Macarons cu crema de capsune/Strawberry macaroons

Pentru a face primii mei macarons, acestia adica, m-am pregatit temeinic. Am citit zeci de site-uri,am vazut tutoriale,m-am speriat si m-am imbarbatat. Toata lumea parea speriata de ei,asa mititei cum sunt, si mi-am zis ca voi face si eu cand voi fi pregatita.Ei bine,iata ca azi  m-am simtit pregatita,asa ca va prezint primii mei macarons, deliciosi chiar,daca imi permiteti sa adaug.:) Nu sunt nici pe departe perfecti,mai am de lucrat, insa pentru o prima incercare sunt multumita. Si asta in mare parte si Laurei Adamache,de la care am luat reteta de baza, si sfaturile foarte utile.

In order to bake my first macaroons, these ones, I prepared myself very serious. I read dozens of sites, I saw tutorials, I got scared and I encouraged myself. Everyone seemed scared, as little as they are, so I decided I would bake them when I will feel ready. Well,today, ready I felt, so I present you my very first macaroons, and even some delicious ones, if I may add.:) They are not even close to being perfect,I still have a lot to improve, but for a first try I declare myself satisfied. And this thanks to Laura Adamache, from whom I took the basic recipe and some useful advice.

Ingrediente macarons:

-180 grame zahar pudra

-90 grame albusuri(aproximativ 3 albusuri)

-20 grame zahar tos

-100 grame faina de migdale

-colorant alimentar pudra,culoarea rosie

Ingredients macaroons :

-180 grams (6,34 oz) confectioner sugar

-90 grams (3,17 oz) egg whites(approx. 3 whites)

-20 grams (0,70 oz) granulated sugar

-100 grams (3,52 oz) almond flour

-red food coloring

 Ungem un vas cu zeama de lamaie si mixam albusurile cu un praf de sare pana devin consistente. Adaugam o treime din zaharul tos,mixam iar 1 minut sau 2, adaugam inca o treime din zahar,repetam operatiunea,adaugam si restul de zahar si mixam pana obtinem o bezea ferma.

We anoint a bowl with lemon juice and mix the whites with a pint of salt until they become consistent. We add a third of the granulated sugar, mix for 1 or 2 minutes, add another third, repeat the procedure, add the rest of the sugar and mix until we get a firm meringue.

Amestecam faina de migdale cu zaharul pudra si cernem de 2-3 ori. Adaugam colorantul pudra. Adaugam treptat amestecul de faina si zahar albusului de ou, amestecand de jos in sus,incetisor.

We mix the flour with the confectioner sugar and sift 2 or 3 times. We add the food coloring. We gradually add the flour mixture into the meringue, stirring gently, bottom up.

In tava tapetata cu hartie de copt formam cu un poche cu varful rotund mici macarons. Ca sa ne fie mai usor putem desena in prealabil pe hartia de copt rotunduri si sa ne ghidam dupa ele. Eu am o plansa de silicon speciala pentru asa ceva,asa ca am scapat de desenat.

We form little macaroons with a piping bag on the tray lined with baking paper. To make it easier, we can draw some circles on the baking paper before and guide after them. I have a special silicone board, so I got rid of the drawing.

 

Batem usor tava de masa,pentru a uniformiza macarons-ii. Lasam tava pe masa aproximativ o ora,pana atingem un macaron si nu lipeste. Ii coacem la cuptorul incalzit la 150 grade, 10-15 minute.

We gently tap the tray over the table, to even the macaroons. We let the tray on the kitchen table for an hour, until we touch a macaroon and it’s not sticky. We bake in the preheated oven (150 C) for 10-15 minutes.

