Aspargus Tartelettes with Wild Garlic Pesto

Here in Germany, asparagus season has hit. When I was a kid, this seemed like the worst time for me in my house food-wise. I felt that my parents ate nothing but asparagus for weeks. As I grew older I realized two things. First: asparagus is, indeed, a great, delicate and versatile vegetable. Like oh so many times, my parents were right about that (and about eating what is in season where you live, obviously!). The second thing I realized: next to the here much more popular white asparagus, there is the green sort too. Not a revelation, to you on the American continents, but for me, it was. So here is to a big yeah to asparagus – let’s it for weeks to come. Oh and also, make pesto from wild garlic, which is also in season and so yummy. Off to an early weekend at the beach – have a great one!

Austrian 'Topfenstrudel'

Inspired by my travel, I bring you my version of the Austrian Topfenstrudel. OK, so imagine that: all around you are white snow-topped hills and dark green fir trees. You sit in front of a wooden alpine hut, snugly packed into a warm blanket and a woman in a dirndl dress brings you hot cocoa and a ‘Strudel’ swimming in sweet vanilla sauce. Sounds a like an ideal dream of a ski vacation? I swear it was exactly like that. Well, except maybe the ongoing après-ski hits in your ear. (My absolute favorite goes something like that: “She had quite an impressive bosom…”) But after you slipped some cognac in your cocoa, from the pocket flask you are carrying around, you just sing right along! So here I bring Austria to your kitchen! 

Raspberry and Almond Danish

Ok. This is handsdown the best thing I have made so far. The pastry dough is pure perfection, combined with the sweet almond and tart raspberry fillings and three different kind of glazes, a bite of this takes you into food nirvana. Despite the fact that this is heaven on a plate, it is also the most elaborate baking I did so far. It is not super difficult it just takes a while. The process of getting to a great Danish pastry is a similar to the buttery mess when making croissants. But you know what say: a little butter a day, keeps the doctor away! That is what they say, right? Now, I know this has not even popped up in your minds yet, but I love me an excuse for any festivity, so how about this for Easter brunch? Or just any ole Sunday morn’?

Homemade Croissants

Sometimes, life throws such a heavy load at ya, that you need something really good and really buttery to remember that, at the end of the day, you are still blessed to have such a wonderful life.  It is definitely challenging to change your perspective, when everything is just super frustrating. I will be the first to admit that I spent at least an hour on our sofa sobbing like a five-year-old crying to my cat, how the world is so unfair! I am crying this to my cat, because at that point my boyfriend already sheepishly left to clean up the apartment or to do something else that will make me happy. And my bestie is already writing me a long letter to cheer me up. So only the cat listens to my tantrum. Reading this, I realize how great my life is, despite of all the challenges and I am a little ashamed for my behavior. So I made croissants, to shove them in life’s face and to say thanks to the people that care for me. 

Cinnamon Buns

Whatever life throws at you, cinnamon buns are always the answer.
Another declination for a job you really wanted? No motivation to work on your university stuff? Biggest hangover ever? Made a complete fool of yourself?
It is cinnamon buns you need. They will make your life better. I promise. Good friends to moan to could also be an option though. Ok, take both, than you ought to be dancing through the sunshine again, by tomorrow!