The Polish Naleśnik, influenced by the French crêpe, is usually rolled with diverse jams or with farmer’s white cheese sweetened with sugar.  In Bieszczady, a beautiful region of Poland, we degust an inventive and uniquely-textured naleśnik.  In the village of Wetlina in Bieszczady, the Chata Wędrowca (Inn and Restaurant) serves its own unique version of naleśnik topped with blueberries or other fruit.  Our Naleśnik recipe, inspired by our visit to Bieszczady, uses the Roasted Barley Malt (Melanoidin 25° L by Weyermann).  We picked ourselves the wild blueberries in the Heather Meadows area, near Mount Baker in Washington State.  Our Naleśnik has a soft and crispy texture, and tastes divine with the fresh wild blueberries.

Tofu, an essential ingredient in the Japanese cuisine, is prepared in various ways.  Silken Tofu with its velvety texture is an ideal ingredient to prepare Hiyayakko, a chilled tofu eaten with refreshing toppings.  We combine the fresh soy milk and Nigari, a natural coagulant, to create the Silken Tofu.  The toppings include fresh plants, bonito flakes and Organic Tamari by SAN-J (san-j.com), a soy sauce made with organic soybeans and no wheat.  Tamari Shoyu has a wonderful flavor and a thick texture.  Our Silken Tofu has a creamy texture and tastes sublime with the aromatic toppings and the flavorful Tamari Shoyu.

Istanbul, the historic capital of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire, boasts a fascinating culture, rich traditions and magnificent architecture.  Istanbul has an ancient Old City, awe-inspiring mosques, opulent palaces and traditional bazaars.  Across Istanbul, we discover remarkable architecture, decorative mosaics and exotic gastronomy.  The Bosphorus Strait is a waterway that connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.  A scenic cruise along the strait offers panoramic views of the Istanbul’s landscape and its famous landmarks.

The Chinese cuisine mirrors the regional diversity of China.  Every region showcases its culinary techniques, specialty ingredients and unique spices.  The Lily Bulb, also called Lanzhou Lily, is an edible root vegetable that is highly nutritious and has a slightly sweet flavor.  Fresh Lily Bulbs have a white color and a crunchy texture.  In southern China, we degust the refined Cantonese cuisine, featuring an array of seafood specialties and vegetable dishes.  The Celery & Lily Bulbs is a refreshing medley of sautéed vegetables complemented by roasted Macadamia nuts.