Trattoria in Milan serving Milanese Piccata

Eating the best Milanese Piccata at a pit stop in Italy

From Franconia to the Colosseum: There’s a unique charm in a long-distance bus trip across Europe. Watching the landscape shift from Franconia’s vineyards to the majestic Alps and finally to Italy’s Lombardy region offers an experience that airplane windows can’t match. In Milan, I enjoyed a delightful Milanese Piccata at a cozy Trattoria. When we planned our journey from Würzburg to Rome, we knew we’d … Continue reading Eating the best Milanese Piccata at a pit stop in Italy

(Hearty Minced Meat Dish)

Traditional German Haschee (Hearty Minced Meat Dish)

From High Horsepower to Hearty Comfort: My Haschee Experience in Swabia. I found myself wandering the halls of the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, admiring the sleek curves of iconic 911s and vintage racing legends, my brain is going to go into sensory overload. Trust me, drooling over decades of German engineering builds up a serious appetite. Luckily, I knew exactly what cure I needed for … Continue reading Traditional German Haschee (Hearty Minced Meat Dish)

making dogfood foe medium sized dog

Homemade Beef & Veggie Stew for Dogs

I love pampering my Sheltie Finn with homemade meals, and this hearty beef and vegetable stew is one way to add variety to a dog’s dinner. Made with lean ground beef, beef liver, wholesome grains, vegetables, and pumpkin puree, this recipe uses familiar ingredients to create a home-cooked meal your dog may enjoy. Whether you’re looking to supplement your dog’s regular kibble or explore home … Continue reading Homemade Beef & Veggie Stew for Dogs

Greek Lemon Chicken with Potatoes served with ouzo in a Greek tavern

A taste of Greece: Eating Lemon Chicken in Heraklion

While the cruise ship has many dining options, nothing compares to authentic Greek food on the Crete isle. We discovered a hidden traditional tavern in a cobblestone alley of Heraklion’s old town. We ordered Greek Lemon Chicken with roasted Potatoes (Λεμονάτο Κοτόπουλο με Πατάτες). The tavern offered the perfect Greek experience: checkered tablecloths, soft bouzouki music, and a friendly owner eager for us to try … Continue reading A taste of Greece: Eating Lemon Chicken in Heraklion

Hazelnut cake on Kitchen table

Hazelnut Cake (Haselnusskuchen) from My Mother’s Kitchen

If you were to enter my mother’s kitchen on a crisp Sunday afternoon, you’d first hear the gentle hum of the oven and smell the comforting aroma of toasted almonds and warm chocolate. You can substitute Hazelnuts by grinding and baking with unpeeled Almonds instead. In Bavaria, Sunday is sacred, and it belongs to Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). It’s not just a snack; … Continue reading Hazelnut Cake (Haselnusskuchen) from My Mother’s Kitchen

Königsberger Klopse, meatballs in creamy caper sauce

Dining in History: Königsberger Klopse at the Bremen Ratskeller

Dining at the historic Ratskeller in Bremen, located beneath the iconic Gothic town hall, offers a truly singular experience. With a history spanning over 600 years and surrounded by impressive wooden wine barrels, I felt as though I had traveled back in time while enjoying a traditional northern German dish known as Königsberger Klopse (meatballs served in a rich caper sauce). At the Bremen Ratskeller, … Continue reading Dining in History: Königsberger Klopse at the Bremen Ratskeller

Schweinshaxe (Crispy Pork Knuckle) in Bavarian Biergarten

Sunday Dinners in Bavaria: Schweinshaxe (Crispy Pork Knuckle)

There are certain smells that instantly transport you back across an ocean and decades of time. For me, whenever the rich, savory aroma of slow-roasted pork, dark beer, and caraway fills the kitchen, I am right back home when eating a crispy Schweinshaxr or Pork Knuckle in Bavaria. Growing up, Sunday dinner wasn’t just a meal—it was an event. Every other Sunday, and without fail … Continue reading Sunday Dinners in Bavaria: Schweinshaxe (Crispy Pork Knuckle)

German green bean salad Bavarian style

German Bohnensalat (Green Bean Salad) from my Childhood

Some recipes instantly transport us back to a particular place and time. For me, German Bohnensalat or in English Green Bean Salad, brings back memories of growing up in Bavaria, where even the humblest ingredients found their way onto the table in delicious and comforting ways. During the summer months, green beans were a staple in many Bavarian kitchens. They appeared in soups, alongside roasted … Continue reading German Bohnensalat (Green Bean Salad) from my Childhood