Christina and Roland's Great Adventures
“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.”
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Food Quest: Hungry Hungaros!
Having just reached Budapest from a land of amazing food, such as Greece, we thought it would be really tough to top the freshness of their cuisine. Our doubts were quickly quelled within the first hours of arrival. Roland's grandmother prepared an amazing meal, patiently awaiting two starving foodies. We came, we saw, we conquered!
Langos w/ sour cream & cheese. |
Lángos w/ cheese. |
Hungarian cuisine isn't known for fast food at all. However, there is one thing on the menu that is both easy to scarf down and doesn't dent your wallet. Meet Lángos, (Pronounced lohn-go-sh); the delicacy that people in Europe have grown to call Hungaro Pizza. It's so simple, you'll wonder how it hasn't found its way to the States.
Step 1: Prepare dough (eggs, flour, etc.)
Step 1: Prepare dough (eggs, flour, etc.)
Step 2: Shape dough into a pizza pie shape, approx. 12 inches wide.
Step 3: Deep fry the dough to a crisp.
Step 4: Dry off excess grease and oil.
Step 5: Cover with a wide assortment of toppings (or just have it plain).
Step 6: EAT!!!!
If any comparison could be made, it's like if Indian Nan bread was fused with a loaf of regular yeast bread, then fried.
Lángos comes in all shapes and sizes. This baby langos is accompanied by a bowl of creamy onion soup. Feel free to dip or just eat on the side. |
This bubbling pot of delight will eventually be a completed, fully operational bowl of veggie cabbages w/ tomatoes and peppers. Add some sour cream for supreme Hungarofication. |
Staying in the theme of fish, here we have a grilled salmon with a pesto/spinach glaze. This tender meat is complimented with greens and mashed potato goodness. |
Monday, October 24, 2011
Hungaro-Wine Tasting
There's no secret about it, Hungarian wine is pretty world reknown for its awesomeness. Perhaps you've sampled some? A bottle of Bull's Blood (made in Eger, Hungary)? Or maybe you've sipped on some fine Tokaji dessert wine? Either way, knowing your wines automatically ups your cool points. So, what better way to practice than a original Hungaro wine tasting.
We trekked up the hills of Buda to visit the site of the Buda-Castle. Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen explosion (probably a drunken accident), the real castle was reduced to nothing but some rocks and stones. The beautiful new Buda-Castle was built in its place; a wonderful addition to the skyline.
Fortunately for wine lovers, the secret wine cellars bellow the castle remained intact. Even after the explosion that leveled the castle. Hungarian monarchs stored thousands of fine wines in those cellars for many years. It wasn't till recently that it was converted into a place for wine tasting and a museum. We couldn't resist!
Rolo thought it would be funny to mess around with the medieval "torture" mechanism. He didn't laugh in the end. |
The oldest resident of the wine museum. Christina did some "be-friending" and scored us some VIP access to the wine making process. |
A traditional cellar Hungarian kitchen/living room. Quite luxurious, isn't it? |
To think, we drank only half way through their stash by this point. |
And now, ladies & gents.... The Wine Tasting!!!
First up, we have a smooth white wine from the Ászár-Neszmély region of Hungary (north-east of the Danube). Sweeter than its red counter-part, this wine packed a number of different fruity flavors onto the palate. Among the most prominent was a sweet apricot sensation.
Up next, we have a spicy red wine from the Villány region. We were caught completely off-guard with this wine. It was incredibly spicy, dry, yet quite distinct for a red wine. It originates from a volcanically fused soil. Thus, it gives the flavor a punch like no other.
Last but certainly not least, two glasses of the famous Tokaji dessert wine. On the left, a moderately sweet wine. It's flavor was fused with pineapples, grapes, apricots, and more. The glass on the right was much sweeter. Our wine connoisseur explained that the harvest was much later than usual, causing the grapes to ripen to a threshold of sweetness.
Final judgement, Christina and I both decided that the award for favorite wine had to go to our White wine of the night. No, no, we know what you're thinking. It's not a racial issue. We just like a sweeter, smoother glass of vino. The red was very unique, but too spicy and dry for our taste. We drank it anyway ;) Our dessert wines were appreciated as well, but they were way too sweet to enjoy. A few sips was all we needed. After it all ended, we stumbled out the door into the courtyard for some lavish Hungaro dinner!
