Three recipes I want to try

Is it possible to be addicted to spaghetti? I make spaghetti at least once a week sometimes twice:-) Here are three spaghetti recipes I found on pinterest I want to try...
Spaghetti with clams,  Spaghetti with tomato, bacon, mint and capers ,  Garlic butter spaghetti with spinach and Parmesan 

xx Áróra 

In the kitchen - Meatless monday

This one is perfect for meatless Monday's. It's light and healthy and so easy to make. It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Tortilla roles with cottage cheese and kidney beans 

1 pack tortilla's
Cottage cheese 
1 can kidney beans
1 jar of salsa 
Grated cheese

Preheat the oven 170°
In a bowl mix the cottage cheese, grated cheese and the kidney beans. Divide cheese mixture between the tortillas, roll them up and put them in a baking dish and pour the salsa sauce  over. Close the baking dish with aluminum foil. Put it in the hot oven and heat for about 20 minutes,



Hér er ein gömul og góð 

Tortillur með kotasælu og nýrnabaunum

1 pakki tortillur 
1 stór dós kotasæla
hálfur poki rifinn ostur
1 dós nýrnabaunir 
1 krukka salsa sósa

Hitið ofninn í 170°
Blandið saman kotasælu, osti og nýrnabaunum 
Skiptið ostablöndunni á milli tortillanna, rúllið þeim upp og raðið í smurt
eldfast form. Hellið salsasósunni yfir lokið forminu með álpappír. Setjið inn í heitan
ofninn og hitið í sirka 20 mín eða þar til þetta er orðið heitt í gegn.

XX, Áróra

In the kitchen - Frank Sinatra meatballs

Ítalskur matur er í miklu uppáhaldi hjá okkur fjölskyldunni. Að þessu sinni vorum við 3 í mat og urðu Frank Sinatra kjötbollur fyrir valinu. Uppskriftin af þessum kjötbollum kemur frá Dolly Sinatra (mömmu Franks), sagan segir að þær hafi verið í miklu uppáhaldi hjá honum. Kjötbollur, pasta, marínarasósa og vel af Parmesan og þú ert komin með fullkomna máltið fyrir fjölskylduna. 

Frank Sinatra kjötbollur

500 gr. nautahakk (má blanda saman nauta og svína)
2 egg
2 lúkur af Parmesanosti
1 dl. af brauðrasp
salt 
pipar
2-3 marin hvítlauksrif

Blandið öllu vel saman í skál. Mótið litlar bollur og steikið á pönnu uppúr ólífuolíu (nokkrar í einu).


Marínarasósa

1/2 bolli olífuolía
1 dós tómatar
1 laukur
3 hvítlausrif
1 msk. tómatpurré
salt
pipar
1 tsk. oregano
1 tsk. basli
Ég bætti við slettu af rauðvínsediki og smá balsamikediki 

Hitið ólífuolíu í potti og mýkið laukinn við miðlungshita í nokkrar mínútur bætið þá mörðum hvílauknum útá í 1 -2 mínútur. Bætið síðan afgangnum út í pottinn og látið malla við vægan hita í minnst 30 mínútur.

Berið fram pasta og Parmesanosti


We love Italian food in our family. This time it was dinner for 3, and we made Frank Sinatra meatballs. The recipe comes from Frank's mother Dolly Sinatra. The story is that these meatballs were Frank's favorite. Meatballs, marinara sauce, pasta and Parmesan and you have the perfect family dinner. 

Frank Sinatra meatballs


500 gr. ground beef (or mixed beef and pork) 
2 eggs 
2 two handfuls of Parmesan 
good handful of breadcrumbs
salt 
pepper 
2-3 minced garlic gloves 


Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Shape into balls, and then brown on all sides in olive oil over medium heat. 

Marinara sauce


1/2 cup olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 can crushed tomatoes 
1 tablespoon tomato puree
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, for about 2 minutes. Stir  the tomatoes, and puree. Heat to simmering, and cook on low heat at least for 30 minuets.
• Serve it with pasta and Parmesan.
• Godere!

