Little shortcrust pastry fruit tarts

I have been so busy the past few months that I hardly get time to take pictures of the food I cook. But for this simple dessert, or better, little treat to go with my 4 o'clock coffee last weekend, I had some time to take a picture and turn it into a blogpost.

You know I mainly like simple things, little ingredients, basically something that just can't go wrong and is ready in now time. Usually when you think of making a coffee at 4pm and you are thinking of what to eat with it, it is almost too late to start making something. But these little fruit tarts are quickly prepared and baked in no time.

Melon in white wine

This is definitely a dessert for adults as it contains alcohol. So if you are not a big fan of wine, you'd better leave out this ingredient. 

I have used 2 types of melon, but any type of melon will do here. Using at least 2 different types of melon, meaning 2 different colours will look more appealing and festive. It will make this dish look a bit more fancy as this is really the easiest dessert ever. 

Using white, non-sweet wine gives the impression to your guests you are serving melon on water but as soon as they take their first bite, they will taste impregnated sweet fruit with this tangy taste, blending in quite nicely.

You can prepare this dessert a couple of hours in advance while letting it marinate in the fridge. It is just the most refreshing dessert you can serve on a nice, hot summer evening!

Spanish rice with chorizo

I know, it has been a while, but I am back, after some renovation works at home and a busy time at work. There was no time for taking pictures or writing up recipes but that doesn't mean that there was no time for cooking and trying new recipes...

I hope you will like this tasty version of Spanish rice. A spicy, Southern side dish, great to go with any meat or fish dish. It is mainly the Spanish chorizo sausage bringing a rather Latin taste to this simple rice & vegetable mixture.
One of the first ingredients used while preparing this side dish was the sliced chorizo. I did not add any extra oil as the sausage when fried, even in a small quantity, releases a lot of excess oil.

Red prune crumble

We are still working at home so cooking or taking pictures of our dishes has become pretty difficult, but hope to be back in full action within a couple of weeks.

But of course we still have to eat and are still craving for sweets but I can not afford to spend so much time. Therefore I made a red prune crumble. The prunes are so tasty at the moment and have this lovely red colour.

While making this red prune crumble you could make some extra crumble to make this banana breakfast crumble, I've prepared a few weeks ago.

Chicken chow mein

Chinese inspired recipes are always a great way to eat plenty of crunchy vegetables. And this one is so easy as you will have vegetables, noodles and chicken in one tasty dish. All your attention and devotion while cooking goes out to just one dish.

The ingredient list might seem long but it is all worth it. In under 45 minutes you will have a filling dish on the table that everyone loves with plenty of vitamins!

Pineapple & strawberry 'charlotte'

We are in the midst of doing some renovation works at home. It gives me less time to experiment with some recipes, nevertheless we are still hungry and in the mood for some nice treats, that's why I have prepared this easy charlotte with pineapple and strawberry. I am not sure if there is an English word for 'charlotte'. But for sure it is the easiest cake you can make. No eggs nor flour and no baking time. Just some 'cool' time in the fridge. 

You do not even have to feel too guilty when cutting a big part of this cake, once it is ready because it is made with low fat cream cheese (used 0%). 
You do have special plastic molds for this cake, but even without this it is absolutely no problem. A normal bowl with a flat bottom will do the trick. After dipping the biscuits in the juice, they will become soggy and sweet and easily take the shape of the bowl.
This not too unhealthy treat will melt in your mouth offering a nice blend of cream cheese and fresh fruit with some well-integrated biscuits. 

Crustless leek and bacon quiche

A quiche, an egg and cream or milk mixture with some other ingredients of your choice, is a typical French dish but it includes a crust, made out of puff pastry. It usually gets served for lunch or as a starter with a fresh green salad on the side.

Instead I have prepared small crustless quiches, served as a nice, filling side dish with grilled meat or fish. Quiches are very versatile, you can add whatever you like or have in your fridge. The salty taste with soft texture offers a nice balance. Again, this is easy to prepare in advance and to reheat it in the microwave just before serving. A nice way to serve some vegetables in a rather filling way.