• 1 cup milk
• Pinch of salt
• Butter or vegetable oil for frying
• 16 tablespoon Pumpkin & apple puree (2 Tbsp for each pancake)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Maple syrup

DIRECTIONS

1. Blend flour, eggs, water, milk and salt together, until smooth.
2. Preheat frying pan with butter or oil.
3. Pour 1 ladle of batter for each pancake. Flip the cake, when the pancake’s bottom is golden and cook the other side. Transfer to plate.
4. Spread 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree on the pancake. Fold the pancake in half and then in half again. You got triangle shape.
5. Whisk whipping cream in a bowl, until it reaches stiff peaks. (Tip: well whipped cream won’t fall out from the bowl, after turning it upside down.)
6. Pour triangle pancake with maple syrup and decorate with whipped cream. I put 1 tablespoon cream for pancake, but you may take more if you wish.
7. Stick almonds into whipped cream and serve.

                                                                                                 A&A

Vintage breakfast idea – farmer's cheese

We are pleased to share with you our favorite simple and quick recipe for natural, old-school breakfast. It is made from probiotic farmer cheese, fresh chives and radish.  It tastes delicious when you eat it with fresh-baked bread.

Farmer cheese is a dairy product, popular and common in Europe. It is widely used as an ingredient for main dishes, side dishes, salads, sandwiches, desserts, cheesecakes. In Europe farmer cheese is available in most grocery stores, however in some parts of USA it’s barely known. We have found farmer cheese which is quite similar to European one. It’s Lifeway Farmer Cheese Probiotic, we use it to prepare our breakfast. 

INGRENDIENTS

• 1  lb farmer’s cheese
• 3 chopped radishes
• Chives
• 2 pinches salt
• 2 pinches pepper (we used lemon pepper)
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix farmer’s cheese with yogurt. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Chopped radish and chives. You can sliced one radish to decorate your dish before serving.
3. Add chopped vegetables to farmer’s cheese and mix together. 

                                                                                                       A&A

Almond oil - beauty and health benefits

Almond oil is made from sweet almond seeds and is one of the most valuable natural oils. It is thought, that almond oil provides beauty and health benefits, thus it is widely used in cosmetics, cooking and to support medical problems treatment.

The excellent Almond oil’s properties result from its natural nutrients content, such as: fiber, vitamin A, B, D, E and high level of fatty acid – oleic acid and linoleic acid. It is believed, that almond oil soothes, tones and moisturizes skin, prevents natural aging, supports immune system and has anti-inflammatory effect. 

Almond oil is made from sweet almond seeds and is one of the most valuable natural oils. It is thought, that almond oil provides beauty and health benefits, thus it is widely used in cosmetics, cooking and to support medical problems treatment.

The excellent Almond oil’s properties result from its natural nutrients content, such as: fiber, vitamin A, B, D, E and high level of fatty acid – oleic acid and linoleic acid. It is believed, that almond oil soothes, tones and moisturizes skin, prevents natural aging, supports immune system and has anti-inflammatory effect.

This almond oil I've found in Whole Foods.

Almond oil may improve hair strength and beauty.
Almond oil may be used as a conditioner for damaged, dry hair.  Small amount of almond oil, applied to the ends of hair, smooths and nourishes hair and prevents split ends.

Almond oil may prevent heart diseases.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory almond oil’s properties reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.  Almond oil also lowers level of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases level of HDL (good cholesterol).

Almond oil may be good for digestive system.
Almond oil may decrease risk of colon cancer and is natural remedy for constipation.

Cooking with almond oil.
You have to know, that there are two kinds of almond oil – refined and cold-pressed, which are different in properties.

• Refined almond oil – is stable in high temperature, so it can be used in baking or frying. Nevertheless it doesn’t provide strong almond taste to dishes. During baking you may replace butter or other oils by almond oil. 
• Cold-pressed almond oil – has low smoke point and can’t withstand high temperatures, but it provides strong almond flavor to dishes. You may use it as an ingredient of smoothie or salad dressing.

Choose cold-pressed almond oil to tend your skin and hair beauty. Unrefined oil contains much more nutritional value, which can benefit your body.

