This week's DELIGHT: Walnut Chocolate Cake

I still need to post about this year's Thanksgiving recipes (lots of delicious food, as usual!) but I'm already thinking about Christmas ;) And with the chilly and rainy weather around here, nothing better than a Walnut Chocolate Cake.

It's a delicious cake with a soft and moisty texture, however, as the nuts have a good amount of natural oil in them, it is not a very fluffy cake. I used semisweet chocolate chips, but if you like a sweeter cake, I suggest using milk chocolate (I liked it with semisweet).
You can also switch for macadamia or pecans, take out the chocolate chips (I don't recommend...) or even add a glaze or ganache. Merry Christmas!

This week's DELIGHT: Quinoa Pizza Ball

As you know, I am a huge fan of quinoa and I've prepared  dozens of recipes with it.
I usually make it as a salad changing the ingredients depending on what I have in the fridge (tomatoes, dried cranberries, grated carrot, chopped almonds, corn etc.) and sometimes we have it warm (like rice) cooked with vegetable stock.
I thought it was about time to try something different and after doing some research on amazing food websites, I found what I was looking for: Quinoa Pizza Ball.

It's simple, healthy (it's baked!) and it really tastes like pizza!
You can have the filling you want. I tested it 3 versions: mozzarella, cream cheese and plain (mozzarella is the winner!). The only problem is that you have to eat it right away. Otherwise, it will lose its crispness.
A healthy and delicious appetizer! Check out this and other recipes here.

This week's DELIGHT: Yogurt Cake

I know that the last recipe I posted here was a Lime Yogurt Cake, but this one is so simple and delicious, that I thought was worth sharing with you. As my grandma would say "it is a cake that tastes like cake" (ie: no predominant flavor) but still, is so good and moisty because of the yogurt. If you want, you can add lemon/orange zest or berries, but it is delicious the way it is, simple. And as I say almost every time I give these tea cake recipes: it is perfect for your afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea!
This and other recipes you can find here.

This week's DELIGHT: Homemade Granola

Tomorrow is Monday, also internationally known as "starting-a-diet day", so I will end the weekend with a healthy recipe: homemade granola!

I was interested in making a homemade recipe for quite some time because I wanted to have a little more control over the ingredients. When we bought granola at the grocery stores, usually the best ones (in taste)  are always packed with sugar and, those healthy ones have some grains I'm not too fond of.
Anyway, hubby who only eats one type of granola, from one certain brand, from one certain grocery store, loved it!
And the cool thing is that you can change the ingredients whenever you want and have a different version each and every time (of course I didn't have all the ingredients at home, so I made my own!)
Check here this and other recipes.

Have a nice week you all!

This week's DELIGHT: Baked Donuts with Chocolate Glaze

After a long time without posting any recipe, here's a pretty a easy and cute one: Baked Donuts with Chocolate Glaze.

To be quite honest, the dough does not have an amazing taste (next time, I'll add either cinnamon or cocoa powder), but the texture is great to make into this donut shape. And the glaze is simple and delicious. Pretty, right?

Breakfast

You guys know how much I love breakfast! From a simple cup of coffee to those huge tables at hotels (or even at home, during the weekend, when we are feeling more inspired to set a beautiful table).
I always share here with you some tips of great places that offer delicious breakfasts but today I chose simple but tasty things that can upgrade your everyday breakfast.
Some photos were taken from restaurants but I already made those dishes at home and there is no secret! Just go for it!

Greek yogurt with seasonal fruit (in this case, fresh cherry)

Quesadilla. You might think it is too much work but think of it as a "Mexican melted cheese." Just buy a nice
cheese and tortilla, put them in a hot pan (or even grill) and voilá. You have a delicious and themed breakfast (to make it even easier, don't worry about the guacamole and sour cream. Quesadilla is amazing by itself)

Bagel with cream cheese. You can replace the bagel for any other kind of bread (brioche?). And if you're in a good mood, make a iced/frozen mocha.

Amaretto French Toast. This version goes in the oven and, as the name says, has almond liqueur in it. I love it! I'll post this recipe very soon!

Toasted bread with peanut butter and banana. This is my child side speaking!

Eggs Benedicts. I've shown you here my version of eggs benedicts. It doesn't have to be fancy and still it is going to be a success!

Pic-Nic/Breakfast in the hotel room (it can also be in your room, at the beach house, boyfriend's house...): yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, English muffin, jam, cheese, prociutto. Do I need to say more?

