Adding soft apricots to sausage meat creates a turkey stuffing that offers a delightful sweetness and a unique flavour. This recipe makes enough stuffing for a 6 kg turkey.
Category Archives: Europe
Bolognese sauce, also known as Ragu alla Bolognese, is a rich and hearty Italian meat sauce that hails from the city of Bologna in Northern Italy. It is a classic and beloved sauce often used to accompany pasta dishes. In 1982, the Bologna delegation of the Italian Academy of Cuisine officially registered the classic recipe for Ragu alla Bolognese with the Bologna Chamber of Commerce. According to this official recipe, Bolognese sauce should include finely chopped onions, carrots, celery, minced meat, tomatoes (either fresh or in the form of tomato paste), wine, and milk.Bolognese sauce has a thick and […]
In the mid-80s, I arrived in Santiago del Compostella and was overwhelmed by the sight of a procession of men in long gowns wearing conical pointed hats covering their faces. These were the Confraternities, religious brotherhoods, and parishioners who actively participated in the Easter processions. They were wearing traditional robes and hoods, known as Capirotes, symbolising penance and humility. Not the KKK.One notable procession is “La Procesión del Encuentro,” which typically takes place on Good Friday. This event symbolises the encounter between the Virgin Mary and the resurrected Christ. Participants carry statues of the Virgin Mary and Christ, and […]
We spent 18 months living in Belgium and were based in a house in the village of Vossum near Brussels. One of the most popular and delicious Belgian dishes we enjoyed on a regular basis was Moules Frites, which consisted of mussels cooked in a flavorful broth and served with crispy fries. I have eaten Moules Frites in other countries, but the mussels are usually smaller and grittier. In Belgium, eating mussels is a national obsession and every year they consume over 30,000 tons of this tasty mollusc.The most prized mussels in Belgium come from the Schelde, a shallow […]
Many years ago, one of my friends in Buckinghamshire gave me the basis for this recipe. In those days, we used ginger powder and would not have thought about using red chillis to give the pâté a bit of zing. Times have changed, so I have modified the original recipe accordingly.This chicken liver pâté is a delicious and flavorful appetiser that combines the rich taste of chicken livers with the warmth of ginger and red chilli: [my-map]
While visiting friends in Normandy in the 80s, I was served a local dish made with veal kidneys, cream and Calvados that was deliciously creamy, tasty and memorable. Many people are not keen on kidneys, but this dish could make even the most fainthearted change their minds.Here’s my version of a recipe for Rognons de veau au Calvados based on that meal.
Beef Bourguignon, also known as Boeuf Bourguignon, is a classic French stew that originated in the Burgundy region of France. It is a hearty and flavorful dish known for its tender pieces of beef slow-cooked in red wine with vegetables and aromatic herbs. The first time I tasted the rich, smoky flavour of this dish in France, I realised that the stews I had eaten in England had been missing something important. This is a perfect winter dish.Beef Bourguignon originated in the Burgundy region of France, which is also known as Bourgogne in French. The dish has its roots […]
Grilled Portuguese sardines make a classic dish, often celebrated for their simplicity and delicious flavours. Mrs F and I visited Portugal many years ago and found a small market not far from Lisbon. One of the staff was cooking sardines served on fresh, crispy bread. There is something particularly good about eating grilled fresh fish in the open air.
Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish consisting of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer. It’s often served with pita bread, tzatziki, and various toppings such as tomatoes, and onions. I first tasted souvlaki in 1978, having caught a bus in London that took me to Athens for a £10.99 (as far as I remember) return fare. Just before boarding the bus back to London after three weeks in Greece, I found a nearby souvlaki stall and bought one of the best snacks I have ever eaten.
