Weihnachtsmarkt [Christmas Markets] in Germany

[Trier, Germany]

Its beginning to look a lot like christmas… 🙂 [I’m totally singing to myself right now]

A lot of people seem dislike this time of year, for various reasons. But for me, I reaaaaaaaaaaally really love it!. Its energetic, frantic, emotional and usually a sign that schools, uni, work and WINTER is coming to a halt…however in the northern hemisphere, winter is FULL STEAM AHEAD… but less steam, MORE SNOW!

Being my first German Christmas/winter, everything is wonderful, and new and awe-inspiring. It truly is  a winter wonderland. Everything makes little more sense celebrating the holiday season when its ‘brain-freezingly’ cold. Like, singing ‘baby its cold outside’ when its ACTUALLY cold outside…

However, I crave the sun, the heat and wearing floaty shimmery dresses to christmas lunch/dinner and all December long.

For me, there is something very odd, but beautiful about rugging up to head outdoors this time of year… making sure you’re layered up like an onion and putting on your hats and scarves. But I think, as much as I adore it and admire it, I would take slipping on a floaty number, popping on my haviannas and wearing SUNSCREEN over a scarf any day…

Yes, I may sound a tad homesick, and maybe thats b/c in a few days I’ll be in Melbourne and sweating like a ‘p***’ eating my words :)…ahh *sigh* the grass is always greener…

Anywho, whilst being in the most random place in Europe, we discovered the joys of European Christmas – the Weihnachtsmart [Christmas markets]. But especially the on in our town – Trier Weihnachtsmarkt. And the sheer joy of Christmas market food!

*Gluhwein [mulled wine]
*Hot chocolate with baileys
*Eggnog

*Poffetjes [dutch pancakes]
*waffles
*crepes

*Schocofruecte [delicious chocolate covered fresh fruit]
*Mushrooms/panfried potatoes
*Potato cakes with apple sauce

and SO MUCH MORE!!!!

If you’re on a diet – forget about it. Indulge in deep-fried, sugar-coated salty numbers and pile on the christmas weight to keep you cosy for this jolly season.

Heres a Christmas mishmash of delicious yummies and the magical backdrop that was my home for the greater part of this year….Trier

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If you don’t celebrate christmas, I hope you enjoy your holiday season and for those who do, wherever you are I hope you’re enjoying some good food and taking time to reflect on the year that has been…2010.

. . .

Tastefully yours,

Joanna

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New York state of mind

. . .
[ New York tomato: Cnr New & York Streets, Richmond ]

For months I was calling this place New York Apple-for obvious reasons…It wasn’t until I went back for an encore I realised I’d been telling everyone about a mystery location! Oops!

So, a good travel buddy of mine suggested this amazing place nestled in the little streets of Richmond that was the perfect hang over cure! (good food, cosy, and you can wear your dark glasses and still look a little bit ‘last night’ and it’s totally ok!)

Boy was I in for a treat, this place is a cosy little hide out to discuss last night, to have a date, to be alone, to meet like-minded locals and just to enjoy your Sunday late morning nourishing your mind and feeding your soul.

The selection is wide and the choices are many… Sweet or savoury, fresh or fried, big or small… Soo many choices!!!

The first time I went was a bit of a tired blur to be honest, but I do remember the servings were hearty and much like the culinary equivalent of a cuddle! Just what the Dr. ordered right!!!??

The second time I took “miss Dior”, and boy was it as yummy as I remembered!!!

I had something freshish this time- polenta stack:

& Caz ordered ‘make ur own’ – yummy smoked salmon/poached eggs/ avocado!

It was sooo good, there was a lot of purring and silence. Mmmm yummys for our tummys 🙂

We’d been going to turtle for so many a breakfast date, it was always going to be rough to rip that bandaid off, however we has found the perfect substitute to heal that wound….

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Tastefully yours,
Joanna

Bent Espresso

[Bent Espresso, 385 Centre Road, Bentleigh (on Bent street) ]

Its a strong element of irony that’s plays a part here this morning… I’m leaving at the end of the week to a German flavoured adventure, and Jess and I were treated to an amazingly presented meal wrapped in sunshine and attentive customer service.

The whole package is generally quite difficult to find, but we were pleasantly surprised as bentleigh/mckinnon/ormond isn’t usually a breakfast destination.

Firstly you step inside a very friendly and colourful atmosphere, and you are immediately transported into ‘degraves st’ vibe bubbling with energy and passion for food& art

Jess and I both ordered the avocado & cottage cheese tasting platter!

Visually it is beeeautiful and not only is it delight to look at, the taste is phenominal! The bread is fresh, crispy and lovingly drizzled in olive oil, the avocado is ripe and creamy and dissolves in the mouth, and the cottage cheese is the perfect accompliment to creaminess, topping it all off with fresh lemon! Did I mention it’s all very hands on?

We both ordered ‘actual’ fresh juice’, not that ‘fresh out of the bottle crap! And it was tall, frothy and gooood… Although they did get my fruits mixed up…forgivable.

We were delightfully surprised at the value for money and relaxing family & pet friendly environment.

The view outside isn’t the best, but once ur inside it’s very easy to forget where you are… Very easily does one get lost in culinary pleasures for the senses!

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Tastefully yours,
Joanna