Inspiration
Vielleicht ist es dir schon aufgefallen, diese Woche ist meine Frühstückswoche, jeden Tag eine Inspiration für die erste Mahlzeit am Tag. Heute: Pfannkuchen mit Frühstücksspeck und Blaubeeren, dazu Ahornsirup.
You might have noticed already, its breakfast week! Every day another breakfast inspiration. Today: Maple Bacon Pancakes with Blueberries.

Inspiration

Vielleicht ist es dir schon aufgefallen, diese Woche ist meine Frühstückswoche, jeden Tag eine Inspiration für die erste Mahlzeit am Tag. Heute: Pfannkuchen mit Frühstücksspeck und Blaubeeren, dazu Ahornsirup.

You might have noticed already, its breakfast week! Every day another breakfast inspiration. Today: Maple Bacon Pancakes with Blueberries.

Freunde von Freunden - Interview
Gestern gab es mal wieder ein kleines Interview mit mir zu lesen. Freunde von Freunden ist ein Onlinemagazin für Interior und Menschen. Auf der ganzen Welt besucht das Team Wohnungen von Kreativen und zeigt einen kleinen Einblick in deren Leben. Ich war damals die erste Fotografin im Team und hab geholfen, das Magazin in Berlin aufzubauen und den Fotostil zu entwickeln. Das Projekt hat mein Leben auf eine Weise verändert, die ich sehr zu schätzen weiss. Ende 2011 haben wir auch ein Buch zusammen veröffentlich, dass einen Großteil meiner Fotos enthält. Viel Spass nun mit dem Interview, geschrieben von den Freunde von Freunden Autoren!
Yesterday another little Interview with me was published. Freunde von Freunden is an online magazine about interior and people. All over the world the team visits creatives and shows how they live. Being the first photographer of the project, I helped building the base for the project in Berlin and creating the very authentic and emotional photography approach. This project changed my life in a way that I highly appreciate. Late 2011 we also published a book that contains most of my works I shot for the magazine. Now enjoy reading the interview with me, written by the Freunde von Freunden editors.
“As a regular reader of our magazine you probably often times came across the name of German photographer Ailine Liefeld. Born in a small town not far from Berlin, she quickly acknowledged her true passion. After her photography studies at Lette Verein, Ailine focused on the diverse sections of fashion in addition to helping build the base of Freunde von Freunden in Berlin. Since the very start of our magazine she took great pictures that became part of the most haunted portraits, hailing from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and of course Berlin. Her photography captivates the basis of minimalism with a clear vision of the most alluring details. 
Apart from photography itself, Ailine always had a passion for cooking and creating little artworks out of her daily meals. It was therefore merely a matter of time to essentially combine her two loves. Since April, Ailine has been running the already established and highly inspiring food blog Aicuisine that even drags inexperienced people into the kitchen. Here she documents her daily groceries, her self-created meals, new food movements from around the globe, fabulous kitchen interiors, and last but not least the atmospheric dinner parties she hosts on a regular basis. 
What’s your favorite daily ritual?Taking a bath.
Where do you go when you want to relax or get inspired in your city?I walk around looking for markets, food or vintage stuff, or just structures and light. That’s my main source of inspiration. I usually relax at home while having a whisky and watching a good movie.
How has technology influenced you?I grew up during technology’s evolution. So it’s part of my daily routine like having food or sleep. I can’t imagine what life would be without technology. It’s making things a lot easier in regards to my job as a photographer. I feel like people are able to create so many more things because of technology. It takes our brain to a point where we process probably twice as much data or even more than before its expansion. But it might be dangerous to depend on it all the time. Sometimes when I get lost in areas just because Maps is not working properly, I realize it’s time to use my mind again. I am always surprised how good my instincts work at that particular moment.
Best travel memory?Having food in a restaurant on a hill at Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke Island in New Zealand. All this while the sun was setting at the horizon over the water with the Auckland skyline far aways, right after having sailed there. It was a business trip, but it has probably been the prettiest thing I’ve ever experienced. Also, meeting someone in the middle of nowhere and becoming friends is worth mentioning.
Your latest artistic discovery (musical, art or design)?I’m currently fascinated by the work of Willem de Kooning and just the other day I listened to the new album “Luxury Problems” by Andy Scott. I really like it. The vinyl looks and sounds magnificent, too.
What current global or local topics are you currently fascinated with?There is only one answer to that: FOOD. Food seems to be all over the place right now. Restaurants are popping up out of nowhere with chefs serving 10 guests rather than 100. People are starting to grow their own produce again. Supper clubs seem to appear everywhere. It is still really small in Germany. But as I visit the States quite often, I always get really inspired by its food scene and try to bring back as much inspiration as possible. I incorporate this inspiration within my food blog, as well as the dinners I do for friends.
What was the last great meal you ate & where?I went to Brooklyn Flea the other day and had the Maple Bacon Stick by ‘The Landhaus.’ It is just too die for. It’s food you would probably never get on any market in Berlin, so I had another one on the Smorgasburg market a week later, just to make sure to never forget about it!
Three websites – more or less – you visit daily ?To be honest I don’t really spend lots of time visiting other websites aside from Facebook, Google and Tumblr. I mainly use the internet for work and communication stuff, or Amazon for buying stuff. Sometimes I read some food blogs or look for recipes, or I look for stuff that inspires me on SVPPLY. I also spent hours researching restaurants or travel destinations, but not on a daily basis. I’m outside a lot, so I rather use apps on my phone, like Instagram.
What’s the best thing of running your own foodblog Aicuisine?I get to cook and bake every day. Over the last half year, I learned so many new things, got to see so many great places. I really began to appreciate telling stories about local manufactures and food places. It is quite precious to be able to go behind the scenes and take pictures of people producing all kinds of food. It opens a completely new world of inspiration and wisdom.
What was the best advice you have ever received (and by whom)?Probably my art teacher. He realized that I ran out of patience for painting and gave me a camera and 3 rolls of film and said, “I think this works better for you.”
Which FvF portrait is your personal favorite so far?Although it was one of the first ones we did, I still like the portrait of Malin Elmlid the most. So much has happened for her since our production. We were constantly inspired by each other and were filled with enthusiasm.
What are your three favorite pictures of all of our portraits?Even though I shot it, Raul Walch with views over Berlin is one of the most concise pictures. As well, the photo of Richie Culver with his gaze out of the window and Marc Atlan with his pink plastic cat in front of the panorama of Los Angeles belong to my favourites.”

