Mocha Viennese Swirls

November is finally here... Not cold enough though, but i really need to get in a little Christmas mood. What's better than some divine mocha cookies, that just melt in your mouth!!!! Trust me.. u're totally gonna love these ones!! ;)
Ingredients:
120 gr plain chocolate broken into squares
200 gr softened unsalted butter
50 gr confectioners' sugar
30 ml strong black coffee
200 gr all purpose flour
50 gr cornstarch (cornflour)
For decoration:
about 25 blanched almonds
150 gr plain chocolate
Preparation:
Melt the chocolate in a bain marie (bowl over a pan of hot water). Cream the butter with the sugar in a bowl until pale and smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate and then the black coffee.
Sift the flour and cornflour over the mixture. Fold in lightly and evenly to make a soft mixture.
With a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle, pipe about 25 swirls on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Allow room to spread during baking.
Press an almond into the centre of each swirl. Bake for about 15 mins in preheated oven at 180C.
Leave the cookies to cool a little, then transfer with a spatula to a wire rack to cool completely.
Melt the chocolate in a bain marie. Dip the base of each cookie into the chocolate until coated. Leave to set.

Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee..;)
Good luck!
xoxo
B.

Read more...

Wonderland...

Financial crisis, social crisis, cultural crisis... The whole world is in fast forward mode and doesn't seem to stop... It's times like these that I just wish i could close my eyes and transfer myself to Wonderland....

If you believe in fairies, clap your hands....;)

xoxo

B.

Read more...

Barcelona, Spain - Part 2

Day 2 of the beautiful Barcelona trip..
Destination: Park Guell. When Nature met Gaudi. A monument of World Heritage, is named by Count Eusebi Guell, a Catalan textile enterpreneur, best known as a patron of Antoni Gaudi.
THe breathtaking view of the city is sure to capture your memory.

Park Guell can be accompanied by a visit to Gracia. Beautiful buildings of past centuries make you have a relaxed feeling and a sense of culture all around. Enjoy your sangria in one of the little shops with the tables out.
And since you're here, you have to taste some pure catalanian flavours. Try the Origens. A dreamy meal. ;-)
Next stop: Forza Barcaaaaaaaaa!!!! Camp Nou. Home of FC Barcelona since 1957. Seats 99.354, making it the largest stadium in Europe. Entering will give u goosebumps and feel like u're in the centre of the world.
If you have the chance, book a ticket and watch a football match. Still regret I didn't!! :-(

After that, walk Av.Diagonal towards the city centre and pay a visit to Piscolabis tapas restaurant. Choose between almost 70 different tapas to have with ur beer or sangria.

Day 3
Destination: Port Vell, L'Aquarium. 11.000 animals and 450 different species. The most important aquarium on the subject of the Mediterranean. You'll just be amazed by the colors some fish have..haha

I was thinking all the time what if that glass broke..with all those sharks swimming above you..eww..just..DON"T think about it!! lol
Close to the aquarium is the zoo. I didn't go, but some of my friends did and said it was beautiful but very very tiring. Don't know, so can't really say..
I preffered to visit Poble Espanyol. One of the most amazing places I went to. Absolutely loved it. You'll find lots and lots of shops..Macrame, masks, ceramics, carved wood, jewellery and of course hand fans. Be sure to visit the glass workshop. Smells like candy..:-)
We ate at a cute restaurant sort of medieval. Don't remember the name and don't have a card.., but you'll find plenty of places to eat there.

Last day, was dedicated to shopping...lol El Corte Ingles is one of the biggest department stores in Barcelona.
Custo Barcelona, Desigual, La Gauche Divine, La Boheme, Mango are some of the shops that will make ur wallet thinner..

Oh..and I mustn't forget..Bellart Chocolatery. The best chocolate shop!! ;-)

This post is dedicated to my friend Indra!! Hope u have an amazing, magical trip with great experiences and memories to last for a lifetime!! :-)

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Two hands..

"I had to grow old, my boy, to finally learn what happiness is..
Happiness is a pair of hands, two hands..
Those who will hug you, hold you, put you to sleep, take care of you, cook for you, stroke you..
And in the end, will close your eyes.."

Read more...

A talent revealed..

