Foodie Penpals - The Czech Edition

I love Foodie Penpals, it's definitely my worst kept secret. This month that adoration hit up a major notch when I was paired with a) one of my first and longest friends here in London and b) the lovely Jade at Wild Pickings whom I sent a box to (she runs a foraging walk business in Wales - why oh why don't we live closer?)

{Ps. London & UK based foodies, I've got a giveaway of Foodie Festival tickets in May, details here!}

When we used the box as an excuse to catch up, I also fell in love (sorry puss).

Forget Royal Mail, Puppy Post is THE BEST 

My first taste of proper Europe was spending 10 days in Alena's hometown of Prague, and it will always have a special place in my heart - between the history, beer, Svickova and friendliness (I've found the key in any country is taking the time to learn the phrases: Please, Thank you, and I'm from New Zealand hehehe).

Thank you again Alena, such a lovely and thoughtful foodie package!

  

My favourite meal whilst in Prague was Svickova; a Czech delicacy of Slow cooked Sirloin, Cream Sauce, bread dumplings and jam; closely followed by Pork Knuckle and Goulash served in a hollowed out loaf of bread that you eat with the Goulash. We've found a couple of pubs in London that do the above, but Alena kindly has included Svickova with Pasta (a quick alternative) and Goulash sauce mix. They have been a perfect antidote for the winter weather we are still having.

 

Did I mention the freshly baked Creme Egg cupcakes which may not have made it home, or even to the Shard later that night?

 

I received a plethora of goodies including snacks ready for eating; delicious Chocolate Waffles Tatranly, a Chocolate coffee bar Kofila, Kinder Easter Eggs (which lasted all of about 3 seconds) and Cocoa Pudding which I've not had a chance to try. I'm intrigued by the Cocoa Pudding as Alena says it has a tangy note to it (much like salted caramel I suspect?)

A few weeks ago they kindly hosted us for dinner, which included homemade cheese balls (below) that we ate with Czech Tartar Sauce Tatarska omacka which is delicious. Lighter than the UK version this is softer and lighter, going perfectly with fish fingers.

 

 

Savoury snacks were also on the menu; Smoked cheese that looks like baled hay with a lovely tang Parenica, naughty string cheese Korbacik and Tcinky which are similar to pretzel sticks.

 

To add to my spice cupboard Alena also included a 7 pepper steak sauce (black, green, white, red, cayenne, jalapeno & sechuan!) and Lovage Libecek a herb that I've quizzed her about several times, which she uses in soups. I can't wait to try them out!

 

On top of all of this was included a beautiful card, and recipes for the ingredients.

 

It's just a shame I couldn't fit puppy in my bag too!

 

Alena and I have had quite a few adventures together, and I look forward to the next ones we have in the near future!



Camping during the Olympic Opening Ceremony

Fancy a lovely thoughtful box of goodies arriving on your doorstep? Foodie Penpals was created by Lindsay at theleangreenbean in September 2011, and is administered in Europe by Carol Anne from thisisrocksalt every month. You will get to know two lovely people and are assigned one person to send a thoughtful foodie parcel to and a different person will send one to you. It's a lovely way to try things you've never tried before, match up with some awesome bloggers (and readers too!) and it's so nice to receive something in the post that's not a bill. Join in today!

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Warm Finnish Cinnamon Buns: The Nordic Bakery

Nestled in a quietly in London streets are a few a small Scandinavian run bakeries that has been causing quite a flutter on Twitter. Why, you ask?

Thick, viscous coffee, accompanied by fresh warm doughy cinnamon rolls that I could easily melt into. Crisp on the outside, liberally laced with cinnamon spice and sugar and light soft and warm dough in the middle, this is one serious contender for the best cinnamon roll I've ever had the pleasure to eat. They are the size of a man's fist, and perfect for sharing - that's if you can bear to.

The Nordic Bakeries also offer a variety of fare, open sandwiches mostly on dark rye bread with a variety of toppings which all fascinated me; gravadlax, pickled herring or brie with lingonberry jam; and other savory snacks such as Karelian pie – its crunchy rye crust giving way to a rice or mashed potato filling. Finnish founder Jali Wahlsten said he wanted it to be "just like any cafe you'd find across Scandinavia," serving food and drink that "someone will be eating at the same moment in Copenhagen or Helsinki".

They love to share their uniquely Finnish take on their recipes too, believing that they should be accessible, with a recipe book and even giving several to the Guardian here (I, for one think they know you would be mad to make these yourself, when you can buy warm fresh buns almost singing 'eat me' from the counter top baskets.)

You wouldn't believe how much work I get done the days I wander in, the coffee and sugar high giving me such a boost, much to the amusement of my workmates.

