Thursday, February 24, 2011

Poppy Seeds Strudel

I was away from the blog for some days… but not just from the blog… I was away from work, from my family life, kitchen, from all that matters…
A few days of a lot of pain until it started to get better thanks to some physiotherapy, medication… and, as soon as I felt a bit better, I went to the kitchen. I wanted to prepare something simple, that would make me feel better, and I remembered the poppy seeds strudel. Something really common for eastern countries, something I love with a glass of milk, something really comforting.
And it was so good to come back to the kitchen… to relax listening to music and cooking and to make something I love to eat.

Estive afastada do blog por alguns dias… mas não foi apenas do blog… Estive afastada do trabalho, da minha vida familiar, da cozinha, de tudo o que importa…
Alguns dias de bastante dor até ter começado a melhorar graças a alguma fisioterapia, medicação… e, assim que me senti um bocadinho melhor, fui para a cozinha. Queria fazer algo simples, que me poderia fazer sentir melhor, e lembrei-me do strudel de sementes de papoila. É algo muito usual nos países de Leste, algo que eu adoro com um copo de leite, algo muito reconfortante.
E foi tão bom voltar à cozinha… relaxar ao som da música e cozinhar e fazer algo que adoro comer.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Berry Tart

My mother’s hands... despite she doesn’t like them, I think they are really pretty. You look at them and you can see they passed a lot, they speak about experience, dedication and care for others. They implore for respect. Their touch is rough but full of love... I love them!!!

As mãos da minha mãe... apesar de ela não gostar, eu acho-as muito bonitas. Olha-se para elas e consegue-se ver que passaram por bastante, falam sobre experiência, dedicação e do cuidar de outros. Elas imploram por respeito. O seu toque é áspero mas cheio de amor... Adoro-as!!!

Friday, February 18, 2011

My mother's remedy

The remedy that my mother uses to defeat flu is: hot homemade bread, garlic and bacon…we would sit in the evening and have that for dinner.. and as much garlic you eat she would be happier (and we would need to be sure that nobody is coming for a visit when we do this kind of cure).
With the weather we had in the last days in Lisbon, and all the people around me coughing and sneezing, I remembered my mother’s remedy. And.. it tasted good!!!
We are still good, nobody sick at home, so I guess it works!!!

O remédio que a minha mãe usa para derrotar a gripe é: pão quente caseiro, alho e bacon…costumávamos sentar-nos à noite e comer isso ao jantar.. e, quanto mais alho comêssemos, mais contente ela ficava (e teríamos de nos assegurar que não haveria visitas quando fizéssemos este tipo de cura).
Com este tempo que tivemos nos últimos dias em Lisboa, e com todas as pessoas à minha volta a tossir e a espirrar, lembrei-me do remédio da minha mãe. E.. soube tão bem!!!
Ainda estamos bons, ninguém adoeceu em casa, por isso acho que resulta!!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

My kids favourite snack

I'm always surprised with the phases that my kids have on their 'favorite food department'. One day they adore one thing and just a few days after they don’t want it anymore. When they were babies they would eat almost everything, even some flavors I couldn’t even imagine small kids would eat... but with school things started to change.
I always try to add new flavors, new spices in our daily menu... simply because I can’t limit myself to what my kids want to eat (if I do it I would end eating fried potatoes and stakes all the time {*smile}), and I am happy when they react well on that.

As for snack department... well... that is a big temptation. I made something being sure they will love it and at the end it is M. eating all of it.
A few weeks ago they started with Salame phase... Salame is a typical Portuguese sweet, really easy to make. So, after buying a few times in shops, I decided to make it at home... kids smashed cookies, I made cacao base and then the most difficult part... Salame went to a fridge and we had to wait for the next day to be able to eat it.
Results were, as you can see, quite good.

Let’s see what the next phase will be {*smile}

*****

Fico sempre surpreendida com as fases dos meus filhos no ‘departamento de comida preferida’. Um dia adoram uma coisa e, apenas alguns dias depois, já não a querem. Quando eram bebés comiam quase tudo, até sabores que eu nunca imaginei que crianças poderiam comer… mas com a escola as coisas começaram a mudar.
Tento sempre adicionar novos sabores, novos condimentos no nosso menu diário… simplesmente porque não me posso limitar ao que os miúdos querem comer (se o fizesse, acabaria por comer sempre batatas fritas e bifes {*smile}), e fico feliz quando eles reagem bem.

Quanto ao departamento dos snacks... bem... isso é uma grande tentação. Fiz algo tendo a certeza de que iriam adorar mas no final foi o M. que acabou por comer tudo.
Há algumas semanas atrás eles começaram a fase do Salame... O Salame é um doce típico Português, bastante fácil de fazer. Então, depois de comprá-lo algumas vezes nas pastelarias, decidi fazê-lo em casa... as crianças esmagaram as bolachas, eu fiz a base de cacau e depois a parte mais difícil... o Salame foi para o frigorífico e tivemos que esperar pelo próximo dia para o poder comer.
O resultado foi, como podem ver, muito bom.

Vamos ver qual será a próxima fase {*smile}

Monday, February 14, 2011

My way...


