Sweet Tortilla Snowflakes

I saw this beautiful idea in the magazine and I got so excited!  This is an easy, cheap and very cute way of serving up something different.  You can also include kids in making these snowflakes which means keeping them busy!

Some recipes that I found call for baking the tortillas, while others say you can deep fry them.  So it is really up to you.

So here is the recipe:

1. Use flour tortilla and fold it several times just as you would with paper

2. cut out the designs you want

3. unfold it and either place it on the baking sheet at 350F for about 10 min, till light brown and crispy or fry it in the oil.

It seems to me that if you fry it, the tortilla will have bubbles from oil so baking will make it look more appealing.

4. decorate with powdered sugar, icing or color sugar.  Use your imagination!

Sugar Cookies with Icing

This past weekend I was invited to a wonderful party hosted by my dear friend.  Everything was so delicious (as usual mashAllah) but I was really impressed by amazing cookies that she made.  They were not only beautiful but very yummy :)So I got inspired and found a whole list of easy recipes!  These cookies can serve as party favors, table decorations (they have a pretty good shelf life)or simply a nice gift to your friends, neighbors or teachers.  And with Ramadan coming up, this should be very useful inshaAllah.

This is actually from a website that sells Islamic stencils for baking.  

I noticed that a lot of websites advise putting thicker icing on the edges of the cookie so the actual icing doesn't "run".  You can find that icing in almost any store in the cooking section and it comes in a tube and has no gelatin alhamdulillah. 

COOKIE RECIPE (yields ~36)

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon milk
• Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

Directions

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

ICING RECIPE (yields ~12)

Ingredients

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

assorted food coloring

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth.  Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy.  If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.

2. Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity.  Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.

Fun summer recipes

STUFFED STRAWBERRIES

Ingredients:

-1 lb large strawberries
-8 oz. cream cheese, softened (can use 1/3 less fat)
-3-4 tbsp powdered sugar (4 tbsp for a sweeter filling)
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-graham cracker crumbs

Directions:

1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some may already be hollow inside). Prep all strawberries and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or ziploc with the corner snipped off.

3. Fill strawberries with cheesecake mixture. Once strawberries are filled, dip the top in graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving

RASPBERRY ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Ingredients:

10 ounces Vanilla Ice Cream, slightly softened
5 ounces Fresh Raspberries
Your favorite hot fudge sauce, optional
6 whole graham crackers, broken in half

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the softened vanilla ice cream and the fresh raspberries. Stir until well mixed.If eating immediately following preparation: Divide the mixture evenly between the graham crackers and assemble 6 sandwiches by placing ice cream on top of a graham cracker half, followed by warm hot fudge sauce (about 2-3 teaspoons, if desired) and then another graham cracker half on top. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.

2. If preparing ahead of time: Press the ice cream mixture into a parchment paper lined rectangular plastic storage container (about 7 1/2 x 5 inches in size). Cover and freeze the ice cream until ready to serve.

3. Remove the ice cream from the plastic storage container and cut into 6 equally sized pieces, about the size of half a graham cracker. Place 1 ice cream square on top of a graham cracker half. Top with warm hot fudge sauce (about 2-3 teaspoons, if desired) and then add another graham cracker half on top. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.

CHUNKY MELON SALSA

Ingredients:

1/2 honeydew melon
1 cantaloupe
1/3 jalapeño
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 jar TOSTITOS® Salsa

Directions:

Finely chop first four ingredients. In large serving bowl, mix salsa, lime juice and chopped ingredients. Drain and refrigerate before serving with Baked! TOSTITOS® SCOOPS!® Tortilla Chips.

LEMONADE WITH BERRY ICE CUBES

Ingredients:

1 11.5-oz. can frozen concentrate strawberry or any berry mix juice
24 raspberries or 8 strawberries, sliced (optional)
2 quarts water
1 1/3 cups sugar (or more, to taste)

1 1/3 cups fresh lemon juice
8 lemon slices
8 mint sprigs

Directions:

1. Pour the juice concentrate and 1 can of water into a pitcher. Mix to combine, then pour the juice into two ice cube trays, adding raspberries or sliced strawberries if you wish. Freeze.

