I am not an expert at all in German food or Oktoberfest, but I do love beer and cheese and pretzels. Obatzda is a traditional creamy cheese and onion spread that, I have read, is often served at beer halls, like it’s Austrian cousin Liptauer. I like to mold it onto a ball for serving, because we do love or cheese balls in the South and call it a cheese ball … [Read more...] about Beer Hall Cheese Ball (Obatzda)
Snacks
Pimm’s Bars
Nothing but nothing sings of spring and summer and lovely outdoor weather to me than a Pimm’s Cup, the traditional English cocktail of Pimm’s liqueur topped with sparking lemonade and served with garnishes of fresh fruit and mint. And it is to me, quintessentially British. The taste of my time at Oxford and my many, many visits since. So it is only natural that I distill this … [Read more...] about Pimm’s Bars
Molasses Marble Cake
I love the idea of having a cake in the house to slice and serve as a snack or as a nice break with a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon. This spiced loaf fits the bill perfectly, and it is attractive to boot. A simple buttermilk batter is swirled through with a really richly flavored molasses streak that makes this something special. Though I fantasize about afternoon tea … [Read more...] about Molasses Marble Cake
Sardou Dip (Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Hollandiase)
The inspiration for this dip is a menu. I don’t remember where or when, but some menu I saw online – either Instagram or researching restaurants or something a friend sent me - had a Sardou dip. I didn’t eat at the restaurant, but the dip idea really appealed to me, so I started from scratch. Eggs Sardou is a New Orleans brunch classic in the benedict vein, an artichoke bottom … [Read more...] about Sardou Dip (Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Hollandiase)
Chai Caramel Swirled Brownies
Make no mistake, these are some decadent brownies, not for the faint of heart. But we could all use a little indulgence when winter sets in. And these are, to me, a sort of winter brownie. A classic, deep fudge-y chocolate with a rich caramel swirl, warmed up with the spices redolent of a cup of chai tea. And it is easy to create that oozing swirl with readily available canned … [Read more...] about Chai Caramel Swirled Brownies
