Foods To Try and Souveniers To Buy in Austria
What To Try
Austria is famous for a lot of reasons other than music in the hills, and here’s a short list of a few of the tasty treats you’ll not want to miss!
Here Are The Top 5 Foods You Must Try In Austria
The Sacher Torte
This chocolate ganache torte, is available all over Austria, but in my opinion, is best had at the Sacher Hotel in Vienna.
2. Buchteln (sweet yeast buns)
There’s a little variety in the way these are made, but are typically very soft pillowy buns served with a vanilla custard sauce.
3. Kaiserschmarrn (Scrambled Pancake)
I’m sure that it sounds weird, but this dessert has the texture of an eggy crepe, and is oh so good!
4. Punschkrapfen (rum soaked cakes)
This little cuties come in a variety of mouth-watering fillings that are all easy on the eyes.
5. Wiener Würstel
Leave all of your preconceived notions of hotdogs and sausages at the door, because it’s a whole other ballgame in Austria. The variety of sausage in profound, and possibly even more mind blowing than the meat offerings, is the bread they put it in. There is basically no similarity between what we call a “bun” and the perfection of toasted loaf, that they use. I ordered a chicken sausage, and what I saw was shocking… the cook grabbed what looked to be an entire loaf of uncut bread, shoved it down on what looked like a hole punch, and then shoved the condiments and sausage down the newly made bread tunnel. Each and every bite was heaven.
Souvenirs To Buy In Austria
The philosophy of what to purchase will differ from person to person, and I would never encourage anyone to buy things they don’t need or necessarily want. However, the criteria that I attempt to follow when making my souvenir purchases are as follows:
Is the item actually from the place I’m visiting (i.e. is this made in China and intended as a cheap souvenir)?
Can I purchase the same item back home, or is it unique to the area (i.e. is it commonly available back home due to export?).
Is this something I can use or display?
What We Purchased in Austria and What I Wish We Hadn’t
As mentioned above, we try to stick to a limited list of criteria when making purchases, but sometimes you can still get swept up in the vacation frenzy might result in you lugging home a few things that don’t.
What We Bought And Love
Holiday Decorations - Christmas and the decorations that go with it are on a level that I had not previously experienced. It seemed to me that every surface of Austria (both indoor and outdoor), was adorned with beautiful ornaments or garlands, most of which were natural (organic matter) and handmade in Austria or at least within Europe. I purchased several of these natural wall garlands and can not wait to display them this coming year.
Market mugs - Many outdoor festivals offer reusable mugs from the drink vendors that are filled with your beverage of choice for a flat fee (which includes a deposit for the mug itself), and are refundable upon return of the mug, or keep it as a souvenir. We opted to keep two of these mugs for this exact reason.
Books - I typically make it a point to purchase a “classic” children’s book from each country we visit in either the language of the area or translated to English. In this case, I purchased an English translation of classic Austrian fables.
Cultural Outfit - This one is controversial for several reasons and could easily be placed on the "love" or "hate" list, depending on how you approach it. However, in our case, it’s also important to note the cross-cultural significance of the traditional outfit of both Austria and Germany, which is also the cultural background of both my husband and myself. Further, "costume" versus "quality" construction also impacts the value of making a cultural outfit purchase. My husband and I each opted to make these purchases but with differing reasons behind our choices.
Art - We always purchase at least one piece of art from each country we visit because art is typically going to be of a flat, paper, or fabric item making it easy to transport. Bonus is that art is something that we can see and enjoy long after we have returned home from said trip. On this occasion, we purchased a watercolor cityscape of Salzburg.
What I Wish We Had NOT Purchased
I'm happy to report that the list of regrets is short but still worth mentioning as a mental note for next time.
