Paste cu pui afumat / Pasta with smoked chicken

Am lipsit mult de pe aici. Dar am avut un motiv: am fost foarte racita si abia incepe sa-mi treaca.
Nu am gatit mare lucru in ultimul timp dar vreau sa va povestesc despre o reteta simpla si delicioasa si mai ales rapida. Este ideala cand nu mai stiti ce sa gatiti sau nu aveti chef sa stati mult in bucatarie.
Nu am sa ma intind cu vorba deoarece incerc sa ma menajez si sa ma odihnesc mai mult decat de obicei.
Farmecul acestei retete este dat de carnea de pui afumata de bunica mea acasa.  De aceea va recomand sa nu ezitati daca aveti ocazia sa cumparati sau sa faceti chiar voi acasa carne afumata.
- 1 pulpa afumata de pui
- 3-400 g fusilli
- 300 g rosii conservate intregi, fara coaja
- 3 linguri de pasta de gogosar (sau un ardei gras rosu)
- 1 lingurita de pasta de ardei iute
- 4 linguri de ulei
- 150 g branza Gouda afumata (sau cascaval)
- rozmarin
- piper
- sare


I know I missed a lot. But I had a reason: I was very ill (I had flu) and I just started to get well.
I didn't cook much lately but I want to tell you about a simple and delicious recipe and especially fast. It is ideal when you don't know what to cook or you don't feel like standing over in the kitchen and cook.
I won't write a lot  because I try to spare my time and to rest more than usual.
The charm of this recipe is smoked chicken given by my grandmother and smoked at home. So I recommend not to  hesitate if you have the opportunity to buy or even make your own smoked meat at home.
- 1 smoked chicken leg
- 3-400 g fusilli
- 300 g canned whole tomatoes without peel
- 3 tablespoons pepper paste (or red pepper)
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper paste
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 150 g smoked Gouda cheese (or cheese)
- rosemary
- pepper
- salt

Carnea afumata se spala si se taie in bucatele mici. Daca nu va place pielea puteti sa renuntati la ea-eu am pastrat-o. Apoi le-am pus impreuna cu uleiul intr-o tigaie si le-am prajit putin. 

Smoked meat will be washed and cut in small pieces. If you don't like the skin you can throw it- I kept it. After that the small pieces were put with the oil in a pan and fried for few minutes.

Apoi adaugam pasta de ardei, pasta de ardei iute, condimentele si rosiile decojite. Se mai adauga o ceasca de apa (150 ml) si lasam sosul sa fiarba cam 20 de minute.

Then we put the pepper pasta, hot pepper sauce, the condiments and peeled tomatoes. We will also add 150 ml of water and we'll leave the sauce on the stove to boil for 20 minutes.

Intre timp fierbem pastele al dente  in apa cu sare si o lingura de ulei.

Meanwhile we'll boil the pasta al dente in water with salt and some oil.

Amestecam sosul cu pastele scurse bine de apa, adaugam branza deasupra si punem vasul termorezistent in cuptorul preincalzit. Pastele cu pui afumat sunt gata in 25-30 minute (au fost gatite la foc mediu).

We'll mix the well drained pasta with the sauce, we'll spread the cheese on top and we will put the thermo resistant pot in the preheated oven. Pastas will be ready in 25-30 minutes (they were cooked at medium temperature).

Pofta buna!

Bon appetit!

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Trandafiri cu absint / Absinthe roses

Nu stiu cata lume stie ce este absintul. Asa ca am sa va povestesc putin despre aceasta bautura.
Absintul este o bautura alcoolica tare, de cca 70 de grade, preparata din frunze de pelin, anason, fenicul si alte plante aromatice.In doze mari aceasta bautura este toxica.
Deoarece s-a constatat ca in urma consumului de absint creste agresivitatea, putand duce pana la crima, si se poate ajunge chiar la o stare de nebunie, productia si consumul de absint au fost interzise in mai multe tari din Europa si SUA.
In urma unor studii s-a constatat că nu substantele din absint produceau simptomele incriminate, ci consumul excesiv al acestei bauturi. Efectele nu difera, de fapt, de alcoolismul provocat de consumul in exces al altor bauturi alcoolice. Ca urmare, a fost ridicata interdictia de fabricare si comercializare in Europa (Wikipedia).
Probabil ca va intrebati de ce am ales sa prepar un desert cu absint. Ei bine, a fost o surpriza pentru sotul meu care este fan steampunk.
I don't know how many of you know what absinthe is. So I will tell you few things about this drink.
Absinthe is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic (45–74% ABV / 90-148 proof) beverage. It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (a.k.a. "grande wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Absinthe traditionally has a natural green colour but may also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as "la fée verte" (the green fairy).
Although it is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a liqueur, absinthe is not traditionally bottled with added sugar, and is therefore classified as a spirit. Absinthe is traditionally bottled at a high level of alcohol by volume, but is normally diluted with water prior to being consumed.
Absinthe has often been portrayed as a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug. By 1915, absinthe had been banned in the United States and in much of Europe. Although absinthe was vilified, it has not been demonstrated to be any more dangerous than ordinary spirits. Any psychoactive properties attributed to absinthe, apart from that of the alcohol, have been much exaggerated. (Wikipedia)
Maybe you're wondering why I chose to prepare a dessert with absinthe. Well, it was a surprise for my husband who's a big steampunk fan.