Almond oil from Whole Foods.

                                                     

                                                                                    A&A

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Summer is gone. Well, it is still very hot in some countries of Europe, but astronomical summer ended on 22^nd of September. We’re wondering how to say goodbye to holidays and this is the result of our thoughts – Lemon Cookies!

There is nothing better than huge bite of fresh, sweet and light lemon flavor cookie. It recalls all summer fruit, sunbeams and happiness. Glorious sugar sparkle and crinkled texture provide additional charm to cookies.

For us, the most important thing is that, there is no artificial flavors and colors in our Lemon Sugar Cookie recipe. To obtain lemon flavor we used Meyer lemon, which is a cross between lemon and a mandarin orange. Meyer lemon is sweeter than true lemon. 

Preparing time:  10 minutes
Baking time: 12-13 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies

INGRENDIENS

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 5 oz unsalted butter (10 tablespoon)
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3-1/2 lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and lemon juice and beat thoroughly.
3. In separate bowl combine flour, baking soda and salt.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to wet mixture.
5. Scoop 1 large teaspoon cookie dough, form it into ball and roll in sugar.
6. Place cookie balls on baking paper and bake for 12-13 minutes.
7. Let cool before serving.

Enjoy perfect and delicious Lemon Sugar Cookies!

                                                                 A&A

Cranberries, Oatmeal, Coconut Oil – Chocolate Chip Cookies

Quick recipe for wholesome and delicious cookies. Perfect for coffee break, children’s snack and unexpected guests.

We recommend to use brown sugar instead of granulated white sugar – each kind of sugar has different impact on the dough. Brown sugar made moister, denser and darker-colored cookies. Granulated sugar made thinner and crispier cookies. Furthermore brown sugar is less caloric than white sugar. 

Total time: 25 minutes

Servings: 30 cookies                                               

INGREDIENTS

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cream sugar, coconut oil and eggs in a bowl until light and fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl combine flour, oats, salt and baking soda.
4. Add dry mixture to the wet ingredients in several small additions and mix well.
5. Stir in cranberries and chocolate chips.
6. Take 1 tablespoon dough scoop and form it with your hands into shapely cookie. Place it onto prepared cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Let cool before serving. 

                                                                                 A&A

Fig and Blue Cheese Pizza

Seeking inspirations for family dinner or party with friends?
You are just in the right place! Here is an easy recipe for attractive and uncommon pizza, which will surprise and delight your guests.

Preparing time: 1,5h  
Cook time: 20 minutes                                Yield: 2 medium sized pizzas

INGREDIENTS
Pizza dough:

• 3,5 cups flour
• 2 teaspoon instant yeast
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 6 teaspoons water

Toppings:

• Sliced figs
• Blue cheese (you can use Mozzarella)
• Fresh, chopped thyme, oregano and rosemary
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

For the dough:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine flour, yeast, sugar and salt in one bowl and mix together well. Afterwards add olive oil and water. Mix the ingredients.
3. Knead the pizza dough until the dough is smooth and delicate. You can knead it with your hands or use mixing paddle.
4. Form dough into sphere, cover it and place in warm spot. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size, at least 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Divide the dough in two pieces. Put one piece of dough on cutting board and form it into disk with your hands. Use a small amount of flour to prevent dough stickiness.
6. Place pizza disk on the parchment paper and stretch out into a round – with your hands or use a rolling pin. Leave the dough disk thicker, if you prefer more fluffy pizza bottom.  

Kneaded dough - let the dough rise for about 1h.

After an hour, the dough has doubled in size.

For the pizza:

1. Apply a thin layer of olive oil on the top of the dough.
2. Lay the fig slices and sprinkle with blue cheese – especially in gaps between fruit.
3. Add chopped herbs - thyme, oregano and rosemary, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 20 minutes (or until the dough is golden) in preheated oven. Remember to bake one pizza at a time.

You can also use Mozzarella instead of Blue Cheese. Below is our second pizza with Mozzarella.

  Enjoy your simple and self-made pizza!

                       A&A

What is European Kefir?

