>>> ARCHIVE FOR “January 2008”
Pasta Gratins with Goat Cheese, Sage and Mushrooms

Pasta Gratins with Goat Cheese, Sage and Mushrooms

January 31st, 2008 | Category: Pasta, Vegetarian


I am known to eat a whole pot of pasta in one sitting (and a jar of Nutella if I feel festive, but that is not our topic today). What's more unfortunate is once I made a fatal mistake of telling this to my mother. Ever since that day, her first question on the phone is "What did you eat tonight?" - her voice fading close to the ...

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Clementine and Olive Oil Cake

Clementine and Olive Oil Cake

January 23rd, 2008 | Category: Cakes, Fruit


Sweeter than an orange, larger than a tangerine. This seedless, deep orange-colored beauty is called a clementine. You can buy them for their looks alone. I had a different motive. You remember my "Monday morning syndrome" cake? I was in desperate need of one this week. Inspired by the "Olive Oil and Sherry Pound Cake" recipe from Alice Medrich's book "Pure Dessert", this cake combines the floral and sweet ...

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A Winter Drink That Makes Your Boobs Grow Bigger

A Winter Drink That Makes Your Boobs Grow Bigger

January 17th, 2008 | Category: Turkish Cuisine


Winter in Istanbul is magical. Come January, the city would almost always be buried under a thick coat of snow, but with the global warming, seeing an inch of it nowadays has become a dream. It snowed two weeks ago, but the feast ended very quickly. But here is another feast that is associated with winter in Istanbul. This magical winter drink is called Boza, and it makes ...

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Chocolate and Chestnut Buche de Noel

Chocolate and Chestnut Buche de Noel

January 08th, 2008 | Category: Cakes, Chocolate


Here's the Chocolate and Chestnut Buche de Noel with Marzipan Mushrooms and Acorns we enjoyed at the New Year's Eve dinner party. Come December, there would be a debate at the Mansion on what to prepare for the dinner party. For dessert, a few would always insist on a chocolate and raspberry cake, just because nothing can top that. Some wouldn't even participate in the debate, since ...

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The Brioche Tart That Made Julia Child Cry

The Brioche Tart That Made Julia Child Cry

January 04th, 2008 | Category: Chocolate, Friends, Tarts and Pies


As I am writing this post, first snow of the year is hitting the streets of İstanbul. It was the only thing missing at our New Year's Eve dinner party. I baked two desserts for the occasion: "Chocolate and Chestnut Buche de Noel" and "The Brioche Tart that made Julia Child Cry" (recipe below). Can you believe that name? I didn't watch that specific episode, but apparently in ...

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