Sacher Torte, Vienna Austria

Its always interesting to me when you mention that your going to visit someplace, how many people can advise you what to see and do! Hopefully I'm helping to advise all of you on what to EAT! Vienna is famous for many foods and drinks. Perhaps most famous for the Sacher Torte. I found the following information on their website, "The Original Sacher-Torte has been the most famous cake in the world since 1832 and the original recipe a well-kept secret of our hotel. Only the Original Sacher-Torte is produced according to this original recipe: The basis is a chocolate cake, thinly coated by hand with best-quality apricot jam. The chocolate icing over this is the crowning glory. The Original Sacher-Torte tastes best with a portion of unsweetened whipped cream, complemented perfectly with a “Wiener Melange” (coffee with milk) from the Original Sacher Café. " I ate the Sacher Torte outside of the famous Sacher Hotel. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but this was amazing! So chocolaty and tart from the apricot! I loved every morsel, and I enjoyed my espresso too! Check out the website for more information! www.sacher.com

Breakfast in Austria!

While I was super excited about everything in Austria, I found this place to be the best ever! Once I arrived at my hostel I set about walking through the city of Vienna and looking for someplace to have dinner! I passed by this place and saw a popular scene. Chic people, fancy drinks, modern art and good lookin' food! But I was in the mood for schnitzel and beer, and from my other posts you can see that I found that! The next day, not being a late sleeper, I left my hostel around 7am. As per usual, I was uber hungry! I happened by this place again and they had the breakfast menu on a stand outside. I liked what I saw, so in I went. The breakfast was phenomenal! Croissant freshly baked, fresh baked roll, small piece of heaven chocolate cake, butter, herb ricotta spread tremendous! One very special apricot jam that was a house specialty, I had to buy to bring home. I'm normally not a fan of such things but the flavor of this stuff is TO DIE FOR!!! I broke a travel rule and went back the next day! First day to accompany the "breakfast box" containing all previously mentioned items I had smoked salmon with a spicy dill mustard. Next day shaved ham and salami. Both days a double espresso accompaniment! Check out their website...even the music is cool! www.freiraum117.at

Thoughts on breakfast...

If you follow this blog, it's safe to say you understand how much I adore food...and beer and wine etc etc etc. I would have to say without question, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. When I wake up in the morning, I am absolutely 100% STARVING! Before I have done anything else I want a nice big breakfast, and a nice big cup of coffee, black. Bacon, eggs (poached), eggs benedict (with shaved ham not Canadian bacon) silky smooth rich hollandaise sauce, home fries, hot sauce ketchup the works. Generally speaking I like 1 chocolate chip pancake on the side. Other than that, I don't do sweet for Breakfast...normally. I like to put the chocolate chip pancake in with the bacon or sausage and poached egg and maple syrup the top and eat it all together!!!! I am salivating even writing this!! I also love regular food for breakfast. My mom was the master...amongst other things in the kitchen...of the crockpot. We had pot roast, and Saigon Chicken, and a thousand other crockpot recipes. They would cook all night and in the morning the house smelled amazing. This would be our breakfast! In college the Subway near our campus opened before my first class at 7am. I cannot tell you how many Subway sandwiches I ate that early in the morning! In Europe there are assortments of fresh baked breads, spreads, pates, cold cuts and salamis and fancy cheeses, I love this kind of assortment for breakfast! You can pick and choose and try everything, such a great way to start the day! So go ahead, Break the Fast! Its the most important meal of the day!

Schnitzel and Potato Salad - Vienna, Austria

First stop in Vienna Austria led me to one of the last true running Breweries in Vienna. I had one of each of the specialty beers they had on tap! I could not believe how different each were and flavorful in their own right. From the “Chili” Beer that made me sweat to the darker beers that were sweet and bitter and rich! I loved them all! Also pictured was a beer vending machine situated near the street in front of the brewery. I was so moved by this image I couldn’t get a good pic…sorry. The Weiner Schnitzel (“Weiner” Viennese style) and potato salad did not disappoint. Although served cold the potatoes are rich and creamy and also have a hint of vinegar. This is a match made in heaven!! Check out their website at www.7stern.at and if you get to Vienna Austria go visit!!!

