6 Recipes to Recreate Your Favourite European Holidays Dishes at Home
If your travel plans have been put on hold by the pandemic, then we’re guessing you’re a little disappointed not to be gorging on the culinary delights of your favourite European destination. But while we know the struggle is real, you can still bring a taste of your travels to your kitchen.
So, whether you were jetting to France or planning on soaking up the Spanish sun, we’ve got you covered with some of the food you might have eaten while on holiday. Here are six recipes you can make at home to satisfy that unrequited wanderlust.
Pain au chocolat
There’s nothing quite like the buttery, flaky deliciousness of a warm pain au chocolat when holidaying in France. If you were hoping to sample this classic pastry in a street-side bistro or patisserie then fret no more: this recipe is here to sate your cravings for the French favourite.
For the keen bakers among you, this will be business as usual, but for anyone who hasn’t tried making them from scratch, they may be a bit of a pain at first (no pun intended). It involves a lot of rolling, layering and waiting for the dough to rise and prove, but trust us, the result and satisfaction is more than worth it.
This recipe makes 8 servings, so if you and your family can resist eating them in one go, you can keep the rest in your fridge for later. When you need a hit of these delicious treats, then a quick blast in one of our sandwich toasters will warm them up nicely, slightly melting the chocolate inside for you to savour as a quick snack.
Italian espressos
A shot of espresso to fuel you up for a day of sightseeing and adventure is just what you need when on your travels. Hot, strong and delicious, it’s even better sampling it in its country of origin. And though “when in Rome” might not be on the itinerary any more, you can still make up for things by trying it at home using our Barista Max Espresso coffee machine.
The Barista Max is like having a café in the comfort of your kitchen. Equipped with everything you need to make that perfect shot of espresso; it even has a built-in grinder. And once you’ve mastered making espresso, you’ll open yourself up to a whole world of classic Italian coffee too.
Air-fried Calamari
A favourite across the Mediterranean, calamari is perhaps best enjoyed at a beachside restaurant as the sun slowly sets in the background. Equal parts chewy and crunchy, with a sprinkle of salt and a drizzling of lemon juice, this seafood speciality is a testament to the simple deliciousness of Mediterranean fare.
Typically deep fried, we reckon our Halo 5.5L Digital air fryer does the trick just as well, especially when making this air fryer salt and pepper calamari recipe. Wonderfully light and crispy, it uses far less oil too, making for delicious calamari that’s healthier without compromising on flavour. Don’t forget to serve with aioli or tartare sauce.
Slow cooker paella
With its smoky chorizo, freshly-caught prawns, and yellow hued-rice, paella is perhaps the most iconic (not to mention delicious) example of Spanish cuisine. If you’re craving the dish but you’re feeling a bit lazy, you can always make the traditional version in a non-traditional way: in a slow cooker.
Take the hassle out of things and prepare your paella in one of our slow cookers with this recipe here. Only the chicken and chorizo require a bit of frying beforehand; the other ingredients can all be thrown inside the slow cooker, where all their flavours mingle over the course of a few hours. Once the rice is tender, you’ll have a delicious, authentic bowl of paella that’s ready to be devoured!
Traditional French crepes
We’re heading back to France for another of its famous culinary offerings: the light and fluffy crepe. If you fancy turning crepes into a regular thing rather than the once-a-year tradition, then our crepe and pancake maker can help you make proper crepes the traditional French way.
What’s more, this handy recipe can easily be adapted for both sweet and savoury crepes. From there, the world’s your oyster when it comes to toppings. Are you a lemon and sugar traditionalist, or do you prefer something more savoury for your fillings?
Belgian waffles
The final destination in our jaunt around Europe’s favourite holiday dishes is the sugary, golden goodness of the Belgian waffle. With their crispy outer, fluffy interior and deep, syrup-drenched pockets, why not have something special for your next breakfast and whip up some Belgian waffle batter for yourself?
The recipe itself is fairly straightforward; you just need to make sure your egg whites have those all-important stiff peaks. Once you have everything mixed, simply pour the batter into our DuraCeramic Waffle Maker, sprayed with cooking spray, and cook according to the directions. Top with your toppings of choice and start your mornings off like they do in Belgium!
We hope this article has inspired you to get creative in the kitchen! Looking for more? You’ll find the full range of Breville products, whatever you’re in need of, on our homepage.