Food & Drink Archive
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Recipe: Adriatic Mussels in White Wine & Parsley
The winter is the best time to indulge in mussels on the Adriatic coast of Slovenia and Croatia. This is a very simple recipe for steamed mussels and ensures the taste of the fabulous, succulent mussels shines through and is not dominated by any other ingredient. Here’s my foolproof recipe… Ingredients 1kg mussels, with the beards and any [...] -
Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Cheese
While the Russians may not have created signature cauliflower cheese they do indeed have their version and enjoy it with gusto. It’s a great side dish or one for their zakuski board. It’s by far one of my favourite ways to eat cauliflower, only perhaps overshadowed by fried cauliflower in breadcrumbs. Here’s my recipe… Ingredients Cauliflower florets 3 tbsp [...] -
Recipe: Balkan Rack of Lamb in Sour Cream
There are parts of the Balkans that lamb just isn’t popular, however, there are regions in which dishes such as rack of lamb are simply adored. As with most cultural traditions and traits related to this region, food can be highly polarised. Now lamb is in season this foolproof recipe should provide you with a [...] -
5th Lošinj Cuisine Festival in Croatia
If you happen to find yourself in Croatia this April, make sure you head down to the 5th Lošinj Cuisine Festival held from 8th to 22nd April. This year’s festival is marked by a project entitled “Around the World with Lošinj Sails” which aims to revive and recall the historical and cultural heritage of Lošinj’s [...] -
Poland To Gain More Bars & Restaurants
Now, while I am not an avid fan of football I was interested to hear that with Poland hosting the Euro 2012 football championship next summer the country is likely to gain 1,000 new bars in time for the tournament. According to the Warsaw Business Journal, dozens of new restaurants will open too. There is [...] -
Vinistra 2011 – Wine Exhibition in Croatia
Who doesn’t love a glass or two of wine? Over the years I’ve enjoyed some fabulous bottles from Croatia – particularly dingač and teran. Croatia’s Malvasia region has a rich wine-making history. This history, as well as Croatia’s contemporary wine-making practices, are celebrated annually at the Vinistra festival held in Poreč. The main objective of Vinistra is [...] -
Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Marinated Sardines
Talk to most people about Russian cuisine and the likelihood is they’ll say, “Don’t they just eat meat and potatoes; or eat caviar and drink vodka?” I’m hoping to try and change people’s attitudes as there is so much more to this nation’s cuisine. One of my favourite Russian zakuski dishes (though I realise they [...] -
Slovene Orehove Rezine / Walnut Syrup Cake Recipe
There is something about delicious, moist, cake which makes me reminisce of summer holidays spent in Kranjska Gora. The first time I arrived, Mira, the Grandmother, had created possibly the most intricate and exquisite cake in honour of my arrival. I was quite blown away but I was soon to realise that cake is a [...] -
Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Tomatoes Stuffed with Mushrooms
There are many Russian zakuski dishes (small, introductory dishes usually part of a welcome board serves to guests on arrival) that also double as impressive, party-piece starters. These tomatoes are no exception. The large tomatoes are stuffed with a mushroom and sour cream sauce which can all be prepared before baking for just 30 minutes [...] -
Assorti Delivery – Russian & Asian Cuisine in London
A little while ago I came across a take-away menu for Assorti in London’s West End. Assorti is a very small restaurant serving up traditional Russian and Central Asian cuisine and providing take-away and delivery to those who want to enjoy these dishes at home. Let’s face it, this is an eternity away from pizza, [...]
