Greetings!
(old blog www.giddygastronome.blogspot.com)
How to make food look spectacular by using simple garnishes and a sense of whimsy!
There is nothing more haunting than the collapse of a souffle, bread not proofing or just any possibility of a culinary masterpiece going terribly wrong at a very inopportune time! Believe me it happens to the best of us and the only thing we can do is to try again. “Try and try again”, a saying only for the patient heart that loves to cook!
The one thing I have going for me is the inexhaustible will to “mess” with things until a satisfactory parallel is somewhat attained. Because of this remarkable “SABR” (patience) that God has bestowed upon me, any endeavor always seem to congruently “fall into place.” I seem to struggle less and advertently get things right the first time. I amaze myself every time!. With that said I only had one shot at the fabulous moussaka, at least that time, before my guests arrived! Don’t get me wrong, I do have lots of vulnerabilities, I just don’t let them get to me!
I love to play with my food and in so doing, armed with an aubergine( eggplant), carrot, lemon, craft knife and a sense of “giddy” carved out this penguin……apparently its fate ended up in my vegetarian moussaka below!
I told my cats, “If you do not behave then”……..I am just kidding guys!!!!
this image one of the most favorite
http://www.tastespotting.com/popular/favorites/last-week/31
I swear this is the most flavorful spicy brown gravy ( i.s.o. bechamel) seeping down the sides of this spectacular savory vegetarian moussaka made my way! It has four distinct layers…roasted eggplant, umami glazed mushrooms etc……this is a lighter version!
This is yet another well thought out and executed recipe in my upcoming book. This book will not disappoint! This is a melt in your mouth, no mastication needed, slightly crunchy, garlicky creation that boggled even the most unsuspecting of taste buds!
My guests had only the most beautiful interjections for this culinary luxury! They polished off the whole thing….in fact they seemed a bit annoyed with me taking the pictures before they could finally enjoy it!
Easy entertaining!
Simple drinks with not so complicated garnishes make any guest feel special! BTW, the orange powder on the rim of the glass is all natural and its method is conveyed to you step by step in my book.This citrus powder can even be used in cookies .
However, the recipe for the “fizzy clementine & yogurt ice” is found below.
If you are a lover of refreshing ice tea, then boy! is this drink for you! This is a sweet clementine chamomile organic tea infused with the juice of a clementine, orange flower water, honey etc…. This sparkling citrussy drink will cleanse the palate and quench a rather urgent thirst! Delicious!
If you had a crappy day at the office, then this soothing drink will definitely take care of you! Bottoms up!
Recipes ( Please use organic ingredients when possible)
Fizzy clementine and yogurt ice drink
- A bottle of sparkling water chilled
- Squeeze the juice of 8 sweet clementines plus the pulp
- 1 t orange flower water ( concentrates the citrus flavor)(I use Mustapha’s Moroccan orange flower water, a cute bottle!)
- 1 bottle of Italian orange passion mango sparkling soda chilled from Target
Mix 1/2 of the Italian orange passion, all the juice and pulp of the clementines, the orange flower water. Pour the glasses halfway with this mixture, top off with the sparkling water and garnish with the yogurt ice.
Sweet clementine chamomile organic ice tea
- Package “Sweet clementine chamomile organic tea” from Celestial Seasonings
- Juice of 2 sweet clemetines
- 1 t orange flower water
- crushed or cubed ice
- honey
Brew 4 tea bags, and then add only the juice of the clemetines, orange flower water and honey to taste. Let cool. Serve with ice cubes and slices of oranges or clementines.
Thanks for stopping by for dinner!
Love,
Nazarina
Click here for recent creations ! & giveaways!
Awww cute penguin!
And wow! I want that moussaka!! It looks absolutely divine!
Thank you.
That drink sounds wonderful and refreshing.
Alas,I think I won’t be able to visit Target since I live in another continnent.
Is there any sub.?
that gravy sounds heavenly…what goes into that?
Cute eggplant penguin! Your moussaka looks gorgeous like a cake and sounds absolutely delicious, love it!
okay, that penguin is ADORABLE! i don’t think i’ve ever seen a piece of food turned into something so cute. then, on the other hand, i don’t think i’ve ever seen that same piece of food turned into something so tasty–that moussaka looks insanely good!
Hi Naz,
good to hear from you again, it’s been long time….
Love your delicious looking mousaka!
Nice new home as well. it’s immaculate!
Absoulutely scruptous I say! My mouth is watering staring at your vegetarian moussaka. In fact you always keep me on my toes, had to look up moussaka. I never heard of it! The fact that it\\\’s vegetarian appeals to me!
Your photos are eye appealing as usual, and I\\\’m especially glad you included the tea recipe. I need some new ideas, because tea is my only drink of choice even over water! I like how you garnished with sprigs of orange rind! Very nice, I always enjoy reading your posts, and always look forward to them!
Ha! My guests seem to feel the same about taking photos first.
Eggplant penguin is adorable.
LL
The penguin-eggplant is adorable, not to eat it
the photos are amazing drooling only seeing them…
Cheers!
Gera
You are a very very talented lady. That penguin is sooo adorable. I have a book for kids, where there are baby animals made with food! you should publish one of yours!!
you have the capability of making vegetables look like a decadent cake:-)
Haha!! The penguin is absolutely perfect!!!!!! Congrats!!!! Nice work!!!
Your penguin is so cute! LOVE it!
Hi Nazarina, wow, you make great food and drinks, that penguin is super cute!
Your pictures are amazing! Great work! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I’ll be back to yours as well.
There is so much deliciousness going on over here I don’t know where to begin.
I love the way you knotted your orange peel. That drink is gorgeous!
I love the penguin and the love moussaka as well.
I love the way you play with dishes and drinks. Your musakka looks definitely so appealing in a cake shape. Ive never thought it may have a vegetarian version.
And you made me curious about that orange powder on the rim of the glass. It looks great!
uhhh. I still need to pick my jaw off of the floor.
Gorgeous!
Holy coW!!!! You are AMAZING! That penguin is super duper cute, and that moussaka! A totally 100% savory iced “cake”!!!! I LOVE THAT!
You are awesome dear….love that eggplant carving….looks very cute…. vegetarian moussaka sounds yum….
R u there in facebook?
Forgot about those drink….awesome presentation….looks refreshing….
Forgot to mention about those gorgeous looking refreshing drinks…
That moussaka looks beyond yummy! And that penguin is adorable. How could anyone eat anything that cute?!
Thanks you’ll for all stopping by, I wish you could really taste the moussaka!!!!!But as long as you ate with your eyes, I am happy!
Lubna honey, I am not on facebook.
Your moussaka looks delicious and the eggplant is so cute, not to mention the drinks…what a nice presentation
Wow! I missed this post! I love your moussaka! It looks like a cake! Yummy!!!
I always love your presentation. Yogurt ice looks delicious! I want to be creative like you!!!
Absolutely stunning,Nazarina!You are quite talented…Wow!
The dripping gravy and the cute eggplant penguin got my attention!
What a great little penguin. Congrats for making it on Tastespotting!