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As we journey to Austria, the first image that comes to mind is Julie Andrews twirling on that spectacular, verdant mountain top singing, “the hills are alive…” in the iconic movie “The Sound of Music”. That scene is an incredibly vivid image showcasing the beauty of this small landlocked country. Located in Southern Central Europe, it is just 32,000 square miles, much consisting of the mountainous region of the Eastern Alps. Austria shares borders with eight European countries; Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Liechtenstein.

Ninety eight percent of the population of Austria is German, which is also their official language. The majority of her people are Roman Catholic, with a small, minority Protestant population. According to Austrian law, any child over the age of fourteen can freely choose his or her religion.

Austria’s capital city of Vienna, located on the banks of the Danube River, was once the political and economic center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867-1918. What must be known is the significance of the musical innovation spawned there during the 18th century. Vienna was the hub for classical music where musical genius flourished. Masters, such as Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Schubert and Strauss graced this city. Their music was played in one of the most beautiful and ornate concert halls in the world, the Musilverein, in Vienna. It is known to be the "Golden Sound in the Golden Hall," where even today the world’s finest musicians aspire to perform.

Vienna is a city that holds the distinction of having a cuisine specially named in her honor. Today they serve modern traditional Viennese dishes with the principles of nouvelle cuisine called the new Viennese Cuisine or “neve Winer Küche.” Austrian cuisine is different and derived from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, heavily influenced by Hungarian, Czech, Jewish and Italian cuisines.

Austria is home of the unbelievably beautiful ski area of Innsbruck which is famous for its Christmas markets. Every Advent in the historic part of Innsbruck, in front of the famous Golden Roof and surrounded by beautifully preserved medieval facades, you will come across the Old Town Christmas Market. Strolling through the market you will find Christmas ornaments, handicrafts and other winter treats. Traditional dishes such as Kiachln (fried dough pastry) and a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) will keep you warm while mingling with the locals and making new friends.

Austria also has a wine making tradition where small wine producing estates are not required to have a special license to sell their own wine. This dates back to a decree from 1784. There are as many as 20,000 private vintners making their living selling wine. And Austria is known for her beer as well with many special brews dating back for generations and breweries that dot the country side. They have a tradition of hanging a wreath on the door to let you know that a new batch of brew is available for tasting. In that spirit, the appetizer I chose for our Austrian meal would be commonly served in one of these tasting rooms.

When choosing the meal for Austria I thought it would be easy. I could just cook the items mentioned in Sound of Music’s, “Favorite Things” song and clearly that had to be spot on. Come to find out, there was some poetic license taken in that song. Although schnitzel is considered the national dish of Austria, Austrians would never eat it with noodles, they eat it with potatoes. I suppose there was no creative way to make “potato” rhyme with “schnitzel”. Lucky for us, the crisp apple strudel is in fact a wonderful Viennese and Austrian dessert.

And so here we go, off to a wonderful Austrian meal,’ mahlzeit’, ‘Guten Appetit’,

The Menu

Appetizer
Austrian Liptauer Cheese Served with Austrian Black Bread

Side Salad
Gerkensalat (Cucumber Salad)

Main Course
Wiener Schnitzel 
(Breaded Veal Cutlets)

Kartoffelsalat (Warm Potato Salad)

Dessert
Altwiener Apfelstrudel
Traditional Viennese Apple Strudel

We began with a traditional toast “Prost .” For this meal we chose a full bodied, Viennese style beer. Our meal was eaten Continental style, as would be customary in Austria.

The Liptauer cheese and caraway seeds imbued a unique flavor that would make a wonderful appetizer for any occasion. The main meal, schnitzel with warm potato and cucumber salad, went lovely together. One could use any type of meat to make the schnitzel because there is just something so delicious about breaded and fried anything. The cucumber salad also had a sprinkling of caraway seeds and had an almost sweet and sour flavor.

After our delicious, crisp, apple strudel, we sang “Edelweiss,” which come to find out is not the national anthem of Austria but was written for the movie “The Sound of Music.” The real national Anthem of Austria is called “Land der Berge Land am Strome”. Edelweiss is however, Austria’s national flower.

For me, “the Sound of Music” is probably my all-time favorite movie! I come from a family of six kids, three boys, three girls, and I am the baby. Way back when, my middle sister got the album “The Sound of Music” for Christmas one year. Unfortunately, as a teenager, she was more into Strawberry Alarm Clock and Carol King and needless to say was a bit disappointed with her Christmas present that she had so cleverly discerned was a record album. Lucky for me, I got the album and learned every word of every song, sang and danced to it so many times, I couldn’t count. However, from that point forward in my family if you received something you didn’t really like, someone would ask, “oh no, is this the Sound of Music?” Of course, after my sister’s teenage years, she too came to love the soundtrack and we all watch the movie every Christmas. If you have never seen it, serve up a warm slice of apple strudel and a cup of Glühwein and enjoy the essence of Austria.

Auf Wiedersehen darling,
Warmest regards,
Darlene

How did Switzerland get its name?

The name Switzerland comes from one of its original provinces (known as cantons) called Schwyz.  The etymology of Schwyz is uncertain, but believed to be derived from a Germanic name.  The English adjective, Swiss, is derived from the French, Suisse, which has been used since the 16^th century. The Swiss call their country Schweizerisch. 

Where is Switzerland located?

This small, mountainous country famous for the Alps, is located in Central Europe.  It is a landlocked country that lies between France and Italy and is also bordered by Austria, Germany and Liechtenstein.  The majority of the population lives in the plateau, between the high Alps, which includes the famous Matterhorn in the south, and the Jura mountains, in the north.  It is beautiful; a home to some 7000 lakes that are so clear, you can see all the way to the bottom.  The largest is Lake Geneva, which is shared with France, where it is known as Lac Leman.

A Brief History of Switzerland

Switzerland originally was inhabited by Celtic tribes.  In the first century BC, Rome conquered the land, and it was a Roman province for 500 years.  In 1291, the families of Unterwalden, Uri and Schwyz formed a union of the three cantons and became an independent country.  It is one of the oldest nations in Europe.  It became formally independent of the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. Napoleon invaded the country in 1797, however he was defeated.  The Congress of Vienna gave Switzerland the status of permanent armed, neutrality in 1815.

The constitution was adopted in 1848 and took many of its principles from the US Constitution.  It does not allow for troops to be sent to serve in foreign wars. They have remained neutral in conflicts around the world, including both major world wars.  Military service is compulsory for Swiss men, aged 18 and over.  Switzerland is one of the most armed civilian nations but has one of the lowest crime rates.  Once they finish their service, all of them are supposed to take their assault rifles or pistols home, however without any ammunition.  The country is made up of 26 cantons, which form the confederation.  Independence Day is celebrated on August 1^st, when the Swiss Confederation was founded back in 1291.

Switzerland has not fought an international war since 1815.  They joined the United Nations in 2002 and has its second largest headquarters is in Geneva. They pursue an active foreign policy and are frequently involved in peace-building missions around the world.  Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross; one of the world’s oldest and best known humanitarian organizations.  

They are not part of the European Union, maintaining their own currency, the Swiss franc.  They are part of the Schengen Area, as one of the 26 participating countries.  Switzerland has the highest nominal wealth per adult, ranks eighth highest for GDP, and has been considered a tax haven.

Swiss Culture

Switzerland is home to about 8-½ million people. They are highly educated and considered very smart.  They have a large immigrant population.  It is a diverse and multilingual country with four national languages including German, French, Italian and Romansh.  Each canton has its unique cultural features and many dialects. 

The Swiss Alps have played a major role in creating the history and cultural diversity of Switzerland. Nowadays, all mountain areas have a strong skiing and mountaineering culture and are associated with folk arts like the alphorn and yodeling.  Embroidery and wood carving are also important traditions.  The Swiss chalet is also an important architectural heritage.

Switzerland ranks second highest in the world after Japan for life expectancy.  Perhaps it is the clean, mountain air and a society that loves nature and enjoys high quality health care.  Switzerland ranks top in the world in many categories, like having the highest salary and job security, low unemployment rate, and two of the most livable cities, being Zurich and Geneva.  It is not cheap to live in Switzerland.  In fact, Zurich is listed as the world’s third most expensive city to live in.  They are considered one of the smartest countries, especially in math and science, and it is where Albert Einstein developed his famous formula, e=mc².  They also have produced numerous Nobel Laureates, most coming from science.  Switzerland is probably most renowned for its banks and watches.

Swiss Cuisine

Switzerland was historically a country of farmers, so traditional dishes tend to be plain and made from simple ingredients.  Many Swiss favorites are variations and combinations of potatoes, meat and cheese with different types of sauces. 

One of the most well-known dishes is, cheese fondue.  Especially when made with melted cheese, like gruyere and emmentaler.  Along with a touch of wine and dried bread cubes served in a traditional pot called a caquelon, it is beloved.  Another favorite is the cow’s milk cheese, called raclette.  It is cooked by heating the cheese and scraping off the melted part and serving with potatoes, onions, gherkins and cured meats.  The national dish is considered to be rosti.  It was originally served for breakfast in the canton of Bern.  It is made from grated and cooked potatoes, similar to hash browns, or on a fritter but today, is served plain or with add-ons.

Muesli, is a Swiss invention from the early 1900s. It is a breakfast dish of rolled oats with dried or fresh fruits, nuts and seeds.  It is typically served with milk or yogurt and is now found all over the world.

Of course, the Swiss are also known for chocolate and are likely the best chocolate experts in the world.  Lindt and Cailler are world-famous.  The Swiss make about 180,000 tons of chocolate each year, and about 11 kilos are consumed per person, each year.  Despite this, they have the lowest obesity rate in all of Europe.

Switzerland has a unique position to incorporate the best culinary traditions of its neighbors; namely: France, Italy and Germany, as well its own national and regional specialties, making it a culinary delight.

So let’s enjoy a Swiss meal:

The Menu

 First Course

Raclette (Melted Cheese with Potatoes, Cured Meats and Pickles)

Main Course

    Zurcher Geschnetzeltes (Zurich style Veal in Cream Sauce)

Served with:

Swiss Rosti (Fried Potato Fritter)

Dessert

Engadiner Nusstorte (Walnut Pie)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red and white.  We decorated with a raclette grill, a picture of the famous Matterhorn, a Swiss army knife, a Swiss radio watch, a tube of Toblerone chocolate, a cow figurine and some Swiss cheese.

Our first course was the delicious raclette; melted cheese.  I bought a raclette grill, and I am in love.  Who wouldn’t be, with things covered in melted, delicious cheese?  It is a popular way to throw a dinner party these days and there are all sorts of fun raclette grills you can buy to cook for a crowd.  If you haven’t ever tried this, I would highly recommend it.

Our main course was a typical Swiss dish; the Zurich style, veal in cream sauce.  It was divine!  Tender pieces of veal were smothered in a hearty, cream sauce.  It was served with what is considered to be the national dish of Switzerland, rosti!  This is a crispy and delicious potato fritter which added a lovely texture to the meal.  Rosti could be enjoyed with any meal of the day.

For dessert, the walnut pie called, Engadiner Nusstorte, was the epitome of a pie.  Although the crust was a bit tricky to work with, it is a simple recipe that is well worth the effort.  

We enjoyed our meal with a bottle of Swiss wine; one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets.  They have been growing grapes in the region since Roman times.  The Swiss love their wine and actually don’t export too much of it.  One of their most famous wine growing areas is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to the 12^th century, when monks planted the Dezaley vineyard in terraces on the slopes next to Lake Geneva.  When you enjoy your Swiss wine, you can say “Cheers” with “Sante’, Proscht” or “Salute,” depending on the language of the area.  Just make sure you look the person in the eye when you clink your glasses.

After dinner, we sat down to enjoy the movie Heidi, based on the famous children’s book’s written by Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, back in 1881. Heidi is a lovely story, sure to warm the heart.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

How did Slovenia get its name?

The word Slovenin is a derivation from “slovo” meaning “word,” denoting people who speak the same language.  Slovenia is officially known as the Republic of Slovenia but is called Slovenija by its people.  The name comes from the Slovenes; the group of South Slavs who originally settled the area.  It is also known as the “Land of Hayracks.”

Where is Slovenia located?

Slovenia is a small country, situated in southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula.  It is bordered by Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, and Italy and the Adriatic Sea to the west.  It is a mountainous and forested country and sits in the foothills of the eastern Alps; making it a skier’s destination.  It has a small coastline along the Adriatic Sea, between Italy and Croatia, which enjoys a warm, Mediterranean climate.  It is also home to the Kras Plateau, which is a unique area of unusual geological formations; underground rivers, caves and gorges.  Its capital city and largest city, Ljubljana (pronounced lub-lee-yana,) is located in this area.  Ljubljana means “the loved one” and was voted the “Green capital of the world” in 2016. 

A Brief History of Slovenia

The Slovenes created their first state back in the 600s, which lasted until the eighth century when it was absorbed into the Frankish empire.  In the tenth century, Slovenia fell under the control of the Holy Roman Empire.  It then became part of the Austrian Hapsburg Empire, from 1335 to 1918. 

At the end of World War I, Slovenia joined with other Slavic nations to form “the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.”  It was renamed in 1929, “the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.”  Slovenia and its neighboring states fell under Nazi Germany’s control in World War II.  Under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito, they fiercely resisted the German, Italian and Hungarian occupation, which led to a socialist Yugoslavia at the end of the war.  During the post-war communist period, Slovenia was the most prosperous region of Yugoslavia.

After Tito’s death in 1980, serious disagreements between the states began to grow.  On June 25, 1991 the Republic of Slovenia declared Independence after a relatively bloodless ten day war.  Since Independence, Slovenia has worked hard for economic stabilization and government reorganization.  Today, Slovenia is a member of the EU and the UN and NATO and is a thriving nation with a renewed focus on tourism.

Slovenian Culture

Slovenia is home to about two million people; half live in urban areas and the other half living rural.  About 50% of the population is Roman Catholic.  The large majority of the population is Slovene, with a few, Croatians, Hungarians, Albanians, Serbs and Italians in the mix.  The official language is Slovene, or Slovenian, and belongs to the Slavic languages.  Despite its small size, there are over 32 different dialects spoken in the country.  Many Slovenians are multi-lingual, and they have a 99.7% literacy rate.

Slovenia has a very strong cultural heritage and is proud of hosting over 100 festivals each year, to include music, dance, film and food traditions.  Many Slovenians are beekeepers, some 90,000 of them.  That is, nearly one in nine souls take care of the calm, Carniolan, honey bees, that are native there.  Many Slovenians also grow grapes for wine. There are over 28,000 vineyards in Slovenia, making it a wine haven.  This includes the oldest grapevine in the world, that grows in the Maribor area and is estimated to be 400 years old.

Speaking of old, Slovenia is home to some of the oldest artifacts in the world.  The oldest flute, made from a bear femur, is estimated to be 60,000 years old, a needle was discovered believed to be 30,000 years old, along with a 5200-year-old wooden wheel. 

Slovenia has much to offer especially for those who love nature and the outdoors.  Its highest peak is Mount Triglav and is featured on their flag.  The picturesque lake, in the Julian Alps, called Lake Bled, is a very popular tourist destination, with an island in the middle of the lake and an old church, very popular for weddings.  The church dates back to the 17^th century but houses Gothic frescoes go back to 1470.  Slovenia is home to many castles and also is home to important Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.

Whether it is skiing in the Alps, exploring massive caves, kayaking along one of their beautiful rivers, or visiting the Venetian Gothic Mediterranean town of Piran along the Adriatic coast, it won’t take long for Slovenia to be the next major tourist destination in Europe.