I ran into a youtube video the other day of a young boy, named Sungha Jung and just remained speechless. The boy is a hell of a talent!! Absolutely incredible!!
Enjoy it..and be sure to watch his other videos too. I'm sure u won't regret!!

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Barcelona, Spain - Part 1

Since I was a little child I liked to read books and picture myself in places around the world. Different cultures and new places always fascinated me.. I liked to read about ppl who travelled to Morocco, Casablanca, India, Egypt, Africa, Europe or made road trips in the US.. Going to all of these places has been a life dream..
The other day a friend of mine told me about her upcoming trip to Barcelona, Spain. Made me remember my first trip abroad..
Barcelona t'estimo..Means "Barcelona, I love you" and whoever visits feels the urge to shout it.
My sweetest, most enjoyable travel adventure.
Land of Gaudi, Miro, Picasso, Dali. A city-jewel waiting to be discovered and adored..
I visited Barca for 4 days..very few for so many things to see. It was mid-October. The weather perfect for enjoying my trip.
Arrival at El Prat airport at almost 10 am. Great minimalistic decoration and very friendly employees.
I was staying at America hotel. Beautiful, spacious, clean rooms, in the centre of Barcelona, just a few minutes walk to Psg.De Gracia, the fashion shopping area. ;-) The cutest, friendliest guy at the reception, a pool on the roof top and a breakfast to die for!! lol

With a city map in hand and a lot of happy mood, I started my exploration in the streets of Barcelona. Destination: Placa Catalunya and the famous La Rambla, with 1.5 km length leading to the Port, where lies the 75 m statue of Christopher Columbus, showing..what else?? America.. Take the elevator and go up. The view is amazing.

Walking the Rambla you can see joglers, flamenco dancers, ppl who sell birds, bunnies, hamsters, flowers, souvenirs and just feel the noise of the city..cause the Rambla never sleeps.

Don't miss visiting the La Boqueria, a paradise to ur senses!!

Big public market, where u can find all kinds of fruit and vegetables and of course Jamon Cerrano!! (Hope I wrote that right..lol It's a kind of smoked ham, served raw in thin slices..sth like italian prosciutto) In the market, there is a little place that serves baby squids with garlic and basel...OMG...it's just a sin to ur mouth..I just don't remember the name of the place. Will check my notes and keep u posted.
In the side of La Rambla there is the gothic neighborhood, Barri Gotic, the oldest place of the city.

Small streets like labyrinths will travel u to the Middle Ages. You will see impressive buildings like the Parliament and the Cathedral. Coffee shops, restaurants, tapas bars and lots of socializing with ppl from all around the globe.
Next stop: La Sagrada Familia.

The Temple of the Holy Family is one of the largest and most impressive in the world, almost reaching perfection. An extraordinary project of Gaudi, who dedicated 16 yrs of his life to accomplish it. You can also take the elevator and go up the towers so that u can admire the view from above. It was too crowded when I visited, so skipped that part. :-/
Next: Casa Batlo, in Psg.De Gracia. Restored by Gaudi in 1905 consists one of the most representative samples of modernish in the city. Behaind its facade lies an architectural treasure...

To be continued....

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Summer Holidays - Lefkada, Greece

Hey guys!! :-) It's been a while since I last wrote..so hope everyone's well and enjoying ur summer holidays. I've been to Lefkada island this year. It's a beautiful place in the Ionian, Western Greece. Amazing scenery, light blue beaches that make u feel like u're swimming in a pool, lots of green, tastefull food and very friendly people. If u visit, be sure to go to Porto Katsiki, one of the most famous beaches in the world and Egremnous. It has almost 350 steps but is totally worth it. ;-)
I'm posting some pics of the places I went, so that u can at least mind travel with me.

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Vegetable Paella

Here I am again with a delicious spanish dish! :-) You can make paella with anything u want. I prefered different kinds of vegetable.
Ingredients:
1 onion peeled and diced
2 tomatoes diced
1 orange bell pepper diced
1 red bell pepper diced
a few jalapeno peppers diced
pleurotous mushrooms cut into large pieces
a few asparaguses cut
about 2 cups paella rice (i used arborio and turned out just fine)

Preparation:
Heat a large pan with olive oil and a little butter. Add the onion and cook until golden. Then add the peppers and cook for about 4 mins.
Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 more mins.

