Tahini buns, Cinnamon buns & Sticky buns

I've finally perfected my cinnamon bun recipe.... and here it is!

Cinnamon buns

- 4 3/4 c flour or 5 cups
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 6 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 c softened butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 c very warm milk.
And zest or orange or lemon (optional)

Cream butter, add eggs, add mixed dry ingredients working the butter into the flour by hand
- Add warm milk, knead together until very smooth for 10 mins.

-Allow to double in size oiled and covered in a bowl, then roll out and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (you can spread with butter first if you want)
-Roll it up and cut thick slices then arrange in a parchment lined pan and allow to double in size again.
-Bake at 350 for 20-30 mins.


For a delicious alternative, try the Tahini bun. Spread some tahini (middle eastern sesame paste) on the dough and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake. It's rather delicious and apparently a legit greek recipe.

Yum yum! ^_^

Lebna - Yogurt Cheese

LOVE Lebna! I used to take lebna sandwiches to school as a child, trumps cream cheese any day. It's smooth, creamy, tangy, and a little salty. Mmmmm. You'll see it on most breakfast tables in the middle east drizzled with a little bit of oil and scooped up with pieces of fresh flat bread.

If I remember correctly Queen Rania of Jordan herself on the View said she used to take lebna sandwiches to school.

Here is how to make it:

For the container above I used 3 yogurt containers (650 g) They were on sale!

Add all the yogurt into a big bowl and add some salt (1 tsp per container should be ok)
Whisk it all up and pour into a sieve that is lined with a paper towel or cheese cloth.

In recent years I've found paper towel to be very durable (scotties?) They don't tear or leave any fragments in the cheese and they're sanitary because I can just throw it away.

I line the sieve really well then pour it all in. (make sure the sieve can stand properly, or has little feet) then place the sieve over another bowl (lots of water will come out)

I remember my mother hanging a tied up cheese cloth around the sink faucet and leaving it there overnight but now I put the bowl in the fridge and in 2 days it's done.

Keep removing excess liquid so it does not reabsorb if it collects, and then turn out the paper towel to reveal you're beautiful cheese. Store in a container and enjoy with a little drizzle of good olive oil. Perfect for your breakfast table, brunch or mezze spread.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Peach Upside Down Cake I

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 5 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk

Directions

1. Melt 1/4 cup butter or margarine in an 8 inch square pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nutmeg. Arrange peach halves, cut side down, in pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Spread batter over peaches.
3. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Remove cake from oven, and let stand in pan for 5 minutes; invert onto serving platter. Serve with whipped cream.
   
   Source
   
   This recipe is truly fantastic!! The cake is amazing, you won't believe it until you try it. Substitute whatever fruit you want but canned peaches work just fine, this time I tried it with fresh pineapple and it was divine! Let me know what you think of that cake!!!

My favourite Banana Bread recipe - easy as pie!

Banana Bread II

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed banana
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Add butter, eggs, nuts, and mashed banana. Beat until well blended.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
   
   Source
   
   
   * I double the walnuts, because I love them so much!! Also dates are awesome, or chocolate chips for a twist.
   Give it a try, you won't regret it ;)