Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Can you believe Christmas is just four days away? My goodness I have lost track of how many  trips I have made to the grocery store already. I have also chosen to ignore the fact that I have a ton of gifts to wrap, and crossing my fingers my mailman brings one last missing gift on Monday. In the meantime, instead of entering panic mode, I opted to go into the kitchen and make some homemade Baileys. That's right folks, I made Irish cream, because you all know tis' the season to drink and be merry!  Super easy to make, once you have all the ingredients, it's is as easy as throwing everything into a blender. Then just whirl everything up, and ta-dah you are done! Keep it all for yourself, or make same for sharing, as gifts. Just make it, I promise you will love it! INGREDIENTS 1 cup/250ml heavy cream  ( I used a 200 ml box) 1 can sweetened condensed milk 400 ml (1⅔ cup) Irish whiskey  (I used Jameson) 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup 2 teaspoon vanilla extra...

Christmas is in 14 days, and  life  around here has gotten crazy busy. Is it the  same for you at your home, are you making lists and checking them twice? There are so many lists, are there not? Shopping, cooking, gifts and my favorite one baking. Have you decided on what you are baking for your cookie trays this year, or perhaps even gift giving? Well let me introduce you to the Snickerdoodle,  with their cinnamon sugar coating and soft chewy middle  Made with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies come together easily! These are a great way to start off your holiday baking! Ingredients 1 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 egg, plus 1 yolk 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 3/4 cup flour CINNAMON SUGAR MIXTURE 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Instructions Preheat oven to 18...

These are the easiest biscuits you could ever make. No need  for a rolling pin or biscuit cutter, just some mixing, scooping, baking and you’re done!  Oh and let's not forget how great they taste! Light and fluffy,with a crisp outer crust and soft center. We love these biscuits, they can be added to any meal, I served them last night with Clam Chowder   . I really hope you give them a try! 2-1/2 cups self-rising flour 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 cup cold milk 8 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, ( I use salted) 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese For brushing on top 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp dried parsley/or fresh to taste Heat the oven to 230C degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, garlic powder, salt and cayenne until combined.  Pour the melted butter, and the cold milk...

So I have seen these two ingredient bagels all over the internet for quite sometime now. Greek yogurt and self raising flour and that's it...yes are you scratching your head like I did. Well it works, I made them today, and you know what, I will make them again, they are that good. Let´s get this straight, these are not a New York bagel, they are a cheat bagel, if you will. I loved how quickly they came together, and they taste pretty darn good too! They are quick and easy and taste amazing! Ingredients for 4 servings 1 1/4 cups  self-rising flour, plus more for dusting (220 g) + more for dusting 1 cup  greek yogurt  (well strained) ( I used  Fage) 1 egg, beaten topping to taste, poppy seeds or sesame seeds Preparation Preheat oven to 400°F(200°C). In a large bowl, mix the self-rising flour and greek yogurt until it comes together to form a ball. Transfer the dough ball to a lightly floured work surface and use your hands to begin flatteni...

This rich and creamy cheesecake is all sorts of decadent,all the flavors of pumpkin pie, in a cheesecake.The texture is absolutely perfect – creamy, thick, smooth and it slices beautifully. Don’t let the idea of making a cheesecake scare you, it is simple to make, just be sure to make it a day before you need it! A delicious sweet treat for just about any occasion, I hope you love it as much as we did! Ingredients Crust 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup to 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted ( 3/4 cup for a moist and dense crust) 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided Pumpkin Cheesecake 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 lb (four 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened (900 gr.) 1/4 cup sour cream/Greek yogurt, room temperature 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin 6 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. ground cloves Whipped cream Chopped pecans, optional Crust Preheat oven to...

