Jam swirled muffins

There’s something you need to know: I’m addicted to the blackberry lemon jam used in this ice cream recipe – I’ve eaten it with crackers, poured over panna cotta... I just can’t get enough of it.

I thought the jam would go wonderfully mixed in muffin batter – I don’t mean to sound pretentious, but I was right. :D

Jam swirled muffins
adapted from Dorie's lemon poppy seed muffins

2/3 cup (133g

Chocolate-chunk oatmeal cookies with pecans and cranberries

Just so you know it, these cookies – from Tara’s gorgeous blog – are delicious. And if you do not believe me, here’s the dialogue I had with one of my friends from work (the ones I shared the cookies with):

- You know, L., oats are really good for you, good for your heart.
- Well, those cookies were so delicious I would have eaten them even if they were bad for me.

I rest my case. ;)

Mini lasagna + great people

I might be a little disappointed with Twitter, but on the other hand I’m surrounded by wonderful people – and that feels great.

Not many of you know, but I work as an executive assistant and September, 30 is considered our day; the beautiful cocottes you see on the photo were a gift from one of my bosses – the one who also gave me the blowtorch for Christmas; needless to say, I was completely

Yogurt panna cotta with caramelized tangerine slices

A while ago I told you how much I was enjoying Twitter, but something changed some days ago – I haven’t felt that way anymore. It is probably my fault – I should follow other people, people I might have more in common with. :S

I think I need something sweet – I’ll go have another panna cotta. :D



Yogurt panna cotta with caramelized tangerine slices
from here and from Australian Gourmet

Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Chat Masala

Hot, sour and salty, chat masala is a popular northern Indian spice blend that forms a delightful combination with cool or tangy foods like fresh cucumbers or tomatoes. Naturally, it is perfect addition to legume based salads like this Indian-style chickpea salad loaded with both tomatoes and cucumbers, with a little corn and fresh hot chilies for good measure. A colourful, healthy and delicious light lunch or dinner on a hot day or cold day.

Good chat masala blends are easily available from any Indian grocer, but if you want to make your own, I have a quick and easy recipe here.

This is my submission to My Legume Love Affair, a most popular monthly event started by dear Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook and hosted this month by Divya.

Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Chat Masala

1 cup dried chickpeas
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 small cucumber, diced
1 cup fresh or defrosted frozen corn
3 green chilies, seeded and minced
small handful fresh coriander leaves
juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 teaspoons chat masala
1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
fresh ground black pepper

Rinse the chickpeas under cold running water and soak overnight in a bowl covered in several inches of cold water with a little yogurt whey or lemon juice added.

Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas and add to a medium saucepan. Cover with fresh cold water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the chickpeas are soft and buttery. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Place the chickpeas in a large mixing bowl and add the tomatoes, cucumber, corn, chilies and coriander. Pour in the lemon juice and sprinkle in the chat masala, salt and fresh ground black pepper. Toss gently to mix.

Serve warm or cold. Serves 4 to 6.

Other Indian salads you may enjoy:
Three Bean Salad with Fennel
Indian-Style Tomato Salad
Indian-Style Beet Salad with a Yogurt Dressing

On the top of the reading stack: Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland

Audio Accompaniment: Tierbeobachtungen by Jan Jelinek

Ana's chocolate cupcakes

Besides the piña colada cake, I made these cupcakes for my MIL’s birthday – chocolate is THE universal favorite flavor and I thought that they would look pretty on the table. :D

The recipe comes from my dear friend Ana Elisa and you won’t believe how easy and quick it is.

Speaking of Ana – the newest and loveliest mom-to-be in the food blog community – she’s getting a little bit older today.

Passion fruit cream profiteroles

I’ve been feeling very brave these past few days: I managed to watch “Damien: Omen II” entirely, without looking away not even for a second, AT NIGHT. :)

Now I’m ready to watch the last part and complete the trilogy – but this lovely lady and I have come to the conclusion that I’m going to need something to stay calm throughout the movie, like passion fruit juice. I wonder if passion fruit