I am not a great cook. I am not a great artist, but I love art, and I love food.
So I am the perfect traveller.
– Michael Palin
The Irish skies
Nov 29, 2014
Of Food and Drink on Malta
One of the first items I researched for my trip to Malta was its local specialties, which listed pastizzi and Kinnie among many other things.
Our hotel, Cavalieri Art Hotel, had pastizzi on the breakfast menu once – these pastries are filled with ricotta cheese, and they were good and filling.
One of the most popular beverages on Malta is the Kinnie, a lemonade made from tart oranges and savory herbs. It was a bit similar in taste to the Austrian Almdudler we get in German supermarkets.
Purchased a shot glass as a souvenir. While drinking, we can learn the meaning of the eight points of the Maltese Cross. They represent the eight vows the Knights had to observe.
Significance of the Maltese Cross eight points
Other than that, I had my very first taste of Gin & Tonic on the island. This does not sound very Maltese, but since the island was a British colony until 1964, a gin tonic might be representative for a local drink. My Welsh travel companion had recommended this. 🙂
Aug 29, 2013
Craving Ethnic Food – from Oberursel to London
About twice a month, I manage to get away for an extended lunch break. This usually takes me to Seoul Restaurant in Oberursel, where I tend to order the same food, Kimsambok, to take care of my craving for Kimchi.
Lunch at Seoul Restaurant in Oberursel
Next weekend, I will be in London looking for a good Indian restaurant between the Hammersmith Apollo and our hotel on 44 Glenthorne Road, preferably in walking distance. London is the best place to enjoy Indian food.
On a funny note, I had asked one of my Indian friends for a restaurant recommendation in London and of course, she would not really know. She said, when she wants good Indian food, she eats at her mother’s house :-).
But I managed to get the name of an gastropub with an outdoor terrace upstairs. Hop Poles got reasonable priced drinks and British food. If all works well, we get an Indian dinner somewhere, and then hop to Hop Poles for the outdoor beer experience.
If there are no further recommendations for Indian dining, I will get a recommendation from the London hotel receptionist and take a taxi there. I would not like to leave London without a gourmet experience. I’m spoiled, aren’t I.
* Hop Poles in London http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/44/443/Hop_Poles/Hammersmith
* Good Indian food in Oberursel  http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g663792-d1038150-Reviews-Bella_Italia-Oberursel_Taunus_Hesse.html
Jul 23, 2013
On the road in the USA – Bar Harbor, ME
After an almost six-hour drive from Boston, we arrived in Bar Harbor. Again, it was very hot and humid, unlike any weather I had expected from northern Maine. By the time we arrived, I was actually hoping for some fog.
We arrived rather late in the day and headed straight to a restaurant on the wharf. Again, the biggest selection was deep-fried food. No further comment on that.
Deep-fried food galore!
By that time, even our kids rolled their eyes. I had the usual clam chowder and ended up once more eating everyone’s cole slaw, which none of them like anyway.
Bar Harbor is a good town for people who like to shop and eat out. There are plenty of shops and restaurants. I prefer quieter places such as the one below.
We took an early morning stroll around the shore. This town has a very nice path around the shore lines for joggers and simple walkers like us. I did admire the joggers in the early morning humidity. But that’s all I did.
Bar Harbor in the early morning
Before heading out to Acadia National Park, we stopped at the Lighthouse Inn and Restaurant in Seal Harbor (only 10 minutes from Bar Harbor) for lunch.
Here I was fortunate enough to find the Reuben Sandwich on the menu once more. Wish I could say, my food orders rotated between seafood chowder and Reuben sandwiches, but this was not the case. Reuben sandwiches were hard to find.
Reuben sandwich
For the readers unfamiliar with this type of sandwich: This is corned beef on a bed of sauerkraut with melted cheese and 1000-Island dressing.
My travel companions ordered soft shell crab sandwiches and seemed pleased.
soft shell crab sandwiches
After this wonderful lunch, we went to Acadia National Park, the oldest national park west of the Mississippi. More on that in my next post.
Apr 11, 2013
My Experimental Kitchen – Korean Jeon
Aeri’s Korean Cookbook is a wonderful and easy to use cookbook. Her directions are short and precise, her photos are descriptive and for a personal touch, she adds a bit of her own childhood food experience.
Very recommendable!
I started with the recipe for Zucchini Jeon (aehobak jeon), which looked very easy to make, and it was! I cut the zucchini julienne (2 cups), added some green onions, and a dash of red hot pepper (optional).
zucchini julienne
To make the batter: 1 egg, a bit of salt, 1 cup flour and 1 cup water. Then add the vegetables.
zucchini in batter
Drop the mix, spoon by spoon, into the hot frying pan (use vegetable oil). Fry until golden brown on both sides.
zucchini jeon and potato jeon
The Zucchini Jeon were really good and easy to make. Serve with a dip: 1 part soy sauce, 1 part vinegar, and add some sesame seeds. All done.
This is a good snack, or it can be served as a side dish.