Novelty signage - Frankly, I’m still surprised that we made this purchase, but in hindsight, I think we were both missing our dog when we fell victim to this cliche. One particular day, we came across a souvenir vendor selling novelty signage of Cocker Spaniel dogs with German language sayings printed on them. These signs were mass-produced, heat transfer signs (It will never be hung on our wall at home), and while we should have enjoyed the giggle and saved our money, at that moment, we somehow decided to purchase one (plants palm on face).
Novelty liquor - I’m sure you’ve seen them in gift shops, novelty-shaped bottles of people or buildings filled with generic whiskey or vodka, or who knows what. The ONLY time these expensive little bottles are appropriate to purchase is when it’s a gift shop for someplace that makes the liquor or the bottle it comes in. PERIOD, full-stop. To haul liquid in any quantity across the ocean to give to someone that wasn’t on the trip is a waste of luggage space because the liquor will not be good, and the gift is not personal. Save your money, save your luggage space, and let them go and have their own experience of the place.
Did I miss something that you think should have been on this list? Leave it in the comments below!
Holiday Taste of Travel
International Holiday Food At Home
Here we are, December of 2020 and the pandemic is still raging with many months still ahead of us before vaccination of the masses occurs. While some opted to cancel plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas is a much more difficult pill to swallow, so if you’re one of us that is attempting to plan for an adapted holiday, read on.
Pre-Pandemic Holiday Plans
In the Autumn of 2019, my husband and I naively hatched a plan to skip Christmas stateside and instead venture off to the land from which it came. Germany, during December, is supposed to be what holiday dreams are made of and we (along with my mother-in-law) were set on capturing some of that magic for ourselves (in the context of how long this past year has been, it feels like we were just “kids” back then).
Alas, as the months went by and winter became spring, COVID19 became a reality and so did the logistical nightmare of attempting international travel. Not yet aware of the duration of the waking nightmare that has been the pandemic, we scaled back our travel aspirations for a much more modest trip to visit family in the southwest, however, that too was nixed as the months drew on and cases continued to rise.
Pandemic Holiday Comfort
One of my motivations for visiting Germany is to reconnect with my German heritage, being just a fourth-generation American, but with no tradition handed down due to German American sentiment at the time at which my family immigrated. I had grand plans to visiting German Christmas Markets and packing my bags with the traditional decor to fill my home for years to come, but that too will have to wait. Instead, I’ve turned my attention to making some traditional European holiday treats and Germany is at the top of my list!
Meet The Christstollen
I’ve seen these loaves of bread during the holidays, identifiable by their powder sugar-coated crusts, but never knew what they were until I started researching iconic German holiday foods. The Christollen comes in an array of flavors and traditionally varies from region to region across Germany. I, however, have set my sights on perfecting the variety that comes from Dresden because it's filled with dried berries, candied citrus peels, and almonds soaked in rum, as well as marzipan and again coated in the iconic powdered sugar.
I failed royally at documenting the process of making my first batch of this tasty treat, but because of the amount of time it took, start to finish, it was 11:30 PM and I was just trying to get to bed. Having failed to take a picture of the finished product before I had packaged up three of my four loaves, having already cut into the one remaining (you know, to check for poison like any self-respecting baker would do), I hope you'll forgive the after the fact nature of the photo I'm using for this post.
P.S. It was delicious.
Lessons Learned
It can take longer than stated on the recipe, so allow for more time.
The directions in the recipe I followed were confusing concerning incorporating the marzipan, so when in doubt, study the photos!
One batch is intended to divide in half, but if you quarter it, you get great mini loaves that are ideal as gifts!
To try the recipe I used (I will use it again) follow this link.
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note!
Scottish Highland Distilleries
Share With The Angels
Brown liquor is as varied as the people that drink them and when visiting a part of the world that’s known for something as popular as Scotch Whiskey, you owe it to yourself to devote at least a little bit of time to exploring it in its motherland.
Distillery Tours
Not a scotch lover myself, I do enjoy bourbon whiskey and am 100% on board with learning how to appreciate something other than my regular and more familiar go-to’s. That said, do yourself a favor the next time you’re in Scotland and visit at LEAST one but more like two or three distilleries and experience the variety of scotch being produced there.
