June 20: Ispanakli Pasta- Spinach Cake

Prep. Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 35-55 min
10 Servings

Ingredients:

• 5 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 package of Dr Oetker vanilla powder (8 gr) or 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 package of Dr. Oetker baking powder (16 gr) or 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 lemon peel
• 1 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1 cup chopped walnut
• 2-3 kiwis (sliced, like 1/16" thick) or fruit of your choice

Pudding/Icing:

• 3 cups milk
• 6 tbsp flour,
• 7 tbsp sugar,
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract or 1/4 package of Dr. Oetker vanilla powder
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup cool whip

1. Turn oven to 350 F and place your cake pan in the oven,
2. In a large bowl mix eggs, sugar and lemon peel,
3. Add flour, vanilla, baking powder and continue to mix,
4. Add spinach and walnut, beat well, take out your heated cake pan from the oven, coat with cooking spray, pour the batter and sharply tap pan once on counter to remove air bubbles,
5. Bake at 350° for 20-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Pudding/Frosting:

1. Combine the sugar and flour in a medium saucepan and whisk until incorporated. While constantly whisking, slowly drizzle the milk until smooth.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook, whisking often, until the pudding begins to thicken and just starts to bubble, about 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and switch to a rubber spatula. Stir constantly, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan, about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla until the butter is melted and completely incorporated.
4. Continue to beat if the pudding has flour knots.
5. Cut the edges of the cake and crumble.
6. Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Place kiwis, spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Decorate with the crumbles. Store cake loosely covered in the refrigerator.

June 20: Fasulye Salatasi- Six Beans Salad

Prep. Time: 25 min.
8 Servings

Ingredients:

•  1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
•  1 (14.5 ounce) can wax beans, drained
•  1 (15 ounce) can lima beans, drained
•  1 (15 ounce) can green beans, drained
•  1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
•  1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed beans
•  1 sweet onion, chopped
•  1 green bell pepper, chopped
•  1 red bell pepper, chopped
•  1 tomatoes, chopped
•  1 cucumber, chopped
•  2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
•  1/2 cup olive oil
•  1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
•  Salt and black pepper

1. Mix all the ingredients in large bowl, marinate for at least 15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving. Enjoy!

June 20: Fava Beans With Dill- Zeytintagli Bakla

Prep. Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 1 hour
4-6 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. dried fava beans, soaked overnight (or, canned fava beans, or, fresh ones if it the season)
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp. minced fresh dill
• 1 small onion (sliced in half-moon shape)
• Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
• Salt and pepper

1. Drain beans and place in a 4-qt. saucepan, cover with water by 2″, and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, covered and stirring occasionally, until tender, about 50 minutes. 
2. If you use fresh ones you do not need to soak overnight, but probably you need to cook them about 50 minutes. 
3. Put olive oil in another saucepan and saute until they are tender. 
4. Drain beans, and transfer on tho the sauteed onion; add dill, and salt and pepper; let sit for 30 minutes to meld flavors before serving. Bon appetitte!