Weekend Snippet

That's right, snippet, not snippets.
Our weekend was full and lovely, and had all sorts of perks

like corn on the cob

and hot tubs...

and so much more. 

I'd love to share more stories, and more photos

but see this little girl? 

she drank a too much water from said hot tub

her grandpa warned me about what she had done

...and sure enough, she has spent the morning puking on my lap

so this is all I can muster up today.

the end.

✻ Friday Food Fair ✻ {Fatayers}

 

I discovered these little pockets of heaven one day while shopping at a local middle eastern grocery store, called "Medina".

I initially visited their shop  for spices that can't be found at ordinary chain grocery stores (the particular one I was looking for was sumac), and then also started to buy other things there, like free range eggs that they get them from a nearby Amish farm, goat's milk yogurt, marinated meats, hummus, babaganoush, pita, pickled turnips....let's just say that this place quickly became one of my favorites.

They also happen to sell some prepared foods, and me being me, had to pick some things up to take home and try.
We instantly fell in love with these triangular pockets full of spinach, and sometimes spinach mixed with cheese, depending on the kind we buy.

Of course, I had no idea what they were actually called because they labelled it only as "spinach pie", so that everyone could understand, no doubt.
But these pies were so much better than just spinach. I do love spinach, but these were impressive and full of flavour. 

I called a sweet friend of mine who is from Quatar and grilled her about these, and she knew immediately what I was talking about. She told me that they were called "Fatayers" and that they were a traditional Lebanese food. It's one of those foods that everyone has their own way of making, of course, so the recipes are plentiful. Some women will vow to never use milk in their dough, others always use it, etc.

The interesting tart flavours I was picking up on was lemon and sumac, which, ironically, I had just purchased.
I was buying the sumac for another recipe, but luckily had enough to make some of these too.
My friend was gracious enough to give me her mother's own recipe, which has become a favorite around here.

They're really easy, and fast, and can be whipped up last minute if you use quick rise yeast.
Sometimes I slip some feta or paneer (Indian cheese) into them as well. You can use fresh or frozen spinach...i'm sure some people swear by one or the other, but I've made both and I can't tell a difference once it's cooked. I think it would be far more economical to go with the frozen route though.
The most important thing to do though is make sure that the spinach is well drained.

Fatayers

yields approx 32

Components

For the dough:

• 425 g. flour (approx 3 cups)
• 3/4 cup milk*, warm (or water)
• 1/2 tsp sugar or honey
• 1 tsp dry active yeast
• 1/4 cup canola or extra virgin olive oil

For the filling:

• 500 g spinach, finely chopped (I use frozen chopped. Just thaw, drain really well. For this recipe, use two blocks)
• 2 medium onions, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• juice of 2-3 lemons, to taste
• 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp sumac 
• salt and black pepper, to taste

Putting them all together

1.  Add the yeast to the warm milk with the half teaspoon of sugar or honey. Cover and set aside for 5-10 minutes.
2. Prepare the dough by mixing the oil with the flour and slowly mix in the yeast-milk mixture. Add salt to taste and knead for 10-15 minutes or until the dough is soft and elastic.
3. Divide the dough into individual balls (small tennis/large golf ball size) and cover with a damp towel while you prepare the filling.
4. Add salt, pepper and sumac to the diced onions and red bell peppers to soften them. In a separate bowl add the salt to the spinach and rub the leaves with your hands until they begin to wilt.
5. Squeeze out as much water from the spinach as you can and then mix with the seasoned onion and red bell pepper mixture. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Begin forming the fatayer by flattening out each piece of dough. It helps to do this on a lightly oiled plate. If the dough begins to contract too much, that means it is not well rested yet.
7. Add a spoonful of the spinach mixture to the center of the disc while making sure to keep the sides clear of oil or filling. This will help create a better seal later.
8. Crimp the dough into a triangular shape and set on a parchment lined baking sheet.
9. Brush with milk or a light egg wash and bake in a 450 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve warm or at room temperature

Enjoy!

{This Moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Yarn Along {bubblegum}

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Yarning along with Ginny

I've made it a goal to knit some little cardigans for several of my nieces and nephews for Christmas this year, and I thought it would be best if I start a little bit early (as in now.)
For the little girls, I decided to go with the vertebrae again because it was such a fun and quick knit, and the closest thing I could find to what my sister wanted for them. Something quick and cute to throw over a sleeveless dress in the fall or winter, but something that could go well with jeans as well.

