Originally from Germany (Bavaria), I travel and explore the culture and cuisine of places in Europe. Once back home in my kitchen, I recreate the recipes from my travels. My motto: “I travel not to escape Life, but for Life not to escape me”
Besides globetrotting, my hobbies are baking (cooking), painting and glass mosaic art.
A sample of my bogs below:
Watching the Almabtrieb spectacle in Austria
The Almabtrieb is an annual event in the Alpine region of southern Europe which takes place in late September, early October. It refers to a cattle dr
Bauernfrühstück, a German Farmers breakfast
Bauernfrühstück A German Farmers breakfast Bauernfrühstück, a wholesome breakfast I grew up with. This recipe is a variation of the classic recipe and
An iconic landmark, the Felsenkirche of Idar-Oberstein
The Felsenkirche in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, is an iconic landmark in the region and has a rich history that dates back several centuries. The Chapel
Beef Stroganoff, a favorite in our house
Beef Stroganoff I have seen Stroganoff prepared at eating venues in all variations, even by Star chefs. I’ve really never eaten this dish at a restaur
Alsacian Pasta salad
Alsacian Pasta Salad IMO, this Pasta salad is an absolute must have for an outdoor BBQ. It is one of the most popular side dishes and convinces as a p
GI Elvis in Bad Nauheim, Germany
Elvis Presley Bad Nauheim 1958 When the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll reported to military duty on 1.Oct.1958 at the Ray Barracks near Bad Nauheim, the local
Rumtopf, a popular dessert, not only for Christmas
Rumtopf is a German and Austrian dessert made of mixed fruit and Rum traditionally eaten around Christmas. It is made by preserving pieces of fruit th
Paella, a traditional Spanish cuisine
It was Fall 2022 and we anticipated a Mediterranean cruise departing from Barcelona. We spent four days in this awesome city and got to taste the Pael
Buchteln, a delicious oven yeast dumpling
Buchteln, also known as Rohrnudeln or Ofennudeln, are a type of sweet, yeast-based dumpling that is baked in the oven. This sweet yeast pastry origina
Pfunds Dairy in Dresden showcases exquisite vibrant tiles
Back in 2010 while visiting the city of Dresden I walked into Pfunds Molkerei. It is a historic dairy shop and known for its beautifully decorated int
The Roland statue in Bremen has quite a history
There are Roland statues in many German towns and cities, symbolizing freedom and market rights. Bremen’s Roland statue is one of the most beautiful,
The romantic picturesque Mespelbrunn Castle
Sometimes, when arriving at the Frankfurt Airport and driving on the Autobahn to Würzburg, I stop by the Mespelbrunn palace built in 1569. The moated
Wieskirche, a popular pilgrim church in Bavaria
A couple years ago I was driving towards Füssen through the Bavarian countryside. I saw the sign “Wieskirche” and instantly remembered visiting this c
French Baguette (no knead)
When I gave baking classes several years ago, I invited about 10 Ladies over to bake breads and baguettes. I had prepared the dough a day before, so I
Nusszopf, a Nut Braid that is an Easter tradition
Soon it is Easter and I always wanted to make a Nusszopf for this holiday. I have made many braided sweet Yeast breads before, but not with this nut f
The highest cold water Geysir is in Andernach
The highest cold water Geysir is in Andernach at the Rhein, and probably the most spectacular natural phenomenon in that region The Expedition began a
Crunchy French Puff Pastry (Schweineohren)
Schweineohren are a very airy, crispy and sweet pastry, suitable with coffee or tea Also called Palmiers or Prussiens, it is a sweet French pastry tha
Gratin Dauphinois, a creamy Potato casserole
Gratin Dauphinois is a French dish of sliced potatoes baked in milk and/or cream, using the Gratin technique from the Dauphiné region in south-eastern
Bouillabaisse, a tasty French Fish soup
Bouillabaisse, a French Fish soup While making a stop in Marseille in October 2022, I ate this very tasty Fish soup. In France it is called Bouillabai
Crusty German rolls with Semolina flour
