Wrap Up

Hello and a happy Sunday!

In less than an hour, I jump on my train back to Reims where I will study for my last year of my bachelors degree. The end of summer holidays signifies an end for summer in my eyes. Actually, I am ready for autumn - for layering, for classical music, for tea and cookies. To finish this great month appropriately, I thought to come back to my little summer resolutions. I am more than happy to announce that there is only one single point that I didn't accomplish.

1. Going on a tour around Lake Geneva. Whether it might be by bike or by car, it has been 5 years that I have missed this option.
   - CHECK, I toured 180 km by car with my Mom. 
2. Remembering my great trip to South-East Asia thanks to this delicious Thai curry recipe.
   - CHECK, even my brother liked it :-)
3. Choosing my favourite images of my immense photo stock in order to make a collage for my room in university.
   - CHECK, I will share the new decoration idea once I've installed the collage. 
4. Compiling a short list of universities/ business schools that I apply for my master's degree.
   - CHECK. It's getting serious and I will share the place I move to once I am accepted. 
5. Exploring Spain in a total new way. Instead of hotel resorts on the Canary Islands or other major touristic places, it is time to discover Spain's real treasures.
   - CHECK, here's my post about Madrid and Oliva. 
6. Visiting the Aiguille de Midi in the French Alps. With two friends stopping by in August this touristic adventure shouldn't be a leftover anymore, should it?
   - FAIL. I unfortunately didn't make it yet I went hiking a couple of times and enjoyed the view on the Mont Blanc. 
7. Preparing this summer cocktail for a little cocktail party on our terrace.
   - CHECK, although I didn't go for the exact same cocktail but due to a huge stock of Absolut Vodka, I checked out their recipes. 
8. After having tasted home made bread every single day in Iceland, I came to the conclusion to bake some different kinds myself from now on. Do you know some nice recipes?
   - CHECK. 
9. Subscribing for a class at Coursera in order to broaden my horizon. I plan to choose a non-business topic.
   - CHECK, I am nearly "graduating" in Entrepreneurship and think that online classes are a great way to enlarge know-how. 
10. Updating my iPhone with friends' current addresses. Every time I send postcards I must scroll through ancient Whatsapp messages in which we once exchanged them. For best friends this procedure takes hours and is simply too annoying with all the trips I do. Moreover, as I have lots of friends who frequently change their addresses, I am planning to design a lovely online version - I keep you updated.
    - CHECK, a friend in Vancouver received my first online postcard and I managed to update my iPhone. 

That's it for today as I must rush a little for my train. Everyone who is also going back to uni this week: I wish you a great start and all the luck for another new chapter!

Fresh bread is a routine that I will include into my daily life.

180 km around the lake (here on the French South side)

Back of the postcard (in German) - how do you like it?

Another shot from the Swiss Alps

Thai curry

Toast Time

Tomato-walnut pesto with flavoured beef, tomatoes, lettuce and Italian herbs

I am not a fan to jump on the bandwagon but I do with today’s post: Toasts.
Actually, I would have never thought to dedicate an entire post to a slice of bread although toast has always played an important role in my life: I usually start my day with 2 slices, well spread with strawberry jam (like my child hero Paddington bear). In school, my mom often packed toast sandwiches into my lunch bag that I then found soaked through by mayonnaise by time of lunch.

Lately, toasts have really boomed. You find them on more and more restaurant menus and there is not a single food blogger who hasn't written about toast. Last week my friends and I decided to come together in order to cook – well, WHAT was actually the question. So I came up with the ideas of toasts that everyone appreciated lively. We compiled our favourite combos with a variety of ingredients.

Veggie: honey mustard, cucumbers and cranberries

Sweet: home made apricot jam, nectarine slices and crumbled LION flakes

Hungry now? Based on our great night that we accompanied with some sparkling wine, I compiled the following (non exhaustive) ingredients in order to help you to make your toast. As we did, I’d rather go for one ingredient from each category to fully provoke a taste explosion. What's your favourite combo? If you want, you can leave a comment with your ideas to inspire each other to try new creations.
Bon appétit!

Paris Part I: Food and Drinks

Bonjour,

Let me take you on a culinary adventure today. Having traveled a lot, there is a crucial point that can turn your trip into a good or (hopefully not) bad one: The choice of the good restaurant. As Paris is full of touristic restaurant traps, I now want to show you my favourite places for food and drinks, from French Cuisine to absolute hip places around town. (I also compiled a short list a few years ago that is still valid but must be enlarged after 6 months trying all kinds of hideouts). 