Amar, Beijar, Abraçar, Sorrir... e não apenas hoje mas sim TODOS os dias!!!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Great start for weekend....

Saturday started as all the others... sunny, calm, with a lot of plans for the weekend. I woke up earlier then the rest of my family and started to make pancakes but I realised that we don't have milk in the house (how is that possible????).
OK... dressed and went for a morning shopping. 'Really nice day', I thought on the way... little bit cold but with a lot of sun.
I bought milk and Saturday newspapers and saw this:


Isn't it the greatest start of a day? I loved Sancha's article in Expresso Única and was so proud !!!

What do you think?

*****

O Sábado começou como todos os outros... solarengo, calmo, com bastantes planos para o fim-de-semana. Acordei mais cedo do que o resto da minha familia ecomecei a fazer panquecas mas apercebi-me que não havia leite em casa (como é possível????).
OK... vesti-me e fui para umas comprinhas matinais. 'Que dia fantástico', pensei no caminho... um bocadinho de frio mas com muito sol.
Comprei leite e o jornal de Sábado e vi isto…
Não é a melhor maneira de começar o dia? Adorei o artigo da Sancha na Única do Expresso e fiquei tão orgulhosa!!!

O que acham?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Chocolate Cheesecake


My father uses to tell me really often that the only thing I should invest in my life are friendships. It is something to take care of and grow all lifelong. And yes... I am trying to follow his advice. Ten years ago I had to start everything from scratch and nowadays I am really happy with what I built. I have great people around me. Anyway I am really happy when somebody new comes in my life. This weekend we had guests for dinner... really nice time around a table. Some old, already confirmed recipes and one new... chocolate cheesecake. Great talk around the desk and time flew.
But I am sure of one thing... this creamy chocolate sin announced 2 new friendships, 2 new lovely friends entered my life *smile*

*The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook

for the base:
200g digestive biscuits
2 tbs cocoa powder
150g unsalted butter, melted

for the filling:
900g cream cheese
190g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F) gas 2. For the base, roughly break up the digestive biscuits and put them in a food processor with the cocoa powder. Process until finely ground. Slowly pour the melted butter into the processor while the motor is running. Press this mixture into the base of the prepared cake tin. Refrigerate while you make the topping.
Put the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in a electric mixer and beat on slow speed until you get a very smooth, thick mixture. Add one egg at a time while still mixing. The mixture should be very smooth and creamy.
Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water . Leave until melted and smooth. Spoon a little of the cream cheese mixture into the melted chocolate, stir to mix, then add a little more. Eventually stir all the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate mixture and mix until well combined and smooth.
Spoon the mixture onto the cold cheesecake base. Put the tin inside a larger tin or in a deep baking tray and fill with water until it reaches two-thirds of the way up the cake tin. Bake for 40-50 minutes, checking regularly after 40 minutes to make sure it isn't burning. Leave the cheesecake to cool slightly in the tin, then cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

*****

O meu pai costuma dizer-me regularmente que a única coisa que devo investir na minha vida é nas amizades. É algo para cuidar e fazer crescer ao longo da vida. E sim... tento seguir o seu conselho. Há dez anos tive que começar tudo do zero e hoje estou bastante contente com o que construi. Estou rodeada por grandes pessoas. De qualquer forma fico muito contente quando alguém novo entra na minha vida. Este fim-de-semana tivemos convidados para o jantar... foi muito bom o tempo passado à mesa. Algumas receitas antigas, já confirmadas e uma nova... cheesecake de chocolate. Óptimas conversas em torno da mesa e o tempo voou.
Mas tenho a certeza de uma coisa... este pecado cremoso de chocolate anunciou 2 novas amizades, 2 novos amigos queridos entraram na minha vida *smile*

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

La Buena Vida

What can I say about La Buena Vida, a blog that I'm following on a daily basis? There is not much to say but a lot to see… one click is enough to be transferred to some other world… a world of B&W, or strong colours, a world full of emotions. When I look at Nicole’s photos I think I can feel the state of mind that she was and what she felt in the moment of taking them. She knows how to transfer it to us and she does it perfectly. I discovered her blog some months ago but I went through every single page, through all her trips, meals, photos… and I wanted more… more of her photography, more to look at!!!

Take your time and enjoy her words and photography.

*Your passion for food was something that started really early in your life… photography was something that came along?

Yes, I've been passionate about food since as early as I can remember. I remember watching cooking shows as a child and I started cooking and experimenting around the age of ten. I got my first restaurant job at 14 and things just keep evolving from there. I used to always stand at the line and ask the chefs every detail of why they did what they did. It's something that even 15 years later I never get tired of. Being in a kitchen and around food is my life.

*How did the idea of the blog came in?

Last year on a cold winter night I decided to make soup. I thought it might be nice to try and expand my photography into my cooking. So I started taking photos of what I was making on a regular basis. With that I started getting more into making the photos look better and better. Teaching myself and studying images from other photographers I adored. I started loving it more and more and really started putting a ton of attention into it. I love blogging now and I am quite proud of how much I have come in a little under a year. I love the people who support me, they make it worth while and keep me going!

