Wild Blueberry Strudle

I found a charming place in the middle of the wood in Gorski Kotar, Croatia, with delightful homemade strudle and  freshly picked wild blueberrys.  Needless to say, it was delicious!

Wild Asparagus Risotto

I used the wild aspargus I bought on Dolac market, you can get them only at this time of the year, so I have included them in a beautiful risotto, prepared in under 15minutes, it can be served as an appertiser or as a main dish.

Ingredients (serves 2)

1tsp butter
180g risotto rice
1 small red onion
2 cloves of garlic
200ml vegetable stock
1tsp mascarpone
Grana Padana (to taste)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
1 bunch of fresh wild asparagus

Method

On melted butter, saute finely chopped red onion and garlic. Add the risotto rice with salt and pepper and gradually stir in the vegetable stock until the rice is half cooked*.  Add asparagus tips (approx. 3cm long)  and stir in with the risotto rice. Add the mascarpone cheese and grana padano and stir well to finish. Garnish with a few drops of olive oil.

Texture of fully cooked risotto should be sticky in texture and hold its shape when presented on the plate.

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Zoran

Parmesan Dough Balls

You can find these in Mario Mar d.o.o bakery inside Dolac.  These are hit and miss, sometimes they’re FANTASTIC, other times not so tasty, but a must mention! On their good days their soft, warm and oozing with flavour, they are also gluten free and light on the tummy. Good luck. Try it. Share it.

Caffe Galerija Lav, Upper Town, Zagreb

Galerija Lav is an Art cafe, located in upper town, Zagreb.  Go here if you like great service, good tea suggestions and a peaceful, non-pretentious ambiance, surrounded by a bubble of creativity.  Furnishings include products by Philippe Starck and original paintings and sculptures which are for sale. Porcelain tea cups and reasonable pricing.

Jutarnji List's Top 20 restaurants, Zagreb

Jutarnji List

An interesting read, noting that Gallo restaurant is missing.  I shall have to pay a visit to some of them and will update you all with my findings.

Fresh Tortelini with Cheese Sauce!

Very fast to prepare and a great lunch idea.  The tortelini was bought fresh from Tjestenina Italjana, Dolac, Zagreb. Boil the tortelini in salted water for 6 minutes and serve onto a bed of bechamel sauce.

Base Bechamel Sauce. Serves 2.

• One scoop of butter melted in a small pan.
• Stir in 50g of flour.
• Add 300ml of milk and stir.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bechamel with cheese sauce

• As above +
• Stir in 70g gouda cheese and parmesan shavings
• Fresh chopped parsley (optional)

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Tjestenina Italjana

Young Potatoes

It’s the time of year where our markets are over flowing with young potatoes, why is this great? No peeling required! Simply wash and roast, boil or fry. Have fun! Try it. Share it.

Fresh Salmon and Chips!

I bought all the ingredients fresh from Dolac this morning, the salmon fillet was grilled for 2 minutes on each side after leaving it for 15 minutes in rock salt.  The potatoes were cut into wedges and deep fried for 10 minutes, (until golden brown).  The rucola and fresh tomatoes were the perfect accompaniment to this healthy and fast lunch.  To finish, the dish was drizzled with fresh lemom juice and a few drops of olive oil. Bon apetite!

Tasty sandwich!

Spotted this stall on the main square this week. Fresh handmade bread with damlatian prsuto.  Try  to resist this delight! :)

Happy Easter! Roasted lamb with potatoes

It's sunday afternoon, and my kitchen is fragrented with rosemary after roasting this for 1hour 30minutes at 170 degrees. The first slice revealed soft, succulent lamb, perfectly accentuated by the roast potatoes and rosemary enthused gravy to accompany.