Chocolate Cherry Sorbet with Cherry Compote

Ten Years of Blogging

4/29/2023

Has it really been 10 years since I started my little blog? Wasn’t it just yesterday that my girlfriend suggested that I organize my many recipes into a blog to share them with friends and family. This blog has become my baby, my creative outlet. It challenges me to expand my knowledge and keep on learning. I do have issues with the technical part of it. Like everything in life , nothing is perfect. Even I use this blog myself quite often, as the recipes are like my old and most trusted friends. The most enjoyable part has been connecting with other bloggers and people around the world. This community has given me support and positive input and I thank you for being part of it. I hope that I can blog for a little while longer, and find some new and interesting stories and recipes to share. I appreciate your loyalty and taking time from your busy life to read my blog.
The recipe for duck confit quesadillas is one of my older recipes. If you click here
you will not only find the recipe but a write-up of one of my favorite restaurants in Capitola called Shadowbrook.

Duck Confit Quesadillas

In a few days I will be flying to Germany to visit my family and friends. I have my railroad pass (read about the German railroad system here) and will be traveling by train. I will be staying in my nephew’s tiny house while at our farm since my brother still has 2 Ukrainian women and a teenager living in my niece’s apartment where I usually stay. Then I will take the train to go to Lüneburg, a beautiful historical old salt town near Hamburg, where my niece and her family are living (click on this link to read about my previous visits). I will also take a short vacation to the Eastern Sea near Wismar. I have never been there and I am looking forward seeing something new. Before I know it, my three weeks will be over and I will be back home with my husband.

Lüneburg

A photo from my last visit to Lüneburg, loving my grand niece

Here are some of the recipes I have made in the last couple of months. My seafood pasta is a dish I have made for years. It comes together quickly, I freeze my pesto when basil is plentiful. I like to serve this dish with asparagus, steamed or roasted. My husband likes it steamed, but I prefer it roasted with some walnut or hazelnut oil, sprinkled with garlic salt and pepper. I roast the asparagus for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Last time I omitted the scallops and used only shrimp. which was just fine. I like to serve this dish on a large platter., which makes a lovely presentation. Click her for the recipe.

I have to say, I love my banana bread, especially when it is freshly baked. I made my last batch using frozen bananas. Once I defrosted them I got rid of all the juices that had accumulated. Click here for the recipe.

My husband and I are at an age where we gain weight easily, so I try to make some dishes that are light and not loaded with extra calories. My lentil salad fits that bill. Especially since I can eat it for several days. I had some leftover homemade duck confit that I added as a protein. This recipe I have for duck confit is great. Thank you Bon Appétit. It is a great weekend project with little effort; it just takes time to bake slowly in the oven. I did some much-needed gardening while it was cooking.
Click here for the lentil salad recipe.
Click here for the duck confit recipe

Let’s return to eating healthy. For a quick , tasty and healthy dinner this fish dish baked in parchment is a winner. You can use any white fish and spruce up the flavors by adding anchovies, tomatoes, and capers, giving this dish a Mediterranean twist. The last time I added some sliced cooked leftover potatoes. It was super delicious. Click here for the recipe.

Thank you again my dear blogger friends for all your support and loyalty. Stay healthy and well.

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Cruising

4/9/2023

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I have always wanted to go on a cruise. I had visions of floating down a staircase in a fancy dress with an elegant gentleman by my side. Think of the Titanic or imagine crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. Over the decades nothing like this ever happened for many reasons, one of them was my husband being afraid of getting seasick and not liking the idea of cruising, and my wanting to visit friends and family in Germany on my vacations.

Our friends finally talked us into joining them on a cruise from Sydney Australia to Auckland New Zealand. I had my doubts when I checked in and saw what would be my new home for 12 days. The first day I felt a little wobbly being on a moving vessel. All my doubts, fears, and wobbliness were gone by the second day. I woke up in the morning having slept like a baby with pleasant dreams ( very unusual for me.)

I watched the sun rise over the ocean and explored the ship. For the rest of the trip I felt well taken care of, everything was done for me. All I had to do was to enjoy the journey.There were incredible sunrises and sunsets, and then there was the beautiful sky in the middle of the Tasmanian Sea. My favorite cruising day was the day we spent at Milford Sound. The weather was great, which is very unusual.We missed two ports in New Zealand because of the Cyclone Gabriela and stayed at sea for 5 days, which was just fine with me. So now I have become a cruiser and hope to be able to do a few more of them.

The Island of Waiheke

A winery in Waiheke

The countryside of Waiheke

After the cruise we stayed 4 days in Auckland. We had a good time eating and exploring the city and surrounding area. My favorite was the Island of Waiheke, a beautiful island with many wineries and beaches. The 40 minute ferry ride took us past Auckland’s stunning coastlines and beautiful islands.

Excellent fish and chips at the Bistro "Oyster and Chop" in Auckland

Delicious local shrimp

In Auckland my favorite bar was Churchill on the top floor of the "Sheraton Four Points". The view is great, the drinks are out of this world and the food is good. We ate twice at the Bistro“Oyster and Chop” at the harbor.

I took this photo in Melbourne

I would love to go back end explore Australia and New Zealand a little bit more. Who knows, maybe one day, but in the meantime I am thankful that I was able to experience this beautiful part of the world.