2. Combine the 2 quarts of water and the sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir to combine. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Remove from heat. Strain the lemon juice through a fine sieve into the sugar syrup. Chill. Slit each lemon slice once, from center to rind, then press the slits onto eight glasses.

4. Fill each glass with 3 berry ice cubes and the lemonade. Garnish with a mint sprig. Makes 8 glasses.

Courtesy of http://www.buzzfeed.com/tostitos/10-unique-recipes-to-get-you-excited-for-summer-4hwd

Homemade pita bread

I love pita bread with almost every dish and always try to have it fresh at my house but sadly I noticed it doesn't taste the same on the second or third day.  I knew that it wasn't that hard to bake but never really tried making it.  I found this recipe on Martha Stewart's website and it seems very good.

• YieldMakes 8 pitas

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups warm water (100 degrees to 110 degrees)
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for bowl

Directions

1. Pour water into the bowl of an electric mixer. Sprinkle yeast over water, and stir to dissolve. Use the paddle attachment to mix in 1 1/2 cups flour. Cover bowl; let sit in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours, until dough has doubled in bulk.
2. Sprinkle salt over flour and yeast mixture, and add olive oil and remaining 1 1/2 cups flour. Mix on medium-low speed until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to a floured work surface, and knead about 10 turns, forming a ball. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until dough has doubled in bulk, about 1 1/4 hours.
4. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Turn dough out onto a board, and cut in half. Cut each half into four pieces, and form each piece into a ball. Cover them loosely with a piece of plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out. On a floured work surface, roll two balls into circles 7 inches in diameter and slightly less than 1/4 inch thick. Bake on an ungreased baking sheet until puffed and light brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Repeat, baking two pita breads at a time.

DIY Abaya in 2 hours Part II

Assalamu aleikum,
I really like my abaya that I made by combining a shirt and some material for the bottom part and sleeves.  It is very comfortable and perfect for summer since I don't have to wear an underskirt.
But after some experimenting I came up with this nice design that is even easier to do since I used the long sleeve shirt.

As you can see, I just added the bottom part and kept the upper part intact.  I used a very light lavender shirt that has really cute sleeves and added a dark jean material.  What I love about this abaya is that jean material is very hard to stain and wrinkle which makes it perfect for me being around kids all day long.  Also it is not hugging my shape and doesn't "stick" to me if the wind blows when I am outside.  Alhamdulillah.  

Try it if you get a chance and let me know what you think!

Muslim Cutie Baby Clothes

I love these wonderful baby onesies and T-shirts!  They have them in all different colors and sizes and seem very reasonable in price.  The clothes are made in Syria and last for a very long time.  My kids are wearing them and mashAllah they don't fade or wear out.  Its all Muslim business so you know you are supporting your fellow brothers and sisters alhamdulillah.
Check out their website and let me know what you think!

Homemade Oreo Cookies

I am not sure how familiar you are with the recent Oreo cookie controversy but I will update you on that issue.  June 25th is the day when gay men and women have parades all around the world and Oreo cookie issued this picture in support of the event.

I LOVE Oreo cookies and there is no better dessert that a cookie soaked in milk!  Now, I am very hesitant to buy them or even eat them because I feel, in a way, I will be supporting the gay parades.  So here is the recipe I found online and it seems pretty easy to make!  InshaAllah, that will satisfy my cravings :)

Oreo-style Cookies from Scratch (adapted from One Girl Cookies Bakery)

Chocolate Wafers

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

¾ cup white sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

½ teaspoon table salt

1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 eggs

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter for 30 seconds. Stir them together and microwave an additional 30 seconds. Repeat this process until chocolate and butter have both melted.

Using either a hand-held mixer with the beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle, combine melted chocolate and butter, and mix on low speed for 20 seconds.

Add eggs one at a time and mix on low speed until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed for 10 seconds. Finish mixing with ingredients with a rubber spatula by hand.

