I love Christmas Markets!!!
Why are you going to Europe for your vacation? It's freezing there!!!
*Grins* (think to myself, that's exactly why I am going to Europe). I actually enjoy winter, though I admit living in a cold country for extended period would require serious consideration. During my uni days in Melbourne, winter was sometimes below 6 degrees C and sleeping by the heater and dealing with severely dry and toasted skin is no fun.
Anyhow, in my plans to see the world before I die, Prague was a destination on my wish list for years now. The other being, Salzburg. I have visited most of Central Europe and time to broaden the coverage towards the east. Frankly, if I could I would love to go even further east, to Romania, Poland, Slovenia and so forth but this is what I could afford for now. Of course, travelling to Europe is not cheap. The euro is 4.5 of a Ringgit? Major dent on the piggy bank and credit card but what the heck, you only live once.
So, let me share with you what I look forward to when I am in Europe during the winter season - The Christmas Markets! In German, Christkindlmarkt or Weihnachtsmarkt. In every major town through out Europe, you can probably find Christmas markets from end November till after the New Year's. In each town, you will find more than one market. So, it is fun to hop from one market to another eating, shopping and discovering new delights. These markets are located at town squares and consist of little wooden huts dressed up in the Yuletide spirit. Historically, these markets originated from Germany and Austria and have been around since the 1400. So, here's some of my favourite things from the Chrismas Markets:
1. Bratwurst (German Sausage) and Schweinerfilets (Pork Chops)
Super jumbo hot dog grilled over an open fire. Slabs of heavenly pork fillet marinated with secret ingredients. You can choose between the different type of sausages which is served with Brötchen (white bread roll), mustard and ketchup. This is an excellent snack for €4 - €5. If you don't mind chewing, definitely go for the Schweinerfilets. It's flavour is just out of this world. Makes me salivate everytime I think about it.
2. Gluhwein (Mulled Wine)
Mulled wine for a cold winters night is a perfect combo to go with a freshly grilled bratwurst. The mulled wine is served warm in uniquely decorated Christmas mugs. So, in order to ensure that mugs are returned you normally pay a deposit of say €5 and the wine itself another €5.
3. Hausgemachte Suppen (Homemade Soup)
If the mulled wine doesn't warm you up, perhaps you can try the hearty soups. Some with sausages, vegetable, lentils, peas, sauerkraut... oh yeah, you can also try the goulash, which is a beef stock base soup. Absolutely delicious!
4. Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)
Fried pancakes of grated potato, flour and egg. Served with apple or garlic sauce.
5. Sweets, sweets, sweets
If you have a sweet tooth, this will be heaven for you... Jumbo kisses, toffee or chocolate coated apples, chocolate coated nuts, marzipan... even if you do not like sweets or chocolates, it is nice to look at the pretty and colourful merchandise.
6. Raclette (a type of Swiss Cheese)
The first time I tried raclette was at the Gourmet International Festival in Sunway Convention Centre, 2 years ago. It's a Swiss cow's milk cheese that is toasted and the melted cheese is scrapped onto a piece of bread, bun or potato. The name of the cheese is derived from the french word "racler" which means "to scrape".
There are lot of good food at the market but from market to market, you will find certain standard offerings. Here are just a few of my recommendations. Enjoy!
*Grins* (think to myself, that's exactly why I am going to Europe). I actually enjoy winter, though I admit living in a cold country for extended period would require serious consideration. During my uni days in Melbourne, winter was sometimes below 6 degrees C and sleeping by the heater and dealing with severely dry and toasted skin is no fun.
Anyhow, in my plans to see the world before I die, Prague was a destination on my wish list for years now. The other being, Salzburg. I have visited most of Central Europe and time to broaden the coverage towards the east. Frankly, if I could I would love to go even further east, to Romania, Poland, Slovenia and so forth but this is what I could afford for now. Of course, travelling to Europe is not cheap. The euro is 4.5 of a Ringgit? Major dent on the piggy bank and credit card but what the heck, you only live once.
So, let me share with you what I look forward to when I am in Europe during the winter season - The Christmas Markets! In German, Christkindlmarkt or Weihnachtsmarkt. In every major town through out Europe, you can probably find Christmas markets from end November till after the New Year's. In each town, you will find more than one market. So, it is fun to hop from one market to another eating, shopping and discovering new delights. These markets are located at town squares and consist of little wooden huts dressed up in the Yuletide spirit. Historically, these markets originated from Germany and Austria and have been around since the 1400. So, here's some of my favourite things from the Chrismas Markets:
1. Bratwurst (German Sausage) and Schweinerfilets (Pork Chops)
Super jumbo hot dog grilled over an open fire. Slabs of heavenly pork fillet marinated with secret ingredients. You can choose between the different type of sausages which is served with Brötchen (white bread roll), mustard and ketchup. This is an excellent snack for €4 - €5. If you don't mind chewing, definitely go for the Schweinerfilets. It's flavour is just out of this world. Makes me salivate everytime I think about it.
2. Gluhwein (Mulled Wine)
Mulled wine for a cold winters night is a perfect combo to go with a freshly grilled bratwurst. The mulled wine is served warm in uniquely decorated Christmas mugs. So, in order to ensure that mugs are returned you normally pay a deposit of say €5 and the wine itself another €5.
3. Hausgemachte Suppen (Homemade Soup)
If the mulled wine doesn't warm you up, perhaps you can try the hearty soups. Some with sausages, vegetable, lentils, peas, sauerkraut... oh yeah, you can also try the goulash, which is a beef stock base soup. Absolutely delicious!
4. Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)
Fried pancakes of grated potato, flour and egg. Served with apple or garlic sauce.
5. Sweets, sweets, sweets
If you have a sweet tooth, this will be heaven for you... Jumbo kisses, toffee or chocolate coated apples, chocolate coated nuts, marzipan... even if you do not like sweets or chocolates, it is nice to look at the pretty and colourful merchandise.
The first time I tried raclette was at the Gourmet International Festival in Sunway Convention Centre, 2 years ago. It's a Swiss cow's milk cheese that is toasted and the melted cheese is scrapped onto a piece of bread, bun or potato. The name of the cheese is derived from the french word "racler" which means "to scrape".
There are lot of good food at the market but from market to market, you will find certain standard offerings. Here are just a few of my recommendations. Enjoy!
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