Light Meals and Weekend Treats from an English Woman in Berlin
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…
I like to call this my grown-up chocolate cake recipe. It is bursting with nuts and spices and is rich and aromatic, making it the perfect cake for Christmas! This is very much inspired by the traditional Italian dessert, Panforte and it really is pure indulgence. The middle is gooey with the chunks of chocolate while the rest of the cake has that slight crunch from the nuts. And of course, what makes this cake the ultimate Christmas treat is the orange lingering from the Cointreau. It is Christmas after all … …
This all time favourite dessert needs to be served with a large dose of nostalgia on the side. I mean who doesn’t love an apple crumble? It is one of those classic recipes that we all grew up on and a recipe that we all try to re-create to the same standards as our childhood memories. Even the apple crumble’s served at school dinners were actually OK… and that is really saying something. Is it because this is a dessert that is hard to get wrong, or simply that we all have a fondness for this rather stodgy and basic pudding?…
I always look forward to Easter weekend. It has felt like a bit of a slog since the last holiday break (Christmas) and still a bit of a way to go until our long summer holidays. This time of the year in Berlin is really special due to a lot of public holidays in May but in my opinion Easter can never come soon enough! In fact, my husband and I value – and need! – the break so much that we now avoid all travel. Instead we stay in Berlin and enjoy a four day weekend of complete rest, nice food and long walks in the fresh air….
I am a big fan of charcuterie and cheese boards, or meat and cheese nights as my husband and I fondly call it. It is so much more than simply throwing a bit of cheese and crackers together. Of course cheese and cured meats are the main part of this delicious gathering of quality foods but I also love to serve some pickled gherkins, olives and these Paprika and Thyme Roasted Almonds on the side. During a trip to San Francisco last year we went on a wine tour to the Napa and Sonoma Valley….