I first had a macaron in Paris years ago, and have since enjoyed them every chance I get! Good thing they’re modest in size, although that isn’t helpful when I consume two, four or more at a time… Anyway, they are pretty easy to find over here. Every patisserie makes gourmet versions and groceries carry […]
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Gromperekichelcher
Much to my delight, Gromperekichelcher, or potato pancake, is a favorite Luxembourg winter food. These hearty fried potato-egg-herb concoctions are served with applesauce, although I saw some people eating them with a mayo-like spread.
Fondue
In this part of Europe, fondue is not relegated to kitschy Alpine-themed restaurants or 1970’s sitcoms. Instead, it is a very serious winter tradition to be served with fendant, a Swiss white wine. The earliest recorded fondue recipe was from a 1699 Swiss cookbook. However, the recipe was a bit different – it called for […]
Bûche de Noël
Bûche de Noël (you might recognize it as a yule log) is a delicious Christmas specialty, popular in Luxembourg, France and Belgium. These log-shaped cakes were traditionally made with sponge cake and chocolate buttercream and garnished to look like a log that would be ready to be tossed onto the pile in the ancient fire-festival […]
Eierpunsch
Europeans love hot alcohol and I’m not complaining. The latest hot drink I tried was Eierpunsch, which is an eggnog-like beverage, only not as rich and topped with whipped cream. Ingredients include egg yolks, white wine, vanilla and sugar. Mmm. I can’t say it went down as easily as eggnog, but it definitely contained about […]
European Christmas Markets
‘Tis the season for holiday markets! I always love to support local businesses and there’s no better place to do it than in the quaint Christmas markets (yes, that’s right – these are all Christian, all the time) that pop up all over Europe. Grab a glühwein or nog and wander the aisles for unique […]
Glühwein
I first tasted glühwein years ago in Vienna. I wouldn’t say I was immediately smitten. What is more accurate to say is that when you’re standing in overcast winter weather, hot wine is the most genius idea. Ever the red wine lover, I figured (in my atrophied, frostbitten mind) that flavor was overrated anyway. Bottoms […]
Gulab Jamun
My favorite part of any Indian meal is gulab jamun. I was relieved to find out the dessert I’ve devoured all these years outside of India is pretty much the same as it is in India. With food, there’s nothing more annoying than knowing exactly what you’re missing. What is gulab jamun? It is delicious […]
Coffee Bean
There’s nothing like seeing an old friend before boarding a 3 a.m. flight. I first became hooked on Coffee Bean when I lived in Los Angeles. My friend Holly and I would hit the one on Main Street in Santa Monica. We always, always got Ice Blendeds. Big ones. With whipped cream. Then, when I […]
Upper House
This was a great meal, but not the best we had in Goa (see below, Sher-E-Punjab). The menu featured local cuisine, which meant a lot of spices and seafood. Yum! We had the crab xec xec (in a roasted-coconut gravy), pork vindaloo and mixed vegetable xacuti. In true Indian fashion (well, sometimes. You’ll see.), you […]
