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The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Milan

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The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Milan

As the second most populous city in Italy, Milan is often dubbed as the fashion capital. It is also well known for its fine cuisine and world-class restaurants. As of 2014, it has 157 Michelin-starred restaurants. Therefore, Milan can really be described as the city of decadence where shopping and eating never ends. We are going to introduce to you some of the Milanese food that you can't miss out when you are in the city.

1. Risotto Alla Milanese

Milanese cuisine features less pasta and more rice. Usually served as the first course, the use of the precious spice saffron gives the rice a rich golden color while it is cooked with other ingredients like white wine and onions. As simple as it seems, this dish is the true embodiment of Milanese cuisine: simplicity and elegance. Try this dish with our host Barbara, who serves up classic Milanese delicacies like this one!

[MILAN-BEST-RISOTTO https://www.bonappetour.com/barbara-bs/classical-milanese-evening-in-a-peaceful-home-in-navigli]​

2. Cotoletta Alla Milanese

 

Every city has their version of meat chops. Milan is no exception. The meat of choice, usually pork, fish or veal, is thinly sliced and dipped in a beaten egg It is then coated with bread crumbs and deep fried. The bread crumbs give it a crispy texture while the meat inside is tender and juicy. Squeeze some lemon or lime juice to top it all off with a refreshing citrus taste. Simple, but certainly not short of anything amazing, this dish is not one to be missed out on. So why not try it with our host Susanna, who offers a homey Italian Meal in the beautiful province of Pavia, just 20 minutes from Milan's City Center!

3. Cazzoeula

This pork and cabbage casserole is a distinctly Northern dish. If you are looking for comfort food or something that will surely warm you up during the cold winters in Europe, this casserole is the dish for you. The unique taste of this dish goes perfectly in winter with a polenta and strong red wine.

4. Ossobuco

Ossobuco consists of veal shanks braised with vegetables and white wine broth. This hearty dish is an excellent selection if you are looking for a flavourful meal. The veal shanks are soft and fall apart easily. Cooked with white wine and broth, the vegetables in the stew soak up all that taste. This can be eaten with Risotto Alla Milanese or polenta and mashed potatoes. Do not miss out on this dish delectable delicacy with our host Susanna, who offers an extensive Italian menu with a welcoming atmosphere that will certainly make you feel right at home. 

5. Panettone

This pastry is normally served during Christmas. It is extremely fluffy and has raisins, citrons and lemon zests which give it a tangy flavor. If you are hungry on an afternoon in Milan, hop into the nearest cafe and order a panettone with a cup of hot chocolate. It will give you an instant boost and satisfy your sweet cravings.

6. Mondeghili

Ground beef is the main component of this dish, though pork or salami may be added to it. The meat is seasoned and dipped in a mixture of eggs, milk and breadcrumbs before being fried until it turns a lovely golden brown. Traditionally a poor man's dish, leftover meat was used to make this dish back in the day, but it is now the perfect snack on the go while you are touring Milan.

Are you tempted by these Milanese delicacies? Why not join our hosts at BonAppetour for an authentic Milanese dining experience. You can get to taste all the traditional Lombardy dishes prepared by our hosts and some even offers a tour of the city at night. What are you waiting for? Discover your next meal with one of our hosts today!

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5 Desserts that will make you wish you were Swedish

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5 Desserts that will make you wish you were Swedish

The highlight of Swedish cuisine is arguably the pastries and desserts. With so much variety, those with a sweet tooth will be in for plenty of treats when they visit Sweden. 

Here are some swedish sweets to try when in Sweden!

1. Princess Cake

This iconic and traditional Swedish cake, known as prinsesstarta, consists of layers of cream, sponge cake and jam (all the good stuff.) It is topped with green marzipan as well as a pink marzipan rose before it is left to chill and later serve. Perfect for birthday celebrations or special occasions!

2. Semla

Semla, a cream-filled bun, is a familiar sight in Swedish bakeries. The roll in Semla is flavoured with cardomom and the cream filling is comprised of almond paste and whipped cream. Traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, semla is now eaten pretty much at any time (especially by me) and you can easily find this treat at most bakeries in Sweden.

3. Ostkaka

Ostkaka, known as Swedish cheesecake, is unlike the conventional cheesecakes that we are familiar with in that it is denser in texture and a lot less sweet. It is traditionally made by curdling fresh milk with rennet but is more commonly made with cottage cheese today. Ostkaka is typically eaten lukewarm and can be served with fruit jams, fresh fruit and cream.

