As the weather is getting cold and the first snow has already fallen, my excitement for truffle season builds. Angel and I are excited to welcome new guests, as well as familiar faces to join us around the fireplace with a glass of something, as the aroma of freshly hunted truffles permeats through the air. … Continue reading Truffle Season 2024/2025
There is a growing resurgence in countries trying to reclaimed their cultural food heritage, it is happening in the US, where there is a growing interest in regional foods sourced from local farms, and also in Bulgaria, where young chefs are exploring traditional dishes and local ingredients that have often been neglected in high-end restaurants … Continue reading Kanpyo
Rakia doesn't get enough credit for being a spirit that is suitable for cocktails... It is traditional drunk chilled with salad or meze, the Balkan equivalent of charcuterie or antipasto, respectively. The most famous adulterated incarnation of rakia is the seasonal греяна ракия or hot rakia. The origin of mulled rakia is a bit murky, but what is clear is that it is a traditional staple that keeps us feeling snug as the temperature drops.
The next stage of my kanpyo journey took me to the Tochigi Prefecture. The current home of 99% of kanpyo production in Japan. Understanding where and how kanpyo was made was another integral part of my Japan journey. After finishing with Kiyoshi-san in Ginza, the production team and I drove over two hours outside of … Continue reading TV Tokyo: Tochigi
April 15th will mark almost two years that Angel and I have been raising beef cattle. In 2022, we finally acquired a rag tag assortment of 13 mixed cows. Many of the original herd were lost due to a variety of unforeseeable circumstances, but we have replenished our numbers through the birth of cows born … Continue reading Cows & Calves
The start of my trip to Japan began in Ginza, Tokyo where I was to learn about how to make Edo-style kanpyo maki at Sushi Kiyoshi.
We kicked off the first of our new event series AE Invites at Miam Mini Market in the Doctor's Garden area of Sofia. The responses were overwhelmingly positive for the Cherry Sidecar, Bulgarian 75 and Rakia Old Fashioned.
On Wednesday afternoon, while preparing for our first AE Invites cocktail event, I get a call from Angel. I could hear it in his voice. The orchard was on fire. It is burning. My mind was blank. I couldn’t process the information. My brain wasn’t computing.
Day 5 - Monday, September 9th This was a big day for Angel, we needed to get in touch with the boat seller Andre, who was elusive. He was supposed to see us during the weekend but never showed. We were eager to register the boat, but the contract of sale did not have the … Continue reading Maiden Voyage: Lunegat
Day 3 - Saturday, September 7th We woke up early. I head to the nearest toilet as the sun was rising, armed with a tea kettle. The day can’t start without green jasmine tea! The sunrise over the marina is gorgeous. Angel comes up behind me a few minutes later as I am taking of … Continue reading Maiden Voyage: Lauwersmeer
Eating, Gardening & Living 