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Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta

This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta is perfect for a flashy weeknight date dinner, complex with flavor and simple to make.

This dish combines tender chicken, vibrant broccoli florets, and al dente pasta enveloped in a luscious, creamy sauce, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures.

What makes this dish truly exceptional is its adaptability. Whether you’re a culinary novice or a seasoned chef, the creamy chicken and broccoli pasta recipe is incredibly versatile, accommodating various dietary preferences and ingredient substitutions with ease. It serves as a basis for creativity, allowing you to experiment with different proteins, vegetables, and sauces to suit your taste and pantry staples.

Furthermore, its simplicity and efficiency make it an ideal choice for weeknight dinners. With minimal prep work and cooking time, you can have a satisfying meal on the table in no time, freeing up precious moments to unwind and reconnect with loved ones after a long day.

Whether you’re craving comfort food after a hectic day or looking for a wholesome meal to nourish your family, the creamy chicken and broccoli pasta recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. Its versatility, ease of preparation, and irresistible flavors make it a go-to option for any night of the week.

The key tips for this easy creamy chicken and broccoli pasta are

  1. Sear the broccoli, as it will elevate its taste and add a certain level of smokiness to the whole thing
  2. Spice it up with red pepper flakes
  3. If you like a bit of acid to your pasta, I highly recommend throwing in some cherry tomatoes while the chicken is searing. Normally you would be using lemon, but because of the cream we don’t want it to break it
  4. reserve a bit of pasta water and have milk on the standby. Different countries have different cream concepts- some are heavier, and some are lighter. Whatever you use, you can always let it boil a bit to thicken it or add a bit more milk to reverse it
  5. This is versatile, personalize it to your liking – regardless if you want a creamier sauce, or less creamy
Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta

Creamy chicken and broccoli pasta

This creamy chicken and broccoli pasta is perfect for a flashy weeknight date dinner, complex with flavor and simple to make
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 frying pan
  • 1 pot

Ingredients
  

  • 250 gr chicken or turkey breast
  • 250 gr broccoli
  • 200 gr your favorite cream
  • pasta for two
  • olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
  • a bit of milk

Instructions
 

  • In a covered frying pan with just a bit of water, steam the broccoli. Or you can steam them your favorite way. Would highly recommend to salt them
  • Once the broccoli is a bit before getting ready (I like it to have a bite), remove them from the frying pan and let them rest
  • Put the pasta water to boil with a bit of salt. Once it is ready, its time to put on the pasta and cook them to the recommended time minus one minute. Now depending on how comfortable you are with the next steps, it should not take you more than the time it takes the pasta to be cooked to prep everything
  • (optionally) I like to sear the broccoli with a bit of olive oil (think of it like a stir fry) – this will give them a nice char and elevate the flavor profile. Be careful not to burn them as at this point they burn very easily
  • Cut the meat inro smaller pieces, marinate it with salt and pepper and give them a quick sear
  • Throw in the chopped garlic and red pepper flakes.
  • in just 30 seconds, or when you feel the garlic aroma, throw back in the broccoli and heat everything up.
  • finish up with your favorite cream. Depending on the type of cream you use, if you see that the pasta sauce is too thick, add a bit of milk to compensate
  • once the pasta is ready, reserve a bit of pasta water and throw everything in the pan
  • toss the pasta, and add a bit of pasta water. Once you reach the consistency you want, its ready.
Keyword broccoli, chicken, creamy chicken and broccoli pasta, pasta

Saucy linguine with octopus and green olives

This linguine with octopus and green olives in tomato sauce is a fancy yet easy pasta dish that you can make on a weeknight.

The core ingredient – octopus can be cooked, uncooked, ready, etc. For this recipe, I took some supermarket octopus which was cooked and in its juice. If you are using fresh octopus, or frozen – I have also included the details in the end.

The recipe is only divided into two main parts – making the sauce and combining it. The approach for this linguine with octopus is to cut corners and be fast.

Cooking raw octopus

If you happen to get your hands on raw octopus, cooking it is also very simple, but just takes a bit of time. All you have to do is simmer for 40-60 minutes in salty water until you can easily slice through it with a knife. Now remove it from the heat, let it cool in the cooking water. If you want the skin not to get loose, put it in a container, and let it chill in the fridge. I don’t care about this step that much as in the pasta it does not matter.

linguine with octopus

Using already-cooked octopus

The whole idea of this recipe is to sear the boiled octopus with garlic and anchovies. This will elevate its taste, from somewhat bland, to a whole new level. Important in this step is not burning the garlic so in my view this is the only part that you have to be careful.

