Thursday, August 1, 2013

Cherry Peach Pie

"We must have pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie."- David Mamet 

With summer winding to a close, it only makes sense to get the most out of all the delicious fruits that are still in season. I found myself with a couple peaches and a few cups of cherries verging on over-ripening. Instead of throwing out the fruit or eating all of it by myself, I decided to bake a Cherry Peach Pie (the first pie I've ever baked).

Slice of Peach Cherry Pie
10 inch Crust (You can also buy a pre-made crust):
What You Need:

  • 1 stick of chilled butter
  • 1 1/3 cups of flour (I used whole wheat, but all-purpose works too)
  • pinch of salt 
  • 3 TBS ice water 
Assembled ingredients 

How to Make:
  • Slice butter into 8 to 10 pieces
  • Sliced butter
    Add flour to chopped butter

  • Add in a pinch of salt 

  • Use a pastry blender (or a fork) to combine all ingredients 

  • Add in the ice water and use your hands to mix the dough until it holds together

  • Roll out your dough

  • Place dough in your pie pan and shape it using your fingers or a fork


Filling: 
What You Need:
  • 3 peaches
  • 1/4 cup raspberry jam
  • 2 cups of cherries
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 1 TBS honey 
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 TBS butter

How to Make: 
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
  • Remove the skin and pits of the peaches. Chop peaches into bite size pieces.

  • Remove the pits of the cherries and cut the cherries in half. Place peaches and cherries into a large bowl. 

  • Add the raspberry jam to the fruit. 

  • Pour the sugar into the fruit/jam mixture.  


  • Add in the honey. 

  • Add the cinnamon and mix all the ingredients together.

  • Pour the filling into the pie pan.

  • Chop the tbs of butter into small pieces. Drop the butter over the filling.  

 Crumble Crust:
What You Need:

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup unsalted butter (chilled and diced)

How to Make:
  • Combine all ingredients together with your fingers until crumbly 
  • Top your pie
  • Cook for 42 minutes 
Brody was curious about all the noise in the kitchen
Finished Pie
Enjoy!
Cheers!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Barcelona

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."- Jawaharial Nehru
Our final destination was Barcelona. This was my third time in Spain and my second time in Barcelona which is why I didn't take many photographs. I must say that this trip to Barcelona was so much better than my last trip (I was food poisoned). Kelsie and I did a bike tour of the city and got a bit of a history lesson as well. We went to Park Guell and the fabulous la Sagrada Familia.

Barcelona was one of our more low key destinations. We spent a lot of our time meeting people and going out with them. The flaming shots of Chopito's were the best shots I've ever taken and we had a great night at Opium Beach Club.

Gorgeous Fountain 
View of Barcelona 
Kelsie and me! 

Overall, this was one of the best trips of my entire life. It reawakened my desire to travel. Since I've been home I've started planning a number of different trips. I love going to new places and cannot wait until I can take off somewhere new for another incredible experience!

Adios!

Italy

"The name of Italy had magic in its very syllables."- Mary Shelley 

Our next stop was the Eternal City- Rome.

 We spent the majority of our time in Rome eating or drinking. I rotated my meals between pizza and pasta, red or white wine, and all the gelato in Rome. The food was absolutely spectacular. I have always been fascinated by ancient Rome so being able to walk through all of the sites I've studied and read about was so incredible.

Lunch, the Colosseum, and the Capitol 
Ruins of Ancient Rome
Rome was also the last place that the four of us experienced together. Sarah had to fly home to start work and Gioia had to go to a wedding in Northern Italy.

Friends! 
Rome did have a downside for me though. My wallet was stolen our second to last night. All I'm saying is the Trevi fountain better grant my wish... it's the least Rome can do for me :)

Making wishes
 We toured Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. I found St. Peter's to be the most beautiful church on our trip. I was worried that I wasn't going to like Rome very much, but despite getting my wallet stolen, I really did enjoy the city.

After Gioia and Sarah left us, Kelsie and I took a train up to Monterosso in Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre was unbelievably gorgeous and a great break from the touring we had been doing. Two days swimming, eating, and wandering the coast was a welcome break from the stresses of traveling.