Ce ingrediente  am folosit? Nu prea multe.

80 ml apa

80 ml absint

10 g gelatina

6 biscuiti cu unt

4 lg lapte

150 g cioco neagra

What ingredients I used? Not too many.

80 ml water

80 ml absinthe

10 g gelatin

6 butter biscuits

4 tablespoons of milk

150 g black chocolate

Gelatina se hidrateaza 80 ml de apa si se incalzeste putin. Atentie - gelatina se distruge prin fierbere.

Apoi peste gelatina calduta se va pune absintul si se amesteca bine.

The gelatin will be hydrated with 80 ml of water and warmed. Be careful - gelatin will be destroyed if it's boiled. Put absinthe over the warm gelatin and stir.

Amestecul de gelatina si absint se toarna in forme de silicon si se dau la frigider.

Gelatin and absinthe composition will be poured in silicon forms and put in the fridge.

Biscuitii se sfarma cu o furculita si se amesteca intr-un bol impreuna cu laptele. Se formeaza o pasta care se pune peste jeleul de absint si se niveleaza. Formele se pun inapoi in frigider si se lasa 2 ore. Apoi se topeste ciocolata si se adauga si aceasta in forme.

Peste o ora veti putea servi trandafirii, nu inainte de a-i desprinde cu grija din forma.

Biscuits will be smashed with a fork and mixed in a bowl with milk. A paste will be formed that will be put  over absinthe jelly and leveled. Forms are put back in refrigerator and left for 2 hours. Then melt the chocolate and add it into shape.

After an hour you can serve the roses, not before taking them out from the form carefully.

Sper ca v-au placut trandafirii mei! Pofta buna!

I hope you like my roses! Bon appétit!

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Rulouri de curcan cu mix de nuci, alune si masline / Turkey rolls with nut mix and olives

Peste cateva zile va incepe oficial primavara. Abia astept! Sambata am avut o mostra insa vreau mai mult :) Poate ca si voi vreti dar se pare ca mai avem de asteptat. Pana cand o sa savuram o salata si un gratar pregatit in aer liber mai trebuie sa asteptam cel putin o luna. 

Pentru ca weekendul acesta ne-am plimbat, am gatit si am dormit mai mult decat de obicei, nu am prea avut timp sa postez retetele pe care le pregatisem. Stiu ca sunt deja cateva persoane care asteapta cu interes aceasta reteta de rulouri ;)

Iata de ce vom avea nevoie:

- 1.5 kg piept de curcan

- 350 ml vin alb demisec

- 3 linguri de ulei de masline

- mix de piper

- oregano

- nuci caju, nuci simple, alune de padure, alune de pamant, migdale

- masline negre

In few days the spring will officially begin. I cannot wait! Saturday we had a sample of what we'll have next but I want more :) Maybe you want too but it seems that we will have to wait. Until we will savor a salad and a barbecue made outdoor  we will have to wait at least one month.

This weekend we walked, I cooked and we slept more than usual, so I didn't really had time to post recipes that were prepared. I know some people that are already looking forward to see this recipe of rolls ;)

This is what we need:

- 1.5 kg turkey breast

- 350 ml semi-dry white wine

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

- mix of pepper

- oregano

- cashew nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts,peanuts, almonds

- black olives

Dezosam pieptul de curcan si-l taiem in felii mari, de grosime potrivita (2-3 cm). Apoi fragezim carnea cu un ciocan de snitele. Astfel vom obtine felii de aproximativ uniforme ce vor fi usor de rulat.

We will separate the turkey breast of bones and we cut the meat in slices, of medium thickness (2-3 cm). Then we will tender the meat with a hammer, especially made for schnitzels. This way we'll get uniform slices that will be easy to roll. 

 

Se amesteca vinul cu uleiul si condimentele. Apoi se pun bucatile de carne si se acopera cu amestecul obtinut. Vasul se va acoperi si se va baga in frigider timp de 3-4 ore.

Mix wine with olive oil and spices. Then put the meat and cover with the obtained mixture. Then cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

Dupa cele 3-4 ore carnea se scoate pe o farfurie intinsa. Fiecare felie de carne se umple cu mix de nuci si masline dupa care se inveleste in hartie de copt sau folie de aluminiu. Rulourile se aseaza intr-un vas termorezistent dupa care se adauga apa cat sa le acopere pana la jumatate.

Se baga in cuptorul preincalzit. Rulourile se vor prepara la temperatura medie timp de 1.5 ore.

After 3-4 hours the meat will be taken out on a plate. Each slice of meat will be filled with mix of nuts and olives then wrap it in parchment paper or aluminum foil. Rolls will placed in a baking dish and then is water is added, enough to fill half of it.