linguine with octopus and green olives

Saucy linguine with octopus and green olives

This linguine with octopus and green olives in tomato sauce is a fancy yet easy pasta dish that you can make on a weeknight.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 pan
  • 1 pot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Octopus leg cooked, sliced in bite sizes
  • 10 green olives chopped
  • half cup passata di pomodoro
  • 2 cloves garlic sliced thinly
  • 1-2 anchiovies chopped
  • olive oil
  • linguine for two
  • salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Put a big pot of salted water to boil. This is for your pasta.
  • In a hot pan, on high heat, add some olive oil, garlic and the anciovies
  • Then add the octopus. Sear the octopus on both sides. 1-2 minutes each side. Then add the chopped olives
  • Add the passata di pomodoro – you can use fresh tomatoes as well, but as the octopus is cooked, i generally dont like to let the sauce cook too much
  • Add salt and pepper
  • lower the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste it now for seasoning. If you need to add more, now it is the time
  • Cook the pasta in the boiling water.
  • When the pasta is aldente, transfer to the saucepan. Reserve some cooking water. It is filled with starch which will help everything get together in the end
  • Mix everything, top with a bit of pasta water and olive oil. Depending on how you like your pasta
  • Done
Keyword linguine, octopus, olives, pasta

Top 10 Day Trips from Hamburg

Nestled in the heart of northern Germany, Hamburg is a vibrant city known for its maritime history, cultural richness, and dynamic atmosphere.

While the bustling metropolis offers many attractions, there’s a world of wonders waiting just beyond its borders. Its location is perfect for some of the most unforgettable day trips from Hamburg to explore charming towns, picturesque landscapes, and historical sites.

In this guide, we unveil the top 10 day trips + where to eat that promise to add a touch of magic to your Hamburg experience.

Lübeck – A Medieval Marvel

day trips from hamburg
Photo by Gül Işık

Just an hour away from Hamburg, Lübeck beckons with its medieval charm. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city boasts narrow cobblestone streets, Gothic architecture, and the iconic Holstentor gate. Immerse yourself in history as you explore the Hanseatic League’s former capital.

In addition, you can reach the Baltic Sea – which. Visit the amazing beaches of Travemunde and Scharbeutz

In Lubeck, visit Fangfrisch for some delicious fish and Niederegger for their famous marzipan deserts

Bremen – A Fairy Tale Getaway

day trips from hamburg
Photo by Gever

About one hour away you can venture southwest to Bremen, where fairy tales come to life. Roam the charming streets of the Schnoor district and enjoy the tiny historical cafes, visit the iconic Bremen Town Musicians statue, and explore the UNESCO-listed Market Square.

Visit the Die Mühle am Wall and don’t forget to enjoy a walk at the Weser Promenade, where in the afternoon you get to see why Becks is the beer of Bremen.

Want to make it extra special? Throw in Bremerhaven if you are into Maritime Museums and such.

Food-wise, pick up some Kohl und Pinkel (kale and sausage) and explore the micro-brewing culture that has led to Becks.

Blankenese – Riverside Retreat

day trips from hamburg

Technically still Hamburg – Blankenese is a neighborhood of Hamburg, you can use the S-Bahn to get there. In Blankenese you can escape the urban hustle and discover a tranquil riverside suburb. Enjoy a stroll along the Elbe River, explore the famous Treppenviertel, which is so unique and picturesque on its own, and be captivated by the fancy villas.

Most of the restaurants in Blankenese feature northern typical fish-heavy cuisine, and we have not settled on a favorite. As it’s so close to Hamburg, we have always chosen a new one to visit.

Kiel – The best fish and chips you will ever have

day trips from hamburg

About one hour away from Hamburg, the port city of Kiel will look very similar to other Hanseatic cities. My favorite pastime activity is walking on the endless promenade and having fish and chips. Stop by the aquarium for the seal show and walk around a very green Altstadt. Don’t forget to visit the Leuchtturm Kiel-Holtenau, which is this historic lighthouse not to be missed.

Grab some fish and chips at Moby, sit by the port, and enjoy the ships passing by.

St. Peter-Ording – Experience the North Sea

day trips from hamburg

Extra busy during the summertime, but a treat to visit. Explore the endless North Sea dunes, and pretty views, and enjoy a day by the beach.

Grab a spectacular dinner at Restaurant Stilbruch or some Fischbrotchen nearby and just enjoy a day there.

It deserves its own getaway as part of day trips from Hamburg, but make it extra special and visit Husum as well. Walk in the Dockkoog, for some endless North Sea views, and dont forget to grab some local fish and beer at Fischhaus Loof

Heligoland – Island Escape

For a unique experience, take a boat trip to Heligoland, a picturesque archipelago in the North Sea. Famous for its red cliffs, diverse birdlife, and duty-free shopping, Heligoland provides a refreshing seaside escape just a few hours from Hamburg.

You will have to take the boat there, and bear in mind that it tends to get a bit on the expensive side – so book in advance.

Schwerin – Castle on the Lake

day trips from hamburg
Photo by Omar Ramadan

Discover the fairy-tale allure of Schwerin, home to the magnificent Schwerin Castle. Surrounded by lush gardens and situated on an island in Lake Schwerin, the castle is a visual masterpiece. Explore the charming old town and immerse yourself in the rich history of this Mecklenburg gem.

