Internorga. Innovative. Inspiring. International.

As a big fan of all new and unknown, I could not miss the upcoming exhibition. Germany's yearly international trade fair for food services, hotels, catering, bakeries and confectioners took place 13-18 March. On Saturday I could not stay calm until we finally entered the first hall with my husband. Curiosity overwhelmed and the nerves were not patient. So many expectations were in my mind. 

A little summary for you: on the area of 100.000 sq.m. 1300 participants from 25 countries presented their products in the related field. You could find everything - from the new technologies till new tastes and ideas, from baking machine till ice-cream with the taste you never expected. All in all - a perfect time spent with pleasure. INTERNORGA took place traditionally in Hamburg exhibition hall. 12 halls were crowded with food, drinks, furniture, technologies, real gourmets and hungry eyes :)

Cute, sweet and funny.

This year was full with premieres. Craft Beer Arena was a special highlight of this year's event.  19 breweries with about 90 sorts of beer could literally take the breath away. Newcomers' area was a big surprise for us. Among the variety of food and drinks we tasted during 3 hours of investigation are: coconut water, 5 sorts of guacamole, dried under special vacuum technology fruits and vegetables, ice cream, bread with goat cheese, light and fresh white wine with grape juice,  hand-made coctails from a manufacturer in Dusseldorf etc.

Tired but very happy we left the exhibition halls. I apologize for the bad quality of the pictures, I was so excited that forgot to take camera with me. And, of course, the pictures won't transfer you there. But at least some of the major points are visible. If you have a chance to visit Hamburg in March, I would strongly recommend you to attend INTERNORGA as the best source of new trends. No matter what you are interested in - hotel business, bakery, restaurant, catering service, - you will completely fulfill all the gaps in your knowledge and curiosity here. Hope you enjoy the summary from me.

Keep my hand on pulse of all new and exciting for you.

Take care!

Making pasta is a charming process. Especially in such gentle hands...

Dishes, furniture, whatever you need - Internorga provides you with everything.

Gelato World Cup 2016. Selection round.

Easter is coming! 

Coffee machine :)

Coffee beans and trees:)

Wide range of fooooooooood!!!

Easter rabbits are everywhere...

Chocolate is always a good idea :)

Healthy snack to go - selleri sticks with peanut butter

There are days when we're always in a rush. On our way from one urgent task to another, from one appointment to another. And we hardly find time to eat main dish. For those days I have a quick decision for you - a snack, that makes you full and energetic for a long time. It is moreover high in protein and fiber. So do not hesitate to try.

The combination of the products was a big surprise for me. But my friend insisted that I should definitely try. The moment I made my first bite I understood why: fresh, juicy taste, yet a bit salty and in one word - unbelievable.

The combination is very simple - celleri and peanut butter. Yes, I can imagine your reaction:) But believe me, and my dear Australian friend - it is worth to try!!! It takes a minute to prepare and is soooo delicious.

Ingredients (for one portion):

1 celleri stick
1tbsp peanut butter



Wash celleri sticks and cut them into pieces. As the stick itself is a little boat, it helps you to understand what to do next. Just fill those little boats with peanut butter. Amount of butter should be divided among the sticks you have.

Tip!
Peanut butter is product #1 to get addicted to. I even heard, there are two types of girls - those who spread peanut butter on a piece of bread, and those who eat the butter with a spoon:) But be careful. Although it is high in protein, I would recommend only 1 tbsp of peanut butter per day. For the rest of the day keep it away from your eyes! In one of my next posts I will show you how to prepare peanut butter at home.

The snack is "ready-to-go". Do not pull yourself into everyday stress. Make a pause and enjoy your meal.



P.S. By the way, it is a good choice when you have a party. Quick and easy.
As you like it :)

Healthy breakfasts: Old-fashioned oatmeal

In order to have a good day you should have a hood start. And what is important when we're talking about the start of the day? Of course, breakfast. The point where we can fulfill our energy battery so that we have enough power to keep up with all the stress we have during the day. The next time you will be running out of the house in a rush skipping the breakfast remember: Skipping your breakfast can set you up for overeating later that day. Still having no time for breakfast? Come on! Bla-bla-bla..... It takes a couple of minutes to prepare it and, besides, you can prepare it in the evening already and that won't need any additional time from you in the morning.

So what should a good healthy breakfast consist of? Your aim is a combination of good carbs, fiber and some protein. Oat bran serves a good source of healthy carbs and protein. Especially, if you reach it with some nuts, dried or fresh fruits.

The recipe is very easy and creative. It's up to you what you add, but the main ingredient is oat. Old-fashioned, whole wheat oat flakes.

Tip!
Choose always whole wheat instead of instant porridge. It contains more fiber and keeps you full for longer period of time. So you won't grab a snack already an hour after breakfast :)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole wheat oat flakes
1 tbsp flax-seed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
2 dates
4 chopped almond nuts
1/2 tsp cinnamon
*Optional:
coconut flakes
other dried fruits
other nuts

In a medium pot bring water mixed with milk to boil. Add chopped dates, other dried fruits and oat flakes. Stir until cereal is cooked. It will take about 2-5 minutes. Turn the heat off and add rest of ingredients. If you're a big fan of sweet taste, add 1 tsp of honey or date/maple syrup. Serve warm and chew well :) It is a moment to fulfill your energy stores. Do not miss that.

