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5 Must-Try Nordic Recipes That You’re Missing Out In 2021

April 5, 2021 by Mandy

Food is one of the most basic forms of entertainment. You can use it in any social event or gathering so much as events are incomplete without them. One such flavor-rich cuisine is Nordic Food. According to Norden, the Scandinavian nation has grown by 8.1%, including a sector of the immigrant population. It would only be a matter of time before their cuisine is famous; it hits international and local markets. You can get a head start and enjoy these recipes first. Here are some for you:

1. Caper Fish Balls: It is a delicious dish which consists of fish with a side of potatoes. Start by:

Using 600 g of peeled potatoes and cut them into chunks. Put them into a boiling pan of salted water and once they’re tender, strain them.
Then add 3 tbsp of milk with pepper as per preference, mash them together, and set them aside. Your next step is to prepare the fish.
Use sardines as your choice of fish. Use a 140 g tin of sardines in oil, holding onto the oil. Heat the oil in the frying pan and add shallots, fish, and lemon juice from one lemon into the mash and make about 20 balls.
Use two eggs and beat them together to prepare an egg wash. Roll the balls in the egg wash and then add them into 3 tbsp plain flour.
Fry your fish balls till they’re nice and golden. Finally, warm 200 g of creme fraiche and add them to 1-2 tbsp of dijon mustard. Add the balls to the mix, top it off with lemon zest and serve.

2. Little Coffee Pavlovas:The great thing about Scandanavian dishes is they range from savory to sweet. There’s a treat for everyone. If you like the recipes so far, click here for more. With that, let’s dive into a tasty dessert:

Start by preheating your oven to 248 F and lining your baking pan with baking sheets. In a large bowl with three egg whites till peaks start to form.
Add about 150g castor sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, until the mixture turns glossy. Whisk in ½ tbsp instant espresso powder and 1tsp cornflour. Make swirls on the baking sheet and put them into your oven.
Make sure you bake your pavlovas till they’re crisp outside for one hour and let them cool on the wire rack. In another bowl, beat 125 g mascarpone and then add about 200ml of double cream. Whisk until soft peaks form, then add 1 tbsp icing sugar. Follow it by adding ½ tsp vanilla extracts and 1 ½ tbsp coffee liqueur.
Then add 100g blackcurrant jam. Pour this mixture on top of your pavlovas and serve immediately.

3. Skagen (Prawn Salad: This is an easy and delicious meal to make. If you like seafood, why not add it to your menu:

In 1 tbsp of olive oil, add 2 tbsp sour cream, use the zest of ½ a lemon and 1 tsp of juice. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to your taste.
Then add about 200 g of cooked and peeled prawns, followed by ½ small chopped red onion. You can add about 2tbsp of chopped parsley and serve your salad. You can even enjoy this tasty treat on top of bread or eat it alone.

4. Jansson’s Temptation.A very delicious and traditional Scandinavian dish. It is best with salad and bread:

To start, preheat the oven to 392 F. Layer the baking sheet and slice six medium potatoes into matchstick sizes. Add about two finely sliced Spanish onions and one tin of chopped anchovies, draining them properly.
Pour 248 ml double cream in the pot and add a small amount of butter. Then add a sprinkle of 4 tbsps of fresh bread crumbs and pepper according to your taste.
Cover and bake your dish for the first twenty minutes. After which, you should uncover and bake for a further 25 more minutes for that crispy exterior.

5. Frozen Daim Bar Almond Cake:Another delicious treat for you to enjoy with your tea or a light snack. As always, when it comes to baking, always start by preheating the oven:

Preheat the oven to 338 F. Whisk about four egg whites in a bowl into soft peaks. Add about 150g of sugar and make the mixture even stiffer. Gently fold in about 100g of ground almonds. Butter a round baking pan and add the mix for baking.
Make sure it bakes for about 20 minutes, then cool the tin. Now bring your attention to the parfait. Whisk about five egg yolks and 100 g of sugar into one bowl and place the bowl over the water to let the mixture simmer.
When the mixture is thick and fluffy with a pale consistency, then leave it to cool down. Add 150 ml of double whipping cream and 20 ml of amaretto to form medium peaks, and then gently fold this mixture into your egg mix. Add crushed daim about 4 bars of 28 grams each and work through the combination gently.
The idea is not to let any air out. Put the parfait on top of your cake and cover it tightly with clingfilm for 4-6 hours or leave it overnight. Take it out and cut it into pieces and then put it back into the freezer for a few more minutes and then take it out for serving. You can also add chocolate and caramelized chopped almonds if you wish.

