No trip to Aachen, Germany, a short train trip from Cologne, is complete without a visit to the beautiful cathedral and the impressive treasury. But, I was there to learn all I could about the history of the iconic Aachener Printen and to attempt to crack the recipe held closely by Aachen bakers who produce […]
Granola
March 27, 2017 by 4 Comments
I have been making homemade granola since my college days at the University of Colorado when I would shop at one of the earliest, hole-in-the-wall whole grain, seed and nut shops. Places like Boulder had some of the first such stores, usually run by what my parents would have termed vegetarian hippies. Soon thereafter, whole […]
Mole Poblano
October 16, 2015 by 2 Comments
To my mind and palate, one of the great cuisines of the world is Mexican. Not the cheese-laden standards topped with canned sauces and accompanied by runny, tasteless refried beans and white rice found at many “Mexican” restaurants outside the country. Rather, the incredible, regional dishes found throughout Mexico which incorporate local ingredients combined to produce […]
Mole Rojo (Red Oaxacan Sauce)
May 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Travels around Mexico over the years introduced us to the wonderful world of mole. Moles are typically slightly thick, dried chili-based sauces. The term is also used for different dishes featuring the sauce. Regional varieties abound, as do individual recipes. Almost 2 years ago, I shared a recipe for Mole Poblano (also known as Mole Negro). It is a […]
Korean Bibimbap
November 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Understanding the food of a culture is an essential ingredient to begin to understand the culture itself. Food reflects the history and geography of a region, group or nation. Our first stop on any trip is usually a local market or a grocery store. Wandering around the incredible markets in Morocco, Japan, Spain, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, […]
Kale, Fuyu Persimmon, Pomegranate and Roasted Squash Salad
October 30, 2014 by 4 Comments
After living in Switzerland for almost six years, we decided it was time to phase out our time living abroad and settle someplace in the U.S. Criteria included living near a major airport, great medical facilities (yes, we are getting older so this is important), access to a good-sized city, mountains, nearby hiking trails, terrific […]
Mom’s Kugelhopf/Gugelhupf
July 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
In a previous post, I told the tale of the journey taken by my Grandmother’s Gugelhupf pan. Then, in a follow-up post, I shared Grandma Landolt’s beloved recipe. A number of people have asked that I also share my mom’s richer and denser recipe. A printable version of hers can be found below. For those of you […]
Lamb Mhammer (Wedding Dish From Fez)
April 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
One of the many highlights for us when traveling in Morocco, was visiting Fez. We stayed at a beautiful, restored guesthouse located in the middle of the Medina, the carless and scooter-free old town. Our phenomenal guesthouse, Riad Le Calife, was steps from the winding and wonderful market (see previous post with photographs of the […]
Pumpkin Seed, Chicken, Pork and Hominy Pozole
July 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Living in Switzerland has made finding authentic Mexican food a bit of a challenge. When cravings hit, I make my own. Two weeks ago, we purchased a home in Northern California surrounded by both large and small Mexican restaurants. We are in Mexican cuisine heaven. That said, I still plan to make an effort to […]
Chocolate Almond Flourless Cake
May 8, 2013 by 1 Comment
For many years, I taught a series of classes entitled Desperate Households. In each class, students worked in small groups with each group making a full meal. I always thought it was important for students to make everything on the menu, thinking it unfair for them to sign up and only make one of the […]
How To Make Quick Preserved Lemons
April 3, 2013 by 1 Comment
Preserved lemons are a key ingredient in many Moroccan dishes. Jars packed full of briny, aged lemons are available in every market. Fresh lemons are never a suitable substitute. Nothing tastes like the real thing. Whole lemons (sometimes partially sliced through) are doused in salt, covered in lemon juice and left to age in tightly […]
Mardi Gras King Cake
March 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It’s Mardi Gras time!! I love, love this festival. I have spent many happy times in Louisiana at celebrations in the city of Lafayette and in rural Cajun country. I cannot express how much I love the traditions of Courir de Mardi Gras passed down generations in the prairie regions of Cajun country. A description […]
Älpermagronen – Swiss Alp Farmer Macaroni, Potato and Cheese
January 15, 2013 by 9 Comments
One of the heartier dishes served in Switzerland, especially common at restaurants on hiking trails and at ski resorts, is Älpermagronen. This rich pasta, potato and cheese dish is best topped with caramelized onions and accompanied by applesauce. Älper translates as Alps and Magronen was the Swiss German term for macaroni or pasta. Älpermagronen is said […]
Zwetschgendatschi (Plum Cake)
September 18, 2012 by 3 Comments
I love this time of year. The heat is gone and there is a refreshing chill in the air. Everything is still lush green and, best of all, orchards are yielding their fruits. This season is so special to me because it is when Mom would always bake one of my Dad’s favorite cakes from […]