Portrait picture of me taken by David Alvarado. Photo of Marc Atlan taken by Fette. 

Freunde von Freunden - Interview

Gestern gab es mal wieder ein kleines Interview mit mir zu lesen. Freunde von Freunden ist ein Onlinemagazin für Interior und Menschen. Auf der ganzen Welt besucht das Team Wohnungen von Kreativen und zeigt einen kleinen Einblick in deren Leben. Ich war damals die erste Fotografin im Team und hab geholfen, das Magazin in Berlin aufzubauen und den Fotostil zu entwickeln. Das Projekt hat mein Leben auf eine Weise verändert, die ich sehr zu schätzen weiss. Ende 2011 haben wir auch ein Buch zusammen veröffentlich, dass einen Großteil meiner Fotos enthält. Viel Spass nun mit dem Interview, geschrieben von den Freunde von Freunden Autoren!

Yesterday another little Interview with me was published. Freunde von Freunden is an online magazine about interior and people. All over the world the team visits creatives and shows how they live. Being the first photographer of the project, I helped building the base for the project in Berlin and creating the very authentic and emotional photography approach. This project changed my life in a way that I highly appreciate. Late 2011 we also published a book that contains most of my works I shot for the magazine. Now enjoy reading the interview with me, written by the Freunde von Freunden editors.

“As a regular reader of our magazine you probably often times came across the name of German photographer Ailine Liefeld. Born in a small town not far from Berlin, she quickly acknowledged her true passion. After her photography studies at Lette Verein, Ailine focused on the diverse sections of fashion in addition to helping build the base of Freunde von Freunden in Berlin. Since the very start of our magazine she took great pictures that became part of the most haunted portraits, hailing from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and of course Berlin. Her photography captivates the basis of minimalism with a clear vision of the most alluring details. 