Mushroom Picking/Eating a National Past time in the Czech Republic

This past time has so many funny memories for me as a child. This is one of my Father's favorite things to do! We often joked that he would kill us with his random find in the woods ...alas my brother and I are still here...any damage at this point being self inflicted! Similar to Dad having us go in the yard to pick dandelion greens for a salad for dinner...I mean they're sold in stores now, who knew at the time he knew what he was talking about???

Back to the mushrooms, on a recent hike with my cousins, we found a few mushrooms of our own! Chanterelles for one, as I chef I was thrilled to find these. We found many other varieties...some pictured here! The red one is not for eating, sure is cute though! Often you find obviously seasoned "pickers" riding home on the metro with huge baskets filled with mushrooms. If your going to do it, rising early is very important! If you wait, they will be gone! The obvious key to this is to pick the safe ones and not poison your family! Although there are many that are safe to eat, there are equally as many that are poisonous...so be careful and do your homework. It is said that 7 out of 10 citizens in Czech Republic are seasoned mushroom pickers. Over 25 million kilos were harvested from the countries woodlands last year alone!

www.mushroomexpert.com has all the info you might need...for this worldwide past time!

Have fun:)

Meat & Cheese - I don't mean ham rolled with American Cheese..

Though a combination I’m familiar with this is genuinely a sign that Czech Republic is up on culinary trends! Grilled steak with a heaping mound of blue cheese and crispy fries! Make it at home! Make it for a date! I love this!!! For the love of food….DON’T OVERCOOK THE STEAK!!!

Sausages, Bread and Mustard!

…and of course…Beer! What could be a better snack? This is a typical snack for much of Eastern Europe. I suppose you could exchange mustard for ketchup, if you do…shame on you! Czech Republic alone is home to some of the greatest mustard in the world. If you are going to spend the time and money to come to Europe then enjoy all aspects of the culture! This includes food…you know who you are!

Okay, so now that we’re through with that, back to the sausages! Whether Kielbasa with slices of bread or Paryk a Hrolyku (kind of a version of Americas hot dog) They hollow out the center of a torpedo roll (closest comparison) fill the center with mustard and then the Parky. I love this!! Parky is more of a long thin hotdog with a thicker casing to give it a great juicy texture when you bite into it…I’m having a hard time explaining this one. So my advice would only be to come try them! They have them in most supermarkets in the US also! SO there are Viennese sausages, German sausages, Czech Sausages…you get the idea! Get your favorite beer and Enjoy!!

Svickova na Smetana & Other meats with Sauces and dumplings

I don't like to commit to a lot... I would say particularly when it comes to food... But in all honesty its an all inclusive statement about me. Except where sports are concerned and a select few other topics... People often ask what is your FAVORITE FOOD. Every time I sit down to a meal...I have a new favorite...fickle you might say. I think the be all end all answer to that question would HAVE to be Thanksgiving dinner....

That being said in a very close race at 2nd place would probably be Svickova na Smetana. Pictured with the whipped cream and currant jam garnish. Its a loose Czech version of Sauerbraten and many great recipes can be found online. A constant complaint about Svickova is how time consuming it is...I will tell you I have made it for 200 and it was worth every second of my time...

I was going to do a separate post for each plate. However, I was finding a constant in many of the plates.

Meats - Fantastic in variety, from the mundane although noteworthy beef and pork, to the amazing rabbit, duck and venison. The best part about the latter from a chef standpoint is the difficulty in cooking these meats. They are delicate and can easily be overdone or not cooked properly and thus ruining them. I haven't had a bad bite yet:) Happy Jana!

