Archive for January, 2010

Homemade almond paste

| January 28, 2010 | 10 Comments
Homemade almond paste

Almond paste is used in a variety of cakes and pastries such as stollen, strudel, macaroons, etc.  It is a very common ingredient used throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Unlike marzipan, almond paste has less sugar and more almond flavor. The following is a standard recipe for making almond paste. If you do not have a food processor, you [...]

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German breads

| January 27, 2010 | 3 Comments
German breads

Brot (bread) is an essential part of German food.  There are about 300 types of dark and white breads and over 1,200 of rolls and mini-breads known in the various regions of Germany. Furthermore, different techniques and ingredients are used in bread making throughout the country. The following is a list of the most common breads. Bauernbrot (Farmer’s Bread) Bauernbrot is commonly [...]

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Interview with Csárdás Dance Company

| January 25, 2010 | 0 Comments
Interview with Csárdás Dance Company

With beautifully embroidered costumes and energetic music, Hungarian folk dancing is rooted in rich culture and heritage. It originally began as a pastime for villagers many years ago. Although folk dancing may not be a part of daily life in Hungary anymore, it is still celebrated and embraced by many people. Here is a featured [...]

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Hungary’s Wine Regions

| January 21, 2010 | 10 Comments
Hungary’s Wine Regions

Hungary has a long and distinguished history of winemaking. Grapes were first known to be cultivated in the area by Romans over 2000 years ago. The country’s diverse climate of hot and humid summers, dry autumns, and rainy springs to cold winters makes it an ideal place for winemaking. Its best-known wines are Tokaji Aszu, a [...]

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Homemade pasta

| January 18, 2010 | 3 Comments
Homemade pasta

Pasta is an important part of Central and Eastern European cuisine. Some of the most popular types of pasta include spätzle, a German egg pasta that is round in shape, and tarhonya, a very small Hungarian egg barley pasta similar to couscous. This recipe is suited for making basic pasta. It can be used in a variety of soups, main courses, and [...]

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Mozart chocolate ball workshops

| January 15, 2010 | 0 Comments
Mozart chocolate ball workshops

No trip to Austria is complete without enjoying a delicious Mozartkugel. These delightfully rich chocolates are sold everywhere in the country, and are a typical Austrian souvenir. So, why not learn how to make one of the best and most unique chocolates in the world? Cafe Konditorei Dallmann located in St. Gilgen offers visitors the [...]

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Traditional Polish foods

| January 11, 2010 | 2 Comments
Traditional Polish foods

Polish people like to eat, drink, socialize, and have fun. If you are fortunate enough to be invited to a local’s house for dinner or even a simple meal, just be sure to bring a healthy appetite! You’ll find plenty of delicious and savory dishes. Here is a list of some traditional Polish foods. Pierogi A dumpling of [...]

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Kaiserschmarrn: Austrian Pancakes

| January 8, 2010 | 2 Comments
Kaiserschmarrn: Austrian Pancakes

Kaiserschmarrn is a light, caramelized pancake that is combined with raisins and fruit preserves and then topped with powdered sugar. It is believed the dish was first prepared for the Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph I from 1830 to 1916. This recipe is a simplified version of the dish. Ingredients 3 tbsp raisins, plus extra for sprinkling 2 tbsp [...]

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Grey cattle: a Hungarian national treasure

| January 6, 2010 | 0 Comments
Grey cattle: a Hungarian national treasure

The Hungarian grey cattle also known as Magyar szürkemarha are an ancient breed of cows from Hungary. These long horned animals once grazed the great plains of Hungary over 1000 years ago. Used mainly for draft purposes, they were positioned in teams of four or more to pull merchant wagons across the plains, sometimes in long [...]

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Historic coffeehouses & confectionery shops in Budapest

| January 4, 2010 | 1 Comment
Historic coffeehouses & confectionery shops in Budapest

Budapest is filled with places to enjoy an excellent cup of coffee with a sumptuous dessert. Here are just a few of the best historic coffeehouses and confectionery shops in the city. Ruszwurm Located in the castle district of Budapest, this charming cake shop was built in 1827 by Ferenc Schwabl. Its original furnishings are [...]

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