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Quick and Easy Vegetarian Meals

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Quick and Easy Vegetarian Meals

Easy vegetarian meals probably conjure images of salad. But veggie-lovers who want their food fast do not just have to settle for a bowl of salad. There are a great variety of meatless meals that can be prepared quickly, so salads can make just one of the simple veggie meals you have in a week!

Here are some easy vegetarian meals to try out!

1. Pasta Puttanesca

If you love tomato-based pasta dishes, you will love pasta puttanesca too. This pasta dish typically includes anchovies but that can be omitted to suit the diets of vegetarians, as with this recipe.

2. Asparagus, Spinach and Feta Quiche

Quiche is a brunch favourite but it can be eaten at any time of the day. Reward yourself with slice of veggie-filled quiche on the weekends!

3. Soba Noodle Salad

Vary your meals by adding an Asian veggie dish to your dinners. This soba noodle salad contains buckwheat noodles and is packed with nutrient-dense veggies – perfect for us health-conscious folks!

4. Vegetable fried rice

Want a fast, tasty and filling veggie meal? This vegetable fried rice is the answer. Note that the recipe contains egg so if you will have to modify the recipe if you are on a vegan diet.

5. Pizza

You can be vegetarian and enjoy your slice of pizza in a healthier way. And veggie pizzas are hardly difficult to prepare at all – you only need two ingredients to prepare the dough! And you can use any veggie topping and sauce you fancy!

 

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Things to do in Stockholm

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Things to do in Stockholm

The Swedish capital is built on 14 islands and located at the heart of Scandinavia. It is home to an abundance of green spaces and boasts stunning waterfront views which leave many struck by its beauty. But that is not all that Stockholm has to offer. With a medieval centre, cultural festivals in summer and a host of museums, Stockholm is undoubtedly a vibrant city that everyone must visit!

Let us be your guides in Stockholm.

1. Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan is the Old Town in Stockholm and one of the largest medieval centers in Europe. While the Old Town was established in 1300, many of its buildings were built between 1700 to 1800. Here you will find narrow yet charming and tranquil alleys, cobbled streets, merchant houses and meeting sqaures. This attraction is popular with visitors and locals alike and in fact houses other attractions such as the Royal Palace and Storkyrkan. 

2. Skansen

Visit the world's first open-air museum, which housesa miniature form of the whole of Sweden. Discover Sweden's history and culture over 5 centuries and learn about how people in various parts of the country lived and work in different periods. Skansen is also home to Stockholm's zoo, which houses animals that are native to Scandinavia. Families with young children, history buffs and animal-loving travellers will not want to miss a trip to Skansen! 

3. Vasa Museum

This museum is dedicated to the Vasa, a warship that sank on its maiden voyage in the 17th century. The Vasa was only salvaged in 1961 after over 300 years in the water and in the years that followed, tremendous efforts were made to preserve and restore as much of the warship. While the 69-meter long warship is undoubtedly the highlight of the museum, there are also other exhibits that detail life on board the ship and how ships are made. 

4. ABBA Museum

We couldn't talk about Sweden without mentioning its biggest export…Fans of the Swedish pop group will not want to miss a trip to this museum! Here, you will not only find the music and lyrics to the tunes of ABBA but also the costumes, memorabilia and films of the group. The lives and experiences of ABBA members are also detailed at this museum. If you are confident of your vocal abilities, you may sing your favourite ABBA song on the stage as the fifth member of the group! With interactive exhibits and non-stop music at the museum, you will indeed walk in and dance out!

5. Djurgarden

Djurgarden is where many of the city's highly rated museums are situated. These include the Vasa Museum, Nordic Museum and Skansen. But beyond the museums, Djurgarden is also an oasis in the vibrant city, with plenty of green spaces and a gorgeous waterfront view. Lovers of art and nature will find Djurgarden a haven!

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6 of the Best Vegan Dessert Recipes

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6 of the Best Vegan Dessert Recipes

If you ever host a dinner party and find that you have to cater to vegan guests, you will be hard-pressed to come up with a menu that caters to everyone. And if you are a dessert-loving host, you will definitely not want to skip the most important course of the meal! But fear not, your vegan guests will not have to watch everyone else indulge in sweets as many desserts can be made vegan! In fact, non-vegans may not even realise that the dessert they are eating is vegan because it tastes just as good, we promise! 

Here are some vegan dessert recipes you can try out! 

