Creamy Zucchini Soup

This deliciuos Creamy Zucchini Soup is extremely easy to cook. Only three main ingredients: zucchinis, onions and milk.

Creamy Zucchini Soup

Natalija
If you like Maggi broth cubes, add one to the soup while it is being boiled. By doing so, it is no longer needed to add salt, pepper, or herbs.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 zucchinis
  • 3 onions
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 3-4 Tbsp olive oil
  • salt and ground pepper
  • 300 ml water
  • 300 ml milk (2%)
  • 100 ml heavy cream
  • 1 tsp mix of herbs de Provence
  • Few pinches of paprika for serving

Instructions
 

  • Peel and chop onions.
  • Peel and chop garlic.
  • Cut the zucchinis.
  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil, add onions and garlic. Cook until golden, while stirring constantly.
  • Add zucchinis, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
  • Add water, milk and heavy cream. The level of liquid should just cover the veggies. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the herbs of Provence and simmer about 20 minutes.
  • Puree the soup with blender until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add some milk or heavy cream. Bring to a boil once again and remove the pan from the heat. Taste the soup, and add salt and pepper accordingly.
  • Serve the creamy soup and don’t forget to sprinkle with paprika or decorate with fresh herbs.
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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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Buckwheat Crepes

The “Galettes de Sarrasin” – traditional french buckwheat crepes that can be served with savory filling: ham & cheese (Galette Jambon Fromage), veggies, eggs, mushrooms, salmon…  The filling option is endless. My Breton husband loves them so much, he eats them plain with butter or with jam.

This recipe is gluten free!

Французские блины из гречневой муки

Buckwheat Crepes

Natalija
One of the most common tips you’re likely to encounter for this buckwheat pancakes is to let the batter rest for at least 2 hours. If overnight, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 12 crepes

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g buckwheat flour sifted
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 350 ml milk
  • 350 ml water
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g melted butter
  • butter for cooking

Instructions
 

  • Combine buckwheat flour with salt, milk and water together.
  • Add eggs.
  • Add melted butter and whisk until smooth.
  • Cover with plastic and and let rest for 2 hours.
  • Heat a lightly buttered nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add 1/4 cupful batter to skillet and immediately tilt to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook until edges start to dry and center is set, for about 30 seconds, lift with spatula and cook the other side for couple more seconds, move them to the cutting board.
  • Always keep your eyes on the pan.
  • Brush each crepe with butter and serve while they are still hot.
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French Buckwheat Crepes with Mushrooms

Prepare buckwheat crepes and garnish them with this delicious, simple mushroom and sour cream combination. A French favorite!

Find other recipes on this site: the buckwheat crepes or the version with ham and cheese.

French Buckwheat Crepes with Mushrooms

Natalija
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 4 galettes

Ingredients
  

Buckwheat Crepes (for 12 galettes)

  • 250 g buckwheat flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 350 ml water
  • 350 ml milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g melted butter

Filling (4 servings)

  • 1 onion peeled and minced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 400 g mushrooms cleaned and sliced or 2 jars of canned sliced mushrooms
  • 150 ml sour cream
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Mix buckwheat flour with salt, milk, water, and eggs together. Add melted butter and whisk until you get a smooth batter. Cover with plastic and and let rest for at least 2 hours. When you are ready to cook the crepes, stir the batter before frying each crepe.
  • In a medium skillet, heat the oil add onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
  • Add sliced mushrooms and sauté for another 5 minutes.
  • Add the sour cream, mix well, and cook for another few minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  • Heat a lightly buttered nonstick skillet. Add 1/4 cupful batter to skillet and immediately tilt to fully cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer. Cook for a few seconds until the surface isn’t liquid.
  • Without flipping the crepe, place 2-3 Tbsps of mushroom’s filling in the center. A 10-15 seconds later, as the crepe seems to be ready, carefully lift the sides with a spatula and fold them to form a square, or triangle.
  • Carrefully transfer the crepe from the pan to tha plate, and serve quickly.
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Profiteroles With Vanilla Ice Cream And Chocolate Sauce

Profiteroles – French cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. Chocolate sauce on this profiteroles is the “live jazz”. Don’t let the long recipe scare you, it is very easy and worth all the time involved. It is a great dessert you can impress your family and friends with. 

