One of the highlights of our trip to London was visiting Borough Market. It’s a food market on the South Bank offering a wide variety of delights, from cooking ingredients to prepared food. We went by ourselves on Friday and again on Saturday with a foodie walking tour.

I’m a cheese lover, so I was delighted to see a number of cheese vendors with plenty of samples. Among other cheeses, we tried some Caerphilly and the raw-milk version of Stilton, Stichelton.

Stichelton, Our “foodie walking tour guide” Anna offers us Caerphilly, the legendary cheese sandwich makers at work

Hungry, we devoured a couple of sausages - first, a bratwurst from the German Deli booth and then a wild boar sausage with spicy sauce around the corner. A giant brownie was the perfect dessert, though it was hard to choose between several vendors proclaiming their brownie the best.

A bratwurst at the German Deli stand, Wild Boar sausage with spicy sauce

Not only can you visit the vendors, but a food community has grown around the market, with stores such as Neal’s Yard Dairy and Konditor & Cook (where we had luscious hot chocolate and a fruit tart).

I already want to return to London because we failed to try the “Platonic Ideal of a Cheese Sandwich“. It seems inexcusable, but after plenty of samples, two sausages and a brownie, it was hard to convince ourselves to stand in the long line. I’d also love to stay somewhere with a kitchen so I can experience the market’s amazing vegetables and meats.

Borough Market is London’s oldest food market, dating back to at least the 13th century (it’s been in its current location for “only” 250 years). It experienced a rough patch in the 1990s, but was revisioned and revived by local food lovers and is now a great success.

http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/

Last week, my blog was silent for a good reason - I was in London! It had been a couple of years since I’d been to Europe and it was definitely time for a trip.

I have so much to tell you about my adventures in London, but I’m really busy catching up on everything. So I’ll just leave you with a little bite - my first meal in London, eaten at a pub called The Swan. We had been wandering around for hours waiting for our hotel’s 3pm check-in, and I was feeling dizzy after a sleepless night of being sick on the plane (possibly food poisoning from an airport fruit cup - eek). This tasty beef and ale pie was nothing out of the ordinary, but it was the perfect hot, restorative meal to get me back on my feet!

Beef and ale pie (the ‘pie of the day’) at The Swan in London

Did you know that the first pies were savory and meat-filled? I guess Chicken Pot Pie is still popular in America, but for the most part, we tend to think of pies as being sweet. Check out this page on the history of the pie for more pie trivia.

When we moved into the condo, my uncle and his family sent this funny little man from Japan as a housewarming gift. As I read my uncle’s instructions (several times - they were in German) I found out the man was not just a statue, but a special wishing doll named Daruma.

Here’s how it works: you make a wish and paint the pupil on his right eye. He sits around the house reminding you of your wish until it comes true - then you paint the other eye.

We’re still trying to think of the perfect wish. Being practical, I immediately wondered if I could use a dry erase marker and wipe him clean for next year. But in this case, perhaps it’s best to stick with tradition.

For more information, check out the Wikipedia article about Daruma dolls.

Susan VandenBerg is the new pastry chef at Gracie’s in Providence. I came across her husband Steve’s blog Eating Out in America, which chronicles their restaurant experiences and occasionally their lives (like in this great video of Susan’s New Year’s Eve preparations at the restaurant). I was curious about Susan and the magic she works in Gracie’s kitchen so I decided to ask her a few questions.

Susan at Gracie’s, from a video on Eating Out in America

Is there a certain country or region whose pastries and desserts especially inspire you?
I have to say that France, and particularly Paris, are the areas that inspire me as far as desserts and pastries go. I love the various doughs i.e. croissant, puff pastry, brioche, and my favorite thing is the tart - so many variations and wonderful flavors! Of course I’m swayed by the fact that I went to school and did an internship in Paris. What can I say?

Where, besides Gracie’s or home, is your favorite place to eat dessert in Providence?
I have to admit that I haven’t been out and about much in Providence, since work takes up most of my time, but, so far, Pastiche has my vote for desserts. The place reminds me a lot of a European shop, and their product is delicious to boot.

What’s the most unusual ingredient you’ve ever used in one of your creations?
Unusual ingredient you ask - hmmmmmm, that’s a tough one. I think using various spices in chocolates would be the most unusual - paprika, five spice powder and pepper to name a few.

When did your interest in cooking start?
My interest in baking started many years ago, probably with the standard Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie. I’ve loved baking for a long time and find it very relaxing and comforting.

If you weren’t a pastry chef, what would you be doing?
I would be making handcrafted folk santas, teddy bears, Nantucket baskets and anything else I can do with my hands.

Thanks to Susan for answering my questions and being the first interviewee on this blog. I haven’t been to Gracie’s in a couple of months and definitely have to return to try her desserts!