Vanilla Marshmallows with a Middle Eastern Twist

Just a quick post to share with you this packed-with-flavor marshmallow recipe. It is hot chocolate season after all. You tell me, what’s better than a fluffy and pillowy homemade marshmallow to go along with a cup of rich, dark and creamy hot chocolate? My favorite part is when I first add the marshmallow to the hot cup of chocolate and the marshmallow starts to melt. It’s silly but I get really excited, like a little kid. I also want to thank you for an awesome year. I appreciate your visits and comments and I look forward to another year together! Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with health and happiness! 

Love, 

N

Ingredients:

3 packages unflavored gelatin

1 cup light corn syrup 

(preferably vanilla flavor)

1 cup of cold water

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 pinch of salt

1 tablespoon good vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cardamon

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp rose water (optional) 

Confectioners' sugar or corn starch, 

for dusting

Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, add confectioners' sugar to coat the pan completely (remove any excess sugar) and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add 1/2 cup of water and sprinkle the gelatin on top, set aside. In a saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Let it cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F. Turn the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin. Set the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla, rose water, cinnamon and cardamon and whip to combine. Quickly, pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spread evenly. Sift confectioners sugar evenly over top and let it sit uncovered for at least 6 hours or overnight before cutting.

Cinnamon-Apple Crêpes

Probably, like most of you, I’ll start a diet on January but until then, I’ll keep indulging on all the treats this holiday season has to offer. I mean, it’s hard not to. See, when my whole family is together, all we do is eat our way through long conversations. 

When it comes to dessert, everybody has an opinion, but if there is a thing we all agree on, it’s a good crepe. It is truly a crowd pleaser because if you happen to not like certain filling, you can choose another one and it will still be fantastic. When a crepe is good, even a drizzle of honey would do the trick, wouldn’t you agree? 

Luckily, nobody had that problem here. Everybody loved my cinnamon-apple filling. It’s very simple to put together, it takes about 20 minutes to make the filling and the crepe batter can even be done in advance so that you don’t miss on any of the family gossip going on at the table. Here is the recipe, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! 

Ingredients:

For the crêpes:

Ingredients:

makes 12 crepes

1 1/8 cups of flour

2 eggs lightly beaten

1 1/2  cup milk

1/2 cup water

3 tablespoons melted butter,

plus more for the pan

pinch of salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Sift together the flour, salt and sugar. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, milk and water and pour the mixture into the dry ingredients whisking constantly until you get a smooth batter. Stir in the melted butter, cover and let the batter rest in the fridge for 45 minutes.   

Heat a crepe pan and grease with some butter. Pour enough batter to coat the bottom of the pan, make sure it gets spread evenly. Cook over medium heat for about 45 seconds, flip and Cook for another 30 seconds.

For the filling:

3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced 

½ cup sugar

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

Place all the ingredients (except the vanilla) in a saucepan and mix well, let it cook for 15 minutes or until the apples are tender. Stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't stick in the bottom. Once the apples are ready, break them down with a potato masher, add the vanilla, stir well and cook for a minute more. Let it cool before serving.

Christmas Issue!

December is here and with it, my new magazine-styled post, woohoo!! Yes, I’ve been working on a Christmas issue where you will find side dish recipes, drinks and baked goods. You will also find DIY projects like holiday gift cards or a box you can put together yourself!

Click HERE to get it

Also, I’m happy to introduce to you my newly renovated website. There you can see my latest work, photos, videos, illustrations etc. I’ve also put together a gift shop where you’ll find prints, props, vintage finds and other goods. As you see, I have a lot to share with you this Monday so sit back, grab something to drink and read on!