Ingrediente umplutura :

-3 capsune mari

-110 grame unt la temperatura camerei

-1/2 lingurita esenta vanilie

-3-4 cesti zahar pudra

-1 lingura crema de branza

Mixam capsunele pana devin piure. Adaugam esenta de vanilie si untul, apoi aproximativ 2 cesti de zahar pudra si mixam. Incorporam crema de branza. Adaugam zahar pudra cate putin, pana ajungem la consistenta dorita. Umplutura ar trebui sa fie moale si fina,insa sa isi pastreze forma.

 Ingredients filling :

-3 large strawberries

-1 stick butter, room temperature

-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

-3-4 cups powdered sugar

-1 tablespoon heavy cream

In a food processor, pulse strawberries until pureed. Add in butter and vanilla, and about 2 cups of the sugar. Pulse until well combined. Incorporate cream. Add in small amounts of powdered sugar, to reach the desired consistency. Frosting should be smooth and soft, yet hold its shape.

 

Lipim macarons cate doi cu ajutorul cremei de capsune si  servim imediat! :)

We sandwich the macaroons together with the strawberry frosting and serve immediately!:)

 

 

 

 

Sfaturi pentru o buna reusita:

-albusurile trebuie sa fie vechi de cel putin 3 zile. Se pastreaza in frigider pana in ziua cand facem macarons, cand ii scoatem cu 2-3 ore inainte.

-pentru a manevra mai bine compozitia de macarons, puneti poche ul intr-un pahar inalt(ca in poza) si umpleti-l.

Little pieces of advice:

-the egg whites must be at least 3 days old. Keep them in the fridge and take them out only in the day you bake the macaroons, 2-3 hours before.

-in order to handle the batter better, put the piping bag in a tall glass(see picture) and fill it.

 

Madlene lamaie/Lemon Madeleines

Despre madlenele astea as spune ca sunt cele mai bune din lume,insa pentru ca (inca) nu le-am incercat pe toate nu ma risc si o sa le declar printre cele mai bune. Ramane sa revin cu amanunte dupa ce termin de gustat toate madlenele din lume.:) Pana atunci, incercati musai minunatiile, o sa imi multumiti!
Nota: Daca nu aveti forme de madlene, puteti folosi alte forme,de exemplu pe cele de briose, insa puneti doar cate o lingura de compozitie,nu le umpleti.

About these madeleines I would say that they are the best in the whole wide world, but because I didn't just yet tested them all, I won't take the risk and declare them among the best. I will be back with further details as soon as I finish tasting all the  madeleines in the universe.:) Until then, try these beauties, you will thank me!
Note: If you don't have madeleines molds, you cand use other pans, the muffins ones, for example, but don't fill them, just pour a tablespoon of batter.

Ingrediente:

-2 oua

-1 galbenus de ou

-120 grame faina

-100 grame zahar

-100 grame unt nesarat

-o jumatate de lingurita de drojdie uscata

-razatura de la jumatate de lamaie

Ingredients :

-2 eggs

-1 egg yolk

-120 grams (4,23 oz) flour

-100 grams (3,52 oz) sugar

-100 grams (3,52 oz) unsalted butter

-half teaspoon dry yeast

-lemon zest from half of a lemon

Amestecam,cu telul, ouale cu galbenusul si cu zaharul. Adaugam razatura de lamaie. Amestecam. Adaugam drojdia, apoi faina in 3 transe amestecand bine dupa fiecare. Topim untul la microunde sau la bain marie. Il adaugam si omogenizam. Lasam compozitia sa se odihneasca la rece cel putin 2 ore.

We whisk the eggs, the yolk and the sugar. We add the lemon zest. We stir. We add the yeast, then the flour in 3 rounds, stirring well after each one. We melt the butter in the microwaves or bain marie. We add it to the batter and we stir well. We let in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

 

Umplem formele de madeleine lasand o margine de 1 cm. Bagam la cuptorul incins la 190C pentru 13 minute sau pana ce marginile devin aurii.

We fill the madeleine pans but only ¾. We put in the oven heated at 190 C for 13 minutes or until the edges become golden brown .

