I adore making and eating pumpkin soup but I hate peeling the large, ribbed beasts. Luckily, while living in Japan, I became familiar with lovely members of the winter squash family that look like small, smooth-skinned pumpkins. They have a familiar, traditional pumpkin flavor and edible skin. Hokkaido, Orange Knirps and Red Kuri ウチキクリare also […]
Grittibänz – Bake A Swiss St. Nicholas Day Treat
December 4, 2016 by 15 Comments
My family is Swiss and German so I grew up celebrating St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. Before going to bed on December 5th, my brothers and I would put one shoe outside our bedroom door for St. Nicholas to fill. The next morning our shoes overflowed with marzipan, chocolate and Lebkuchen. I still put […]
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 […]
Images of the Souk in Fez, Morocco
July 8, 2013 by 4 Comments
Visiting traditional Berber and Arabic markets, known as souq (or souk), when in Morocco is usually a must for most travelers. We spent hours and days exploring as many as possible, including the walled, maze-like labyrinth medina (old town) markets in Marrakech and Fez as well as venturing to an incredible weekly Berber market held […]
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 […]
Basler Fasnacht Mehlsuppe – Swiss Carnival Soup
February 5, 2013 by 8 Comments
When I lived in the U.S., I would head down to Cajun country in Louisiana to attend the eye-popping parades normally associated with New Orleans as well participate in the very traditional (and little known) rural celebrations out in the countryside such as the Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice where we would don […]
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 […]