Using two sheets of parchment paper roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness.

Refrigerate dough for one hour or until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Using a small round cookie cutter cut out as many rounds as possible and place one inch apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. You can reroll the scraps once.

Bake for five minutes, then rotate the pan in the oven and bake an additional five minutes.

When the cookies are cool enough to handle, fill with cream filling (see directions below). Set aside for 20 minutes while the filling firms up.

Cream filling

2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)

1 pinch table salt

2 cups confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using either a hand-held mixer with the beaters or a stand mixer with the paddle, cream butter and salt at medium speed until light and fluffy

Add half the confectioner's sugar and mix on low for 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.

Add vanilla and mix on low for 30 seconds. Scrape down the bowl.

Gradually mix in remaining confectioners' sugar, holding some back until you reach the desired consistency. It should be smooth and spreadable, but not so runny that it will drip off the cookie.

Fill chocolate wafers with pastry bag fitted with small tip. You can also spread carefully with a knife or small spatula. A modest amount (about a teaspoon per cookie) is better so it doesn't squeeze out from between the wafers.

Cookies can be stored for up to one week in an airtight container.

DIY Abaya in 2 hours!

I found this wonderful idea on another website and decided to give it a try!  I mean, to make an abaya in just 2 hours seemed pretty impossible.  So I looked into it and I must say, if you have some sewing experience (and I don't mean a professional), then you will find this very helpful and useful inshaAllah.

So the picture above is what I ended up making!  Honestly, I love this abaya, because how light and durable it came out.  I used to have this long shirt (knee length) but I hated that it wrinkled so much and stained really quickly.  It was just hanging in my closet with no use.  I also had a maternity abaya, that was made of grey linen but alhamdulillah I had my baby and was not using it at all. After reading the instructions, I decided to put them 2 together.

 These are detailed pictures of the stitching and as you can see its not perfect (actually far from it) but it worked mashAllah!

 These are the pictures of the exact process.  You can use any shirt you have (preferably cotton) and that will be the top part of the abaya since it is the hardest part to sew. You simply mark the area below your chest and then add material to the bottom.

 Detailed picture of the front of the abaya (original post)

 Sleeves.  Here everything is simple too.  You cut your shirt sleeves a little bit shorter (maybe 2 in but it really all depends on your taste) and add the same material you used for the body of the abaya.  It will bring all of it together inshaAllah.

The original post had these pictures of the finished product and as you can see the author made her abaya's body start right at the chest line so its all your choice.

I hope you find this post useful and try it for yourself!  Please let me know if you have any questions!  Enjoy!

Fun Activity for Girls

If you have little girls, this activity  looks simple but yet so beautiful.  You can make these paper butterflies together and decorate her room.  You could also use them as decorations for your next festivity or a simple picnic in the park.

Outside Activity for Boys and Girls - Painted Rock Playset

Since I have two little boys, I constantly find myself cleaning their mess.  They LOVE getting into everything, reorganizing it and trying to figure out how things work alhamdulillah.  I found it alot easier on myself if I am outside.  There, they can dig in the dirt, play in the sand box, chase my poor cats, water the plants and do whatever else they find amazing! 

I have found this wonderful activity that I think they will love.  You can paint the rocks together and let them have a blast meanwhile teaching them colors, numbers, shapes, etc.  

Fun and Creative Ideas For Homeschooling

I was browsing the internet and I found this multi-talented Muslimah, who is sharing her experience of homeschooling.  MashAllah!  So many beautiful ideas for different games, activities and fun things to do all while teaching your children our deen.  Alhamdulillah!

http://ummabdulbasir.wordpress.com/

Another website, which can be used for homeschooling but also for any type of festivities!  If you are hosting an Eid party, you can print your own puzzles, word searches, etc and use words according to your theme (Islam, Hajj, Fasting).

