Heart-shaped Ice Cream

This heart-shaped Ice Cream will please your significant other without having to spend the whole day cooking. Ice cream in the shape of a heart served with a cloud of whipping cream dusted with grated chocolate. This icy dessert will melt hearts!

Heart-shaped Ice Cream

Natalija
Choose your favorite sorbet or ice cream flavor (or your significant other’s) and serve this dessert with whipping cream, chocolate and fruit.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g chocolate ice cream (or another your favorite ice cream/sorbet )
  • 50 ml heavy whipping cream ( 35%) very cold
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Grated chocolate
  • Few red berries (blueberry, raspberry…)

Instructions
 

  • Take the ice cream out of the freezer and leave it out for 5 minutes to make it softer. Put the ice cream in a heart shaped mold. Cover with plastic wrap and put it back in the freezer for around 45 minutes.
  • Submerge the mold under hot water for a couple seconds (wipe the water off of the mold with a towel so that the serving plate does not get wet).
  • Remove the ice cream from the mold onto a plate. Put the plate into the freezer.
  • Whip the heavy cream with the sugar until fluffy. Don’t over beat.
  • When serving, put the whipping cream on the heart. Decorate with nuts, grated chocolate, and red berries. Serve right away.
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Easy poached pears with chocolate

The pears are poached with a vanilla bean and a bit of sugar. Then, they are cooled down and sprinkled with shredded chocolate. This is a very easy recipe to make and will be perfect for a special event or holidays.

Easy poached pears with chocolate

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pears
  • 750 ml water
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean cut in half longwise
  • 50 g dark chocolate
  • Some Fresh mint

Instructions
 

  • Peel the pears.
  • Cut them in half, then core.
  • In the pot, bring water to a boil with sugar and vanilla bean.
  • Add the pears and boil for 10 to 15 minutes, until they became soft but keep their shape. Remove the pot from the heat and let the pears cool in the syrup.
  • To serve, drain the pears well. Then place each half on an individual plate.
  • Sprinkle with shredded chocolate and decorate with mint.
  • You can also serve this dessert in a glass.
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Peach Melba

This is my version of a classical dessert “Peach Melba”. You just need roasted peaches, a red berry sauce and an exquisite whipped cream.

Peach Melba

Natalija
If you’re in a hurry or you don’t have fresh peaches, just use canned peaches.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 peaches
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar (or sugar)
  • 250 g berries (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries)…)
  • 200 ml heavy whipping cream ( 35%) very cold
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 l vanilla ice cream
  • Some dark chocolate
  • Some sliced almonds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 390 degrees F. Line one baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cut the peaches in half, and remove the stones. Place the peach halves on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
  • Bake in the oven about 35 minutes until the peaches are tender. Remove from the oven, let them cool down completely, then carefully peel the skin.
  • Rinse and drain fresh berries and puree them until smooth. Pass the puree through a fine sieve to remove all tiny seeds.
  • Whip the heavy cream with the sugar until fluffy. Don’t over beat.
  • In each glass, put one half of peach and one ball of vanilla ice cream.
  • Pour 2 tablespoons of berries puree.
  • Add the whipped cream and finish with chocolate crumbs and sliced almonds. Serve right away.
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Green Tomatoes Jam

Don’t know what to do with the left-over green tomatoes from your summer harvest? Jam, of course! This recipe is extremely easy. Try it for breakfast, on top of bread, or as an appetizer with some cheese.

