(A little update here:  Since this post has been in my draft, I had to add this before I posted.. for I am thrilled today. Michelle picked my Blueberry Gelato for the Host Award, DMBLGIT September 2009. Yaaaa:-D)

I waited all summer very very patiently, but at last my dreams came true.

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Rich in  history, flavors & sensational tastes, Moroccan cuisine is one of the most exotic food in the world. The recipes are simple and easy to prepare. Even the everyday salads and vegetables take on an immediate exotic flavor when it comes Moroccan recipes and cuisine.

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Christopsomo (Christ’s Bread) is  the traditional Greek Anise flavored Christmas Bread.  Baking a Christopsomo is considered a religious task in an Orthodox Greek household. The baker begins by crossing himself & asking for blessings for the household. The bread is baked on the Christmas eve and eaten on the day of Christmas. Only the best and the most expensive ingredients are used to bake this bread. Ropes of dough are used to adorn the bread with cross. Unshelled walnuts are used for decorations too. Here is the original recipe, I have almost followed it all except for the glaze.

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Stuffed Pear in Spiced Orange Sauce

The Only Lonely pear stared back at me from the fruit basket. And I did not feel like eating this fruit at all. I knew if I was another day late, it would start having the stale brown spots.  Well to save this little soul, I tried out this yummy fruity dessert. Long long time back I had come across a recipe( I do not remember where), which called for baking pears with the dessert wine Asti. I did not have any, so I just cooked up this easy way to boil it in the orange sauce. (I always love anything with orange or orange zest.)

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Chocolate Covered Farfel

This recipe used to be the favorite of not only the kids but also the parents in my daughter’s preschool. Chocolate covered Farfel would also be a part of all the Seder get togethers we had. This recipe had been given to me by the director of my daughter’s preschool. I have added the orange flavor to cater to the cravings of the grown ups! The combination of Orange and Chocolate had always been my favorite. However it tastes as good even without it.

I will be sending this to Meeta’s Monthly Mingle: Fruit and Chocolate.

 What is Farfel?

As the Wiki says…”Farfel  are small pellet-shaped noodles, made of flour mixed with egg. Farfel is most prevalent in Jewish cuisine. It consists of an egg noodle dough which may be cut or grated for use in soups, or served as a side dish.”

Ingredients:

1.   12 oz chocolate chips (Can use Plain Milk chocolate chips or combine 6 oz of milk chocolate and 6 oz of semi sweet choc. Chips)

2.   ¼ cup oil

3.   2 cups farfel (or broken matzah)

4.   1 tablespoon freshly grated orange peel

5.   1 cup raisins 

Optional:

1.   1/4 teaspoon Orange Extract

2.   1 cup walnuts OR 1 cup mini marshmallows

Use less farfel or more chocolate if using more ingredients.

Preparation:

Melt chocolate in microwave or double boiler.

Stir in oil.

Stir in farfel or broken matzah. Add more farfel if mixture is too runny. Stir in the orange peel.

If using the optional ingredients add them now and stir them in.

Drop by spoonfuls into a cookie sheet (like a cookie).

I have done it in chunks. Whatever shape works out for you is good.

Refrigerate until solid.

Variations: I have used roughly crushed waffle cones instead of Farfel or Matzah.

Summer time is the peak time to enjoy fruits at its juiciest, freshest form. This is just a combination of different fruits/berries you can get your hands on.. add some berries & nuts & serve a healthy fruit salad. No dressing other than a squeeze of lemon or fresh orange juice & you are ready to go.

Ingredients:

1. 2 ripe bananas
2. 1 red apple
3. 1 nectarine
4. 1 orange
5. 2 teaspoons of raisins
6. 2 teaspoons of chopped almonds
7. 1 tablespoon of walnut/pecans/almond
8. ½ teaspoon Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
9. A pinch of salt
10. 1 teaspoon sugar
11. 2 teaspoons juice of lemon/lime/orange,  freshly squeezed

For this salad, any fruits or nuts can be used in any combination you want.

Preparation:

Chop all the fruits and nuts in to little pieces.

Take the cumin seeds in the palm of your hand and rub it to release the flavor. Add them to the fruits.

Add the salt and sugar and the lemon/lime/orange juice.Toss Well. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve Chilled.

Tips: You are free to sprinkle wheat germ on the fruit salad.