I've started one in bubblegum pink (my oldest niece's request was that it be this colour) and it's been flying off the needles. I can probably have the sleeves done by the end of the day if I can get some knitting time in.

I've still been reading "The Beauty of Humanity Movement" and I've also started "NourishingTtraditions" by Sally Fallon this week.
I just found nourishing traditions from a clearance bin at one of the local health food stores, and it's a book that I've had my eye on for a quite a while.  It focuses mainly on fermented foods and how they benefit our bodies, and is loaded with recipes and ways to squeeze more fermented foods (full of pro-biotics) into our diets. This book definitely does not disappoint.


Ok, maybe the part where she said that I should get rid of my pressure cooker. That was disappointing.She says it cooks food above boiling temperatures which isn't as nature intended. But really, did nature intend to us to cook everything? Will we ever know? I can understand the microwave....but my beloved pressure cooker? Paws off, Sally lady. Hmph!

Binding off,

Corra

Weekend Snippets

The fun all started on Friday night, when the army of angry clouds marched through the sky. The weather radio was brought out, the tv weather channel played suspensefully in the background as we huddled by the windows, debating whether or not we should go to the basement.
I don't think that I'll ever get used to not having to run to the basement or cellar. 

Candles were lit by two boys desperately eager for a real storm, and they got it. 

Wind, rain, hail, thunder, and lighting.. And not just in one simple movement, but 4 seemingly separate shows, with sunshine and rainbows for an intermission. Little miss sassy pants seemed completely happy with the loud booms and flashes of lighting...clearly she fits in well.

I almost went outside to pick some tomatoes, but just as the raindrops slowed just enough for me to venture out another black cloud would roll in, causing more wind and more rain. 

There were some major power outages across the city, limbs down, basements flooded, and trees blocking road ways.
We were spared, for the most part. The mangled and tangled tomato plants might tell you another story, but at least they're still alive. I think they still have hope.

The storm drove away the humidity which is glorious because it made being outdoors became fun again. That heat wave was appreciated at first,(you know, from a gardener's perspective) but had long over-stayed  it's welcome.

A road trip to bass pro shop was in order, so Saturday we took it with the windows rolled down and music up loud. I got to knit happily during the 1 hour drive...we sure do drive a long way for this silly store, but it's such a (cheap) adventure for the boys. And I like their cookware section full of cast iron and smokers. More cast iron than I'd ever need or want, but still fun to look.

I must have looked a bit of a mess, because while Lotte and I were admiring the fish and waterfalls, I heard some muttering about "no make up, no wedding ring, long hair, girls have to wear skirts" (Lotte was in a dress, and I in a denim skirt) and the mention of  "religious cult? Mormon?"
I had to giggle a little to myself, and make a note to wear my wedding ring next time I venture out. Or maybe at least some makeup. Haha, because I wouldn't want to cause any confusion!

Sunday was met with cool temperatures and overcast skies. After church (note*, not cult) we had an afternoon at home of housework. The attempted relocation of a birds' nest from our roof, (not ready to talk about that) and then an evening of music in the park again. It's become a Sunday night favorite, I'll sure miss those Sunday nights come Autumn. It's been fun for our whole family and Lotte can run until her chubby little legs give out. Come fall, we might just have to go picnic anyway, without the music. Or bring our own ;)

Binding off, 

Corra

✻ Friday Food Fair ✻ {Petha}

Petha (Hindi: पेठा pronounced [ˈpeːʈʰaː]) is a translucent soft candy from North India and Pakistan (Punjab region and metros). Usually rectangular or cylindrical, it is made from the ash gourd vegetable (also known as winter melon or white pumpkin, or simply petha in Hindi and Urdu).

There is a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant/takeout place here in Hamilton called The Himalaya.
This restaurant really doesn't seem like anything terribly magical from the outside. It's in a fairly plain looking strip mall, between a somewhat neglected convenience store and some offices, on a little side street in the east end of the city.

I first went to this place because I happened to be walking by one day after an appointment, and saw a sign advertising Samosas, 2 for $1.
Being the complete sucker for Samosas that I am, I decided to venture in. 

What I didn't expect though was to see an entire glass bar and counter filled and overflowing with colourful little cakes and pastries, in all different shapes and sizes. 
Some in syrup, some caked with coconut. Some rolled in pistachios, others clearly made of some form of fruit or vegetable. 