Green Tomatoes Jam

Natalija
For this recipe, I like to use green cherries tomatoes, so that they don’t need to be peeled. However, if your tomatoes are big and have thick skin, you may need to peel them.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 10 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg green tomatoes
  • 3/4 inch ginger (optional)
  • 2 lemons
  • 650 g sugar

Instructions
 

  • Cut the tomatoes into wedges. Peel and grate the ginger, and press the lemon.
  • In a pot, combine the tomatoes, sugar, ginger, and lemon juice. Cover and let sit all night.
  • The next day, remove the cover and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for about 35 minutes, stirring frequently. Skim if needed. The cooking time depends of how much water is in the tomatoes. Don’t over cook. When the jam is cooled down, it will be less liquid.
  • Pour the jam into a clean jar and cover it with its lid.
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King Cake (Galette des Rois)

This King Cake (Galette des Rois) is a very popular French pie. It celebrates the holiday of Epiphany, the day when 3 wise men came bearing gifts for newborn Jesus. The traditional way to bake this king cake is to place a porcelain figurine, a charm or “fève” into the center of the galette.  The person who receives the slice with the charm is “King of the Day”. The lucky winner gets to wear a (paper) crown for the rest of the day!

King Cake (Galette des Rois)

Natalija
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting time (refrigerator) 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup (100 g) softened butter
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) almond flour
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp rum (optional)
  • 2 sheets ready-to-use puff pastry ( Puff Pastry Sheets)
  • 1 egg yolk

Instructions
 

  • Beat the softened butter and sugar together, then beat in the eggs. Stir in the almond powder. Add vanilla, rum and set it aside.
  • Roll out one sheet of puff pastry. Poke holes with fork.
  • Spread the almond filling over the center of the dough, leaving a 1 inch (1.2 cm) exposed border. If you wish, place a little porcelain figurine “fève” somewhere in the almond filling.
  • Brush the edges of the pastry with water and cover with another circle of dough on top and press down to seal the edges.
  • Brush with beaten yolk then use a paring knife to create a design on top of your galette,
    Poke 8-10 holes in the top, to allow steam to escape while baking.
  • Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 380 degrees F. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. (Bake on the bottom rack of the oven).
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Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël) is the French roll cake very popular during the Holiday season. This is a delicious version of Yule Log you can make at home using very simple ingredients you can find in every store.

Bûche à la crème chantilly et ganache au chocolat

Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

Natalija
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 55 minutes
Servings 10 servings

Ingredients
  

Sugar syrup

  • 150 g sugar
  • 300 ml water

Chocolate ganache

  • 200 ml heavy whipping cream ( 35%)
  • 200 g dark chocolate (60-70% cacao)
  • 15 g unsalted butter

Biscuit

  • 4 eggs (at room temperature)
  • 120 g sugar
  • 120 g all purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder

Chantilly cream

  • 250 ml heavy whipping cream ( 35%) very cold
  • 100 g mascarpone cheese
  • 1.25 Tbsp sugar

Decoration

  • Few meringues, pieces of chocolat

Instructions
 

Sugar syrup

  • In a small pot, bring cold water and sugar to the boil. Keep boiling for a few minutes, stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool down. When the syrup is cold, you may add vanilla or the Triple Sec liqueur (optional).

Biscuit

  • Preheat oven to 380 degrees F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes thick, fluffy, and triples in volume.
  • Using a spatula, gently fold in flour and cocoa powder.
  • Spread the batter evenly in thin layer into the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in center of biscuit comes out clean.
  • Turn upside down onto clean kitchen towel and carefully remove parchment paper. Let cool down.

Chocolate ganache

  • Boil the heavy whipping cream. Pour the boiling cream over the dark chocolate. Wait for one minute.
  • Then mix it until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add butter and mix until this is fully dissolved.
  • Let cool the ganache for about 30 minutes in the fridge. Mix and check frequently: the ganache is ready when it’s not anymore liquid and has a spreadable texture.

Chantilly cream

  • Beat together very cold heavy cream and cold mascarpone cheese until this is whipped. Keep gradually adding sugar.

Assemblage

  • Paint the biscuit with sugar syrup.
  • Spread the chantilly cream evenly over the biscuit.
  • Roll up firmly.
  • Tightly cover with plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge until chocolate ganache is ready.
  • Remove the plastic wrap. Spread the ganache over the cake. Using a fork make lines to look like a log. Transfer the cake to a serving platter and let stand in the fridge for a night or at least 3 hours.
  • Before serving, dust with cacao cocoa powder and decorate with meringues or pieces of chocolate.

