I've only really been around Europe so not really. Hubby is Polish although he was born in the UK. His parents are both Polish so I get to sample quite a few Polish dishes which his mam cooks and are delicious.

On holiday I tend to eat steak, either Dianne or beef stroganoff (slurp) so am quite boring really.

it's certainly influenced what I drink at home
I did pick up a tuna recipe from my first visit to the Algarve which I still use and I am a fan of Topfenstrudel from Austria, which Aldi now sell as Sweet Cheese Strudel (that reminds me, a visit is due!).

What's really affected me is my attitude to British pubs serving prepacked meals that were made miles away and delivered on a freezer lorry. If small places in other countries can knock out a decent plate of food made fresh why can't it be done here??

Ooo what's the recipe for the Tuna Steve?????

Glynis- there are load of great European recipes. I love Greek food

Glynis

I suppose it's an Algarvian version of Lancashire hotpot!

Slice up carrot, onion, peppers. Put in a hotpot type dish with a mix of chopped tomatoes (either fresh, peeled and mixed with some tom puree to add flavour or decent tinned with thick juice), white wine, oregano and black pepper. Add a piece of fresh (or thawed from frozen) tuna and get it just below the surface. Cover with thinly sliced potatoes and drizzle with oil. Then stick it in a medium oven until it's bubbling and the potatoes are golden brown. Serve in the dish with rustic bread to map the sauce up. And a chilled Vinho Verde...

Obviously you can use a casserole dish and serve individual portions on plates but it's better if the dish is deep but no wider than needed for the tuna, otherwise it's too shallow and dries out.

I cook a lot of Indian food though whether I have been influenced by my trips to India I can't say as I used to love going to Indian restaurants in the UK in the 1960's. When I first came to live in Germany the nearest Indian restaurant was at least 100km away so I started cooking Indian food straight away. Now my closest friend is Indian and we often cook together, we are waiting for some hot weather so that we can make poppadoms(we put them outside to dry).
I also cook a lot of Mexican food, I was introduced to it in the early 70's by American friends, this was before my first trip to Mexico.
I guess my trips to Thailand have influenced me, as although I had been to Thai restaurants I don't think it was until my first trip to Thailand that I really got the taste for Thai food, after experiencing some of the wonderful variety of flavours in their cooking.
After nearly forty years in Germany I still haven't mastered strudel pastry making and always buy the ready made variety.

But guess what's baking in my oven right now. A good old fashioned fruit cake.

Dont evan get me started people!
i am such a lover of greek food!
everytime we come back from cyprus from visting family we bring back several packs of halloumi , fetta cheese , greek olive oil , tzatiki ect.. and after watching my greek kitchen i also write down all the recipies and then go shopping and about 3-5 days of that week we have greek food one of the favourates we have atleast once a week though..
*Chicken Souvlaki!* its a shame its not the same as in cyprus though seeing as its always raining dont really get the chance to cook it on the BBQ!
CourtneeLouise.x

ah yes- "squeaky cheese" fried in olive oil- so simple yet absolutely delicious

You can't beat a good home made paella either

squeaky cheese just what my daughters call it! or "the cheese that taste like rubber"

grilled with tom's & a drizzle of olive oil.. mouth watering mmmmm!

CourtneeLouise x

Hi Steve.

Your recipe sound great. Intend to try during the week will let you know how I get on.

Yes it does sound lovely - thanks Steve

I love Indian food - we get an Indian meal delivered every Friday evening from our local restaurant. Would love to be able to do my own though. I get prawn madras.......slurp.

Thanks Steve. Have printed out your recipe and will give it a go next week. We're flying out today with the family!

Here's my cataplana recipe:-

Peixe na Cataplana (or any large pan with a lid)

Ingredients

Two onions
Two cloves of garlic
Red pepper
Potatoes
Olive Oil
Chouriço (remove skin)
two tomatoes
¼ bottle of white wine
Coriander
Massa de Pimentão (in jars from supermarket - only need a couple of heaped tablespoons)
Selection of fish (cherne, pescada, alabote, tamboril etc.)
Prawns

Preparation

Prepare fish and clean
Boil potatoes

Cooking

Slice onions and garlic
Fry them in olive oil in the cataplana
Slice red pepper and add, season with pepper
Cook until blanched
Add white wine
Add massa de pimentão paste
Slice tomato and chouriço
Add fish and layer with tomato and chouriço
Add coriander on top
Bring to boil and simmer for 12 minutes. Do NOT open lid. (I do, and it's fine!)
Add prawns and cook for remaining 5 minutes Do NOT open lid. (ditto)
Serve on table and open lid at the table

Serves 4

I love "papas arrugadas" and "mojo verde" - whenever we go to the Canary Islands I have to buy a few jars of mojo sauce so I can cook my favourite dish at home!

I love Greek food and whenever we come back from hols I always serve up something Greek for a week or two. I also eat Greek Salad with feta and olives just before going away too. I love Metaxa and OUzo and tend to bring some back from my travels as well.

I often cook Greek food at home, the result of many holidays and two cookery courses in Greece. I have an arrangement with my wife. She irons my shirts and I cook for her. That way I eat what I like.

Don't wreck your baggage allowance bringing ouzo home. Aldi now sell it. It may not be Samos Blue Label but it's pretty good.

Dad loves the mataxa & ouzo!
couldnt get enough , ( not an alky if thats what your thinking )
where we live in bristol there is not a lot of greek food around
exept from the stuff at tesco which has the Tesco label on and says
"Greek tzatiki"

CourtneeLouise x

CourtneeLouise

several times when working the west country i have passed a pub on the A370 near congresbury..it advertises greek resteraunt.. have you or any one you know tried it??

wiz

we havent actualy wiz, thanks for that wel have to have a look out

CourtneeLouise x