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Dear Readers,

In Summer 2018 I decided it was time to move on to a more user-friendly blog with a clear distinction of categories and focussing on countries with which we share a personal history. Each and every recipe comes from the heart and has a place in our multi-cultural family.

I sincerely hope to get you on board again with my new blog. You'll find my writings on the self-hosting site called "Expat with Kids Recipes": https://expatwithkidsrecipes.com

Savoury Banana gratin

A banana gratin with a twist. A dinner dish your kids will love once their tastebuds have explored the surprising mix of flavours. Also works as a sturdy breakfast before heading out into the cold.

Ingredients:
4 bananas
1 teaspoon of butter
4 slices of white ham
4 teaspoons of mustard
150 ml of liquid cream
1 tablespoon of powder curry
60 g of grated gruyère cheese
Salt
Ground pepper

Preparations:
Preheat the oven to 200°C.
1.) Melt the butter in a pan.
2.) Peel the bananas and pan fry them, whole, 2 minutes each side.
3.) Allow them to cool down for a few minutes.
4.) Meanwhile, spread the mustard on the slices of ham.
5.) Pour the cream in a recipient, add the curry powder, salt and pepper. Mix well.
6.) Place each banana on a slice of ham (mustard side) and roll them delicately.
7.) Place in a gratin dish and cover with cream of curry.
8.) Finally, sprinkle with grated gruyère and bake for 25 minutes until the cheese is nice and golden. Serve warm.

Guacamole - the best

I loooove guacamole! I usually serve this with wholegrain tortilla chips and it is also great along side some grilled white fish.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, seeded, peeled & halved
½ lime juiced
½ red onion, diced
2 tomatoes, seeded, diced
1 tbs chopped coriander
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt & pepper

Preparations:
1.) Add the avocado and lime juice into a bowl. Use a potato masher or a fork to roughly mash until it is the consistency you like.
2.) Mix in the rest of the ingredients.

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Searching for an exotic, healthy weeknight supper? Here is your answer. Also a big hit with gluten-free and vegetarian family and friends.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ a large jalapeno, minced (taste to make sure it's not too spicy)
3/4 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (not drained)
1 cup corn
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preparations: 
1.) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium heat.
2.) Sauté the garlic and jalapeno until it starts to brown, about one minute.
3.) Add the quinoa, vegetable broth, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, and salt to the skillet and stir to mix well.
4.) Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and cover the pan with the lid.
5.) Cook covered for 20 minutes, until the quinoa is cooked through, but stir it halfway through cooking just to make sure the quinoa cooks evenly.
6.) Before serving, sprinkle the chopped cilantro and diced avocado on top and then squeeze ½ of the lime in as well. Taste and add more lime juice, salt and pepper if needed.

Raspberry and Prosecco Tiramisù

Discover an exotic twist to a traditional Italian dessert made with mascarpone, red fruits and ladyfinger biscuits, soaked in prosecco, a sparkling Italian white wine. An elegant and tasty summer dessert.

Ingredients: (6 persons)
50 gr caster sugar
3 egg yolks
125 gr Mascarpone
20 cl full liquid cream
200 gr fresh raspberries
30 gr caster sugar
20 cl water
12 Ladyfinger biscuits
15 cl Prosecco

Preparation:
For the cream:
1.) In a bowl, add the egg yolks to the sugar with a whisk, eventually adding the mascarpone with a spatula.
2.) Whip the cream and gently add it to the mascarpone cream.
3.) Pour the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a plain tip and refrigerate.

For the raspberry coulis:
4.) Mash the raspberries with a small mixer. Add the sugar and water and whisk briskly.
5.) Pass the juice through a sieve to separate the juice from the raspberry pulp.

For biscuits:
6.) Mix the prosecco and half the fresh raspberry juice.
7.) Place biscuits in a bowl and cover/soaking them with the juice.
8.) Prepare the Tiramisu in cocktail glasses: start with a layer of biscuits, then pour some raspberry pulp over it. Add a layer of cream. Continue filling the glasses and ending with a layer of cream.
9.) Let cool for 30 minutes.

To serve:
10.) Prune raspberries. Place one half in center of each glass, then drizzle with raspberry puree.

Shrimp Pineapple Salad

Another elegant, delicious summer salad to serve your family or your friends. The fresher the ingredients the better the taste!

