Let's get Italian... (Homemade Gnocchi with Parmesan Cheese and Tomato Sauce)

Homemade Gnocchi with Parmesan Cheese and Tomato Sauce!

This dish is so easy to make, not expensive at all, but it is a bit time consuming. 

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Homemade Gnocchi with Parmesan Cheese and Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

Gnocchi

950gr potatoes, unpeeled, boiled and mashed

270gr all purpose flour

2 medium eggs

A pinch of salt

Parmesan Cheese 

Tomato Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Jack Daniel’s Barbeque Sauce

250gr canned tomatoes, chopped

½ cup boiled water

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried thyme

Pinch of salt

Pinch of black pepper

Gnocchi Preparation Method

1) Prepare a dough hook on a stand mixer. In the mixing bowl, add mashed potatoes, eggs, flour and salt. Turn on mixer on low, then increase speed till the dough forms. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can form the dough with your hands, it is very easy…

2) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and slightly dust it with flour.

3) Dust your work surface lightly with flour. Put dough on dusted surface. Use your hand to knead and shape the dough into a log.

4) Use a knife to divide the dough into pieces. Each piece should be about 3cm thick.

5) Dust your hands with flour and roll each piece of dough till it becomes long and cylindrical.

6) Use a knife to cut the long dough into small pieces, about 3cm wide. It's important to lightly dust each piece with flour so that it doesn't stick.

7) Dust a fork with flour. Press each small piece of dough gently enough, to create lines on each piece. Then place it on a baking sheet.

8) They are ready to be cooked. If you are not cooking them immediately, dust the gnocchi with flour again and shake them every 10 minutes so that they don't stick on the tray. Alternatively, put the entire baking sheet in the freezer. When the gnocchi are frozen remove from tray and store them in freezer bag.

9) Cooking Method.  In a large pan boil salted water. Put in gnocchi (20 each time). They are cooked when the gnocchi come to the surface of the pan. Remove them and place them immediately in the sauce. This cooking process will take approximately 2 minutes.

Tomato Sauce Preparation Method

Add all sauce ingredients in a sauce pan, and cook in a medium heat until the liquid is reduced to half.

Sprinkle Gnocchi with grated Parmesan cheese and serve hot.

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Below you can find some photos of Milan and Eros Ramazzotti!

Duomo, Sunday 17/03/2013

Live Concert at Assago Mediolanum Forum, 17/03/2013

Burger Buns, with Olive Oil and Whole Wheat Flour

This is my first attempt in baking burger buns. The original recipe was with butter, unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 large egg. 

I wanted to make them a bit healthier so part of the flour was organic whole wheat flour, and instead of using butter I used olive oil. I decreased the amount of sugar by 1 tablespoon as well. 

I am very pleased with the outcome! The buns are light and pleasant to eat.

You can find the original recipe along with step by step instructions at: King Arthur Flour.

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Here you can find my version of Burger Buns.  For the preparation instructions please visit King Arthur Flour.

Burger Buns, with Olive Oil and Whole Wheat Flour

8 big buns

 

Ingredients

1 cup organic whole wheat flour

1 cup bread flour

1½ cup all purpose flour

1½ tsp dry yeast (7gr)

1 tsp salt

3 tbsp caster sugar

2 medium eggs

1½ to 2 cups lukewarm water

2 tbsp olive oil

Preparation Method

Visit: King Arthur Flour

Risotto with Prosciutto and Parmesan Cheese (and a photo of Eros Ramazzotti...)

Risotto with Prosciutto and Parmesan Cheese

4 Portions

Ingredients

100gr Prosciutto, cut into small strips

1 cup Arborio rice

1/3 red dry wine

2 cups hot water

1½ hot chicken stock

1/3 cup fresh cream

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Preparation Method

(Keep stirring the rice all the way until it is cooked)

1. In a medium pan, sauté Prosciutto for 5 minutes.

2. Add the rice and continue sauté for another minute.

3. Add the wine and continue stirring until the alcohol evaporates completely.  Continue by adding the water and then by adding the chicken stock, half a cup at a time.

4. When the rice has cooked, add the fresh cream and Parmesan cheese.

5. Serve hot.

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Mediolanum Forum (Milano) 17/03/2013

Eros, buonissimo il concerto!!! Grazie mille!

Cyprus Is Under Economic Attack

My country, Cyprus, is under Economic attack.  

Please open bank accounts in Cyprus and send funds.

We NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST TO FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE+, EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Party Buffet

Hello Kitty Birthday Cake!

Super Heroes Birthday Cake!

Birthday Buffet!

 Spinach Pie, Pizza, Small Olive Pies and Sausages with Puff Pastry!

Mille Feuille, Truffles, Cheese Pie, Sandwiches and Bogatsa!

Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookies for the kids!

  

 Marshmallows dipped in chocolate and truffle!

Lemon Cake

Moist, easy to make and perfect with a cup of tea!