Then add the rice and cook for 2 mins. Add 4 cups of vegetable broth, turn down the fire to minimum, add the asparaguses and cook until few juices are left in the pan. Do not mix the food in the meantime.

The rice must be a little al dente when u take off the fire.
Enjoy warm with a glass of white wine!
Good luck!! :-)

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Quinoa Salad

Hello everyone!!! :-) Hope u are all spending a wonderful weekend!! So today I have a healthy recipe for you..Quinoa salad with...whatever's in the fridge..lol :-)
Quinoa is an ancient food cultivated in South American Andes since at least 3000 BC. The ancient Inkas called quinoa the "mother grain" and revered it as sacred. The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins.It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. It is exceptionally high in lysine, cystine and methionine-amino acids typically low in other grains.
Before cooking, the seeds must be rinsed to remove their bitter resin-like coating, which is called saponin. Be careful with that.
For this quinoa salad, I used whatever I had in my fridge, so feel free to experiment with the flavours..;-)
Ingredients:
1 cup of uncooked quinoa
1 red bell pepper diced
2 medium tomatoes diced
2 spicy jalapeno peppers diced
1 cup of sweet corn
1 cup of red or black beans
1/2 avocado diced
Some fresh chopped parsley
Greek Feta cheese
Lime juice
Salt
4 kinds of pepper and cilanter
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Preparation:
1 cup of quinoa needs 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered for 15 mins and then withdraw from fire and let it stand for about 5 more mins. Let it cool.
In a big bowl mix the peppers, tomatoes, corn, beans, avocado and parsley. Mix in the quinoa. Prepare the dressing by combining the olive oil, vinegar and lime juice and add to the salad. Season with salt and pepper. Add feta cheese on top.

Tastes delicious and is very very good for your health.
Hope u enjoy!!! :-)
Good luck

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Fig and orange muffins

Hello everyone!! :-) Hope u're all healthy and happy. I got back from work with a baking mood today, so I decided to make some muffins.Mmmm...yiam yiam...
Ingredients:
250 ml milk
60 gr butter, melted
300 gr all-purpose flour
150 gr superfine sugar (u can use brown as well..I did)
1 large egg
3 tbsps (45 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
90 gr dried figs, coarsely chopped
2 tsps baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
30 gr finelly chopped almonds
1/2 tbsp finely grated orange zest
Preparation:
Mix the milk and the lemon juice and set aside for 5 mins. Bring the orange juice to a boil, remove from the heat, add the figs and let it cool a little.
In a large bowl combine the flour, the sugar, the baking powder and the salt.
Add the eggs and butter in the milk and mix until well combined. Stir the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and followingly add the figs, orange juice, orange zest and the almonds.
Spoon the batter into a 12-cup muffin pan lined with paper baking cups, filling three quarters full. Bake for 25-30 mins in preheated oven at 180 C, until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Hope u like them!! :-)
Great for breakfast!
Recipe credit: The Golden Book of Baking
Good luuuuck!!

xoxo
B.

Read more...

A Beautiful Man, an Even More Beautiful Heart - Reach Out WorldWide

Prompted by the previous post about Jesse and his goals and the impact he has on people’s lives, I’d like to mention an organization, originally founded by Paul Walker (Jesse Is also a part of the team) that also has a great impact. ROWW (Reach Out Worldwide). Formed in January 2010, after Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake, is an organization made up of volunteers with special skills, who can help in a natural disaster. Their philosophy is that by making a difference in an individual’s life, to that person, the world has been changed for the better. Their ultimate goal is to send a team to disaster areas within 48 to 72 hours after an event happens.

Let’s all help in whichever way we can, to make our world a better place…

Start by spreading the word. “Like” their FB page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reach-Out-Worldwide/139139139467280

Right now, Roww team is in the disaster area in Alabama, trying to do their best. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with them.

More on Roww at http://www.roww.org/

Get involved and make a difference!!!

Read more...

A Man of Inspiration - Jesse Brisendine

Jesse Brisendine

The people who know me, also know that my celebrity crush since I was like 12 and he appeared in the Young and the Restless –lol – is who else?? Paul Walker..:)We got older, years passed and internet became a daily necessity. Facebook and Twitter became the means for communication all over the world and celebrities finally found a way to reach out to their fans. Push the Like button in your favorite’s fan page and you have him/her nearby 24/7.

