Walk like a Sevillanos

When it was my boyfriend's birthday last May, I decided to give him a present that would also be enjoyable for me: a visit to Seville. I already heard so many positive stories on this Spanish city in the South that I got very curious. Since the city is situated in Andalusia, which is the Southern midland of Spain, it gets very hot during summer. A firm 38 degrees scares all the Spanish away to the coast, which makes the months of July and August low season (good for the hotel prizes!). Despite the hot weather and non-stop siesta advices, we decided to embrace the heat and do our sightseeing tours anyway. But then in a ten times slower speed and with a cooling down at the swimming pool at the end of the day (you can't survive without). So what should you see in Seville? Plaza de Espana has beautiful fountains, Parque Maria Luisa is full of green, like walking in a jungle. It has white pigeons and typical spanish tiled fountains. The royal palace, the Alcazar of Seville, has an impressive garden, is Unesco heritage and is the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use. Seville is a city that you visit for the history, cultural heritage, museums, parques and of course the Spanish food. But on that, I will write a separate post!

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Summer Salads

Finally, it's summer! When it's this warm, I want to eat something fresh and light. Especially after a good run in the park, I like to end my day on the balcony in the late evening sun, with a salad. Salad can just make me so happy! You can fill it up full surprises and it is super healthy too. Since I don't eat that much meat (and only organic, when I do), I compensate this with eating fish, nuts and soy or other meat alternatives. Want to have some summer salad inspiration? See underneath a few of my latest recipes!

Goatcheese with walnut and apple salad

goatcheese (with honey)

apple (sauer green one)

walnuts

lettuce

balsamico syrup

Put the lettuce in a large bowl. Peel the apple and slice it in small pieces. Peel the cucumber and use a cheese slicer to slice it into thin pieces. Put in into the bowl. Crumble the goatcheese and add it on top. Cut the walnuts in bits with a large knife. Add the goatcheese and walnuts and top if off with balsamico syrup and salt and pepper.

Tuna salad with apple and olives

Tuna pate (John West)

lettuce

black olives

green apple
avocado
balsamico oil

Peel and slice the apple. Put it in a bowl together with the lettuce. Slice the avocado, add the black olives and end with the tuna. Mix everything with a bit of balsamico oil, salt and pepper.

Salad of shrimps, goatcheese and mango

shrimps

garlic

red pepper

goatcheese (not to sweet)

mango

lettuce

olive oil

Bake the shrimps in garlic and one (half) sliced red pepper and let them cool off. Slice the mango in pieces and mix it with the lettuce and the other (half) slices red pepper. Mix it with some olive oil and salt and pepper. Put the shrimps on top and add the goatcheese!

Beetroot, peach and feta salad

one can of slices beetroot

1 peach or nectarine

lettuce

feta cheese

boiled egg

Boil the egg. Put half or a quarter of the beetroot in a plate. Put some lettuce on top and sprinkle with some olive oil and pepper and salt. Slice the peach in nice parts (leave the skin on) and add it to the salad. Cut the fetacheese in small peaces and put it on top. End it with the soft boiled egg, slices on top.

Smoked salmon salad with avocado
Smoked salmon (100 gr for 1 person)
1 avocado 
boiled egg (soft)
cucumber
black olives
lettuce
yoghurt
lime
olive oil

Put the lettuce in a bowl. Peel the cucumber and slice it with a cheese knife. Add this together with the olives to the salad. Boil the egg. In the meantime, make the dressing. Get a half cup of yoghurt and add some lime juice (concentrated or fresh) and a few drips of olive oil. Taste if it is fresh enough and add salt and pepper. Put the dressing in the salad and mix it. Slice the avocado and lay it on top. Add the salmon on top and end with the (soft) boiled egg.

Enjoy!

Visiting... Hotel de Goudfazant

In a former Stork factory, somewhere in a desolated area with only industry, Amsterdam has one of its best French Restaurants, named Hotel de Goudfazant. It is situated in an old hangar with a view on the IJ river. From the outside, you only see big garage doors that reflect some signs of a restaurant. When you enter, the interior is industrial, open and very surprising. The restaurant is an open space with a heigh ceiling and red chairs on simple white covered tables. The bar is made out of painted brick stones. When you walk towards the toilets you pass two cars hanging above each other, as if you stepped into an auto garage. Left from that, there is a piano, and just after the hanging cars is a chesterfield couch to relax. They also have a private space, separated with large glass walls. And then the FOOD <3. A pate of duck with cranberry and pistachio to start with, a guinea with truffle gnocchi and green aspargues as main course and a delicious cheese platter to top if off. A top quality French three course menu for only 30 euros. And although the restaurant is situated in Amsterdam North (only reachable with the ferry when you take the bike), it was crowded with quests. So if you want to visit, please give them a call at 020 636 51 70 and visit them at:

Hotel de Goudfazant

Aambeeldstraat 10H

Amsterdam