L'Heure Gourmande

French Cuisine

Since we are in France, let's begin with the obvious. It is a must to go to a typical French brasserie for me every once in a while and I typically go for Chez Chartrier, a great place in the 9ème with low prices and delicious food that consequently lead to long queues in front of the restaurant as no reservations are taken. Another great brasserie is the Comptoir de l'Arc near the Arc de Triomphe. My apartment was situated just above the Perroquet Vert, a gastronomical highlight as their dishes always come with a little twist. In my opinion a perfect dinner place, especially because it is mainly frequented by locals. Another must is fish: French people love sea food and this time a rather exquisite restaurant in the posh 16ème is my favourite - the Chasse Marée. Finally I want to recommend two parts of the French cuisine that are not to be missed: Tartes (best at L'Heure Gourmande) and Crêpes (either at night a one of the thousand stalls or in the Rue de Montparnasse where there is one Crêperie next to the other).   

The Café Suédois

Terraces

When the sun comes out in Paris, I have the urge to sit outside, enjoying a good meal while being blessed by the sun. In the Marais, I typically go for the Café Suédois, a simple cafe with Scandinavian touch. I also love to hide on the terraces of the Café A or the Bistro des Dames. And when I don't know what I want to have for lunch, I love to stroll through the alleys of the Marché des Enfants Rouges that instantly inspires me to try something totally new and exotic on the provided benches. While I recommend the Chalet des Iles for special occasions and larger budget, the Crous Place (Port de la Gare, near Pont Tolbiac) next to the Seine is a real secret - 2€ for a glass of wine (besides, the whole quay invites you for a relaxing after work). If you like to have a little entertainment while eating, L’été en pente douce at Montmartre or L'Entrepot in the 14ème are really nice. And don't miss the Qinoa dishes at L'Entrepot - ahhhhhhhh!

The Pesto Burger at La Karambole

International

Not only I am foreigner in Paris, but many exotic places offer great food that take you around the world. The Eiffel Tower and the Trocadoro is a quite expensive area which is why I was really happy when I found the Frog XVI, a micro-brewery on Avenue Kleber. One of my favourite districts is the Marais quarter that is also known as the Jewish part of Paris. No question, but Jewish food is a must at L'As du Fallafel, even if the queue is very long. And what if the the queue is really too long? Would you mind having a really good American hot dog at La Mosaique? Or you could walk a little further until you reach the Flag Café with its simple and low budget dishes with the view at the Bastille roundabout. There is also Montmartre with the Italian Oggi or the local tip Sens Uniques... Eventually I am a huge fan of "La Bonbonniere" - a restaurant group with great places all over Paris: Le Clan des Jules, Le Barbe à Papa, Les Fils à Maman, Le Club des 5, Les Athlètes or the Prairie du Petit Resto. 

L'Entrepot

Hot places

As a fan of little restaurants that have a small menu this section is truly fun: Let's start with the créateur de pizza at Colonna where the Parisian Pizza is not only the simplest but also the most surprising. In the same neighbourhood, people meet at the Strobi in order to eat steak with sherry sauce or at the Karambole for excellent burgers (go for the Pesto one!). The Dépanneur at Pigalle is known for its Tacos and always a good start for a night, so is La Fourmis only a couple of streets further. In the Marais, I hardly can pass by the delicious salads at Pick Clops. If I do, you certainly will find me in the courtyard of the BHV Marais Men: A little open space with waffles, burgers and drinks. With friends I highly recommend the Ouh là là! Cantine St Martin because there is no better than sharing takes with your beloved ones. And if you look for a nice spot for fantastic desserts, try the Pain Quotidien in Rue des Martyrs. 

Maison du Chou 

Sweets

We end this little list with desserts (of course!). I have already mentioned my love for Crêpes that you can find at many stalls. Nevertheless I have found my favourite take-away in the 6ème: Crêperie St. Germain (33 Rue Saint-André des Arts). Macarons are another French specialty that some cannot resist. Rather than going for the classical and very expensive Ladurée, I found a great alternative at Paul bakeries (everywhere in the city). Speaking of bakeries, you can always find a little treat in them. Though, be careful when it comes to the Baguette! My nearby bakery was the Chez Anthony (10, rue des dames) that provided the perfect baguette as it was not too crunchy from the outside and really smooth from the inside - this is how I like it the most! I also discovered a new obsession: Chous (= puffs). Popelini in the Northern part and La Maison du Chou in the South are my places to go to in order to satisfy my need. 

Extra tip

Check out La Fourchette for reservations as they often have special offers when you use their system. Parisians do so in order to pay 30 to 50% less!