With that in mind, we would have loved to have visited more than what we did but only had time for one full tour, but we visited four of them and either did tastings or just visited the gift shops and onsite museums.
Oban Distillery
Nestled within the seaside community of Oban in county Argyle on the west coast of Scotland, this distillery is convenient to visit if you plan to venture over the Inner Hebrides islands because Oban is one of the primary ferry port towns.
Be sure to reserve your tour in advance if that’s what you want to do, we didn’t and were only able to visit the showroom.
Tobermory Distillery
This little distillery was my favorite scotch experience because of the quaint setting. The village of Tobermory is located on the northern tip of the island of Mull, which will require you to take a ferry from Oban, but the extra effort is well worth it (for more on the Isle of Mull, click HERE). Bonus, the scotch made at this distillery (called LeDaig) is not available in the United States, so take the opportunity to try something new!
Glen Ord Distillery
Moving further north into the Highlands is the Glen Ord Distillery best known for making Singleton Scotch. We chose to do a proper tour here and we had a wonderful experience! I would definitely recommend booking this tour in advance.
Glenlivet Distillery
For our final “wee” dash of scotch exploration, we paid a visit to the tasting room for Glenlivet because it’s a favorite of my father-in-law. Probably the most elaborate showroom of all the distilleries we visited, you can even get a meal in their onsite cafe. There’s a large amount of merchandise and bottles available to purchase here, so did a little Christmas shopping while there.
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note!
A Weekend Escape To Springfield
Vacation Close To Home
When you don’t have a ton of time or can’t afford to go very far, consider a weekend in exotic southwest Missouri, more specifically, Springfield Missouri.
Where To Stay
Hands down the Vandivort is the place to stay for a great change of pace! For a full review of the Vandivort Hotel, see my other post HERE.
Where To Eat
One of the best parts of vacationing is eating at new places and Springfield has a fantastic mix of startups, established eateries, and everything in between.
Starting with breakfast, here are two great options worth checking out that fall on different ends of the ambiance spectrum.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe
Located downtown and across the street from the Vandivort, Gailey’s has traditional breakfast foods served up in a classic Americana diner, the coffee is good and biscuits are warm, but you might want to call ahead as the wait for a table can get pretty long.
2. Tea Bar & Bites
This place is as cute as a button and is tucked away in the charming Raintree neighborhood (not far from downtown by car). Despite a limited rotating menu, this place will NOT disappoint, but get there early as seating is limited and the pastry items sell out fast!
3. Rountree
Located at the intersection of Pickwick Avenue and Cherry Street is a collection of eateries and taverns so tasty that you may find yourself going back day after day. With at least eight different places to choose from, this is a great option for anyone wanting a variety of different things to eat ranging from kimchi fries to kombucha.
4. The Cow’s Pajamas
This mobile frozen treat vendor is cute as a button, and while they do move around, we paid them a visit at the Route 66 Food Truck Park which was definitely worth a stop on its own!
5. Cafe Cusco
This delightfully colorful Peruvian inspired eatery will have you feeling like you’re a jet setter!
What To-Do
Having been built since I finished college, I’d never taken the time to visit the Wonders of Wildlife on any of my return visits to Springfield, but this being more of a mini-vacation made it feel like the time to go.
In Closing
There are a thousand other little things I could suggest, but at the end of the day, I have to bring this post to a close. With this in mind please feel free to ask questions in the comments below or shoot me an email!
An Angelic Summer Cake
Summer Is Canceled
2020 is a year that I can’t wait to see in my rear-view mirror and not just because of the terrible things that are happening, but also because of the wonderful things that simply are not.
I’ve been extremely fortunate in that I work for a company that has taken the pandemic seriously since day one and has allowed those of that can, to work remotely since the middle of March. However, the decision to send us all home (which I’m continually grateful for) has frozen my mental calendar firmly to that date in an almost groundhog day fashion… causing me to continuously feel confused by the month shown on the calendar.