 These delicious pinwheels  are super simple to make, the filling is a classic combo of spinach and feta! Oh and did I mention the other ingredients, puff pastry and cream cheese...just remember the spinach makes them  really healthy, wink..wink . With the holidays just around the corner,  served hot or cold these are the perfect party food. They are a huge hit every time I make them, I hope you give them a try! 300 g frozen spinach , thawed and drained (  I used canned spinach 380g) 200 g feta cheese 1 package cream cheese (200g)  olive oil 2 tablespoons (or more) 1 small bag of shredded mozzarella cheese (240g) 2 store – bought puff pastry ( 230 g) salt and pepper, to taste 1 egg Preheat oven to 220C/ 425F. Line two baking sheets with baking paper and set aside. Place the defrosted spinach into a sieve and strain out any remaining liquid. Use paper towel to remove any remaining moisture from the spinach. In the meantime put ...

We just changed our clocks back an hour, the days are now shorter, and the nights a little cooler, so around here we are now in comfort food mode.  Enter this really simple and delicious one-pot meat sauce, Beef Ragu.   The ragu cooks low and slow, all the flavours marry, and the beef ends up fork tender. Making it perfect  for being served with your favourite pasta( I made fresh pappardelle ), or over creamy polenta. I don't think it's something you would make after rushing back from a long day at  work, but instead make it for a lazy weekend at home, it just ticks off all the boxes for comfort food! Beef Ragu Approximately 3 pounds (1.35kg) Beef brisket, or similar cut of meat (slow cooking) 5 Tbsp olive oil 2 small onions, finely diced 5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1 cup of celery, finely diced (4-5 stalks) 1 cup Carrot, finely diced (1-2 medium carrots) 2 cups (500ml) red wine, divided 3 cups (750ml) beef stock/broth 1 28oz (800g) can of ...

I had some ricotta sitting in the fridge for a little while, that was going to expire soon. So I thought I would search for a sweet recipe that would help me use it up. I found this simple cake, it’s so moist, rich in flavor, and just plain delicious! The ricotta makes it light and delicate, it has a melt-in-your-mouth texture, you will not be able to stop at one slice. Dusted with icing sugar just before serving, it is absolutely beautiful. My family loved it, and I am sure your family will love it too. 8 tbsp unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 3 large eggs 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 pinch salt 1 cup fresh ricotta (250 grams) zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 large apple, peeled and grated (should yield about 1 cup) confectioners sugar for serving Heat the oven to 180C/ 350F˚. Butter and flour a 9 or 10-inch springform pan.(I like to line the pan with parchment paper) Cream the butter and sugar in a sta...

Why make English muffins... well  I say why not? They are easier to make than you’d think and you only need  a few basic ingredients and a griddle. Fluffy on the inside, a super crunchy crust, and all those lovely nooks and crannies for jam to sink into. On the weekends, these muffins nicely toasted and slathered in butter, make a wonderful morning meal with fried eggs and coffee. I am telling you, give them a try, you will love them! 1 1/4 cups warm water 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil (canola, vegetable, olive etc.) 2 3/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon salt Cornmeal, for dusting Pour warm water into a large bowl. Sprinkle sugar, then yeast on top. Let sit and foam for 10 minutes. Add in melted butter/oil, flour, and salt and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Once combined, drop dough onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, adding just as much flour as needed to make the dough stop sticking ...

I recently did a happy dance at my local supermarket when I spotted Halloumi! What is halloumi? It is a salty cheese from Cyprus - made from sheep's, goat's and often cow's milk. It has a very high melting point, making it perfect for grilling or even frying. Enter these halloumi fries,one of the easiest recipes of all, so easy peasy I don´t think it qualifies as a recipe. It is however DELICIOUS, yes the caps lock came out, ain't gonna lie, you are going to love these! Be warned they are ADDICTIVE, and I won't judge if you crave them in the middle of the night...because who can resist crunchy, salty, cheesy fries. -Cut  block of halloumi into fries/or cubes. -Toss the fries in flour, making sure they are coated completely. -Heat enough oil to 180C or until a piece of bread browns in 20 seconds. -Fry the halloumi in batches for 2-3 mins until golden brown and crispy. -Drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with sea salt. Dipping sauce: 5 tbsp greek ...

