Light Meals and Weekend Treats from an English Woman in Berlin
I don’t actually need an excuse for an Aperitif but I always find that the summer months are the perfect opportunity to do so. I love nothing more than on a warm evening to put together a few little snacks, like these Mozzarella, Olive and Tomato Crostini and to serve with an ice-cold Aperol Spritz. I always think that we don’t do the Aperitif as often as we should, and I think that is largely down to just having the time to do so….
Summer is now in full swing over here in Berlin and I am kicking off the season with the perfect recipe for some al fresco dining – a Courgette, Feta and Tahini Dip! I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern food for its exciting flavours, use of fresh vegetables and it’s all things spice. I can eat Mezze all year but it feels that little bit more special during the summer months. I think it is because you can cook just a few items then pile a load of olives…
I have made no secret of my love for asparagus, especially the delicate white kind that is popular here in Germany. It symbolises the true start of spring and finally the end of those deep, dark winters. Since moving to Berlin (many, many years ago) I have grown to love living in a country that has proper seasons. While I am not exactly in a mediterranean environment where of course Berlin can suffer from some rainy weeks in the summer or spring seems to suffer…
Poor old Brussels sprouts, they get such a negative reputation this time of the year. Always a compulsory side dish for the big Christmas dinner yet ridiculed for being the food that nobody really tucks into and instead stuffed inside a Tupperware box on the off chance someone is to make a Bubble & Squeak on Boxing Day. While sprouts are not particularly a vegetable that I would go out of my way for, I actually don’t mind them. But what I can’t stand is how we all feel a Christmas dinner isn’t right unless we have them but then a lot of us don’t actually eat them….
Personally I like to stuff the bird, whether it is a Roast Chicken for a Sunday Roast or a Turkey for Christmas Day, the stuffing keeps the meat soft and moist. But I know that a lot of people do prefer to cook the stuffing separately. If I am cooking my stuffing separately then I like to make it in a tin, like this Apple, Sage and Pistachio Pork Stuffing but it is also nice to serve them as little balls and scatter them alongside the carved up turkey. That way everyone can get a scoop of delicious stuffing to go with the main meat of the feast….
The festive season is officially in full swing! I have the sparkly nail polish out and I am frequently visiting the local Christmas Markets. My home smells wonderful from the Christmas tree and the advent wreath and I have the scent of all things cinnamon and spice coming out of the oven. I love this time of the year and Germany especially really knows how to celebrate it!
And what else do I enjoy about this time of the year? Christmas parties! It feels like almost every meet-up, if it is a catch up with a friend,…
I have made no secret of my love for Middle Eastern cuisine. It is food that excites and uses some of the best ingredients out there. I was recently at Fes Turkish BBQ and while Germany has no shortage of Turkish delis it was a welcome surprise to be able to eat out at somewhere other than a kebab shop. And don’t get me wrong, I am not one to turn my nose up at a kebab! Many nights have been rescued with a late night stop off for a kebab….
The last month or so I have been blogging more and more Mezze recipes and sharing my love for this delicious style of eating. I am constantly influenced by Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and I am always finding new ways and styles to cook with different and exciting ingredients. And while I am pleased that my list of Mezze recipes are becoming varied, meaning that we don’t have the same small plates each time we want a little of that fresh and vibrant influence in our kitchen, they can get a little on the heavy side when wanting to make all of your favourite dishes…
