cafebabel.com

Buy Nuremberg gingerbread online

('Andrew Christie',) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0000

On the first weekend of Advent, Nuremberg’s own version of Father Christmas opened the annual Nuremberg Christmas market, recognised across Europe as a must for all gingerbread fiends

Hákarl: when in Iceland, eat as the Icelanders generally don’t

('Kris Anderson',) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:11:04 -0000

The name of this traditional dish of fermented shark meat translates as 'rotten' shark. While some Icelanders do eat the traditional dish, many think it’s disgusting and therefore an appropriate and amusing tourist attraction. Tourists – particularly those seeking some fabricated notion of ‘the real Iceland’ – agree

German tourists in Scotland: Scotch malt at airport and haggis for breakfast

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:32:23 -0000

German holiday-makers come to Scotland for a variety of reasons: for a sip (or several) of the water of life, to trace the steps of history in crumbling, misty castles – or simply because the flights to Iceland were too expensive. Whatever their reasons, a German's visit to Caledonia is often shaped by a few key food and drink experiences. Musings of a Scottish tour guide

First McDonalds in Sarajevo opens on 20 July

('North Campbell',) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:13:59 -0000

Sarajevo leaves the company of Tirana and Pristina to join the ranks of European capital cities with the opening of its first McDonalds on 20 July. Locals used to claim that the food here was so good that the American fast food restaurant did not dare to compete. In a world of evolving cuisine and lifestyle, how is the arrival of McDonalds in Bosnia different than that of just another restaurant?

Ferran Adria, culinary avant-garde

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:37:00 -0000

In his own words, he’s just a 'chef with a restaurant', but this Spanish master is in fact so much more. Read cafebabel.com's interview with Europe's master chef from 2005

EU aphrodisiacs: unleash the rhinoceros in you

('Erin Woycik',) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:00:00 -0000

Eating at home is the cheaper and more pleasant seduction option. Create the appropriate atmosphere and know how to captivate your palate. All your senses are involved in sensuality, from soft music playing in your ears, to the food in your mouth

Lemon half moon cake for Danish far right party

('Thomas Gam Nielsen',) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:28:08 -0000

In Denmark, the people’s 2010 revolution is lemon. The popular ‘citronhalvmåne’ cake is being sent in the tens to the offices of the far right Danish party, in protest of their immigration policies. Ironically, the crescent shape of the ‘lemon half-moon’ is also a muslim symbol – a perfect gift on the eve of Ramadan?

Popping into Chinatown in Manchester

('Ana D',) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:13:09 -0000

Known as a Chinese village of north England, the neighbourhood is one of the most peculiar in Manchester, being the second largest tourist spot of England after London. One of the odd distinguishing factors of multiculturalism is the local community enclosed in its borders

Hot-cross Europe

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 07:30:00 -0000

Easter eggs, fried slices of bread in milk or wine and hot cross buns: April 8 sees Europeans celebrate Easter in their own way

Once upon a pizza

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:15:45 -0000

On 4 February, the EU paid homage to Neapolitan pizza by designating its trademark status. Yet when we eat a margherita, does it mean we're also paying homage to the three colours of the Italian flag? Behind this round piece of bread and staple in European diets lies the story of kings, queens and Italy

Devouring Sigrid Verbert, a Belgian food blogger in Italy

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:45:00 -0000

It's not just scrumptious cuisine and pretty photos in a book. Its pages won't just dunk you into Italy, Belgium or Germany, but inside Europe good and proper. Just as gastronomic traditions mix and merge, 'il Cavoletto di Bruxelles' constructs tastier realities

Spain, Denmark and Romania 'fat tax' for citizens

('euro topics',) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:04:25 -0000

One popular New Year's resolution is to eat less unhealthy food. Although this tends to be a personal decision, at the start of 2010 the three EU countries are discussing ways to slim down their citizens - or at least swell their coffers

Soup: from Spanish gazpacho to Ukrainian borscht

('Lindsey Evans',) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:15:00 -0000

If, after an orgy of fat, sugar and alcohol, you’re thinking of a detox diet, join the club! The only solution: soup

Mulled wine across Europe

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:10:28 -0000

Sugarloaves, Swedish punch and grog: how Europe drinks to stay warm in the chilly run up to christmas

Europe's breakfasts: I'll have what Obama's having

("naomi o'leary",) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:08:27 -0000

Russia: Putin feeds Obama whilst a leather boot fans the flames. Italy: whilst Obama becomes president, Berlusconi serves his escort a hot drink. Germany: Merkel cooks brekkie for hubby: a round-up of European politicians' breakfast stories in the news, plus a pancake recipe for the bimonthly gastronomy column

‘Oysters’ vs. Coke: popular European hangover cures

('Paulina Dominik',) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:25:48 -0000

Have a read of these European hangover cures - it might make you not want to drink again. From a Polish ‘bull shot’ to a James Bond-style ‘prairie oyster’ via a good old hair o’ the dog, the advice is to get concocting

Marmite and co: disgustingly debatable foods in western Europe

('Joss Corner',) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:00:00 -0000

Travelling around Europe, you’re never safe from a bad gastronomic surprise, be it vegetable yeast spread, bull’s tail, pig’s head paté, mushroom spread and much more ... brace your guts. Plus, a recipe for stewed oxtail

England: home to Europe's cheese?

('Chriomford',) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:02:06 -0000

Watch out for homogenisation. In order to flog their wares to Americans and their sensitive stomachs, or to get them approved by Brussels, European cheese makers are being asked to pasteurise their products. How disgraceful! Cheese and cheese-making has such a wonderful tradition...

EU bread and salt directive gets Germans in a pickle

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Whether it’s a pretzel or some yeasty rye bread, bread and salt are essential ingredients in Germany, despite the silliness of EU directives

Crêpe Europe

('ClaireBrunel',) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Sweet, savoury, with butter, flambéd… when it’s the christian holiday of Candlemas, Dia de la Candelaria in Spain or la Chandeleur in France, crêpes are unavoidable. What about the rest of Europe?

Romania to UK: the whole of Europe in your plate

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

What do Europeans do the night before Christmas? They eat! The flavours and colours of the dishes vary enormously. But certain culinary practices can be surprising. A tour of the traditional and intriguing dishes of Europe

Spanish mantecado: sweet treat beats economic downturn

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:30:14 -0000

Lard, sugar and cinnamon- when the crumbly biscuit appears on Spanish dining tables, there’s no doubt that Christmas is coming. Factories producing the biscuit that reigns at fiestas in Estepa near Seville run at full speed. Plus a cinnamon mantecado recipe

European culinary blogosphere and more

('Helen Swain',) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:54:02 -0000

‘What's for dinner tonight?’ – the answer is on the internet! A short tour of the most popular sites in Europe, including the BBC in the UK, Gustos in Romania and Marmiton in France

Czech-Slovak sausage: under EU protection

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:04:49 -0000

A ceasefire was called between the central-eastern nations in July, after the EU intervened in the sausage war dividing them

Do the French top German cuisine?

('Andrew Pritchard',) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Major names in the cookery world have backed France’s application to UNESCO to have its cuisine listed as a world heritage item. In multicultural Germany, the idea is stirring up mixed reactions