Light Meals and Weekend Treats from an English Woman in Berlin
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…
We all talk about de-toxing in January but (despite our recent warm luck) these are the months where the weather gets extremely cold, the days are dark and grey and we are all suffering from the SAD. We crave a warming meat pie or a hearty stew – and I will certainly be tucking into those winter treats over the next month….
Ah, hummus! A pot of basic hummus, some pitta bread and a simple fresh salad were part of my staple diet as a student. And while German supermarkets do not often stock hummus there is certainly no shortage of it in the plentiful Turkish supermarkets or Berlin’s street food scene. Head out for a Falafel Teller and there will often be a dollop of hummus on the side. But it is Zula Café that serves the real hummus treat! A favourite of mine is the hummus with the goulash but I also love the Sabich – aubergine, hummus and a hard boiled egg all stuffed in fresh pitta bread….
The great thing about these halloumi burgers is that they can be enjoyed all year round from 
comfort food on a cold evening, a relaxed dinner with friends or a BBQ in the summer. Packed with healthy vegetables and halloumi, they can easily go towards your five a day. Add some hummus to each burger slice and even the biggest meat lovers will love this food!
Check out the recipe in my Exberliner Column.
I love hummus. One of the first thing’s I noticed when going to a German supermarket for the 
Yet supermarket bought hummus is full of salt and many other kinds of preservatives. Making your own hummus is very easy, a lot healthier and it tastes delicious. …
You know something is wrong when you spot a pot of hummus in a supermarket and find this 
fresh, seasonal goods in Germany and there is no doubt that supermarkets over here are improving! When I very first moved to Berlin (yes, even in Berlin!) I would be lucky to find a packet of tortilla wraps… and the idea of stocking curry powder (any kind, there is no room for being fussy) or Thai red curry paste was totally out of this world. So how do we deal with a German supermarket? It’s simple. Just go back to basics and compromise by replacing a certain ingredient with something else and never, ever rely on the supermarket having a certain ingredient again. I made this mistake one too many times and ended up having a full basket of goods but one vital part of the meal not in my basket – for example red curry paste….