Apart from photography itself, Ailine always had a passion for cooking and creating little artworks out of her daily meals. It was therefore merely a matter of time to essentially combine her two loves. Since April, Ailine has been running the already established and highly inspiring food blog Aicuisine that even drags inexperienced people into the kitchen. Here she documents her daily groceries, her self-created meals, new food movements from around the globe, fabulous kitchen interiors, and last but not least the atmospheric dinner parties she hosts on a regular basis. 

What’s your favorite daily ritual?
Taking a bath.

Where do you go when you want to relax or get inspired in your city?
I walk around looking for markets, food or vintage stuff, or just structures and light. That’s my main source of inspiration. I usually relax at home while having a whisky and watching a good movie.

How has technology influenced you?
I grew up during technology’s evolution. So it’s part of my daily routine like having food or sleep. I can’t imagine what life would be without technology. It’s making things a lot easier in regards to my job as a photographer. I feel like people are able to create so many more things because of technology. It takes our brain to a point where we process probably twice as much data or even more than before its expansion. But it might be dangerous to depend on it all the time. Sometimes when I get lost in areas just because Maps is not working properly, I realize it’s time to use my mind again. I am always surprised how good my instincts work at that particular moment.

Best travel memory?
Having food in a restaurant on a hill at Mudbrick Vineyard on Waiheke Island in New Zealand. All this while the sun was setting at the horizon over the water with the Auckland skyline far aways, right after having sailed there. It was a business trip, but it has probably been the prettiest thing I’ve ever experienced. Also, meeting someone in the middle of nowhere and becoming friends is worth mentioning.

Your latest artistic discovery (musical, art or design)?
I’m currently fascinated by the work of Willem de Kooning and just the other day I listened to the new album “Luxury Problems” by Andy Scott. I really like it. The vinyl looks and sounds magnificent, too.

What current global or local topics are you currently fascinated with?
There is only one answer to that: FOOD. Food seems to be all over the place right now. Restaurants are popping up out of nowhere with chefs serving 10 guests rather than 100. People are starting to grow their own produce again. Supper clubs seem to appear everywhere. It is still really small in Germany. But as I visit the States quite often, I always get really inspired by its food scene and try to bring back as much inspiration as possible. I incorporate this inspiration within my food blog, as well as the dinners I do for friends.

What was the last great meal you ate & where?
I went to Brooklyn Flea the other day and had the Maple Bacon Stick by ‘The Landhaus.’ It is just too die for. It’s food you would probably never get on any market in Berlin, so I had another one on the Smorgasburg market a week later, just to make sure to never forget about it!

Three websites – more or less – you visit daily ?
To be honest I don’t really spend lots of time visiting other websites aside from Facebook, Google and Tumblr. I mainly use the internet for work and communication stuff, or Amazon for buying stuff. Sometimes I read some food blogs or look for recipes, or I look for stuff that inspires me on SVPPLY. I also spent hours researching restaurants or travel destinations, but not on a daily basis. I’m outside a lot, so I rather use apps on my phone, like Instagram.

What’s the best thing of running your own foodblog Aicuisine?
I get to cook and bake every day. Over the last half year, I learned so many new things, got to see so many great places. I really began to appreciate telling stories about local manufactures and food places. It is quite precious to be able to go behind the scenes and take pictures of people producing all kinds of food. It opens a completely new world of inspiration and wisdom.

What was the best advice you have ever received (and by whom)?
Probably my art teacher. He realized that I ran out of patience for painting and gave me a camera and 3 rolls of film and said, “I think this works better for you.”

Which FvF portrait is your personal favorite so far?
Although it was one of the first ones we did, I still like the portrait of Malin Elmlid the most. So much has happened for her since our production. We were constantly inspired by each other and were filled with enthusiasm.