The dish will be put in the preheated oven. The rolls will be cooked at medium temperature for 1.5 hours. 

Noi am servit rulourile cu niste cartofi copti in cuptor. Daca aveti pofta puteti incerca si cu niste cartofi prajiti - o data la catva timp va mai puteti rasfata ;)

We have served rolls with some baked potatoes in the oven. If you like you can try with some fries - you can  indulge yourselves once in a while ;)

Gustul rulourilor de curcan este foarte interesant. Aroma vinului si combinatia de nuci/masline va vor placea cu siguranta. Se poate servi atat ca fel principal cat si ca aperitiv rece.

Pofta buna!

Turkey rolls' taste is very interesting. Wine aroma and the combination of nuts / olives will make love these rolls. It canbe served as a main course and as cold appetizer.

Bon appétit!

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Prajitura cu nuca si crema de lapte / Walnut and milk cream cake

Nu stiu ce ganditi voi dar eu am ajuns la limita rabdarii! Dupa o saptamana in care am dat la lopata si ne-am chinuit cu zapada pentru orice  deplasare, iata ca am ajuns si in punctul culiminant: topirea zapezii. Incepe o noua saptamana cu noi provocari...
Si ca sa imi revin putin din starea de nervozitate care ma cuprinde numai cand ma gandesc la minunata saptamana ce va incepe m-am gandit sa pun o reteta de prajitura cu nuca pe care e musai sa o repet.

I do not know what you think but I reached the limit of patience! After a week in which I had to use my shovel to get rid of snow and we struggled for any walk and travel, now we reached the most interesting point: snow melting. Here we go again - we'll start a new week with new challenges ...
Just to get out of my nervousness that gets me only when I'm thinking of next week I thought I should post a walnut cake recipe that needs to be baked again.

Iata ce am folosit:

Blat
- 10 oua
- 10 linguri de zahar
- 10 linguri de faina
- 100 g nuci macinate
- 1 lingura de ulei
- 2 plicurii vanilie Finesse (sau o pastaie de vanilie)
- 10 g praf de copt
Crema
- 200 g unt
- 100 g nuca macinata
- 200 g crema de lapte
- 150 g glazura alba de vanilie (sau 150 g ciocolata alba)

Here's what I used:
Sponge cake
- 10 eggs
- 10 tablespoons of sugar
- 10 tablespoons of flour
- 100 g ground nuts
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 16 g Finesse vanilla (or vanilla bean)
- 10 g baking powder
Cream
- 200 g butter
- 100 g ground walnuts
- 200 g milk cream 
- 150 g white vanilla frosting (or 150 g white chocolate)

Pentru inceput am facut blatul. Am separat albusurile si le-am batut spuma impreuna cu zaharul dupa care am adaugat vanilia.

First of all I baked the sponge  ​​cake. I separated egg whites, I mixed with sugar and then I added vanilla.

Apoi am pus nuca macinata si galbenusurile de oua amestecate cu uleiul si am mixat. Tot acum se adauga si praful de copt.
Then I put ground nuts and egg yolks mixed with oil and I mixed them well. Baking powder is also added now.

In final punem faina si omogenizam. Compozitia se pune intr-o tava in care tapetata cu hartie de copt si se baga in cuptorul preincalzit. Blatul se coace la foc mediu. Veti sti cand este copt; fie va uitati la culoarea blatului (trebuie sa fie auriu) fie incercati cu o scobitoare.
Finally put the flour and blend. Composition will be put into a tray with parchment paper in it and put in preheated oven. Cake will be baked at medium heat. You will know when it is baked; the color should be goldish or try with a toothpick.

Cat timp se raceste blatul noi preparam crema. Se mixeaza untul moale cu nuca si crema de lapte. Se obtine o crema nici prea moale, nici prea tare.
While the cake cools down we'll prepare the cream. We'll mix soft butter with nuts and milk cream. You'll get a cream not too soft nor too hard.

Crema se pune intre cele doua bucati de blat. Prajitura se va pune pe o tava si cu totul intr-o punga de plastic dupa care se baga in frigider. Ideal este sa fie decorata si servita a doua zi.
The cream is put between the two pieces of spongecake. The whole cake will be placed on a tray and put in a plastic bag then in the refrigerator. Ideal is to be decorated and served the next day.

Eu am folosit pentru decorare ciocolata alba cu vanilie topita si bombonele roz. Voi alegeti ceea ce va place mai mult. Prajitura poate fi glazurata si cu ciocolata neagra daca va place mai mult.
I used vanilla melted white chocolate and I decorated with pink candies. You choose what you like best. Cake can be glazed with dark chocolate if you like.

Atentie cum taiati bucatelele de prajitura deoarece glazura se sparge usor. Se observa din fotografii ca si eu am avut unele probleme :(
Pay attention how you cut pieces of cake because frosting breaks easily. It can be easily seen in photos that I had some problems :(

Sa aveti o saptamana usoara! :)
Have a good week! :)

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