 

 

 

 

 

Croque Monsieur

Initial nici nu am vrut sa scriu ceva la reteta asta, vroiam sa las imaginile sa vorbeasca,atat de simplu se face.Insa stiu ca sunt si persoane care nu au experienta in ale gatitului,si atunci o sa dau cateva repere despre acest sandvis gustos pe numele lui Croque Monsieur. A! Si daca ii adaugam un ou ochi deasupra devine Croque Madame! Puteti incerca si asa,e si mai gustos!

Initially I didn't even want to write anything about this recipe, I wanted to let the images speak for themselves, because this sandwich is very easy to make. But I know that people with no cooking experience might read, so I will give you some hints about this tasty sandwich called Croque Monsieur. And if we add a sunny side up egg it becomes Croque Madame! You can try this,too, it's even tastier!

Ungem cu unt feliile de paine.

We butter the slices of bread.

Adaugam sunca presata,jambon,muschi sau ce avem la indemana si presaram cascaval ras (de preferinta Gruyere)

We add some ham, pork loin or whatever comes in hand and we sprinkle with grated cheese(preferably Gruyere )

 

Punem cealalta felie de paine peste si mai presaram cascaval ras.

 

We cover with the second slice and add some more grated cheese.

 

Bagam la cuptorul incins pentru 5-10 minute, pana ce cascavalul se topeste.

We put the sandwich in the preheated oven until the cheese becomes bubbly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fructe indragostite/ Fruits in love

O idee pentru Ziua Indragostitilor,rapida si plina de gust! Nimic complicat,topiti ciocolata preferata la bain marie sau la microunde, treceti capsune,banane, kiwi sau ce fructe doriti prin ciocolata si apoi presarati nuca sau alune pisate, razatura de cocos, etc. Happy Valentine's day!

An idea for Valentine's Day, quick and full of flavour! Nothing fancy, just melt your favorite chocolate at bain marie or microwaves, dip the strawberries, bananas, kiwis or any fruit you like and then sprinkle some crushed nuts or peanuts, coconut flakes, etc. Happy Valentine's Day!

Bombite/Cookie balls

In primul rand, habar n-am sa traduc bombite in engleza. Le-am zis si eu cumva.:) Apoi, reteta e luata de aici, si e testata si apreciata repetat, asa ca nu strica sa o incercati cat mai curand.:)
Si nu in ultimul rand, se fac foarte repede! Hai, va las, ca poate vreti sa va apuceti de treaba! ;)

First of all, I have no idea how I could translate "Bombite" in English. So I just gave them a name.:) Then, the recipe is taken from here,  and it's been soo many times tested and appreciated that you should try it as soon as possible!:)
And last but not least, they are very easy to make! So I'll stop now, maybe you want to start cooking!:)

Ingrediente:

-prajituri de toate felurile, biscuiti, muffins, etc-aprox. 500 grame

-125 grame margarina pentru prajituri

-2 linguri cacao

-esenta de rom

-3 linguri de zahar

-zahar vanilat

-fructe confiate, stafide,etc

-150-200 ml lapte

Ingredients :

-cookies and cakes of all sorts, biscuits, muffins, etc-aprox. 500 grams (18 ounces)

-125 grams (4,5 ounces) margarine

-2 tablespoons cocoa

-rum extract

-3 tablespoons sugar

-vanilla sugar

-candied fruits, raisins, etc

-150-200ml (5-7 oz) milk

 

Laptele, margarina,cacao si zaharul le amestecam pe foc pana se omogenizeaza. Dupa ce se raceste acest sirop adaugam esenta de rom si zaharul vanilat sau esenta de vanilie. Turnam putin cate putin peste resturile de prajituri faramitate. Framantam si formam bilute pe care le dam prin nuca de cocos si apoi le bagam la rece pentru cel putin 2 ore.

We melt the milk, the margarine, the cocoa and the sugar until they are well blended.  After cooling, we add the rum extract and the vanilla sugar or vanilla extract. We pour little by little over the crumbled cookies. We knead and form little balls that we roll in some coconut flakes and then we put to fridge for at least two hours.