Ingredients:
(For the shrimp)
-1 pound shrimp
-½ tablespoon olive oil
-generous squeeze of lemon (or lime)
-1 garlic clove, finely minced
-herb of choice (I used cilantro and basil)
-salt and pepper

(For the salad)
-1/4 pineapple, cored and diced
-2 small Persian cucumbers, diced
-1 avocado, diced
-2 teaspoons olive oil
-1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
-1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar (can substitute lime juice)
-salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 400º F.
2. In a bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, lemon, garlic, cilantro, basil, salt and pepper to marinate. Pop mixture in the fridge.
3. While shrimp is marinating, prepare the pineapple salsa by combining all the ingredients in a bowl.
4. Once the salsa is prepared, place the shrimp on a sheet pan. Roast for 8 - 10 minutes, just until pink and cooked through. Flip the shrimp over after about 4 minutes.
5. Serve on top of greens, and add any other veggie you wish. This dish is also perfect cold the next day.

Tuna tartare and Avocado

I love, love, love, tuna tartare. Here is yet another version of it... and so easy to prepare!

Ingredients:
2 (9-oz.) tuna steaks
2 tbsp. mirin
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into cubes
2 tbsp. lime juice
2 tbsp. olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:
1.) Chill tuna in freezer for 25 minutes.
2.) Transfer tuna to cutting board and, using a very sharp knife, cut tuna into cubes.
3.) Combine with mirin and soy sauce; refrigerate until ready to use.
4.) Meanwhile, combine avocado, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5.) Divide reserved tuna and avocado mixtures between plates. Serve immediately.

Avocado Mousse with Shrimps

Even if you're not a big fan of gelatine, this is a simple recipe. It is a great entrée for dinner parties. Add a drop of tabasco to give it a hint of spice.

Ingredients:
15 gr powdered gelatine (1 sachet)
2 ripe avocados
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 lemon (juiced)
salt and pepper
2/3 cup cream – lightly whipped
85 gr peeled cooked prawns
bunch of cilantro
1 shallot chopped very finely
French dressing

Preparation:
1.) Soak gelatine in 3 tbs cold water in small pan
2.) Peel avocados and puree until smooth with lemon juice, salt and pepper
3.) Add mayonnaise
4.) Dissolve gelatine over gentle heat.  When warm and clear stir into the avocado mixture.
5.) Fold in whipped cream with a large metal spoon
6.) Pour into a lightly oiled ring mould and refrigerate until set
7.) Turn out onto a round serving plate.
8.) Mix the prawns with French dressing, chopped cilantro and shallot and pile into the centre of the mousse.  Serve with brown bread and butter.

Salmon, Mango & Avocado tartar

A fast and juicy starter perfect for your girls' lunch party. Light and tasty!

Ingredients:
400 gr salmon filets
4 avocados
500 gr mango
4 tbsp olive oil
2 lemons (juice + zests)
1/2 small chili pepper, minced
1 clove of garlic, crushed
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp chives, minced
Salt & pepper

Preparation:
1.) Cut salmon into cubes, as well as the avocados and the mangos. Place into 3 different medium-sized bowls, one for each ingredient.
2.) In a small bowl, prepare the marinade with the olive oil, the lemon juice and zests. Add in the crushed garlic, the minced chili pepper, and season with salt and pepper.
3.) Pour 2/3 of the marinade over the diced salmon and add in the sesame seeds. Cool for minimum 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
4.) Divide the remaining 1/3 of marinade into two and pour evenly over the diced avocados and the diced mangos respectively. Drain the mangos in a sieve to prevent them from being too juicy.
5.) Set up in the plate directly, using a stainless steel round form, starting with the layer of mangos, then the avocado layer and eventually the salmon one.
6.) Decorate with some chives on top and serve immediately!

Avocado shrimp Salad

This quick and easy shrimp salad makes the perfect light meal or a substantial side salad. It is a great tasting combination of shrimp and plenty of health-promoting vegetables.

Ingredients: (serves 6)
2 pounds boiled or steamed shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 avocados, cut into large pieces
2 tablespoons diced red onion
For the Dressing
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:
1.) Add shrimp, avocado, and onion to a large bowl.
2.) In a 2-cup measuring cup, mix together ingredients for the dressing. Whisk until well-combined.
3.) Add dressing to shrimp avocado salad until it has the amount you desire. Serve additional dressing on the side.