In the kitchen - Doctor's orders

Það er ekkert leyndarmál að við hjónin horfum mikið á matreiðsluþætti saman (rómó). Nýi uppáhalds er Læknirinn í eldhúsinu á Skjá einum. Ég hef fylgst með blogginu hans lengi og hef verið mjög hrifin, hann er með alvöru ástríðu fyrir mat og sýnir snilldar takta á köflum :-)  Spaghetti var í aðalhlutverki í  þættinum hjá honum um daginn þar sem hann sýndi nokkra rétti hvern öðrum girnilegri.. en þessi stóð uppúr: Besti pastarétturinn fyrir sumarið, glóðasteiktir tómatar, hvítlaukur og basil einfaldur og alveg ótrúlega góður!

It is no secret that my husband and I love to watch cooking shows. Our new favorite show is the Doctor in the kitchen. I have been following  his blog for a long time now and really like it. He has a real passion for cooking and is very good at it :-) Spaghetti had leading role in one of the episodes, this dish stood out: The best pasta dish for the summer, grilled tomatoes, garlic and basil simple and so tasty!

Xx Áróra

In the kitchen - Tuna tagliatelli

Ég hef ætlað mér að prófa þennann rétt í mörg ár :-) - lét loksins verða af því um páskana. Uppskriftin kemur frá engum öðrum en Kristjáni Jóhannssyni ópersöngvara. Ég er ekki vön að nota karrí í pastarétti en það kom mjög vel út - get vel mælt með þessum. 

* 500 g tagliatelli 
* 250 g túnfiskur í ólífuolíu
* 4 hvítlauksrif
* 1 púrrulaukur
* 2 ferskur chili-pipar 
* ½ grænmetissúputeningur
* 10 kaperskorn (má sleppa og nota til dæmis saxaða steinselju, sem bætt er út í alveg í lokin)
* ½-1 glas þurrt hvítvín
* 2 msk. karrí
*  rifinn parmesanostur
* 2 dl matreiðslurjómi
* salt og pipar

Fyrst er að setja vel af vatni í stóran pott og kveikja undir,. Salta vatnið strax, vel af grófu salti og láta suðuna koma upp áður en pastað er sett út í vatnið. 

Sósan: hellið olíunni af fiskinum á stóra og háa pönnu, hitið hana á lágum hita, fínskerið hvítlauk, púrrulauk og chili-pipar. Skellið þessu á pönnuna ásamt súputeningnum. Þegar laukurinn er orðinn glær, bætið þá  túnfiskinum saman við ásamt kapers. Helli síðan hvítvíninu yfir og að lokum parmesanostinum. Hrærið vel, hellið rjómanum yfir og kryddið vel með salti, pipar, karríi.

Þetta má malla smástund á lágum hita, en þó ekki svo að fiskurinn fari í mauk. Pastað á aðeins að vera al dente. Síðan skerpi ég undir sósunni rétt áður en pastað er sett út í, hræri vel í svona í 1-2 mínútur.

I have been meaning to try this recipe for years:-) so this Easter I finally did. The recipe comes from non other than Kristján Jóhannsson, the Icelandic opera singer. I am not used to put curry in pasta dishes but it was quite good. I sure can recommend this dish.


* 500 g tagliatelli 
* 250 g tuna in olive oil 
* 4 cloves garlic 
* 1 leek 
* 2 fresh chili peppers 
* ½ vegetable cube 
* 10 capers cereals (may be substitued with chopped parsley instead, which is added at the very end) 
* ½ -1 cup dry white wine 
* 2 tbsp. curry 
* Grated Parmesan 
* 2 dl cream
* Salt and pepper


Sauce: Pour the oil of the fish in large and high pan, heat it over low heat. Fnely chop the  garlic, leek and chili pepper. Put in the pan with the vegetable cube. When the onions have become transparent add the tuna and the capers. Pour the white vine over and add the Parmesan cheese. Stir well, pour the cream in and season well with salt, pepper and curry.
This can simmer on low heat for a while.  The pasta should only be cooked al dente, then sharpen the sauce just before you put the pasta  in, stir well, for  1-2 minutes.

