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A Modern Rose

Light Meals and Weekend Treats from an English Woman in Berlin

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Mini Toad-in-the-Holes

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For all my non-British readers I should straight away clarify exactly what Toad-in-the-Hole is! Simply put it’s sausages cooked in a thick batter (similar to a Yorkshire Pudding). It is a true British classic and one of my favourite comfort foods. It is also an incredibly cheap meal to make and is perfect for using up all those odds and ends in the cupboard and fridge. Which brings me onto the main theme of this blog post – Happy New Year!

Last year when I wrote my first Happy New Year blog post of the year I said how I wanted my blog in 2017…

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Almond and Pecan Apple Crumble

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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?…

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Salmon and Cod Fishcakes with a Tartare Sauce

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I once took a couple of leftover fishcakes to work for lunch the next day. Once cooked in their breadcrumbs they don’t really freeze that well but do keep their shape and taste by popping them in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. I take a pot of Tartare Sauce and a simple salad to serve with them, heating the fishcakes in the microwave for just a couple of minutes. It was when a colleague asked me what I was having for lunch that I realised the term fishcakes is something slightly odd to anyone not accustomed to this very British dish! As soon as I muttered the word ‘fishcake’ …

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Winter Comforts: Shepherds/ Cottage Pie

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Whilst the temperatures are looking likely to increase by next weekend this weekend is going to be another cold one! Shepherds pie is a classic British ‘home comfort’ of mine and perfect for a cold weekend.

I should really be calling this version ‘Cottage Pie’ as this is made using minced beef. Shepherds Pie is made using minced lamb but seeing as lamb is near impossible to find over here in Germany I just used the minced beef. Either way – this is a perfect winter warmer!…

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Bonfire Night! Apple Crumble

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Many of you will be going to a firework display this weekend in aid of bonfire night. Unfortunately there are no firework displays for me over here in Germany.

Apple crumble is perfect for afterwards. A real British classic and will warm you up this bonfire weekend. Enjoy!

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A British Obsession: Sandwiches

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A few months ago I blogged about lunch time and sandwiches. Still, I am often asked ‘just a sandwich for lunch again today?’ ‘Oh, another sandwich?’ It wasn’t until I moved to Germany that I faced these kind of questions on a daily basis. Are the British really that obsessed with sandwiches that the rest of the world think we are crazy? A simple answer. Yes.

I recently read an expat guide from Greg Gutfield, ‘Lessons from the land of Pork Scratchings.’ Gutfield is an American who has moved to London and his account of British life is hilarious. He grows to love London and even the little things that he still finds bizarre. In his chapter ‘Chicken and Stuffing Sandwiches’ he calls them a “dismal affair but kind of heartwarming”. For lunch he has ended up most days visiting 1 of the 100 sandwich stores along the street. …

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A British Picnic

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I was back in the UK this weekend and on Saturday night we were treated to a lovely outdoors concert. In true British style the rain did not dampen our spirits and we all had a great time. We had a gazebo and so we were protected from the rain. We also had a load of food and wine to enjoy during the concert and it got me thinking about Brits and their picnics. Whilst the Germans love to do a bit of grilling and take their BBQs to the park to grill some Bratwurst us Brits love a good picnic. This often ends up being in the rain but that is all part of the fun! A picnic basket full of treats and champagne – you can’t go wrong. …

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Jubilee Treats! Bakewell Tart and a Strawberry Tart

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Happy Diamond Jubilee Day! I decided to bring the celebrations to Germany and took a few British treats into the office today. The kitchen was soon transformed into a mini UK with Union Jack flags and napkins. The goodies went down well and I also made some sausage rolls.

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