* Now you are a professional photographer and your photos are absolutely stunning… is there any preference in themes?

One thing I love about photography is that it is always a learning process. My style changes and I see things differently. Its through trial and error, I will shoot something and then stare at it for days and think to myself what I will change in the future? It's important to critique yourself so you can continue to grow. I think it's also important to see what's out there, I look at other photographer's images all day. I know I would probably look at things differently if I had gone to photography school and had a better knowledge of photo history. Photography for me has always been my way of expressing how I see the world or better yet how I want to make the world look. I like to make photos feel warm and rich. I like to make beautiful images that people want to be part of. Its all about creating eye candy by enhancing what may be commonly overlooked.

*Is it hard to get through in NY photo scene?

I am not really sure about this question. I really have only just started to get my foot in the door. I have only been shooting food for about a year. I think that New York City is a very challenging place for anyone. There is always someone who is better then you. You have to keep working hard and be really passionate about what you do or you won't make it. This city is filled with really talented artists that are the best at their craft. Let your guard down for just a moment and someone has ran circles around you. Some people are lucky and know the right people, they have an easier ride to the top. While others have to work their butts off to be noticed and recognized. I am definitely the 'work my butt off' type. Hopefully I will continue to get better and good opportunities will come my way. Fingers crossed.

*Do you like to cook for others or you also cook when you are alone, just for yourself?

I love to cook for myself and my boyfriend. I cook all the time alone but sharing it with someone really does make it special. I really do just enjoy being in the kitchen and making things. I get so much pleasure from the actual cooking process and the finished product. I have all these lovely ideas of lavish dinner parties but I never seem to make it happen. Maybe it's the lack of space in my small apartment? If I had a back yard and a grill I think I would be more likely to have regular dinner parties. For now I keep it close, cooking mostly for me and my loved one.

*Sweet or savor? Dessert or main meal?

When I cook its mostly savory. To be honest I suck at baking and desserts. Its one of those things I feel completely clueless about. I try to make bread and I can't seem to get it right. I make a dessert and its never perfect. I am not one to ever follow recipes, I look at recipes for inspiration and then I make my own version. I think with baking and desserts you have to be really precise and I am just not good with that. I love sweets and admire all those who can prepare them well. We usually just indulge in really posh chocolates.

*Organic food or not and why?

All the way! I have some very strong opinions about food politics. I try to buy organic only, it can be tough and very expensive. I regularly get frustrated at how much things cost in the food department. A few days ago I was at the local market and they were charging something like 8 dollars for a container of raspberries. It shouldn't have to be that way. In America we did so many things wrong, I think industrial farming could have been one of our biggest mistakes. I am happy to see more and more small local farms making a come back, seeing more people demand healthier better quality food. I hope someday we will fill this huge disconnect with people and food. Knowing where your food is coming from and what it is is so important. During the spring/summer/fall I try to shop primarily at my local farmers market. Winter is more of a challenge because the selection is minimal. In an ideal world I would have my own little sustainable farm. Growing fruits and vegetables, making my own cheese from my animals, having bees for honey. I love all that stuff and I want it close to me. For now I will keep good relationships with my local farmers. Keep it up!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Blueberry Muffin and Guest Post


We had the honour to do a guest post on a lovely blog called {a place for twigs}. You can find the recipe for these great blueberry muffins here.

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Tivemos a honra de fazer um post como convidado num blog amoroso chamado {a place for twigs}. Podem encontrar a receita destes maravilhosos muffins de mirtilo aqui.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Orange Upside Down Cake

It's the season of oranges and I love it!!!
Got a BIG bag full of oranges from a friend and, besides making juice, I gave it a try on a new recipe.
Donna Hay’s Orange Upside Down Cake...
Moist, Sticky, Great Vanilla-Orange Scent...

Have a nice sweet weekend!!!

*****

É a estação das laranjas e eu adoro-a!!!
Recebi de uma amiga um saco ENORME cheio de laranjas e, para além de fazer sumo, decidi experimentar uma nova receita.
Upside Down Cake de Laranja da Donna Hay...
Húmido, Pegajoso, com um fantástico aroma Baunilha-Laranja...

Tenham um óptimo e doce fim-de-semana!!!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Lavander Cookies and one of these days...


There are days that I feel like somebody take me from the real world and put me into the twilight zone, just to test how much I am able to stand.
How is it possible that so many absolutely ridiculous things happen to someone in 24h???
Well... what I try to do in days like this? Try as much as I can not to stress, observe things with higher level of calmness and wait until everything pass... and, if possible, take some tea with good homemade cookies :-).


Há dias em que sinto que parece que alguém me tira do mundo real e me põe na twilight zone, apenas para testar o quanto eu sou capaz de aguentar.
Como é que é possível acontecerem tantas coisas absolutamente ridículas a alguém em 24h???
Bem... o que tento fazer num dia destes? Tento o melhor que consigo não entrar em stress, observar as situações num estado superior de calma e esperar até que tudo passe... e, se possivel, tomar um chá com umas bolachas caseiras óptimas :-).