This, hands down, is one of my favorite appetizers to make. I made it today to take pictures for the blog and I ate the entire thing by my darn self. 

Today, we are going into a different direction. Something more healthy, vegetarian, gluten free and breakfast-y. Ladies and gentlemen, the Shakshuka! While preparing this dish my mom mentioned that it reminds her of the Serbian Sataras, just a bit spicier where in Sataras we only add Vegeta to it. This of course immediately gave me an idea for a new dish on our menu. 

Anyways, back to the Shakshuka. A popular, simple one-pan dish that originated in North Africa and served today in many middle eastern countries such as Israel. It can be eaten throughout the day for either breakfast or lunch. The dish has a lot of flavor, but is not too spicy. 

INGRIDIENTS:
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You might ask yourself why am I posting about Christmas cookies, when Christmas is over. Well, my friend you're wrong. Orthodox Christmas falls on January the 7th, which means we still got a few days to go. To give you a quick history lesson, the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is the second largest Christian domination after Catholicism follows the Julian calendar. For more information on the religious aspect click here.

Alright, back to the cookies .. As mentioned in the title the word Šape means paws, the reason for that is the fact that they are baked in tins that are shaped as such. To purchase them, click here.
Back in the day, we should store these cookies in round cookie tins like these. You know the type of boxes you store buttons in or sewing supplies.

INGRIDIAENTS:
- 2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 cups ground walnuts
- 1 large
- 1 grated lemon
- powder sugar to sprinkle over

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Preheat over to 360F
2) Grease molds with butter and dust off with flour.
3) Mix all the ingredients together, cover bowl with plastic wrap an put into fridge for 15-20 mins.
4) Press dough into the molds, without going over the edges and top as dough will rise.
5) Bake for 15-20 mins.
6) Remove from the oven and let cookies cool before taking them out of the molds.
7) Sprinkle cookies with powder sugar.

OK, I've promised you guys on instagram that in the New Year I will be consistent when it comes to our blog. So here I am, January 1st, 7am in the morning, getting to it.

I've tried the Vasilopita a few years back at a local greek Fresh Market and loved it. I wanted to make it ever since, but never got around it until today. For those of you that are not familiar with Vasilopita it's a cake that contains a lucky coin on the inside, kind of like the Serbian Cesnica on Christmas Day, It is divided among the family members and whoever gets the coin will be lucky all year round.

To read more in detail and about the religious aspect of Vasilopita, click here.

INGRIDIENTS:

- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup butter softened 
- 3 eggs
- 1 3/4 cup of sugar
- 2 tbs baking powder
- 1 1/2 cups of orange juice
- 1 tbs of orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla 
- powdered sugar 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Pre-heat oven at 350F (180C).
2) Butter and sprinkle flour over a 10" or 8" (for thicker results) pan.
3) In a bowl, mix butter & sugar until sugar resolves and mixture is fluffy.
4) Add orange juice, vanilla & orange zest, continue mixing at medium speed.
5) Whip the eggs in a bowl and add to butter mixture.
6) Mix flour and baking powder, then add to wet ingredients.. mix for two mins on low speed, but don't overtax. If you're adding a coin, do it now.
7) Bake for 45 mins to an hour. Use toothpick to check if ready. Insert toothpick into batter, if it comes out clean it's good to go.
8) Remove from oven and let cool. 
9) Flip the cake up-side down and sprinkle with powder sugar.