Thursday, 7th May 2009

Two trips to South Tyrol

The last two weekends I had two short trips on my schedule. The destination was both times South Tyrol. The first time I went together with my two friends Frauke and Sandra to the hotel Schönblick near Brixen and enjoyed three days the marvellous food they offered, the impressive view over the mountains which were partly covered by snow and last but not least the wellness facilities for which this hotel is famous.
Yes we enjoyed this short trip very much. One day we went out to meet the spring with all it´s blooming flowers and trees in various colours.
One weekend later I went, this time with my family, again to South Tyrol. I chose a farm between Bozen and Meran. For the children it was for some days a life together with animals living at this place. They had never met cats, dogs, cows, young horses in such a huge variety and the best was: they could even play with them.
The view from our apartment was really breathtaking. The mountains and the yellow dandelion covering the grassland as far as you could see was springtime pure.

The breakfast was served in a basket containing specialities of this area like bacon, cheese, home made jam and Vinschgauer or better Vinschgerl a typical bread for which South Tyrol is really famous. But they have much more of similar specific food stuff like Kaminwurzen, a kind of sausage, Schüttelbrot, a bread prepared with tasty spices and of course the many different wines which grow in that area. I think it’s the right place for people who enjoy nature and eating.

Back home, stimulated by the good food which we had the last days, I prepared some kind of dessert which will not only meet the taste of children but also the adults. Ok, I have to admit it’s a bit like a calorie package but I think from time to time a little trespassing is allowed.

South Tyrol Delicacy

View to Rodeneck

Dining Hall

Dining Hall

Hotel

Castle of Rodeneck

View from the farm

Flock of Sheep

Sundown in South Tyrol

***

Vanilla Strawberry Dream

Ingredients for 4 – 6 portions:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Wash strawberries and cut them into small pieces. Add 2 tbsps of vanilla sugar and Amaretto (if there are no kids). Stir it.
3. Prepare pudding according to description and let it cool off.
4. Beat egg whites stiff. Add 2 tbsps vanilla sugar and beat again.
5. Fold half of th egg whites into pudding .
6. Pour pudding into small bowls, add strawberries over it and pour egg whites upon it.
7. Place oven rack on medium level and put bowls on it. Bake until golden brown.
8. Tip: Don’t fill too much pudding, strawberries and egg whites into the bowls, because strawberries lose some juice and that might cause an overflow.