Thai inspired Pomelo Salad with Zesty Spicy Sardines

I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t flexible. Not in the sense of touching my toes, but in my ability to pack my life into suitcases and trust the unknown. My parents moved us from country to country as easily as some people change seasons.

Citrus Ginger Vitamin Booster Shots

January always feels like a liminal month to me. Not a clean cut, not a full beginning, more like a soft corridor between worlds. Even though the calendar insists we are already well into the new year, energetically we are still shedding the skin of the Year of the Snake while slowly sensing the hooves of the Horse approaching.

Apple Apricot Crumble with Oats and Pecan Streusel Topping – A Perfect Winter Dessert

As winter wraps its comforting embrace around us, there's nothing quite like the warmth that comes from a family gathered around a table. In the heart of this season, we are currently finding solace in shared moments, laughter, and the aroma of freshly baked treats.

Breakfast Power: Chia, Millet & Oat Jars

So we’re all chiming in a new year. 2024! It’s real and raw as many are probably searching for a cause, looking to set new goals, counting the achievements, or just looking for a purpose. Let me give you some anti-philosophy!

Saffron and Pear Crown Cake

Did you know that the ancient Egyptians can be credited with creating the celebration of birthdays? They believed that when their pharaohs were crowned, they became gods, so their coronation signified their new "birth" as a God.

Cherry Coconut Clafoutis

It made a lasting impression and it deeply fulfilled my soul. Madame Maillard brought it out in a cast iron pan not much larger than a dessert plate. The sides were puffed up like a soufflé and browned on the edges, and the juices of the fruit left a blood-red trail within the ridges. Peeling off some waxed paper from a small ceramic bowl she pulled out of the fridge and to my delight, she formed the perfect quenelle of Crème Fraiche and carefully placed it on top of my very first cherry clafoutis.

Rhubarb Pistachio Frangipane Tart

Rhubarb, for many, is an acquired taste, often not acquired till adulthood. I did not acquire the taste until a few years after I moved to Germany. Rhubarb is the harbinger of springtime, and like Spring it is transient and delightful.

Raspberry Rose Coconut Smoothie Bowl with Almond Butter Fruit and Nut Granola

Allow me to out myself first: Smoothie bowls are not my most favorite breakfast. Now that we have set that straight let me tell you a bit about my reasons and what I have observed about these very attractive looking super bowls that seem to be taking everyone by storm and is the big trend raging through social media and across many blogs. I also break down the smoothie bowl and consider the practicality of the super smoothie bowl vs. the real smoothie bowl! Oh yes there are many questions I need answers to!

Apricot, Yellow Plum and White-Wine Elderflower Jellies with Creme Anglaise

Sustainability: we all talk about it and we all aim to live by it. For all our good intentions do we understand what it really means and how to achieve it?
“Eating with pleasure but with responsibility towards all human beings worldwide and for the next generation” – probably is the best way to bring the idea of sustainability onto the table.

Tutti Frutti Popsicles: Mango, Blackberry Strawberry Papaya Passion fruit

 

Ever since we made these Almond Butter and Blueberry popsicles – we are very much addicted. Even though our summer here in Weimar is not as exemplary as we would like it to be, we are still getting a few sunny and warm days in between grey cooler days. Nothing however, seems to dampen our mood this summer break! We are enjoying it to the fullest with our popsicle creations. These all fruit tutti frutti popsicles bring on the best of the summer days. 

Rhubarb Strawberry Pavlova with Cardamon Skyr Cream

Peonies, scoops of ice cream, dances through the sprinkler, warm summer rains and juicy strawberries. All the things that are making summer a blast for us here in Weimar. Those end of year exams are done and dusted for my son, my last workshops and events for the first half of the year are under the belt and we are gearing towards summer break in just under a week.

Overnight 5 Grain Bircher Muesli With Goji berries & Green Apple

Ready, steady … go! Most mornings many of us are dashing out the door, grabbing a quick piece of toast and a coffee to go. I know you all are smart enough to know that a good meal at the start of the day takes you further, keeping your energy levels balanced. For me a good breakfast also keeps any mood swings or headaches at bay and I realized a long time ago that a good regular breakfast kept me focused by improving my concentration levels.

Christmas Dessert: Butterscotch Pudding with Prunes and Walnuts and a Whisky Sauce

It has been quite a very sweet month as December always is. There are always nibbles of a cookie here and morsels of a stollen there and regardless of all the good intentions it’s so difficult to resist. However, we have been careful and although there are some indulgences - it is Christmas after all - on whole we are nourishing ourselves well and very balanced.

Green Tea Honey Saffron Poached Pears on Skyr

When people find out or realize that food is not only my hobby but also work – that I blog about food, shoot and style food and obviously cook with a lot of food – they are often curious about the kind of cuisine I cook at home. Probably expecting me to define myself to one specific cuisine – probably Indian. They are often fascinated when I tell them that I truly enjoy blending ingredients to give a variety of different flavors in combinations that come together often as an idea or experiment.

Wine Braised Herb Chicken with Roasted Grapes

It could not have been a more perfect day for our day tour on the river Saale. Gorgeous blue skies with a warming sun promised to make the trip unforgettable. Packing the kids into the car I picked up my friend at the Weimar train station and we headed to Camburg, where we met with Mario Brömel who was going to guide us along the river in canoes for an hour-ride to the vineyards of Weingut Zahn. We set off on the Saale through unspoilt nature, enjoying the tranquility of the nature around us. This route is one of the most picturesque river routes in Thuringia where the landscape is dotted with castles, vineyards and hills, and paddlers can make stops at the various points on their journey.

Cherry Pistachio Meringue Tart

To me it never really feels like summer until cherries arrive in the markets. Cherries announce the beginning of the stone-fruit season and for me this kicks-off my favorite fruit season of the year. For a short time cherries are the stars before apricots, peaches and plums arrive and take over front row.

Summer Herb and Fruit Smoothies

After an amazing 3 weeks in India it feels good to be back home! Catching up on many things again and getting back into the swing of things for now. Before I left however I worked on another fantastic project with the Thüringen Tourism Board at a great location. My heroes were the magnificent wild herbs and flowers that are found in many of the forests in this region and not only did I develop and shoot 3 fun and healthy summer smoothies, I also got to visit and shoot at a stunning location.

Breakfast of Champions - The Big Breakfast Post

 

Breakfast is for champions! And according to the trend it is sneaking its way into the other meals of day. We have a tendency to put an egg on everything and serve up “breakfast for lunch/dinner” – a trend that I follow myself, especially when the traditional eggs, bacon, grilled tomatoes and baked beans are concerned.

Honey Roasted Rhubarb Chevre Cheesecake Desserts

When one has spent a little time in Thuringia it is easy to understand why the Thurigians are so attached to their roots and are patriotic to this region. It is beautiful fertile country covered with rolling hills, thick lush forests and it boasts of rich cultural history. The story of the Leuchtenburg castle probably ideally depicts this devotion and dedication often found in people here. The Leuchtenburg is one of the most beautiful castles erected on a mountain in Germany. Unfortunately, during the GDR it was neglected and after several misused purposes the castle was supposed to be auctioned off in 2007. 

Celebrations: Vanilla Infused Kumquat Marmalade Semolina Cake

9 years! That’s how old this blog is today. That means an astonishing number of posts, a fascinating amount of images and a magnificent quantity of recipes, mishaps, experiments in my kitchen. When I think about my shaky, timid and naïve debut into the blogging world I cannot help but giggle and look back in amazement at all that has occurred since February 2006!