Category: Culinary world trip

Mastering the Art of French Bread Baking. Part 1. Boule.

It is quite amazing how the French create a variety of breads with only flour, yeast, water and their famous art of folding and shaping – called „le faconnage“  – which gives each bread its unique texture and taste. The basic recipe for a traditional French bread is very easy to make. If you want…

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Cast Iron Cornbread

Served yesterday as part of our New Year’s Day menu. The original recipe comes from Paula Deen, the queen of Southern cooking. I adjusted the recipe slightly by reducing the buttermilk and adding 2 eggs for an extra fluffy crumb and a crunchy crust.    

Braised Pork with Rosemary

Wishing everybody a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! We started the new year traditionally with a bottle of cheap sparkling wine 😉 and delicious pork, the culinary symbol of good fortune.    

A selection of my favorite Christmas cookies

Advent is the time of baking cookies. This tradition dates back to a time when baking ingredients like sugar, spices, almonds, dates, and other dried fruit and nuts were unaffordable and such a luxury that the little biscuits were only made and consumed in the wintertime to sweeten the anticipation for Christmas. Most of the…

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Chocolate – Cherry – Cake

If you love traditional flavors of the Christmas season, such as anise, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamon, and nutmeg you will enjoy the Chocolate – Cherry – Cake. Originally from Germany, the cake is spiced with Lebkuchengewürz (gingerbread spice blend). However, the Chinese Five Spice blend is a perfect substitute.  

Polish Christmas Liqueur

A variety of dried fruit, walnuts and almonds, combined in alcohol with orange zest, fresh ginger and spices give this liqueur its intense flavor and rich aroma. Make it at home and enjoy this unique drink at Christmas and in the winter season.

German Coconut Macaroons (Kokosmakronen)

Magic happens when fragrant coconut flakes, egg whites, and sugar come together.   With this basic recipe, you will easily succeed in making those crisp and light German Christmas cookies.  

Wheat and Rye Rolls

They are not only beautiful to look at, but they also taste amazing. You can vary the recipe and enhance the flavor by using extra virgin olive or pumpkin seed oil instead of neutral vegetable oil.