So, with days like these one of my favorite ways to wind down is to cook. Cooking in some weird way always relaxes me. I fell in love with cooking ever since my Nana taught me how to! (Love ya Nans) This week, luckily enough, when we were in the andes we got a bag of fresh strawberries straight off the farm. So, we were able to make a couple of my favorite recipes, and I thought I would share them.
The first is a recipe from Maracaibo its called CEPILLADO - Its a fruit slushy, more specifically a granita. Its really easy to make, healthy, and an awesome treat on a hot day - which is everyday in Maracaibo...haha! You can use any fruit that you want. Pineapple, Mango, Passionfruit, and Strawberry are the best!
Cepillado (Strawberry)
1 cup of strawberries
3-4 Tablespoons of sugar
3-4 Tablespoons of water
Put all of the ingredients into a blender. Blend, until smooth. Place in glasses or a bowl and freeze overnight or for a couple of hours.
This morning I still had some strawberries left over, so I decided to spoil my husband and make pancakes from breakfast. I also made a strawberry compote which made the pancakes even better.
Strawberry Pancakes:
1 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp. white sugar
1 1/4 c. milk (buttermilk makes it taste better)
1 egg
3-4 tbsps. chopped strawberries
Strawberry Compote:
1/2 cup of slice strawberries
almost 1/2 cup of sugar
1 tsp. of cornstarch diluted in water
For the pancakes mix dry ingredients and then add the wet ingredients. Mix lightly, until combined - leave the lumps - they make softer pancakes. Fold in chopped strawberries at the end.
For the Compote:
In a small saucepan heat sliced strawberries and sugar until strawberries are soft - about 5-10 minutes. Add diluted cornstarch and cook until thickened. - Goes well with pancakes, crepes, and ice cream!
I had taken actual photos; however, my camera doesn't want to upload the pictures to the computer :(
