Qaghaq tal-Appostli (Apostles' Bread Rings)

These bread rings are traditionally sold during the Lenten period in Malta and Gozo and they have been around for hundred of years.

Ingredients :

500g Plain Flour (or 00)
6g Fresh Beer Yeast

3tsp bread improver

40g melted butter
280ml Water
2tsps Salt 
3tbls Oil
1tsp Sugar
Sesame Seeds
Almonds whole

Method 

Mix the dry ingredients well and add the butter. Add the water and knead for about 10 minutes. Roll in a ball and place in an oiled bowl. Cover with a wet towel and proof for about 1 hour. Punch the air out, fold the dough, and let proof for an additional 1 hour.

Roll out the dough like a rope. Form the ring and place on a greased baking tray. With a kitchen brush, dab some milk on the top of the ring and sprinkle the sesame seeds. Place the whole almonds on top of the ring. Tradition calls for 12 almonds to symbolize the Apostles. Cover with a wet towel and let proof for an additional hour or more.

Bake in a 425 degree F oven for about 35-40 minutes until golden brown.

Bread machine : If using a bread machine, use the dough cycle. Add the liquids first, water and yeast and then add the flour and the salt. Let the machine do its magic.

Feature on these delicious Bread Rings from One TV below :

Patata Fgata (Smothered Potatoes)

Going back to basics, the simple old fashioned way. This traditional Maltese staple side dish can be served with practically anything however due to its flavor profile, it goes best with fish.

Ingredients

2 large potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup water
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
Herbs (marjoram, basil, rosemary, parsley, a tsp of each)
Salt & Pepper
Olive oil, 3 tbls
2 bay leaves

Method

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan, cover, bring to a boil and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and potatoes are soft. If need be, add more water until potatoes are fully cooked.

Serves 2. Double or triple ingredients accordingly.

Pudina tal-hobz (Bread Pudding)

Pudina tal-hobz

Who doesn't crave this comfort food from time to time? It is such an easy dish to make and the result is always perfect! The best part is that it is made with ingredients that are readily available in the kitchen! 

Ingredients

300g bread (1-2 day old bread is fine)
400ml milk
60g hazelnuts or walnuts
100g raisins
50g cherries
50g chocolate, chopped
1 tbs cocoa powder
2 eggs
125g sugar (brown preferred)
1 tbl cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 large orange
Coconut (optional)
Sesame seeds (optional)
1 shot of rum (optional)

Method

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the bread up into chunks and soak in milk for about 20 minutes. Strain excess milk out. Add brown sugar and cinnamon and mix well. Add the nuts, raisins, cherries, chocolate, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, zest of 1 large orange and (optional) 3 tbs of coconut flakes and a shot of rum. Mix everything well and add 2 beaten eggs, until the mixture has a thick yet runny consistency.

Line a meatloaf pan with parchment paper and pour the mixture in the pan. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and bake for about 30 minutes until firm to touch.

Gozitan Ftira

Gozo, Malta's sister island, produces this lovely, mouth watering pizza! You cannot visit Gozo and not try one of these amazing ftiras!


Ingredients

Maltese Bread Dough (or regular pizza dough)
Thinly sliced potatoes (semi boiled)
Tomato Sauce
Mozzarella
Sausage
Bacon
Onions
Parsley
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper





Roll dough out as if you are preparing a pizza from scratch. Add the ingredients and top with the thin slices of potato. Drizzle some olive oil, salt, pepper and parsley on top. Fold the edges inwards (like in the picture) and bake on a pizza stone in a 400 degree oven.

Bziezen tal-krema (Fresh Cream Donuts)

Who doesn't remember these delicious doughnuts that every grocery store/confectionary in Malta used to sell early in the morning?

Ingredients

• 100g sugar
• 500g  plain flour
• Pinch of Salt 
• 10 grams dry yeast
• 60g unsalted butter, melted
• 250ml lukewarm milk
• 100ml lukewarm water
• Icing Powder for dusting 

Put all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl except the yeast. In a separate bowl mix the melted butter, yeast, water and milk and pour on the dry ingredients, mixing and kneading into a dough for about 10 minutes until elastic and smooth. Place dough in a plastic bowl, cover with greased cling film and leave to rise for about 60 minutes. Punch the dough down, knead for a few minutes and cover again for 60 minutes. Afterwards, divide into equal portions, shaping each portion into long bun shapes. Cover and let rise until double in size. 

Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. When cooled, make a slit in the middle and spread some strawberry jam in the middle. Pipe (or spray) fresh cream. If using fresh cream, beat until stiff before piping down or else you can use Ready Whip from a a can. Drizzle some more strawberry jam on top of the cream and dust with icing sugar :)

Traditional Maltese Ice-Cream

Remember that ice-cream that used to be served in weddings and holy communion receptions? Here's the recipe!

As usual me and my friend Georgina became obsessed with recreating this old time favorite ice-cream! Unlike gbejniet, this took only a couple of days to achieve!

Ingredients

2 cans evaporated milk
100g sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 rind of a lemon grated
1/4 cup heave cream.
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
Handful of peanuts
Optional - candid peel

Put 1 can of milk, sugar, cinnamon and lemon rind in a pot, bring to boil and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Pour the mixture through a sieve into a stainless steel bowl and discard the lemon rind and the cinnamon stick.

Mix in the other can of milk, cream and vanilla.

Chill in the freezer for half an hour.

If using an ice-cream maker, pour the chilled mixture in the ice cream maker and let it churn away!

Alternatively you can do it the old fashioned way ... by beating the ice cream with a spatula every 20 minutes.

Serve with crushed peanuts and candid peel.

Sugar Free Yuletide Christmas Log

It is not Christmas in Malta without the traditional Yuletide Christmas Log! This walnut packed log is super easy to make and requires no baking! The original recipe calls for regular cookies and condensed milk. A few years ago I came across a similar recipe to the one I posted below for diabetics*. Over the years I have modified it and made it my own and my dad loves it!


Ingredients

1lb Sugar Free Plain Cookies (like plain shortbread)
8oz pitted Dates
1 cup Milk
1/4 cup orange juice
8 oz Chopped walnuts
2 oz dried cherries
2 tbl Cocoa Powder
1 bar unsweetened baking chocolate (to decorate with)

Method

Put the cookies in a zip lock bag and crush with a kitchen hammer.

In a small pot, dissolve the dates with the milk and orange juice until you have a thick paste.

Using the largest bowl you have in your kitchen, dump all of the ingredients in it and knead.

On a clean surface, roll out a long piece of cling film and place the mixture at the center of it. Shape the mixture into a log, making sure to press and pack it all in so as not to leave any air bubbles inside. Let rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

Melt some chocolate and pour it over the top. Using a fork, make horizontal streaks as the chocolate is setting to create a grain pattern. Store in refrigerator.

*Always consult with your physician if you have diabetes about food guidelines and sugar intake. Dried fruit can have a substantial amount of sugar.