In a normal year, a series of events would have already occurred by this point in July, and a series of events would also be on my immediate horizon that, well… simply haven’t, and aren’t going to this year. Questions like, “what day is it” seems to be forever on my tongue as the days, weeks, and months have become strung together with no distinguishing events to catapult my measure of time further into the year.
The above is not news to anyone, we’re all in this together, but we’re all getting through it slightly differently.
Let Me Eat Cake!
On the subject of the pandemic, diet and exercise are topics not far from anyone’s mind. Like a pendulum, I have swung from one extreme to the other and then back again, all while attempting to establish a sense of equilibrium, a challenge considering that nothing is normal, everything is always changing, and let’s face it, eating cake is comforting.
If you're like me and had travel plans that were canceled due to a travel ban, you might be organizing your socks or some other mundane thing in place of dwelling on the disappointment of it all. Alternatively, if sock organization has already been completed, perhaps you're game to try something that you've always wanted to do but haven't?
For example, I’ve always wanted to make a classic Angel Food Cake. I’ve avoided attempting this cake because of the special pan that is required (cabinet storage is in short supply in a condo), but desperate times call for desperate measures. Throwing storage concerns to the wind, I bought the pan and took the plunge.
This is a blog post that documents my first attempt at making a cake that’s as synonymous with summer as is swimming pools and outdoor barbecues.
Step #1 - Sift EVERYTHING
Step #2 - Separate a THOUSAND eggs and carefully fluff them up
Step #3 - Sift again and “FOLD IT IN”
Any Schitt’s Creek fans in the house?
Step #4 - Scrape the bottom and work FAST
Step #5 - Add half the batter and spread evenly before adding second half
Step #6 - Bake until golden and splitting
Step #7 - Invert and let cool for at least two hours
Step #8 - Run a knife around all edges and sides before removing from pan
Step #9 - ENJOY!
In Yummary… I mean Summary
This was easier than expected to make, separating the eggs was the only tedious part but you’re well supplied with yolks for making custard later ;)
I used the recipe from Bon Appetit but most recipe’s seem to be relatively similar.
I may not be attending backyard barbecues this summer, but I am enjoying a little slice of summer with this cake!
Leave me a comment below!
Hot British Buns
British Food Or Something Like It
Let’s face it, when you think of the United Kingdom, great food probably isn’t the first thing to come to mind. Tea, Haggis, Fish & Chips, and Shortbread aren’t all that is consumed there however, and not everything involves beans and sausage.
Man Can Not Live On Deep Fried Mars Bars Alone
When I’m traveling abroad, one of my favorite parts of the travel experience is trying new things, which includes the foods of whatever country it is that I’m visiting. Granted, traveling can sometimes be stressful and in those moments a familiar taste from home can go a long way toward calming anxiety, but as a general rule, I like to eat things that wouldn’t be typically available to me back home.
Enter the deep-fried mars bar.
On my very first trip abroad at the ripe old age of twenty-eight (I won’t tell you what year this was), my girlfriend and I flew to Scotland to visit a friend of mine that I had met while earning my undergraduate degree. Upon meeting us at the Edinburgh airport, the very first thing he did was take us to try a deep-fried mars bar. I was deeply skeptical at first but ultimately enjoyed this gooey goodness beloved by locals in Edinburgh, and while it wasn’t a very “high-brow” thing to try, it helped me to open the door to international food experiences.
Photo borrowed from wikimedia
Foods To Try The Next-Time You Visit The UK
Start with a cup of tea and all the yummies that typically come with a high-tea service!
Cakes, scones, finger sandwiches, and clotted cream…
Visit a Pub
I’m not really a beer drinker, but when in an actual English Pub… pass me a pint!
Pub Food Can Be Surprising
You MUST have Fish & Chips
I know it might sound weird, but don’t be shy with the vinegar!
