a travel blog by renata green
From artisanal cheese and craft beer to centuries-old cocoa traditions, the area northwest of Amsterdam is a place where every local flavor tells a story.
On a culinary journey through North Holland, I discovered some of the region’s signature specialties as well as a couple of incredible gourmet restaurants.
This Way to the Whole Story ->There is Mother’s Day and there is Father’s Day. There is Independence Day and there is Groundhog Day. Every day of the year, something or someone is being celebrated.
And then there is soup.
Not as a snack enjoyed during those celebrations.
No, soup is actually the main character of a debauchery that the city of Vilnius celebrates as a kickstart into summer.
Not just any soup, obviously. It’s Šaltibarščiai, the traditional pink soup that gets its color from its two main ingredients, kefir and red beet. For Lithuanians, it’s not just a refreshing dish, it’s a vibrant symbol of the country’s rich heritage, pride, and most importantly, pink joy in every bowl.
La Vie en Rose!
While I love city breaks, I’m always completely exhausted afterwards. I have a severe case of FOMO, which is constantly triggered by the big city lights, its seductive museums, its tempting architectural gems, and other tantalizations.
Food? I can eat later; after all, I had breakfast just a couple of hours ago.
Drink? Fine, but only a sip on the go so I don’t become completely dehydrated.
Plus, this ascetic way of visiting saves me from time-consuming trips to the bathroom.
Two birds with one stone.
Fortunately, there are also cities like Vilnius where leisure’n’pleasure are an important part of the culture, allowing me to both fulfill my mission as a self-proclaimed city scout and at the same time pamper myself and relax. This brings me to Vilnius’ rich coffee house culture. It needed to be explored. Someone had to do the job, so I sacrificed myself and can introduce you now to the best and most beautiful coffee houses in all of Vilnius.
Come on in, join us at our transnational Christmas dinner table – or prepare it for your own family, following my easy-to-make recipes.
Pickled fruits and herbs from the Mediterranean cuisine are fantastic: Tasty, pretty, and with my recipes so easy to make! It’s also a great gift to your family’n’friends and a creative way to store the Mediterranean Sun in your pantry.
Especially during travel-restricted times, it’s a great way of bringing the flavors of summer into your kitchen cabinets.
This Way to the Whole Story ->