If you dont mind the extra drive, and are in the mood, 40 minutes away, take a peek at the Ludwigslust Palace. It used to be the getaway of Prince Christian Ludwig, from the Palace in Schwerin. Thus the name Ludwig + lust

Lüneburg – Historic Elegance

day trips from hamburg
Photo by Bogdan Krupin

Journey southeast to Lüneburg, a town steeped in history and characterized by its well-preserved medieval architecture. Get lost trying to find parking in the weird one-way streets, stroll through the charming old town, visit the impressive St. Nicholas’ Church, and experience the unique atmosphere of a salt-producing town with rich trading history.

Have lunch Mälzer Brau- und Tafelhaus and enjoy their in house made beer and grab “kaffee und kuchen” at Anna’s Café.

Wismar – Hanseatic Heritage

day trips from hamburg
Foto von form PxHere

Delve into the Hanseatic heritage of Wismar, a UNESCO-listed town on the Baltic Sea. Marvel at the Gothic and Renaissance architecture in the Market Square, visit the historic harbor and soak in the maritime charm that defines this coastal gem.

Cuxhaven – Coastal Beauty

day trips from hamburg
Foto von form PxHere

Conclude your day trip exploration with a visit to Cuxhaven, a coastal town where the Elbe River meets the North Sea. Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze, take a stroll along the sandy beaches, and discover the vibrant atmosphere of this lively maritime destination.

As you can see, Hamburg’s surrounding gems offer a diverse range of experiences, from medieval towns and island escapes to coastal beauty and historic elegance.

Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a change of scenery, these top 10 day trips from Hamburg promise to add an extra layer of enchantment to your German adventure. Pack your bags, set out on the road, and let the exploration begin!

What to eat in Hamburg: Discovering the Culinary Delights

When it comes to what to eat in Hamburg, this is a city that offers a delightful array of flavors and tastes. Nestled along the Elbe River, this vibrant metropolis is not only renowned for its stunning architecture and maritime history but also for its mouthwatering food scene. From hearty traditional dishes to international culinary delights, Hamburg has something to satisfy every palate.

Join us on a gastronomic journey as we explore what to eat in this captivating city.

Fischbrötchen

what to eat in hamburg
Photo by Freunde des Snacks e.V. on Unsplash

With its strong maritime culture, it comes as no surprise that Hamburg is famous for its fresh seafood. One of the must-try local delicacies is the Fischbrötchen, a simple yet delicious sandwich filled with a variety of fish such as herring, salmon, or shrimp. This quintessential Hamburg treat is perfect for a quick snack or a light lunch, served on a bun with pickles, onions, and a tangy remoulade sauce.

what to eat in hamburg
UNDERDOCKS – Fischbrötchen with shrimps and some fish and chips

You can find a Fischbrötchen almost everywhere and the most common type is the Backfischbrötchen which is nothing else except a fried fish sandwich. There are other types, of course, especially the ones with pickled fish, but for a more normal palette, the Backfischbrötchen is your go-to choice

Franzbrötchen

what to eat in hamburg
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

If you have a sweet tooth, indulge in Franzbrötchen, a delectable local pastry. Resembling a cinnamon roll, this buttery, flaky treat is filled with a delightful mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Pair it with a cup of coffee, and you have the perfect companion for a leisurely morning or afternoon break. Our favorite desert if unsure on what to eat in Hamburg that is specific for this region.

Hamburger Labskaus

what to eat in hamburg
Old Commercial Room – a traditional restaurant, with a typical hamburg delicacy tasting menu

Labskaus is a traditional dish originating from the maritime region of Northern Germany, particularly associated with the city of Hamburg. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that has been enjoyed by sailors and locals for centuries.

Labskaus traditionally consists of several key ingredients, including salted beef or corned beef, potatoes, onions, and pickled gherkins. The dish is known for its distinctive appearance, as it typically has a mashed potato base with meat and onions mixed in, resulting in a reddish or pinkish hue.

Rote Grütze

To end your culinary exploration on a sweet note, indulge in Rote Grütze. This traditional fruit dessert is a delightful combination of red berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, cooked with sugar and served with vanilla sauce or whipped cream. The vibrant colors and refreshing flavors make it a perfect treat for warm summer days.

International Cuisine

what to eat in hamburg
O-Ren Ishii, A Vietnamese place, usually open for lunch with a daily changing menu

Hamburg’s cosmopolitan nature also brings a wide variety of international flavors to the table. From Vietnamese pho to Turkish kebabs, you’ll find an abundance of international restaurants and street food stalls throughout the city. Explore the Sternschanze neighborhood, known for its diverse culinary scene, or visit the Portuguese Quarter for delectable Portuguese pastries and seafood.

This about should cover what to eat in Hamburg. It’s culinary scene is a true delight for food lovers. From the fresh seafood offerings to the hearty local specialties and international cuisines, this city has something to satisfy every craving. Whether you’re strolling along the bustling waterfront or exploring the vibrant neighborhoods, make sure to indulge in the local favorites and immerse yourself in the flavors that define Hamburg’s rich culinary heritage.

Prepare for a delightful journey that will leave you with memories of delectable dishes and a desire to return for more gastronomic adventures. And if unsure about the main attractions, here are some of the best places to visit in hamburg or check out our Instagram @kitchenetterecipes for more

Hamburg’s top attractions from a local


Hamburg is a vibrant city with a rich history, stunning architecture, and a wealth of cultural attractions. Here are some must-visit top attractions to add to your itinerary whenever you drop by Hamburg:

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland

This is the world’s largest model railway, and it’s located in Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt district. It’s a fascinating attraction for both children and adults, with intricate model trains, landscapes, and cities from around the world.