This macaroni salad has graced many of our BBQ's this summer. It is tangy with hint of sweetness, super easy to make, and it is sure to be a hit with your family! 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni ( I use 500 gram bag) 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup  white vinegar 2/3 cup white sugar ( or adjust to your liking) 2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Add in options:  sliced olives chopped hard boiled eggs diced onions chopped red or green peppers shredded carrots sliced celery chopped pickles diced deli meats diced cheese slices green onions Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain. Make sure its nice and cool before adding the dressing! In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the  cold macaroni. Next add in what ever extras you like!...

 Padron Peppers are originally from Spain – and they are definitely NOT hot, although the occasional one might surprise you! There’s a saying that goes "Pimientos de Padrón, unos pican y otros no" (Padron peppers, some are hot and some are not). Padron peppers are so irresistably delicious, and super easy to prepare. I can't tell you how many times we have enjoyed them this summer, sometimes twice in one week! They are a great appetizer paired with sliced prosciutto, & some cheese. We also love them as a side dish, to grilled steaks, they are perfect! 250 grams Padron peppers/or Shishito peppers instead 4 tablespoons Olive Oil Sea Salt (generous amount)  1 lemon Heat a little olive oil in a wide sauté pan until it is good and hot but not smoking. Add the peppers and cook them over medium, tossing and turning them frequently until they blister. They should char in places. Don't rush. It takes 8 to 10 minutes to cook a panful of peppers. When they...

Summertime, and the livin' is easy... it sure is! Can you believe we are headed toward the month of August already? Summer please slow down, I am enjoying all of our late mornings, pool days, BBQ's and our respectable laziness ( our as in me and the kids, Mr.G is working, well because someone needs to pay the bills around here ). As much as I love summer, there is something I struggle with, and no it's not the crazy island humidity, but instead cooking!! Gasp, I know how the heck do you have a food blog and yet hate cooking in the summer. The struggle is real, I just loose my kitchen mojo. Anyone else feel the same? I just want some simple suppers, something I can fix perhaps in the morning and not worry about it when it comes to dinner time. So my dear ones, I present to you the Quiche Lorraine, make it and forget about it. Serve warm or cold and add a salad, and tah-dah dinner is served! Mini Quiche Lorraine Crust 1 3/4 cups (430 ml) unbleached all-purpose fl...

This was such a big hit at dinner the other night, Mr.G and the kids absolutely loved it! Crispy bites of beef with a delicious, thick, sweet yummy sauce, whats not to love? Sprinkled with some green onions on top and served with some rice or noodles, I promise it will feel like you are at your favorite Chinese resturant. 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup water/ or beef stock 3/4 cup dark brown sugar vegetable oil, for frying (about 1 cup) 500grams//1 lb flank steak 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 large green onions, sliced on the diagonal into one-inch lengths Make the sauce by heating 2 tsp of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over med/low heat. Don’t get the oil too hot. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to about medium and boil the sauce for 2-3 minutes ...

Panna cotta is Italian for “cooked cream.” It is exactly that, a cooked mixture of cream, sugar and gelatin and it's a very easy dessert to make. The flavors for panna cotta are endless, spices,tea even herbs can be steeped in the cream to infuse flavor. Panna cotta is velvety sweet, creamy, decadent  and is great on its own, but even better topped with fresh fruits or a sauce.  I hope you give it a try, it's perfect for any occasion, and your family and friends will love it! 4 cups (1-quart) heavy cream 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped* 2 1/4 teaspoons unflavored powdered gelatin 3 tablespoons water Strawberry Coulis for serving (recipe below) Instructions In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, vanilla bean and seeds. Bring the mixture just to a simmer over medium heat. (when it starts to steam) Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small b...

We are so very lucky to have our own lemon tree, or at least I think we are. I can´t really explain to you how much joy it brings me, to just be able to wander of into the orchard, and pick an apron full of lemons! Such a simple thing,but really quite joyous for me. Perhaps I am just silly, but it does make me smile. The tree is young, buy has blessed us with so many lemons during the last three years, and once again it is exploding with fruit. So this weekend I decided to make some old-fashioned lemonade. This easy homemade recipe only needs three ingrdients and it's the perfect combination of sweet and tart. Around here the days are getting longer, and warmer,  so summer can't be far now. It will be nice to cool off this summer with a chilled pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade. 1 3/4 cups white sugar 8 cups water 2 cups lemon juice (8 lemons, depends on the size of them) Directions In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and s...