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Lemon Cake

Ingredients

130gr Lemon Puree

100gr Greek extra virgin olive oil

220gr caster sugar

250gr all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

3 large eggs

1/4 tsp ginger powder

Preparation Method

1) Preheat the oven to 170ºC (340ºF).

2) Mix lemon puree* and olive oil.

3) Whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.

4) With a wooden spoon combine (1) and (2) above.

5) Sift flour, baking powder and ginger powder 

together; add them in the lemon mixture and stir until 

just combined. Do not over mix.

6) Fill the cake pan with the mixture.

7) Bake for about 40 minutes.

* Boil the lemons in a casserole full of water for 1 hour; remove lemon seeds and mash.

Valentine's Chocolate Cake

Happy Valentine's Day with a chocolate cake!!

It is a chocolate sponge cake, filled with Nutella, fresh cream and hazelnuts.

Thank you mum for this beautiful and delicious creation!

Black Forest (Forêt-Noire)

Black Forest by Stelios Parliaros!!  

You can find the recipe here. It is relatively easy to make and delicious! 

Thank you Lien! Have a nice trip back home!

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For those of you who want a healthy snack try these delicious Energy Bars!

Daisy, Cupcake Birthday Cake

 A Daisy, Cupcake Birthday Cake for a sweet girl called Melina.

Happy Birthday Melina!!

 Bitter sweet chocolate cake with chocolate feeling!!

Orange flavor Cupcakes decorated with pink and white fondant.

Finax Mjolmix Gluten-Free (Gluten Free Bread Loaf)

This was my first attempt of using a gluten free mixture for bread, and I have to admit that I was impressed with the results.

I mixed all ingredients in a mixer. The texture of the uncooked dough was very elastic.  It looked like a boiled potato mashed in a food processor.

 The package instructions were very clear and easy to follow, but I made a few changes to the recipe according to what I believe worked better.

 

The bread texture was incredible, but you could understand the difference in the taste.  I am pleased that there are solutions for people who cannot tolerate gluten and I will try to use gluten free mixtures for cakes, cupcakes and pancakes as well.

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Finax Mjolmix Gluten-Free (Gluten Free Bread Loaf)

Makes 1 huge loaf

Ingredients

900gr Finax Gluten-Free Flour Mix

16gr dried yeast (or 50gr fresh yeast)

2 tsps salt

800ml warm water (-37ºC/-99ºF)

60gr melted margarine (or melted butter, or 50ml olive oil)

Preparation Method

1. Preheat the oven at 200ºC (400ºF, Gas Mark 6).

2. Mix the flour, dried yeast and salt in a bowl. (NOTE: if using fresh yeast proceed as per package instructions)

3. Add the water and the oil to the flour mix.

4. In a mixer (using dough hooks), mix the ingredients for 5 to 7 minutes. The mixture will be very elastic.

5. Pour the mixture in a greased loaf tin (approx. 3 litres).

6. Cover the tin with cling film and/or a damp cloth and leave in a warm place to rise for approximately 35 minutes.

7. Brush the top of the bread carefully with water (this will give the bread a nice golden color, during baking)

8. Bake for approximately 25 minutes.  Take the loaf off the tin and continue baking for another 15 minutes.

Ballerina Shoe Cake

Happy Birthday Olia!

This was a last minute cake.  I think I could do better... but fortunately Olia loved it, so I was happy too :-)

Vasilopita for the 1st Day of 2013

Happy New Year 2013!!!

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On the 1st day of each year, in Cyprus and Greece, we bake Vasilopita.  The name "βασιλόπιτα" comes from βασιλεύς 'king' + πίτα 'pie', but was reinterpreted as Saint Basil's (Βασίλειος) cake.

There are a million recipes for this type of cake, and we all believe that our recipe is the best :-)

My mum usually bakes an orange cake, with almonds.  I use orange puree, masticha powder and zizimbri (ginger), and instead of butter I use extra virgin olive oil.  

Pork Roulade Marinated in Orange Juice and Herbs, Stuffed with Apples, Leek and Onions

Χρόνια Πολλά!!

Happy Boxing Day Everyone!!

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This was one of the dishes we had for Christmas lunch, yesterday.  This year instead of a turkey we had pork roulade.  

In my country, Cyprus, we usually have souvla, roast turkey and another 10 dishes for Christmas, as if this meal will be our last one :-)

The pork was very tender and the combination between the meat and the stuffing, added to the dish a smooth flavor.  It was perfect on its own. No need for a sauce.