Slovenian Cuisine

Slovenia, with its small size and many neighbors, has had many influences on its cuisine.  It is said to have 24 distinct culinary regions.  Generally speaking, Slovenian food is whole and hearty.  They do have many specialties, such as their famous karst prosciutto, cured with the cold winds of the region.  Buckwheat is made into several dishes and its white flowers are a favorite of the bees, who produce buckwheat honey.  Whole arrays of mushrooms are found throughout Slovenia and are favorites for foraging. 

The European walnut tree is native, but many were destroyed for their beautiful wood.  There has been a resurgence of the walnut tree and Slovenia is now home to some 100,000 of them; wonderful news for potica (a Slovenian nut pastry) nut lovers and bakers.  Dandelions, harvested in spring, are a nutritious green often used in salads.  Potatoes are ubiquitous and cooked in all varieties of ways.  Seafood is plentiful along the coast, however trout from the Soca river is the most beloved.  Carniolan sausage, made with pork, and beef is beloved. Soups are also extremely popular, one called Jota, is considered a peasant dish which is made with turnips, beans and onions and found throughout the nation.  Cheeses and dairy are also very popular. 

So let’s enjoy a Slovenian meal:

The Menu

Starter

Karst Prust (Karst Prosciutto)

Main Course

Stefani Pecenka (Meatloaf w/Hard-boiled Eggs)

Served with

Prazen Krompir (Roasted Potatoes)

Dessert

Potica (Nut-filled Pastry)

We set the scene with a honey jar, (featuring a bear with a honey statue.)  Slovenia is an important home to bears in its forested areas.  Walnuts and grapes were placed, along with a picture of their national tree, called the Linden tree, whose canopy has been a gathering place in Slovenian villages for centuries.  A picture of the famous Lipizzan horse was also added.  This is a breed that originated there.  Finally, we added a carnation; their national flower.

We began with a toast of a Slovenian white wine and said, “Na Zdravje” or “Cheers!”  We savored the appetizer course of prosciutto, sheep’s cheese and a bit of sweet melon. It was a lovely plate to begin a meal.

Our main course was called Sefani Pecenka; a simple meatloaf-style dish, spiced with vegeta, paprika, thyme and parsley, with a surprise of hard-boiled eggs in the middle.  The Stephanie roast was served alongside decadent roast potatoes, called prazen krompir.  These potatoes were topped with pork cracklings that had been cooked with pork fat and onions.  The combination of these two dishes was superb; hearty and comforting.

For dessert, we enjoyed one called potica.  Pope Francis made this dessert world famous when he mentioned it after he met Melania Trump  at the Vatican in May of 2017.  Melania Trump is the second-ever first lady to be born outside the USA.  She was born in Slovenia.  He said to her, “What do you give him to eat? Potica?” The sound-byte went viral and put potica on the world map.  It is not hard to see why.  It is a delicious, nut pastry that is frankly, unforgettable.  Although the walnut filling is typical, it is also made with other fillings, like raisins, tarragon, cheese, poppy seeds and chocolate.  There is another saying in Slovenia, “A potica a day keeps the sadness away.” Just another testament to its popularity.

As we say good bye to this lovely, little country, called Slovenia, I leave you with a few Slovenian proverbs:

Pray for a good harvest, but keep on hoeing!

Who is forced to go to church, will not pray.

and

Politeness costs nothing, but yields much.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

How did Slovakia get its name?

The native name, Slovensko, is derived from the older name of the Slovak people.  Sloven was what they were called in 1791.  The name Slovaks stems from the Czech word, Slovaky.  The Germans called it Windischen landen and Windenland, back in the 15^th century.  Today the official name is the Slovak Republic, although it is generally referred to as Slovakia.  The Slovakians still call their country Slovensko, in their Slovak language.

Where is Slovakia located?

Slovakia is a landlocked country located literally, in the center of Europe.  It has many neighbors, the Czech Republic on the northwest, Poland to the north, Ukraine and Hungary to the east and Austria to the southwest.  The capital city is Bratislava, which lies in the extreme southwestern corner, close to the border with Austria. 

This small country boasts an astounding variety of scenery, from mountains, canyons, and caves (about 6000 of them), to lakes, forests and lowland meadows.  Slovakia’s natural beauty makes it an ideal year-round destination, for outdoor enthusiasts.  The country enjoys four seasons and belongs to the northern, moderate climatic zone.

A brief history of Slovakia

Slavs settled in what is now Slovakia, back in the sixth century AD.  They were taken over by the Avars, until they drove them out at the end of the eighth century.  In the ninth century, they became part of what was known as Great Moravia.  During this time, St. Cyril and St Methodius converted Slovakia to Christianity.  However in the 10^th century, a people called the Magyars destroyed the Moravian empire.  They settled down and formed the state of Hungary but they still ruled Slovakia.  Hungary would rule Slovakia for the next 1000 years!

Sometime after 1526, Hungary was dismembered and Slovakia became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  In the late 19^th century, the Hungarians tried to “Hungarianize” Slovakia.  To escape oppression may Slovaks emigrated to the USA.  In 1918 Austria collapsed and the new Czech, Slovak, state was born.  It was called Czechoslovakia.  Many Germans lived in the border region of Czechoslovakia, called Sudetenland.  On March 15, 1939, the German army occupied the rest of what is now known as the Czech Republic.  Slovakia became nominally independent.  The new Slovak government was led by Jozef Tiso who introduced a repressive regime.  During World War II about 73,000 Slovak Jews along, with Romas, were deported to be murdered.  In 1946 the communists emerged as the largest party in the region.  

In 1993 Slovakia and the Czech Republic separated and became independent.  Slovakia performed poorly at first, suffering from high unemployment in the beginning of the 21^st century, but she has recently made good strides.  They became part of the EU in 2004, and joined NATO in 2009.  Zuzana Caputova was elected the first woman president of Slovakia in 2019, and serves a population of 5.4 million Slovakians. Today Slovakia is run as a parliamentary democracy.

Slovakian Culture

Slovakia has a rich, folklore tradition with nearly every region, city and municipality, having their own unique character.  Costumes, music, songs, architecture, customs and dances are preserved in festivals that are held all over the country.  They even have the first architectural village in the world, featuring all original gingerbread houses.  The first mention of this village dates back to 1272.  Many Slovak folklore traditions relate to birth and dying, and several in the fear of the unknown and an inability to explain natural events.  With the arrival of Christianity, new customs and traditions took hold, with Christmas and Easter being two of the most important holidays.  Christianity is the predominant religion in Slovakia with 66 percent being Catholic and about 10 percent being part of the Protestant religion.  There are a total of 18 religions and churches registered there. 

Namedays are another important part of Slovak heritage, with each day of the year representing one or two names.  When your name comes up on the calendar it is a party just like a birthday would be.

The official language is Slovak and it is a Slavic language like Russian, Polish and many other East European languages.  It is very similar to Czech and they can readily understand each other.  Slovak is said to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.

Slovakia is home to the largest number of castles and chateaus per capita in the world.  They are also famous for their many natural, thermal spas.  The healing water is said to be very therapeutic.  Kings, politicians and famous people, swear by it.  The water is said to treat the sick, regenerate the tired and bring out a person’s natural beauty.

Slovakian Cuisine

Slovakia takes its cuisine’s cues from its neighbors.  It features a hearty cuisine, similar to many Eastern European nations.  Their most famous dish is called halusky, which is a potato type, dumpling that is smothered in cheese, but not just any cheese.  It is a sheep’s cheese called bryndza.  This decadent dish is topped off with bits of bacon and is the ultimate example of a true, comfort food.   

Nearly every meal in Slovakia will begin with a soup as a starter.  They enjoy soups made from beans, tripe, chicken and noodles.  Their most famous, sauerkraut soup is often served in a bread bowl, called kapustinica.  Goulash is another staple made from various vegetables, potatoes and meat. 

Pork, beef and poultry are the main meats in Slovakia, with pork being the most popular.  Every part of the pig is used and made into dried meats as well as delicious sausages, some made with pork blood and rice.  Chicken Paprikash is another very popular dish.  Most meat dishes are either breaded or fried in oil, like a schnitzel.  

The traditional food of Slovakia can be traced back to times when the population lived self-sufficiently in villages with very limited imports.  This gave rise to a cuisine dependent on staple foods like wheat, potatoes, milk and milk products, pork, sauerkraut, onions and wild mushrooms.  Spices are not widely used in their cuisine.  

The main meal of the day is typically lunch and consists of a soup, main dish and dessert.  Beer is their most popular drink. 

So let’s enjoy a Slovakian meal:

The Menu

Starter

Kapustinca (Sauerkraut Soup)

Main Course

Bryndzove Halusky (Sheep Cheese Dumplings)

Dessert

Jablcka V Zupane (Apples in a Bathrobe)

We set the scene with colors of the Slovakian flag; red white and blue.  We placed a few potatoes in the décor, as it is a true staple ingredient, along with a cross to represent Christianity and a hockey stick to represent one of their most beloved sports.  A candle with a picture of their famous Orava castle on it, dating back to 1267, completed the setting.

We began the meal by saying, “Do brou chut” which is the cue to begin eating.  We then toasted with a beer and said “Naz dravie” which means “To your health.”  We ate continental style, which is customary there.  We also left our napkins next to the plate as we ate, as opposed to putting them on our lap.

Our first course was the famous sauerkraut soup, Kapustinca, served in a bread bowl.  This is a hearty soup dish that could easily be a meal unto itself.  It was superb with pieces of sausage in the mix.  We savored every bite and loved the pieces of bread that naturally ended up in the soup from the bread bowl.  Kapustinca is a perfect dish on a cold, winter day.

For the main course we served the hearty, Bryndzove Halusky.  This dish is made of little potato dumplings that reminded us a little of gnocchi.  It is drenched in a sheep’s cheese for which Slovakia is famous.  It was topped with bacon drippings and bits, which made this a truly decadent bite. 

For dessert, we had apple slices that were first covered in a batter of egg and flour, fried in oil and then dipped in cinnamon and sugar.  I guess it is the batter covering the apples that gives it the name, “Apples in a Bathrobe.”  They were a true delight.  We enjoyed the apples slices with a cup of robust coffee, which is another beloved drink in Slovakia.  This was another perfect ending to our International Cuisine meal.

As we say goodbye to this intriguing little country in the middle of Europe, I leave you with a few Slovakian proverbs:

Consider each day as your best day.

Not he who begins, but he who finishes is the master.

Don’t praise what is yours; don’t belittle what is another’s.

and

The truth rises to the surface like oil on water.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

How did Serbia get its name?

Serbia is the name for “The Land of the Serbs,” although, the actual origin of the name is unclear.  Serbia has historically had several different names: “The People’s Republic of Serbia,” “The Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes,” “The Socialist Republic of Serbia,” and from 1992 to 2006 Serbia was part of “The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.”  Today her official name is, “The Republic of Serbia.”

Where is Serbia located?

Serbia is a Balkan nation located at the crossroads of central and southeastern Europe.  Serbia sits on the southern Pannonian Plain, known for its thriving agriculture, which accounts for nearly 60 percent of the land.  It is also home to mountains and forests. 

It was once the core of the much larger territory of Yugoslavia.  However, today it is landlocked, surrounded by eight neighbors, with which they still hold a few land disputes.  Serbia’s neighbors are: Hungary to the north, Romania to the northeast,  Bulgaria to the southeast, Macedonia is south, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina  lie to the west and Montenegro to the southwest.  Serbia also claims a border with Albania, through the disputed territory of Kosovo. 

The Danube River, the second largest in Europe, passes through Serbia and is an important fresh water resource for the country.  Serbia  is also the home of Europe’s largest gorge; the Derdap Gorge, through which the mighty Danube flows.  The capital city is Belgrade and it is one of the oldest and largest cities of southeastern Europe.  It is a lively capital city and known for its party atmosphere. 

A Brief History of Serbia

Serbia has been inhabited since the Paleolithic Age.  By the sixth century, several regional states were established by Slavic migrations.  It was part of numerous kingdoms such as: the Byzantine, Frankish and Hungarian Kingdoms.  In 1217 the Serbian Kingdom was recognized by Constantinople, until its fall in 1346.

During the 16^th century the entirety of Serbia had been annexed by the Ottomans, with a few interruptions by the Hapsburg Empire.  In the early 19^th century, Serbia became a nation-state, following the Serbian Revolution and was the region’s first constitutional monarchy. 

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo, by a Serbian member of the Young Bosnia Organization, led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia.  This is considered to be the start of World War I.  Serbia suffered mass casualties during the war with estimates as high as ¼ of the population at large and 57% of the male population. 

In 1929 King Alexander, the son of King Peter, established a dictatorship and changed the name of the country to Yugoslavia.  In 1941, Yugoslavia, which tried to remain neutral in World War II, was invaded by the Axis powers.  During this time, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Serbs fled the Axis puppet state, known as “The Independent State of Croatia” and sought refuge in the German occupied Serbia. 

Historians estimate that there were over one million war related deaths in Yugoslavia.  The Ustase regime (The Croatian Revolutionary Movement) was accused of systematically murdering somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 Serbs. This mass killing of Serbs, Jews and Romas, was considered genocide.

After the war, Yugoslavia became a one party state known as, “The Communist Party of Yugoslavia.”  Tito ruled there for nearly four and a half decades.  Eventually, due to ethnic tensions and wars, Yugoslavia broke up.  After many changes in leadership and rule, Serbia finally gained independence, (even as the last holdout of what was known as Yugoslavia,) on June 5, 2006.

Today Serbia is a parliamentary republic, and they are trying to become part of the European Union.   In 2008 Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, although the government of Serbia does not recognize the declaration.

Serbian Culture

Serbia is home to just over seven million people, which includes the autonomous region of Vojvodina, but not the population of Kosovo.  The ethnic makeup of the country, over 80%, is nearly all Serbs.  The remainder are Hungarians, Romanis and Bosniaks.  The official language is Serbian, however other languages, such as Hungarian and Romani, are spoken.  There is now freedom of religion in the country, but most, (85%) are members of the Serbian Orthodox Church.  The next largest religious group is Roman Catholic and a minority of Serbs are Muslims and Jews.

Serbia, being at the crossroads of eastern and western halves of empires for centuries, has been greatly influenced by those cultures.  Serbia is believed to have provided nearly a fifth of the Roman Emperors, the most famous being Constantine the Great.  He is credited with the introduction of Eastern Christianity or Orthodoxy, in the early middle ages.  Serbia has five UNESCO world heritage sites, all of which are monasteries.   The most famous might be the Milesseva monastery, where the fresco known as the White Angel (1235) was chosen as the first satellite broadcast signal from Europe to America. It  was a symbol of peace.

Icons and fresco paintings are considered the best of Serbian art.  (Serbian art during the Ottoman occupation was non-existent.)  The country is still dotted with many well preserved castles, medieval fortifications and monasteries.  There are several important museums in Serbia, including the prominent National Museum of Serbia, founded in 1844, which houses very important Balkan works of art.

Pirot carpet is known as one of the most important traditional handicrafts in all of Serbia.  It is made in the town of Pirot, in southeastern Serbia.  It is considered to be a national symbol of Serbian culture and uses the skill of making rugs on a vertical loom.  Music, dance, theater and literature also play important roles in Serbia’s history and culture.

Serbia’s Cuisine

Serbian cuisine is influenced by the surrounding Balkan nations, especially those that were part of the former Yugoslavia.  These include a mixture of Byzantine-Greek, Mediterranean, Turkish and Oriental as well as Medieval Slavic influences.  