That’s how in a Paul’s wall post, I read about his friend, Jesse Brisendine.

You see you never know when or where will inspiration hit you.. Maybe it’s a song, a book, a movie, something a stranger tells you on the road.. Sometimes is a person who decided to take a step just a little further..someone who decided to make a difference..And that someone is Jesse.

I’ll be honest with you. I started reading his blog just out of pure curiosity of what could a celebrity’s – my favorite celebrity’s - friend write about. And then..I just remained speechless.. Because reading the blog, I discovered a man totally worth talking about. Jesse dared to do what many of us just think. Make his dreams come true. 1 Year 1.000 Challenges. And that’s how the story begins…

At that time, I was in a very difficult and strange phase of my life. My mom had fought breast cancer and thankfully won. My dad had an open heart surgery. And I was supposed to be the rock for everyone else but myself. Everyone was counting on me, and I couldn’t let them down. I had to be strong, so that everyone else could show their weakness. Until, I started collapsing. Dizziness, stress attacks, sadness started to make an appearance. I didn’t want to get out of my house. I wasn’t laughing. I just wanted to sleep all day. I didn’t enjoy going to work. Aaaand I gained almost 20 pounds. Everyone was telling me I had gained weight, like I couldn’t see it…Helllooo people… I Do know how much I weigh…STOP TELLING me all the time… On top of all of that, my boyfriend started pressuring  me to lose weight and go to the gym. He claimed that I had to be fit and nice, so that he could be attracted to me and bla bla bla….I just wanted to be liked for who I am and not for the size of my b@tt... :/

And then I read Jesse’s blog and I realized I WANTED to make a change. I WANTED to get fit. But for myself. Because I wanted it. Because it would make ME feel better.

As Jesse suggests I started with the small ones. I tried to eat healthier at first and started taking small walks. Then bigger walks with a little jogging. I also started playing tennis. Now, I feel good. I haven’t lost every pound I want yet, but I’m going there. J I want to do as many things as possible. Cease the years and the days and the minutes. Travel to every place I’ve ever dreamed of. Help as many people as I can. I’ve become a volunteer for Athens Special Olympics 2011 and an active volunteer for Amnesty International. The most important thing is that I’m beginning to find my appetite for life again…and I owe a huuuuge part of that to Jesse Brisendine. J He was a friend – even a distant – when I most needed one..and his posts made me laugh and made my day, whenever I had the blues. But most importantly he made me get out of my bed and DO!!

Try to do a small thing each day. If a man can accomplish 1.000, you sure can accomplish even 100. J

“Be the change you wish to see in the world. My goal with this challenge is to show people that the only thing that can hold us back in life is ourselves. “

To learn more about Jesse and his 1.000 Things Challenge visit his blog at http://jessebrisendine.blogspot.com/ . Also find him in facebook at http://www.facebook.com/1Year1000Challenge/ . Don’t forget to click “like” on his page. ;) Spread the word and let’s get him some followers!!

As Jesse says, Carpe Diem!!

Take care!

Sunny Greetings from Greece!!!

It smells like summer here and the beaches are calling like sirens….;)

Xoxo

B.

P.S. Photos are from Jesse's FB page. Loved the one with the ladies...;) 

Read more...

Grenade - Bruno Mars

I was listening to this song on the radio, driving to work this morning. It totally made my day, and  I had to share with u!!!
Have a nice day and take care!!!
xoxo
B.
Enjoy...;)

Read more...

Caramelized Apple Brownie

And here we are again!!! :) May is just around the corner and spring makes slowwww steps towards us..It should be sunny and reaaally warm here this time of the season..but instead it is rainy and a bit cold still..
Today we're making a slightly different kind of applepie, that I'm sure u'll love!!! :)
Ingredients:
For the apples:
1/2 cup brown sugar (100gr.)
50 gr.butter
2 apples washed and cut in thin slices (leave the peel on)
For the brownie:
110 gr. butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour, sieved
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp grounded cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
2 apples in thick sticks
Preparation:
Warm the butter with the sugar in a pan until melted. Pour the mixture in a round pan and add the apple slices, spread like a vendalia(one next to the other).