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Pork Roulade Marinated in Orange Juice and Herbs, Stuffed with Apples, Leek an Onions

12 Portions

Ingredients

1 flat piece of pork (45cm x 35cm)

1 tbsp Greek olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Kitchen Twine

Marinade Ingredients

1 liter orange juice
3 tbsps Scotch Whisky (White Horse)

1 tbsp orange zest

1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

1 tsp fresh curry, chopped

1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 tsp meat tenderizer

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp curry powder

½ tsp cumin

½ tsp clove powder

Stuffing Ingredients

1 tbsp Greek olive oil

½ leek, finely chopped

1 medium red onion, finely chopped

1 medium white onion, finely chopped

2 small apples, chopped

1 tsp of ground cinnamon

½ tsp of ground black pepper

½ tsp of salt

2 slices of white bread, roughly chopped

Preparation Method

1. Lay pork on a deep large pan; add all marinade ingredients. Marinade over night turning the meat once.

2. Prepare Stuffing. In a large saucepan add olive oil, leek and onions. Sauté for a few minutes; add apples, cinnamon, pepper and salt and continue the process for another 5 minutes.

3. Stir in bread. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

4. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Place a baking rack on a sheet pan.

5. Dry pork from marinate by using kitchen cloth. Lay pork on a flat surface; season with salt and pepper.

6. Add stuffing.   

7. Starting at one end, roll pork and tuck in any stuffing that tries to escape on the sides.  Tie the pork firmly with kitchen twine every 5cm to make a compact cylinder.

8. Brash roulade with olive oil and sauté in a large saucepan.

9. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 2 hours covered with aluminum foil. Allow to rest at room temperature before carving.

10. Carve 1.5cm thick slices and serve warm. 

And the lucky winner is...

My previous post was in Greek because Ivy's book was written in Greek.  

Today, I am happy to announce the lucky winner...

Lucky Number 8 - Andri Zan.

Congratulations Andri. I am sure you will enjoy each and every recipe in this book!

"Κοπιάστε στην Κουζίνα μου" (από την Ήβη Λιακοπούλου)

ΑΦΗΣΤΕ ΤΟ ΣΧΟΛΙΟ ΣΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΠΕΙΤΕ ΣΕ ΚΛΗΡΩΣΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΒΙΒΛΙΟ!

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Η συμπατριώτισσα μας και φίλη μου Ήβη Λιακοπούλου, από το μπλογκ Κοπιάστε στην Κουζίνα μου, που ζει στην Ελλάδα εδώ και πάρα πολλά χρόνια, επιτέλους μετάφρασε στα Ελληνικά το βιβλίο της Mint Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste, το οποίο αγόρασα μόλις κυκλοφόρησε, πριν 1½  χρόνο περίπου, και πραγματικά εκεί βρήκα όλες τις παραδοσιακές συνταγές της Κύπρου. Ήδη μαγείρεψα πάρα πολλές συνταγές και οφείλω να ομολογήσω ότι καμία δεν με απογοήτευσε.

Εάν έχετε συγγενείς και φίλους, Έλληνες, Κύπριους ή γνώστες της Ελληνικής γλώσσας που θέλουν να μάθουν την Κυπριακή κουζίνα, σίγουρα ένα τέτοιο βιβλίο θα εκτιμηθεί δεόντως. Κάντε το δώρο στον εαυτό σας ή στα παιδιά σας που είναι φοιτητές και θέλουν να μάθουν να μαγειρεύουν, ή ακόμη κάντε το δώρο στους φίλους σας αυτά τα Χριστούγεννα. Στοιχίζει όσο δύο καφέδες!! Μόνο 6 Ευρώ από το μπλογκ της, σε μορφή pdf, αλλά εάν το θέλετε σε άλλη μορφή όπως kindle, e-pub κλπ., μπορείτε να το προμηθευτείτε από το ηλεκτρονικό βιβλιοπωλείο Smashowords.

Η Ήβη λοιπόν μας έχει ετοιμάσει μια πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα συλλογή από Κυπριακές συνταγές με αναλυτικές οδηγίες και όμορφη παρουσίαση, σε πολύ καλή τιμή μιας και το βιβλίο είναι ηλεκτρονικό.  Εκεί θα βρείτε ένα σωρό πληροφορίες πάνω στις τεχνικές, στο γλωσσάρι και στα υλικά της Κυπριακής κουζίνας.

Για περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες για τον τρόπο που μπορείτε να το προμηθευτείτε, επισκεφτείτε το blog της Ήβης.

Πρόσφατα μου έστειλε το Νέο ηλεκτρονικό της βιβλίο στα Ελληνικά.

Όμως εκτός από το δικό μου βιβλίο, το δώρο μου περιελάμβανε ένα ακόμη βιβλίο για τους αναγνώστες του blog μου που θα σχολιάσουν και θα κάνουν share στο facebook και/ή στο Twitter αυτή την ανάρτηση.

Αφήστε λοιπόν το σχόλιό σας μέχρι 21 Δεκεμβρίου 2012 και κερδίστε μετά από κλήρωση το βιβλίο της Ήβης. Παρακαλώ αφήστε ένα σχόλιο για το βιβλίο και για επιπρόσθετη συμμετοχή στην κλήρωση αφήστε ακόμη ένα σχόλιο αναφέροντας το share που έχετε κάνει στο facebook και/ή στο Twitter.

Ευχαριστούμε Ήβη! Καλή επιτυχία στο βιβλίο σου!