Xx Áróra

In the kitchen - Steak with chimichurri

Ég get ekki sagt að þetta sé venjulegur mánudagsmatur á mínu heimili, en góður var hann. Nauta - ribeye með chimichurri og steiktum aspas, getur ekki klikkað :-) Adam er búinn að vera biðja um alvöru steik, svona eins og maður sér í teiknimyndunum (bleik inni í) og  auðvitað varð ég að ósk hans. Mér finnst fátt betra en góð nautasteik og get ég svo sannarlega mælt með hinni frægu Argentínsku chimichurrisósu með, rauðvínsglasi og þetta verður hin fullkomna máltíð :-)

CHIMICHURRI 
væn lúka af steinselju
væn lúka af  fersku kóríander
þurrkað oreganó
60 ml rauðvínsedik
120 ml ólífuolía
3 hvítlauksrif
salt og svartur pipar

Blandið öllu saman í matvinnsluvél (eða blandara)

Ribeye steikur
Salt og svartur pipar

Grillið ribeye steikurnar á funheitu grilli í 2 mínútur á hvorri hlið saltið og piprið. Pakkið inn í álpappír og látið steikurnar hvíla í 15 mínútur. 

This is not a typical Monday night dinner at my house, but it sure did taste good. Beef ribeye with chimichurri and fried asparagus. My son Adam has been asking me to cook him a real steak, you now like you see in cartoons (pink in the middle) and of course, I did it. I love a good steak and I sure can recommend the the world famous Argentinian chimichurri sauce, and with a glass of red wine, you have the perfect meal :-)

Chimmichurri 
good handful of parsley
good handful of cilantro
dry oregano
60 ml red wine vinegar
120 ml olive oil
3 gloves of garlic
salt and black pepper

Mix everything together in a blender 

Rib-eye steaks
salt and black pepper 

Grill the steaks in a very hot grill for 2 minutes on each side. Put salt and pepper on the meat. Wrap into foil and let the steaks rest for 15 minutes.

Disfrutar!

Xx  Áróra

all images ©Dusty

Breakfast banana cookies

Ég elska auðveldar og hollar uppskriftir (um leið og þarf chia fræ, soya mjólk eða steviu í uppskriftina er ég hætt að lesa). Uppskriftin sem Áróra setti inn fyrir einhverju síðan, af bananapönnukökunum, er í miklu uppáhaldi heima hjá mér. Sérstaklega vegna þess að þegar mann langar í eitthvað gott á morgnana þá er enginn tími, allir á síðustu stundu. En pönnukökurnar taka ekki meiri tíma en hafragrautur. Þessar "smákökur" eru ansi góðar með kaffibolla og jeminn.. auðveldarara gerist það ekki.

2 bananar

1 bolli hafrar

súkkulaðispænir, kókosmjöl, hnetu- eða möndlukurl eftir smekk (ég notaði súkkulaðispæni og möndlukurl)

Bananarnir eru stappaðir og hinu blandað út í, hrært, slett á bökunarpappír með teskeið og bakað í ca. 15 mín við 180°C

I love simple and healthy recipes (as soon as the recipe has chia seeds, soya milk or stevia in it I quit reading). The banana pancake recipe that Áróra posted a while back is a big favorite at my house. Especially because if you want something tasty in the morning, you never have any time, but the pancakes don't take any more time than cooking oatmeal. These "cookies" are pretty good with a cup of coffee.. and gosh... it doesn't get any easier than this.

2 bananas

1 cup rolled oats

shaved dark chocolate, coco nut flour, crushed nuts or almonds (I used shaved chocolate and crushed almonds)

Mash the bananas, put other ingredients in and blend. Put on a baking plate with a tea spoon.

Bake for approx. 15 minutes at 180° C

Xx Eva

Days go by

Það er búið að vera brjálað að gera í vikunni og ég hef komið seint heim öll kvöld. Það sem ég hef verið vön að gera á síðkvöldum er að slökkva á heilanum og kveikja á sjónvarpinu (já maður er ófullkominn) en ég geri það æ sjaldnar og ég bara man ekki hvenær ég horfði síðast á sjónvarp. Tölvan er hinsvegar algjörlega búin að gleypa mig og ég held að ástæðan sé sú að á netinu vel ég nákvæmlega hvað mig langar að skoða og horfa á en sjónvarpið (þessi eina blessaða ríkisstöð) býður of sjaldan upp á það sem mér finnst áhugavert eða skemmtilegt. Hér að neðan má finna brot af því sem ég hef verið að skoða á netinu. En að öðru... Fyrsti snjórinn kom í vikunni og ég fattaði að mig vantar almennilega skó, sem þola íslenskt veður, og langar svakalega í þessa á myndinni :) Góða helgi!

