Lately I became in love with slowly braised meats in black sauces. It is the perfect comfort food in winter times, it makes me feel warm and cozy. The first time I tasted Rinderrouladen was in a small village near Stuttgart, in the Swabian region of Germany. I liked the contrast between the slightly acidic…
Beef stew with brown sauce
I have this recipe from a Dutch friend. The pictures he showed me of his Christmas dinner this year were mouthwatering and I was instantly convinced to try the recipe myself. It seemed to be so beautifully simple: no cutting vegetables, no stirring… Just mix the ingredients together, put them with a lid on in…
Hot dark chocolate – home made
I believe we all heard of those studies talking about the health benefits of chocolate. I wish to believe they are true, that chocolate is good for the heart and the brain and that it also cures depression. Unfortunately I don`t trust articles on nutrition anymore (I always take them with a pinch of salt),…
Vienna in winter: a street food guide
I have been in Vienna for four days in the middle of December. In my mind this old capital was a perfect city to visit in winter, as I would get to enjoy its numerous Christmas markets, classical architecture and famous desserts. Did I fall in love with Vienna? Not really. But I did meet…
Gourmand trip to Istanbul
I knew I was going to Istanbul and I also knew I won`t be able to abstain from anything. I was already at peace with the thought that I would gain a few kg, and I was very happy, that I would spend there only five days. All I can say is that I…
Turkey roulade with cranberries, dried tomatoes and camembert
It actually happens to me sometimes that I have too much cheese in the fridge and I need to quickly find a way to use it. This time I didn`t want to make a cheesy quiche or vegetables au gratin, but I craved something denser and more protein-packed. From Laura Laurentiu (see the link below)…
Risotto with smoked salmon and lemon
I am one of those persons who cannot let a week pass without eating fish. It`s light, healthy and, most important, it tastes good. I admit I wasn`t a very big fan of salmon at first, my favorite was (and still is) mackerel, tossed in corn flour and deep fried, served with garlic sauce and…
Spaghetti with beef pastrami, spinach and Parmesan
Lately I started eating pasta more often. In the past I used to keep a low-carb diet, and I avoided everything related to pasta, rice and bread (potatoes were an exception, I will never give up potatoes!). Now my nutrition philosophy changed slightly. I still try to not exaggerate with my daily carbohydrate intake, but…
Cheesecake-stuffed baked apples and quinces
I adore the smell of baked apples in autumn, especially now when the weather is cold and rainy and the farmer`s market is full with nuts, grapes, pumpkins, apples, plums and quinces. As my favourite dessert continues to be cheesecake, I asked myself why not use this opportunity and combine two desserts in one. The…
Lamb-stuffed quinces with pomegranate
Of course, I didn`t invent this recipe, but I stumbled upon it on the Internet. It actually belongs to the famous chef Yotam Ottolenghi, whom I greatly admire. In Bucharest middle-eastern food is seen as exotic. We are not familiar with the spices and the seasoning, and sometimes the ingredient combinations seem strange to us….
Jurnal culinar 