Pickled Grapes

This recipe is NOT mine:)

I found it through browsing www.smittenkitchen.com and it is adapted from 'A Homemade Life', where it was also adapted from Susan Kaplan recipe. 

The pickles came out really good! Even though I am not that much into pickles, I was intrigued by this recipe! I would serve these grapes with baked brie or a variety of cheeses!

What you need for the pickled grapes:

4 cups red grapes (or black), seedless if possible

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds

1 cinnamon stick per jar you are using:)

1/4 teaspoon salt

(The recipe also includes black peppercorns, which I excluded)

Good Luck!

Wash the grapes well

And let them dry completely, or rinse them with a clean towel

Cut of the stems

Bring to boil the rest of the ingredients over medium heat

Put your grapes in a clean dry jar 

And pour over the liquid mixture: You can either add the liquid mixture when it is warm or let is cool completely. In the second case the grapes remain more firm.

After they are cool, put the jars in the fridge for at least eight hours.

Serve the grapes cold!

There you go:)

Burger Buns

Some time ago I promised to give the recipe of the burger buns! These buns are totally addictive and the good thing  about them is that they are good for 3 days, I mean really good;)

And you can use them not just for burgers but for hot dogs (while you can change the shape before baking into rectangles) as well or even for your kids' sandwich at school they are ;) amazing!

For that recipe I don't have step to step pics but some guidelines! It is very easy to make:)

What you need for the buns:

1 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup butter

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 small package of instant yeast

2 Tbsps white sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1. In a small pan, warm up the milk, water and butter until very warm 50° C

2. In another large bowl, mix together (careful here) 1 3/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar, salt and gradually mix in the milk mixture and in the end add the egg. When the dough is pulled together, knead it for about 8 min on a lightly floured surface!

•  

3. Divide the dough in 12 equal pieces. Make it in small ball or like hot dog buns, flatten slightly, cover them and let rise about 30-35 min

 

Aren't they cute??

4. Bake them at 200° for 10-12 min, or until golden brown

5. Enjoy them!

Firm..

Soft..

Hey don't forget to fill them with something! I know they taste good alone...

But...
Juicy:) they taste better like that!

The buns can be kept and used later, the texture is very good even the next day!

From the heart,

Anna

Zucchini Tart

I decided to start this recipe diary with my favorite salty tart, I almost make it once a week!

For the tart you need:

280 g (or 2 1/2 cups) plain flour

a pinch of salt

140 g diced butter (room temperature)

2 egg yolks (whenever using eggs it is better when they are in room temperature as well)

2 tablespoons of cold water ( I always need more than that around 1/2 cup)

For the filling you need:

2-3 big zucchinis (which you shred)

1 onion 

1 fresh onions (it is ok even without it)

1 cup creme fraiche

2 whole eggs

2-3 tablespoons of breadcrumbs

oregano or thyme

salt and pepper

The dough:

Flour, eggs...

Butter in room temperature

Cold water...

and the dough is ready...

Place the dough in a tart pan...

Cut the excessive dough (which you can use for smaller tartlets)

Place some baking paper and baking beans on top, of course normal beans are fine as well,

the reason for that is not for the dough to grow while baking:)

Cut the excessive paper and bake for 10 minutes in the oven to 200° C or 400° F

While the crust is being baked I prepare the filling!

Onion in the pan with a little bit of olive oil!

and then we add the zucchini with a little bit of salt and whatever spice you prefer, oregano or thyme recommended:)

Bit the eggs, with cream and add the breadcrumbs...

Add the cheese..

and a little bit of feta cheese (always a must for a Greek)

Then you put all of them together and put over the baked crust:)

Bake at 200° C until the color becomes like that:) and serve!

Bon Appetit!