British Scones
The scone has not traditionally been my favorite piece of pasty to consume with coffee, or really at any occasion. Dense, crumbly, overloaded with sugar or other fillings, my face gets tired of eating them after just a few bites. However, British scones are something entirely different, and are more like a buttermilk biscuit in texture, although slightly moister, and also slightly sweet without the addition of any sugar topping or extra “dressing.” I am obsessed with British scones and probably ate my weight in them while there.
Lunch is NOT optional
In the States, we’re used to being able to get what we want when we want it, but that’s not always the case elsewhere. On more than one occasion, we found ourselves immersed in a tour, or traveling from one destination to the next, and postponing in favor of a “late lunch.” Unfortunately, that’s not really a thing, at least not in Scotland. If you haven’t eaten by 2 pm, you’re basically out of luck and will have to make do with whatever you can find.
Exhibit A: The only thing left to purchase at 2:30 PM, was a tiny sandwich and carrot fingers as part of a child’s snack pack at local coffee shop.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Among my favorite things about Scotland, is the miracle that is Sticky Toffee Pudding. What an American would describe as a “cake sitting in a sauce,” is a very moist Date Sponge Cake, set in a custard sauce, and covered in a warm toffee sauce. I had this years ago when I visited, and it was just as good as I remembered.
Top 5 Foods To Try in The United Kingdom
Sticky Toffee pudding
Fish and Chips w/vinegar
Deep-Fried Mars Bar
Meat Pies (I recommend the haggis)
British Scones
Have you tried any of the things on this list, and if so, what did you think?
Did I leave anything off that should make the top five?
Leave me a Comment Below!
High Tea Fit For Royalty
The Goring Hotel
On our most recent visit to the United Kingdom, we found ourselves with 24 hours in London that also coincided with my birthday. With a desire to capitalize on the occasion, we chose to celebrate with a traditional High Tea service, but the question of “where” resulted in hours of reading TripAdvisor reviews as well as other travel blogs, to try and find a place not overrun with Instagramers and fellow tourists. Ultimately, I discovered The Goring Hotel, which perfectly fulfilled my birthday wish.
Searches By A Self-Loathing Tourist
When traveling abroad, there’s a certain level of “tourist stench" which can’t be easily escaped by American travelers. We're typically larger, louder, and for a variety of reasons, showing our teeth. However, careful planning can help to mitigate a certain amount of our "cliche" behavior and provide those of us that are aware of our "presence," a more authentic experience.
With a desire for a tourist-free, high-class birthday tea, several places rose to the surface in terms of popularity among travel bloggers and Tripadvisor reviewers. Fortunately, it quickly occurred to me that I was taking these suggestions from the same people I was wanting to avoid and that I would need to broaden my search. Changing gears, I decided to research significant places of business to the royal family and as a result, found options largely unmentioned in my previous searches. Eventually, I made my way through the list to The Goring Hotel and it was love at first click.
“The closest hotel to Buckingham Palace, The Goring has been a firm Royal favorite for many years, since it first opened its doors. The coronations of George VI and Her Majesty The Queen saw the hotel filled with royalty attending these great occasions from all over the world. The Queen Mother also famously enjoyed Eggs Drumkilbo – a lobster and egg-based dish that remains one of the most popular dishes in The Dining Room.
In 1990, George Goring accepted an O.B.E. from Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace for ‘services to the hotel industry’. This was followed by the appointment of a Royal Warrant to The Goring in 2013 - the only hotel to have been awarded a Royal Warrant for hospitality services. Royal Warrants of Appointment are a mark of recognition to those who supply goods or services to the Households of Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh or His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. “
If having the warrant wasn’t cool enough, it’s also the hotel used by Kate Middleton (see HERE). Moral of the story is that if it’s good enough for royalty it’s good enough for me ;)
What To Expect
After choosing where I wanted to go, I turned my attention to details such as what the ideal time for tea is, what the dress code was, and if there was a set length of time per reservation.