Wrap Up

Scandinavian dishes make for a tasty treat. The recipes mentioned bringing a festival of flavors in your mouth. Not only are these dishes they’re easy to make and nutritious. With your seafood mix, you can quickly cook a tasty treat for your palette that you can enjoy with fresh bread or a side of salad. Maybe you want something sweeter? Indulge in an almond cake with parfait or treat yourself to a lovely pavlova. You can take your culinary skills to the next level by either cooking for yourself or enjoying with your coworkers at office parties and enjoy these delicious Nordic wonders.

3 Best Places in Europe for Family Travel

November 28, 2019 by Mandy

Family is your main priority and ensuring that they enjoy a pleasant time is essential. Therefore, when you have time with your family, you need to think about the best things you can do with them.

First, is having family travel. If you want to have a wonderful time together, traveling to a new destination, makes your family and you happy. So, the next thing is, which is the best place you can go to with your family?

Europe is where you need to go with your family. There are very many places and sceneries you can visit when you travel to Europe.

So, what are the best places you can visit once you visit Europe?

Here are three of the places you and your family can go to when you visit Europe.

Portugal

When it comes to one of the best tourist destinations in Europe and the globe. Portugal is one of them. So, what makes Portugal the best destination for you and your family?

It is in the Southern region of Europe. It has many tourist attractions that you can enjoy: sunny beaches, classic wine regions, world-class golf courses, and many things.

Apart from that, you can see landmarks like;

Tower of Belem
Park and National Palace of Pena
Jerónimos Monastery
Castelo de S. Jorge
Praca do Comercio
Castelo dos Mouros

These are some of them. If you love playing golf, you can find world-class golf courses like the Morgado Golf Course. These are not the only things you can do while in Portugal.

Do you love wine? You can find it in some of the best wine regions like the island of Madeira and the Azores.

Thus, if you want a place you can visit while in the region, then choose Portugal as your first region.

Hungary

One of the little-known countries when it comes to the best tourist destinations in Hungary. Many people always decide to visit other big countries because of the well-known tourist attractions. Therefore, if you are in Europe and want to enjoy time with your family, go to Hungary.

Some of the things you can see while in Hungary are;

Buda Castle
Fisherman’s Bastion
Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Eger Castle
Cathedral of St. Peter
Lake Balaton
Skanzen Open-air Museum
Hortobagy National Park

So, if you want to value your family’s time while in Europe, then make it a requirement to visit Hungary. You will learn a new European culture and see historic sceneries that you will not see anywhere.

Italy

Monte Isola is one of the recognized places in Italy you can tour with your family. Monte Isola received an award by the European Commission for being European Destination of Excellence. It is one of the many places you and your family can tour once you visit Italy.

There are many other places. They include;

Colosseum

Built by the Roman Empire, it is one of the best places you can visit when you go to Italy. The main reason why it was made was to entertain people and host sporting activities. It has tunnels, rooms, cells, and gladiators’ passageways.

Pompei

When Mt. Vesuvius erupted, it left massive destruction in Pompei. However, when it happened, some of Pompei’s treasures, like sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes, were preserved by the lava.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

When you visit Pisa, then the first thing you need to go and see is the Tower of Pisa. Due to topographical challenges when the tower was built, it began to sink due to its weight. Leading to the tower to lean.

Conclusion

If you want your family to enjoy your time in Europe. These are three places you need to ensure they visit. Thank you for reading.

Top facts for a few days in Florence

August 17, 2017 by Mandy

Florence is described as an ‘open air museum.’ Go to this historic Italian city and it won’t take long before you realise why. The buildings, arts scene, culture and food of course – this place has got it all. It’s no wonder it attracts thousands of tourists every year. UNESCO has recognised Florence as a World Heritage Site for its beauty. So, if you’re heading to Tuscany, make sure you drop in for a look around. Here’s some top facts to help you make the most of it.