What are your three favorite pictures of all of our portraits?
Even though I shot it, Raul Walch with views over Berlin is one of the most concise pictures. As well, the photo of Richie Culver with his gaze out of the window and Marc Atlan with his pink plastic cat in front of the panorama of Los Angeles belong to my favourites.”

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Portrait picture of me taken by David Alvarado. Photo of Marc Atlan taken by Fette

Make The Best Christmas Cookies Ever

Amen hat eine kleine Keksgeschichte mit mir gemacht. 7 Tipps wie man die besten Weihnachtskekse macht!
Amen did a little cookie story with me. 7 tips on how to make the best Christmas cookies ever! 

thebestandworstofeverything:

Ailine is not only the best photographer ever, but she is also an amazing cook. Convince yourself by simply taking a look at her blog Aicuisine

Since we tasted her cookies and loved them instantly, we asked her to share her 7 cookie baking secrets and here the are.

1. Mix liquid and dry ingredients separately

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2. Use half brown and half refined sugar

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3. Try using spices spices like chill and pepper 

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4. Get your hands on vanilla paste. It makes everything taste better. 

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5. Substitute one cup of flower with grinded almond or hazelnut. 

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5. Use baking soda, not powder. 

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6. Don’t bother forming the cookies, just make rough balls. They will melt into a cookie naturally because of the butter

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7. Make a tarte with the rest of the cookie dough. 

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The Result: 

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The Recipe:

125g soft butter
1 egg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup refined sugar
2 table spoons sugar beet molasses
1 table spoon honey
1 table spoon cinnamon
1/2 tea spoon salt
1/2 tea spoon chili
1/2 tea spoon pepper
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup almond flour
2 1/2 tea spoons baking soda

Preheat oven to 175°C. Mix liquids and mix dry ingredients and then mix together until smooth. Put dough in freezer for about 30min. Form little rough balls with a spoon or ice cream scooper on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes.

Bon Appetit! 

Von thebestandworstofeverything gerebloggt
Dokumentation über Essen in NYCNYC Food Documentary
Das erste und das letzte Foto aus New York, durch die Augen meiner neuen Fuji X-E1 und ihrer 35mm/1.4 Linse. Dazwischen liegen 3293 Fotos und 2 Wochen voller Menschen, Essen und Orte. Ich bin nun endlich zurück in meinem Zuhause und freue mich darauf, in den nächsten Tagen durch all diese Fotos zu gehen und vor allem die 12 Essensorte noch einmal zu besuchen, hinter deren Kulissen ich schauen durfte. Freut Euch mit mir diese bald hier anschauen zu können.
First picture and last picture of NYC through the eyes of my new Fuji X-E1 and its 35mm/1.4 lens. In between lay 3293 pictures and 2 weeks full of people, food and places. I’m finally settling back into my home and can’t wait to browse through all these pictures and the 12 food places that I had the honour to visit. Enjoy them with me soon.

Dokumentation über Essen in NYC
NYC Food Documentary

Das erste und das letzte Foto aus New York, durch die Augen meiner neuen Fuji X-E1 und ihrer 35mm/1.4 Linse. Dazwischen liegen 3293 Fotos und 2 Wochen voller Menschen, Essen und Orte. Ich bin nun endlich zurück in meinem Zuhause und freue mich darauf, in den nächsten Tagen durch all diese Fotos zu gehen und vor allem die 12 Essensorte noch einmal zu besuchen, hinter deren Kulissen ich schauen durfte. Freut Euch mit mir diese bald hier anschauen zu können.

First picture and last picture of NYC through the eyes of my new Fuji X-E1 and its 35mm/1.4 lens. In between lay 3293 pictures and 2 weeks full of people, food and places. I’m finally settling back into my home and can’t wait to browse through all these pictures and the 12 food places that I had the honour to visit. Enjoy them with me soon.

