Miracles on 45th Street

Happy 2nd Birthday, Laila and Olivia!

Even though it's totally unfair that Carol should look so pretty after delivering two bundles of joy in one day, I wanted to show you these birthday pictures. Carol is Bob's youngest sister.

Laila Martha & Olivia Tahia

Born February 25, 2005, New York City.
Congratulations Carol and Ragaey!!!! May God be with you all.

Here's how Amanda spent Christmas vacation this past year. With the almost 2-year-olds. I myself was more like mama grizzly of the foul language on my kids' birthdates.

With love, T

P.S. And what is served at Laila and Olivia's birthday party? Home made Eqyptian food, of course, baked from scratch by Gourmet Dad Ragaey. And now the mama panda is inspired to figure out a recipe section for the liver blog. Coming soon. For now, here's the recipe for Kufta wrapped in Eggplants from the chefosama.com, an Egyptian chef who works out of Dubai. Also served was baked fluffy rice and Egyptian lasagne, which Carol remembers my Mom, aka Mother Mork, liking a couple of Easters ago. If even one of those twins decides to get married, it will be a wedding to which you'll want to be invited; or at least figure out how to crash the banquet.

Gourmet Dad Ragaey adapted this receipe for lively livers, Laila's, and Olivia's by baking instead of frying and using spicey chopped meat for local palets. Although mama panda says, when you're with someone who knows how to cook Middle Eastern food, always go for the lamb even if you lean vegetarian.

Kufta wrapped in Eggplants for Laila and Olivia's 2nd Birthday

Ingredients

Kufta
2 eggplantsSalt and pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ kilo minced meat

1 chopped onion

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1 chopped green pepper

¼ teaspoon ground mixed spices

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons cooking oil

Sauce
½ cup tomato paste

1 cup water

1 tablespoon vinegar

Salt and pepper

Directions

Kufta -- Cut eggplants in long slices .Sprinkle salt on them .Set aside for an hour.• Rinse to get rid of salt and squeeze a little.• Lay side by side in a tray. Brush with oil and place in the oven to fry on both sides.• Mix minced meat with chopped onion, parsley and pepper. Mix well and season with spices, salt and pepper.• Form the minced meat into fingers, roll in flour and shake to get rid of excess flour. Fry in hot oil.• Place on kitchen towel paper.• Place the meat fingers on eggplants slices, roll and put side by side. Notice that the wrapped side should face down.

Sauce -- Mix ingredients until tomato paste melts. Season and pour on eggplants.• Bake in a preheated oven of 350 F. for 30 minutes.• Serve warm with white rice or slices of toast.

Sing happy birthday. Enjoy with all your friends, family, and neighbors.