Food preparation is a big part of Serbia’s family traditions.  Many items, such as rakija (their famous fruit brandy), jams, jellies, avjar, pickled foods and sausages, are all made at home.  They have several national dishes such as: gibanica, (an egg and cheese pie made with filo dough,) pljeskavica, (a ground beef and pork patty), karadordena snicla, (a schnitzel,) as well as cevapi, (grilled ground meat.) 

Generally speaking, the cuisine is made up of rich meats, vegetables, breads, cheese, fresh pastries and desserts.  The flavors are generally mild, fresh and natural.  As Serbians love to eat fresh produce, the seasonality dictates what is on the menu.  The cuisine is typically only lightly seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika.  The national drink is the famous plum brandy, called sljivovica or their homemade rakija.    There is also a strong coffee culture.

So let’s enjoy a Serbian meal:

The Menu

Apertif & Appetizer

Meze (Assorted prosciutto with cheese and hard-boiled egg)

Served with: Šljivovica (Plum Brandy- the national drink)

Salad

Šopska Salata (Serbian salad with cheese)

Main Course

Ćevapi u lepinja sa kajmakom (Ground meat kebabs in flat bread with Kaymak)

(Also called Ćevapčići, this is one of the national dishes of Serbia)

Dessert

Suva Pita sa Orasmima (Walnut Pie)

We began to set the scene with raspberries and plums, as Serbia is the second largest exporter of each.  Also a jar of paprika was added and a statue of a vampire, representing the two Serbian words that made it into the English language.  We set the table with gold silverware, as an old Serbian legend says that in the 14^th century, meals in the Serbian palace were eaten with golden forks and spoons.  A cross was placed in the scene, to represent their Eastern Orthodox religion.  Finally, a tennis ball was added to represent the number one tennis player in the world; Novak Djokovic.  (Interestingly most Serbians last names end in “ic.”)

We began our meal with a toast, “Ziveli” which means, “Cheers” in Serbian.  It was accompanied by music, laughter and the clinking of glasses filled with plum brandy.  We enjoyed the aperitif along with meze, which means “little bites” and is similar to an Italian antipasto.  Our meze consisted of prosciutto, cornichons, pickled onions, olives, hard-boiled eggs and feta cheese.  We love meze, it was the perfect appetizer.

Next, we enjoyed a typical Serbian salad that is also popular all over the region called, Šopska Salata.  This is a basic salad made with cucumber, tomato, bell pepper and onions and topped with Serbian white cheese.  It is dressed with a simple, sunflower oil and white vinegar dressing and garnished with chives.  Excellent.

For the main course we savored one of Serbia’s national dishes, Ćevapi u lepinja sa kajmakom (Kebabs in flat bread with kaymak).  Everything was made from scratch, from the bread, called lepinja, to the grilled meat kebabs that were ground using lamb, beef and pork.  I even made up my own version of kaymak, which is a creamy dairy product that you smother on top of the lepinja.   We loved it all!

For dessert, we had this walnut pie called Suva Pita sa Orasmima, which is similar to baklava.  It is a sweet bite of heaven made with ground walnuts, which Serbians consider an aphrodisiac.  We enjoyed the dessert with a strong cup of coffee to end our fantastic Serbian meal.

As we say goodbye to this intriguing country of Serbia, known for their hospitality,  I leave you with a  few Serbian proverbs: 

The wound heals, the scar remains.

He who drinks on credit, gets drunk twice.

Peace pays what war wins.

and

A good deed is the best form of prayer.

Until next time,

“Zbogom” which means, “Goodbye,” in Serbian.

Warmest Regards,

Darlene Longacre

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How did Romania Get Its Name?

The name Romania comes from the Latin word, “Romanus” meaning, “Citizen of the Roman Empire.”  The people who inhabited the area of modern Romania were called Getae (Geti) by the Greeks and Dacians (Daci) by the Romans.  The name Romania was first used when the three regions (Walachia, Moldavia and Transylvania) of the country were united in 1859.  Transylvania, which is part of Romania, means “the land beyond the forest” and the capital city, Bucharest, is often called, “Little Paris” due to its elegant arch that was built in the time between the two World Wars.  Legend says the name Bucharest stems from the shepherd who founded the town on the Dambovita River.  His name was “Bucor” which means, “Happiness” in Romanian.

Where is Romania Located?

Romania is located in the southeastern part of central Europe.  It is the 12^th largest country in all of Europe.  Her neighbors are:  Hungary to the northwest, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, the Black Sea to the southeast, Ukraine to the east and the north, and Moldova to the east.  She also shares a maritime border with Turkey.

Romania is made beautiful by its rolling hills, verdant plains and foreboding mountain peaks.  The Carpathian Mountains, although not quite as high as the Alps, extend over 600 miles in the shape of an arch.  They are divided into three major ranges known as the eastern or Oriental range, the southern range, known as the Transylvanian Alps and the Western Carpathians.

The Danube River which begins its journey in the Black Forest of Germany, ends its journey of 1864 miles through Europe, in southeastern Romania.  It is the second longest river in Europe.  The Danube is an important waterway for domestic shipping, international trade and tourist cruises.  Here, the river divides into three frayed branches and forms the Danube Delta.  It creates new Romanian beaches that extend almost 65 feet into the sea each year.  The swampy delta, made of marshes, floating reed islands and sand banks, is a UNESCO Biosphere reservation and is a protected area for rare species of plants and animals.  Romania is home to 3700 species of plants and almost 34,000 species of animals, including the 6000 brown bears that live in the forest; the largest population in Europe.

The Black Sea’s wide and sandy beaches are a major tourist attraction from May to September, with a pleasant water temperature of 77 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

A Brief History of Romania

Romania’s history is complicated and dates back to ancient history, with evidence from the carved, stone tools unearthed there, that the land was inhabited since the Paleolithic Age.  Cave paintings dating back to 10,000 B.C. were recently discovered in northwest Transylvania.  Over the centuries, various migrating groups invaded Romania.  There are five distinct periods in Romania’s history:  the Roman Period, from 3600 BC to 500 AD, the Byzantine Period, from 500 AD to 1500, the Ottoman Period, from 1500 to 1750, the Mid-modern Period, from 1750 to 1914, and the Contemporary Period, from 1914 to present day.

Romania’s post WWII history as a communist-bloc nation is more widely known.  This is likely due to the excesses of the former dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife.  For 25 years, they ruled a struggling Romania, all the while building a palace/residence of grotesque opulence.  The palace, which now houses the Parliament (but is still 70% empty,) is about four million square feet in size and has 1,100 rooms, including a bathroom plated in gold.  There was an uprising of the Romanian people in 1989 which resulted in the ousting of Nicolae and his cabinet and ultimately the execution of Nicolae and his wife on Christmas Day.  As of 1991, Romania is a republic with a multi-party system, market economy and individual rights of free speech, religion and private ownership.  In 2007 Romania became part of the European Union.

Romanian Culture

Romania is home to nearly 20 million people.  Almost 90 percent are Romanian, 7.5 percent are Hungarian and the balance are Germans, Ukrainians, Armenians, Croatians, Serbians and Turks, including a group of gypsies, known as Romas.  The main religion, for nearly 80 percent of the population, is Eastern Orthodox.  Catholics and Protestants make up most of the balance, with a few Jewish and atheists as well.  Many of the holidays celebrated in Romania are based on the Orthodox religion.  Nearly every day of the year is dedicated to the memory of a saint or martyr.  If someone is named after the saint, that day is celebrated as his or her “name day.”

The official language there is Romanian, which is a Latin based language.  Hungarian and German are also spoken and many elders understand Russian.  Most Romanians speak at least one other foreign language and many speak two or three, with English, French and German being the most prevalent.  The literacy rate in Romania is 98 percent.

The economy used to be mainly based on agriculture and still today, nearly 25 percent of the land filled with pastures, orchards, vineyards, forestries and fisheries.  Today they also produce coal, natural gas, iron ore, and petroleum.  Tourism is a growing industry as well.

The distinctive culture of Romania is a result of its historical evolution.  One way in which the people of Romania showcase their tradition is by wearing brightly, colored costumes and ornaments and performing their traditional dances at their many street festivals.  There you will also find beautiful, woven carpets, wood hand carvings and pottery.  They are also known for their intricately, decorated Easter eggs, painted glass, and painted wood icons.

Why Visit Romania?

There are numerous UNESCO sites in Romania, which include rugged stone and wood churches.  One of these churches is the tallest, wooden church in the world, standing at 257 feet tall and topped with a 23 foot cross, weighing 1000 pounds.  You will also find dazzling monasteries with hand painted frescoes.  Transylvania has no shortage of awe inspiring castles.  However, there is none quite like their most famous attraction, the spooky, Bran Castle, with its connection to Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula.

In the capital city of Bucharest you’ll find a burgeoning, metropolitan city with a vibe that is simply explained as “energetic.”  The palace built by Nicolae, the communist dictator, is now a huge tourist attraction there.

Thanks to the bucolic landscape, there is just about every outdoor activity you can imagine along its numerous rivers, lakes and Black Sea shore.

Another interesting attraction lies in Sapanta Village and is called, the Merry Cemetery.  It is famous for the elaborate, bright blue, hand painted wooden crosses that adorn the tombstones.  They are hand made and depict the person’s life in pictures and verse, with no secrets left untold.  Visitors marvel at the gentle and sometimes dark humor of the epitaphs.  It is said to be the happiest cemetery in the world.

As true in many places, it is the people who provide the best reason to visit Romania.  They are known to be incredibly hospitable and friendly.  They love to show their hospitality by offering food;  a place after my own heart.

Romanian Cuisine

Romanian cuisine  is influenced by its own food resources as well as its neighboring and occasional occupying cultures. Turkish, Greek, Hungarian, Austrian, Russian, Germanic and Slavic influences are all reflected in Romanian cuisine.  Their food is hearty and comforting, with homemade flavors built around staples like pork, chicken, beef and lamb but also combining many local fruits and vegetables into their dishes.

Soups, called ciorba, of all styles, are ubiquitous, as is the famous side dish called, Mămăliga; a polenta made from corn meal.  It is served with stews and gravies and sometimes made into bread with a dab of sour cream on top.  The soups can be a meal by themselves, as they are very filling and typically made with meat or fish.  The meat soups are often served with a hot red or green pepper that can be nibbled along with a spoonful of broth, as opposed to adding into the soup itself.  The fish soups, especially those made near the Danube Delta, use freshwater fish and are served with a side of garlic sauce.

Cabbage rolls stuffed with spiced pork, called sarmalutes, are considered to be the de-facto national dish.  Other dishes such as pork stews are made with tomatoes and wine and add to the richness of the cuisine.  Fresh salads made with tomatoes and cucumbers are always found on Romanian menus.

We cannot complete the Romanian cuisine without the mention of sweets.  They are famous for strudels, cakes and crepes filled with chocolate or fruit.  However, the national treasure is a classic fried dough, with sweetened curd cheese, jam and cream, called Papanaşi.  I am convinced it is worth a trip to Romania, just for this dessert alone.  (If you can’t wait to go to Romania, than be sure to check out the recipe below.)

Alongside a Romanian meal, wine is served.  Romania is the one of Europe’s top producers of both red and white varieties.  Beer is also widely loved there.  However, if you are looking for something a bit stronger, look no further than their plum brandy called, tuica.  In Romania you will find tuica sold in plastic bottles at roadside fruit stands, right next to the apples and watermelons.  Many Romanians take pride in making their own, homemade version of tuica.

So let’s enjoy a Romanian meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Ovă Umplute (Deviled Eggs)

Main Course

Ciorbă de Perişoare (Sour Meatball Soup)

Served with

Mămăliga (Polenta)

Dessert

Papanaşi (A Fried, Cheese Doughnut, served with Sour Cherry Preserves)

We set the table with the colors of the Romanian flag; red, yellow and blue, which signify the three areas that now make up the Republic of Romania.  Small pink flowers called “dog roses” were placed, as it is the national flower.  We used a back drop of the painting by Leroy Neiman, called “The Olympic Mural” which featured Romania’s Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast in history to score a perfect 10 in the Montreal Olympics in 1976.  We also placed fangs to represent “Count Dracula” and a wooden wine glass to represent their viticulture.  Finally, we added a cross to designate the widespread Orthodox religion there.

We began with a toast of plum brandy and said “Noroc” which means “Cheers” in Romanian.  Our first course was a deviled egg called, Ovă Umplute.  Although Romania does not take credit for creating the original deviled egg, they love them.  These treasures are made a little differently than we are used to, by adding a hint of horseradish which gives it a lovely kick.  They also add bits of ham in them, as well.

For the main course, we served a traditional Romanian soup called, Ciorbă de Perişoare.  It is a sour, meatball soup that calls for an interesting herb called “lovage.”  I had never tried this herb before and ended up growing it in my garden because all I could find was a dried lovage, or the seeds.  Lovage tastes bitter when raw but when its cooked in broth, something magical happens.  It adds a unique flavor, like none I have known.  The closest thing I can recommend to substitute for lovage, would be a combination of parsley and celery leaves.  Here is a link to the dried lovage.  Although, I think fresh is best.  This soup is hearty and perfect for a cold winter day, especially when served with Mămăliga.  I made this in the bread form, as opposed to the typical polenta.  It is made with corn meal and went perfectly with our sour, meatball soup.  We also totally recommend the bite of hot pepper along with the soup, as is their traditional.

For our final treat, we dove into the dessert called Papanaşi, which is a fried cheese, donut, topped with sour cherry preserves and cream.  I am not kidding when I say this dessert alone is worth a trip to Romania.  It is easy to see why it is considered a national treasure.

After dinner we sat down to read what was once the longest, love poem ever written, penned by the famous Romanian Poet, Mihai Eminescu.  It is called, “The Evening Star” or “Luceafarul”.   You can read it here.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

How did Poland get its name?

The full official name is Rzeczpospolita Polska which translates to, “The Commonwealth of Poland.”  It is believed that Poland (Polska) gets its name from the Polans, a tribe that inhabited the basin of the Warta River back in the eighth and ninth centuries (in today’s western Poland.)  The name Polans is believed to come from the proto-Slavic word “pol’e” which meant field or plain.  The name of the tribe is usually referred to as “people of the fields.”  In the tenth century rulers of the most powerful dynasty, the Piasts, formed a kingdom which was called Polonia, the land of the Polans, Poland.

Where is Poland Located?

Poland is located in central Europe in both the northern and eastern hemispheres.  She has a border on the Baltic Sea to the north.  Poland has many neighbors which include the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad to the north, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and Czech Republic to the south and Germany to the west.  Poland is quite large, ninth largest in all of Europe.

Poland was aptly named as a people of the fields or plains because much of the land is exactly that.  It is a low-lying country with 91% of the land 300m above sea level.  Much of the Polish plain is used for agriculture.  Despite it being lowlands, the country has a versatile natural environment.  In the north, on the Baltic Sea, it has spectacular sandy beaches and busy harbors.  Glaciers have formed lakes and low hills.  In fact, small lakes dot the whole of northern Poland, especially in the region known as Masurian Lake District, where there are more than 2000 lakes.  This is also the area where the only primeval forests remain in Europe.  There are mountains along the southern border.  The Carpathian Mountains is where the highest peak is found, called Mount Rysy.  This area offers wonderful hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

A Brief History of Poland

The early history of Poland is akin to the game of thrones.  In fact it may even be more fascinating.  The history dates back to the tenth century where the first documented ruler was Mieskzo I from the Piast dynasty.   He is responsible for bringing Christianity to the region.  The first coronation took place in Krakow in 1025 and the Kingdom of Poland began.

