Hei, travelers, mitä kuuluu? Are you a fan of outdoor adventures? If so, why not consider taking a trip to Finland this summer? This Nordic country is comprised of a multitude of forests and thousands of lakes; it is home to 35 national parks which bring nature lovers and outdoor adventurists from all over the world. Among the most popular activities in Finland are hiking, golfing, going on lake cruises and trekking up the Lapland Mountains. (By the way, if you take a trip up these mountains in the cooler months of September and October you will be rewarded with a viewing of the Aurora Borealis a.k.a. Northern Lights.)
Today the recipe comes to us all the way from Helsinki. This refreshing salad is a great snack for the upcoming hot summer months, but it also is used as a side dish during holiday feasts. Whatever time of year you decide to make it, I hope you enjoy it thoroughly.
Mixed Beet Salad
2 medium size cooked carrots
2 medium size peeled and cooked potatoes
1 granny smith apple
1 shallot or small onion
2 small gherkins
3 medium sized pickled beets
Crème Fraiche (recipe provided below)
Make sure all ingredients are dry. Finely chop your onion or shallot, and cut the remaining ingredients into cubes.
Mix all ingredients into a bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours, allowing flavors to “marry”.
Stir in Crème Fraiche and serve.
Crème Fraiche
2 c. heavy cream
3 tbsp buttermilk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp brown sugar
Dash of salt
In a medium sized mixing bowl, sprinkle salt, sugar and cinnamon into cream and buttermilk.
Whisk until blended and peaks begin to form. Cover with a towel in a warm place for about 12 hours, until the mixture is thickened.
Stir and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving
One of the most photographed buildings in Prague is the Dancing House, also known as Fred and Ginger – named so after legendary dance partners Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. (Due to its crazy shape and appearance, some of the Czech locals have also dubbed it the “Drunk House”.) The concrete tower, which represents Fred, is topped with a metal dome meant to be his hair; the glass tower, symbolizing Ginger, leans into and embraces Tower Fred. Complete with a flowing skirt and the “couple” holding hands (represented by a balcony between the towers), you can actually see the duo dancing!
It is located in the historic downtown area amongst the more reserved, Neo-Baroque, Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic structures, and when it was constructed in 1996, its design caused quite a stir. However, locals have grown to love it and in 2005 the Czech National Bank issued a gold coin with a picture of the house stamped on it. This coin was the final one in a special series minted called “10 Centuries of Architecture”.
Although the house is used as an office building, and inside tours are not available, you can visit the rooftop restaurant to enjoy an incredible view of the Prague Castle, the Vltava River and downtown Prague. Seeing this incredible building for yourself is just one of the many reasons you should take a trip to Prague.
Sunday June 20th is Father’s Day. How about treating Dad to a long weekend getaway or a mini-vacation for this special occasion? 1-800 Fly Europe offers cheap flights to various locations throughout Europe. Here are a few ideas for places to take Dad:
Scotland If your Dad is an avid golfer, perhaps a trip to Scotland would be ideal. From the rolling green Highlands to the coast of the North Sea, the “Home of Golf” has over 500 courses and links located around the country. The most famous place to swing your clubs is the Old Course at St. Andrews. It is the oldest golf course in the world, established in 1552.
England Perhaps your Father is the “Clark Griswold” type of guy (hopefully not as accident prone!) and thoroughly enjoys sightseeing and tours. How about a cheap flight to London? The UK is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. You could go on sightseeing tours to visit Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and ride a double-decker bus around the city. Then rent a car and drive into Liverpool to listen to some great music and visit the Tate Liverpool art gallery. No matter where his interests lie, this British country has plenty to offer its visitors and Dad will have a great time.
IrelandThis is where I would like to take my Dad. I know many people who say that Ireland is where they’d take their own Fathers as well. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse and Brewery, followed by a tour of the Old Jameson Distillery Tour would be a great way to spend a day in Dublin. Or if you’re taking a flight to Shannon, an ideal way to spend your trip is by renting a car and visiting the castles, abbeys and other cultural attractions.
And of course, if you don’t want to go on your trip during the high season of travel, you can always book your flight to Europe in advance for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. Just print off your e-ticket receipts and stick them in a Father’s Day card and tell Pops to get ready for some fun!
Happy Wednesday, Travelers! How is the weather where you are? Here in Portland, it is cool and rainy. On days such as this, a nice light soup is a pleasant treat. The recipe I am sharing today comes from the northeastern Veneto region of Italy. It is a very simple recipe for a rice and cauliflower soup, sure to satisfy your hunger. Take a trip to Venice and experience the delicious cuisine for yourself, any time of the year!
Riso e Cavolfiore Zuppo (Rice and Cauliflower Soup)
¾ lb cauliflower
¾ c short grain rice
½ fresh grated parmesan (or more, if you like)
1 tbsp butter
½ tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ beef broth (or vegetable broth, if you prefer)
Salt and pepper to taste
Cut florets from the cauliflower stalk, washing and drying thoroughly.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and half tbsp butter over medium heat and sauté the florets. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and four tablespoons of broth, cover and gently simmer for about 8 minutes.
In a large stockpot, bring the broth to a boil. Once boiling, add rice and cauliflower and simmer over low heat until rice is tender, approximately 35-40 minutes. Add the tablespoon of butter and parmesan.
