Recipes - European

European food is as varied as the countries that make up the continent, and you’ll never have to eat the same food twice if you don’t want to! You’ll enjoy foods from a variety of countries and each offering their own, special flavors and recipes to meals. Italian and Greek villages are well known for the mouth watering meals and fantastic cooking.

Pizza for us

If you want to try pizza as it was intended to be, you have to get pizza in Italy! It’s nothing like American pizza, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the taste of an Italian pizza! Of course, you can’t be in Italy without eating spaghetti, as well as other pasta dishes with the famous marinara sauce.

Grown their own

Many restaurants in Europe boast owners who are also farmers, so they are growing their own crops (potatoes, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and more) as well as raising their own animals to deliver the tasty dishes that make up their menus. You’ll find foods that are rich with olive oil, vegetables, and fresh herbs and spices, almost always paired with delicious wines that compliment whatever meal you are having.

Family affairs

European meals are traditionally large, family gatherings- where all ages and generations gather around the table to eat and talk with one another and pleasure in each others company as well as in the delicious meals.

French touch

French cooking is often the standard to which all other countries cuisine is measured! The French love to cook and eat and they do both very well! People who are age 40 or older tend to sit down to 2 meals each day, while the younger French people are more casual about meal times and the number they have each day. However, most French people are not “snackers”, in other words, you rarely catch them nibbling on cookies or grapes in between their meals, and when they do sit down for meals, they have several small courses rather than one large course. The French eat a variety of cheeses, and even have a “cheese course” during most of their meals.

The English connection

In London you can find the best fish and chips in all of the world! Make sure you ask for extra lemon, vinegar and salt to top off this tasty favorite! You’ll also be able to get the original shepherds pie meal, a concoction of meat and potatoes and corn, baked together in a pie dish, often served with gravy.

Coffee shops are common throughout European countries, and you can drink tea or coffee specialties, as well as get sandwiches or desserts.

German sausages

Germany, once known for their huge, juicy sausage and roasts, and dumplings and stews, as well as thick, custard and pastry desserts, are starting to offer a lighter fare on their restaurant menu’s, and most restaurants are now offering food from all nationalities as well as their traditional fare. The Germans eat a lot of potatoes, and invented the warm potato salad- known around the world simply as “German potato salad”. Surely you’ve heard of Oktoberfest- it’s the largest, beer drinking festival in all of the world! Many countries, including America, actually hold their own versions of Oktoberfest, often with outdoor concerts and beer tents to celebrate!

European delights

While you can find European specialty food items in each of the European countries, you’ll also maybe be surprised to find that you can get food from many other nationalities as well, like Chinese food, American food, and Indian food. There are dishes that transcend several food cultures and combine recipes to make delicious meals that are a combination of nationalities. Europe has a lot to offer your taste buds if you are daring enough to try all the new recipes and food ideas you come across!