There were many wars and uprisings throughout Poland’s history.  There was a time during the 16^th century considered to be the Golden Age.  The territory of Poland greatly expanded with the forming of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.  They ruled nearly one million miles of territory.  Poland attracted many refugees escaping from religious persecution, as they had a policy of religious tolerance.  It was during this time that the capital of Poland was relocated to Warsaw from Krakow to be more centrally located.  It was sometime in the mid-17^th century that the commonwealth went into decline.  The Swedes invaded Poland and left the country in ruins.  In the 18^th century, Poland gradually fell under foreign influence.  The rulers of Russia, Prussia and Austria invaded Poland and partitioned its territory.  Poland was literally wiped off the map from 1795 until 1918.

Despite this oppression, the nation continued to exist as a cultural community.  Poles engaged in armed resistance.  They fought with Napoleon organizing the November and January uprisings, both of which failed.  The outbreak of World War I gave Poland a chance to regain its freedom which she did when the second Polish Republic was established on November 11^th, 1918.  The freedom however did not last long.  On September 1, 1939 Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and World War II began.  Six million Polish citizens died during the war.  After the war ended, Poland fell under Soviet control until the fall of the Soviet Union.  The first elections of the Third Polish Republic were held in 1989.  At this time Poland began to transition from a communist state to a capitalist one.

Today the ethnic makeup of the nation is very different from what it was prior to World War II. Today it is almost mono-ethnic with Poles making up 97 percent of the population.  Prior to 1939, Poland was a multi-ethnic country with a third being minorities.  Due to the atrocities of the Soviet and German genocides, changing around the borders after the war, along with ethnic policies of the communist government, Poland’s minorities were almost completely wiped out.  The Jewish community, of over 3 million, was almost completely eradicated.  Today the Jewish population in Poland is estimated between 6000 and 10,000 souls.  The total population of Poland today is about 38 million with 15 to 20 million Poles living elsewhere.  The language they speak is Polish and considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn.

Poland now has a new constitution which was signed in 1997.  They are a member of NATO and the European Union. Perhaps Polksa has finally found her way to peace, stability and happiness.

Polish Culture

Since the creation of the country back in 966 and through the adoption of Christianity, it is no surprise that belief in God has been a mainstay throughout time.  Today the majority of Poles, 90 percent, are Roman Catholic. The balance make up other Christian religions, such as Eastern Orthodox and Protestants.  There are still some small Muslim and Jewish populations as well.  Today, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution.

Since the country is mostly Roman Catholic, its most important holidays include: Easter, All Saints and Souls Day and Christmas.   On All Saints and Souls Day, observed on November 1^st and 2^nd respectively, Poles reunite with family members to honor the deceased and place candles and flowers on their grave sites.  Easter is a special time of year for religious observances, as well as the return of spring.  City centers come alive with festivals and markets upheld by unique traditions of coloring eggs and burning a giant doll.  The doll is called  Marzanna and represents the incarnation of the old Slavic goddess of winter, plague and death. To protect themselves they partake in an old fashioned witch burning, followed by a drowning of the doll to ensure a timely arrival of spring and a good harvest.

Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season.  Poles often use this time to fast or at least give up a favorite food.  People clean their homes and decorate for Christmas.  Once again the city centers come alive with lights, Christmas markets and cheer. Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas Day in Poland.  It is known as Wigilia and a time for a feast after the first star in the evening sky is seen.  After dinner, gifts are exchanged and people head off to midnight mass.

Men and women’s folk costumes are brought out during the holidays and other celebrations such as Independence Day, National Day and weddings.   The costumes called stoje ludowe are brightly colored with each region having a unique style.  A careful observer can even tell from the type of head coverings where a woman is from and her marital status.  Folk dancing and music is a treasured part of the culture.

Why Visit Poland?

Poland has six different seasons, which include the four normal ones. They also have one called “early spring” and another called “early winter.”   Poland has great biological diversity with something special to offer during each season.  There are 23 national parks and the most primeval forest areas are under legal protection.  The bio-variety of the flora and fauna is astonishing.  There are 75,000 species of plants, 39,000 micro-organisms and fungi (it is no wonder foraging for mushrooms is a favorite national pastime) and around 33,000 animal species.

The numerous lakes make for wonderful kayaking, sailing and fishing.  Some of their most cherished animals are: the white tailed eagle, a symbol of Poland since the beginning, white storks, which are considered good luck if they nest on your home before they make their way to Africa in winter, bison, the largest mammal in all of Europe, which lives in the primeval forests of Bialowieza, and around 600 gray wolves that are under legal protection and live in the remote and forested areas of eastern Poland.

Poland is home to “The Black Madonna,” their holiest relic.  The Black Madonna is housed in the Jasna Gora Monastery.  She is famous for her darkened skin and two scars on her cheek.  Many miracles have been attributed to the Black Madonna which is why thousands flock to pray in the presence of this icon.  It is said that the Black Madonna came from the table used by the Holy Family or a copy of the original panel, painted by Luke, the Apostle. The dark tones of the skin are attributed to a legend that involved a fire in which the icon was the only thing left unscathed, except for the discoloration of her skin.

Poland is home to numerous UNESCO world heritage sites.  They range from spectacular medieval castles to protected ancient forests, as well as the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau Camp (Nazi concentration and extermination camp.)  The old towns of Krakow and Warsaw are big draws, as well as the world’s oldest salt mines.  There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Poland or you can just stop and sit on a park bench to hear Chopin playing in the capital city of Warsaw.

Polish Cuisine

Polish cuisine is as interesting as its past and highly influenced by her neighbors and others who invaded Poland.  It also is influenced by the Roman Catholic rituals of feasting and fasting.  During fasting time, meat is not eaten, so many meatless dishes and fish dishes, have become part of the Polish cuisine.  Cereal grains are probably among the most important dietary staples, which include barley, buckwheat, wheat and rye.  Their national drink, vodka, is made from distilled rye.  Other very important agricultural staples include: potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, beets, carrots and cucumbers.  Dill pickles are famous from Poland.  Sour cream is served with just about everything and the diet is heavy in dairy, butter and cheese, especially sheep’s cheese.

Meat is also important in the diet, with pork being the most consumed meat, along with chicken, beef and duck.  The polish cuisine also loves pickled and smoked fish, especially herring.  Of course one of their most famous foods is kielbasa, also known as Polish sausage, with each region having their own specialty.

The Poles eat their main meal of the day around 4:00 pm and it is called obiad.  It usually begins with any one of their amazing, hearty soups.  White and red borscht soups are ubiquitous, as are others made from mushrooms, duck blood and clear broths.  Meat is often served as the main course and it could be their famous stew called bigos, also known as Polish Hunger’s stew or golabki.  This has cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat or golonka, fresh ham and is served with horseradish.  We of course cannot forget the famous pierogi, which is the most well known Polish food outside of Poland.  It is a dumpling filled with an array of fillings.  The Poles also love sweets and dessert is often served at the end of the meal with coffee or tea.  Cake is the most beloved dessert in Poland and comes in every imaginable flavor and texture, from cheesecake to pound cake,  They love them all.

So let’s enjoy a Polish meal:

The Menu

Starter

Bialy Barszcz (White Borscht Soup)

Main Course

Pierogi (Dumplings Stuffed with Sauerkrat and Mushrooms)

Kaczka Pieczona z jabtkami (Roast Duck with Apples and Potatoes)

Dessert

Kremowka (Papal Cake)

We set the scene with the colors of the Polish flag; red and white.  Red corn poppies adorned the table, as that is the national flower.  A cross represented the country’s religion, as well as a candle with the national emblem of the white eagle.  A few staple agricultural ingredients completed the scene.   We played Frederic Chopin softly in the background, as he is one of the most famous Poles, a composer and virtuoso pianist from the Romantic Era.

Our first course was the white borscht soup known as bialy barzcz.  I fell in love!  Potatoes are what make it white but it has flavors that hit every note of the palate.  I especially loved the kielbasa with fresh horseradish, as well as fresh dill.  This is a lovely soup that I will make often, especially on a cold winter day.

Next was the main course, a whole, roasted duck presented on a large platter with apples and potatoes.  The potatoes were cooked in the duck fat during roasting and the apples were the stuffing….. need I say more.

Alongside the duck the famous pierogi was served.  The famous Polish dumpling was stuffed with mushrooms, onion and sauerkraut.  It was boiled, then fried in butter and served with sour cream.  Simply scrumptious!

For dessert I made the cream cake called kremovka.  It is now known as the papal cake because of Poland’s most famous citizen, Pope John Paul II, now Saint Pope John Paul II, said he loved it!  Born as Karol Wojtkta, he and his school friends would stop at Hagenhuber’s Bakery where he would enjoy his favorite dessert.  This has a creamy custard filling in between puff pastry and is sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar.  A heavenly treat indeed!

After dinner we watched the movie “Schindlers List.”  The movie is an eye opening saga of a very difficult time in Poland during Nazi occupation, and how just a few people can make a world of difference.  If you have not seen the movie, I highly recommend it.

As we say good bye to this most unique and interesting country, I leave you with a few Polish proverbs:

Necessity is the mother of invention

When it’s your time, you have to go

and

What one thinks when sober, one says when drunk…

Until next time,

Do zobaczenia (“See you later” in Polish)

Montenegro means, “Black Mountain.”  The name is fitting, as much of the land is covered with dark, mountain forests that appear black from a distance.  This small, Balkan country located in southeastern Europe has many neighbors: Serbia to the northeast, Kosovo to the east, Albania to the southeast, Croatia to the west and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest.  Montenegro also has a magnificent border along the Adriatic coastline which boasts 117 beautiful beaches and several charmed island villages.

Montenegro has recently been listed as the hottest new tourist destination on many top travel sites.  The country features many outdoor activities and about 60 percent of it is more than 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level.  Winter snow sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, are very popular, along with climbing, in the warmer months.  The mountains include some of the most rugged terrain in all of Europe.  Of course all water sports are available along the beautiful Adriatic Sea, along with white water rafting in the clean and glorious rivers including through the breathtaking, Tara Canyon, the second deepest in the world, after the Grand Canyon.

Montenegro has a rich history, dating back to the Iron Age, when the Illyrians were the first known people to inhabit the region.  By 1000 BC, the Illyrian culture had spread across most of the Balkan region.  The Romans came next and established the Province of Dalmatia, which included what is now Montenegro.  The most important Roman town in the region was Doclea, where archeological finds indicate it was a central area for trade.  At the decline of the Roman Empire, Montenegro was on the dividing line between the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire and was therefore split.  After many battles and changes of rule and power, large portions of the region fell under the control of the Ottoman Empire.  It remained under the Ottomans from 1496 to 1878, although Montenegro had a unique autonomy with the Ottoman Empire.  A battle occurred on May 1, 1858, when a Montenegrin army of 7,500 defeated over 15,000 Ottomans.  This forced Montenegro’s independence in 1878, although only briefly.  This important victory is immortalized in song and literature.

During World War I, Montenegro was occupied by Austria-Hungary and then became part of Yugoslavia.  After the dissolution of Yugoslavia and much turmoil in the region, Serbia and Montenegro formed a union under the Belgrade Agreement.  This agreement allowed for a referendum on the independence of Montenegro in three years.  On May 21, 2006, a vote for independence was held resulting in a 55% threshold, which narrowly passed by a mere 2300 votes.  It is this date in May that is celebrated as the new Independence Day in Montenegro.

The official language there is Montenegrin, which is the same name they call the people.  Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and Albanian are also spoken. The population is diverse and a mix of all the neighboring countries, with the majority being Montenegrin and Serbian.  Tourism, steel and aluminum production and food processing, represent the countries major industries. Serbian Orthodox Christianity is the most popular religion today, however Muslim is second, followed by Albanian Catholics.  Religious institutions have guaranteed rights and are separate from the state.  Its crossroads of diversity over the centuries have allowed for a unique and peaceful existence between Muslim and Christian people.

Montenegro has numerous heritage sites, ranging from the pre-Romanesque, Gothic to the Baroque periods.  The coastal region is known for its many religious monuments.  It is home to medieval monasteries, with walls that are decorated with thousands of square meters of frescos.  Montenegro’s largest city and capital is Podgorica.  Along with the former royal capital, Centinje, these are two very important city centers for both culture and art.  Montenegro was the first country in the world to have a national printing house that was set up in Cetinje, back in 1493.  The equipment was brought in from Venetia.  The first south Slavic book was printed in 1494 (Oktoih.)  Several medieval manuscripts, dating from the 13^th century, are housed in Montenegrin monasteries.

As we look into the cuisine of Montenegro, it is largely influenced by region and by history, making for a delicious combination.  Generally speaking, the food has an emphasis on fresh, local vegetables, quality meat and seafood and of course, features the amazing olive oil for which the region is known.  Influences come from Turkish, Greek and Italian cuisines.  Italy, most notably influenced the dry-cured ham, similar to prosciutto, called prsut, from the small town of Njegusi.  This has a special flavor imparted because of the way the winds sweep over it while the meat while it is drying.  It is considered the national meat of Montenegro.  This small town is also known for its soft cheese that goes along perfectly with the prsut.  Cheese in oil is another popular treat that goes amazing well with figs, prosciutto and Montenegrin bread.

Seafood is popular all along the Adriatic coast, just as it is for its neighbor, Croatia.  Black risotto, made with squid ink, is a traditional dish, as is white or red buzara, which we made for our Croatia meal.  Grilled octopus is especially popular in salads.  Gavice, are small fishes that are floured and then fried and served headless, as a snack along the seaside.  They also have a unique way of drying fish, known as fresh air and sunshine drying.  After the fish are scaled, grilled and laid out in the hot sun, they are dipped daily in water from the sea.  When the drying process is complete, they are smoked and ready to eat.  The delicacy is stored in paper bags.  It is especially savored in winter when it is boiled and served with vegetables.

For the meat eaters, there are many choices; minced meats called cevapi, which are shaped like sausages and pljeskavica, which are shaped like burgers but are known to be humongous. The most popular meat dish however is called sac. The meat can be goat, veal or lamb and is slow roasted in ashes under an iron dome.  It is the cooking method that makes the meat especially tender.  The meat is often served alongside vegetables that are cooked with it, like potatoes and carrots.  Meat is often prepared with the use of kaimac; a cheese that is made from sheep’s milk and makes the meat very juicy and tender.

Another unique culinary technique is the way they sometimes cook chicken.  They salt a whole chicken and then place it into the body cavity of a lamb, which is roasted on a turnspit.  The chicken will also roast and be infused with the flavor of the lamb.  Some say it is the best chicken ever.

You may want to enjoy your meal with some spirits.  Wine is especially popular.  Their red is made from the vranac grape and krstac is a dry, popular, white wine.  Rakia is a grape vodka and loved throughout the region.  It has a very high alcohol content, so consume wisely.  Niksicko beer has been produced since 1896 and is their most popular.

So let’s enjoy a Montenegrin meal:

The Menu

Starter

Njeguski Prsut (Dry Cured Ham) & Njeguski sir (Cheese& Olives)

Salad

Sopska Salatu (Cucumber, Tomato, Pepper and Cheese Salad)

Main Course

Brav u Mlijeku (Lamb Cooked in Milk)

Dessert

Gibanica (Cheese and Fruit-filled Pastry)

We set the table with the colors of the Montenegrin flag; red and gold.  We decorated with sea shells, to represent the Adriatic Sea and also with the two headed eagle; their coat of arms.   We began with a toast of red wine and said, “Zivjeli” which is “Cheers” in Montenegrin.  Our first course was a chacuterie platter of dry, cured ham, soft brined sheep’s cheese and black olives.  This is one of my favorite ways to begin a meal and is popular in many countries.

