Food For Thought - Croatian story about food and travel

Sometimes we don't have to go far to cross paths with interesting people who inspire us. I met Barbara at work and then we realized we both like same things, such as traveling and exploring the new. However, Barbara, author of the popular Foodiona blog, is a true artist when it comes to creative cooking and imaginative recipes. How she discovered her passion for cooking, how she extended that knowledge on her trips and what her blog is about, find out in our interview. 

 

C: How did you become interested in creative cooking and your own recipes?

B: Ever since I was little, I've been watching my mother in the kitchen prepare various sweet and savory specialities. Hence I could say that it was mom's kitchen that attracted me to cooking. My mum rarely follows a recipe and I'm like that too; I always add a spice of my own, a sauce or any other ingredient.

 

C: What do you find most interesting when preparing food – is it inventing a recipe, buying ingredients or the preparation itself?

B: I'd say that the whole process, from inventing and looking for an idea, buying ingredients to finally preparing it, is a fun and relaxing one. When I'm stressed or happy, you can find me in the kitchen, I'm at home there, I think of new recipes and cook.

C: What could you say about culinary tradition in Croatia?

B: In my opinion Croatia has excellent cuisine. When it comes to preparing fish, meat or vegetable, our cuisine is exquisite. I tried traditional dishes in all regions of Croatia and can say that I've nowhere been disappointed. I like the fact that we cherish our tradition. This is how in all restaurants you can find our traditional dishes such as 

„purica z mlinci“ (English link: http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/croatianserbmaincourses/r/turkey.htm) 

„rožata“ 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ro%C5%BEata)

 „gibanica“ 

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prekmurska_gibanica) and similar. 

On the other hand, Croatia has an offer of all the other types of world cuisine. Thus you can eat an excellent sushi, a tortilla or a burger.

C: What are eating habits in Croatia like? – do we still eat in families, at home, or is it getting more popular to go to large chains of fast food restaurants such as Mac Donald's?

B: Unlike Western countries, in Croatia we still practice a traditional family lunch or dinner at home. Such is at least my opinion. Of course, since we live in a consumerist society, new food chains sprout on almost every corner. And this is how we've been increasingly eating something fast and away from home. I have to point out that in recent years the time spent with friends has been reduced to going to Mac Donald's or similar food chains; barbecues with friends at home are more seldom.

C: Are there more places in Zagreb, our capital, where with a drink you also get to have a snack?

B: In town there are increasingly more places where you can both drink and eat. Every now and then newspapers give reviews of new bars and pizzerias. Lately there has been an increase in the number of new burger bars and Asian restaurants. I'd say at the moment, it's most popular to eat a good burger or wok.

C: What's your favourite food from Croatia? And from another country?

C: Being a real foodie it is difficult to pick a favourite dish as I find everything tasty! :) However, I do love when mum makes „krpice sa zeljem“ (pasta with cabbage: http://www.lakakuharica.com/2010/07/krpice-sa-zeljem.html#.VXhpfVLybKE). Although many people don't like it, I find it delicious.

 When I travel I always try new kinds of food. My favourite at the moment is Pad Thai, which I could eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

C: You travel a lot and you’ve recently visited Thailand. What did you like there most about food?

B: I was traveling through Thailand and Cambodia for three weeks and I really tried various and different dishes. What I liked about their approach to food is the fact that all the ingredients and dishes are fresh with lots of vegetable and aromatic spices. Among the dishes I tried there were Pad Thai, amok and grilled alligator.

 

 

C: You also have your blog – Foodiona – could you tell us something about it?

B: I started writing it after being encouraged by my husband, who is also the main taster of all dishes that come out of my kitchen. I’ve never thought that I’d write about food and recipes for the public, but I’d say the more I am in this “world of blogging”, the more I like it.

C: Which recipe from your blog would you like to share with our readers on Connected?

B: I’d like to share a recipe for a cake which is a true spring beauty with strawberries, mascarpone and chocolate.

http://foodiona.com/slatko/torta/

 

 

 

C: You’re a very creative person with lots of ideas – what motivates you?

B: I’m motivated by dynamics, constant move forwards and persistent learning. As to creativity, I’d like to use a quote by A. Einstein: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” which perfectly describes me – curious!

Thank you for this nice conversation and greetings to all the readers. 

C: Thank you too, dear Barbara :)