Super simple summer RPT salad

Oftentimes I don't even feel like cooking in July and August, thus my sparse writing here. We like to eat cold things I the summer. I love spelt salads with roasted vegetables (will post recipe asap). Today, I worked with what I found in my freezer, fridge and pantry and came up with the creation of my very own RPT salad. Frozen peas, dried and fresh tomatoes, rice and olive oil. I cooked the rice in salt water for only 15 minutes, it needs to be "al dente" - a little bit crunchy inside. I heated the peas and then cooled them in cold water, same with the rice, I cut the dried and fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes in very small pieces, mixed everything together with a bit of extra vergin olive oil, salt, pepper, basil and a tiny bit of lemon juice. Done! This is a delicious salad to serve by itself or with grilled fish or meats. If you have some mozzarella, you can throw it in the bowl or make a second dish: caprese (mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil, basil, salt and pepper). Easy, light and delicious!

Some golf

Is it so difficult to hit a ball with a club to get it into a hole? Oh yes, it so is! Just today someone asked me at the club house of the Lignano Golf Club: "So,  and you? Nothing golf, eh?" Well, I wanted to answer, I would not call 70 some lessons in two and a half years and hundreds of euros later "nothing", really. I would rather call it "someone is trying really, really hard", but yeah, I still don't have a handicap and who knows if I will get one before I turn 76! But, you're right: nothing golf... Eh?! 

When I got home after that conversation I decided to open the only book my golf  instructor suggested I would buy: "Ben Hogan's Five Lessons". And here I am, hoping to improve by reading. Thinking about it: reading is doing something, so "nothing golf" would really be an understatement . 

Dining in August

Hot and sticky summer days are coming to an end, the sun sets sooner every day,  a fresh sea breeze unwinds your hair and you know: August is in full swing! This is the perfect time for an outside dinner with friends! Set the table in the colours of the summer, prepare a light salad with a lemon, raspberry dressing, throw salmon on the grill, open a bottle of Friulian Ribolla Gialla, put your i-tunes playlist on "Best of Paolo Conte" and there you have the perfect dinner setting for an evening with friends. Don't forget the dive in the pool after midnight! Truly magical those August nights in Italy!

Venice in the air

I took this picture last winter while in Venice. The beautiful city is just around the corner  - or I should rather say "just around the bay" - from my new home in Italy. I love to go here for a day trip and just get inspired by the beautiful buildings, the significant artwork, the fascinating architecture and nonetheless all those guests who travel here from all over the world - most of them spend no more than just a few hours of their lifetime in the streets and on the canals of "La Serenissima". I am very fortunate to be able to go here whenever I please and I sure don't mind paying 12 euros for my morning cappuccino on St. Mark's square. It's no regular coffee but one served with romance, love and after all... some Venice air.

edge of the sea

Recharge your batteries by enjoying the simple things in life such as: the edge of the sea

Quick vegan lunch

Spinach and kale were the leafy greens that were popular at my house in Northern Germany when I grew up. We ate a lot of those, especially kale in the winter time. I still love both of those veggies. Unfortunately, Italians are not very familiar with kale; could be because it's a warmer climate and kale needs to get frost at least once before you can harvest it. Instead of kale, I noticed a leafy green vegetable that I had not been very familiar with: swiss chard. Italians eat lots of it as a side dish or as part of a casserole. Even I use it on a regular basis. It's easy to prepare and you can store it for up to three days in the fridge. Here is what I do: 

1) Wash the swiss chard really well
3) Cut it into small, small pieces, not thicker than 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch
4) Throw in salted, boiling water
5) Let cook for about 12-15 minutes
6) Strain and let all the water evaporate
7) In a heated pan add some vegetable oil and some cut up garlic
9) Fry until the garlic gets golden coloured
10) Add your swiss chard to the pan and fry for 3-5 minutes
11) Add water or stock if the greens are about to burn
12) Serve as a side dish or by itself with a slice of bread

Yesterday I found some carrots, swiss chard and green onions in our fridge and came up with this delicious wok dish. If you don't have a wok, a skillet works just fine.

Ingredients (serves at least two):
- 1 swiss chard
- 3-4 medium sized carrots
- 1-2 green onions
- 1/2 liter or 2 cups vegetable stock
- chinese style (chow mein) wheat noodles (70 grams per person)
- garlic (of you wish)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Heat vegetable stock. Wash and cut veggies into 1 cm cubes, cut the green onions much smaller than that. In a wok or skillet heat coconut oil. Once it's hot add carrots first as they need a bit longer. Once they get a bit crispy add green onions (and garlic of you wish). Make sure the onions don't burn. After 30 seconds add swiss chard and some of your stock. Let cook for about 8-10 minutes. Once the swiss chard is cooked half way through, add remaining stock and noodles. Turn off the heat. Cover with a lid and let stand for about 10 minutes (see indications for noodles). After ten minutes, the liquid will be absorbed (of not, drain the remaining stock) and what remains is a healthy, all vegan noodle-swiss-chard-carrot-dish you will fall in love with!

Cozy, lacy, silky

For as long as I can think back, my first action when coming home has always been: getting rid of my clothes and changing into something comfortable. You will never find me at my house in tight jeans or fancy blouses. When I am at home, I want to be cozy.

A few years ago, I discovered that cozy does not necessary has to equal sweat pants and University tees. Lacey long shirts, snuggly leggings and silky cardigans make up my home-wear wardrobe. The outfits I love are super comfortable without compromising femininity. Dressed like this, I feel always ready for when my sweetheart comes home from work, when the neighbour comes over to borough a can of tomatoes and when my friends from overseas call me on skype. The best thing about my home outfits: I love them so much that I even think of them on my way home from work.