Starch - Rice, Potatoes, Boiled Fried Mashed, can you get a potato wrong? Or my personal favorite, Klednike - Dumplings... Heavenly slices that should be light and yet strong enough to withstand the sauces and meats they are paired with.

A veg is not usually served. There can be stewed red cabbage which is a heavenly creation and should be tried. Its sweet and sour and often the perfect tangy accompaniment to these rich dishes.

A good beer also is always a good accompaniment!!

Dinner with the Fam!

Considering the long line of amazing cooks I come from it's no wonder I love FOOD! Both parent's have provided me with a love and comfort for food that is deep. I can't imagine life without it. So you tilt your head and say, "can any of us live without it?". Sure we cannot live without it...But Food...All Food...CONSUMES ME!! There is passion within me about many things maybe most profoundly about food!!

So my first dinner with my Aunt and Uncle upon my return to the Czech Republic, we had a very notable Czech dinner. Chlebicky!! (sounds like klebeechky) Beautiful and delicate open faced sandwiches. Toppings include butter or spreads...One spread was cheese and garlic. Really a wonderful bite of raw garlic. I know it can be harsh but it provided a great spiciness. Once the breads have a spread they are topped with cheeses, salamis and other cold cuts, pickles, radishes and any number of other toppings. They are decadent and wonderful. I find too that there are many other European countries that have their own version. Using the Google Search bar at the top of the blog will show plenty of gorgeous pictures!

Kavarna Mlynska

First post is a cheese post...because well...I dig cheese...and its my blog...and you should dig cheese too...

This is a very cool pub off a garden on a small river in are Prague 1. LOVE IT!

This dish is called "Pickled Hermelin" or in Czech "Nakladany Hermelin" Hermelin is a soft cheese most similar to Brie or Camembert. Not sure though if it is one or the other. It is a Czech soft cheese so maybe just their version. They have "Camembert" and "Brie" also so... You can use the Google tool bar at the top of the blog to read more on it. A recipe I found is as follows...

5 rounds of Hermelín cheese (small rounds for individual portion)
5 garlic cloves, crushed
15 juniper berries, crushed
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp paprika
ground black pepper
1 bay leaf, crushed
few drops of Tabasco or 1 hot chili pepper, cut
salt
oil
Slice cheese lengthwise and put in layers into a jar, cover each layer with the mixture of all other ingrediences except for oil, and pour some oil on it. The top layer should be covered by oil. Keep in the fridge for three or four days and then enjoy.

Goes great with your favorite beer! Or a great glass of wine!!! Enjoy!!

Its good to be back! Praha!

On arrival so many different sights and smells! My cousin and I have decided its been about 15 years since I have been back. Its good to be back and in many ways its home. I am immediately looking for the tastes I remember. Also happy to learn there are new tastes for me to savor! This city has come a long way...and food is on its own magical journey. There are influences from everywhere. Its good to see that America isn't the only eyesore with McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway. More that there is a Chinese Restaurant on every corner, a large Italian population, Russian, French and Yes Friends even Japan and Sushi have made their way to Prague. One thing I am so eager to see is the cheese. My family alone is so knowledgeable about cheese and I'm happy to say the fridge is well stocked. So come on this journey with me...It's surely just the beginning...and promises not to disappoint! Bring your appetite...and Dobrou Chut'!

One last thing...

So before I continue...and I promise I will I want to get this one last thing in. Such a beautiful treat for friends to share. Or an amazing romantic date. Or whatever it is you desire. Maybe your only hungry and thirsty. I would enjoy this if I were only hungry and thirsty...then again I am lil miss self indulgence so, maybe its not for you. This is pink champagne, a rather fancy version, a luxury any woman once a little girl will love. I nice large wedge of taleggio cheese...even the pronunciation is silky and sexy...crostini and beautiful fig jam. The cheese bares an aroma you may not find pleasant at first but I promise once you taste it you will not be disappointed. You will be able to find it in most places these days... Enjoy!