Spresso with pastry (this is even more special because it is from Di Cunto, a very traditional pastry shop in Brazil). It is also an excellent choice for an afternoon coffee.

This is easy for those who live in Brazil: cheese bread!  (for those who don't, just go to any Brazilian/Latino Market and you will find it)

Hot chocolate (it will be hard to beat Angelina, but using a good milk and a good chocolate, I'm sure it's going to be delicious too!)

This is one of my favorites: waffle* with Greek yogurt and maple syrup (this is the light version. The traditional version has sliced banana. Hmm ...). * You don't have to make the waffle. Buy it from any supermarket.

There are endless ideas for a very nice breakfast: jellies, cheeses, cakes, cookies, granola, fresh fruit, fresh bread, juice, coconut water etc. Just use your creativity and start your day differently! Have a good week you all!

This week's DELIGHT: Orange (or Passion Fruit) Sauce

With the holidays coming, nothing better than a quick recipe that can help you spice up your bird (be it turkey, chicken, turfey) and even your every day dish: Orange Sauce (in my case, Passion Fruit Sauce!)

My mother in law gave me this recipe after my hubby has tried at her house and loved it! I tested it and it really is a delicious sauce!
Since we had leftover, on the next day I made a sweet-savory brown rice: I added the passion fruit sauce directly into the water I cooked the brown rice with corn, grated carrot and shredded chicken.

The picture is not very good, but the rice... mmm... yummy!

This week's DELIGHT: Spicy Cookie

This week's recipe is a cookie recipe but a different one: Spicy Cookie.
It's basically a choco chips cookie but with the kick of paprika to warm it up!

It has a soft texture and it's delicious with a glass of milk or, for those who are enjoying the cold weather, a glass of warm milk or tea!

This Week's DELIGHT: Orange Tea Cake

Starting the week with one cake that is a classic in most Brazilian grandma's kitchens: Orange Tea Cake!

Simple and delicious, it's perfect with a cup of hot or iced tea. Fluffy and made with real orange, it's definitely a keeper!

This week's DELIGHT: Filet Mignon with Blue Cheese

Yesterday was Independence Day - also known as National BBQ Day - and everyone gets together with friends and family to celebrate this important date and watch fireworks. But hubby and I had another plan since a huge event was happening in Brazil (our local soccer team was playing the final of a very important LATAM Championship - we won!!). 
We were nervous and anxious, so we decided to spend the day at home preparing for the big game. But we didn't stay out of the celebrations: I made a filet mignon topped with blue cheese and salad (arugula, tomato, carrot, dried cranberry and avocado). That was our BBQ!

I'm not a steak expert but I have to admit that this one could be served in any steakhouse! I like a very thick cut and I don't let it cook too much so the steak doesn't get dry or rubbery (medium, medium-rare).
Once the steak is ready, turn off the heat, put a few chunks of cheese on top, cover with the lid and let it soften (a minute or two).

You can use your grill or skillet (cast iron or regular). I used a regular skillet. Serve it right away with a delicious salad and voilá! A steakhouse at your house!

This Week's DELIGHT: Salmon Tartare

I love raw or smoked salmon, but I confess that the fish was not part of our meals as much as it should be. But now that I learned to make Salmon Tartare, I'm sure it will be more present in our house!

Salmon Tartare is a super simple, light and refreshing dish, made with raw fish (you can use tuna too). Easy to make, it's a great option for an appetizer. But in my case, it was a hot Sunday, so I made it as my main dish, with spinach, feta cheese and dried cranberries salad.

Check here to get this super healthy and very tasty recipe!

This week's DELIGHT: Coconut Macaroons

This week's recipe is Coconut Macaroon. It has nothing to do with macaroon despite having the same name (Who knew...)

In Brazil we have a similar dessert called Cocada. It's also made with coconut and condensed milk, but in a different shape.

It's a great sweet treat after lunch or dinner, very easy to make and perfect for coconut lovers! (check out this recipe here)

Peruvian Dinner

Last Friday we had dinner with our newest and amazing friends at their home. The menu was Peruvian - made ​​by a legitimate one: fish and shrimp ceviche, baked potatoes, causa (mashed potatoes stuffed with tuna, mayonnaise and avocado) and, for those not much into Peruvian food: pesto chicken pasta with mozzarella di bufala. And, of course, bottles of wine and lots of chatting!

I was responsible for dessert and I made a healthier chocolate cake (no flour nor refined sugar) with an yogurt and orange cream (I forgot to take pictures of the yogurt cream, but I will post the recipes).