Elbphilharmonie

Elbphilharmonie

This stunning concert hall has become an iconic symbol of Hamburg. It’s a modern architectural masterpiece, and the acoustics inside the hall are said to be some of the best in the world. You can take a guided tour or catch a performance in the hall itself.

St. Michaelis Church

St. Michaelis Church

Also known as Michel, this is one of Hamburg’s most famous landmarks. The church dates back to the 17th century and offers stunning views of the city from its tower. It’s also home to one of the largest organs in the world.

Hamburger Kunsthalle

hamburg top attractions kunsthalle

This is Hamburg’s premier art museum, with an impressive collection of works from the Middle Ages to the present day. It’s housed in a beautiful 19th-century building and features works by artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, Edvard Munch, and Pablo Picasso.

Rathaus

hamburg top attractions rathaus

This is the city’s impressive town hall, located in the heart of the city. It was built in the late 19th century and features stunning architecture and elaborate decorations. You can take a guided tour of the building to learn more about its history.

There are a couple of bars and restaurants in the vicinity overlooking the Rathaus from the canals. If you are not into getting a tour, you can always sit and enjoy a drink nearby with a great view.

Planten un Blomen

hamburg top attractions Planten un blumen

This is Hamburg’s largest park, located in the city center. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy nature, with beautiful gardens, fountains, and a lake. In the summer months, there are also free concerts and light shows in the park.

The park has a Japanese Garden which is in itself a wonderful experience. Grab a drink in the nearby kiosks, and sit in the park for a chill evening.

Speicherstadt

hamburg top attractions Speicherstadt

This is Hamburg’s historic warehouse district, famous for its red-brick buildings and canals. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many museums, shops, and cafes. You can take a boat tour to explore the canals and learn more about the history of the district.

Prototype Car Musesum (Automuseum Prototyp)

hamburg top attractions Automuseum Prototyp

The Automuseum Prototyp in Hamburg is a museum that showcases a unique collection of vintage and modern cars, motorcycles, and engines. The museum is located in the historic Speicherstadt district of Hamburg and is dedicated to the history of mobility and automotive engineering.

The museum’s collection includes around 50 cars, 30 motorcycles, and several engines, spanning from the early days of automotive history to modern times. The collection is focused on prototypes, racing cars, and other unusual vehicles that have made an impact on the history of mobility.

Fortunately, the location of these attractions is close to each other (or very close to public transportation), so you can easily check these hamburg top attractions within a weekend.

Want to learn more? Check out kitchenetterecipes in Instagram and read more about our general recommendations here

The best sauce for ravioli

The best sauce for ravioli is simple, decadent, and very versatile. This recipe will cover concepts and components of how to personalize it!

I am always a fan of fresh store-bought ravioli, for a couple of main reasons that pertain to mainly my laziness.

Reasons:

  1. They are fairly fresh pasta and a complete change of pace from what we are used to on the day to day
  2. Their condiments are usually fairly standardized and you can not go wrong with them – from the amount of filling to the thickness of the pasta. Obviously, if you make it yourself, it will be tastier, but it takes a whole lot of practice to get it right.
  3. They go with simple sauces or complicated sauces
  4. They have a “wow” effect. Goat cheese and caramelized onions ravioli sound so much better than goat cheese and caramelized onions spaghetti.

For the purpose of this sauce, I have picked up some ravioli that are filled with a bit of sweetness to it. Helps complement the flavor. Alternatively, something meaty also will do. Here are 5 other pasta recipes that anyone can do if this does not interest you.

best sauce for ravioli

Components of the best sauce for ravioli

The core components of this sauce are:

  1. A nice sweet onion. Usually, anything would do, but if you have something on the sweet side, its is even better. We will let this sweat with a bit of butter
  2. A form of goat cheese. You don’t really have to be fancy with it. The taste of the sauce will reflect the taste of your selection of goat cheese immensely. So if you do not like the cheese, you will not like the sauce. On a positive note, I have tried this sauce with the spreadable goat cheese and it comes delicious!
  3. Butter and a bit of garam masala for that “wow” – you can skip on the garam masala, but you can’t skip on the butter. It is very instagramable.
  4. Deglaze with some sort of alcohol. I used and usually like the sweetness of limoncello added to it, but generally, you can use white wine or some sort of brandy.
The best sauce for ravioli

The best sauce for ravioli – Goat cheese and caramelised onions

The best sauce for ravioli is simple, decadent, and very versatile. This recipe will cover concepts and components how to personalize it!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tpsp goat cheese
  • 1 onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 pinch garam masala
  • 4 tbsp milk
  • 1 packet ravioli
  • 2 tbsp Limoncello (or alcohol of choice)