In a bowl beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy and white. Add the eggs (whisked) and beat until well blended. Then gradually add the flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Keep beating until everything is well mixed and then add the apple sticks and the walnuts. Fold the mixture with a spoon and add it on top of the apple slices.

Bake in preheated oven at 180 C for about 40 mins until golden brown.

Let it cool for about 10 mins and then turn it upside down.

Enjoy with vanilla ice-cream!!! :)
Good luck!!!

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Easter Bread..tsoureki!!

Great Friday today...and I finally found some time to post that easter bread recipe I had told you about...Soo, get your ovens warm and start baking!!! I promise you won't regret!!! ;)
Ingredients:
80gr. wet yeast
380 ml fresh full fat milk + 80 ml more, luke-warm
4 eggs, preferrably bio + 2 more for topping
250 gr milk butter at room temperature, cut in pieces
1.360 all-purpose flour (strong) sieved
240 gr. caster sugar
2 pinches salt
16 gr. machlepi (about 2 tsps, not very full)
16 gr. mastic crystals (about 1 tsp) crushed with a little confectioner's sugar, until they become light dust
file almond for topping
Preparation:
1.In a small bowl we add the 80 ml of lukewarm milk and dissolve the yeast in it.
2.In the mixer bowl we put all the solid ingredients, the flour, the sugar and the salt.
3.We add the eggs...
4...the yeast mixture..
5...and the rest of the milk.
6. We mould the ingredients in medium speed until well blended.
7.We partially add the butter and keep moulding.
8.At first, the dough will be sticky. DON"T get carried away and add more flour.As you keep moulding you will see that the dough gathers on the mixer hook. Then it is ready.
9.We add the mastic and the machlepi and mould for a few more seconds.
10.We make a ball with the dough, put it in a bowl, cover it with a towel and let it in a warm place for 2-3 hours(maybe more) to double in size.
11.We transfer the dough on a surface and mould it a little with our hands, so that the air leaves.
12.We divide the dough in pieces. Depends if you want to make big tsourekia or little ones. I divided it in 100 gr.each. Make little balls and then shape it however you like.

13.Place them in the oven pan on baking paper and let it double in size again, for about 1 hour in warm place.
14.Mix the 2 remaining eggs with a liitle water and with a brush, spread it over the tsourekia. Carefully, because if you pinch it, the air will go and it will flatten.
15.Sprinkle with the almonds and bake in preheated oven at 170 C for about 30 mins, until it becomes golden brown.
The house will smell like Easter and your bellies will crave for that delicious treat!!!
Enjoy with a glass of hot cocoa, spread with honey, jam or nutella, or even as it is with red boiled eggs!!!
Good luck!!!:)
And Happy Easter to u all!!! May the Holy Spirit fill our hearts with love, faith and compassion!!

xoxo
B.

Read more...

Easter Cookies

And since greek orthodox Easter is just around the corner..it's perfect time for baking some cookies too..:)
Ingredients:
500 gr. milk butter at room temperature
500 gr. sugar
4 eggs
1/2 water glass of fresh orange juice
Grind of 3 oranges
10 gr. baking powder
1 tsp. not full baking soda
2 vanillas
1 pinch mastic crushed
1 pinch salt
1.350 gr. all purpose sieved flour
Preparation:
Beat the butter with the sugar, the salt, the mastic, the grind and vanillas for 6-7 mins until fluffy. In a bowl we beat the eggs and add them in the mixer bowl. We add the baking soda well mixed with the orange juice. We slowly add the flour with the baking powder. We must have a fluffy and easy to mould dough.

We cover it and let it rest for at least 30 mins.
We shape the cookies in whatever we like and add them in pans covered with baking paper. We beat an egg yolk with a little sugar in a bowl and spread it with a brush over the cookies.

We bake in preheated oven at 180C for 20-25 mins, until golden brown. We let them cool in a rack and keep them in airtight box.

Good luck!!
You should definitely try them!! They are mmmm....delicious!!! :)

xoxo
B.

P.S. Stay tuned for Greek Easter Bread (Tsoureki) recipe!!! ;)

Read more...