Cheers!
Monday, October 17, 2011
The Ontology of a Hungaro
Welcome back to another exciting edition of CnR Adventures. Our next episode takes us across time and space, from the ancient ruins of Athens, to the castles and cathedrals of chivalrous Hungary. It's one of our favorite parts of history =D
So here's a quick run down of things you need to know abouts Hungaros:
1) They love spicy Paprika... On Everything.
2) Mustaches are taken VERY SERIOUSLY.
3) The Hungarians are a very industrious civilization, and have invented many important things in the modern world.
4) One of their main exports is pornography.
and lastly, 5) They love their architecture!!!
The Központi Vásárcsarnok (or Central Great Market) The best place to find amazing eats, at a great price. As well as all the random souvenirs that bring smiles to our families back home. |
Budapest is famous for its ruin bars - nightlife emerging out of the shadows of decrepit buildings. |
The sunsetting beyond just one of Hungary's many churches. |
The Var (or castle) atop the hills of Budapest is the recreation of what used to house the old monarchs of Hungaria. |
The second largest synagogue in the world: Dohány Templom *FUN FACT* Agi & Peter Regos got married here. 10 Years later, a baby RoLo came to be. |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
BOUZOUKIA
This segment of our blog commemorates the final chapter of our visit to Greece. As we look back on the past three weeks, all the heart warming memories come to mind. We've strolled through historic ruins, fell in love with furry friends in need of a bite to eat, refortified the loving relationships between distant families, and so many more. The mediterranean sun is truly a magical thing. It not only warms the soil, but also warms the heart. Everyone we met on our travels, regardless of how well they knew us, seemed to only want the best for us.
On the last couple of days before our flight out of Athens Int'l, Christina and I ran down a checklist of things we wanted to accomplish while in Greece. Up and down the list, determination and luck (given all the protests and strikes) allowed us to see just about everything we had hoped to see... All except for one thing. Just as a precursor, music is a very important part of Greeky tradition. No matter where you find yourself; be it the mountains, the coast, the islands, or the major cities, the locals value their music just as highly as ancient heritage. So, Christina made it a point to take me (as a newbie to Greeky culture apart from Corfu - Grill & Delivery) to a real Greeky performance. Here in Greece, they call it.......
BOUZOUKIA!!!
On the last couple of days before our flight out of Athens Int'l, Christina and I ran down a checklist of things we wanted to accomplish while in Greece. Up and down the list, determination and luck (given all the protests and strikes) allowed us to see just about everything we had hoped to see... All except for one thing. Just as a precursor, music is a very important part of Greeky tradition. No matter where you find yourself; be it the mountains, the coast, the islands, or the major cities, the locals value their music just as highly as ancient heritage. So, Christina made it a point to take me (as a newbie to Greeky culture apart from Corfu - Grill & Delivery) to a real Greeky performance. Here in Greece, they call it.......
BOUZOUKIA!!!
Thanks to Christina's father and friends, we found ourselves a hidden concert hall tucked away in downtown Athens. Inside, the locals sang the traditional songs, threw flowers, and danced the night away. The band was tight as hell! Roland made note that the guitarist and bassist were definitely metal-heads. The black shirts, long hair, piercings, and 6-string bass/7-string guitar were only slight indicators. Overall, cool peoples and an awesome time.
*** FOR FULL SCREEN, CLICK THE YOUTUBE LINKS***
The throwing of flower pedals is a symbal of courtship and flirtation in Greeky culture. For us, it was just really fun to throw it at everybody. |
Little caterpillars found their way amongst the flowers. |
*** FOR FULL SCREEN, CLICK THE YOUTUBE LINK***
It was a phenomenal way to end our stay in Greece. Roland definitely won't ever forget the energy in the Bouzoukia hall; while Christina will never forget the fun times had with her family. Thus, we depart with heavy hearts, but we will always have them on our minds.... Besides, there's no time sulk. WE HAVE MORE ADVENTURING TO DO!!!
HUNGARIA, HERE WE COME!!!!
Special shout-out to Kostas! We love and thank you very much for everything.
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