Instructions
 

  • thinly slice the onions and garlic.
  • warm a pan with low-medium heat and add a bit of butter to it.
  • throw in the onions and garlic and slowly sweat them – we are looking a bit more than translucent here
  • after the onions are soft and deglaze them with the limoncello. In here you can use your own choice of deglazing alcohol – from white wine to a brandy.
  • add the milk and the goat cheese and bring to a boil and season to your liking (salt and pepper and anything else – I went for garam masala
  • cook the ravioli as noted on the packaging (maybe even 1 minute less)
  • add the ravioli to the sauce and throw in a bit of pasta water to it.
  • carefully mix everything and add a bit of butter to thicken the sauce and get everything togehter.
Keyword pasta

What to serve with duck breast

What to serve with duck breast is a topic that not a lot of people have had the chance to explore, as duck is not the most common protein to use. Learn about the best pairings best served with duck breast, some ideas, and simple enough that anyone can do them.

Here are some of my favorite tips:

Make use of the duck fat

No matter how you cook the duck breast, you will end up with a lot of duck fat that was rendered. This fat is unique in its flavor and one does not really get us to use it in other normal conditions. You may use it as:

  1. Substitute butter instead of duck fat if you are doing mashed potatoes
  2. Sauté your veggies with duck fat instead of regular oil
  3. use the duck fat and juices to make a rice pilaf with it.

As you are exploring the same taste profile, why not make use of it?

Also, if you are thinking to make use of it later, the only thing that i have noticed is that after a couple of days it does not taste the same (as it may be related to the herbs and other fats in it) so beware!

Have a robust red wine

Anything that you do with duck, has the tendency to be on the red meat side. So always think about a nice heavy full-bodied wine. Now obviously, I am not a big wine expert and different duck dishes should be paired with different wines, but we are not that fancy here, so

  1. Pinot Noir just works and you can find varieties with a fair price
  2. Merlot as well is great but I personally am not a fan of them
  3. Barolo, which is on the expensive side is also a great choice

Now you can also pair it with white, just make sure that the sides that you are serving it with are on the light side

Have a nice refreshing salad

With all those sides and red wine, a nice refreshing salad is a palate cleanser. Think very simple here.

  1. Greens with olive oil and lemon dressing or even
  2. arugula with parmesan, some cherry tomatoes and balsamic.

It will be a great change of pace and make you enjoy the duck meat even more.

Have a sweet tangy sauce to go with it

What to serve with duck breast

I like a simple orange sauce. This is the juice of two oranges, the zest of one, 2 tablespoons of sugar and you thicken it with corn starch in the end. Read here about the orange sauce.

You can use almost any fruit that has a bit of acid to it. From strawberries to blueberries. You are making a sort of lovely simplified jam with it. I like the orange sauce as opposed to berries as it is easier to make and you do not need to strain everything from the berry seeds.

The heaviness of the duck goes wonderfully with the tanginess of this sauce. A must-have in my opinion

That’s it. I hope this answers the question of what to serve with duck breast.

A first timers guide to a week in Palma de Mallorca.

This first timers guide to a week in Palma de Mallorca is a simple takeaway of a normal person’s view of this beautiful Mediterranean island.

None of the things in this list are extravagant and unreachable. Maybe some are Instagram-able but mainly focused on actually enjoying this beautiful island, especially when it comes to food, drinks, and beaches.

If you are interested in the key and most important points and not into going through this journey with me, they are all the way in the end, with bullet points (click here to go to the end)

Day 1 – Arrival

We try to stay away from the “full season” as much as we can, but we also would like to enjoy a bit of summery goodness, so we picked the middle of June as our favorite time to visit. You can get away even coming a bit early in the month, but the middle of June was piping hot and just yummy.

Arriving from northern Germany on a Wednesday, with a low-cost airline booked many months in advance, the first impression is the humongous and very well-organized airport. Most airlines have multiple flights per day (at least from Germany) even at the beginning of the season. We picked up something in the afternoon.

In the airport, you feel that you are in the Mediterranean. It’s already hot and sticky, but you know – the good kind, the vacation kind, the “a week in Palma de Mallorca” kind

We hopped on the A1-Es Baluard bus and got to Palma, the biggest city on the island, and in my view the place to stay. The hotel, was about 15-20 minutes away from the last station of the airport shuttle, so as it was evening, we thought about walking so we can check out the vibe, maybe any open kiosks to pick up some water or even a potential food destination.

Surprisingly a lot of shops were open so we had no issues there.

We booked the hotel, right after the plane ticket, so months in advance, to pick something nice-ish in a very nice central location by the harbor in Palma. That area is highly recommended as it is a bit off the old city, but it also had this amazing-chill-yacht-surrounded vibe to it.

After checking in, we immediately went for a walk in the harbor of Palma, which was gorgeous, and sat in a random restaurant that looked okay-ish and grabbed some Paella.

A first timers guide to a week in Palma de Mallorca.

The food was delicious – and I will stop for a second here: even the bad food was good in Mallorca – so don’t worry much about it!

Day 2 – Let’s hop in the water: Playa Cala Pi

After a good night’s sleep, with the help of air conditioning, we got up early and went in for a walk in the harbor. Right there you feel like summer and vacation, the quietness of a getaway city in the morning is idyllic.

