Today's Harvest =)

Sometimes I crave for chocolate. I think that's normal. Don't you??
Who doesn't like- No, no wait!- LOVE chocolate??
I know 2 people. I think they are weird.

Whatever. I love it.
I like my chocolate pure.
No hazelnuts, no pistachios, no nothing.
Pure bitter chocolate. Or milk chocolate, sometimes..
Okay, okay- Nutella is fine too. Without bread- spoonfull :)

But you know my favourite?
Chocolate cakes or muffins or cupcakes- fresh out of the oven!

Guess what? I craved for chocolate all day today!
So, I baked one ! :)
It was the best cake I've ever baked. And one of the best I've ever tasted. Proud of me.
I stole the recipe from Cafe Fernando: http://cafefernando.com/double-chocolate-bundt-cake/ or in Turkish: http://cafefernando.com/turkce/cikolatali-kek/
I skipped the sauce though. I didnt have guests to serve it so, what's the point?
But I had a huge slice- yummm!

While waiting this babe to get ready (cooking time is around 50 min)
I cooked some stuffed bell peppers (dolma). One of my favourite easy dinners. I wont have to make dinner when I come home tomorrow, yaaaaay :)

Now I'm going to bed with a full stomach and a smiling face.
Oh my god, that cake is really good!

Sweet dreams,
xo
Ece

CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

Joel Robuchon: The French Chef of one of my favourite restaurants in the world!

http://www.joel-robuchon.net/

to buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Robuchon-Joel/dp/0307267199/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323098465&sr=1-1

Julia Child's Masterwork! Cant look forward to meet her!

Set of 2 books: Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volume 1 and 2

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Art-French-Cooking-Set/dp/0307593525/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323099118&sr=1-2

supposed to be one of the best cookbooks! just wanna hold it in my hands!!

http://www.amazon.com/Platter-Figs-Other-Recipes/dp/1579653464/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323098516&sr=1-3

The world best restaurant in 2 years in a row! and their book!

one of my favorite cuisines and cities: Danish Cousine and Copenhagen!

http://www.amazon.com/Noma-Time-Place-Nordic-Cuisine/dp/0714859036/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323098191&sr=1-1

I simply adore her blog! I am sure I'll fall in love with her bok too!

http://www.latartinegourmande.com/

only available for pre-order:

http://www.amazon.com/Tartine-Gourmande-Recipes-Inspired-Life/dp/1590307623/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323098712&sr=1-1

still didnt get the chance to get this babe! :(

as mentioned before: "bible of baking"!

http://www.amazon.com/Baking-Home-Yours-Dorie-Greenspan/dp/0618443363/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323098822&sr=1-5

A wonderful weekend with wonderful friends

MY FRIENDS CAME FROM IZMIR FOR THE WEEKEND!

HAPPY HAPPY RE-UNION!

DRINKS & SNACKS AT HOME, BREAKFAST AT NAMLI KARAKÖY AND....

LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN =)

LOVE U ALL!!

XOXO

ECE

Hong Island, Krabi-THAILAND

Welcome to the day we met heavenly waters of Thailand!

A day trip to Hong Island by speed boat: We are in HEAVEN just in 10 short minutes!

We had an entire day todo whatever we wanted: kayaking, swimming, snorkelling, picnic, a walk inside the jungle, and we did it all!!

But first, as all moms say, you need a strong breakfastto start the day =)

We are ready to leave:

And there we are: 

Our company at the picnic lunch:

Finally: Lunch time! We need food after all those hours under the sun!

Some snorkelling

At the end of the day we had a surprise!!

Look at the picture carefully!!

We came across this scary creature while kayaking! Looked like a giant snake ar first sight but then we saw the crocodile-like arms and legs! 

After, we were old its a "komodo dragon"!! Even the name is scary enough for me!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon

We got really close to take these pictures, and some point I started screaming =)

Thats enough adventure for one day!

will be back with more posts, less adventure:)

Love,

Ece

Flatbread for Dinner

I am not a baker. But I want to be one when I grow up!
I have a long way to go since I own a decent oven for only 3 months now.
I keep on trying stuff and today I made myself dinner using my oven :)
Trials until the "man of the house" comes back...


It's a very easy recipe, all I did was add some smoked salmon, some rocket, capers and ricotta cheese on top!

dough prepared with flour, baking powder, rosemary, salt, water and virgin olive oil

After baking the flatbread for 7-8 min, I added the topings and put it back in the oven for a few more minutes, so  my dinner was ready to eat in about 20 min in total =)


Who says baking takes time? 


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Long after I was finished with my dinner, there was still someone around the table! 
Falling asleep while waiting for breadcrumbs to fall! 

Isn't she too cute?!

with love,
Ece