On my Romans in Rhineland fact finding trip I became interested in bread baking like it was done in the antiquity. After some research, I plunged into baking the bread like the Romans did as depicted in paintings, and found as carbonised loafs in ovens of Pompeii. Continue reading Panus Quadratus, the Bread of ancient Rome
A day after I visited Cologne and saw the monuments and Roman history there, I discovered that there was a museum called RömerWelt in Rheinbrohl near my river cottage. That morning I set my alarm for 7.30, made some coffee and got ready for a new adventure. That day exceeded my expectations learning more about the ancient Romans in my area Continue reading The rich Roman history of the Rhineland
According to a widespread legend, this dish goes back to the Italian Carbonari, who made charcoal in the Appenine mountains. It is said this Spaghetti dish was cooked over a fire in a cast iron pan during their breaks. Continue reading Spaghetti Carbonara – a legendary Italian pasta classic
To make one thing clear, the Spaghetti Bolognese dish is not an Italian invention. Nevertheless, you can often find it on menus in many other countries prepared in different ways. The name “Spaghetti Bolognese” is actually used when you mean the long pasta that is served with minced meat sauce. So whenever I am in the mood and tired of the common red Spaghetti sauce I use the recipe below. Continue reading What? Spaghetti Bolognese not from Italy??!!
Last time I was at the Freiburg Münsterplatz I visited their large International Market and had fried Calamaris with Aioli sauce. That was the first time I tasted this sauce, and I have been bragging about it ever since. This spread or dip is used with the cuisines in Spain, the Balearic Islands, Murcia and eastern Andalusia, Valencia and Catalonia. Also in France (Provence) and Italy, Sicily and Liguria and Calabria. Continue reading Aioli, a memorable Mediterranean dip
In 1986, I found myself traveling through the former Yugoslavia—now Croatia—on my way to the stunning Plitvice Lakes. The waterfalls were unforgettable, but so was the food. Language barriers made ordering a bit of a gamble, so I often played it safe with a Grill Plate. One way or another, that plate always seemed to include Cevapcici. These are small, skinless Balkan sausages. They were … Continue reading Delicious Cevapcici Recipe: A Taste of the Balkans
When I have an abundance of fresh Basil during the summer months, I love to prepare one of my favorite dishes, which is Cheese Tortellini served with a vibrant and aromatic fresh Pesto sauce. It tastes best when paired with pasta, but it’s also delicious on top of crackers or even baked potatoes. It is known that the traditional Pesto comes from Liguria, Italy, and … Continue reading Italian Basil Pesto – a tasty sauce for your Pasta
Have you seen those purple Eggplants in the grocery store, but were not sure what to do with them? There a several Mediterranean recipes, like fried Eggplant slices or the Moussaka casserole dish, just to mention a few. I especially like these Greek stuffed Eggplants or “Auberginen Boote” and prepare them several times a year. Continue reading Greek stuffed Eggplants