Dokumentation über Essen in NYCNYC Food Documentary
Die erste Woche New York is fast rum und war wunderbar! Ich hab bisher schon Morris Kitchen, Ovenly, The Brooklyn Brewery, The Brooklyn Kitchen, Brooklyn Soda Works, Sfoglini, Krumville Bake Shop - Gluten Free and Brooklyn  Farmacy & Soda Fountain besuchen können und es wird noch viel mehr geben! Schaut Euch doch die bisherigen schonmal an und klickt fleissig “Like” auf Facebook! Kann die nächste Woche kaum erwarten, mit tollen Orten wie Kings County Distillery und Hot Bread Kitchen! ♥
So my first week of NYC is coming to an end tomorrow and its been most awesome! I got to visit Morris Kitchen, Ovenly, The Brooklyn Brewery, The Brooklyn Kitchen, Brooklyn Soda Works, Sfoglini, Krumville Bake Shop - Gluten Free and Brooklyn  Farmacy & Soda Fountain already and there is more to come! Be sure to check out these already, great people with lovely products, make sure to give them a “Like” on Facebook! Can’t wait for the next week to come, including the infamous Kings County Distillery and Hot Bread Kitchen! ♥

Dokumentation über Essen in NYC
NYC Food Documentary

Die erste Woche New York is fast rum und war wunderbar! Ich hab bisher schon Morris KitchenOvenlyThe Brooklyn BreweryThe Brooklyn KitchenBrooklyn Soda WorksSfogliniKrumville Bake Shop - Gluten Free and Brooklyn  Farmacy & Soda Fountain besuchen können und es wird noch viel mehr geben! Schaut Euch doch die bisherigen schonmal an und klickt fleissig “Like” auf Facebook! Kann die nächste Woche kaum erwarten, mit tollen Orten wie Kings County Distillery und Hot Bread Kitchen! ♥

So my first week of NYC is coming to an end tomorrow and its been most awesome! I got to visit Morris KitchenOvenlyThe Brooklyn BreweryThe Brooklyn KitchenBrooklyn Soda WorksSfogliniKrumville Bake Shop - Gluten Free and Brooklyn  Farmacy & Soda Fountain already and there is more to come! Be sure to check out these already, great people with lovely products, make sure to give them a “Like” on Facebook! Can’t wait for the next week to come, including the infamous Kings County Distillery and Hot Bread Kitchen! ♥

20.000 Follower!
WOW! Grad eben gab es den 20000. Follower für Aicuisine. Was für ein tolles halbes Jahr, vielen Dank für den vielen Zuspruch und die Unterstützung. 
WOW! I just reached 20000 Followers on tumblr! How awesome is that, thanks so much for all the support, its been the best half year ever! :)

20.000 Follower!

WOW! Grad eben gab es den 20000. Follower für Aicuisine. Was für ein tolles halbes Jahr, vielen Dank für den vielen Zuspruch und die Unterstützung.

WOW! I just reached 20000 Followers on tumblr! How awesome is that, thanks so much for all the support, its been the best half year ever! :)

Amsterdam

Nachdem ich in den letzten 2 Jahren gefühlt 2 Mal um die ganze Welt gereist bin, ist mir diesen Sommer klargeworden, dass es manchmal gar nicht so weit sein muss, denn in Europa gibt es auch noch mindestens 100 Orte an denen ich noch nicht war und schnell und günstig hinfahren kann. Auf dieser Liste finden sich bekannte Städte wie Stockholm, Kopenhagen, Lissabon, Istanbul, Florenz und sogar Amsterdam, was in den Köpfen der Deutschen wohl lange Zeit als Kifferstadt abgespeichert war, zumindest sind alle meine Freunde früher immer deswegen dahin und ich immer deswegen zuhause geblieben.
Dass Klischees aber meist nur einen ganz kleinen Teil von etwas ausmachen weiss ich als Erwachsener inzwischen, daher fand ich mich letzten Monat auch endlich mal in Amsterdam ein und konnte auch schnell erkennen, dass dort nicht nur gekifft, Käse gegessen und Eiermehlspeisen verzehrt werden.