4. Kladdkaka

A dense and gooey chocolate cake, Kladdkaka will surely delight lovers of chocolatey desserts. This decadent treat is topped with icing sugar and is typically served with fresh fruit and cream or ice-cream(or all of them if you want!)

5. Appelkaka

Appelkaka, or apple cake, is one of the most common desserts served in Swede eateries. It is typically accompanied with a generous helping of vanilla sauce and while its appearances seem to be a cross between a pie and cake, it definitely belongs to the 'cake' category in swedish cuisine. 

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Dishes you have GOT to try in Lisbon

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Dishes you have GOT to try in Lisbon

Being the capital city of Portugal, Lisbon is a city of gastronomic heaven. With this guide, we will gurantee that you get good authentic local food while not breaking the bank.

1. Caracois

Caracois are snails. I know the French seem to have taken the snail-serving crown but Lisbon is definitely where you should be trying this delicacy. These slimy little creatures are best eaten with beer. Served in almost all restaurants and bars in Lisbon, a huge serving plate of these costs only less than 5 Euros. Bargain!

2. Pasteis de Belem

These portugeuse egg tarts are soft, crispy and aromatic at the same time. The crusts are crispy and has multiple layers while the fillings are soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. Made with eggs and milk, the custard filling is to die for and has a very rich milk aroma. Did you know that the small, darker spots are actually burnt on purpose to give them this traditional look. 

3. Bacalhau

Bacalhau is portuguese for dried and salted cod. It is said that there are 365 ways of making Bacalhau, one way for each day of the year. This dish has become the icon of Portugeuse cooking. One of the recommended restaurant to eat Bacalhau is at Restaurante Laurentina o Rei du Bacalhau. This restaurant has the most authentic Bacalhau and features many different ways of cooking such as grilled or barbequed.

4. Caldo Verde

Usually eaten on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings and other celebratory occasions. This hearty soup is made of potatoes, the currently very trendy kale and olive oil. Most of the time it is served with ham hock or sausages, along with some bread to dip in. 

5. Sapateira Recheada

Seafood fans will love this dish. The crab's own roes and insides are stuffed in it's shell and served together with potato salad. This unique combination creates a flavour that is better than that of the crab meat. It is creamy and rich as the potato salad mixes in with the roe and insides. Even those who aren't lovers of seafood will be persuaded by this dish.

I can see we have given you a taste of Portuguese cuisine…Why not take that step further and eat it with a local? Check out our amazing BonAppetour hosts in Lisbon! They provide a range of experiences from market tours and chatting with the locals to enjoying a cooking class on local Lisbon food.

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Where To Eat In Amsterdam

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Where To Eat In Amsterdam

1. Thai-Bird Snack Bar

Location: Zeedijk 77, 1012 AS Amsterdam, Netherlands

Telephone: +31 20 420 6289

This is said to have the best Thai food in Amsterdam. This little cafe houses 20 people and is good for some snacks and take away. Right across the street, the restaurant version is good for dine ins and have more varieties. Stop here for some snacks or dinner after your day in Amsterdam.

2. Loetje

Location: Johannes Vermeerstraat 52, 1071 DT Amsterdam

Telephone: +31 20 662 8173

Located on a terrace, this bustling cafe specializes in steaks and Dutch classic cuisines.  A beef fillet cost 16.50 Euros and the spicy version 'Bali' is 17.50 Euros. Do note that all the steaks served here are rare. If you can't stomach rare beef, there is also other options like pork schnitzer, hamburgers and tuna.
3. De Kas
Location: Kamerlingh Onneslaan 3, 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Telephone: +31 20 462 4562
 

 This restaurant is converted from a gorgeous bright garden conservatory. This is a perfect place if you want taste Mediteranean dishes. Their ingredients are all grown on site and are organic. The transparent glass gives the restaurant brightness, letting natural light shining through.

4. Bazar

Location: Albert Cuypstraat 182, 1073 BL Amsterdam, Netherlands

Telephone: +31 20 675 0544

Located in the church Albert Cuypstraat, this middle eastern restaurant features Lebanese, Turkish and Iranian. Not only does it has good food, it's decorations are also to die for. From pretty tiles and murals to mesmerizing Arabian lights, this resturant will give you the ultimate experience that you've always longed for.

5. Dining with locals with BonAppetour

You can also check out our amazing hosts in Amsterdam at BonAppetour. You get to choose from Mediterranean, Dutch, Thai or Indian food. After a good meal, you can even ask our friendly hosts to show you around town! What are you waiting for hurry up and check out our hosts now!

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