Ever since my first trip, I've been completely hooked. Not only hooked on their samosas (which are by far, the best samosas I've ever had in my life, I think I've told just about everyone I know to try them) but hooked on trying something new from their counter each time I visit. Sometimes I'll have a little variety box made up and bring them to a friend's house so we can try a nibble of each one.

Now, I'm not much of a "sweets" person. Aside from the occasional pang for chocolate, sugar is not my downfall. (I have many-but you won't find them in the sweet department.) But these aren't just your run-of-the-mill cakes, pies and doughnuts. These were something that I had to try.

My first sample was "Petha". It's appearance alone had me completely curious. Anyone could tell by looking at it that this was either fruit or vegetable, something organic, but what? These were translucent, slightly veiny, white chunks, floating in some sort of sugar syrup.
I ordered one small, 1 inch piece, to which not a single eyebrow was raised. And after I bit into it I instantly knew why.

This was sweeter than any other candy or dessert I can think to name. But delicious, and seemingly buttery. 
 And with an ever-so-slight flavour that I couldn't really put my finger on. Something familiar.
And the texture was similar to a watermelon pickle, or even a little bit like candied/dried pineapple. I had to buy more. 

I don't know if they're meant to just be eaten whole, but I eat tiny bits of them on the sides of other things. (like a pickle, or a chutney.)

I tried these quite a few times before I was able to find out exactly what it was I was eating. Often, it happens that the person working the counter doesn't speak much English, so the routine is to just point at what you want to buy. I had looked online, looking up everything I could think of trying to find out what on earth these little bits of deliciousness were.
I was buying them for my friends and family to try, without even being able to tell them what they actually trying.

Luckily, one day a very friendly girl who was working at the counter spoke quite a bit of English and told me what these are. She told me that these are called "petha" (pronounced in a way that I would spell as "pet'sa")  a very traditional sweet and that they're made from "Ash Gourd" or "winter pumpkin". That familiar taste that I noticed is something that they add to the syrup...rosewater.

Last month, while shopping at our regular all-around-Canadian grocery store (Freshco), I found these in the "international" section. The same candied gourd, but dried. They were right under my nose the entire time! This variety doesn't have the rosewater or the syrup,  but they're pretty close to the real deal. 

While we all love the fresh syrupy ones, no one seems to mind the dried ones at all.
In fact... went to take a picture today, and found that this was all that's left!

Clearly I'm going to have to hide my future friday foods if I want any left to photograph.

✻✻✻

What new or different foods have you tried recently? I'd love to hear about them!
Go out and try something new!

Original Friday Food Fair Post here.

Yarn Along ::Noro Log Cabin::

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Yarning along with Ginny

I can't hardly believe it, but I have no projects on the needles right now other than this. I've recently finished a little sweater, but I forgot to photograph it so i'll save it for next week.

A little while ago I started the Noro Log Cabin Blanket. It's just a simple square by square project that is eventually all picked up and formed into one big blanket.  Several of us at our Knitting group decided to make these together as a knit along, just for fun.
One of my friends has already cranked out an entire blanket and is on to her second! And she's giving the first one away for a wedding present. We've all told her that she should just give them the token salad bowl or crockpot (I mean, after all, who else but a knitter would truly appreciate an entire blanket made of noro?), but she won't listen to us.

This is a fun, simple knit and I have no deadline so i'm enjoying this just as an "in between" project. I've also really appreciated this because we're in the middle of an intense heat wave and  these squares aren't big heavy to rest on my lap as I knit, and they're pretty forgiving when my iced tea glass makes condensation all over them as I knit. I may have even used them for coasters now and then.

The only hard part will be finding 20 different colourways of noro, which is what the pattern calls for. 

I suppose you could repeat a few, but that wouldn't be as much fun, would it? Now I have an even greater excuse to peruse every yarn store I happen to find. Oh Drat.

My Reading as been light this week. I've set aside "The Beauty of Humanity Movement" for some of the well loved Yarn Harlot's humour in "Stephanie Pearl Mcphee Casts Off". I've read her other books, but I think I'm enjoying this one the most out of all of them. Maybe it's because I've been knitting longer and now I "get it" more...but i'm not sure. I really do think this book is golden. Who would have thought that there could be so much potential humour from something as simple as Knitting?

Binding off,

Corrabelle