Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Luxembourg

January 23, 2012 By Sasha Martin 11 Comments

THE SCENE I slowly make my way to the table, balancing the heavy, ceramic tureen as I go. For twenty dollars at the local flea market my soup plays dress up, looking quite fancy as she swims in the tureen's old-fashioned angles. I feel like Martha Stewart for a moment, as I lift off the creamy white lid with a flourish. Still... Luxembourg's famous Green Bean Soup, now steaming and beckoning, barely makes an impression on me. Sure - it's good. I know that because I snuck a taste five … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Luxembourg, Monday Meal Review

Recipe: A Dainty Apple Cake (Äppelkuch)

January 22, 2012 By Sasha Martin 16 Comments

In the southern reaches of Luxembourg, in an area called Gutland, live a happy collection of orchards where apples, plums, cherries and berries ripen in the sun. Now... I knew, without a doubt, that I absolutely, positively wanted to make a plum cake when we got to Luxembourg, however the seasons were against me. Since it is January and not a plum in sight, I somewhat grumpily resigned myself to making a traditional apple cake, a.k.a. Plan B. One bite in and I knew this was a fantastic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Fruit, International Recipes, Luxembourg, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetarian

Recipe: Green Bean Soup (Bouneschlupp)

January 20, 2012 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

As a teenager in Luxembourg, I never really thought about high class cuisine. We spent a lot of time over at Quick, the aptly named fast food place. If we weren't there, we were eating a the local pizzeria, bar, or patisserie. It's a shame, really, because the world's first and only female winner of the Bocuse d'Or, a highly competitive culinary competition, is from Luxembourg and has two restaurants right around the corner from where we hung out. Talk about missed opportunities. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, International Recipes, Luxembourg, Miss Ava's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Soups

Recipe: Crispy Potato Fritters (Gromperekichelcher)

January 19, 2012 By Sasha Martin 22 Comments

My first taste of Luxembourg's Gromperekichelcher was during the annual Christmas market. The town square buzzed with happy shoppers and carolers whose voices floated down from the bandstand. The smell of fried potatoes and onions was just about enough to send anyone straight for their wallet so, of course, I happily complied. While most Luxembergers dunked their fritters in apple sauce, I went straight for the ketchup. It was an easy thing to do and it made my new home a little more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, Luxembourg, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, Potatoes, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Vegetables/Pulses, Vegetarian

Menu: Luxembourg

January 18, 2012 By Sasha Martin 5 Comments

In the gift shops of Luxembourg, right next to the key chains and novelty mugs, you will find postcards that read "Sunny Luxembourg." A casual tourist might not think twice, but live in Luxembourg for longer than a week and you'll realize this couldn't be further from the truth. Let's just put it this way: the landscape is lush green for a reason. Loads of rain and gauzy cloud cover persist throughout the year. When faced with what to make this week for "sunny" Luxembourg, a country I spent … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Luxembourg, Menu Wednesday

About the food of Luxembourg

January 17, 2012 By Sasha Martin 15 Comments

My first afternoon in Luxembourg, my family took me on a tour. "There's downtown" my foster dad said. "Where?" I asked, spinning my head around. I looked just in time to see a street blur by. "You missed it," he deadpanned. It wasn't until he said, "I'll turn around" and actually did that I realized he wasn't kidding. Luxembourg is tiny, yet still ranks as "only" the 24th smallest country in the world. We could cross the entire country in about 45 minutes (the long … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Europe, Luxembourg, Travel Tuesday