Next was the sopska salad, pronounced “shopska.”  This is a very popular salad throughout the Balkans.  This version was made with heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh bell peppers, cucumber and topped with copious amounts of farmer’s cheese.  It was dressed with an excellent, extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar.  It could easily be a lovely lunch meal on its own with fresh, baked bread and a glass of wine.

For the main course, we savored the lamb cooked in milk.  The lamb, cooked with hearty root vegetables, was absolutely tender and perfectly seasoned with a touch of fennel seed.  (The milk really does work as a wonderful tenderizer.)  Garnished with parsley, this was a satisfying and delicious main course.  The red wine paired very nicely with the richness of the lamb.

For dessert, gibanica, a rich pastry, with cheese, apricot and raspberry fillings, was served.  This is a decadent dessert that was topped with confectioners’ sugar and a few fresh berries.  A hot cup of strong coffee was the perfect complement for this dessert.

The people of the Balkans are known to be incredibly hospitable.  If you are invited to their home, the gate or door will be wide open, in anticipation of your arrival.  It would be customary to take a gift, such as a bottle of wine or some chocolates.  There is also an unwritten code of chivalry that is the result of its long warrior history.  It stipulates that to deserve the true respect of the people, a person has to show virtues of integrity, dignity, humility, self-sacrifice for a just cause, respect for others and bravery.

As we say goodbye to this little gem called Montenegro, I leave you with what the English romantic poet, Lord Byron, once said about it.  “At the birth of the planet the most beautiful encounter between land and sea must have been on the Montenegrin coast.”  This is certainly why an exclusive island area called Sveti Sefan, has been chosen by Sophia Loren, Sylvester Stallone and Queen Elizabeth II, as their “go to” vacation spot.  Montenegro’s allure awaits.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

The Principality of Liechtenstein gets its name from the Liechtenstein Dynasty, which stems from the Castle Liechtenstein, in faraway, Lower Austria.  The family possessed the Castle Liechtenstein from at least 1140 to the 13^th century and then from 1807 onward.  Throughout history the dynasty purchased vast swathes of land in Monrovia, Lower Austria, Silesia and Styria.  Despite holding all this land, it was controlled by the more senior feudal lords of the Habsburg family, to whom several Liechtenstein princes were advisors.  Because of this, the dynasty members were unable to hold a seat in the much desired Imperial Government.  In 1699 the family was able to purchase Herrshcaft of Schellenberg and then in 1712, Countship of Vaduz.  After the purchases and on January 23, 1719, the Holy Roman Emperor decreed the principality as a sovereign state of the Holy Roman Empire, in honor of his servant Anton Florian of Liechtenstein.  Even after the decree, the Princes of Liechtenstein did not set foot in their new principality for several decades.

This tiny principality is the sixth smallest country in the world, yet the second richest after Qatar.  It is only 62 square miles in size.  The population is also small, with only about 37,000 Liechtensteiners.  It is a doubly landlocked, mountainous country that lies in Europe, nestled between Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east and north.  The western border runs along the Upper Rhine River Valley.  This Alpine country is a haven for winter sports enthusiasts but it is the financial sector that has brought their country great wealth.

Liechtenstein is considered to be a tax haven for the ultra-wealthy.  The Swiss franc is the national currency and they have the second lowest corporate tax rate in all of Europe, at 12.5 percent.  This low tax rate environment has made Liechtenstein the only nation on earth who has more registered companies than it has citizens.  These letter-box companies provide Liechtenstein with over 30 percent of its revenue.  It has been in the news lately as a center for international money-laundering and is working hard to dispel that image.

With few natural resources, they produce things like ceramics, electronics, precision instruments, power tools, textiles, pharmaceuticals and strangely, they are the largest producer of false teeth in the world.  They produce wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, dairy products, livestock and wine.  It is tourism however, that accounts for the largest portion of the country’s economy.  Liechtenstein has one of the highest standards of living in the world, along with one of the lowest crime rates.  They have a national police force that is responsible for keeping order within the country, with a total of 125 employees.

Liechtenstein adopted a policy of military neutrality and is one, of only a handful of countries in the world that does not have military forces.  They once had an army but it was abolished after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866.  They sent 80 men but they were not involved in any fighting.  When they returned, there were 81, as the army befriended an Italian who returned home with the force.  The last soldier to serve in the military of Liechtenstein died in 1939, at the age of 95.  In 2007 there was an incident that occurred when a 170 person infantry unit from Switzerland got lost and inadvertently crossed almost a full mile into Liechtenstein.  The Swiss army later informed them of the border breach and offered their apologies.

Liechtenstein has numerous festivals throughout the year.  Many are centered around music and film, which brings in artists from all over the world.  The most popular festival however, is held on National Day, each August 15^th, when the Prince invites the citizens to join him for beer and appetizers at the Vaduz Castle where he resides.  The whole country parties late into the night when the magnificent fireworks display, set to music, can be seen throughout the entire Rhine Valley.  Another festival that occurs each year is the ceremonial cattle drive.  Typically held around the end of summer, cattle are driven down off the pastures from high in the Alps.  The cattle are elaborately decorated and judged as their cow bells ring out loudly on their pass through the villages.

Another interesting tradition they have in Liechtenstein is called Funkensonntag, which literally translates to “Bonfire Sunday.”  It is celebrated on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday by lighting a large bonfire filled with fireworks.  Municipalities used to compete and steal each other’s Funkenhexe or “Bonfire witch”, to see who could build the highest bonfire.  Rival municipalities had to pay ransom (usually by payment of beer) to get their Bonfire witch returned.  Today each municipality has only one bonfire for the celebration.  The whole custom can be traced back generations as a way to drive away winter.

The country has a 100 percent literacy rate and they speak an Alemannic dialect of German, which is the official language.  (They are listed among the top ten countries in the world for education.)  Liechtensteiners are descended from the Alemanni tribe that came to the region after 500 A.D.  It is the smallest German speaking country on earth and the only one that does not actually share a border with Germany.  The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, along with other Christian religions.  The largest, minority religion, is Muslim.

As we look into this cuisine of this unique, tiny nation, it is mostly influenced by its neighbors: Switzerland, Austria and Central Europe.  They do have a few unique dishes that they call their own.  One of those is called Kasknofle, which is a noodle made of flour, water and eggs that is pushed through a perforated board.  The noodles are cooked and then baked with grated cheese and caramelized onions.  This doughy, pasta style cheese dish is served with applesauce.  A couple other famous Liechtensteiner dishes are Rebi, which is a dish similar to polenta and was an important part of the poorer peoples’ diet in years past, as well as Hafallaban, which is a soup with ham and dumplings.  Meat, vegetables and dairy are the most commonly used ingredients in the cuisine.  They typically eat three meals a day and their meals are often formal.

So let’s enjoy a Liechtensteiner meal:

The Menu

Starter

Spargel Appetithappen (Asparagus Appetizer)

 Main Course

Schnitzel (Breaded Pork Cutlet)

Served with

Kasknofle (Spaetzel with Cheese and Caramelized Onions)

and Apfelmus (Applesauce)

Dessert

Pfannkuchen (Pancake with Compote and  Fresh Berries)

We set our table in the color of the flag; red and blue.  We decorated with yellow lillies, their national flower and an artist’s palate and brushes, to represent the Prince’s art collection, which is the second largest in the world.  Art has been an integral part of the Royal family for centuries.  In fact, after World War II, when Liechtenstein was in dire financial straits, they sold the portrait, “Ginevra de’ Benci” by Leonardo da Vinci to the National Gallery of Art in the United States for a record breaking, five million dollars.  We also placed some grapes on the table in honor of  their many small vineyards that dot the countryside.  Even the Prince has a vineyard at Vaduz Castle.  The most popular grapes, grown on the south facing mountain slopes, are Pinot Noir and Muller-Thurgau.

We began the meal with guten appetit (enjoy your meal) and a delicious little appetizer made with their favorite seasonal vegetable, asparagus.   A little cream cheese, flavored with lemon, dill and capers, was spread on a piece of rye bread.  It was topped with a perfectly, al-dente piece of asparagus tip, wrapped in smoked salmon.  An elegant and delicious way to start our meal.

The next three dishes were served together, which we ate continental style, as is their custom. Schnitzel was the main course, which originated from Austria.  This time it was made with thin slices of pork cutlet, breaded and fried and then served with a wedge of lemon, that simply makes schnitzel delicious!

Along side the schnitzel, the famous Liechtenstiener dish of Kasknofle was served.  It is very similar to a mac and cheese and the topping, made with sweet, caramelized onions, made this dish one to remember.  Of course it was served with homemade applesauce, as that is tradtional.

We ended the meal with Pfannkuchen, a pancake similar to a crepe, layered with compote (a syrupy mixture of fruit) and topped with fresh blueberries and strawberries.   A superb dessert that would make a delicious breakfast dish as well.  A toast with a fruit schnaps ended the feast, as it is recommended as a digestive aid to follow a hearty meal.

Afterwards we kicked around a soccer ball in honor of their favorite national sport and now I must write a hand written thank you note to the Prince.  I want to let him know how much we enjoyed learning about his country and how we especially enjoyed the meal.  (It is customary to write a thank you note after enjoying a home cooked meal in Liechtenstein.)  Who knows maybe someday we can enjoy a beer at Vaduz Castle!  Have you ever enjoyed a drink with Royalty?

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

Italia is what the Italians call their country. There are a couple of theories of how Italy got its name. Originally it was spelled Vitalia, which likely stems from the Latin word “vitulus”, which means “calf-land” or “land of cattle.” This makes sense as southern Italy was rich in cattle. Another theory comes from Greek mythology, when Eurystheus ordered Hercules to bring him cattle from the monster Geryon. Just as Hercules was escaping with the cattle, a bull got loose and jumped into the sea. The bull swam to Sicily and then made its way to the neighboring country. The native word for bull was “Italos” and so the country was named Italy after the bull.

Italy is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is a peninsula shaped like a high-heeled boot kicking a ball, the ball being the island of Sicily. There are many islands that are part of Italy; the largest are Sicily and Sardinia. Italy borders Switzerland, France, Austria and Slovenia. It also has two independent states, Vatican City and San Marino. Italy has a coastline of 4700 miles. Nearly 4/5ths of Italy is mountainous and hilly, with a fertile plain along its longest river called the Po. Italy’s highest peak is Mont Blanc in the Alps. It is also home to three volcanoes that have all erupted in the past 100 years; Mt. Vesuvius, Etna and Stromboli.

The people of Italy are mostly Italians, with a small minority of Germans, French, Slovenes, Albanians and Greeks. The language they speak is Italian, a romance language. The majority of Italians are Roman Catholic and the church has played a large part in their lives and history. This is not surprising, as the Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome and is where the Pope resides. Italy’s topography was conducive to developing independent territories. These kingdoms did not become united until 1861, under Victor Emmanuel II, who was named the first king of Italy. Italians celebrate their independence on June 2nd, with Festa della Repubblica, which celebrates when they were transformed from a Kingdom to a Republic, after being liberated from Nazi Germany, in 1946.

Italy has a remarkable history, as they were the home of the Roman Empire which was a world power two thousand years ago. The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BCE to 476 CE in the west and continued until the fall of Constantinople (also known as the Byzantine Empire) in 1453 CE, in the east. Its tentacles reached nearly all of Europe, Egypt and along with the north coast of Africa, stretching 2.3 million miles. Nearly one in four of all people, during this time, were ruled by the Romans. The inventions and innovations that were generated during this time continue to be used in cultures around the world today. Some believe it was the most important time in history. It is hard to say what the Romans invented on their own or what they simply expanded upon, but there were many innovations. Advancements in roads and buildings, indoor plumbing, and aqueducts, apartment complexes, public toilets, locks and keys and even shoes, socks, and cosmetics are just a sampling of their contributions to society. The western calendar, including the names of the days of the week and months, was created by Julius Caesar. They also made improvements in the fields of medicine, warfare, law, and government; a legacy which continues to affect the way we live today.

Italy has more masterpieces per square mile than any place else in the world, which is why it is the country with more UNESCO world heritage sites than any other country. Italy attracts over 50 million tourists per year and tourism constitutes 63% of their national income.

Rome, also known as the “Eternal City,” is the capital of Italy and home to so many amazing treasures: the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, St. Peters Basilica and its famous dome, the Colosseum, seating 60,000 spectators who would watch chariot races and gladiators battle to the death back in the early first century and there is the famous Trevi Fountain, where tourists drop 3000 Euros worth of coins in the fountain every day, as they make a wish. (The coins are collected daily and given to charity to help the poor.) There is also a sophisticated system of aqueducts that provided water to the ancient city and mysterious catacombs, which are underground Roman burial grounds. Rome is the most popular tourist destination in Italy.

The city of Florence, considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, is located in central Italy. This beautiful city is filled with museums, monuments and artwork from many of the greats like Michelangelo (creator of the famous statue of David), Botticelli and Da Vinci. Many works are housed in the Uffizi Gallery, opened in 1560; one of the oldest museums in the world. A spectacular UNESCO site in Florence is the Duomo di Firenze, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flowers. Its construction was begun in the late 1200s and not completed until mid-1400s. A dome, larger than ever before constructed, was an engineering marvel and completed long after the other structures of the Duomo but before the structural calculations for its success even existed. The façade of this amazing complex is made of green and pink marble, outlined in white. It is absolutely stunning!

Florence is considered the capital of the Tuscany region of Italy. Tuscany is famous for its spectacular landscapes, with rolling hills and fields of flowers, which has been the inspiration for many of the great artists. The region of Tuscany reaches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea. It comprises ten provinces, including Pisa, home to the famous leaning tower that tilts 14 feet from perpendicular. Medieval villages, historical towns, castles, country churches and abbeys dot the landscape throughout the region. It is also home to Chianti, famous for their vineyards and olive groves.

Venice is another spectacular city located in the northeast, founded over 1500 years ago. It is a city that is famous for its art and architecture but mostly for its unique system of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. The canals work as the roadway for transportation. Gondoliers, dressed in boldly stripped shirts, will gladly take a tourist to their destination gliding in a lushly appointed gondola, decorated in crushed velvet and Persian rugs while playing romantic, Italian music. The whole city is a UNESCO site and there, one of the most eminent spots, is St. Mark’s Basilica. Venetians, known for their Carnival and Masquerade balls, (where pretty much anything goes), is also celebrated for their film festival that attracts the rich and famous from all over the world. Venice does face challenges, as it is sinking and prone to flooding. It is quite an experience to hear the sirens sound and watch workers frantically construct an above ground walkway all along the main canal. Fashionable rubber boots for women are common attire in Venice, as it floods about once a week. The bottom stories of most buildings have been abandoned due to its sinking shores, yet Venice remains one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Italy.

Milan is considered to be the main industrial, commercial and financial center of Italy. Also rich in history with museums, theatres and cathedrals (one of which houses Da Vinci’s, “The Last Supper.”) Milan is considered to be one of the best fashion and design capitals of the world; presenting two full weeks of fashion shows with collections from Valentino, Prada, Gucci, Versace, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few. Milan is also known for hosting the World Cup in 1934 and 1990. Soccer is considered to be the national sport. Italy has won the World Cup four times, just behind Brazil. Soccer fans are called “tifosi” meaning “carriers of typhus.” They are known for their rowdy behavior and lack of inhibition. Milan also just put on EXPO 2015; the World’s Fair. The theme of the fair was “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.” It was the first time food was the theme of a world’s fair. The Expo, included pavilions from 145 countries around the world, where one could get a taste of each country’s cuisine.