Pillars of Islam File Folder Game | Umm Abdul Basir's Creative Corner

I have found this wonderful blog with so many beautiful ideas!  MashAllah, this mother has 6 children (including a new born), homeschooling and finding time to be so creative!  Allahu Akbar!  I am speechless :)

Pillars of Islam File Folder Game | Umm Abdul Basir's Creative Corner

Origami Stars

A very dear friend of mine suggested making Origami Stars as decoration for Eid!  I have always been fascinated by origami but unfortunately did it back when I was in Kindergarden.  But it looks beautiful and doable!

Thank you for your suggestions and enjoy!

Pecan Fun

Since we are on this topic, I found this website!  I can't believe how many people love pecans.  Anyway, here are some yummy and nutritious recipes I found.  Enjoy

Easy Fettucine

Pecan Pie

Butter Pecan Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Frosting (YUM)

My secret to best tasting pecans

I am personally ok with pecans but my entire in - law family is in LOVE with them.  They like pecans in their pancakes, cakes, banana bread, etc.  So since I started adding it to everything I bake, I always had a bag of chopped nuts.
Unfortunately, I ran out but had a bag of whole pecans.  What I have personally discovered was that if you use the whole pecans, chop them right before using them, they add an incredible flavor to your food mashAllah!  Now, I understand why people go nuts for it :)
You can either use a knife and simply chop them up or use a spice mixer grind as pictured below.  And while you do that, you can even see the oils come out! SubhanAllah, what a difference!  Also, the nuts get really really soft while cooking, which is different comparing to pre-chopped nuts (in my case, they very rarely soften up).

So try it for yourself and let me know what you think inshaAllah!

Homemade playdough

My oldest son loves playing with playdough!  I am happy because it develops several of his skills but at the end of the day it gets so gross that I simply have to throw it away.  I found this easy recipe to make your own playdough, which means I can make a whole bunch of it inshaAllah!

I have also found several other recipes which include Kool Aid!  I am thinking you can use juice, lemonade or another other drinkable substance!

Watermelon fun

I guess it's really summer time when you see watermelons everywhere!  I love watermelons and always have them in my fridge during summer.  I feel like they really cool you off in the heat.  Here are some fun recipes!

Watermelon sticks

Watermelon cupcakes

Watermelon logs

Watermelon pops

Hope you enjoy them inshaAllah!

Chocolate box

I found this amazing chocolate box, filled with chocolate candy and that made me think of our chocolate covered Ramadan cookies and dates.  I think this will be the coolest gift EVER!

I looked through instructions and it looks amazingly easy!  Probably time consuming but very doable!  If you want to make it a little easier, you can use chocolate covered pretzels as decorations on the box.  InshaAllah I will be attempting it tomorrow and as soon as I get it done I will show you my results!

Decoupage with a middle eastern twist

I am not sure if you have ever heard of decoupage, but it is really in right now.   It is a technique which allows you to decorate furniture (tables, chairs, dressers, etc), wooden boxes and even canvases with a picture from a magazine or any other paper material.  You layer your desired picture with varnish (30-40 layers) and the end result looks so nice!

So, as you can see in these pictures, it is just several cutouts put together with a glue (you do need a PVA glue).  It is extremely easy but you will need patience and care since most of the papers are very fragile especially after you add glue to them.  

This video teaches you how to use regular napkins.  

And here are the examples of the furniture decoupage.  

BUT here is how we can turn it into an Islamic design:

1. You can use Arabic alphabet cutouts and decorate a wooden table for your kids so when they eat, or play or just sit at that table, they keep learning those "weird" looking letters :)

2. You can make a wonderful canvas decoration for your house (you don't need to know how to paint WHOOT! WHOOT!) using cutouts from magazines, napkins with Middle Eastern design or even names of Allah, duas, verses from Qur'an, etc

3. You can simply add a Middle Eastern touch to your kitchen, living room, dining room, office, what ever place you want, by decorating a vase, a jewelry box, serving tray, coffee table, etc.  

4. Nowadays, a lot of Muslims have HUGE weddings with personalized napkins or drink labels and this will be a nice way to preserve the memories

Imagination is your limit! I hope you get to try to do this and get amazing results inshaAllah.

