February is here… Around this time I usually start to feel a bit homesick. The winter stretches to no end, and our spring trip to France feels still far away… Luckily on the way from work I can stop by Anton & Anton and shop around for “fancier” ingredients to spice up the daily routine. Today’s pick:…
Category: My Food Stories
It’s Ok; it’s Candy day everyday!
Being a French parent in Finland requires elegant navigation between two surprisingly different parenting cultures. One vivid example was the first time I discovered “karkkipäivä” (translated to “Candy day” – limiting when children can have candies to 1 day of the week – usually on the week-end) I was pretty adamant that this would most probably not work in our home. In France…
I am an Anarchist… baker
I’m not much of a baker… there is a simple reason for that: I can’t follow a recipe to save my life. I’m more of a “Recipe book for inspiration” type of a person. I’ll browse at the perfect looking picture and imagine 100 ways how I can twist the recipe to make it mine….
Matza Ball soup
Sick days call for warm, fragrant fluffy dumpling soup
When even trees can celebrate…
A celebration of trees, renewal & the bounty of nature
Summer is here! Sunny Sticky Spicy Chicken bites
Summer perfection in the middle of winter!
Take your time! It’s breakfast
During the week, breakfast can feel like a necessary evil. Quickly grabbing a toast and try to make it through the day. Luckily, one of the coolest Finnish workplace perks is the reliable Porridge at the cafeteria. In true Finnish fashion, the staff really prepares it with care. They are even kind enough to vary the types…
Finland – the Japan of Europe
When I settled in Finland, I elaborated this silent theory that Finland is the “Japan of Europe”. Now, before you chew my head off, hear me out. Coming as an outsider I had the privilege to spend time internalize the purist and absolut Nordic design of wooden & White tones, respecting the authenticity of material and elaborated simplicity in every home…
Do NOT follow this recipe!
When my friend Manu asked me to post a soup recipe, I felt like there would be no way I could pick from the infinite variations that came to my mind. You see, If there was a Food Oscar, Soup would surely win the “Not a Recipe” category (Nominated in the category too: Salad, Sandwich & Quiche) – Am…
A “Kukka Omena*” Apple tart!
Food inspires me visually first; always! It usually starts with an obsession over an ingredient and evolves to take many shapes or forms until I feel content and ready to move on. I have a vivid memory of my first year as a new comer in Finland. My best friend came to visit me in Helsinki. I was…
No tears Soupe à l’oignon
As I’m listening to “Here comes the night” by David Bowie I have a sudden longing for the warm and comforting sweetness of a French onion Soup. I have a rule though: when you are in a funk, it’s got to be a “No Tears” recipe! So here you go – one of my absolute favorite winter dish…
Ladie’s Night Out Menu #1 – “Irina”
As an adult, moving to a foreign country, forming new friendships can feel like an ordeal. I mean come on, “been there done that ” right? I am no exception; after almost 10 years here, I have seen many of my friends return to their home countries. It seemed that as the winters grew colder, their resilience grew thinner. In an…
Delicious Quiches
As a rule of thumb, one should always have a few ready-made savory pies pastries in the freezer. Yes sure, it’s as nice to make your own, but by all mean, no one will ever know the difference so think twice because by the time they are defrosted, you can prepare the filling & get your oven to the…
Survival Instinct
“5 minutes” dinners have become a specialty! Developed from pure Survival instinct, here are a few tricks to avoid frantically dialing your Pizza guy while munching on a day old piece of bread. When you prepare any type of grain (rice, bulgur, quinoa, …) , double the amounts and store the leftover in an airtight container If you…
Oops, I did it again!
There are days when food disasters are unavoidable. Over-ambitious targets, a key ingredient tragically missing at the last minute, an unexpected allergie, or the casual oven malfunction, if you have cooked, you have had your share of epic fails.Yet, from these food debacles, hidden behind the sense of urgency and betrayal is a trepidation! Away from the paved…
Hungry in Helsinki 