Macaron Workshop

Alain Ducasse Macaron Book

Hello my dears,

A lot of my favourite bloggers like Kristina, Emily or Caro declare Macarons to be their favourite sweet treat. I don’t share their excitement to such an extent but a good macaron from time to time makes my heart beats faster as well.

Less because of their taste but more because of their photogenic quality (hello instagram!) I then head to Ladurée or another neighbourhood bakery in order to indulge myself this typically French dessert. But it was only until last weekend, that I met with a (let's call her macaron experienced) friend to rise the challenge: my first self-made macarons.

We followed the standard recipe (or here) and added some pink colour to make them look even prettier. I quickly realized how important it is to have the necessary equipment like a baking mat (you can also take parchment paper) and a piping bag - and enough time and patience. Instead of the typical white chocolate filling that is generally mixed with all kinds of flavours, we went for berry jam or salmon-goat cheese. Yes, you read correctly: We mixed the sweet with the salty with an extremely satisfying result. Last but not least, we started playing with the macaron forms as we added little ears and finished by painting cat, bear and pig faces on our macarons. This workshop was so much fun and I definitely will include macarons into my baking days!

The right equipment helps a lot!

Strawberry jam macaron

Salmon, apple, coriander, chives, lemon, goat cheese and whipped cream (not in the picture)

Cats love the salty version!

And Paddington bear is a jamoholic!

P.S.: The leave on the last picture is a mint leave, dipped into egg white and sugar, then baked in the oven at 50°C for about 2 hours. A nice and tasty decoration trick that you cannot only add to your macarons.

Bon Appétit!

The Lactose-Free-Thing

Chocolate Mug Cake

Happy Sunday!

Despite my love to France, I have to deal with one big issue here: my lactose intolerance.

Maybe French genes are composed differently, but every time I enter a supermarket I feel that they have never heard of this allergy. Shelves full of yogurt, milk, cheese (oh-how-yummy-is-that) - but nearly no lactose-free products. OK, might be that I am a little demanding since I neither like soy products nor sheep milk, but still - in other countries like the US or Germany I find plenty of special products.

Even Starbucks here in France cannot offer lactose-free milk which helped me to save a lot of money as I have stopped going there. And this is a true shame because sometimes there is no better than a Chai Latte or a Hot Chocolate on the way to work (right, I still don't touch coffee, though I am a stressed student).
Luckily, I can still have my favourite cheese "Comte" as it is hard cheese that hasn't any lactose left. Yet, Camembert is excluded from my diet.

What about you? Has anyone of you faced same problems? And more important - how do you overcome them?
I, for instance, import some dairy products from Switzerland and Germany from time to time when I feel the urge. However, I adapted my diet a lot since I got the diagnosis.
Finally, I found some great recipes to replace the conventional dairy product by other products that are composed by the same nutritional values. Only last week I tried this Chocolate Mug Cake and combined it with a lactose free yogurt (bought in the super market and pimped it with some chocolate chips). While I normally need dairy products for desserts, this is one that is incredibly delicious without!

Preparation I

Lactose-free yogurt

Finished (and yes, I don't have a pic with the final dessert...)

Weekend Escape

Sun Bathing

Hellohej my dears,

I am in such a good mood today! The sun is shining and birds are singing – first signs of spring I reckon?! No thick winter coat anymore but colourful flats and light pullovers are on the agenda. Well and on top of that, it is the first family reunion for more than 6 months since my brother finally came back from New Zealand (hell, his pictures want me to leave instantly!) and I decided to join them for this weekend in Geneva home. Hence, no Paris again but regarding these great couple of days I spent here, it was so worth it!

2,50 € left before taking the train. And I buy cheese and a fashion magazine for dinner. 

Home sweet home

As it is still winter, there was no objection to go skiing. I guess, this time it was really the last time for this season. Therefore, I even more enjoyed every minute and obviously cannot wait to be on the slopes again in a few months. The sun , the snow, the fresh air, the speed. It is passion. It is freedom. It is love. And it is a nice sunburn in my face that makes me look like a raccoon. "Funny" comments by colleagues are pre-programmed.

Sea of clouds.

Passion.

But Geneva times doesn’t only mean skiing but also time with my friends. For instance, I am on my way to meet a former school friend in a couple of hours in order to grab my favourite lactose free hot chocolate at Starbucks and walking around Lake Geneva. When I see the stunning nature in this area, I face difficulties to take the train back to Paris. And yes, I know we talk about Paris. But before it’s time to go back, I rather head to the kitchen now in order to prepare some delicious pancakes with strawberries and maple syrup. So, who is up for going to work tomorrow? I am definitely not. 

