Fondant Matcha & Chocolate

I had to try this chocolate fondant with green tea! This recipe comes from again Ma petite cuisine Japonaise from Marabout. My boyfriend and I went to Japan 2 years ago and just fell in love with the culture and food.

Here is the recipe for Fondant Matcha & Chocolate

25 g of flour
10 g of matcha (green tea powder)
125 g of butter
50 g of hazelnut powder (I used coco powder, however the fondants weren't green like in the picture)
40 g of brown sugar
2 eggs
A pinch of salt
12 squares of dark chocolate


Preheat oven to 355 F.

In a bowl, sift the flour, matcha, and salt.

Melt the butter. In a second bowl, beat eggs and sugar with a whisk. Add melted butter, ground hazelnuts and flour to the matcha mixture.

Butter and flour 6 small cake pan and pour half the mixture. Place 2 squares of chocolate into each one and cover with the rest of the preparation. Bake in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes. Serve warm for the chocolate squares are melted.

My inspiration painting from this recipe:

Original oil painting on canvas board, 4 x 6 inches

Two Sesame Cookies

I received a japanese cookbook for my birthday two years ago and I've never tried any of the recipes. The book is called "Ma petite cuisine Japonaise" from Marabout.

My first attempt is this recipe called "Cookies aux 2 Sesames".

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup of flour
1/8 cup of black sesame
1/8 cup of white sesame
4 tablespoons of olive oil
5 tablespoons of honey
3 tablespoons of water
3 tablespoons sesame paste (tahini)
pinch of salt

Preheat oven 375F.

Mix flour, sesame seeds and salt in a bowl.

In a second bowl, mix honey and water, then add the sesame paste and olive oil to obtain a homogeneous mixture.

Mix together the ingredients of both bowls. Form about 12 balls that flatten with a fork on parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes.

Original oil painting, 4 x 5 inches

My cookies came out much lighter than in the picture in the book. I don't know, why? But they were still very tasty. The author suggests that you can substitute the sesame seeds for chocolate chips, almonds or nuts, etc. I will make these again.

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I have places to go!

4 x 6 inches

Original oil painting

I tried a mini portrait of my nephew. He walks with a purpose. I hope I was able convey this painting.

What to read

5 x 7 inches

Original oil painting

Untitled

Original oil painting, 6 x 8 inches

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Karl's favorite

Original oil painting, 6 x 8 inches

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True Loaf

Small oil painting on canvas board, 8x8 inches.

Click here to purchase.

Please do not use this image without permission.

The fennel and date bread in this painting comes from a bakery called True Loaf Bread Company in Ottawa. They make the best bread in the city! Yum!

Smucker's Jam Jar

Oil painting: Small painting oil on canvas 5 x 7 inches

Small oil Painting : Honey Cruller

Small original oil painting, 5 x 7 inches

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Grandma's Zucchini Cake

One of my favorite desserts my grandmother used to make.

4 eggs
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 cups of grated zucchini (finely grated)
2 cups of flour
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 cup of chopped walnuts
1 cup of raisins or dates

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cake pan of your choice.

Mix all dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, soda and baking powder) in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and gradually add the sugar. When the mixture is thick, add the vegetable oil gradually and beat well.

Stir the egg mixture into dry ingredient. Finally, add the raisins or dates and walnuts.

Place the cake in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes or until cooked.

** I reduced the quantity of sugar from 2 cups to 3/4 to 1 cup of sugar.

Granola

I made some granola on the weekend. It's absolutely delicious with mediterranean plain yogurt and drizzle a bit of honey on top. Scrumptious! Easy to make and a great food to snack on.

3 1/2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened

3 tablespoons flax seeds

1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

3 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups mixed dried fruit (i used dried cranberries and raisins)

Preheat the oven to 375. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminium foil. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the

dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate.

Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth

of goldenness you're looking for). Stir every 10 minutes..

Remove the granola from the oven and cool completely, in its pan. Once granola is cool, mix in the dried fruit.

Consumed grapefruit

Oil painting, 5 x 7 inches