Vielmehr ist Amsterdam so eine Mischung aus Paris und Venedig, auch wenn ich ungern Städte vergleiche. Die vielen Brücken und Kanäle, die schönen Häuser, die schönen Parks und das viele bunte Treiben in der Stadt, das fast alle Teile mit Geschäften, Cafés, Restaurants und Sehenswürdigkeiten füllt. Man möchte fast meinen, es gibt fast keinen Teil Amsterdams in dem man nicht wohnen kann ohne etwas zu missen. Alles fühlt sich nah an und mit dem Rad kann man bequem die ganze Stadt erkunden und hat trotzdem das Gefühl in einer Großstadt zu sein. Überall gibt es Märkte, die ganze Woche über, Altes, Frisches und Neues und natürlich auch die Klischees. Fast jedes Café hat natürlich eine Appeltaart auf der Speisekarte, diese tolle holländische Apfelkuchenversion, die so lecker nach Zimt und Äpfeln schmeckt und eigentlich zu jeder Tageszeit passt.
So finde ich mich natürlich auch schnell im Café Winkel ein, zweifellos die beste und zu recht populärste Appeltaart Amsterdams. Nebenan beim Noordermarkt kann man montags auf dem Flomarkt schlendern oder einfach loslaufen und sich in den vielen kleinen Gassen und Geschäften verlieren. Besonders schöne Shops gibt es in “De 9 Straatjes”, die neun Strassen zwischen Leidsestraat und Raadhuisstraat. Da kann man schön umherschlendern und immer wieder Pausen in den zahllosen tolles Cafés einlegen. Wer Einkaufsstraßen mag wird Haarlemmerdijk/-straat lieben, mit vielen modernen Shops und einem kleinen aber feinen Bio-Markt jeden Donnerstag auf dem Haarlemmerplein. Den Kaffee zur Shoppingpause gibt es bei Two For Joy, wo nicht nur die hohe Baristakunst, sondern auch der liebevolle Umgang mit Kunden beherrscht wird. So fand ich mich dort jeden Tag wieder, am letzten Tag mit leicht weinendem Auge.

Bei schönem Wetter lohnt sich auch ein Ausflug auf die Eilands im Norden, wo man schön mit dem Rad rumcruisen kann, oder sich einfach nur auf einem der Stege niederlässt um in der Sonne zu baden. Das kann man allerdings auch in einem der vielen schönen Parks in Amsterdam, der bekannteste ist hier wohl der Vondelpark, ob er auch der schönste ist kann und will ich gar nicht sagen, da ich noch lange nicht alle gesehen habe.

Ich hatte das Glück während meiner Woche in Amsterdam auf einem Hausboot zu wohnen, mitten in Jordaan, einem der schönsten Stadtteile Amsterdams, mit Nähe zum Bahnhof, aber eben auch den Kanälen. Wer im Frühling & Sommer nach Amsterdam kommt, sollte sich diese Möglichkeit auf jeden Fall nicht entgehen lassen, nirgendswo sonst bekommt man soviel von der Seele Amsterdams mit als auf dem Wasser. So fand ich mich dort an den Abenden meist kochend oder mit Freunden am Riesenfenster zum Wasser sitzend wieder. 

Wer nicht kochen mag kann in Amsterdam natürlich auch gut essen. Uneingeschränkt empfehlen kann ich das Proef Kochstudio, das ein besonders tolles und natürliches Kochkonzept anbietet und man sich am liebsten durch alle Menüs essen will. Zudem ist die Inneneinrichtung sehenswert und man sollte sich auf jedenfall auch mindestens einmal auf die Suche nach der Toilette machen! :)
Wenns mal etwas fettiger sein darf, unbedingt auch einen Burger beim Burgermeester bestellen und was mir empfohlen wurde, ich aber leider nicht geschafft habe, in der Burger Bar. Da Fast Food in Amsterdam fester Bestandteil der Kultur ist, kann man ungetrost fast überall tolle Waffeln, Pfannenkuchen und frittierte Köstlichkeiten bekommen. In so einer schönen Stadt macht sündigen ja auch viel mehr Spass. Zum Frühstück unbedingt mal in eine der De Bakkerswinkel Filialen gehen und sich von der superschön illustrierten Speisekarte inspirieren lassen.