Profiteroles With Vanilla Ice Cream And Chocolate Sauce

Natalija
For chocolate lovers, use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 50 mini puffs

Ingredients
  

Dough

  • 200 ml water
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 100 g butter
  • 120 g sifted flour
  • 3-4 eggs

Filling

  • 800 g chocolate or vanilla ice cream

Chocolate sauce

  • 250 ml milk or heavy cream
  • 300 g dark chocolate (60% cacao)

Instructions
 

The dough

  • Preheat oven to 390 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium pot, add water, butter and salt. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
  • Add sifted flour and mix well.
  • Mix until the dough comes away from the walls and forms into a ball.
  • Add the eggs, one by one and mix well. (If the eggs are large, use only 3 eggs.)
  • The dough should become smooth and shiny. Return saucepan back on the heat and keep mixing for about 30-50 seconds, to dry out the moisture. Remove from the heat.
  • Transfer the dough to a piping bag to pipe specific shapes (size of the walnut is the best). Space the puffs slightly apart on the baking sheet, because the dough will rise.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until the puffs are puffed and golden brown in color. Do not open the oven while baking. Remove from the oven, let it cool completely and carefully transfer to a flat surface.

Filling

  • Cut puffs in half. Place one small scoop of ice cream ball on the bottom of each puff.
  • Replace the top. As soon as you done, place them in the freezer, until they are ready to be served.

Chocolate souce

  • In a small, saucepan bring milk to boil, remove from the heat and pour the liquid over the chocolate. Allow it to sit for 1 minute.
  • Mix it until the mixture is smooth.
  • Remove the profiteroles from the freezer. Arrange 3 puffs per plate. Drizzle each serving with chocolate sauce and Voilà! 😉 Bon appetite.
    Profiterole
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Pureed Pea Soup

Pureed soups are wonderful way to enjoy vegetables. Plus you don’t have to go grocery shopping in order to make this soup. You can find all the ingredients that you’ll need in your pantry. Use any meat you have in your fridge. And same with peas, use any peas you have, it can be frozen, canned or fresh.

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Pureed Pea Soup

It takes a lot less time to make this soup, compare to regular soups. All you have to do is chop up the vegetables into chunks, and don't worry about cutting them perfectly, soup will be blended anyway.
Course Soup
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Natalija

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 200 g chicken fillet
  • 1 onion
  • 5 potatoes
  • 400 g frozen peas (or canned)
  • 1,5 L water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • some sour cream

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into small pieces. Peel and chop onion(half-moon). Peel and cut the potatoes in quarters.
  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil, add chicken and cook until beginning to golden brown. Add onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, constantly stirring.
  • Add the potatoes and cover with water. Bring to a boil.
  • Add frozen or canned peas(drained). Bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for another 20 minutes.
  • Puree the soup with blender until smooth. If the soup is too thick, add some water.
  • Divide soup into bowls and top it with sour cream.
  • If you have some extra time, you can make a design on your soup. For this you will need to transfer the sour cream into the small ziplock, cut the tiny hole in the corner(1-2 mm) and use your imagination . 😉

French Buckwheat Crepes with smoked salmon

French Buckwheat Crepes with smoked salmon and sour cream are delicious. Must try!