As we look into Italy’s cuisine, they like to say they taught the rest of Europe how to cook. If you ask an Italian where is the best place to eat? The likely reply will be, “my mother’s house.” Each region and province have their own specialties and the cuisine is extremely diverse. From a culinary standpoint the region Emilia-Romagna is considered to be the “food breadbasket “of Italy. It is home to Parma, famous for the cheese Parmigiano-Regiano and prosciutto, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They are also famous for Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena (balsamic vinegar certified and aged for 12 years) truffles, chestnuts, salume, raw seafood, called crudo, the real Bolognese, and fantastic wines.

Italians love food. They don’t view it as nourishment, they view it as life itself. Meals in Italy are savored, over a long period of time, enjoyed with family and friends and of course a lovely wine. Family is an extremely important value in Italian culture. Perhaps this is why treasured recipes are passed on from generation to generation.

Italians are known for using the freshest ingredients, which lets the flavors of the food shine through. They are also masters of using leftovers; nothing goes to waste. Many recipes are simple, with just a few ingredients and, unless you are making pasta dough from scratch, they are pretty easy to make. Italians use garlic, oregano, parsley, thyme, sage, basil and of course olive oil to flavor their dishes. Italian cuisine has to be one of the most exciting and delicious in the world.

There is so much to discuss regarding Italy’s cuisine. Take pasta for example, they have over 400 types with over 1300 names. It is used in one of three ways. First, fresh or dried pasta is cooked in boiling water, and then mixed with all a variety of pestos, sauces and toppings. Another way pasta is enjoyed is called “pasta in brodo” which means “in broth” making delicious soups. The third way, is pasta “al forno” or pasta that is cooked twice. First the pasta is undercooked in water to soften it and then baked in the oven, with any array of meats and sauces, like their world renowned lasagna.

Cheeses of all types are made in Italy and represent very regional flavors. Cheese is made from the milk of cow, sheep, goat and water buffalo. The flavors of the cheese have much to do with what the animal eats, which of course varies with region. Needless to say, they make fabulous cheeses. Here are a few of the popular types, but there are over 300 different kinds: mozzarella, ricotta, burrata, mascarpone and of course Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is a staple in every Italian household. There are plenty more commonly used in Italian cuisine, some of the more popular are gorgonzola, pecorino, provolone, and fontina. Italy is a cheese lover’s paradise.

Pizza is another prized dish in Italy. Flavored and topped flat breads had been around for ages, and focaccia, a type of bread that originated in Genoa may well be the precursor to modern day pizza. However, it was in 1889 when the Queen of Italy, Margherita di Silva, was vacationing in Naples and heard about the excellent pizzas made by Raffaele Esposito. He created her a special one, representing the colors or the Italian flag, with tomato, mozzarella and basil and she loved it. The pizza, which now bears her name as Pizza Margherita, made history. Today, modern day pizzas are topped with everything imaginable. To be a true pizza however, it needs to be cooked in a wood burning pizza oven. Pizzerias are found all over Italy.

In trying to pick a menu for Italy, I was completely overwhelmed. There are way too many delicious choices, so I decided to simply make some of my all-time favorites.

So let’s eat Italian style:

The Menu
Antipasto
Beef Carpacicio (Raw Beef)

Insalata
Insalate Caprese

Primo
Veal Estensi (Veal Scaloppini with Porcini Mushrooms)

Secondo
Fettuccine Alfredo

Dolce
Tiramisu (A Layered Dessert)

We began our Italian meal with the sounds of Luciano Pavarotti, (Did I mention music and opera are also world famous in Italy? They also have the distinction of having made the first violin, viola and cello back it the 16th century.) Luciano, even after his death, is considered a celebrity and is one of the best tenor voices in the history of opera.

We decorated with the colors of the Italian flag: green white and red. We added a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs, as well as lilies, since that is their national flower. We began with an aperitif; a sparkling wine called Prosecco. Our toast was “Cin Cin!” which means, “All good things for you!”

The first course of an Italian meal is called antipasto; an appetizer course to set the stage for the meal to come. Carpaccio is a dish of thinly sliced, raw beef or raw fish, and is for sure an all-time favorite. This one was made with beef tenderloin, topped with fresh arugula, pomegranate seeds and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, then dressed with olive oil and lemon. HEAVEN!

Next. was a caprese salad. Caprese means “in the style of Capri.” Capri is a beautiful island off the coast of Naples and is where the salad originated. This salad also has the colors of the Italian flag. It is typically made with buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze and seasoned to taste. The key is to get the freshest ingredients possible. I like to add fresh avocado and red onion which makes this one of my most requested dishes. The other secret, is to use a balsamic reduction glaze as opposed to regular balsamic. Deliciouso!

For the main course, we had an amazing veal scaloppine dish, called Veal Estensi. This dish is made with thin slices of veal topped in a cream sauce with porcini mushrooms, Madeira wine and a hint of orange. It is served over fettuccine in the style of Alfredo, (which is simply butter and cheese, not the creamy, American version) and was the perfect accompaniment.

For dessert, or dolce, as they call it in Italy, we enjoyed tiramisu. If I am going to splurge on a dessert, this one is always at the top of the list. It is a light, layered sort of creamy cake with a hint of coffee flavor. It is very difficult to describe other than to say, it’s magical.

The excellence of Italian cuisine drove me to offer you a couple of bonus items:
Pizza Margherita is made from pizza dough created from scratch. This was quite the experience for me, which you can read all about in the recipe. Despite the drama, it came out excellent!

Italian Pizza Margherita

Another one of my favorites, is a salad called “insalata di tonno con cannellini.” This super easy recipe has just a few ingredients and makes a lovely side dish or lunch. It is simply: canned tuna, white beans and celery, chopped Italian parsley, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. So simple, so Italian!

Tuna and Cannellini Salad

As we say goodbye to Italy, I leave you with a few, fun Italian food quotes:
“Everything you see I owe to pasta.” Sophia Loren
“Life is too short, and I’m Italian. I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0.” Sophia Bush.
“It all ends with biscuits and wine” Unknown

Until next time,
Arrivederci and ciao,
Darlene Longacre

Hungarians call their country Magyarorszag and themselves Magyars. The English name, Hungary, is from Medieval Latin, Hungaria. The name Magyar was one of seven major semi-nomadic tribes that became dominant back in the ninth and tenth century. Hungary has an intriguing, thousand year long history. Located in central Europe, Hungary is landlocked in the Carpathian Basin, surrounded by mountains. The Danube River divides the country and runs right through the capital city of Budapest. At the cross roads of east and west, Buda was considered to be part of Europe and Pest, was part of Asia. Hungary has many neighbors, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.

Hungary’s independence dates all the way back to 1001. However, they were part of many different empires, the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, to name a few. They came into their own during the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867. The country has gorgeous architectural styles, grand palaces, castles and public squares, remnants of an empire long gone. The beauty of this country is why it is listed as one of the top 30 places to visit in the world. It was the end of World War I when the Austro-Hungarian Empire finally broke up. The country was then taken over by communists and lost much of its territory. This was a tragic time for Hungary. Then in 1956 there was a national uprising but it ended with more Soviet reinforcements and many Hungarians were forced to flee or lose their lives. It wasn’t until May of 1989, when the Iron Curtain fell, that Hungary began a system of a multi-party democracy.

The population of Hungary is made up of 90 percent Hungarians, with Romas being the next largest ethnic group, at five percent of the population. The balance, are people from surrounding countries. Sixty eight percent of the population is Roman Catholic and 25 percent are Protestant. There is a long history of Christianity in this country. One of its national symbols is the Holy Crown or the Crown of Stephen I. He was the first King of Hungary who was later canonized as Saint Stephen. The coronation crown has been used by the Kingdom of Hungary for most of its existence. Today the spectacular Holy Crown is on display in the Hungarian Parliament Building. Budapest has also experienced a Jewish cultural Renaissance with the most populous active Jewish community in Central Europe. It also is home to the Budapest Great Synagogue, the second largest in the world and considered the most beautiful.

The Hungarian language is also a significant national symbol. It is spoken by 13 million Hungarians as well as in parts of several neighboring countries. Before World War I, German was the most used second language, then it was Russian, during the socialist period, as it was mandatory in schools and universities. English has now become the most valued second language. The schools, by the way, are excellent in Hungary. The largest and first university was founded in Pécs by Louis I, The Great, in 1367. It is one of the oldest in Europe.

The Hungarians are known to be a smart population, excelling in technology, arts, music, science and mathematics. Just recently, in 2006, Hungarian scientists invented a new mathematical shape called the Gömböc (pronounced goemboet). It is a three-dimensional shape which is in technical terms is mono mono-static, convex and homogeneous, with equal density throughout. When resting on a flat surface, it has one stable and one unstable point of equilibrium. In other words, it acts like the kid’s toy called a “weeble” that uses a weight to right itself, only this shape doesn’t use a weight, it uses its equilibrium points and its ingenious, precision shape and density. Also, I am sure you have heard of the Rubik’s cube. That famous, logic puzzle was invented by a Hungarian engineer named Erno Rubik. It has been quite the brainteaser for decades. What do Hungarians do for a fun evening? “Room escape” games have spread all over Budapest’s abandoned basements and dilapidated bars. You and a group of friends get locked inside a room or a network of rooms and you have to solve a series of logic problems to get out.

Hungary has fertile land and the countryside is able to grow enough wheat, corn, rye potatoes and fruit to feed its population. Many rural farmers raise their own livestock; beef, pork and chicken. In villages, nearly every family raises a pig, which is later butchered at a great feast called “disznótor”. This is always done in winter and usually around Christmas time. During the day, after the pig has been killed, bacon ham and sausages are prepared for smoking. The menu includes rib soup, sausages, and black pudding. A special cabbage dish made with meat from the pig’s head is also served. This is followed by lively music, dancing and merriment.

There is also nothing like the Hungarian hospitality of the country side. My sister (who wrote about the Roma Cooking Class last week) tells stories of the amazing Puszta horse show and stud ranch she visited while there. Their group was welcomed with apricot schnapps and pastries. The amazing Lipizzaner stallions and Hungarian Csikos (cowboys) put on a spectacular show of equestrian talent. One Csiko rode five stallions at once while standing on their bare backs. Other displays of the intense relationship between the riders and their horses especially honed on the battlefields, were nothing short of spectacular. All this was followed by a Hungarian feast with free flowing wines and live music.

As we look into the cuisine of Hungary, we see it has been influenced on many levels; mostly from the empires that ruled the land. Italian, Turkish, German, Austrian and Russian cuisines are all seen in the many dishes for which Hungary is famous. Probably their most well-known Hungarian dish is called “goulash” or gulays, a Hungarian stew. Dating back to the Magyars, around 800 AD, skilled herdsmen traveled with dried cubes of meat and cooked with onions and water to make a stew. This would be made in a “Bograc”, a cauldron similar to a Dutch oven. A cast iron kettle is hung on an iron stick over the open fire. (Hungarians are known for their one pot meals.) They flavor their dishes with one of three types of paprika, sweet, hot or smoked. Hungary is celebrated for their paprika all over the world. Sunflower oil is the preferred oil with which to cook. Onion and garlic are common ingredients in their cooking, as is sour cream or heavy cream. Cottage cheese, walnut and poppy seeds are used in their sweet treats, often made with filo dough.

So let’s eat Magyar style:

The Menu
Soup
Szekelyderzs (Hungarian Mushroom Soup)

Salad
Tejfeles Uborkasalata (Sour Cream Cucumber Salad)

Main Course
Csirke-Paprikas (Chicken Paprikash) with Nokedli (Dumplings)

Dessert

Hungarian Kiflis (Hungarian Kiffle Cookies)

We set the mood by putting on music by Franz Liszt, a famous composer of 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies and perhaps the greatest pianist that ever lived. (One of Hungary’s most important contributions to the arts is in the field of classical music.) We decorated with their national flower, the tulip, along with sunflowers and peppers for which they are renowned. Our décor, mirrored the colors of the Hungarian flag; red white and green. Lace, embroidery and pottery often decorate the table as well and are a few of the handmade, folk arts and crafts that are cherished. These skills are passed down from generation to generation. The occupations related to folk arts and crafts are highly respected and their work has become symbols of national unity.

We sat down at our table and began by saying, “Jo etvaggat kivanok” (pronounced Yo-ATE-Vah-dyat KEE-vah-nok) which means, “good appetite”. We ate Continental style, fork in the left hand, tines down and knife in the right, as would be customary there.

For the starter, we served a rich mushroom soup. Foraged mushrooms can be found on farmers’ market tables throughout the country, especially in the fall. The soup was hearty and delicious with the many of the traditional flavors of Hungary; onions, garlic and vegetables, along with sweet paprika and sour cream.

For the main dish, we had one of Hungary’s most famous dishes, called chicken paprikash, served with nokedli, a small pasta like dumpling that was perfect to sop up the amazing flavors of the sauce. This was also served with a cucumber salad. This is a typical salad, made with thinly sliced cucumbers, sour cream, garlic, dill and of course, a sprinkling of paprika.

For dessert, we had traditional, little kiffles. They are cookies, made with a cream cheese dough, which would typically be made for Christmas or other special occasions. These little treats were flavored with poppy seeds, apricots and cherries. They went perfectly with the sweet dessert wine called Tokaji. Hungary has a robust wine industry and this particular wine dates back to 1703, when the prince of Transylvania gave some to King Louis XIV of France. The Tokaji wine was served at the French Royal Court at Versailles, where it became known as Tokay. The wine was referred to as, “Vinum Regum, Rex Vinorom” (Wine of Kings, King of Wines); a slogan that remains with the brand today.

As we ended our meal we said, “koszonom” (pronounced KOH-soh-nohm), a way of saying thanks, to which the response is, “valjek kedves egeszsegere” (prounounced VAH-lyake KEHD-vesh EH-gase-shay-reh), which means, “I wish you good health.”

We are now off to relax in a hot spring not far from where we live. Hungarians love their thermal baths and they have hundreds of them to choose from throughout the country. Afterwards we will play a room escape game that I designed. If we make it out of the room, the popular movie of late, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” awaits us.

Until next week
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Deutschland means “of the people” and is what the Germans call their homeland. “Deutsch” is what they call themselves. Germany is located in central Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea and the North Sea and lying between the Netherlands and Poland and the south of Denmark. Her other neighbors are Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France and Belgium. Germany is the second most populous country in all of Europe, after Russia, with over 82 million who call Germany home. The ethnicity is made up of over ninety percent Germans, two percent Turkish (as the second largest ethnic group) and the remainder, immigrants from neighboring countries.

German is the language they speak and is the third most popular language in the world. Five other countries list German as their official language. Germany has an intriguing and vast history. The region had been part of the Holy Roman Empire and actually did not unite as a singular country until 1871, when it became the German Empire. The princes of the German States gathered and proclaimed Wilhelm I of Prussia, as the German Emperor. In years to come the Imperial German Army became the most powerful military in Europe. The German economy was rapidly growing, as was German pride and intense nationalism.