Ladies, how about starting your day with champagne?!

Can you believe it could be a healthy and wise choice for your morning routine?

Champagne we are writing about today is a unique and nutritious dairy drink called KEFIR.

Kefir (pronounced ke-feer) is a fizzy and refreshing milk smoothie, rich in active probiotic bacteria, proteins, calcium and vitamin D.

Kefir has been known in Middle and Eastern Europe for hundreds years and has been derived from cow, goat or sheep milk in natural fermentation process. This is why some call it “ the champagne of dairy” nowadays.

In your kitchen, kefir may be used as a smoothie base to be blended with different fruit or as a plain drink paired with grissini sticks.  There are many flavors and types of kefir in the market, but we strongly advise to choose plain/ traditional/ original.
It is always best to opt for food without sugar and artificial flavors!





Kefir has many health benefits such as:

             Probiotic properties  Antibacterial properties
Source of healthy nutrient
 Lowers risk of osteoporosis
 Helps solve digestive problems
 Boosts immune health.

Kefir is rich in live active probiotic cultures that support digestive health. Lifeway original kefir contains 12 live, active probiotic cultures such as Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei, Lb. rhamnosus, Lb. plantarum.

The good news about kefir as a dairy product is that it is nearly 99% lactose free and may be drunk by people with lactose intolerance.

Another kefir worth recommending is Siggi’s  plain Swedish style filmjӧlk. It consists of two ingredients only- pasteurized skim milk and live active cultures. I appreciate Siggi’s for using only simple ingredients and minimalizing sugar in their dairy products. Similarly to Lifeway kefir, Siggi’s filmjӧlk tastes wonderfully with fruit, granola, oats or grissini sticks.

If you are willing to introduce kefir or filmjӧlk (which is very similar) to your diet, start with one cup a day for a week and for best results combine it with breakfast or lunch in the beginning. Than you may drink up to two cups daily- it is a reasonable amount for a healthy person. Avoid drinking kefir day by day for a long periods of time. Remember, that you diet should be balanced and it is wise to eat a large variety of healthy foods.

          We will share some easy kefir recipes popular in Middle/ Northern/ Eastern Europe soon!                        
                                                                             A&A

Papaya, Banana & Ginger Smoothie

Perfect drink for early fall mornings!
The autumn is coming and summer laziness turned into busy working days. Prepare yourself to face everyday challenges by drinking this invigorating smoothie.

Health effects:

PAPAYA

•  Anti-aging effect - Vitamin C, Vit. E and antioxidants, including beta-carotene, can neutralize free radicals, which are responsible for cell damages.
• May prevent cancer – papaya is rich in lycopene (red carotene), which is believed to reduce risk of cancer.
• Remedy for constipation – papaya’s enzyme – papain – helps improve digestion.
• Prevents infections – papaya is highly rich in Vitamin C.
• It is believed that papaya prevents hearth diseases -  fiber in papaya decrease high cholesterol level.

BANANA

• May protect against high blood pressure – bananas are rich in potassium and low in sodium.
• Gives energy – banana’s fructose (natural sugar) is processing into glucose – fuel, which body can use for energy.
• Helps produce hemoglobin – Vitamin B6 in bananas is important in hemoglobin production – a protein responsible for carrying oxygen in blood.
• Helps to feeling full – due to content of dietary fiber, starch and pectin.

GINGER – ginger processing decrease its health benefits, but still grounded ginger has gingerol – one of the ginger’s oils, that is responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Another compound is shogaol (higher level in grounded than in fresh ginger) which has strong anti-cough effect. Both gingerol and shogaol help reduce blood pressure.

 

Preparing time: 10min

Servings: 2 smoothies

Ingredients:

·        1/3 medium-sized papaya fruit

·        1 banana

·        2 pinches of grounded ginger

·        1 cup kefir (Lifeway plain kefir or Siggi’s plain filmjölk kefir)

Preparing smoothie:

Combine all ingredients in body of a blender and blend until smooth.  Or…

To obtain two fruit-layers of smoothie: blend banana and kefir separately from papaya and ginger.  

                       

                                                          

  A&A