 

 

 

 

Spaghetti carbonara

Eu nu sunt mare fan paste, dar pe astea le mananc de fiecare data cu placere. Au cam tot ce le trebuie sa fie gustoase si hranitoare si daca mai luam in calcul si ca se fac usor le declaram castigatoare pentru o masa pe cinste alaturi de familie sau prieteni. Va invit,deci,sa incercati o portie de spaghetti carbonara delicioase!

I'm not a very big fan of pasta,but this kind I eat every time with pleasure. They have everything they need to be tasty and nourishing and if we take into consideration the fact that they are easy to make we declare them winners for a meal with family or friends. So,I invite you to try a portion of delicious spaghetti carbonara!

Ingrediente:

-250 grame Kaiser taiat bucatele

-1 punga spaghete

-1 borcan ciuperci taiate marunt

-500 grame smantana

-cascaval ras

-branza topita (2,3 triunghiuri)

-usturoi

-delikat

-margarina

Ingredients:

-250 grams Kaiser (9 ounces) cut into pieces

-1 Lb spaghetti

-1 can sliced mushrooms

-500 grams (18 ounces ) sour cream

-grated cheese

-processed cheese (2,3 triangles)

-garlic

-delikat

-margarine

Pregatim spaghetele asa cum e indicat pe cutie,cu putina sare si delikat,apoi le scurgem de apa. Prajim kaiserul intr-o lingura de margarina, apoi adaugam ciupercile, delikat, sare, piper si usturoi taiat marunt. Amestecam. Adaugam branza topita. Turnam smantana si mai lasam un minut sau doua.Oprim focul  si adaugam cascaval ras,amestecam bine, apoi turnam peste spaghete.Mai putem adauga cascaval ras si in farfurie. Servim cald.

We prepare the spaghetti as indicated on the box, with salt and delikat, then we drain them. We cook the Kaiser in a tablespoon of margarine, then we add the mushrooms, delikat, salt, pepper, finely sliced garlic. We mix together. We add the processed cheese.  We pour the sour cream and we let for another minute or two. We turn the heat off and we add some grated cheese and we stir well, then we pour over the spaghetti. We can add some more cheese in the plate. We serve warm.

 

 

 

Chec Bubu/Grandma's cake

Eu asa am reteta asta scrisa pe foaie,deci asa se numeste.:)) E reteta de chec a bunicii mele,care gateste divin si de la care am luat multe multe retete. Si chiar daca le-am urmat cuvant cu cuvant,niciodata nu m-am apropiat macar de gustul mancarii facute de ea.Ea gateste perfect si gata.:) Eu..mai am de invatat.:) Dar checul asta este bun si usor de facut,asa ca vi-l recomand cu caldura.E ceea ce fac eu cand urmeaza sa am musafiri in cateva ore si nu am timp si nici ingrediente sa fac ceva complicat.Asa a fost si cand l-am facut ultima oara,de unde pozele facute in graba si in umbra..:D

This is how this recipe is called on my sheet of paper,so this should be its name.:)) It's my grandma's recipe, who cooks divine and from whom I took many recipes. And even if I followed them word by word, I never even got close to the taste of her food.She cooks perfectly and that's it. I still have to learn.:) But this cake is good and easy to make, so I strongly recommend it to you. It is something that I bake when guests are about to come in a couple of hours and I don't have time or ingredients for something more complicated. This is what happened last time I made it, and that explains the pictures made in a hurry and without much light..:D

Ingrediente:

-5 oua

-1 ½ cana zahar

-1 ½ cana faina

-1/2 cana ulei

-esenta rom

-2-3 pachetele zahar vanilat

Ingredients:

-5 eggs

-1 ½ cup sugar

-1 ½ cup flour

-1/2 cup vegetable oil

-rum extract

-2-3 sachets  vanilla sugar

Separam ouale. Albusurile le batem cu zaharul, galbenusurile cu uleiul.