Zaky and friends :)

Assalamu aleikum,
Ever since my oldest boy started paying attention to his TV shows, I realized that I need to monitor exactly what he is watching.  SubhanAllah, it got to the point where he knew all of the words of "Happy Birthday" song from Sprout PBS morning show and I didn't even teach him any of this!  Amazing how absorbent their little brains are.
So, I figured that someone out there is just like me and sick and tired of all of these shows that have zero connection to Islam. Of course, they teach my kids how to spell and count and all that wonderful stuff but still I want them to learn about our deen as well.
Alhamdulillah, I have discovered this wonderful website and may I say YAY!  I love the characters, love the shows, love the message!  There is no music, only nasheeds, there are stories about the Qur'an (verses, their meanings and translation), the prophets (without showing their faces), the salat (teaching them how to take wudu, pray, and all those small details I have never even heard).  They also sell merchandise that you can buy!

My kids love this song about Ramadan!

Story time

I think you absolutely have to check it out!  The CDs are around $20 (which is average price) but then they also have all these previews on youtube so whenever you are in the car or just need to occupy your kids, you can always play them on your smart phone (if you have one) inshaAllah.

For those of you who have an opportunity to support this, please do so!  Such a great effort and so nicely done alhamdulillah. 

Ramadan decorations

The previous post made me realize how excited I am for Ramadan and I started looking for some decoration ideas that I can start working on.  Even though there are still couple months to go, I find myself always unprepared so inshaAllah this year, I will be ready!

Having candles in a glass jar, especially that has a middle eastern look to it, will add a special warmth to your place and add a little festive touch without any extra work.  I found these images online but I have seen such candles in pretty much any Target, Macy's, even Walmart.  

These cookies will be a nice addition to your Iftar table or break fast at your local masjid.  This recipe makes a lot and they taste so yummy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 Sticks of butter (1 Cup), softened
2 1/2 Cups sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation:
Blend flour, baking soda, and baking powder together. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the egg to the butter and sugar and mix well. Add vanilla extract. One cup at a time, add the flour mix into the wet ingredients. Mix until it's nice and doughy.

Flour your hands, and roll dough into pieces about the size of a golf ball. Squash it down and shape it into a crescent, and then flatten it down. Another option is to roll the dough out and cut it with crescent cookie cutters -- be sure to flour your cookie cutters before you use them, or the dough won't come out as well.

Bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 350 for about ten minutes, until the sides begin to brown.

Make icing with the following ingredients:
1 8-oz block of cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
4 Cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. milk

Blend the cream cheese and butter together, and then gradually add in the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla and mix well. Blend in the milk (add a little more if your icing doesn't seem creamy enough). After your moon cookies have cooled, Use this to frost them.

Optional: add silver sprinkles to your cookies while the frosting is still wet, or dip half the cookie in chocolate and frost the other half in white.

(courtesy of http://howtolivelikeanomaniprincess.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html)

Such a cute and unique way to have a little goody bag for your kids to support their fast.  If your children are still too small to fast (like mine), then I think I will be using them to store some candy and a little story about Prophet (SAWS).  This way they will excited for breaking fast and understand this month is unique and special.  

There is wonderful website, where you can find all different types of very pretty and modern things for decorations, but you can also make them yourself. Nowadays, they have all that equipment available at stores such as Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.  If you have christmas lights, they can be used in a beautiful way to decorate as well.  You can spell something on the wall or simply spread them on the ceiling to look like night sky. 

Its also very useful to use your kids.  They will make a mess but they will surely have fun and create something unique! It will also teach them that this is OUR special holiday since living here in the US it is very hard sometimes to sustain your Islamic identity.  

Here is a poster I made for this year.  I bought the poster at Hobby Lobby for $4.50 and it has a linen print on it so it looks like canvas, cut out the letters from scrapbooking paper I bought at Target and added some stars with glue and glitter.  Balloons are my kids favorite so we have to have them in any decoration.