Italian Riveria 
Soaking it all in 
Waterproof cameras are so fun  
Paddleboarding is hard
This is much more my speed 
Last night in Italy
Italy is gorgeous and I cannot wait to tour Tuscany sometime soon.

Ciao!







The Adventure Capital of Europe

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."- Eleanor Roosevelt 

Our next stop was Interlaken, Switzerland also known as the Adventure Capital of Europe. In a fashion befitting adventures, we took an overnight train from Berlin to Zurich that was a bit disastrous. We were supposed to be in a sleeping car with seats that reclined almost horizontally. However, there was an issue with that car so we were instead in seats that didn't recline.  12 hours! On a train ride through the night... it was hell.  Furthermore, the only open room on the train was with a man who may or may not have been a serial killer. I slept a grand total of one hour.
Couldn't wait to get to Interlaken
Despite our struggles getting to Interlaken once we were there it was a dream come true. It was raining quite heavily when we got there, and yet that only added to its charm. Interlaken is a small town in the Alps that honestly seems like it is straight out of a fairytale. I would have stayed there forever if it was possible.
Roses in the Rain 
Backpacking in the rain
Misty Mountains  
We arrived at the fabulous Balmers Herbage hostel (which took us forever to find in the rain). We settled into our room and took a much needed nap. We decided to explore the hostel a little bit and upon finding a door marked 'hangover recovery' our interest was piqued. Inside there were tens of colorful hammocks in a wooded slatted room. We ended up in the Metro bar on the property and made a couple of friends over a couple drinks.
Hammocks everywhere!
The next morning we awoke to a gorgeous day. By far the best weather we had seen since arriving in Europe. Interlaken was even more beautiful than the day before.
View from our window. 
My dreamland






Since Interlaken is the adventure capital of Europe we decided to go rafting and canyoning with the greatest company, Outdoor Interlaken. We had a great time risking our lives in class 4/5 rapids and in huge gorges in the alps.
Before Rafting 
While Canyoning 
We also were lucky enough to be in Interlaken over Canada Day. The Hostel threw a huge party at their tent village. We ended up riding on the handle bars of some of the Outdoor Interlaken guides bikes back to the bar to continue celebrating Canada.

Interalken surpassed my expectations be leaps and bounds and I would recommend it to anyone that likes a thrill or beautiful scenery. 

The Alps

Wild Roses

Cheers! 




Berlin

"Berlin is more a part of the world than a city"- Jean Paul
After Paris we flew over to Berlin. None of us really knew what to expect from Berlin; I had been to Germany previously, but never to Berlin. All of us were surprised by how incredible the city of Berlin actually is. Obviously the history is deeply entrenched and quite extensive, but the character of the city was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The nightlife, the graffiti, the architecture, the people, and the history all work together to create an atmosphere that is both calming and energetic, historical and futuristic, grungy yet welcoming.

Upon our arrival at our hostel (The Cat's Pajamas) we were informed something had gotten messed up with our reservation so we were given the nicest private room in the hostel. We had come from staying in rooms of 12 people, so a private suite was a godsend.
Ready to drink 
We decided it would be in our best interest to go on a tour of Berlin since we really didn't know what we wanted to see. We got lucky yet again and had the best tour guide of all time. Rob McKracken was ridiculously knowledgeable about the history while still being entertaining. We ended up getting drinks with the guides after our tour and learning a bit more about the local life.
Berlin Wall 
Turkish Market 
Bubbles on the street 
Berlin Cathedral 
Brandenburg Gate
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
I was familiar with the Berlin Wall and the Holocaust, but learning more about both while in Berlin was an experience I'll never forget. There is a saying that "Berlin is condemned to always becoming but never being" and I'm still struggling with it. I think the beauty of the identity of Berlin is that it can change, it isn't stagnant and can adapt to the circumstances facing the city. Berliners are resilient and their city reflects the tragedy and the strength of Berlin. 

Obviously Berlin has another reputation. Berlin is known for being a great city to go out in. Berlin deserves that reputation.
Matrix
Statues
Each one of us was shocked by how much we loved Berlin. I was already a fan of Germany and Berlin just added a new side to the country.

Auf Wiedersehen!