Azoresgal~Life on an Island

A super simple layered dip that you can put together in minutes and it's perfect for feeding a crowd. So if you are having a BBQ or a party anytime soon, give it a try, serve with tortilla chips and dip away! I promise it will be a hit! 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix  1 (16 ounce) can refried beans 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese/ or four-cheese Mexican blend 1 bunch chopped green onions sliced black olives, drained (optional) sliced jalapenos, drained (optional) In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter or large bowl. Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans. Top the layers with salsa. Next top with Cheddar cheese and chopped  green onions.  Optional: Garnish with black olives and Jalapenos. ** I use greek yogurt in pla...

What are lapas you ask? They are limpets, a shellfish, think clams, but  with only one shell and so much better, they taste of the sea when eaten raw, right out of the shell. Perhaps eating a raw limpet is not your thing, then lapas grelhadas is sure to be! Easy to prepare, the lapas are grilled and served in their own shells; resulting in a savory, and divine dish. Great as a starter or as a lazy summer afternoon meal. I promise that you will enjoy this  Azorean delicacy. Fresh Lapas Butter, soft, I like salted Garlic, minced Massa de Malagueta or Piri Piri/Tabasco/Sriracha Lemon Wedges -Clean the lapas, removing any debris, sand etc. -Next decide how you want to grill them, on the stove top, use a griddle or large frying pan, in the oven or BBQ use a large cookie sheet. They all work, and taste great! -Carefully, arrange the lapas, shell down (cupped side down, this means the juices won’t spill out), on the pan, cookie sheet or griddle you will be...

  Everyone who is Portuguese and their mother has a recipe for a Pão de Ló, it's a classic. A super simple sponge cake, that is  fluffy, light, delicious and   made with a few basic ingredients! Pão de ló can be served with a scoop of ice cream, fresh fruit or eaten as it is. I promise you, this traditional dessert is good for any occasion and   will not disappoint. 10 eggs (room temp) 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 cups sifted flour 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp grated lemon peel or orange peel or vanilla – Optional Pre-heat oven, 180/ 350º -Beat eggs  and sugar in electric mixer for about 20 minutes, on medium high speed, mixture will be very thick. - Mix flour, cornstarch, salt and baking powder in a bowl, ( I like to sift it) -Next with mixer running low, and in your flour mixture, I divide it into about four parts, using a big spoon. Just keep the mixer running slow, till it is all...

 This is a quick meal that’s perfect for the lazy days of summer that are upon us . Made with a few simple fresh ingredients, it takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and tastes amazing. For a summer meal that´s light and meatless, you really should give it a try. I promise you will love it! 100 g spaghettini or vermicelli pasta 2 tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed 100 g cherry tomatoes, chopped 5 basil leaves, shredded To serve 5 basil leaves, shredded 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1.In a large saucepan cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 5 6 minutes, before      draining. 2.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the garlic for about 2 minutes until soft but not    brown. 3.Put in the tomatoes and a pinch of salt and cook for a few more minutes, adding a splash of water.  Cook until the tomatoes are tender and have a saucy consistency. Add the chopped basil. 4.To serve: stir t...

I do not know if it feels like spring in your neck of the woods or across the pond , but I can say that is does not feel like spring in the Azores! We are a few days shy of June, and I think we have had one or two days where it felt like spring was in the air! It has been cold, damp, grey, windy and rainy for what feels like the whole month of May! Despite the dreary weather, I can't help but smile every time, I go to our garden, to pick lemons. Our one lemon tree, has been gifting us with non-stop lemons the last two years, it´s really hard not to smile when you have an apron full of sunny yellow lemons! So with the hopes of cheering up your weekend, here is a lovely lemon loaf for you to try! Ingredients 1½ c. flour 1 (3.4 oz.) package, instant Lemon pudding mix ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 3 eggs 1 c. sugar 2 Tbsp. butter, softened 1 tsp. vanilla 2 tsp. lemon extract (I didn´t have any) ⅓ c. fresh lemon juice ½ c. oil ¾ c. pl...

 Friends,today I bring you a fantastic dessert, that is sweet, hot, cold, crispy, and creamy. Imagine if you will, a flour tortilla wrapped around a banana and nutella then lightly fried, dusted with cinammon sugar, topped with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream, and lets add caramel sauce while we are at it.... are you  still there ?? Did you faint....or feel weak in the knees ?? I don´t blame you, these are amazing! Ingredients -  flour tortillas -  bananas -  Nutella - Vegetable oil for frying - ½ cup of sugar - 1 tbsp cinnamon - Vanilla ice cream - Caramel sauce Heat the oil, these will be shallow fried. Spoon a large spoonful of Nutella into the middle of the tortilla. Place half a banana in the center, ( I used two, as our baby bananas are small) Fold the right and left sides of the tortilla over the ends of the banana, then fold the bottom of the tortilla up and over the banana, and continue to roll the tortilla until you...

Making your own homemade hamburger buns is really easy!These took only about 40 minutes, start to finish.  They're soft and sweet, and I bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry. So here is the thing, I am not saying you will never buy store bought hamburger buns again, but perhaps once in a while you will bake these instead, because they are that good! 2 tablespoons active dry yeast 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110° to 115°) 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon salt 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil and sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough. 2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes. Divide into 12 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place 3 in. apart on greased/or baking paper lined baking sheets. 3. Cover and let rest for 25 minutes. Bake at 200//425° for 8-12 minutes or unti...