South Tyrol III: Mediterranean gardens, thermal water and fine dining in Meran

May 7, 2014 by nadel&gabel

Apple of discord and melting pot – central and on the periphery: South Tyrol has always be all of it – when it comes to politics, geography, language or the broad field of culture. And no matter if the different influences have melted, coexist or are in conflict – it’s a rich, vivid, in-tense region. The picture above may be symptomatic for this: a perfect espresso next to a slice of Apfelstrudel – and it’s a perfect match! In the […]

Categories: Behind the camera, In the kitchen, nature, On the road, South Tyrol, travel • Tags: alpine, Austria, bath, dine out, food, garden, Habsburg, history, holiday, Italy, mediterranean, Merano, modern, mountain, nature, photography, South, spa, spring, thermal, tourism, traditional, travel, trip, Tyrol, view

South Tyrol I: Alpine hideaway in the Passeier valley

April 22, 2014 by nadel&gabel

“Mountains or sea?” a colleague lately asked me. “Mountains”,I answered spontaneously! Living in the middle of Europe, maximally far away from all oceans, the sea always will always be exotic for me. And therefore I love to sit at the beach, listen to the calming sound of the waves, look for shells and stones, smell the salty air and grilled fish. But then the mountains – especially the Alps – feel more like my home base. They’re linked with so […]

Categories: Behind the camera, In the kitchen, nature, On the road, South Tyrol, travel • Tags: alpine, Alps, Alto Adige, cheese, dumplings, food, guesthouse, hideaway, hiking, hotel, Italy, knödel, mountain, pass, Passeier, Passiria, photography, retreat, South, speck, spring, travel, Tyrol

Hot like the Calabrian sun – Pizza with nduja, pecorino and rocket

May 23, 2012 by nadel&gabel

This blog post is dedicated to a single glorious product, a Calabrian sausage speciality called nduja. “A sausage? Your making a fuss about a sausage?!” – Yes, because nduja is so much more than a simple sausage (And as a German I know what I am talking about):

Categories: In the kitchen, pizza, quiche & tart, spread, sauce & spice, vegetable • Tags: baking, bread, dough, food, italian, Italy, pecorino cheese, pizza, recipe, rocket, sausage, semolina, yeast

Ricotta stuffed shells

March 15, 2012 by nadel&gabel

To makes this clear at the beginning: If it comes to pasta recipes, especially filled and baked pasta I am far away from being objective. And if then ricotta is playing a star role, there isn’t a big chance for me not to simply adore this dish. Pasta shells stuffed with herbed ricotta, sprinkled with tomato sauce and served out of the oven? – Heidi, I am in! So, if you found yourself thinking (or shouting out) “Yes!”, “Ohhh yes!”, […]

Categories: In the kitchen, pasta, vegetable, vegetarian • Tags: baking, cooking, food, gratin, Italy, pasta, recipe, ricotta cheese, shells, spinach, tomato

Fava bean salad with grilled chicken

June 2, 2011 by nadel&gabel

In southern Germany, where I come from, fava beans are called “Saubohnen” (sow beans) – not a very promising name. No wonder that I didn’t encounter those beans in my previous culinary experiences.

Categories: around the world, dairy-free, gluten-free, grains & legumes, In the kitchen, meat, salad, vegan, vegetable, vegetarian • Tags: beans, chicken, cilantro, coriander, fava beans, italian, Italy, recipe, salad, spring