Author: Asli

Muhammara (Well, Kind of) – Mum’s Version!

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When my friend asked me last week if this was muhammara before eating it, I said no. Or kind of no. We used to call it çemen back at home. But then some people say that çemen is something else. This is not exactly muhammara either! So what is that dish?? Well, here is definition: this is a walnut / paprika spread with spices which resembles muhammara, with the recipe coming from mum! I will call it, “le spread”.

Gluten Free Thursday: Tahini Cookies with Honey and Sesame Seeds

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Hello from Istanbul! I just came to this very hot and already too noisy city about an hour ago (and I haven’t even left the airport!). I am waiting for my connecting, domestic flight in, let me see, 8 hours! And for some reason I opted for staying in the airport. One hour in, and i’m already regretting this decision.. And I forgot my carefully selected holiday books on my dining table at home!!! Luckily, I found that one blue, beautiful Zara dress that I (thought I) lost 2 years ago – apparently it was in the quite hidden front part of my suitcase all this time and I realised this just a few minutes ago when i was trying to take something from there… Arrgh..

Chocolate Chip Cookies With Roasted Pecans

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I watched the movie “Stranger Than Fiction” last night, about a millionth time probably. I love the whole movie but the scene where Harold brings Ana Pascal “flours” gets me every time. I told to myself, if a man ever brings me a box of “flours” like him, I will break my oath of not dating anyone anymore, and I will give this person a chance. Otherwise, my heart is locked. But that’s not all about the movie from last night. While watching it, I realised that I haven’t baked cookies for a while and I decided to get back to a very basic but majestic cookie: chocolate chip cookies! And this time, there is also roasted pecans added to it.

Rustic Fig Tart – Easiest One!

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Rustic fig tart.. Rustic fig tart.. Rustic – fig – tart.. If I repeat this more, maybe, just maybe, I can say it properly. Because for some reason I am unable to get my tongue around these words together, and I end up saying “rustic pig fart”. Not very appealing name for such a lovely, delicious tart, n’est-ce pas? Well anyway, here is a very easy and equally delicious tart recipe for you.

Suksesskake – Norwegian Delight

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Last year, in late February, I had a short weekend trip to beautiful Oslo. It stole my heart. I wished I could move there (I still do every now and then). I also wrote about the trip’s culinary side here. One of the Norwegian delicacies I tasted was “Suksesskake” aka “Success cake” in English. This almond based cake with a silky yellow cream on top was a bit sweeter than I expected but very delicious nonetheless (as everything else I tasted there). So I put it in my list to bake by myself, and after trying several different recipes online, I made the perfect one, which tasted like that one we ate in the Oslo cafe.

Gluten Free Thursday: Puy Lentil And Root Vegetables Salad – With Colourful Beets!

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I made this salad the other day and my friend who saw its photo said that it looks like Easter, with all those colours on the plate.. I must admit, 6 years living in Finland, and I still don’t have much clue about Easter. My greatest contribution to Easter was I think putting on rabbit ears once and having my photo taken as a tribute to Easter bunny..

Cauliflower Cake – With Fresh Herbs, Turmeric And Onion

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I used to be very picky with food, when I was a kid. But I was picky in a weird way: I would eat veggies like okra and eggplant, which noone in the family except me and my mum loved, but skip easier-to-like stuff like cauliflower. I think I had a prejudice against cauliflower, I don’t even remember tasting it much. This was until I lived in Paris at the age of 24 – in the middle of an expensive city where tiny little euros were not flying easily into my wallet, I learned to appreciate this vegetable thanks to its affordability. And ever since, we have a loving relationship.

Gluten Free Thursday – A Refreshing Tangerine Cake

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I love making colourful food. But I don’t like colouring the food with chemicals. Don’t you think that the natural colours of ingredients are just the best thing you can find? So yes, it was the colour of this cake that attracted me, when I saw it in “The View From Great Island” blog. I followed the original recipe without any twists this time, and it is here if you want to see.