Palma de Mallorca - Palma

Breakfast places were all around, so grabbed a couple of pastries and coffee.

We especially like exploring supermarkets, so the first thing that we did was go visit a nearby Mercadona which is a supermarket chain in Spain. We picked up some snacks and water.

Hopping onto the Number 25-Arenal bus to, Arenal where I had reserved a car to pick up from Sixt.

There are plenty of cheaper choices, but especially when it comes to renting cars, I like Sixt and their all-inclusive insurance. I would rather not deal with drama.

You can definitely move around with public transportation and to be honest, this was the plan, but two weeks before the flight, they had some discounts, so I went for it.

I am used to driving around in small Greek islands, or the Albanian south where you are literally driving up and down mountains to go anywhere, but this week in Palma de Mallorca was just a pleasure to drive around.

We made a stop at a nearby Carrefour which was more like an American Mall to pick up some beach towels. Grabbed more snacks (obvi) and pedal to the metal to a nearby beach, Playa Cala Pi.

Playa Cala Pi

Oh man…happy memory: check.

We parked on one of the side streets and walked to the beach. This cove-like beach was such a pleasure to be in. We did not have an umbrella and there were no beach beds around it, but there were trees, so we put our towels in a corner and hopped right in.

After spending a couple of hours, hopping in water, reading, and snacking, it was time to head out as we had a fancy plan for the evening.

Dinner is eaten usually a bit later in Spain, and Palma was no different. We booked a table at a local recommendation of ours: El Pilon in Palma.

It was the first real dinner and we ordered a lot! Some Patatas Bravas (which are typical fried potatoes with a hot sauce), Pimientos de Padrón (fried small green peppers with a fleaky salt), Chipirones con aioli Pilón (fried baby squid), Croquetas de jamón and the Pulpo mallorquín (Grilled whole octopus). We felt like a Cerveza so, we had to have a couple.

Finished with a Crema Catalana and this green herbal brandy, which was nice to top it off.

The night ended slowly walking (or rolling) back to the hotel getting lost on the old city walls. Just enjoying the vibe.

Day 3: A popular beach hotspot and ranching

We hopped on the road after some croissants and 2 strong coffees and headed towards the north of the island.

We stopped for the day at Plaja de Muro, which is the amazingly vast and shallow sand beach filled with hotels, and places to eat – an all-around tourist trap, I guess…

It was good-ish, but a bit too civilized for me. We rented some beach chairs and sat there for a couple of hours, grabbing the occasional ice cream treat and snacks, reading page-turners, and just chilling.

For lunch (or late lunch) we had picked a spot in the middle of nowhere about 30 minutes away from Plaja de Muro. Rancho Grande Park was this special, middle-of-nowhere ranch, that had some of the most amazing food.

Rancho Grande Park  week in palma de mallorca

We sat outside, as it was this refreshing summer wind, and ordered a salad, some tapas, a Frito Mallorquin which is nothing else except a potato-based stir fry typical of the area, and a suckling pig with potatoes.

There were animals around and open views. The only thing we would hear was the wind and the trees.

While heading back to Palma, we decided to take this other route, going up and down some hills, while listening to a bit of chill bossa nova hits.

Felt extra fancy there.

After a nice nap, we visited a supermarket, and this rice pudding (Arroz con Leche) caught my eye. The special thing about it is that it had this refreshing tangy lemony flavor. Definitely try a rice pudding in Palma. Followed by an Estrella by the harbor – life can’t get any better, right?

Oh, and Friday night in Palma was wild, filled with people partying and fairly drunk. A general all-around good mood, so nothing to worry about.

Day 4 – Two beaches in one and THE market

 week in palma de mallorca

As by now it was Saturday, and we really wanted to eat lunch at Mercat de l’Olivar, which is this famous fish market which you seriously can’t miss, but we also wanted to go to the beach.

We picked Cala Mondragó and Platja de s’Amarador which coincidently were a walking distance of each other. Parking is not really allowed down at the beach area, but there is paid parking just up the hill, 5 minutes away. We parked there, at Cala Mondragó Parking and just sat by the trees.

This place was idyllic. The water was just perfect. We spent the first part of the morning in one, and the rest in the other. After not wanting to leave, but also really wanting to visit the Mercat de l’Olivar, we just headed out.

At the Mercat de l’Olivar, my recommendation would be to leave the car at the hotel you will definitely get out of there tipsy. We just had everything there, with the oysters being the highlight. The octopus, the croquetas, the gambas al ajillo, the pimientos de padron, and obviously another round of oysters, because why not.

After the obligatory siesta, we spent a bit of time around the old city, walked around a bit, and occasionally shopped, mainly for their air conditioning rather than the actual need to shop.

Day 5 – Little Germany and a bit of vermouth

The plan was just to rent a car for three days and then chill a bit, mainly due to the fact that it was expensive but also, why not switch it up a bit.

We did not get enough of Cala Mondragó and Platja de s’Amarador so before dropping off the car, it deserved another quick visit. Unfortunately, it was a bit windy that day, so the idyllic beach wasn’t so clear – still fun though.