Details to Know:
High Tea traditionally starts at 4 pm
Most high-end establishments (including The Goring) do have a dress code
Men are required to wear a sport coat or dinner jacket
No shorts or jeans
Reservations are 1.5 hours in length
Make your reservations in ADVANCE
High tea isn’t an inexpensive activity, and the prices typically vary by location and then there’s usually a range of tea service options. Our service was on the upper end of the spectrum, but the quality was worth every penny of the $70 price (per person) tag.
Happy Birthday to Me!
We had such an amazing experience during our time at The Goring, and despite the lack of photos (because this really wasn’t a place to act like a tourist), it was an absolute highlight of our time in London!
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note below.
What's Cooking in Hoi An Vietnam
Eat it Now and Ask Questions Never
Traveling is so exciting, seeing and experiencing other cultures transformative, and then there’s the food. A bedrock of not only just a healthy daily routine but also of experiencing other cultures is eating the food. Traveling through North America or Western Europe is one thing, but Southeast Asia is entirely another.
Snack Central
During our time in Hanoi, my husband and I took a private street food tour which we greatly enjoyed. The guide had helped explain not just what the food was, or the tradition behind it, but also anticipated what we as tourists would be most willing to try. I recommend this experience to anyone who might have food allergies or other aversions that they would rather not be surprised by.
However, by the time we found ourselves in central Vietnam, specifically Hoi An, we were not only much more confident in our ability to navigate the cultural differences but were also much more open to trying more of the unfamiliar and exotic foods presented to us. Being “open” to culinary diversity was never more important than during our time in Hoi An, as it was a relative cornucopia of new foods to try largely due to the popularity of the Night Market which draws a HUGE influx of street vendors.
One slightly confusing element to the food carts was the subtle use of french words that have woven themselves into the language. Knowing VERY little french myself, but just enough to recognize certain words, I found myself noticing the french word for "dog," which was enough reason for me to keep moving. While in Hanoi, I asked our street food tour guide about the practice of eating dog, and while he said that it has become rarer over the years, it hasn't entirely gone away and is still practiced by elder members of society that believe in more mystical properties.
Come Hungry
We often remarked at the end of each day, just HOW MUCH food we were eating while on that trip, however, we were never uncomfortably full due to the lack of dairy and wheat gluten in the cuisine. Given the extremely inexpensive nature of street food here (most items cost between $.50 - $1.00), we could eat all day long and not feel an ounce of guilt about the quantity of time being invested in eating!
After we returned home to the US, we approached eating Vietnamese food in our hometown very differently. We also realized that the Vietnamese food which is available in our area, is Southern Vietnamese food, with many of the dishes which we had while visiting the North, not being known by them or not being available.
Baking My Way
I’ll admit, I have multiple books about baking. Beautifully bound hardbacks, full of photographs that make my mouth water, but don’t get used for baking. I might not be alone in this, and for all I know, the publishers never actually intended these publishing masterpieces to get anywhere near flour.
The Scent of Joy
My love of baking began as a child, memories of which are shiny happy feelings of time spent with my overly burdened mother, who despite being the primary caretaker of all eight of her children (which she also home-schooled), still found time to regularly make homemade chocolate chip cookies with each of us.
I don’t recall baking other things with her, at least not in the vivid way that I recall the cookies, but despite the overriding amount of noise I recollect from my childhood years, baking cookies with mom is a memory and feeling that all seven of my younger siblings and I share, that we each treasure.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and I still enjoy baking, but only in the past couple of years has it once again become the happy escape from chaos, that I remember it being with my mother. Somewhat “egged” on by shows like The Great British Bake Off, and more frequent travel to the pastry loving countries of Europe, I’ve become braver with my bakes.
What started with the classic Toll House recipe found on the back of their bags of chocolate chips, has grown to include French Macarons, Butter Croissants, Creme Brulee, Lemon Tarts, Swiss Rolls, and more. If I’m not baking to relieve stress, I’m probably watching a show about baking, or YouTube videos on how to perfect a particular baking technique.