This week has been a hectic one and I've been coming home very late at night! I have always used the tv to help me unwind and turn my brain of (simple pleasures) but I notice that I watch it less and less. (I haven't turned it on once this week) but instead I am totally consumed by the computer. I think the reason is that while the tv just feeds me something I don't necessarily want to watch (and I only have the one state channel) - the internet shows me what I'm interested in. Below are some of the things I was inspired by. Oh and one more thing.... Snow arrived already this week! I discovered that I need shoes that can carry me through the Icelandic winter and I really like the Chelsea boots in the photo above :)  Have a great weekend!

This girl... Thank you! Watch

Soups seem to be appropriate in this weather... this recipe had me at "truffles" Recipe

This song... a Pixies cover (a bold move but I like it) Listen

Pinterest...this thing is addictive! Go ahead and pin

Xx Eva

image: www.cover.dk

Peanut butter smoothie!

This green monster drink actually tastes like peanut butter milk shake! Well almost ;)
Just add to your blender:
1/2 banana (preferably sliced and frozen) 
One cup frozen pineapple
One cup water
2 teaspoons creamy peanut butter
Fill the blender up with baby spinach
Blend :)

Þessi skærgræni drykkur smakkast NÆSTUM eins og hnetusmjörs mjólkurhristingur -ég get svarið það ;)
Settu eftirfarandi í blandarann:
1/2 banana (helst frosinn í bitum)
Einn bolla frosinn ananas (í bitum)
Einn bolla vatn
2 teskeiðar hnetusmjör (mjúkt, ekki með heilum hnetum)
Ferskt spínat þar til blandarinn er fullur
Blandaðu :)

Xx Eva

Cocoa soup

Cocoa soup is one of Adams favorite dish to make. We often make it when he comes home from school. It is very easy to prepare. I don't know a kid that dosen't love this soup:) I remember how much I loved it when I was a kid. My grandmother used to make it for me enough about that here comes the recipe.

3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups water
3 cups milk
1 tablespoon potato starch or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
salt, to taste

Directions:
1
Mix the cocoa powder, sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan.
2
Add the water gradually and stir until smooth.
3
Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
4
Add the milk, reheat to boiling point and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5
Mix the potato starch or cornstarch with a little cold water, pour into  the soup and remove from heat.
6
Salt to taste then serve.

Við Adam eldum oft kakósúpu þegar hann kemur heim úr skólanum. Kakósúpa er í miklu uppáhaldi hjá honum, það er líka svo einfalt að útbúa hana. Ég hef ekki hitt krakka sem finnst ekki kakósúpa góð:-) Ég man hvað mér fannst þessi súpa góð. Amma útbjó hana oft handa mér þegar ég var krakki en hvað um það, hér kemur uppskriftin.

3 msk kakó
3 msk sykur 
1/2 tsk kanill
2 bollar vatn
3 bollar mjólk
1 msk kartöflumjöl eða sósujafnari
salt

Aðferð:

1
Blalndið kakói, sykri og kanil saman í pott
2
Bætið síðan vatninu saman við og hrærið
3
Látið sjóða í 5 mínútur 
4
Bætið mjólkinni við, hitið aftur að suðu og látið sjóða í 2 - 3 mínútur
5
Blandið kartöflumjölinu eða sósujafnaranum við smáveigis af köldu vatni og hrærið saman  við súpuna 
6
Saltið og berið fram

Xx Áróra

images iraleona.com / dusty 

Lemon - Curd

Lemon curd is so English - and yes - so delicious ! Some people call it sunshine in a jar:)That bright yellow curd can be used in many ways - simplest way is on a buttered toast (my favorite), it makes a delicious filling for cakes and cookies and I love it on waffles....

All you need is 
2 lemons ( juice and the zest ) 
70gr butter
2 eggs
125gr sugar

Put in a bowl sugar, butter, lemon zest and the juice and let it melt together over a water bath. Then whisk the eggs, keep on whisking until the mix thickens:-) Let it cool in the fridge. 