Sixt was at Arenal, so after dropping off the car, it was only natural to check that beach out. It felt like Düsseldorf’s Hauptbahnof on a Sunday morning, with hangover stag parties blasting schlager music while waiting for their train. Fortunately, between two beer places, we found this Mallorcan place, which was empty but had just simple, easy, delicious tapas and cold cerveza‘s.

In the evening we had booked a table at this hyped place in Plama, La Rosa Vermutería. This was the first time that an eating experience in Mallorca was meh.

Maybe the fact that it was too busy, or maybe something else, but we did not really enjoy ourselves. I hope that this is a one-off thing, as the place looked very nice.

Day 6 – Being lazy at Playa de Illetes

 week in palma de mallorca

We got the Number 4 – Illetes bus to Playa de Illetes and spent the day there. This is a small beach on the South-West side of Palma de Mallorca, and my god, the number of people there.

We needed a secondary serving at Mercat de l’Olivar and after the much-needed Siesta, we ended the day with a cerveza serving and some tapas.

Day 7 – Obligatory duty-free shopping and back to reality after a week in Palma de Mallorca

 week in palma de mallorca

After checking out, we took a taxi to the airport, for like 20-ish euros and just chilled there. Did I tell you that this place was just humongous? After some McDonald’s soft serve ice cream and uber expensive coffee, we headed out. This was a week in Palma de Mallorca in my eye, obviously and most definitely. we are coming back. Now it’s time for some end-of-month meals.

tl;dr – Key most important points

  1. Must eat at El Pillon, Rancho Grande Mallorca and Mercat de l’Olivar
  2. Must visit: Playa de Illetes, Playa Cala Pi, Cala Mondragó and Platja de s’Amarador
  3. Taxis are not that expensive
  4. Public transportation works fine, but it is just a bit too slow
  5. For the best experience, one should rent a car and park responsibly
  6. Palma is hot, hydrate yourself and have a siesta at lunchtime
  7. Majorcans speak Castilian Spanish and Mallorquin, a dialect of Catalan. A lot also do speak English and German
  8. Google Maps will get you everywhere.
  9. A week in Palma de Mallorca is enough to visit a lot of things, but always not enough

Chrispy and spicy chicken wings in the air fryer

Chicken wings in the air fryer are not that hard if you follow some extremely simple tips. All you need to do is to properly marinate, coat them with flour, and don’t overcrowd the air fryer pan. This should not be rocket science.

To be honest, I did a bit of research on this and looked at different options that people smarter than me and more experienced than I had tried. My results could be better, but considering that I do not own a fancy expensive air fryer (got mine at a discount for like 35 euros) I am sure that there could be better chicken wings in the air fryer. I would gladly love to hear more details if you have a better air fryer.

chicken wings in air fryer

Having said that, here are the results of my testing:

  1. The most important part for the wings to get crispy is not to overcrowd the pan. The rule of thumb that you should follow: if the chicken wings are touching each other, you are overcrowding
  2. The next is coating. Chicken wings are fatty by default so for them to maintain the moisture you need to coat them with something. Out of all the elements that I tried, simple flour resulted in the best end result
  3. You will need to marinate them so before coating them in flour, pump them with a lot of marinades. Simple salt and pepper work wonders. I usually add paprika as well. You do not have to be fancy. I also like to marinate the flour a bit, which makes for a better end result.
  4. Follow your air fryer program to cook chicken. Check it halfway to flip them and you should be fine. I usually do mine for 18 minutes at 200 degrees.
  5. After cooking, let them sit on a rack. We do not want them to get soggy.

If you don’t own an air fryer, check this other fried chicken recipe, check out my Instagram for more.

chicken wings in air fryer

chicken wings in air fryer

Chicken wings in the air fryer are not that hard if you follow some extremely simple tips. All you need to do is to properly marinate, coat them with flour, and don't overcrowd the air fryer pan. This should not be rocket science.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients
  

For the fried chicken wings

  • 1 tsp paprika
  • salt and pepper
  • 500 gr chicken wings
  • 3 tpsp flour

For the sauce

  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • hot sauce
  • 1 tsp butter
  • 1 clove garlic

Instructions
 

  • Get all the chicken wings dry and at a room temperature
  • marinate them with the marinate of your choice. I used salt, pepper and paprika
  • coat them in marinated flour and shake the excess. Make sure that everything is coated evenly.
  • bake them in the air fryer for 20 min in 200 degrees. flip them halfway
  • while they are cooking, in a small pan, add the butter, and in low heat melt it.
  • Add the chopped galic and carefully saute them so they do not burn
  • then add your hot sauce and the soy sauce. The soy sauce is optional, but for me it makes it a bit sticky. Depending on your hot sauce always. I used piri piri because i had piri piri
  • Once the chicken is ready, take them out and let them in a wire rack. it helps the meat relax. I usually add the ones that I want to be coated in the sauce a minute or so after taking them out of the air-fryer. The rest can chill there
Keyword air fryer, chicken, fried chicken

Roasted duck breast for dummies

Roasted duck breast has been a bit of a hard subject for me. Considering that it has always had a more expensive price point than chicken or pork but less expensive than beef, it always puzzled me to explore it further.

