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Around the World in 80 Plates: Soda Bread, Ireland 4/80

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Soda bread is possibly the easiest, quickest bread you can make.

No kneading, no waiting for the dough to prove and best of all: only one dish to wash.

Soda bread has fast become my go-to loaf when we’re out of bread and I can’t be bothered to run to the shop (and I happen to have buttermilk on hand).

It’s quick, filling and best fresh out of the oven.

Start to finish, it can be made in under an hour. That’s usually unheard of for homemade bread, so this is a great recipe to get your bake on even if you’re strapped for time.
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Around the World in 80 Plates: Miso Soup, Japan 3/80

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Ever bought those little packets of instant miso soup? It’s mainly powder with a few pieces of dehydrated tofu and spring onions. Maybe some seaweed if you’re lucky.

It’s as easy to prepare as making a cup of tea but once you’ve made your own from scratch, you’ll never go back to the instant stuff again.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the heartiest (and easiest) miso soup you can have at home, but you’ve got to make it yourself.

Don’t worry, once you know where to get the ingredients, it’s pretty simple to make.
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Around the World in 80 Plates: Hasselback Potatoes, Sweden 2/80

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Glorified jacket potatoes? Maybe.

Delicious? Definitely!

Hasselback potatoes are said to have originated at the Hasselbacken Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden. There’s always been a Norwegian-Swedish rivalry in my family with ancestors on both sides, but I must say this is one thing the Swedes have definitely got right.
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Around the World in 80 Plates: Biscotti, Italy 1/80

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Biscotti, the stuff Italian dreams are made of, are simple to make twice-baked cookies and are sure to impress your friends.

On a trip to Italy last year, I was given a version of this recipe from Rosana at Agriturismo i Fuochi near Cortona and it was the best souvenir I could have asked for.

As long as you add flavour combinations you love and you keep a close eye on them in the oven, this recipe is a keeper.
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Hello there, stranger

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It’s been a while, but I’m back.

I’m very excited about some changes on my blog and I’m finally ready to announce a new series to my blog.

The biggest change is obvious – my blog has changed from Smiling in a Foreign Land (don’t worry, I’m still smiling) to Knead to Wander. With the new name bring changes on social media handles, but you can still find me on Twitter and Facebook.

I’ll still be blogging about travel, but I’ve been doing a lot more baking and cooking recently, so there will be plenty of food-related posts, too. Which brings me to the next bit…
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Views from the windows of İstanbul’s Aya Sofya

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Views from Aya Sofya

Views from Aya Sofya

İstanbul’s Aya Sofya is stunning enough, but the view out the window is certainly worth a look.

Check out my other posts from Turkey.

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An Amalfi Coast adventure on two wheels

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A narrow road in Italy calls for a scooter. Nothing else will do.

When a friend of my CouchSurfing host in Pompei offered to take me around the Amalfi Coast on his scooter, I was thrilled.

He called up the morning of our planned trip to tell me the weather didn’t look so good so we would go by car instead. Instantly, I was gutted.
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