The Duomo

When you’re kicking off your sightseeing in Florence, your best bet is to head for the religious and historical centre – that’s the area of the Piazza del Duomo. As you head there through the streets, take a bit of time to really look around you. The buildings and marble, the churches, it’s all a symbol of how great this city’s past has been.

When you’re in the Piazza, you’ll see the striking Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore. It’s oozing with art and is crowned with an awe-inspiring dome. Nearby is the St John’s Baptistery, or the Battistero di San Giovanni as it’s known locally. It sits facing Giotto’s Bell Tower, described as a masterpiece of Florentine Gothic architecture. Take some time in this very grand looking area, there’s lots to see and admire, and you’ll learn about Florence.

If you’ve got time, head into the Museo dell’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore – it’s got a collection of artwork, which once sat inside the Cathedral, Baptistery and Bell Tower.

Ponte Vecchio

No visit to Florence is complete without a look at the Ponte Vecchio, home to historic goldsmith shops. It leads on to the Oltrarno Quarter, where you can find some masterpieces if you’re keen to check out the arts scene here. The Church of Santa Felicita, for example, has got a number of Pontormo frescoes.

Also check out the Palazzo Guadagni and the Santo Spirito Basilica – both worth a look. And just a bit further on, you’ll stumble across the Palazzo Pitti, a stunning palace with the Boboli Gardens.

Fall in love with food

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Florence. There are loads of places to eat and drink in the city and menus are mainly based on simple ingredients.

You’ll find lots of bread, olive oil and vegetables going into the dishes. For a starter, try out some cured meats. Of course, there’s a huge choice of pasta dishes. And, if you’re a meat lover, why not sink your teeth into a Florentine steak! It’s grilled before being finished off with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Got your taste buds in a frenzy? A good way to get a real taste of the city is to take a local Florence food tour.

Go art crazy

If you’re keen to absorb some more of Florence’s amazing art history, then hunt out the Uffizi Gallery. It’s home to one of the world’s most important museums. Inside, it’s a treasure trove for art lovers – with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli, along with other greats in history.

Be sure to see the Vasari Corridor, which hooks up the Gallery with the Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti.

Unravel the Historical Heritage of Athens At These 5 Famous Spots

July 7, 2017 by Mandy

The birthplace of famous legends like Plato, Solon, Socrates and Pericles, Athens has always remained a place perfect for that perpetual quest of the people who love to feel the grandeur of Classical Greece. The city still preserves the glory of its great past in the historical monuments located in its heart.

If you are also interested in getting the glimpse of its grand olden days and are still thinking whether to surf the travel websites like Yatra to book Emirates flight tickets online in India, then we would like to introduce you to the majestic places of Athens. Go on an unravel the historical heritage of Athens at these 5 famous spots:

1. Acropolis of Athens

The “Sacred Rock,” of Athens, it is one of the most significant archeological site representing the city of Greece itself. Situated on the Acropolis hill, this ancient citadel was developed in the 5^th century BCE and contains some of the most important historic building and structures such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaia. A stone theater, known as The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is also situated on the southwest slopes of the Acropolis. Each monument has its own story to tell, and it’s your chance now to choose which one fascinates you the most.

2. Daphni Monastery

Located approximately 10 kilometers from Athens, Daphni Monastery was built by the Byzantines in the 11th Century AD. Designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 1,000-year-old old building stands rose from the dilapidated temple dedicated to Apollo giving it a classical touch. Since its existence, the monastery has been destroyed many times by both men and nature. However, a restoration drive has helped it stay alive on this golden land. As the monastery opens for a limited time, we advise you to mark it in a special place when you make your travel plan while you are still thinking to book Emirates flight tickets online in India.

