European foodie adventures | thefidgetyfoodie

8 things you simply must eat in Iceland

Posted on October 15, 2014 by thefidgetyfoodie

Considering how isolated Iceland has been for most of its history, it´s no wonder the island´s tiny population (320,000!) has developed a unique cuisine based on whatever raw materials were available. Many traditional ingredients and dishes remain popular to this day and you would be crazy not to try these delicious delicacies when you go.

Skyr (pronounced skeer) is practically the national food and until recently was only available in Iceland. This high protein, low fat creation is technically a cheese, but looks and tastes like yoghurt and is delicious. It comes in a range of flavours and also in a drink form. My favourite flavour was vanilla but they are all tasty, you can´t go wrong. Skyr is available everywhere, even at the airport, which is handy for smuggling a few tubs home.

While staying on an Icelandic farm, the skyr came out for every meal. My adopted family often added cream or milk. Yes, it was a dairy overload but it somehow it worked!

Barbequed horse steak

Icelandic horses are revered for their beauty and strength (not to mention their unique ´five-gaits´) and have always been an essential prop of the economy. Eating horse meat has kept Icelanders from starvation over the years and it´s prized for its strong flavour. Throw a horse steak on the barbie if you get the chance! Read More

And the cosiest airport award goes to…

Posted on October 15, 2014 by thefidgetyfoodie

You´re thinking Singapore´s Changi because it has a pool and a butterfly garden. Or Bangkok because you can get a massage 24 hours a day. Maybe Munich for its brewery?

No.

Not for me anyway. Airports these days seem to offer everything the so called modern traveller needs but the one thing I´ve always found distinctly absent from every airport I´ve visited is a personality, or god forbid a sense of humour.

Which is why my recent visit to Tallinn airport, en route to Paris, was such a surprise. Estonia´s capital is not usually setting international style benchmarks, but I found myself delighted and surprised several times while waiting for my flight. And not by the kids play area, unlimited free wifi and Skype video booths (although they were cool too).

The help-yourself library at Tallinn airport

First up was the the airport library where you can read and even borrow a book at your leisure, with the idea that you´ll return it on your way back or replace it with a book you no longer need. A genius idea that fosters a sense of community and environmental awareness.

Book in hand, I walked into the nearby Kohver Café and was bowled over by the fact that this was not a chain café. Independent businesses are rarely, if ever, courted by airports. It was teeming with vintage décor and quirky styling, including coffee tables made out of antique suitcases (an idea I am totally going to copy). This café would look perfectly at home in Sydney´s Surry Hills or London´s Soho. Read More

Jeu de boules French-style… in the Netherlands

Posted on October 15, 2014 by thefidgetyfoodie

Jeu de boules (also known as pétanque, bocce or just plain boules) is a popular game in quite a few European countries, but seems to be approached with particular zeal by the French. That includes Frenchies living elsewhere like my lovely half French friend Corine who lives in the charming Dutch city of Utrecht.

Everything you need for French boules, under the shadow of a Dutch windmill

We spent a day playing this addictive (and surprisingly strategic) game, right in front of a traditional windmill for a nice Dutch touch.

A couple of rounds of lawn bowls back in Sydney is not exactly solid training for this sport, especially when up against enthusiasts who have practically been playing since birth. I was happy just to be playing though, on a previous weekend trip to Lyon with local friends, only the men were permitted to play!

Ricard and poulet to accompany the game

I´ve also learnt that drinking Ricard is essential when playing jeu de boules. The French wouldn´t consider playing without it. I found that the more I drank, the better my game became (or at least the better I think my game became). Other essential accoutrements included saucisson, pain frais and a dish of wonderfully lemony poulet. Read More