It was a lovely day for a wedding, today Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle were married in St George's Chapel in Windsor. Our invitation must have been lost in the mail, so we made do, while watching in our jammies and eating scones. Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex! These scones, are an old faithful in my kitchen, I really don't need an excuse to make them, but a Royal Wedding seems like a perfect occasion to enjoy them. Find the recipe here!

Who says you can't have your margarita and eat it too? Can you think of a better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, than with a Margarita Cupcake?!  These  yummy lime cupcakes are topped with a tequila lime buttercream frosting packed with flavor and they are perfect for your fiesta! You can have your drink and your dessert all in one! Ingredients For the cupcakes: 1 box white cake mix 3 egg whites 2 Tbs vegetable oil 1.5 oz triple sec 2 oz tequila of your choosing 7 oz lime juice zest of 1 lime For the frosting: 1  1/2 sticks butter (12 Tbs) 4-5 cups confectioners sugar 1 Tbs tequila 1 Tbs lime juice zest of one lime lime slices for garnish (optional) Preheat oven to 180/350 degrees.  Line cupcake tins with cupcake papers. In a large bowl, prepare batter according to package directions substituting the 1 1/3 cup water with triple sec, tequila and lime juice.  Add lime zest.  Mix well.  Pour into cupcake tins, filling about ...

This is one of my favorite desserts, a classic my mother and my aunts always made. At all of our celebrations, this lovely coconut custard with its billowy meringue topping and chocolate sauce, always made an appearance! Every spoonful is a bite of nostalgia from my childhood! 500 grams sugar 200 grams unsweetened coconut (fine) 5 tablespoons of flour (heaping) 8 eggs (yolks and whites separated) 500 mL milk for the meringue 8 tablespoons of sugar + the 8 egg whites Preheat oven 180/350 In a large bowl, mix the sugar and the egg yolks with a  hand mixer. Next add the coconut, the flour and the milk, mix well. Pour the mixture into a butter greased glass baking dish (13x9). Bake 30 minutes or just until almost set, (it will continue to cook after you add the meringue) For the meringue, beat the egg whites and the 8 tablespoons of sugar, until stiff peaks form. Remove the custard from the oven, and top with the meringue, swirl it with a spoon to form peaks. ...

Easy, crunchy, and oh-so-chocolatey!This recipe is an all time favorite for kids (adults too), perfect for  birthday parties, or for those moments you want something sweet! Made from simple cupboard ingredients, and in case you were wondering, no meat, it's just meant to look like a salame! Oh and even better no baking required. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped dark chocolate 1/2 cup granulated sugar 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 tablespoons brewed coffee 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 cups roughly chopped Maria biscuits/ cookies 1/2 cup roughly chopped pistachios 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar *string/twine if you wish to tie them Directions Put the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. In another medium bowl, cream together the granulated sugar and butter with an electric han...

This soup is so delicious! It's creamy, fragrant, lightly sweet with a bit of spice from curry powder. It's also so very simple to make. I’m serious! All you do is place all the ingredients into a pot, cook the soup, and blend. Perfect for busy weeknights. 2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds/900 g) peeled and cubed 2  small onions, chopped 2  medium carrots, chopped 2 cans (14 ounces/400 ml each) of coconut milk 2 cups (500 ml) of water/or chicken broth  2 cloves of garlic, sliced 2 tablespoons (30mL) of  mild curry  powder (start with 1 if you like) 2 teaspoon (10ml) of salt Place everything into a large pot. Bring to a furious boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a slow, steady simmer. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender and your kitchen smells amazing, 20/30 minutes or so. Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender (or, work in batches, in a regular blender or food processor). ** my grocery ...