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French Buckwheat Crepes with smoked salmon

Course Main Dish
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 crepes
Author Natalija

Ingredients

  • 250 g buckwheat flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 350 g milk
  • 350 g water
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g melted butter
  • 8 thin slices of smoked salmon
  • 8 Tbsp sour cream
  • Some fresh or dry dill (optional)

Instructions

  • Mix buckwheat flour with salt, milk, water, and eggs together. Add melted butter and whisk until you get a smooth batter. Let rest for at least 2 hours. When you are ready to cook the crepes, stir the batter before frying each crepe.
  • Heat a lightly buttered nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add 1/4 cupful batter to skillet and immediately tilt to fully cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer. Cook for a few seconds.
  • Without flipping the crepe, place a slice of smoked salmon in the center, add 1 Tsp of sour cream, and sprinkle with dill.
  • A few seconds later, as the crepe seems to be ready, carefully lift one side with a spatula and fold it to make a triangle, or a square.
  • Transfer the crepe to the plate and serve right away.

French Buckwheat Crepes with ham and cheese

French Buckwheat Crepes with ham and cheese are easy to make at home, and are delicious. It is important to prepare the Buckwheat crepes batter (gluten free) the day before, or at least 2 hours before cooking.

Family and friends have told me this is as good as the “Galettes Bretonnes” you can find in Brittany, in western France.

French Buckwheat Crepes with ham and cheese

Natalija
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 personnes

Ingredients
  

Buckwheat Crepes (for 12 galettes)

  • 250 g buckwheat flour sifted
  • 350 ml water
  • 350 ml milk
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g melted butter

Filling (4 servings)

  • 8 slices ham
  • 120 g grated cheese (Emmental, Gouda, Gruyere…)
  • Some butter

Instructions
 

  • Mix buckwheat flour with salt, milk, water, and eggs together. Add melted butter and whisk until you get a smooth batter. Cover with plastic and and let rest for at least 2 hours. When you are ready to cook the crepes, stir the batter before frying each crepe.
  • Heat a lightly buttered nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add 1/4 cupful batter to skillet and immediately tilt to fully cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer. Cook for a few seconds until the surface isn’t liquid.
  • Without flipping the crepe, place a slice of ham in the center and sprinkle a little cheese.
  • A few seconds later, as the cheese is melting and the crepe seems to be ready, carefully lift one side with a spatula and fold it.
  • Fold the other sides to make a square.
  • Remove the crepe from the pan and serve quickly.
  • You can add more grated cheese over the top.
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Shortcrust pastry

Shortcrust pastry (or pie crust) is very popular when making quiche, pie, tart and tartelettes. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to make this unsweetened pie shell. It turns out light, crumbly, crunchy and deliciously buttery. After trying making this recipe you will never go back to store-bought crust again.

Shortcrust pastry

Natalija
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze. It can last up to 3 months.
This is also called pie crust pastry.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 240 g all purpose flour
  • 2-3 pinches of salt
  • 125 g softened unsalted butter
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2-3 Tbsp water

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl or on the clean table surface combine salt and flour together. Add chunks of softened butter.
  • Use finger to combine until crumbly.
  • Add egg yolks and start to knead the dough, only add as much water as dough needs. Do not over-knead.
  • Shape into a ball.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 380°F. Unwrap dough and roll into a thin circle between two pieces of parchment paper.
  • Fit dough into a tart pan, press firmly on bottom and sides. Trim any extra dough. Pick all over with a fork.
  • Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, until pie shell is lightly golden.
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Turkey Potato Casserole

“Without the potato, the balance of European power might never tilted north”. (Michael Pollan)

Turkey Potato Casserole is very personal, everyone makes theirs differently. I make my Turkey Potato Casserole with shredded potato.

Turkey Potato Casserole

Irina
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large onion
  • 1 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
  • 6 medium russet potatoes
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 Tbsp water
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Dice onion as finely as you can.
  • Mix together ground turkey with onion, add salt ant pepper to taste.
  • Place the turkey mix in an even layer on the bottom of a 9×13 inches baking dish.
  • Peel and shred potatoes.
  • Spread the shredded potatoes evenly over turkey.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, eggs and water. Add 1/2 tsp of salt.
  • Evenly pour the egg mixture over casserole and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Serve it hot with sour cream and cilantro.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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