Europe - Hits and Misses

They say that all good things have to come to an end and so have my foodie stories from Europe. But going to Europe has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life, both in terms of the amazingly varied food i've eaten and otherwise. So its only fair that I write one final post dedicated to my time in this awesome continent before I return to posts closer to home. There is also a lot that I could not do and eat in Europe and I think all of that should also receive a mention on this blog for the benefit of those of you who might be lucky enough to go to Europe in the near future. So lets take this one country at a time.

En France

This is where I was based during my time in Europe. This is the only country in Europe where I cooked my own food. And yet somehow, this is where I missed out the most. Since I was on a tight budget, expenses on food also had to be controlled, which meant that restaurant visits were restricted to trips outside my base in Toulouse. Within France, I only went to Marseilles, Nice and Paris. While I had a good French meal in Marseilles, I did miss out on Bouillabaise, a fish stew invented in the city. Even in Toulouse, where I stayed, I missed out on the local speciality, the Cassoulet - a very popular stew made of beans and pork. Other more well-known specialities of authentic French cuisine that I missed out on were Grenouille(frog legs) and Escargot(snails). Dijon in Burgundy was where I desperately wanted to go for gastronomic pursuits. Dijon is famous for its wine, and produces the best mustard and beef in the world. The Champagne region, wine from Bordeaux, mussels from Arcachone and Biarritz, the list just goes on. Well, lets hope I can revisit France soon enough and get a taste of the joie de vivre, atleast as far as food is concerned.

In Deutschland

Germany is not really known for its food and my disappointment with the food at Oktoberfest makes me feel that I did not miss out on much here. But I had the good fortune of being in Munich at the right time and gulp litres of the world's best beer(Paulaner). However, there was some good food in Munich, albeit in bits and parts. The sausages with mashed potatoes were undeniably good and so was the Apfelstrudel. I only had German food at the Oktoberfest and maybe there is lots more to it. I'd rather reserve my judgement.

In Italia

The trip to Italy was marked by a few highlights. Pesto in Liguria where it was created, Gelato in a historic quarter of Rome, and Pizza in Pizzeria Da Michele of Napoli - The temple of Pizza. But then there were disappointments too. The Italian cucina is as vast and varied as any other and a week-long trip meant that I couldnt even scratch the surface. What did I miss here? Canoli(pastry), Frittola(assorted meat fats) and Marsala wine from Sicily, cheese and ham(best in the world) from Parma, a plethora of meat-based dishes from Bologna(Lasagna is the best known), Rissotto and Polenta from the north, Sambuca from Lazio, Antipasti from Florence and more pasta and sauces than you can eat in a lifetime. Well, I can go to Italy 10 more times, maybe even live there and still have regrets about not trying some dish or the other. It's best to just let it go.

En España

While in Spain, I only went to Barcelona and did have some great Catalan food while I was there. Escalivada, roast pork and desert at the gelataria, it was all brilliant. But my greatest regret also came in Spain, when I could not go to Valencia. Paella Valenciana at a roadside cafe near the Americas Cup coastline - It would have been the highlight of the trip! Tapas were also left untouched as I could not go to either Madrid, Seville or San Sebastian. Gazpacho(tomato and bread soup), Sherry, Serrano ham and Chorizo sausages are just some of the Spanish delicacies I would have tried, had I been able to spend more time there. But I'm all set to go to Spain next year for the running of the bulls and its only a matter of time before I get my hands on that Paella!

Em Portugal

Portugal was where I went last in Europe and by that time I had saved some cash. Plus food was the cheapest here and so I made sure I did not miss out on the must-haves. Francesinha and Port wine in Porto and Bachalau(cod) and Pastel de Nata(custard tarts) in Lisbon, I had them covered. But if only Europe could be conquered that easily. Porto is a meat-lover's paradise. Grilled Octopus, fish-head stew and tripe cooked in typical Porto style are few of the many delicacies found in Porto's home-style restaurants. Lisbon, on the other hand has more ways of cooking the codfish than there are days in a year. Some of its restaurants also serve the delicious suckling pig. Pico wine and Ginjinha are some of the drinks I could not have. But there will definitely be a next time!

Europe has so much to do, see and eat that a lifetime is not enough. I tried my best to experience as much of it as I possibly could in one trip. But the most important thing is that Europe worked its magic on me and I'm sure i'll keep going back to it for more.