I used to love making Brötchen runs to pick up fresh, crispy, rustic rolls from our village bakery near Würzburg. In the cold season I prefer to stay
Pecan Cinnamon rolls or Nuss Zimt Schnecken
Pecan Cinnamon Rolls The other day I had a craving for Cinnamon rolls. It was raining and I didn’t feel like going to a store or bakery. I searched th
Streusel or Crumbles for cakes and pastry
Streusel for Cakes and Pastry Crispy Streusel Crumbles is a tasty topping for my cakes and pastries. Just sprinkle the crumbs before baking and it wil
The oldest Restaurant in Europa is in Salzburg
While in Salzburg, we passed by the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, which is a restaurant at the Sankt Peter Abbey in the old town of Salzburg. I’ve read
Bierschinken made with the “Schinkenfee”
Every few weeks I have a craving for a good quality Wurst that I can eat with my home baked Bauernbrot (German crusty bread). Living in the American S
Nutella Cookies made with a Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
This has to be the fastest and easiest cookies I have ever baked. Just 4 ingredients, Nutella, flour, eggs and baking powder. No need for butter, ther
Swabian Krautkrapfen, a stable on the table
Krautkrapfen Sometimes I get my inspiration while watching a German cooking show “Lecker aufs Land or “Landfrauenküche”. Six women from rural regions
A 1000 year old Cookie recipe that calms your Nerves
Hildegard von Bingen, anno 1098 to 1179 According to Hildegard von Bingen ancient written recipe these cookies calm your Nerves The spices strengthen
Schinkennudeln, a very tasty German Ham and noodle dish
The “Schinkennudel” dish that brings back memories of my childhood This recipe is very simple. In Germany, the Bavarian region, we used cooked ham, bu
Make a smooth Gravy from scratch with Einbrenne or Roux
I remember my mother making her smooth gravy, she’d always put so much time, love and devotion into her delicious meals. This method and basic recipe
Make old stale bread tasty with Bread Pudding
Bread Pudding Bread pudding is an old, almost forgotten way to make stale bread tasty. I turned a three day old Baguette into a delicious dessert Brea
Sankt Nikolaus, the history and how he became a beloved figure
Sankt Nikolaus Saint Nicholas’ work has contributed to the formation of numerous legends that over the centuries have led to him being regarded as one
Melt in your mouth Walnut cookies with Chocolate Truffles
Simple Walnut Cookies with Chocolate-Caramel Baking Truffles Bake super tasty walnut cookies – a delicious shortcrust pastry, a simple cookie recipe e
Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia October is a great time to visit Spain. Before going on our Mediterranean Cruise we rented an apartment in Barcelona to
German Vanilla Crescents (Vanillakipferl)
Vanilla Crescents The other day I was making Pecan Sandies, and while I studied the ingredients of the dough, I realized it was almost identical to th
The best boat ride of my life to Portofino, Italy
Portofino Portofino is known for its amazingly beautiful Harbor While on our Mediterranean cruise this October, the ship stopped for a day in Genoa, I
Gnocchi di Patate, a pasta with Italian origin
The Gnocchi potato pasta is usually eaten as the first course (primo piatto) and complemented with melted butter, a sauce, sage or Pesto Gnocchi, pron
A Trip to Normandy, Well Worth the Wait
A visit to Normandy, France By Guest Author Claudia Clark Written by Guest Author Claudia Clark Visiting the Northern region of France known as Norman
The original Italian Neapolitan Pizza
Neapolitan Pizza An authentic Pizza Recipe from a Pizzeria in Naples, Italy It simply tastes unique with imported Caputo 00 Pizza flour and yeast that
King Ludwig II rests in a crypt in Munich
The most famous ruler of Bavaria, King Ludwig ll (1845 to 1886) rests in the Munich, St. Michael church. The crypt in the cellar was designed as the b
Honorable well known figures lived in Unkel at the Rhine
It was September, 26, 2021, the German Election day. It was fitting for the moment to visit Unkel at the Rhine. Two very well known political figures