At the bottom of this post you will find a very simple roasted duck breast recipe Jump to Recipe

I have cooked my fair share of organic roasted ducks for a special occasions, but to be honest never actually felt comfortable with it. As Germany has been in a fairly crazy lockdown for the past couple of months, it’s either now or never.

Now, this post about the roasted duck breast is not to refine your culinary skills, but a mere analysis and simplification of the process so that we normal people can explore the duck meat.

Buying just the breast vs the full duck.

Roasted duck breast

On two separate occasions, I bought once just the breast and once a full duck. I was approaching it like any poultry, that maybe it would make more sense to get a full one, keep some parts for stock, and roast the wings, legs, and breast.

The unfortunate truth is that duck legs take ages to cook. You are looking at a 90 minute time in the oven. The breast on the other hand it is usually half or even 1/3 of the time. This huge disbalance makes it so much harder to handle it unless you are cooking them for separate occasions.

The next thing is butchering the whole duck is such a pain. I have seen that even with my fair share of ducks, you have to be very careful as you tend to lose a lot of meat deboning it. Having said that, you can use these bones for soup or a broth of some sort, but that is beyond the point of this post.

If you are e beginner definitely take just the breast. It will make cooking duck meat so much more enjoyable and easier.

How to render the fat?

As you may know (or not), ducks fat is uniquely tasty, so generally speaking you should try to make the most out of it. The fat is also mainly located on the breast area, so when you get the duck breast from the market, do not get discouraged by the fat. We want that.

Rendering the fat means: using heat to remove to transform the white fat into liquid. The best way to render the fat actually is in a pan. After you have prepped the duck breast, and have marinated it fairly simply in salt and pepper and in room temperature. You wil need to score it. If you want to be fancy, do it in a criss cross manner. The point of this is to leave room for the rendered fat to get out.

Here is the important part: Place it skin sice down in a cold pan and place the pan in medium heat. Give the duck a bit of time, till the fat is rendered out. Then give the other side a quick sear and you are ready for the oven at 200 degrees, 10 minutes for mediumish, and 20 for medium well.

How to roast the duck breast

The only technique that I would recommend is pan sear first as described above and then roasting in the oven. It just works and you really can not mess it up.

The oven must be hot at 200 degrees. If you do not have a pan that can go in the oven, then the dish that you will place the duck in, must be hot. Usually I bake some veggies during this time because I am not that fancy to waste electricity.

I tried roasting the duck breast skin side up and skin side down. If your pan or oven dish is not crowded and it has just the duck breast, then skin side down will make the best results, alternatively skin side up.

As you will be exploring the duck meat and most probably you will be getting it in a supermarket, i tend to be suspicious so when it comes to cooking time I do not go for medium unless I am very sure about the freshness of the meat. So if it your first time, do 15-20 min. If you know what you are doing, 10 minutes will producte a perfectly pink roasted duck breast, which is the recommended temperature to actually eat it. Just let the roasted duck breast to sit for a couple of minutes before cutting it.

Sauces and sides

Sauces

Duck meat needs sweet heavy sauces. For me the simpliest of all these sauces is the orange sauce. This is the juice of two oranges, the zest of one, 2 tablespoons of sugar and you thicken with corn starch.

Sides

Think of veggies that you can boil and finnish in duck fat. Or veggies that you can cook with the duck fat. For me some home fries and some carrots fried in duck fat just hit me perfectly! Here is a recipe for home fries and a recipe for best vegetables out there.

Roasted Duck Breast

Roasted duck breast with orange sauce

This roasted duck breast with a simple orange sauce is the perfect introductory recipe to working with duck meat and nailing it
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, French, Mediterranean
Servings 2 people
Calories 494 kcal

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • oven dish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 duck breasts
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Clean up the duck breasts(especially from the sinews on the meat side. Score the skin but be careful not to pierce the meat
  • Marinate it with salt and pepper and let it rest to get to a room temperature
  • Turn on the oven at 200 degrees celcius. If you do not have an oven safe pan, then place the oven dish in the oven to heat up as well
  • Place the duck breasts skin side down in a cold pan and then on medium heat. We do not need to add oil to the pan as the duck fat will take care of that.
  • let it sear in medium heat till the fat is rendered. In a normal sized duck breast, it should take you 10-15 minutes or so.
  • Flip it and sear the meat side as well, just a couple of minutes
  • Put it in the oven and bake for 10-20 minutes where 10 is pink in the middle and 20 is medium well depending on your preference
  • while the duck is cooking, in a pan add the orange juice, the zest and the sugar. Bring everything to simmer and reduce to half
  • If you want to add a bit of heat, add some pepper flakes to it
  • in a glass, mix the cornstarch with equal parts water. Throw this in the sauce and mix till everything is incorporated.
  • Taste the sauce, add salt and pepper to adjust the taste profile
  • Now that the duck is ready, let it rest for a couple of minutes before cutting it.
  • I would recommend serving it with the sauce on the side
Keyword cheap dinner ideas, duck, easy dinner ideas, roasted duck breast