Sick Day Remedy: Hareera

Ingredients:
1/3 cup sooji (cream of wheat)
3 tablespoons oil
1/3 cup sugar (you can add less if you want, or opt for a healthier sweetener like agave nectar or honey)
3 1/3 cups water (boiling hot)

Directions:
Heat oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Add sooji and fry until light brown, stirring occasionally. Take sooji off the heat and mix in the sugar. Add hot water then put the mixture back on the stove. Cook on high for ~2 minutes, then simmer at low heat until half the water is left.

Interview with Food Blogger Mona Hammad

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mona Hammad, editor in cheif of Musings from a Stay at Home Chef. Mona and her contributing authors provide recipes for a melting pot of dishes and I am super excited to test them out. Let's get to know Mona a little better, shall we...

Cinnamon Granola Cereal

First of all, I love reading your blog, Musings from a Stay at Home Chef. Have you always enjoyed cooking or did something inspire you to learn?
Before I was married, I actually never cooked anything. My mom is an amazing cook, so I was always around good food, but I was never the one making it. After I got married, I started to appreciate all the delicious meals my mom used to make, so I decided to attempt to make similar dishes. I soon realized that one of the most satisfying feelings is to cook something that turns out really good. 

 

Roast Chicken Dinner with Roasted Garlic Gravy

Who is your culinary icon? 

I would have to say my mom. I don't watch cooking/baking shows, nor do I follow any cooking/baking blogs religiously. I grew up in a house full of amazing food made by my mom who is not only my culinary icon, but my role model. 

What is the best part about being a food blogger? 

The best part about being a food blogger is sharing my recipes with others who love cooking as much as I do! 

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

When outside the kitchen, how do you spend your time? 

Outside the kitchen, I enjoy reading novels and teaching my crazy, yet lovable, students.

What is your favorite kitchen tool? 

My favorite tool is my KitchenAid. It's halved the time I spend in the kitchen and really makes cooking easier.

Petite Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

In one tweet (140 characters or less)- what is your culinary style? 

I like to make foods from scratch that are simple and healthy.

What meal/snack is your guilty pleasure? 

I would have to say my number one guilty pleasure is cupcakes. I love trying different types of cupcakes, especially ones that are filled in the middle. Yum!

Roasted Marshmellow Peppermint Milkshake

Make sure to check out Mona's blog, here!

Nutella Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2/3 cup + 5 tables spoons sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon + 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chocolate chips

5 tablespoons Nutella

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil, making sure it goes up all four sides. Mist with non-stick spray or grease lightly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and beat in the 2/3 cup sugar and 2 eggs. Mix in the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Then mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and the chocolate chips. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.

In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, the yolk, 5 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla until smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of the brownie mixture. Distribute the 5 tablespoons of Nutella in dollops and swirl them in the cream cheese mixture using a knife. 

Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the batter in the center of the pan feels just set. Let cool, then lift out the foil and peel it away. Cut the brownies into squares.

Try them, they're divine.