Strawberries & Pancakes = Sunday's best

All time fav: lactose free Starbucks hot chocolate

Winter Flu: (Chicken) Vegetable Soup

It might have been the Belgian cold weather, the tons of french fries or just a lack of sleep: I am ill. The last two days I worked on a stand-by-mode and chose the pullover that I would wear for work to stay warm and which I can snuggle up into while surfing the metro. After two days of pitying myself I today decided to actively fighting against my little flu, so I eventually dug out an old recipe that I've "invented" (probably not) a few years ago: (Chicken) Vegetable Soup. It is full of all traditional remedies like garlic, ginger, fat and vegetables. If I am not a 100% fit tomorrow again, I don't know what is going on.

Ingredients: 

1 l of water

1 tin of vegetables (I took carrots, peas and beans)

1 small onion 

5 slices of ginger

1 clove of garlic

2 tablespoons of vegetable stock (or beef or chicken)

some rest of noodles

salt, pepper, oil

Heat some oil in a pot and sweat then the small cut onion and garlic. Deglaze with the water and wait until it boils. Add the noodles and the vegetables three minutes later. Cut the ginger into fine slices, add them to the soup and flavour the soup with the stock. Before serving add some seasoning (be careful, stock is already salty!). 

For the non-vegetarians: While heating the water and noodles, you can roast 1 to 2 chicken breast(s) in a pan aside until it is gold-brown. Then cut it into small pieces and add it to the soup just before serving.

To all the ill people: Get well soon!

Cut onions into little cubes

If you don't have small noodles (as me) just smash normal ones.

Bon appétit!

"And some people kiss their friends, it's like a high-five on the lips!"

Good morning early birds!

Hope, you had a great week!

How could I MISS IT?
10 years ago Desperate Housewives was launched and I didn't care at all. Even when my best friends cancelled dates on Wednesday night, I didn't get it. No, it was until last night that I have never watched one episode. But then - hit! - I already feel addicted after the first three ones. While my week was pretty stressful, my roomie and me decided to cuddle up in blanket, have some food and watch it. I need a lot more of these nights...

Crazy Red for main course - and Apple Pear Crumble + Rum Sunrise for dessert

Candy Shop vs. Pope of Dope!

It's been three times now that I have been telling you about a particular event (here, here and here) and this week it was time again: Running Dinner. For all amongst you who are not familiar with the term: You and your partner cook one course (either starters, main course or dessert) and are invited to have the other ones at different apartments. Therefore you meet a lot of people during the night and literally run from one place to the other.
We were to be chosen to do the dessert. We decided to make an Apple Pear Crumble (add some rubbed lemon into the crumbles), served with Vanilla Oreo Ice Cream and a Rum Sunrise with it. Beforehand we ate some Spanish Tapas and Chicken A La Provençale which was a delicious meal. Eventually, we all ended up at our favorite hangout until late that night.
Only the next day, another party was on schedule. It's motto was "Candy Shop vs. Pope of Dope" and I declared it to be my last one until the Euromasters in two weeks. As I have cheerleading nearly every night from now on, it wouldn't even be possible. Oh and not to forget mid-term exam on Friday.

Now back to work with some Finance stuff - and maybe the 4th episode tonight?!
Enjoy your day and have a great new week.
Xoxo

Weekend as a luxury I cannot afford

Happy Sunday!

Honestly, I can't tell you a lot today. You might be interested in the German apple purée market, local currencies in Bristol or in a high-quality low cost airline - these are the topics I dealt with this week. Exciting, aren't they?
It's been the toughest week so far and tougher ones will even follow. I had three times cheerleading, had a couple of group meetings (for the above mentioned topics) and on top of it I had classes from morning 'till late in the evening. My social life was almost down... until Friday night when I had enough from all the pressure and work so that I went out with a couple of friends. Same yesterday night. But never too late since I had in mind all the work piles on my desk that I will attack within the next few minutes.

Weekends are a luxury that students can no longer afford. 

Unfortunately, it is true. Even on weekends I force myself to get up early to get everything done. And then, from time to time, I remember those days when I was in my internship and could use the weekends for whatever I wanted to. Luckily I am going back to internship in January (don't know where yet) and this lack of freedom and fun has an end.
I am happy and positive person, so I don't want to complain too much. As all my friends are suffering the same situation we understand and support each other. And I truly appreciate it!

To not end this post without any picture, I have another simple cake recipe for you: Lemonade-Cake. Perfect if you have to get rid of eggs or any soft drink rests in your fridge.