 

With several locations in London (so far) which you may find by following your nose to the delicious cinnamon aroma, or more information can be found here on their website. The buns are best warm, accompanied with a hot beverage. Their bakeries are very stylishly Scandinavian minimal, with comfortably low slung furniture in various shades of grey, blue and black that help you to linger and relax. A warning though, it can get busy with workers - luckily they offer takeaway.

 

(I haven't been comped & they don't know who I am, I just wanted to share the deliciousness).

 

What's your favourite bun filling? Raspberry, Lemon Curd, Cinnamon?

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Valentines Day

The blog-overse today will be a sea of red and pink. I'm briefly going to add my tuppence worth, then quietly retire.

I like Valentines Day. Not the crass over-hyped consumerism, but the idea that there is a day in the year just to celebrate someone loved. However, I don't think it should just be your partner (whatever flavour they are; best friend, married, civil partnership, long-term, short-term, just met) you celebrate, it should be everyone you love.

Use it as an excuse. Call your mum & listen to her chat about her garden, email your Sister, bake something for your Grandparents just 'cause, go out to lunch with a good friend!

I Love you Toast is the best kind of Toast

In the meantime, I found a few alternative Valentines traditions in the UK as food for thought on 'Everything Valentines Day';

• It is traditionally believed in Sussex that birds choose their mate on 14th February, the beginning of spring and thus call it 'Birds’ Wedding Day’. On that day, if a robin flies overhead the woman will get married to a sailor; spotting a goldfinch would mean marrying a rich man, while if she saw a sparrow she would be destined to marry a poor man but will be happy.
• Another tradition was that the names of suitor’s of an unmarried girl was written on paper and then wrapped in clay. The clay pieces were them immersed in water and the one the rose first would have the name of the future husband.
• In Wales, a unique and beautiful custom on Valentine’s Day was to gift wooden spoons with custom design carved on them, such as hearts, keyholes and keys. The keys and keyholes were meant to represent the phrase “You unlock my heart!”
• In the Middle Ages, names were drawn from bowls to know who their valentines were. The name was tagged on their sleeves for the next whole week.

...and continental Europe;

• Valentine’s Day Cards are said to have originated in France before they materialized in any other country. A Frenchman, named Charles, Duke of Orleans has written the first written Valentine’s Day Cards. The Duke who was captured as war prisoner at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 is said to have written a Valentine message to his wife while imprisonment in the Tower of London.
• Finnish Valentine’s Day is considered as the ’friendship day’. The bond of friendship is celebrated with sheer enthusiasm on this day.
• One German story goes, there was a peasant revolt led by Duke Welf against King Conrad III. The King had pulled together a great army which overthrew the Duke’s fighters. As a result, peasants found themselves under siege. Lady Elizabeth, the wife of the Duke requested the King to let her and other wives leave the castle with whatever they could carry on their backs. The King agreed but got surprised to see them carry their husbands on their back on that Valentine’s Day.
• In Denmark, young couples become cousins of Shakespeare on Valentine’s Day. Yes, they write beautiful romantic poems on the day. They write some special poems for their beloved, pointing out the character traits of their sweethearts in a romantic and humorous way. These love poems are known as 'Gaekkebrev.’
• Food plays the major part in the Valentine’s celebration in Hungary. Honey sprinkled salmon, Fried vegetables and pasta, and Ginger marinated filet of duck breast served with pear-chardonnay sauce are some of the traditional recipes for the celebration of Valentine Day in Hungary.

For more, check out - Everything Valentines Day.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Ps. Boys if buying flowers, how about surprising the recipient with a bouquet of meanings? Helioptrope (devoted affection), Lisianthus (appreciation), Cactus (Ardent Love), Gladiolous (You pierce my heart) - or Clove (I have loved you and you have not known it).

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6 Year Anniversary

I can't believe it. This Kiwi flew the coop, and has lived on the other side of the world for 6 years. It's been an amazing 6 years, hard in places but overall incredible.

I've met my husband, explored many countries, learned a lot and grown up a great deal.

I've missed my family and friends, met some fantastic new people, met some shady characters (a few seemingly straight out of Oliver Twist), developed new circles, learned how small the world is and how much potential there is if you put yourself out there.

I've also learned how to be self-sufficient, then learned to live with an English bloke. I've had to re-learn how to say my own name (the English around me struggled with "Ima" so now it's modulated to almost "Amma"), my ear has re-tuned to the many vagarities of United Kingdom speech and I now know what a monkey is (not necessarily a Chimp, but £500).



In the last six years, but especially in the last 12 mnths I've become fitter, stronger, more experienced and above all more appreciative. I can't wait to see what the next 6 years brings.




I know I still have a lot to learn, and there is still a whole world to experience.

Are you where you thought you would be six years ago?

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European Adventures: Barcelona's Must-see Tourist Attractions

I just had to share with you the other places we saw that were amazing. This will be my last post about Barcelona, I promise.