Ich habe mich bei meinem Amsterdambesuch, der quasi den Start zu meiner Europaerkundungstour dartstellte, jedenfalls ein kleines Stück in die Stadt verliebt, was aber nicht zuletzt daran lag, so toll gewohnt und so viele nette Menschen kennengelernt zu haben, denn das ist ja eben auch das, was jeden Ort ausmacht, den man als Heimat bezeichnet.

Euch viel Spass mit ein paar Impressionen meines Besuchs. 

After I traveled about 2 times around the world in the past 2 years, I realized this summer that sometimes it does not have to be so far, because in Europe there are still at least 100 places that I haven’t been to and can go to fast and cheap. On this list are well-known cities such as Stockholm, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Istanbul, Florence and even Amsterdam, which was stored in the minds of German probably long as stoner city, at least most of my friends went there because of that and I stayed at home because of it.

That clichés usually account for only a very small part of something I do know as an adult now, so I eventually found myself in Amsterdam last month and very quickly learned that there is not only weed, cheese and egg pastries.

Rather, Amsterdam is a mixture of Paris and Venice, even though I don’t like to compare cities. The many bridges and canals, the beautiful homes, the beautiful parks and many of the hustle and bustle in the city that fills almost all parts with shops, cafes, restaurants. One would almost think that there is almost no part of Amsterdam in which one can not live without something to miss. Everything feels close and by bike you can easily explore all of the city and still get the feeling to be in a big city. Everywhere there are markets all week, old, fresh and new and of course, the clichés. Almost every café has an Appeltaart on the menu, this amazing Dutch apple pie version that tastes so delicious of cinnamon and apples and actually fits any time of day.
I find myself at Café Winkel, without doubt the best and therefor most popular Appeltaart in Amsterdam. When you walk next door there is Noordermarkt with a big flea market on mondays or just start walking and get lost in the many small streets and shops. Stores are especially beautiful in “De 9 Straatjes”, the nine roads between Leidsestraat and Raadhuisstraat. There you can stroll around beautifully and always take breaks in the countless great cafes. If you like shopping streets will love Haarlemmerdijk / straat. With many modern shops and a small but nice organic market every Thursday on the Haarlemmerplein. For a coffee break, visit Two For Joy, where not only the high barista art, but also the loving interaction with customers is wonderful. So I found myself back there every day, on the last day with a tiny little tear in my eye.

In good weather, I recommend a trip to the Eilands in the north where you can cruise around by bike, or just lay down on one of the docks to bathe in the sun. Or do that in one of the many beautiful parks in Amsterdam, the best known is probably the Vondelpark, whether it is the best I can and do not want to say because I have not seen all yet.

I was lucky to live on a houseboat during my week in Amsterdam, in the middle of Jordaan, one of the most charming areas of Amsterdam, with proximity to the main station, but also the channels. Who is visiting Amsterdam in spring or summer, should not miss out on this possibility, nowhere else you can get that much soul of Amsterdam than on the water. So I found myself there in the evenings, mostly cooking or even meeting friends sitting at the giant window to the water.

Who does not like to cook will also find lots of good food in Amsterdam. I can fully recommend the Proef cooking studio, offering a particularly great cooking concept and a very natural approach that makes you want to eat and try everything on the menu. Moreover, the interior is worth a closer look and you should definitely also make at least once a visit of the toilet! :)

If you’re craving for something a little more heavy, order a burger at Burgermeester and also, what was recommended to me, but I never made it there, visit one of the Burger Bars. Since fast food is a big part of the Amsterdam culture, you can almost anywhere get great waffles, pancakes and fried delicacies. In such a beautiful city sinful food definitely brings a lot more fun. For breakfast, definitely check one of the De Bakkerswinkel branches and be inspired by the super beautifully illustrated menu.

I definitely fell a little in love with Amsterdam, mostly because of the wonderful place I stayed at and the lovely people I met during my stay. Because those are the things that make a place feel like home, right?

Now enjoy a few more impressions of my visit.

