Kei Hanna Arnhem — Golden Sunset Sushi

Don't they just look like little sunny-side ups?! We spontaneously drove to the Netherlands last weekend and among the many kool things we did, we also treated ourselves to sushi. Why is this a big deal? Because sushi is (usually) expensive and mediocre in Germany, especially in Braunschweig. So we coughed up nearly € 5 for four pieces of Kei Hanna's "Golden Sunset" sushi without regrets. It had salmon, crabstick, avocado and crunchy/salty tempura shrimps in it, all topped off with a sweet mango sauce. Had me definitely craving for more of that umami flavour/taste. Thanks for the tip, sushi man!

Antipasto Misto

If this isn't the loveliest antipasto dish you've ever seen, then boo you! Thanks to Franz and Marlies, we enjoyed our first dinner eating out at an Italian restaurant in Braunschweig sometime in mid-May. What a treat! This is the Antipasto Misto dish from Il Sorriso Ristorante. It's described on the menu as: "Carpaccio, Parmaschinken mit Honigmelone, Vitello Tonnato, Gemüse und Caprese." Diggin' in...

What is sour cream called in Germany?

The only products labelled "sour cream" on the supermarket shelves here in Germany have herbs in them, meant to be paired with baked potatoes or eaten as a dip with chips. But no worries, fellow bakesters and bakestresses! One can choose from many different dairy products that can work as substitutes for the North American version of sour cream. In the baking world, saure Sahne, Schmand, Crème Fraîche or Sauerrahm could all be substituted for sour cream (but be aware that the outcome of your baked good will vary, depending on the product you choose to use).



I used Schmand to replace sour cream in my coffee cake pictured here, and it turned out marvellously! Schmand is verrrrry thick though, thicker than sour cream. The next time I bake this classic recipe, just to experiment and see how the cake turns out, I'll use Sauerrahm instead (Sauerrahm is not as thick as Schmand; it is closer in consistency to sour cream). Saure Sahne, on the other hand, is more similar in consistency to plain yogurt. I suggest substituting sour cream with any of the above dairy products mentioned at a ratio of 1 : 1 (e.g. 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup Schmand).

Circus Roncalli — Braunschweig 2012

My first time going to a circus and it wasn't all that. Schade. Oh well, it was Mother's Day so our tickets were half price. But seriously though, since Roncalli is quite a big name in the German circus scene, I expected to ouu and ahh much more than I did. The performers were talented, no doubt, but I feel like the entire show was missing this sense of magic, wonder and awe…



After going to my first circus, I've learned two things: that I hate the performances involving animals (i.e. ponies, dogs, etc.) and that my favourite performances involve acrobatics in some way. Even though this performance received the loudest applause, André and I liked this performance the best.

Canadian Invasion in Braunschweig

May 1st was a public holiday here in Germany, and it was perfect timing because that's when the Canadians invaded! Mike and his cousin Kelsey were our first visitors from Canada, so you can imagine how effing excited I was! After taking them on a bike tour of our city, we did as most of the Braunschweigers do on May 1st: BBQ. Here we are hangin' out in Prinzen Park... it was packed, btw!



...and then, on May 2nd, we canoed around Braunschweig! It sounds funny, but there's actually this really pretty river that circles all around the city. Absurdly, you don't need to drive 30 minutes up north to get in touch with nature here! Awesome, no?! The whole canoeing experience took about 3 hours and it was heaps of fun. Most memorable moment: the baffled look on locals' faces at the sight of us portaging through a residential area. Hahaha. Thanks for not tipping over, guys! Go Team Canada!



It's DÖNER, Mike, not DONER! Hahaha. After an action-packed day of canoeing, we all agreed on döner. So we took the Canadians to a place André claims has the best döner he's ever had. See, Mike and Kelsey have already tried döner, but they've never tried döner from Anatolien Grill. I gotta admit, they serve the biggest döners I've ever seen, but I've definitely tried better-tasting döners. All in all, the Canadians were lovely to host and it was a pleasure showing them a bit of our city. I ♥ having visitors!

Filipinos in Braunschweig?!

Marshall McLuhan once said, "Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity." Only within the last 1.5 years of living abroad have I come to thoroughly understand this. As a foreigner here, I'm constantly asked "Where are you from?" I always proudly respond, Canada!" If I receive a bewildered facial expression, I further explain, "My parents are from the Philippines." Ohhh.

Back when I was living in Toronto, whenever someone asked me "Where are you from?" I'd respond, "I'm Filipino." Strange, eh? Such is the common case for being born and raised in an immigrant country. Nowadays, I identify myself as a Canadian who was raised in/amongst the Filipino culture. And I gotta admit, I miss it. I miss mom's pancit palabok, pandisal from Baker's Best... even all the loud famjams. So imagine my state of shock after finding out that Filipinos exist here in Braun-town. Hallo Deutsch-Philippinischer Kulturkreis, guess who wants to become your newest member?