Although Germans had been involved in many conflicts in conjunction with other empires, the newly formed German Empire payed a massive price for their involvement in World War I. In fact, they just recently finished paying off the huge reparations. After World War I, Germany suffered greatly in the early 1920s with hyperinflation. This occurred when they missed a reparation payment. Things happened so fast, that one could not make it to the store, with a wheel-barrel full of Deutsch marks, quickly enough to purchase a loaf of bread. People burned their marks to stay warm, as it was more cost effective than paying for heat. It was during this time that Adolf Hitler started his rise to power as head of the National Socialist German Workers Party or Nazi for short. The Germans were angry with the price of the war and when the Great Depression hit, unemployment was unbearable. Hitler was a spellbinding orator that told the Germans exactly what they wanted to hear. He was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

What transpired next was the rise of the Third Reich. Ethnic cleansing, anti-Semitism and genocidal atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis, became known as the Holocaust. Eleven million people were killed in Germany and surrounding countries during the Holocaust; 6 million were Jews, 1.1 million children, along with other groups targeted by the Nazis for termination such as, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, disabled people and Romas (Gypsies.) Millions of others, that were not exterminated, were tortured and suffered for years in German concentration camps. This horrific chapter of Germany’s history has been difficult to overcome. Yet we can’t forget that many other countries and empires around the world have also endured similar atrocities and somehow managed to evolve as a people. Today, Holocaust denial, using the Hitler salute of “Heil Hitler”, or displaying the swastika, constitutes a crime in Germany. We can only hope that this dark past will be eclipsed by the decency, progress and hard work of Germans today.

After World War II, in 1945, Germany was divided into four zones between the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), The United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) and France. The capital city, Berlin, was an island in the heart of East Germany. In 1949, West Germany, which included the former UK, US and French zones, united as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany. The German Democratic Republic or East Germany included the USSR zone. East Germany lived in isolation for many years while West Germany began its recovery and explored free enterprise. The famous words of Ronald Regan, commanding Gorbachev to “Tear down this wall” (referring to the Berlin wall that was built in 1961 by the USSR to keep East Germans from going to West Germany) contributed to the end of the Cold War. Germany was truly unified between East and West when the wall was torn down and all four powers formally relinquished their rights on March 15, 1991.

Today Germany is thriving. She has one of the highest levels of education, technological development and economic prosperity. Social programs include: universal healthcare, unemployment compensation and child benefits. Germans have made tremendous contributions to the world in multiple areas. Classical music, for example, gave us the genius of Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Strauss and Schumann, to name a few of the world’s most famous composers and all were German. Engineering innovation was another contribution in the automotive industry with the likes of: Porsche, BMW and Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen. If you call for a taxi in Germany, it will likely be a Mercedes Benz and any one of these fine automobiles would be a thrill on the world famous Autobahn, where there is no speed limit. Architecture is another area of pride in Germany. There are over 150 castles in Germany and cathedrals and buildings designed in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles, are found all over the country. A prime example of their world class architecture, is the famous Brandenburg gate. This former city gate is now a symbol of Berlin’s unity. Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in 1439 was epochal. Einstein, probably the most recognized scientist in the world, was born in Ulm, Germany. The list of famous German inventions and people goes on and on which is why Deutschland is also known as, “Das land der dichter und denker” (The country of poets and thinkers.)

As we look into the cuisine of this most interesting nation, we find that it is as varied as its past. For hundreds of years, the German Empire consisted of smaller kingdoms, sub-units and duchies. The people of these various regions still carry on their traditions and specialty cuisines. Some might say German food is a bit heavy and there is some truth to that. However, today the modern German cuisine is International and uses a wide variety of fresh ingredients. The cuisine also changes with the seasons; game meat, mushrooms, and certain vegetables, like white asparagus, are wildly popular in the summer. Cabbage, beets, and turnips are native to the region and used year round. Potatoes were introduced by a botanist in 1589 and have become a staple. The potato makes up a large part of the German diet, cooked in numerous delicious ways from pancakes to dumplings, soups and salads. Germans also make over 300 varieties of bread and even have bread museums. Pork is the number one meat consumed and it no surprise, (I think the first thing that came to my mind regarding German food was bratwurst and sauerkraut.) The Germans are famous for wurst (sausage) and they have over 1400 different varieties.

Clearly neighboring countries, including Russia and Turkey, influenced German cuisine, especially in the eastern regions. Back in the 1960s, when Germany was enjoying a huge economic boom, they suffered from an acute labor shortage. The Germans made a trade agreement with Turkey for labor, which is why the Turks are the second largest ethnic group in Germany today.

Depending on what statistic you read, Germany ranks either second or third in the world for beer consumption. Germany is the birthplace of a number of beer varieties. Brews were crafted according to a 16th century, Bavarian law known as Reinheitsgebot or “the purity law.” The law decreed that beer could only be brewed from barley, hops and water. Brewers could only use the yeast available from the air.

One of their most famous beer festivals in Germany is Oktoberfest. It actually begins in September and well may be the largest festival in the world. The festival has been held in Munich each year since Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hilldburghausen on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities, held on the fields in front of the city gates, to celebrate the happy royal event. Today some six million visitors converge to enjoy huge steins of beer called “mass” (a liter in size) along with delicious German fares at the Oktoberfest celebration. If you go, know that if you order a beer with your index finger they will bring you two. If you just want one, you need to indicate that with just your thumb. German beer must also compete with their brandy and Schnapps as well as their world famous, German wines.

So let’s enjoy a traditional Deutsch meal:

The Menu
Starter
Brezeln (Pretzels and beer, served with mustard)

Main
Sauerbraten (Marinated beef with gravy)

Kartoffelkloesse (German potato dumplings)

Rotkohl (German red cabbage)

Dessert
KirschKuchen (Black forest cake)

We set our table with colors of the German flag; red, black and gold. Our décor included various instruments to honor their musical genius. We added a Christmas tree cookie cutter, as they are responsible for the Tannenbaum tradition. A soccer ball was included for Germany’s most recent win in the World Cup. (They have more soccer fan clubs than anywhere else in the world.) I wanted to showcase the Angela Merkel, Barbie doll, but I could not locate one. She is the first woman Chancellor of Germany and head of the European Union. Forbes lists her as one of the most powerful people on the planet. She has been very popular in her country however recently she faces huge opposition with yet another proposed Greek bailout on the table. Lastly, the German coat of arms rounded out our décor.

We ate continental style, which is customary there, as we listened to a variety of classical music. For the first course, we lifted our beer steins and toasted “prost” which means “cheers” in German. It is considered rude to drink before toasting and when you clink your glass you should raise your elbow to shoulder height. Our first course was the famous German pretzel. This thick, doughy pretzel, hot from the oven, sprinkled with coarse salt and dipped in mustard is perfect with a good German beer. By the way, you should cut your pretzel with your knife and eat it with your fork. It is rare to see people eating with their hands in Germany.

We brought out the main course and said “Guten Appetiit” which means “Enjoy your meal.” We savored the delicious roasted meat called sauerbraten. This meat is so unbelievably tender after being marinated for days and then cooked, low and slow. The result is a lovely roast with an awesome gravy to go with it. It was served with outstanding, potato dumplings that curiously are made with a homemade crouton inside. Although the crouton was also delicious, I wasn’t really sure why it was added to the dumpling. It was awesome by itself, especially dipped in the gravy from the sauerbraten. It is important to note, that when eating in Germany, you should only cut off one piece of meat at a time, and be sure to clean your plate. So you should only take what you think you will really eat.

For a side dish we served boiled, red cabbage. It was perfectly cooked, so that it still had a slight crunch to it and the flavor of apple, which was cooked with it, made a lovely combination.

For dessert, we feasted on black forest cake! This cake is nothing like the black forest cake you normally find at your local bakery. In other words, it is not made with a cherry pie filling. Traditionally the cake is made with a cherry brandy found in the Black Forest region. I made ours using Morello cherries, that are also from the region but do not include the alcohol. The result was a keeper; a moist and most delectable cake and the perfect way to end our German meal.

As we say goodbye to Germany, we do so with a better understanding of what the German people have endured. Sometimes it is said that Germans come across as unfriendly but that is furthest from the truth. They are simply up-front and hard-working people. Time is managed carefully and punctuality is very important. Perhaps that is why they have one of the largest economies in the world.

Until next week
Warmest regards,
Darlene

The name Denmark means “Borderlands of the Danes” and it’s known for being the happiest and least corrupt country in the world! The Kingdom of Denmark is a sovereign state, located in Northern Europe, which includes two other countries; Greenland (the largest island in the world) and the Faroe Islands. Denmark is the most southerly of the Nordic countries. She is a peninsula and part an archipelago made up of nearly 400 islands in the Baltic and North Sea, with about 70 that are inhabited. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges. The only country Denmark borders by land is Germany. Her neighbors just across the sea are Norway and Sweden, to the north.

Denmark is run as a constitutional monarchy and is the oldest kingdom in Europe, having existed for over one thousand years. Copenhagen, the capital, is a robust and romantic city which is home to Queen Margethe II (who is a figure head with no real political power) and to the Parliament, the country’s highest authority. Succession to the throne is hereditary although the law of succession had to be changed for a female to be crowned. Their queen has been the monarch for 43 years.
All Danes, at birth, are considered to be born into the Evangelical Lutheran church and are required to pay taxes to the church as part of their income tax. Although most of the population is part of the church’s membership, only a small percentage of the population are active participants. Freedom of religion is a right in Denmark and numerous other religions are practiced there.

Denmark has an extremely high tax rate, 50 percent, but in return they get free education (including higher education) and free health care. They have generous benefits for the unemployed, plus a full 52 week shared maternity and paternity leave. By the way, the language they speak in Denmark is Danish and it is considered the official language. However, they are taught English in the first grade as a second language and in the fifth grade, they are offered a third language, either French or German. Most will pick German. Higher education is a big deal, especially in Copenhagen. There are almost one hundred thousand university students residing in the capital city.

Denmark is a green energy country. There are more bikes in Denmark than cars and nearly half the population cycles to work and school, which is remarkable since they get on average, 171 days of precipitation. The county is known for its specially engineered cycle paths, which are segregated from vehicular traffic. Denmark is windy, with an average wind speed of 13 miles per hour and they make the most of it. As a pioneer in wind power, their turbines are used worldwide and wind power provides 39 percent of Denmark’s total electricity consumption.

The Danish are also known as being open minded in their views and strongly believe in equality. They were the first country in the world, in 1989, to offer gay couples most of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, in the form of “registered partnerships.” However, Denmark only recently legalized gay marriage, in 2012.

There is no minimum drinking age is Denmark. Sixteen is the age you must be to buy alcohol and you must be 18 to drink in a bar. Drinking a "pilsner" beer is a favored activity of many Danes after work or when relaxing. Danish pilsners of note are Carlsberg and Tuborg.

The Danish are known to hold privacy as an important core value. They are not ostentatious and consider it rude to look at other’s private property or discuss salaries. In general they don’t show open expressions of feelings, as that is considered to be a sign of weakness and they hate to be interrupted in the middle of a conversation. In a group, you likely will not be introduced but once you are accepted into a Dane’s inner circle you will have the pleasure to experience what they call “hygge”, considered a fundamental aspect of Danish culture. There is not a literal translation in English for the word, but it basically means a “coziness” or “comfort” when relaxing with friends and loved ones. The practice is especially prevalent when it is cold and while eating and drinking in a special ambiance with flickering candles and good conversation. The Danish home is a place to relax and be oneself. It may take some time before you are invited into a Dane’s home, but if you ever are, consider it a great honor.

Denmark is a wealthy nation and has many exports, one being food (they are the fifth largest exporter of food in the world.) Nearly 2/3 of the land is arable and of course, fish are abundant in the surrounding seas. They also export machinery, engines, pharmaceuticals and furniture. The Danish furniture design, developed in the mid-20th century, is often described as functionalistic. They are also known for ship building throughout their many ports. Even toys are a strong export item. The popular building blocks called LEGOs that have sparked children’s imaginations across the globe, were developed in Denmark. The name LEGO comes from two Danish words “leg” and “godt” meaning “play well.”

Looking into the cuisine of Denmark is quite interesting. Not too many years ago, Danish food was synonymous with potatoes and pork. (Not that there is anything wrong with potatoes and pork.) In recent years, there has been a transformation into organics and locally foraged foods. This is called the New Nordic (or Danish) cuisine, thanks to the two pioneers, Rene Redzepit and Claus Meyer. They are the founders and chefs, of what has won the distinction of being, the best restaurant in the world, called Noma. It often requires making a reservation a year in advance to dine there. Although this New Nordic philosophy has changed their cuisine for the good, the Danish just voted on what should be considered the national dish; (what else) pork and potatoes.

Most Danes have three regular meals a day, a cold breakfast usually served with coffee or tea, a cold lunch at work and a hot dinner at home with the family. Breakfast normally consists of bread, cereal and jams. For lunch they have a specialty, called smorrebrod, (which came in second in their national dish contest.) It is an open faced sandwich, served on a dark, sourdough rye bread then topped with almost anything: fish, shrimp, beets, liverwurst, roast beef and pork. They are made beautifully with sauces to complement the toppings and eaten with a knife and fork. Dinner is the time for the family to gather and connect with each other. It is typically served at 6:00 pm. Dinner is considered a hot meal, with pork being the most popular meat served, along with a vegetable and dessert. Confusingly, the evening meal is sometimes called “middag” (midday) because hot meals were traditionally served in the middle of the day. Nowadays, with both parents working and children in school that tradition has changed.

The Danes also love coffee and are huge consumers, coming in fourth in the world. Aside from coffee they love sausages and hot sausage wagons are found all over the country. For a sweet treat they have an obsession with licorice, this “sweet root” perennial herb, which is member of the pea family, is made into a salty, black candy and much loved throughout Denmark.

So let’s eat Danish style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Gravlax (Cured Salmon)

and Rugbrod (Rye Bread)

Stjerneskud (Shooting Star Smorrebrod)

Main
Stegt Flaesk (Pork Belly with potatoes in parsley sauce)

Served with
Sukkerroer salat (Beetroot Salad)

Dessert
Aeblesksiver (Danish Pancakes)

We set the table with the colors of the flag; red and white. In Denmark their flag has a name Danneberg. It is the oldest flag in the world and was adopted in 1219. As legend has it, the flag fell from the sky during a battle and was seen as a gift from God. We decorated the table with Legos, some farm animals, as well as potatoes and other Danish delights. We lit candles so we could create the essence of “hygee.” We began the meal with a toast of Akvavit. This is the Danish version of Schnapps, made from potatoes. We raised our glasses with “Skal”, pronounced “skole”, which means cheers in Danish. Then I said “Vaersgo og spise”, which means, come on and eat.

The appetizer of smorrebrod, called stjerneskud, was outstanding. The rugbrod (Danish rye bread) and gravlax (cured salmon lox) were made from scratch and there is just something special about both of those being homemade. For the stjerneskud, the rugbrod was buttered and a piece of lettuce was added. The dish had a fried filet of sole along with a steamed one, which sat on top of the lettuce. The sauce was a combination of a tarter and cocktail sauce that went very well with the fish. This was a bit heavy for an appetizer, as this would normally be served for lunch, but since it was ranked so high in the Danish national dish contest, we just had to try it. One could of course, make small appetizer-size bites of just gravlax and rugbrod with different sauces and garnishes, which would be perfect.

After a bit of relaxation we had the main course served along with the fresh beetroot salad that was made in honor of the “new Nordic cuisine”. What is not to love about pork belly? It is so flavorful with that crispy skin and with those little new potatoes smothered in creamy parsley sauce, wow! We totally understand how this was voted the favorite national dish. The combination of the fresh beetroot with fresh horseradish and dill was delicious and welcomed as a refreshing side dish.

Next, we needed to go for a bike ride and peddle away those calories. Oh, wait, that would be right after dessert. I was originally going to make a Danish, I mean the Wienerbrod. I thought it was quite humorous that what the rest of the world calls “a Danish”, they call, Vienna Bread. I learned that this flaky, pastry crust actually originated in Austria. (Oh, and the Great Dane dog breed, is actually German.) Although, they have perfected the art of the pastry in Denmark, we enjoyed an original Danish dessert, the Danish pancakes called Aebleskivers with a cup of coffee to complete our lovely meal.