It was so nice and we were all chatting excitedly that we received the visit of a Beverly Hills Police Officer asking us to slow down and be quiet because was already late into the night ... I mean, this dinner was success!!

This week's DELIGHT: Ginger Cookies

Monday is "international diet day", but not here! I'll start the week with a recipe for ginger cookies with (or not) lemon glaze that is great to eat with a nice cup of coffee or tea. I tried two different recipes, but this ended up being the most delicious, buttery, and melting in your mouth.

These cookies are also really nice to give as a simple gift to teachers, neighbors, friends etc. The recipe yields a lot and you can use different cookie cutters (but be aware of making each batch with same size cutters so they all take the same time to bake).

Check here for this and many other recipes!

This week's DELIGHT: Flourless Zucchini Pie

This Flourless Zucchini Pie is a combination of two recipes I had in my books for quite some time and it turned out delicious! Light, it's perfect for those who want to eat healthier (but if this is not your case, you can add any other ingredients you have in the fridge).

As a side dish, I made a good well seasoned tomato salad. Mmmm... This recipe is also great for brunch, lunch after the beach or the club or, as it was in my case, a light dinner.

Check here for this and other recipes.

This week's DELIGHT: Passion fruit Cake

I made this cake with my mother, a few months ago, and it was delicious! As you may know, here in the U.S. passion fruit is not an easy - neither cheap - fruit to buy so I used concentrated juice in a bottle (you can find it in any Brazilian or Latino minimarkets) and it was great!
You can really taste the passion fruit in the batter and the passion fruit glaze complements it all.
As I was having a very creative day, besides the ordinary square format, I made a donut version. And instead of using passion fruit glaze, I made a chocolate one (melted milk chocolate with a couple of tbsp of heavy cream). I did not have enough chocolate for the amount of cream (I only realized it when I could not get out and buy more), so the glaze was very thin, but it turned out good because it penetrated the cake (and, between us, passion fruit pairs very well with chocolate!)

Check out this and many other recipes here.

This week's DELIGHT: Chili - Version I

I was thinking about posting a cake recipe, but since today is cold or raining in almost everywhere, I decided to go for a comforting Chili recipe. In fact, this recipe is adapted from the original, which is Mexican and basically made ​​of ground beef and pork (and, in some versions, with beans). Hubby and I are huge fans and we make a lot, so I don't follow any recipe and I'm always creating different - healthier, of course - versions depending on what I have in the fridge. So, I will call this recipe Chili - Version I, because, I already have other versions around!

It's a perfect dish for cold and rainy days. Since it's a complete meal (has grains, protein, vegetable etc), there is no need to serve anything else. It's very satisfying, warm and delicious!

Farmer's Market, Brazil

As everybody knows, I've just spent a few weeks in Brazil, and during these days, I went to Rio and also did some sightseeing in São Paulo.

One of the places I loved to visit again was the farmer's market. Today, with supermarkets and grocery stores, there really isn't much need to go to a farmer's market but, unlike here in the U.S., Brazilian farmer's market are incredible, huge, with a endless range of delicious fruits and vegetables at a very small price.

If you don't live in Brazil, when you're there, be sure to go to one. But if you do live there and farmer's market isn't part of your routine, go to one at least once a month so you can try a bunch of fresh fruits, listen to the mess of people talking and shouting about their prices and food, and go home with a bag filled with healthy food that you've paid a bargain for!

And, as tradition says, after food-shopping, stop at the pastel tent and eat this typical farmer's market food!(pastel is like a turnover but, in this case, deep-fried. You can find them filled with ground beef, or cheese, ham, chicken, codfish etc...)

A feast for your eyes and your stomach, and good for your wallet too!

This week's DELIGHT: Bread Roll

This Week's DELIGHT is very handy: bread roll with pizza dough.
There is no recipe, but it is very simple and perfect for those days when we need to come up with something quick and tasty.

Here in LA it's very easy to find pizza dough in supermarkets. It's sold in bags and you just roll out the dough with a roller and it's ready. But instead of pizza, I make bread rolls. If you prefer - or don't find that kind of dough on the shelves - you can make it from scratch (soon, I will make a "legitimate" bread roll, my grandma's recipe, and I'll post here for you).



I rolled out the dough, filled with cooked spinach, dried tomatoes and grated mozzarella. Rolled like a roulade, brushed with eggs on top and placed in the oven. Fifteen minutes and it's ready! As side dish, I made a salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese (a Greek cheese). Yummy!