3. The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Another marvel of the Greek architecture, The Temple of Olympian Zeus stands under the azure horizon symbolizing the grandeur of the past of Athens. Though its foundation stone of the temple was laid by tyrant Pisistratus, it was finally completed by Emperor Hadrian in 131 AD. One of the major highlights is the regularly spaced Corinthian columns which are capped by highly decorative Corinthian capitals carved from two massive blocks of marble. Famous as the largest temple in Greece during the Roman period the temple, it once had 104 colossal columns, and we know that you can hardly wait to behold their magnificence.

4. Ancient Agora of Athens

If you want to catch a sight of an excellent example an ancient Greek agora, then this is your perfect gateway. Holding a significant place in the ancient Athens, this was the marketplace and civic center where most of the social, political, commercial and cultural events took place and hence gives you a wonderful opportunity to examine those times. The famous monuments like the Temple of Hephaestus, Altar of the Twelve Gods, Altar of Zeus Agoraios, Strategeion and Temple of Aphrodite Urania are also a part of the Ancient Agora.

5. Plaka

Walk near the foothills of the Acropolis and enjoy the splendor of Athens’ oldest district, Plaka. With its delightful neoclassical architecture and labyrinthine streets, this place offers you a peek into the lifestyle of traditional times. Today, it is visited by thousands of travel buffs every year, who have a keen interest in the history of Athens. And if you have decided to go there then don’t forget to visit its famous museums!

With this list, we are sure that your quest for the ancient ruins, sacred wonders, and world-famous landmarks of Athens has found its direction. And now that you have the direction then don’t bother yourself about anything, book that flight and take that historical Yatra of your life and have a lifetime experience!

City Breaks That Won’t Break The Bank

May 27, 2017 by Mandy

A lot of people have hesitations in taking a holiday, because they believe that it is expensive. Yes, it might be costly, but at the end of the day, there are things that you can do to make it budget-friendly. If you pack so that everything fits in to a small case, you can take it as hand luggage, which will save you money and time waiting at the baggage carousel. Below are some of the destinations that you can visit without the need to spend a fortune.

Budapest

Known as Little Paris of Central Europe, this is an affordable city that can offer a memorable holiday. Some of its most popular attractions that are perfect for budget travelers include Parliament Building, Fisherman’s Bastion, Margaret Island, and Hungarian State Opera, among others. Your visit will also not be complete without experiencing its infamous thermal baths. To explore the city, on the other hand, there are free walking tours where you can take part.

Thessaloniki

Certain areas of Greece are much more expensive than others, so if you do your research you can make sure that you choose a destination with a lower cost of living. If you are traveling with a group you can save money by renting a villa in Greece and splitting the costs. You might be interested in visiting Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. To get around, it is best to rent a bike or take the bus to explore its many attractions, such as the Nea Paralia, which offers an excellent view of the waterfront. Another good way to save is to purchase attraction tickets that already cover multiple attractions, such as Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Archaeological Museum. There are also cheap street foods, which will offer filling meals at a low price.

Bangkok

This is perhaps the most popular city in Southeast Asia, especially for young backpackers. It offers cheap thrills and memorable experiences. It is a combination of the old and the new, which makes it more exciting. While there are towering skyscrapers and high-end rooftop bars, there are also ancient palaces and lively street markets. It is known as one of the best places for food, which is not only delicious, but also easy on the wallet. Here are the 5 best places to get street food in Bangkok. The airport is an international hub, so you can expect cheap tickets regardless of where you are from in the world.

Paris

Known as one of the most glamorous and touristy cities in the world, Paris has a reputation for being expensive. Fortunately, with the Paris Pass, you can enjoy visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, and other attractions while on a budget. The Paris Museum Pass is also a great way to save as it is cheaper than purchasing single tickets. During the first weekend of the month, entrance to some museums is free. For accommodation, stay in hostels or hotels outside of the city proper. Mid-May is a good time to visit because accommodation rates are usually at their lowest.

Prague

Prague is another destination that should in in your bucket list if you are looking for cheap city breaks. It is known as one of the most affordable cities in Europe. It does not run short of attractions that will surely impress every traveler. One of the attractions worth checking out is the Prague Astronomical Clock, which is already 600 years old. St. Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge are also impressive. Of course, your vacation is not complete without tasting its beers.