Delicious dishes and snacks from our travels – Part 1
Cuisine that brings back fond memories
One of the reasons Gary and I love to travel is to experience the culture and cuisine through other countries. We are very much of ‘When in Rome’ type of people when it comes to food and drink. Although if anything looks slightly dodgy, I’ll let Gary take one for the team.
The Oyster beds just outside Sète in France
It is incredible that you can visit one part of a nation and sample a particular dish or ingredient. Then you’ll head to another region of the same country, and the cuisine has all changed.
Take France, for instance in the northeast its crêpe/galettes, seafood and cider. In the east, it’s tarte flambée and fondue. In the very south-west, you have the Basque influences like Espelette pepper.
Although across all of France there is always delicious cheese and good wine to be found.
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France
Well, while we are on the subject, let’s start with France. Living in the southeast of the UK, it’s so easy for us to pop across to this charming nation. As we’re keen road trip fans, we are regularly passing through, and no excuse is needed to make a stopover.
A fondue typical of the Arbois region
A dish that Gary loves is fondue, he would have it every week come rain or shine given half a chance. I believe it is more of a winter dish myself, but what do I know. I would say, and I think Gary would agree the most delicious and traditional ones that we have had, have been from Arbois and Annecy in eastern France.
We’ve recreated this at home a few times, using the recipe from Rick Stein’s latest book, Secret France.
Our fondue pot at home
A cube of bread dipped in cheese fondue
Low and slow is the key
Another of our cook at home winter dishes is beef bourguignon. With the beef soaked overnight in red wine and then slowly braised for a few hours with lardons, thyme and mushrooms. It is delicious and be sure to grab a baguette to soak up the juices.
We actually make a large pot of this, as it is even better left to mature.
More French Fancies
Perhaps this is not a dish, and actually, more of an experience and that is cheese, bread and wine. In my opinion, I think we would struggle to replicate the absolute pleasure of sitting in the Provence sunshine, sipping on one of their light, crisp rosé wines and indulging in the luxurious local cheeses.
Ok, so I may have tried to recreate it a few times.
Rose & fromage in St Remy-de-Provence
Another French favourite is tarte flambée, this dish can also be found in Germany. Mainly around the regions that border Alsace and is known as Flammkuchen.
The base is made out of bread dough and rolled incredibly thin, it’s then covered in crème fraiche, and sprinkled with lardons and thinly sliced onions. I’d say for best results bake in a woodfired oven, although we don’t have one, so a very hot regular oven will do.
Tarte Flambee from Strasbourg
This is another dish we recreated at home from Rick Stein’s ‘Secret France’.
Too many to mention
As revealed, we are frequent visitors to France, and here are just a few more dishes that always evoke memories for us. Keep a lookout for some of these they are delicious.
Coq au vin, steak tartare, ficelle Picarde, soupe de poisson, Soupe à l'oignon, a newfound favourite is oeuf cocotte. Of course, profiteroles go without saying and Gary’s favourite French dessert, îles flottantes. Ohh don’t forget the specialty from Montélimar, nougat.
A bowl of French Onion soup enjoyed in Arbois
Menu fixe
In France, you will always see a set menu option to choose from in addition to the standard menu. These are usually pretty good value and worth checking out.
Portugal
Ahh, the joy of Portugal, I know that people have been visiting Portugal for decades; however, I still feel that parts of this charming country remain in the grasp of the locals.
I mean, how often do you see ladies dressed in day coats washing their garments in a communal washstand. Or a farmer on a horse and cart transporting his bit and bobs around tiny streets.
So, then it’s a delight when you find little restaurants, mainly serving locals.
Bifanas, Pregos and Francesinha
Oh, I couldn’t wait to try a bifana when we arrived in Portugal. These tasty little pork sandwich can be found in many places throughout Portugal and often just served as snacks or street food. The spicy pork inside is delicious, I did try to reconstruct this at home, but it wasn’t a patch on the original.
Prego, a steak sandwich in Guimarães
A prego is similar to a bifana; however, the steak used is beef. While we were visiting Guimarães in the north of Portugal, we came across a little eatery Pregaria de Guimarães. The choice of their pregos was amazing, they offered so many twists on the original recipe we were spoilt for choice.
Arrive as early as possible, it was pretty popular.
If you’re visiting Porto be sure to keep an eye out for the Francesinha sandwich, oh, and make sure you are feeling hungry, this is a monster sandwich.