My husband, while not having an avid sweet tooth like myself, has fully embraced my baking obsession. Living in an open concept condo, he has little escape from my baking shows and unending film of flour that coats our kitchen countertops. A beacon of patience and support, he recently purchased me a copy of a newly published book, that might just change my baking destiny.
Bread Between The Lines
I’ll admit, I have multiple books about baking. Beautifully bound hardbacks, full of photographs that make my mouth water, but don’t get used for baking. I might not be alone in this, and for all I know, the publishers never actually intended these publishing masterpieces to get anywhere near flour.
However, I read my copy of Poilane and was moved, deeply moved. How many times in your life do you expect to say that about a cookbook?!
After reading it, I felt a weird sense of responsibility, almost an obligation, to Apollonia Poilane herself, to use the recipes contained within the beautiful pages. So I decided to do just that, try and bake my way through it.
I Love Bread
While I’ve not had much success in the past, I’ve been working towards developing “bread” skills in recent months. Yesterday, a cool Sunday in November, I decided to try my hand at a breakfast recipe in my copy of Poilane.
I first posted this image on my Instagram account, and tagged the Poilane bakery in Paris. To my shock, they responded to it almost immediately with a heart emoji… a true modern love story.
I Read, You Saw, I Baked
I made one mistake in this recipe, which was that I didn’t allow enough space for the bread to rise in the pan before hitting the aluminum foil, leaving a slightly more compressed texture than it should have had. However, the texture was soft and spongy, despite my error, and left me feeling VERY impressed with myself for having made it. My husband and I sliced up some cheeses and cured meats, and ate most of it for dinner :)
My first attempt at black pepper Pullman Loaf!
Having only recently discovered the existence of this bakery, it’s now my goal to bake my way through the entirety of the book, prior to making my way to Paris, to actually visit Poilane Bakery. Over the next nine months or so, I’ll have to step-up my cardio game.
Have you read this book or something else that I should know about? Perhaps I should continue documenting my process of baking my way through this book?
Leave me a comment below!
Croissant Baking Adventures
We’ve all seen them behind the glass, golden, flaky, rounded semi circles of goodness. Some with chocolate, others with shaved almonds, or the classic buttery friend that we all know and love. The croissant is truly an achievement of mankind.
Part One
You’ve seen them behind the glass, golden, flaky, rounded semi-circles of goodness. Some hide decadent chocolate centers, others have shaved almonds, but all buttery achievements of humankind.
Lamination
I’ll be honest, this is another example of The Great British Bake Off, manipulating me into learning new baking skills.
I’ve found the idea of making puff pastry (dough lamination) too intimidating to try previously, but I finally worked up the courage to give it a shot last night, as is evidenced by the photos above. Far from perfect, the texture was slightly more bready than flaky, the semi-circles lost their curves, and the layers were just overall too thick. However, despite those obvious issues, I was pleasantly surprised with how they turned out!
Lessons Learned
I think that most of my issues stemmed from not stretching out my triangles of dough, before rolling them into their final shape. While there are layers in the finished product (the lamination), the individual layers are just too thick, resulting in the slightly bready texture. However, I think that I’ll be able to correct this per the above.
Stay tuned for my second attempt in PART TWO!
Questions, comments, or advice? Leave them below!
A Macaron and The Great British Bake Off
Watching the Great British Bake Off, is such a joy for me. It helps me unwind, and the co operative, pleasant attitude of the contestants, sorta recharges my introverted (i.e. People can suck) batteries. What it also can do to me, is make me brave enough to try making things I’ve never tried to make before.
When a show becomes an obsession
Usually, it’s a mannerism or a catchphrase, but sometimes it’s an over-inflated sense of confidence. Maybe that’s just me, and only in this one instance, but man… I dove in.
