Saturday, October 12, 2013

Roasted Hot Peppers

Roasted hot peppers
How hot should a hot pepper be? According to me - very, very hot. 
There is the so called Scoville scale method, measuring the amount of the capsaicin - the chemical compound, which irritates our mucous membranes and wakes our pain receptors. 

It is said, the burning sensation, provided by capsaicin is addictive. According to the theory, the pain induced by eating chilies makes our brain produce endorphins, which create a temporary feeling of euphoria. Heart rate increases, metabolism increases, salvation increases - the whole body is involved.

This mild addiction makes me want to have hot peppers with every meal (even with the breakfast sandwich, I admit).

There are many hot peppers varieties in Bulgaria - a real treasure for the lovers of the hot taste. Roasted chilies are served in nearly every restaurant as an appetizer or a spicy addition to the main course. 

The taste of roasted hot peppers is softer than the fresh ones. Peppers for roasting should be fresh and crisp and for this recipe chilies should have soft skins, bearing in mind they are not peeled after roasting.
Hot peppersRoasted hot peppers

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Baked Goat Cheese with Spicy Tomato Sauce

Fall came out of a sudden this year. 
We were at the sea at the beginning of September and yesterday, less than a month after the vacation, I took the winter jackets out of the wardrobe. 
I hate the all day long rain outside, the freezing temperatures and the cold wind.
There is so much time until next summer... 
On the other hand, I know, final countdowns do not make sense, but next October my Violet will not be with us. 
My beloved first-born child will take her way to the post-parents life and all her suitcases will be transferred to another destination, long way from home.  
Beach shower


Cafe in Tuscany
Children will never know how tough are some of the decisions their parents make. Parents will never be sure, their children are all right without them. And that is the way it should be. 
But, anyway, I would like to stop time, to take the most of every minute, to open some pictures holding memories of emotions and fun. 
Rome

And to post one of Violet's favorite recipes - baked goat cheese with spicy tomato sauce, a healthy, tasty and spicy appetizer, perfect for the long fall evenings.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Leek Soup with Sausage and Potatoes

Potato soup with leek and sausage
It is not too cold outside. But it was a strange day. I had so many things to say, but I did not. Sometimes it is too late to say a word. But anyway, I was a kind of sad and wanted to prepare something to warm me up from the inside, a healthy, filling meal. Celebration of life, joy of the little things. Soup prepared with simple ingredients, but with love and affection. Tasty and satisfying. It turned out absolutely delicious. Here is the recipe:
Soup with sausages