This peanut butter tart, is heaven on a plate! It's decadent, sweet, creamy, and easy to make. It is love at first bite, in fact it's so delicious you will be tempted to eat the whole pie...I won´t judge you if you do! Crust 2 cups cookie crumbs ( I like digestive cookies, but Marie cookies work also) 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon coarse or kosher salt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted ( more if needed, and I like salted butter) Filling 1 cup cream cheese, softened 4 tablespoons butter, softened 2/3 cup  powdered  sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping 1 cup ( or 170 grams) semisweet chocolate chips A pinch of salt 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream Flaky sea salt, to finish (optional) Make the crust: Heat oven to 350°F (180C). Place a 9-inch round tart pan (ideally with a removable bottom) on a rimmed baking sheet. Finely grind cookies with sugar and salt in a food processor. Add me...

Areias take their name from the Portuguese word areia which translates to sand.The perfect name, for these delicate, crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth cookies.  They are very much  like a shortbread, made with three ingredients, and no rising agent. When you mix up the dough, it should be almost like a wet sand, hence the name. They are the perfect sweet treat to share with your family, and they’re delightful paired with a cup  of  tea. Ingredients 300g All Purpose flour (sifted) 200g Butter/ Margarine (room temperature) 100g  Sugar Rind from 1 lemon/ orange 1/2 cup sugar+ 1 tsp. cinnamon for dusting Preheat oven to 180C/ 350F Sift flour & sugar into a large bowl. Using your finger tips, gently rub in  cubed butter and lemon rind, until mixture is crumbly and  resembles sand, but when you squeeze some in your hand it comes together. Roll together about a tablespoon of  the cookie mix and place on a lined cookie sheet. You ca...

When it's cold outside, there is nothing like a hot bowl of soup to warm you up, this quick ramen hits the spot! This is a quick fix, it is by no means a tradtional Japanese ramen, it won't take you all day to make. It is fast and easy, and is perfect for when you are craving comfort food. 700ml good chicken stock 3 garlic cloves, halved 4 tbsp soy sauce, plus extra to season 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced ½ tsp Chinese five spice pinch of chilli powder 1 tsp white sugar (optional) 400g ramen noodles 400g sliced cooked pork or chicken breast 2 tsp sesame oil For the garnish baby spinach sweetcorn boiled eggs, peeled and halved  sheet of dried nori, finely shredded sliced green spring onions or shallots sprinkle of sesame seeds Mix the chicken stock, garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ginger, five spice, chilli powder and 300ml water in a stockpot or large saucepan, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and sim...

These are perfect for a rainy day, and a great way to use up stale bread. I grew up with my mom making these, usually on the weekend for an afternoon treat or to top off dinner when dinner was leftovers,  and sometimes they were dinner. Very similar to a french toast or a pain perdu , the batter is different though, it has flour added to it. They are shallow fried, and then sprinkled with sugar. My mom has always made them with sliced white bread, that's how I make them too. Tradtionally though, they would be made with sliced rustic bread. These are lovely with some coffee or with a spot of tea, they take a little time to make, but are well worth it. 1 3/4  cups flour 3/4 cups sugar 3 eggs 2 cups of milk pinch of salt sliced stale/ day old bread (about 20 slices) oil for frying sugar for topping In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, eggs milk and pinch of salt, until you get a smooth batter (I use my emersion blender). Get your bread ready, sli...

This is one of our favorite cakes here at home. I usually bake it on Saturday afternoon, and by Monday it is gone. If that isn't an indicator of how good it is, then I don't know what is! It's pretty simple and not too fiddly to make. Requires very basic ingredients, but results in a tall, fluffy, beautiful cake. 1/4 cup cocoa 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup hot water 2 cups flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup oil (I use 1 cup) 7 eggs separated 3/4 cup water ( I use 1/4 cup) 2 teaspoons vanilla Preheat oven to 180/350. In a small bowl, mix cocoa and baking soda in the 1/4 cup hot water until it is a thick paste. Reserve. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Reserve. In the work bowl of stand mixer, pour oil, egg yolks, the 3/4 cup water, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until white and fluffy, and soft ...