We separate the eggs. We beat the egg whites with the sugar, the yolks with the oil.

 

Cand albusurile sunt tari, se adauga esenta de rom si zaharul vanilat. Scoatem 2-3 linguri albus deoparte si amestecam cu 2 linguri cacao. Adaugam galbenusurile amestecate cu ulei la albusuri si amestecam incet.

Adaugam faina treptat.

 

When the egg whites reach stiff peaks, we add the rum extract and the vanilla sugar. We put apart 2-3 tablespoons of this mixture and we mix them with 2 tablespoons of cocoa. We add the yolks mixed with the oil to the egg whites and we stir slowly. We gradually add the flour.

 

Ungem tava de chec cu ulei si o tapetam cu faina. Punem jumatate de compozitie in tava, apoi amestecul de cacao (pe care il invartim putin cu o furculita sau o scobitoare) si apoi cealalta jumatate de compozitie. Introducem la cuptorul incins la foc mic spre mediu pentru aproximativ 45 de minute. Pudram cu zahar pudra.

We oil the cake pan and we sprinkle it with flour. We remove the excess. We put half of the mixture in the pan, then add the cocoa mixture (which we blend a little with a fork or a toothpick) and then the other half. We put in the low to  medium heated oven for approximately 45 minutes. We powder with confectioner sugar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheeseburger

Nu stiu altii cum sunt,dar eu prefer mancarea facuta in casa: prajituri,torturi,biscuiti si..cheeseburger...Daca tot e sa mancam caloric,macar sa stim ce mancam,si sa avem garantia ca va fi bun si dupa ce se raceste(da,este o anti-reclama subtila :D ). Asa ca am pus mana si am facut un cheeseburger,care a iesit extrem de mare, gustos si...sanatos? :)

I don't know about the others, but I like home made food: cakes, cookies and..cheeseburgers..If we are to eat with many calories, at least we should know what we are eating, and make sure that the food will be good even after it gets cold(yes, it's subtle anti advertising :D) So I made myself a cheeseburger, which turned out extremely big, tasty and...healthy? :)

Ingrediente pentru 2 burgeri:

-aproximativ 300 grame carne vita(sau vita si porc) tocata

-1 ou

-2-3 catei usturoi,pisati

-sare,piper

-ceapa verde deshidratata

-boia dulce

-pesmet

Ingredients for two burgers:

-approximately 300 grams minced beef (10 ounces) (or beef and pork)

-1 egg

-2-3 cloves grinded garlic

-salt,pepper

-dehydrated green onion

-sweet paprika

-bread crumbs

Le amestecam si formam 2 hamburgeri pe care ii punem pe grill. Topim putin unt intr-o tigaie si prajim o ceapa taiata marunt si jumatate de cutie ciuperci scurse bine de apa si taiate marunt. Cand hamburgerul e aproape gata, asezam peste el o felie de branza topita,lasam 1-2 minute sa se topeasca, apoi incepem sa ansamblam cheeseburgerul : in chifla taiata punem o foaie de salata, hamburgerul si branza topita, 2 linguri din amestecul de ciuperci si ceapa, o felie de rosie, ketchup,maioneza,sau alt sos,dupa preferinta. Noi am servit alaturi de cartofi prajiti. Pofta buna !

We mix them together and form 2 burgers that we put on the grill. We melt some butter in a pan and fry an onion (finely chopped) and half of can of mushrooms well drained and also chopped. When the burger is almost ready, we put a slice of melted cheese on it, we let it melt for 1-2 minutes, then we start assembling our cheeseburger: in the bun we first put a lettuce leaf, then the burger with the cheese, 2 tablespoons of the mushrooms-onion mixture, a slice of tomato, ketchup, mayonnaise, or any other sauce, as we like. We served it with fries. Bon appétit!