Then we said “Tak tor mad” which means, thanks for food, and we went for that bike ride. We rode to a nearby lake and sat down and read “The Ugly Duckling,” a tale by Denmark’s beloved Hans Christian Anderson. There we pondered if it was the fairy tales or the “hygee” that makes Demark the happiest country in the world. Perhaps both.

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene

The name, Czech, comes from the Slavic tribes who subdued the surrounding tribes in the late ninth century and created the Czech/Bohemian state. Legend says the name came from their leader, Cech, who brought them there. In 1993 Czechoslovakia split, peacefully, into two countries and today they are called Czech Republic and Slovakia. Although the Czech’s are not happy that their nation is called Czech Republic, they have not been able to agree on a new name. Many Czechs refer to themselves as Bohemian.

Czech Republic is a landlocked country in central Europe. Her neighbors are: Germany to the north and west, Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the southeast and Austria to the south. Czechs make up most of the population, however there is a small minority of Moravians in the eastern hilly region and also some Slovaks. The official language is Czech, however German, Polish and Romani are also spoken.

Czech Republic has a long and sordid history of invaders and was part of many empires. Most notably, in recent times, was Hitler’s invasion, in 1939. Over 100,000 Jews lived in the Czech lands in 1939, yet only several thousand remained or returned after the Holocaust in 1945. Czechoslovakia remained under communist control until 1989 when the Democratic Party won control, thanks to what was known as the Velvet (or gentle) Revolution.

The capital city, Prague, is nick-named, “The Golden City of one thousand spires.” The Hradcany Castle was built as the residence of the King of Bohemia and today is where the president of the Czech Republic resides. It is just one of many castles, as Czech Republic has one of the highest densities of castles in the world. Prague is now an internationally known tourist destination. It is a beautiful and romantic city surrounded by the Vitava River. There is Old Town, on one side of the river and Lesser Town, on the other.

The magical and historical atmosphere is captured through ten centuries of architecture, sculptures and monuments. Prague is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, in continuous operation. The Charles University has educated students since 1348 and educated they are, as 90 percent of the population has completed at least a secondary education.

Another major attraction is the Charles Bridge. A stone gothic bridge donned with many baroque statues, it connects the Old Town and Lesser Town. Commissioned by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, constructed in 1357, it is said to have been built with egg yolks mixed in the mortar to strengthen the construction. The Charles Bridge has survived many floods, including one in 2002 that was the worst in the past 500 years. Who knows, maybe this is ‘eggsactly’ why it remains standing.

Speaking of bridges, there is a tradition on a bridge, near the impromptu John Lennon wall, where love padlocks are found on a pedestrian bridge. Couples lock on a padlock to symbolize their love and throw the key in the river. This bridge in the Mala Strana district of Prague is considered to be one of the top ten love lock bridges in the world.

A couple of more interesting legends surrounding Prague; the Crown jewels and the Astronomical clock. The Crown jewels are amazing artifacts from Charles the IV of 1347. It is said these priceless treasures, the crown (which is dressed with precious sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pearls and said to have a thorn from Jesus Christ’s crucifixion), the sceptre and orb, are all made of gold and laced in gems and now held secure in the iron safe of the Prague Castle. It requires seven keys held by seven dignitaries, from the Prime Minister to the Mayer of Prague, who all must be present and insert a key for the safe to be opened for any viewing of the jewels.

The Astronomical clock in Old Town, was created in 1410 and considered a mechanical marvel. The maker had his eyes burnt out with a poker by the powers that be so that he would never recreate such an amazing piece of work anywhere else. It is most spectacular, as every hour on the hour, the 12 apostles, followed by the skeletal figure of death, are mechanically paraded across the clock. Tourists gather around every hour to witness this exceptional marvel.

Czech Republic is renowned for its glasswork. It has a century’s long history of being internationally recognized for its high quality craftsmanship, beauty and often innovative designs. Hand-cut, engraved, blown and painted, decorative glassware, ranging from champagne flutes to enormous chandeliers, ornaments, figurines and other glass items are among the best known Czech exports and immensely popular as tourist souvenirs.

Český Krumlov, is a quaint little village in Czech Republic, a few hours outside of Prague and is like stepping back in time. The clay-tiled roofs of the town spread out below an imposing, yet beautiful, fairy-tale style, castle on a cliff. In true epic tales, in the 1600s, the Lord of the castle’s son, was a depraved bastard of the Holy Roman Emperor, who ended up murdering and disfiguring the local barber’s daughter. Built in the late 13th century, it has been remodeled and restored several times over. Castle Krumlov boasts architectural features from a number of historical periods, including rococo gardens and an ornate Baroque theater. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the most recent restorations have all but erased the signs of neglect from the Communist era.

Czechs today have many celebrations and one that has been around for centuries, is Czech Easter, called Velikonce, which means “Great nights.” Many villages observe their own unique Easter customs and traditions. Egg decoration is one tradition, but another interesting tradition is the pomlazka; a braided whip constructed of pussywillow twigs. For centuries young boys on Easter Monday would go caroling and symbolically whip girls on the legs. Even farmers’ wives, would whip livestock and everyone in the house, including men and children. Why, you ask? To chase away illness and bad spirits and bring good health and youth to everyone who gets whipped. Christmas is another treasured holiday and one where carp is served as part of a nine course meal. Carp are raised in manmade ponds and then sold in large tubs in the town squares, a few days before Christmas.

The Czechs also grow hops and adore their beer. In fact, they are the number one beer drinking nation in the world and have been brewing it since 1118. Czechs love meeting in pubs and sharing a local brew with friends and family. If you were to visit there, it is considered good manners for the man to walk into a restaurant or pub ahead of the woman. This is so the man can clear a path and find a spot for them to sit.

One of the more famous spirits in Czech Republic is called Becherovka. It is an herbal bitters, produced since 1794 according to a secret recipe. It is said to have medicinal qualities to cure almost anything, from being a digestive aid to soothing arthritis. Only two people in the world know the formula, (carried on from generation to generation) and once a week, those two enter a room to mix all the herbal ingredients together. Alone it has quite a bite. It’s much more refreshing when mixed with tonic water. Right away, you’ll notice that things have smoothed out. The bitterness is still there, but restrained. The expansive taste of cloves and cinnamon (and perhaps allspice) are especially evident.

A favorite pastime in autumn, is mushroom foraging. Thousands of Czech nationals gather annually during the St. Vaclav Day (the weekend closest to September 28) and head to the forest to collect their treasured fungi. These mushrooms are delicious in soup, which is often their first course of a meal.

The cuisine of the Czech Republic is heavily influenced by both their neighbors and previous rulers. Their cuisine shares many common dishes with Austria, Hungary, and Germany. These dishes include: goulash, wiener schnitzel and gnocchi, to name a few. Czech food reflects their short growing season and historic availability of meat. Czech cuisine is not really known for its use of vegetables (except mushrooms, potatoes and cabbage), but that is slowly changing. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat and the national dish is a roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, called Vepro Knedlo Zelo.

So let’s eat Czech style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Nakládaný Hermelín (Pickled soft Czech cheese)

Soup
‘Kulajda’ (A Šumava mushroom and potato soup with egg)

Main Course
Svíčková na smetaně (Beef sirloin with vegetable cream sauce)

Served with Houskový Knedlík (Bread dumplings)

Dessert
Palačinky (Pancake rolled with jam)

We decorated the table in the Czech Republic flag colors of red, white and blue. We also used their very cool looking, double tailed lion, which is on the coat of arms. In celebration of the love lock bridge and for May 1st, the Time of Love, (where couples gather at the statue of Karel Hynek Macha, the Czech romantic “poet of love”, in Prague’s Petrin Park) we decorated with roses, their national flower. We began the meal with a reading of the epic poem Maj (May.) The poem, written in a remarkably beautiful style, tells about the tragic love of two young people and has become a masterpiece of the Czech, Romantic period and Czech literature in general.

We began with a toast of a good Czech pilsner and “Nazdrovie” (to your health) and “doubrou chut” (bon appetite.) Our Czech feast started off with pub fare; a delicious, pickled soft cheese smeared on freshly baked bread. It was scrumptious and perfectly paired with the beer.

Next we had a small portion of the soup that was made with mushrooms, potatoes and dill. This soup recipe comes from the mountain region of Krkonose. It was creamy, hearty and would easily make a wonderful lunch with some nice crusty bread. I served only a small sampling because I knew what was yet to come.

The main course was a very popular dish called, Svíčková na smetaně. This beef sirloin was outstanding and was complemented with a vegetable cream sauce. The meat was perfectly tender and the cream sauce was delectable. (I wanted to lick the plate, which I didn’t do, as that would not be considered good manners.) And oh my, those bread dumplings for which the Czechs are famous, they are something to be treasured. This meal is typically served with a side of loganberries, which are similar to a cranberries and that is what I used, served with a slice of lemon. The meal was reminiscent of an American Thanksgiving feast, even though it was beef instead of turkey.

For dessert, we put on some polka music, for which the Czechs are most famed and cherished the Palačinky. This is a pancake rolled with strawberry jam and smothered in whip cream with a strawberry on top. It is immediately evident why this is so popular. Awesome, I could eat this anytime of day… Outstanding!

As we leave this country called Czech Republic, we do so with the most inspiring film that I hope you can somehow find, as it is truly worthy. The documentary is called “The Woman in Room Six.” It is available on Netflix and is about a 109 year old woman from Czech Republic, who was a Holocaust survivor and a musician. If we can all just be a little more like Alice-Herz Sommer, wow, what a world it would be! Here is the link to a snippet. https://youtu.be/8oxO3M6rAPw

Enjoy!
Warmest regards,
Darlene

Bosnia, short for the regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the heart shaped land that lies in the heart of southeast Europe. It is here that eastern and western civilizations came together, sometimes clashing, but more often enriching and fortifying each other throughout her lengthy and intriguing history. Bosnia is part of the Balkan Peninsula and gets her name from a river which flows through the country, called the Bosna River. Herzegovina is said to be named from the word “herceg,” a designation for the duke who ruled the southern part of the region prior to the invasion of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. She has many neighbors: Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro as well as a sliver of coastline on the Adriatic Sea.

Bosnia has three main groups of people as her citizens, Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, each with their own official language. Prior to the unspeakable war that broke out in the early 1990s, after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, many areas of the county had mixed populations. Today, it is extremely divided. Bosniak replaced Muslim as an ethnic term to avoid confusion with the religion called Muslim. The religious mix there is 40% Muslim, 31% Orthodox, 15% Roman Catholic and 14% other.

Over time, Bosnia has been taken over by many empires; the Romans, way back in 168 BC, the Hungarian Empire, in the 1300s and then the Ottoman Empire, for the next nearly 500 years. During the Ottoman reign, Bosnians adopted varous elements of Turkish culture and many converted from Catholicism and Christianity to Islam. It was in the 19th century, as the Ottoman Empire was crumbling, that Bosnians joined the Slavs from Serbia and Croatia in an uprising against the Turks. As this was occurring, they were getting help from Austria-Hungary with the aid of Russia, which later became part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Soon after, the Nazis moved in. So basically, one ruler after another, took control of Bosnia and her people. She finally gained independence from Yugoslavia on March 1, 1992.

The break-up of Yugoslavia was the beginning of the Bosnian war that occurred from March 1992 to November 1995. The atrocities and devastation that happened during that war has left the country divided and still struggling to heal from those wounds.

An assassination occurred in Sarajevo (the capital city of Bosnia) when a Bosnian Serb nationalist, named Gavrilo Princip, killed the heir to Austro-Hungarian throne. June 28th, 2014, marked the 100th anniversary of that assignation. Few could have imagined the carnage that would follow. The event proved to be the spark that set off World War I. Today the location is marked on a bridge, where it has become a popular tourist attraction. (Sometimes it’s just hard to figure what constitutes a tourist attraction.)

Bosnia, thankfully, has once again become an intriguing tourist destination, one of the fastest growing in all of Europe. What is for certain is that the people, called Bosnians, are hospitable and kind. All the Balkan states have a sort of a creed for hospitality and Bosnians are no exception. If you were to visit there today, a Bosnian would most likely invite you into their home for coffee and baklava. I suppose after such suffering, the simple things in life become the most important. Bosnians, get that concept more than most.

Bosnia has a lot to offer. It is a most beautiful country, with some of the oldest forests in all of Europe. Her lakes and rivers are stunningly blue and pristine and she has amazing ski areas to play on in the winter. Sarajevo was in fact the host city for the 1984 Winter Olympics. She also hosts many festivals. One of the most popular, in the summer months, is Bascarsija Nights.

Sarajevo`s old Turkish quarter becomes a most delightful place to be. Throughout the month of July, ‘Bascarsija Nights` offers a full program of folk dancing, opera, ballet, rock, love songs and poetry.

The cuisine of Bosnia is influenced by Turkish, Middle Eastern and other Mediterranean countries, as well as Austria and Hungary. Typical ingredients include: tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, bell peppers, cucumbers, cabbage, spinach and beans. Although they use many spices in their cuisine, it is usually in a modest amount, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through. One of their favorite spices is paprika. They also use a spice blend called Vegeta quite often. Vegeta is a condiment which is a mixture of spices and various dehydrated vegetables, invented in 1959 by a Croatian scientist Zlata Bartl, and has become a product sold worldwide. For meat, they primarily eat beef and lamb. Theirs’ is a hearty diet; with meat found stuffed in almost everything. They also love their rakija; a strong fruit brandy, made of plum or apple, which is popular in all of the Eastern European countries.

So let’s eat

The Menu
Appetizer
Meza
(A plate of cucumbers, smoked meat, cheese, olives, tomatoes and hard boiled eggs)

Main Course
Punjena Paprika served with Pire od Krompira
(Stuffed bell peppers served with mashed potatoes)

Dessert
Tufahija
(Poached apples stuffed with a walnut filling)

We set the table with the colors of the Bosnian flag; blue and yellow. We decorated with the golden lily, the national flower. We, of course ate continental style, as would be customary there.

We began the meal with a Bosnian toast “Živjeli,” pronounced Zhee-vi-lee, which basically means “cheers” in Bosnian. For this meal we toasted with coffee, which is called kafe and trust me, they take their kafe very seriously there. They prepare it with a special copper-plated pot with a long neck, called a džezva, similar to the way Turks serve their coffee but made just a little differently.

For our appetizer, we had a lovely assortment of items; sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and prosciutto along with hard-boiled eggs. The combination of components, called Meza, was delicious and a great way to start our meal.

For the main course we dined on delicious stuffed bell peppers. They were stuffed with minced meat, cooked in a tomato broth and flavored with paprika. With the peppers, we served a simple, mashed potato side and we loved it. The dinner was quite filling, so we had left overs which we enjoyed the next day for lunch.

For dessert, we presented poached apples. They were served cold, having soaked in a sugary sauce then topped with whipped cream. The crunchy filling of the walnuts added a lovely nutty flavor and nice texture to the sweet apples. The dessert went especially well with the Bosnian kafe.

As we say goodbye to Bosnia and Herzegovina we leave with hope and peace for this little country still trying to find her way. This is what historian Enver Imamaovic wrote. “Despite the fact of war, the lilies’ roots have not been killed, a long time symbol of the Bosnian people. One day from those roots, the slender, golden lilies will blossom again and cover the whole of Bosnia.” This is our hope, for a peaceful, beautiful and ever blossoming Bosnia.

Until next week,
Warmest regards,
Darlene