1. Blueberry cheesecake

Not only suitable for vegans, it's also gluten-free. Smiles all round! Check out the recipe for the blueberry cheesecake. 

2. Sweet potato brownies

Sweet potatoes in your desserts? Yes, and it's delicious! Your guests may not even be able to tell the difference between non-vegan friendly brownies and these sweet potato brownies.

3. Tiramisu

This vegan tiramisu is proof that vegan desserts can be just as decadent as non-vegan ones.

4. Lemon tart

Tangy and vegan, this no-bake lemon tart is perfect for summer dinner parties. 

5. Pumpkin pie

Another vegan and gluten-free treat for everyone, this pumpkin pie will be a popular sweet treat with your guests. Plus it's perfect for Halloween!  

6. Strawberry shortcake

Vegans can have their cake and eat it. This strawberry shortcake will surely delight both your vegan and non-vegan guests at your dinner party. Would anyone be able to tell that it is vegan?

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5 of the Best Dessert Restaurants in Amsterdam

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5 of the Best Dessert Restaurants in Amsterdam

Planning to visit Amsterdam with a sweet tooth can be a dessert lover's paradise when you allow yourself to indulge. From delicious deep-filled appeltaart (apple pie) to classic staples such as carrot cake, chocolate fudge cake, and cheesecake. Plus plenty of bakeries and patisseries in Amsterdam are pushing the boundaries when it comes to sweet treats. You won’t want to miss any one of these dessert restaurants in Amsterdam.

 

1. Patisserie Holtkamp

Baking since 1969, the people behind Holtkamp really know their stuff when it comes to delicate desserts as they have one of the best apple pies you can find in Amsterdam. Though they are famously known for their delicious savory croquettes and bitterballen, Holtkamp also specializes in freshly-made chocolates, cakes, cookies, tarts and French-style pastries. A little bit of something for everyone.

Vijzelgracht 15
patisserieholtkamp.nl
Open: Mon – Fri 8.30 am – 6 pm; Sat 8.30 am – 5 pm

 

2. Chocolatl

More than your traditional chocolate shop, Chocolatl is a shrine to the cocoa bean. Their gourmet chocolate is a piece of art that the employees are more than happy to help you discover which of their artisanal bars and bonbons are the perfect flavor for your palate, and they also sell delicious drinking chocolate. Something new to try while visiting Amsterdam.

Hazenstraat 25-A
chocolatl.nl
Open: Tue – Sat 11 am – 6 pm; Sun 1 pm – 5 pm12

 

3. Van Ness Cupcake

Taking gourmet cupcakes to a new level, Van Ness Cupcake changes their menu each month to offer a selection of unique cupcakes you won’t be able to find elsewhere. Though these cupcakes may be modern their offering of soft and buttery cupcakes with flavors including Peanut Butter Lava, Maple Cinnamon and Lemon Coconut. You’ll always find something to tickle your taste buds to come back for more the next month.

Spuistraat 232
vannesscupcake.com
Open: Wed and Fri – Sun 12 noon – 6 pm; Thu 12 noon – 8 pm

 

4. Patisserie Tout

It is said that the chef behind Patisserie Tout was apparently the first pâtissier to bring French Macarons to the Netherlands. With his specialization in decadent ganache-filled macarons in a variety of flavors, Tout is praised for their sweet cookie-like treats in Amsterdam. Though they also offer intricate pastries, chocolates and truffles that are all made with fresh seasonal ingredients. And in case you would like to learn how to make your own chocolates or macarons, Tout offers a do-it-yourself workshop.

Maasstraat 105
toutpatisserie.nl
Open: Mon 12 noon – 5 pm; Tue – Fri 8.30 am – 6 pm; Sat 9 am – 5.30 pm

 

5. De Drie Graefjes (American Bakery)

One of the busiest American style bakeries in Amsterdam that offers huge portions of muffins, hunks of red velvet cake, brownies, blondies, cupcakes and cookies. De Drie Graefjes is well known for their pastries and can get crowded during the lunch time as they also serve American style soups, sandwiches, and salads in case you want to feel better about indulging in your sweet treat.

Two locations: Rokin 128 and Eggertstraat 1
dedriegraefjes.nl
Open: daily 9 am – 6 pm

 

About the Author:
Freddy Rodriguez is a Texas transplant currently living between New York City and Berlin sharing his travels on Instagram @FredRdgz and writing for Eating Europe Tours. 

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