Xx Áróra

Adam's Devil's cake

Devil's cake with frosting was my favorite cake when I was a kid - It was THE cake at every birthday party- I haven't had it for years - Adam and I made it this weekend and wow, it was wonderful, just as good as I remembered - And now it is Adam's favorite cake :-)

Devil's cake with frosting

80 g chocolate
130g soft butter
280 g brown sugar
3 eggs
280 g flour
2 tsp. baking soda 
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 dl yogurt
2-3 tsp vanilla extract
2 dl boiling water

Preheat oven to 180 °
Melt the chocolate over a water bath
Stir butter and sugar very well (5-6 minutes).
Now add the eggs one by one 

Then put the chocolate into the mixture.

Sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together and the yogurt and then the vanilla extract, mix everything well together. Pour the boiling water into the mixture while the electric mixer is on the the lowest setting:) Divide batter evenly among 2 prepared pans. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes. 

Frosting

200 g sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 egg white 
1 dl boiling water 

Put everything in a electric - mixer an mix well together. About 5 - 8 minutes

Place one cake layer on a serving platter; spread some of the frosting over the top. Add the second cake layer, and spread the rest of the frosting over the cake:)

Xx Áróra

Lobster pizza

The other night we had friends over for dinner, it was quite simple really, we had homemade pizza. -Lobster pizza and white wine!  I mean what can go wrong- everyone loves pizza and lobster -so when you combine the two.....

 Garlic oil :
1 1/2 cup quality extra virgin olive oil
1 whole garlic, finely chopped
Mix the olive oil and the garlic together in a jar.


Pizza dough
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package) instant dried active yeast
1 cup warm water (not hot!)
1 tablespoon honey
3 cups bread flour, or as needed
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon salt


Add the water, yeast, sugar, and 1/2 a cup of the flour into a mixing bowl. Stir well and let sit for 20 minutes. It will get bubbly.

Add olive oil, salt, and 2 cups of the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until it's together enough to turn out on to a lightly floured work surface to knead.

Knead for few minutes , while adding more flour a little at a time, to produce a soft, elastic and slightly sticky dough. Do not add too much flour, just enough to keep it from sticking to the work surface as you knead.

Form the dough into a ball and place in a large oiled bowl. Drizzle a few drops of oil and coat the top of dough to prevent the surface from becoming dry.

Let it sit for about 15-30 minutes

Divide the dough into two (or three)  and roll it thinly.
Put the rolled-out dough on baking sheets, smear the garlic-oil on the base of your pizzas and spread it out to the edges. Put the langoustine  (lobster-tails) on top then, mozzarella, be generous on the salt and pepper:) Put it in the oven on 230° for 7 - 10 minutes When it is out of the oven put some more garlic-oil arugula-salad and finally Parmigiano-Reggiano on top

Xx Áróra

Barefoot Contessa

I'm such a big fan of Ina Garten ( Barefoot Contessa) I love her cookbooks and her TV-show. I always watch her show and I can't wait until January when her new show will start.  I have never been disappointed with her recipes. They have always been a big hit:) Her lemon chicken-breast is divine .

Barefoot Contessa Lemon-Garlic Chicken-Breast 
1/4 cup good olive oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on (6 to 8 ounces each)
1 lemon 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just 1 minute but don’t allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt and pour into a 9 X 12-inch baking dish.

Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in 8 wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn’t browned enough, put it under the broiler for 2 minutes. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the pan juices.

Xx Áróra

Sophia Loren´s spaghetti Con Pomodoro Crudo

"Everything you see I owe to spaghetti."  Sophia Loren 

Sophia Loren is one of the greatest actresses and style icons. The Italian beauty sure knows how to cook too :)  I am a big fan of her recipes. Here is her famous spaghetti dish Con Pomodoro Crudo.

For six persons

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound spaghetti
2 pounds tomatoes, not quite ripe, chopped
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
2 medium red or Vidalia onions (or less), thinly sliced
1/4 cup pitted Sicilian green olives, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons drained capers
1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley
12 chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 cloves garlic, crushed
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

Cook the pasta until just al dente. 

While the pasta is cooking, place in a large serving bowl: Tomatoes, mozzarella, onions, olives, capers, parsley, oregano, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour the oil over and toss gently. 

When the pasta is ready, pour it into a colander and quickly rinse it under cold water; drain well and add the warm spaghetti to the bowl. 
Toss to combine, and serve. Pass the cheese at the table.

Xx  Áróra