Marzipan-Franzbrötchen
Marzipan Cinnamon Rolls

Der norddeutsche Klassiker Franzbrötchen, letzte Woche gebacken für iGNANT.de, nun auch auf Aicusine zum selber backen. Inspiriert von Lykkelig’s Version hab ich dem ganzen noch eine Schicht Marzipan hinzugefügt, um einerseits mehr Schichten und somit ein blätterteigähnliches Ergebnis zu bekommen und andereseits die Marzipanzeit einzuläuten. Basis ist ein ganz einfacher süßer Hefeteig, hier die Zutaten:

  • 500g Mehl
  • 50g Zucker
  • 1 Pkg Vanillezucker
  • 1 Würfel Hefe
  • 200ml lauwarme Milch
  • 50g weiche Butter
  • 200g Marzipanrohmasse
  • 1 Ei
  • 1 Prise Salz

Füllung

  • 80g Zucker
  • 2EL Zimt
  • 50g weiche bis flüssige Butter

Glasur

  • 3EL Milch
  • 1 Eigelb
  • Rest Zimt & Zucker der Füllung

Zuerst einmal löst man die Hefe in der lauwarmen Milch auf und lässt das ca. 5 min stehen. Dann Zucker, Butter, Ei und Salz dazugeben und auflösen. Das ganze mit dem Mehl solange vermengen, bis ein glatter Teig entsteht. Den mit einem Tuch bedeckt an einem warmen Ort ca. 1h gehen lassen.

In der Zwischenzeit die Marzipanrohmasse so dünn es geht zwischen 2 Lagen Frischhaltefolie zu einem Rechteck ausrollen, ca. 20x30. Wenn die Stunde rum ist den Hefeteig auf einer bemehlten Fläche auf die doppelte Größe des Marzipans ausrollen. Nun das Marzipan auf eine Seit des Teigs legen und die andere Seite darüberschlagen. Nun den gesamten Teig noch einmal ausrollen, zu einem Rechteck, ca 0,5mm dick.

Dieses nun mit der Butter bestreichen und mit dem Zucker & Zimt Gemisch gleichmäßig berieseln. Von der Zucker & Zimt Mischung noch etwas aufheben.

Nun von der langen Seite zu einer Rolle formen und diese in ca. 4-5cm breite Stücke schneiden. Die einzelnen Stücke nun mit einem runden Stiel in der Mitte platt drücken. Milch und Eigelb mischen und die Brötchen damit einpinseln und auf jedes den Rest der Zucker & Zimt geben und nochmal 20min gehen lassen.

Währenddessen den Ofen auf 190°C vorheizen und die Franzbrötchen dann 15min backen. Guten Appetit!

My version of Hamburg’s famous Franzbrötchen, a cinnamol roll like pastry, last week on iGNANT.de, now here, too. Inspired by my friend Lykkelig’s version I added a layer of marzipan, to get a puffier pastry on one hand and to start the yearly marzipan time on the other hand. The base is a simple sweet yeast dough, here’s the recipe:

  • 500g flour
  • 50g sugar
  • 1 bag vanilla sugar
  • 1 cube fresh yeast
  • 200ml lukewarm milk
  • 50g soft butter
  • 200g marzipan
  • 1 egg
  • 1 pinch salt

Filling

  • 80g sugar
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 50g soft to liquid butter

Glazing

  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1 egg yolk

Remaining cinnamon sugar mix

First resolve the yeast in the lukewarm milk and set aside for 5 minutes. Now add sugar, butter, egg and salt until resolved. Mix with flour until you get a smooth dough. Set aside covered with a tea towel and let prove for about an hour.

Meanwhile roll the marzipan dough as thin as possible in between 2 sheets of cling film, about 20x30cm. After one hour roll the yeast dough to double the size of the marzipan layer and put the marzipan on one side and fold the other size on top of it.

Now roll the dough again to a rectangle, about 0,5mm thick. Brush it with butter and spread the cinnamon sugar mix evenly on it.

Roll the dough starting from the longer side and cut the roll into 4-5cm piece. Now flatten the pieces in the middle with a round stick and brush each with a mix of milk and egg yolk and sprinkle more of the cinnamon sugar mix on them.

While heating the oven to 190°C let them prove another 20min. Then bake for 15 min and enjoy!