And here are finally some important breakfast rules:

1. Do not skip your breakfast! Never. As already mentioned above - you will probably eat more during the day afterwards. Especially, in the evening, when we come home tired, hungry and ready to eat a huge dish. So remember - a nourishing breakfast prevents overeating later that day.

2. When you wake up after hours of sleep your digesting system has to wake up as well. Drink a glass of water with 1-2 tbsp of lemon juice to start your metabolism. It will wash off the rests of the food  and make your body ready for newcoming meal.

3. Control the sugar content in your breakfast. A good balanced breakfast should contain protein (eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt), long carbs (oatmeal, quinoa, whole grain toast) and some healthy fats (sprinkle of flaxseeds, quarter of avocado, nuts) and fiber (dried fruits, fresh fruits and veggies). Try not to add extra sugar, better use fruits to add the sweetness.

4. Eat you breakfast close to the point when you woke up. The best timing is about 30 to 60 minuted after you woke up. If you go to the gym in the morning you can divide your breakfast into two parts: the first carbohydrates-containing part can be eaten before the training, and the second protein-containing - after the training.

Start your day with healthy breakfast and use your energy to conquer the world.

Take care!

Almond cake with raspberry

In my everyday life I keep up to my healthy nutrition plan. But there are those days when my heart and stomach demand something "forbidden". There're called "cheating days" and I even recommend to include them once a week into your life and let yourself relax. Today is a Valentine's Day. Even though I'm not a big fan of having one day of LOVE in the whole year, I prepared a special recipe for you today. Mainly to remind you that we're all special and our efforts are worth to do when afterwards we get a enormous portion of satisfaction.

Ingredients:

225 g flour
100 g ground almond
150 g butter
70 g brown sugar
2 tbsp raspberry jam
3 eggs
1/2 cup ice cold water
200 g raspberry
1 tbsp sugar powder
salt

First step is to prepare a dough. This type of dough is to be prepared very quickly and the trick is - all ingredients should be cold. Using a kitchen blender mix flour, 90 g of cold butter, 1 egg yolk, 40 g of sugar, sprinkle of salt and 2-4 tbsp of ice cold water. If you don't have a blender, you can use a knife to mix it all quickly together. Then put the mixture on a working surface and form a ball. Cover it with a food film and place into fridge for half an hour.

Meanwhile let's prepare a filling: mix rest of butter (melted already) with sugar. Add ground almond, rest of eggs. Mix thoroughly.

Tip!
The filling we use in this cake is a good choice for little tarts as well. So keep it in mind and even though it is well combined with raspberry, you can stay creative and try also other combinations - apples, pears, etc.

Preheat the oven to 180° C. Once the dough is cool enough, pat it into the mold with removable bottom and form a cake's bottom and sides using your fingers and palm.
Spread raspberry jam on the dough and form a thin raspberry layer. Pour the filling onto the raspberry layer and put into the oven for 25-30 minutes.

When the cake is ready, let it cool down for a while, remove the mold sides and decorate it with fresh raspberries and sugar powder.

Now you are ready for a special day. Spend it with someone special.

Lovely Valentine's Day!

Bon Appétit :)

Crêpes, Crêpes, Crêpes

Breakfast... On week days oat porridge, at the week end something very special. That is what I remember good from my childhood. Those days when you sleep till late morning and wake up from the most pleasant smell... The smell of hot tasty pancakes.. Blinis in Russia, pancakes in the USA, crêpes in France... "Mlynci" in my Ukraine. No matter how you are used to name those, people love them. Sweet with jam or Nutella, salty with spinach and salmon, or mushrooms. They may fit perfectly into your nutrition plan. Even if you are on a diet (!). Though I'm not a big fan of that word. But that is absolutely another story...

Special thanks to Kristina Ivanova for a nice kitchen towel with Portuguese pattern!!!! Looks great together! 

Basic recipe I'm sharing with you is all-purpose. And it is moreover healthy containing whole wheat flour. Your best friends for the next 20 minutes - a big bowl, whisk or mixer and a non-stick pan. 

Ingredients:

500 ml milk

3/4 cup white flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3 eggs

2 tbsp oil (*I used grape seed, choose any type)

2-3 tbsp brown sugar

sprinkle salt

1 tsp butter

1 tsp vanilla essence (*optional)

In a bowl mix three eggs with 200-300 ml of milk. I used whisk to mix it all together. If you're in a hurry mixer will definitely help you. Add vanilla essence, sugar and salt if you want sweet crêpes. Otherwise add only salt and 2-3 tablespoons of sugar. Add spoon by spoon flour and mix thoroughly. Afterwards pour in the rest of milk. Stir in oil. Butter should be between liquid and thick, rather more liquid. 

In a hot pan let the butter melt and scoop the batter into the pan. For one crêpe approximately 2-3 tbsp of batter are used. Rotate the pan so that the batter is spread as thinly as possible. About 20 seconds on medium-high heat from each side until golden-brown. Serve hot with jam, bananas, peanut butter...Up to you. Enjoy your perfect breakfast. I hope you have a good company for that.

Bon Appétit!