Notes

  •  
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Pickled Cabbage

For my version of pickled cabbage, cabbage and carrots are marinated with vinegar. This is an easy recipe and ready to eat the next day!

Pickled Cabbage

Natalija
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 12 hours 3 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 lb cabbage
  • 3-4 carrots
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 Tbsp salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup 6% vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Cut, core and shred cabbage finely.
  • Peel the carrots and grate.
  • Peel the garlic and cut each clove into 4 pieces.
  • Place vegetables in a mason jar.
  • Meanwhile, in a large pot, boil water with salt, sugar and olive oil. Remove from the heat and add vinegar.
  • Pour hot marinade over the cabbage and let it cool completely.
  • Cover with tight lid and store it in the refrigerator. Cabbage will be ready in 12 hours.
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Walnut and Almond Cake

If you like almonds and walnuts, you will love this savory cake. Crush up walnuts and use almond flour to make this easy, quick, and delicious dessert.

Gâteau aux noix et aux amandes

Walnut and Almond Cake

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 125 g walnuts
  • 5 eggs
  • 230 g sugar
  • 125 g melted butter
  • 125 g almond flour
  • 80 g all purpose flour
  • Some walnuts halves
  • Some powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
  • Grind the walnuts in a blender. (Keep few walnuts halves to decorate the cake.)
  • Using a mixer beat the eggs with sugar.
  • Add the butter. Mix.
  • Add the walnuts and almond powder. Mix.
  • Add the flour and mix last time.
  • Pour the batter in the pan. Lay slices the walnuts halves on top of the cake.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until а toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Once the cake cools off, then transfer to plate.
  • Dust it with powdered sugar before serving.
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Chocolate King Cake (Galette des Rois)

King Cake is a very popular French pie that celebrates the Epiphany, in early January. My children love this cake as well as chocolate so the Chocolate King Cake makes them twice as happy!

Chocolate King Cake (Galette des Rois)

Natalija
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 100 ml heavy whipping cream
  • 100 g dark chocolate (60-70% cacao)
  • 50 g softened butter
  • 50 g sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 50 g almond flour
  • 2 sheets ready-to-use puff pastry
  • 1 egg yolk

Instructions
 

  • Bring the heavy whipping cream to a boil. Pour it on the chocolate, wait a few seconds then mix well until the mixture is homogeneous.
  • Beat the softened butter and sugar together.
  • Beat in the egg. Mix.
  • Then, add the almond flour and mix well.
  • Add the melted chocolate to the almond preparation and mix well. If this preparation is too thin (because it is still hot), leave to cool in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
  • Roll out one sheet of puff pastry. Spread the chocolate-almond filling over the center of the dough, leaving a 1 inch (1.2 cm) exposed border. If you wish, place a little porcelain figurine “fève” in the filling.
  • Brush the edges of the pastry with water and cover with another circle of dough on top and press down to seal the edges.
  • If you want, with a knife or just with your fingers, decorate the edges.
  • Brush with beaten yolk. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 390F (190C).
  • Brush with yolk one more time. Using a knife, create a design on top of your galette. Poke 3-5 holes, to allow steam to escape while baking.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
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Quick Almond Cake

This is very unique recipe. All you have to do is whisk all the ingredients together in the mixer bowl for 1-2 minutes, bake for 30 minutes and voilà, you can enjoy the cake with your favorite cup of tea.

Быстрый миндальный пирог

Quick Almond Cake

Natalija
You can use any cake pan you like or have. My favorite one is loaf pan, and I usually make it without the almonds on top. Easy to cut and easy to pack for lunch or picnic.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 180 g sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 100 g unsalted butter softened
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 100 g almond flour
  • 60 g all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp sliced almonds (optional)
  • 1 tsp confectioner’s sugar (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 380 degrees F. Grease a cake pan.
  • In a medium bowl whisk all the ingredients together until combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared cake pan. You can sprinkle with almonds if desire.
  • Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove your cake from the oven and allow it to cool. Transfer to a plater. Dust it with powdered sugar before serving.
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