Inside is ham, smoked sausage, regular sausage, steak, cheese then a tomato & beer sauce. If that isn’t quite enough, you can also add an egg on top and a side order of chips, if you wish.
Café Santiago for the best Francesinha in Porto
My friend’s Portuguese husband recommended Café Santiago, so that’s where we headed.
A reference guide
Our recent new found love is Portugal, it is such a beautiful country. While planning our trip, I used the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our north to south Portuguese road trip, now you can grab the revised copy.
On a sweeter note
While we were visiting Aveiro, a colourful town just off of the Atlantic Ocean, we came across some delightful little cabins selling Ovos Moles. Curiosity got the better of me, and we purchased a few in different shapes.
These small local delicacies are bite-size sweets wrapped in rice paper, with a rich egg yolk and sugar filling. They were delicious, and a lovely treat while strolling along the canals.
An Ovos Moles stall in Aveiro
Now, if you have a sweet tooth or not, I urge you to try Pastel de Nata.
They can be found in plenty of bakeries in and around Lisbon; however, the best is produced at Pastéis de Belém in Belém. They have been nurturing these little delicacies since 1837. They are based on the original recipe created by monks from the nearby monastery.
Pastéis de Belém from Lisbon
Other firm Portuguese favourites
Here are some additional dishes that we chose during our visits to Portugal. Some of which are regional, some are national, and some perhaps may not be to everyone’s taste.
Suckling pig in Porto
The first is Bacalhau or Portuguese codfish, then traditionally cooked Piri-piri chicken (not from that well-known food chain). Freshly grilled sardines, especially if you’re sitting along the shores of the Atlantic coast. Last but by no means least is suckling pig, as I said, not quite everyone’s favourite; however, this is a speciality in Porto. Head to Casa Ribeiro if you’d like to try it.
Discover more
If you’re touring Portugal on a road trip, take a look at our post on the UNESCO sites in Portugal. All of them are incredible, I really don’t think I could choose a favourite.
Germany
We’ve regularly visited Germany, though often it is during cooler months. Therefore, the lovely hearty meals of pork knuckle, sauerkraut and potato dumplings are usually a winner. Although I reserve judgement on the potato dumplings.
Sausages
Now I don’t want to be stereotypical here, about Germans and their sausages. However, Regensburg has a ‘Sausage Kitchen’ Historische Wurstküche, which dates from 17th-century. Well, I knew Germans enjoyed their sausages, I didn’t realise they had dedicated kitchens.
Selecting your sausage at the Angel Christmas Market in Cologne
Saying that we have been visiting various German Christmas markets for over a decade, and the choice and sheer amount available is incredible.
Gingerbread and Pretzels
When I think of Germany and its snacks, gingerbread and pretzels always spring to mind. Every year we have visited the Cologne Christmas market there is a Klein stall selling Aachener Printen gingerbread. Oh, my it is delicious and made from their own recipe.
Aachener Printen for sale at the Dom Christmas Market, Cologne
The same ladies are there each year from Aachen, with smiling faces offering a sample of this moreish delight. And every year we can’t resist buying some to bring home.
Klein Aachener Printen in Aachen
A reference guide
I love nothing more than planning a trip and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Germany road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
Schneeballen
Schneeballen is a Franconian delicacy principally found in Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber in Bavaria. Don’t underestimate these sweet treats they are so filling.
It is made from a biscuit short-crust pastry, that is rolled out and cut into strips. Then each strip is twisted around and around and until a ball is created, roughly the size of a tennis ball. It’s then deep-fried until golden brown.
The Schneeball and hot chocolate in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
To make the schneeball even tastier, it is rolled in a variety of flavours, such as sugar, chocolate and nuts or all three, if you wish. If that isn’t quite enough, you can even have it stuffed.
Tempted to?
Discover the incredible dishes and flavours throughout Europe. Why not jump in a car and tour the country at your own pace. You can do it all on a road trip, Rental Cars cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
United Kingdom
I couldn’t write a post on traditional dishes and not include the UK. Once again it depends on which part of the UK you are from, to which you would choose. A roast dinner is always popular along with a good’ol pie.
Fish 'n' Chips by the sea at Margate in Kent
However, as we live not too far from the seaside, fish and chips in is most definitely catch of the day, with lashings of salt and vinegar. Oh yes, all the while trying to dodge the incoming seagulls.
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