eastwestbakery.com » Bakery House http://eastwestbakery.com Source of Bakery Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:11:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Carrot Pudding http://eastwestbakery.com/carrot-pudding.html http://eastwestbakery.com/carrot-pudding.html#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:07:42 +0000 co-bakery http://eastwestbakery.com/carrot-pudding.html
MG 1978 Carrot Pudding
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Last week, I wrote about a cultural and religious custom where we shaved Hassan's birth hair. I had quite a few comments and curious emails asking about this practice as well as the recipe for the carrot pudding I made to celebrate and remember this day.

MG 1945 Carrot Pudding
Both my children were born with a full mop of velvety luscious locks. Everyone from the midwife to the cashier to strangers have remarked about how much hair they have. I could never get enough of stroking their silky heads.

Untitled 10 edited 1 Carrot Pudding
carrot+pudding1 Carrot Pudding
But alas, this never lasted long. It is a customary to shave the birth hair on the seventh day of a baby's life. Since Hassan was in hospital with jaundice, we managed to get this done only last week. In a way, it worked out perfectly to coincide with my Mom being present as well.

MG 2030 Carrot Pudding

The ceremony is done to gather friends and family around and share the joyous occassion of a new arrival. This moment is taken as an announcement of a child's birth and a sweet treat is always made to mark an even sweeter occassion.

carrot+pudding Carrot Pudding
MG 1936 Carrot Pudding

I decided to make this carrot pudding after my wonderful neighbor Simi sent me some. Incidentally, she had a baby boy just a few hours after me. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day with lots of laughter, photos, memories made with family around the dinner table and and sweet endings.

MG 1961 edited 1 Carrot Pudding
recipe Carrot Pudding
Click recipe card to print

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2922479254610774648 1688636476429933554?l=sipsandspoonfuls Carrot Pudding
]]> http://eastwestbakery.com/carrot-pudding.html/feed 0 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti http://eastwestbakery.com/roasted-tomato-and-garlic-crouton-spaghetti.html http://eastwestbakery.com/roasted-tomato-and-garlic-crouton-spaghetti.html#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:07:19 +0000 co-bakery http://eastwestbakery.com/roasted-tomato-and-garlic-crouton-spaghetti.html
MG 1501 edited 1 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
It has been nearly three weeks now since Hassan graced our lives and changed our family dynamics forever. We have been busy getting to know one another and I haven't spent as much time in the kitchen as I would have liked to. Instead, I have been busy eating whoesome meals prepared by my Mom and Mother in law.
Roast+Tom+Spag2 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
Yesterday was the first time I prepared a three course meal to celebrate shaving his hair. It is customary to shave the birth hair on the seventh day of a baby's life but since he was still in hospital recovering from jaundice, we decided to do so yesterday. I was quite sad to see his beautiful locks disappear and Maryam was quite alarmed to see his 'curlies chopped off.'
MG 1471 edited 1 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
To celebrate the occassion, we ate together with close family and shared a simple meal. My Mom prepared a fragrant cumin scented pilaf with a spiced version of this mung soup. And for dessert- we had a cardamom infused carrot pudding. Lots of butter, lots of pistachios and lots of love. A complete meal with loved ones.
Roast+Tom+Spag Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
It felt good to be back in the kitchen and even better to be sharing it with my Mom. The best part was getting back to photographing. Doing what I love and enjoy the most- creating and eating good food and photographing it.
MG 1467 edited 1 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
Today though, I want to share with you a simple pasta dish I created a few weeks ago for the third issue of House of Fifty. I've been making this version of spaghetti for about two years now, since Maryam started eating pasta actually.
Roast+Tom+Spag3 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
It has evolved as Maryam's palate has become more sophisticated. What started off as mere spaghetti tossed in olive oil has now seen the addition herbs, roasted tomatoes and garlic croutons. When Maryam is going through her picky phases, this is one meal I know she'll relish. Who knows what it will transform into as she gets older.
MG 1506 edited 1 Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
Head over to House of Fifty for more images as well as a recipe for focaccia. Also, I would like to thank all of you for the lovely comments and messages you left on my last post. Me and Akber really enjoyed reading through each and every single one of them. Thank you!
recipe Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
Click above for printable recipe card

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2922479254610774648 8709558429143891938?l=sipsandspoonfuls Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crouton Spaghetti
]]> http://eastwestbakery.com/roasted-tomato-and-garlic-crouton-spaghetti.html/feed 0 Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard http://eastwestbakery.com/cinnamon-infused-clementine-custard.html http://eastwestbakery.com/cinnamon-infused-clementine-custard.html#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:05:43 +0000 co-bakery http://eastwestbakery.com/cinnamon-infused-clementine-custard.html
MG 1650 Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
When I was pregnant with Maryam, I had many cravings. But healthy ones. Cravings for foods that would nourish my body and that of my growing baby. I went through phases where I would eat boxes and boxes of strawberries. Then came watermelons- I couldn't get enough. I preferred eating them as is but would relish them in salads, smoothies as well as granitas.
MG 1655 Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
tangerine+collage Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
This time has been different though. The cravings have been rather unhealthy. Every night after dinner, I seem to gravitate towards dessert. Anything will do really- a cheesecake, coffee ice cream, brownies. Sometimes when there is no sweet treat in sight, even a few small squares of dark chocolate will suffice.
MG 0270 edited 1 Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
tangerine1+collage Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
As the arrival of baby number two looms close, I thought I'd treat myself to one more dessert, one more indulgence, one more craving before I start to eat healthy again. And this clementine custard certainly hit the spot. A pinch cinnamon for warmth, citrus for some freshness and zing.
MG 1632 Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
tangerine2+collage Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
I have been eating these beautiful French clementines for a couple of months now. Perfectly formed, sweet but not overly so and the most scintillating orange red hue you will ever see. They usually don't last long in our house. Either Maryam will eat them as is or I will have juicy slicy with some vanilla infused yoghurt for breakfast.
MG 1688 Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
But I saved a few aside for these clementine custards. The fragrance of clementine and cinnamon simmering in a pot made the whole house warm. A small dose of sunshine in our day for what has been a chilly start to the year in Dubai. There was also a citrus tabbouleh we had which I look forward to sharing with you soon. Perhaps after baby comes along?
tangerine Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
Click above for printable recipe

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2922479254610774648 7812824171679883386?l=sipsandspoonfuls Cinnamon Infused Clementine Custard
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