Encounters with Beauty and Grace
This recipe was inspired by a trip to Eibingen Abbey. While the nuns did not relinquish their chestnut soup recipe, I’m happy to share the one I whipped up in my kitchen. I hope this hearty nourishing soup finds a seat at your table and …
I don’t attend church. I’m not religious. But I’ve been chasing a 12th century nun around Germany. A few years ago on a chilly October day I discovered Hildegard of Bingen, or at least an abbey and trail along the Rhine River bearing her name. …
This is the soup I made after returning home from a silent retreat at Arenberg Abbey. The recipe can be found in Twelve Months of Monastery Soups by Brother Victor-Antoine d’Avila-Latourrette. This cookbook is filled with so many delicious recipes of my favorite comfort food …
(This abbey is one hour from Wiesbaden.) They are mythical creatures. You know one when you see one; their habits flutter with the slightest breeze and rest just above sensible rubber soled shoes. They often have a strand of beads dangling from a hip pocket …
I discovered Hildegard of Bingen by accident while hiking. You can read about the encounter HERE. 1 ½ cups spelt flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 4 eggs …
This recipe was gifted to me by a beautiful woman from Bechtheim, Germany. Martina’s delicious “Fantasy Blueberry Cake” was served when I interviewed her daughters, Janine and Jasmin. I followed her instructions precisely and was left with a beautiful tender cake topped with billows of …
Like the gnarled wines four generations have planted, nurtured and cultivated in the Rheinhessen village of Bechtheim, sisters Janine Brüssel and Jasmin May were bestowed the ingredients to not only thrive, but flourish. You would be hard pressed not to fall in love with these …
I can still hear her wobbly voice as she’d whisper with a coquettish grin, “I’ll have a Manhattan, straight up!” This octogenarian and her husband reserved the same table every Wednesday evening at the country club where I waited tables in Hyde Park, New York. …
It was a bit of a shock waking up to an email saying our landlords were moving back to Germany from Switzerland. Covid. Who could blame them for wanting to come back to their home, since borders have been mostly closed since last year? “Home”, …
Cookie Butter Buttercream Ingredients: -1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature) -1 cup Biscoff Cookie Butter (smooth, not crunchy) -2 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted is best) -3 Tablespoons heavy cream (room temperature) Instructions: In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until …