Food and Journeys

Tuscan Chestnut Cake

Stacked slices of chestnut cake showing raisins, walnuts and pine nuts inside the cake

A typical autumn dessert, this cake looks like an energy bar when sliced. Come to think of it, Tuscan Chestnut Cake is indeed a very healthy treat. Chestnut flour, raisins and nuts – mix them all together and out comes a deliciously nutty, authentic Italian dessert! Although every region in Italy has their own way of making ‘Castagnaccio’, I am basing this recipe on the Tuscan chestnut cake that I have tried. I’ve also been told that the cake originated from Siena, a part of Tuscany – so making ‘Castagnaccio alla Toscana’ is a win-win. :-) I am not exaggerating when I say that it’s ...

Spanish Beef Stew

Looking for an absolute comfort food for colder months? This Spanish Beef Stew ticks all the boxes – rich, intensely flavored sauce, fall-off-the-bone short ribs and potatoes (of course!). Days are getting shorter now, and I’m sure in a couple of weeks, it will start getting dark here by three in the afternoon. Yep, that’s…

Cream of Beans & Mushrooms Soup

No need to add cream or milk! Simply blitz the white beans and the mushrooms, and you will have a satisfying and delicious ‘Cream of Beans & Mushrooms Soup’! This dish is a combo of two ingredients that I love – cannellini and mushrooms. It’s one of those soups that I prepare at least once…

Swedish Chocolate Coffee Squares

A classic Swedish treat! These squares are a combination of moist chocolate cake, chocolate-coffee icing and dried coconut toppings – in every bite! We have various names for this treat in Sweden, but the most common is ‘Kärleksmums’; which literally translates to ‘Love Yums’. (I know, quite cheeky 🙂 ) Other name translations are coffee cake,…

Chanterelle & Asparagus Tagliatelle

A delicate and delicious pasta dish that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, Chanterelle & Asparagus Tagliatelle will surely become one of your favorites! September, the month of mushrooms and my favorite among them – chanterelle. During this month, different kinds of mushrooms are relatively cheaper in Sweden and if you have the time…

Focaccia Barese

I know that every region of Italy has got their own version of focaccia, but I have never seen anything like this one from Bari called ‘Focaccia Barese’. It’s got mashed potatoes! I mean, it really is ‘carbs-heaven’! Bari is the capital of the region of Puglia, the ‘heel’ part of Italy as they refer…

Roman-Style Chicken (Pollo alla Romana)

This is not your ordinary chicken stew — the prosciutto takes the dish to a new level. So simple to make, but delivers a complex result! Smoky, salty and slightly sweet in every spoonful. Serve it with a chunk of bread and enjoy! Roma. That word alone evokes images in my head of endless food…