Bon appétit!

For the pastry

• 2 cups of sugar
• 3 cups of flour
• 1 cup of oil
• 1 cup of lemonade (Fanta, Sprite etc. - I don't suggest Coke though!)
• 1 pck. of vanilla sugar
• 1 pck. of baking powder
• 4 eggs
• Pinch of salt

For the icing

• 250 g icing sugar
• Lemonade
• Decoration like colourful chocolate chips, sugar carrots etc. 

How to

• Mix all the ingredients and fill the pastry into a buttered pan. Put it into the preheated oven for about 30-45 minutes at 180°C. 
• While having the cake baked, prepare the icing: Mix icing sugar and lemonade in order to fabricate a gooey mass. Be careful that you don't add too much lemonade! 
• After having cooled the cake, spread the icing evenly on the cake and decorate it (in my case with colourful chocolate chips). 

Change ahead

Beach time

Good morning my dears,

Tomorrow it's time again. Time again for moving. Since I consider myself as a quite experienced person on this topic (here, here, here and here), I haven't started packing yet - but will today. This time it is because my second half of my bachelor's degree begins in September. And of course, I will share all my experiences at the new place as I have done until now.

Since I have been back from Asia I spent most of the time at my family's place, enjoying the summer weather while relaxing at the lake, hiking in the mountains, trying new food recipes, shopping in the summer sale and organizing all the crazy things for my new apartment (so much to think of!). On Thursday my mother and me went out for a ladies night which consisted of "Dirty Dancing" in the open-air cinema situated at the lake and a wine tasting. What a blast with all the shrieking women glancing at Patrick Swayze's body!

Speaking of family activities, I feel very sad today: My brother leaves to New Zealand in a few hours and will stay there for the next seven months. Literally, this place is the end of the world. Yesterday we had a family night together, with home-made pizza, special cocktails and a goodbye-cake. I certainly will miss my little brother and so will my parents as now even the last of us flies the nest. Take care and enjoy this unforgettable period of your life.

Thank you very much for reading and have a great week!

Low calorie summer snack: raspberry sorbet, prunes & cookie

Turtles bathing in the sun

On the court

My brother's favourite strawberry-cream cake

Before the open-air cinema with a glass of Rosé

No better than a dancing movie at the harbour and under the stars

Souvenirs from Portugal

Happy Sunday,

Although I am arriving later in good old Europe today, I prefer giving you a last prepared post before I can finally share my East Asia experiences.

Instead I dedicate this post to fashion (believe it or not) and food (easier to believe).

What I don't like about a globalized world is that you find nowadays the same things everywhere: A McDonalds in Shanghai and New York, an H&M in Stockholm and Dubai, Vodafone in South Africa and India. It's no wonder that shopping avenues resemble the same. Only few items are truly traditional and can be called "unique".
The Spanish company Inditex (Zara, Bershka, Stradivarius, Pull & Bear) could at least limit its multinational presence: Most of the brands are only available on the Iberian Peninsula (except Zara and only until now). Obviously, they were my target when I went to Lisbon and heureka! - I was successful.

Jeans shirt (Stradivarius)

Floral summer dress (Blanco)

Light shirt (Bershka)

What do you think about the new items in my closet?

When all my friends packed their suitcases before departure they quickly went to the next bakery in order to import the famous and delicious Pastel de Nata. Well, I wasn't too avaricious to buy them. I'd rather said that I want to try them at home by myself. In the beginning I was really skeptical whether they would turn out with the same traditional taste but I was then surprised positively. The fluffy pastry with the mildness of the vanilla filling are exactly the right snack for a Sunday afternoon.

Pastel de Nata

Ingredients (for 12):

• Puffed pastry
• 0.5l milk
• 250g sugar
• 35g flour
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. butter
• 1 egg
• 5 yellows of eggs
• 1 package vanilla sugar

Roll out the puffed pastry and stamp out circles with a diameter of about 10 cm. Those pastry circles are put into a buttered muffin tin and then set aside. For the filling bring the milk and butter to a boil in a pot. Then add sugar, salt and flour while stirring constantly. Boil up the liquid and then set aside. Now add the egg, the yellows and the vanilla sugar to the filling. Fill it then into the prepared pastry tarts and bake it in a 235°C oven for about 10 minutes. Normally they should turn out quite dark, in my case our oven wasn't in the right regulation. Bon appétit!

A glass helps to cut out circles

Before the oven

Thank you so much for reading.

Next week - finally - the report about four weeks in Asia will be the topic!