Watching the Great British Bake Off is such a joy for me. It helps me unwind, and the cooperative, pleasant attitude of the contestants, sorta recharges my introverted (i.e. People can suck) batteries. What it also can do to me, is make me brave enough to try making things I’ve never tried to make before.
Example one, the example of all examples, was committing to making french macarons for my wedding reception before I’d ever even tried to make them. I blame the show for making them look easy.
Lesson One:
Don’t believe everything you see on television.
This is a Macaroon, NOT a Macaron.
Lesson Two :
Get real excited and go buy a book WAY out of your league.
Lesson Three:
Spend HOURS in front of your oven, praying for silly things like “feet,” and glossy level tops, and then proceed to pitch your first three to five batches in the trash.
Lesson Four:
After buying stock in your local egg whites farm, determine to make at least two cookies per guest, and then suddenly realize that a single finished cookie, is TWO cookies, and you only get eight finished cookies out of each batch. Double your egg purchase, and start drinking a lot of wine.
Lesson Five:
Congratulations, you’ve achieved Ninja level macaron skills, and the neighbors that ate the multitude of practice cookies, now only see cookies when they see you coming. All future gifts will be macaron themed.
Give yourself a HUGE pat on the back, you made 300 macarons in four different flavors when you could have just gone to Costco.
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note in the comments!
Basque Piperade
Memories live in food, and Basque country makes for sweet sweet dreams in deed. Try this recipe that I’ve come to know and love, and let me know what you think!
Memories live in food.
Have you ever eaten a meal that can transport you to a specific place in your memory? This dish does it for me every time.
Full of savory, sweetness, I love this dish with toast.
The first time I had this, I was in Spain, but being that it’s a Basque dish, have also served with French dishes.
The best recipe I’ve found, and have used several times, can be found HERE.
Give it a try and let me know what you think :)
Porcelain, and Pastry in Portugal
One of the best value destinations in Europe, Portugal should be on every travelers list.
A Best Value Destination, Portugal should be on every traveler's list.
Porcelain tiles cover the buildings of Lisbon, bold colors, elaborate doors, artfully designed stone walkways, and colorful graffiti, make exploring Lisbon a pleasure for the eyes and senses.
From the moment you arrive in Lisbon, you’ll be enchanted with all things Portugal. The landscape is hilly, streets winding and views impressive. Music drifts from the doorways of small cafe’s and tucked away restaurants, “Fado” (the traditional music of Lisbon) is a beautiful, albeit sad sound, telling stories of hardship and loss, which only a place as rich with history, can do. This place will endear itself in your memory.
Cork, port, and pastry
The primary export of Portugal is cork, which you’ll see in all shapes and sizes, and a variety of uses, being sold at tourist shops.
Perhaps a cork Christmas tree ornament as a little memento?
Seafood is also in abundance here, sardines caught fresh and prepared in innumerable ways, are a food of choice, alongside a small pour of another popular export, port.
Perhaps a particular point of pride for the people of Lisbon is a small custard tart by the name of pastel de nata. The most popular place to experience one of these tasty treats is the famous Pastéis de Belém, located near the waterfront and monument to the Explorers.
Home away from home
While in Lisbon, we stayed at a charming little B&B, by the name of the “Lisbon Rooftop Guesthouse.” The proprietor was beyond accommodating, and despite our arrival not occurring until well after midnight (due to delay), he met us personally, to help get us settled upon our eventual arrival at the door.
Breakfast was provided each morning, and the personal attention was exceedingly helpful with not just planning our daily outings, but in general, setting us at ease in the space.
At less than $60 per night, I can’t imagine staying anywhere else, if I should ever return to Lisbon. A true value among accommodations.
So much to see, so little time…
It’s safe to say, that it takes more than two full days to truly see a city, and two days in Lisbon is an injustice. Striving to make the most of our limited time (cut short by an entire day, due to flight delays), we still managed to fall in love with the city.
Iberian Peninsula: Post 1 of 6