Sagrada Familia: No question, this place is incredible.

Park Gaule: Fantastic place to wander, watch the parrots and take a picnic.

The La Boqueria Food Market, off Las Ramblas (a tourist attraction in it's own right):

Take a half day trip to Montserrat - you can do this easily by train or with a coach tour:

Nb: Definately catch the Furnicular/Cog Train up to the Monastery:

Listen to the oldest established boy choir in Europe and explore the Monserrat Basilica:

 

Explore Barcelona's Gothic Quarter - discover all some of the nooks and crannies:

Check out the Barcelona Cathedral:

... say 'Hey' to the 13 Geese there

See some Picasso artworks in the Museum and on the buildings:

 

 Above all, enjoy the amazing weather, the tasty Tapas, Slurp Sangria and relax. We also managed one of our 101 in 1001 - no phones, no internet for 4 days.

Really good Tip: Pickpockets are rife on the Metro; don't have you valuables easy to snatch, try and keep to the middle of the tube trains (Pickpockets tend to haunt the ends as they can get away quick) and above keep a really good eye out. If someone stands really close to you or asks something out of the ordinary (especially in English) be really aware that they may be pick pockets.

We really enjoyed Barcelona, it's a great city break.

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European Adventures: Barcelonean Food

We tried a variety of local and Spanish delicacies whilst away - I normally have a list of the things I want to try, and try to avoid the touristy traps as you normally get ripped off and eat bland rubbish food.

Pinchos (aka Tapas): These are delicacies speared with a toothpick and are generally eaten whilst socialising. I love this idea of this, and they are fairly filling too - most are speared to a slice of Baguette and you can great really creative with them - I think I'm going to make my own at some point. The restaurant charges you based on the number of sticks you've used so it can get fairly pricey if you're not careful though...

Football Crisps: These cracked me up - they've taken promotional gear to a whole new level - we saw crisps (or as they are correctly called Chips - in the UK they are called, wrongly I might add, crisps), sweets, cheese - all emblazoned with the two main teams' insignia.

 

Proper Continental Breakfast in the craziest hotel breakfast room I've ever seen: Cold Mushroom Tortilla, Ham, Spiced Sausage, Chorizo, Mozerella, Bread, Vegetables, Fresh Fruit.

Picnicking Barcelona style en plein air: So good. Chorizo, fresh bread, cheese, sausages, salad, cucumber, red pepper.

Paella: Proper homemade paella, rich and unctious with Prawns, Mussels and Chicken. We found a proper off-piste local bar where they didn't really cater for tourists and we don't speak Spanish (apart from the really really basic words) thinking that we'd end up eating good food, and boy were we so right. I ran out of battery, so didn't get any pics sadly.



Tortilla with Potato and Tomato Passata: So simple, and yet so good - this one was a basic Bubble and Squeak, but the Passata was so scrummy and cut through the creamy fried mash potato.

Flan(?) & Creme Catalonia:

German Bratwurst ;-) and a scrummy chicken burger patty with asparagus and apple - a combo I'm going to try at home!

Chocolate at Montserrat, infused with liquor made by Benedictine Monks since 1206:



Verdict?

Sadly no Sangria as I was on antibiotics, but hubby assures me that is was delicious, and refrashing; as were the beers.

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European Adventures: Barcelona - Gaudi

We started with a walking tour of his most famous works and our tour guide asked us: Genius or Madman? (Warning, you may want to make a cup of tea and get a biscuit, this is quite a photo heavy post, sorry!)

Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) was a Spanish Catalan architect and figurehead of Catalan Modernism. His architecture reflected his passions of architecture, nature and religion. (Wikipedia)

He created/modified some of the most amazing buildings, using nature as a basis for everything he designed. The Sagrada Familia was his masterpiece, and is still not finished nearly 100 years after his death, even though he spent the last 12 years of his life exclusively working on it.

 Casa Batlló (1904–1906): My only regret of the holiday - running out of time to see the internal rooms of this house.

Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (1906–1910):

Gaudi's one and only public commission: two lamp posts in the Plaça Reial

La Sagrada Família: we took 5 hours to wander around. It's really funny, we meant to spend a couple of hours max (including the tower tour) but it just sucked us in. Hint: book your entry tickets online in advance - the entry queues are phenomenal otherwise, and book your tower tour when enter the site.

The Passion Facade:

 

The Nativity Facade

 

Up the on the bridge between the Nativity Facade towers:

Park Güell: (great views over Barcelona, and fantastic to take a picnic to)

Sorry that was so Photo heavy - the buildings were just out of this world. I think he was both a genius and a madman - you have to be both to be great I think.

We also took a walking tour whilst there with Running Bean Tours, who show you around the city (but don't include internal tours) who work on a no fee basis - you tip the guide how much you think they earned. They have a Gaudi tour, and an Old Town tour. It was great.
 

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