Pavlova

It’s the new trend of the Parisiennes. The pavlova, an airy dessert by excellence « meringue + whipped cream + red fruit» pays homage to the famous Russian dancer. An ultra-light and delicate dessert, naturally!

Ingredients:
For the meringue:
2 egg whites
110 gr of powdered sugar
1 dash of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of corn starch
For the chantilly:
25 cl of liquid fleurette cream
2 tablespoons of mascarpone
2 tablespoons of glazed sugar
For the decor:
200 gr of red fruit (raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries…)
10 cl of raspberry topping

Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 180° C.

1.) In a salad bowl, beat the egg whites into snow peaks and the powdered sugar.
2.) Incorporate the lemon juice and the starch, mix delicately.
3.) On a plaque covered with waxed cooking paper, form 4 meringue circles. Using the back of a spoon dipped in water, create a slight dos hollow at the centre of the meringues.
4.) Lower the thermostat to 120 °C. Bake for 1 hour, turn off the oven, leave the door ajar and allow the meringue to dry for at least 2 hours.
5.) In a stainless steel bowl, beat the cold cream into a firm chantilly, incorporate the glazed sugar and the mascarpone, very delicately.
6.) Divide the chantilly on the pavlovas. Decorate them with fresh fruit and eventually add a topping.

Caribbean Pumpkin Soup

In these cold November days a soup is a welcome soul-warmer, especially if it has a Caribbean twist to it. Try this yummy and simple recipe which will bet you dancing in no time.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium white onion, minced
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced (optional)
3 lb. pumpkin, such as calabaza or butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into ½" pieces
4 cups chicken stock
4 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs parsley
1 bay leaf
1 cup milk
¼ cup heavy cream
½ tbsp. mild curry powder
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
¼ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Crème fraîche, for garnish

Preparation:
1.) Melt butter in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat
2.) Add garlic, onion, and, if using, Scotch bonnet; cook until golden, about 8 minutes
3.) Add pumpkin, stock, thyme, parsley, and bay leaf; bring to a boil
4.) Reduce heat to medium; cook until pumpkin is very tender, 30–35 minutes
5.) Discard thyme, parsley, and bay leaf
6.) Working in batches, purée soup in a blender until smooth.
7.) Return soup to saucepan and add milk, cream, curry powder, lime juice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper
8.) Simmer until slightly thick, 4–6 minutes.
9.) Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with a swirl of crème fraîche.

Strawberry Mango Salad

You know spring is around the corner when you start to spot stawberries at the market. For a super healthy and delicious spring recipe why not try a Strawberry-Mango-Spinach salad:

Ingredients:
2 tbsp pine nuts
30oz baby spinach leaves
(1 oz)peeled and diced red onion
1 small ripe mango, peeled and chopped
5 strawberries, skinned and diced
2 tbsp dried cranberries

Dressing:
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp caster sugar

Preparation:
1.) Heat a dry frying pan and add the pine nuts.
2.) Toast them for around two minutes, stirring continuously until golden. Watch out that they don't burn.
3.) Combine the baby spinach leaves, red onion, mango, strawberries, and dried cranberries in a bowl.
4.) In another bowl, combine three tablespoons of vegetable oil, a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and a tablespoon of caster sugar.
5.) Add seasoning to taste.
6.) Whisk vigorously until the dressing is blended.
7.) Toss the salad with the dressing.
8.) To finish, sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over the top for some added nutrition.

Stuffed Peppers

Since our household is partly Italian we usually have home-made tomato sauce (ragu) in the fridge or freezer. Couscous is another dish we serve and usually have some left over. What can I say? We are a truely International family. Following is a recipe that uses both.

Ingredients:
4 bell peppers, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
3 cups ragu
1/2 cup couscous
3/4 cup blond raisins
3/4 cup grated asiago or fontina cheese
4 teaspoons of red wine vinegar
1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbl tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil

salt

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. 

1.) Sprinkle bell pepper halves with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and place in oven.  Bake until the peppers soften, 20 to 30 minutes.

2.) Meanwhile, mix the ragu, couscous, raisins, 1/2 cup cheese, 3 teaspoons vinegar, the parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl.

3.) Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon vinegar, the tomato paste and 3/4 cup water in the bottom of a large baking dish. 

4.) Carefully transfer the peppers, cut-side up, to the baking dish and fill with the couscous mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

5.) Cover the dish with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot, about 20 minutes. Transfer to plates and drizzle with the cooking liquid from the dish.