Sunday, December 28, 2014

Austria Film - The Counterfeiters / Die Fälscher (2007)





http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813547/

The Counterfeiters / Die Fälscher (2007) is a well made historical drama set in the dark days of Nazi Germany.  This film is "based upon a true story" which always means they take some liberties with the historical record but as long as they keep to the spirit of the story I'm fine with that.  Film is film and isn't supposed to be a one-to-one translation of any work, weather real-life or fictional.

I love films that put me inside of a world I'm not familiar with and this film does just that.  I felt like it showed a believable Nazi counterfeiting organization filled with characters I could care about about.  Well acted, directed and written the film isn't exactly "fun" (what film set in Nazi Germany is?) but it is worth seeing.

Austria Pictures




















Austria Recipes

http://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/wiener-schnitzel/
Wiener Schnitzel Recipe – How To Prepare The Best Schnitzel
The Wiener Schnitzel remains at the epicentre of Austrian food and especially Viennese cuisine. It is essentially a thinly hammered and breaded veal or pork cutlet. The Schnitzel stands for our love for all things breaded and fried: from meat to fish, mushrooms, celeriac, cauliflower, and even cheese.

The best Schnitzel are either made from tenderloin pork or from leg of veal. They are between 4 and 6 mm thin. You can obviously enjoy them in all restaurants in Vienna that serve Austrian food.

History
The history of the Wiener Schnitzel has been controversial. Some say it is a cultural import from the Italian Costoletta a la milanese in the 19th century. Many historians say this is a myth. The most convincing theories state that the Schnitzel is a bourgeois invention of 18th century Vienna. At that time, the Austrians already breaded their chickens. They had plenty of pork fat to fry, and loads of breadcrumbs from the vast amounts of white bread consumed. You can find the earliest reference to breaded cutlets in the ‘Kleines Österreichisches Kochbuch’ from 1798, called Gebachene Schnitzeln.

How To Prepare Wiener Schnitzel
Ingredients for 4 people:
4 pieces of cutlets (between 130 and 200 gr)
4 table spoons of flour
5 table spoons of breadcrumbs
2 eggs
a little milk and salt

Put a few drops of vegetable oil on the cutlets. Then put them in between two sheets of cling film and flatten the cutlets with a meat tenderizer. If you don’t have one, you can use a heavy pan instead.
Make a few short cuts into the outer areas of the cutlets to prevent them from rolling up in the pan.
Prepare three plates, one with flour, one with two eggs lightly battered with a little milk and a pinch of salt, and one with bread crumbs. Instead of the eggs, some people use water or milk, though I have no experience with this.
Lightly coat the cutlets in flour on both sides, then pull them through the eggs (water/milk), and cover them with breadcrumbs. Make sure the breadcrumbs cover the entire cutlets.
Start frying the cutlets immediately in a pan with pork fat (original method) or vegetable oil. Add sufficient fat or oil to make the cutlets swim, and heat it. To get the right temperature, add a few breadcrumbs into the pan. If the oil foams, the temperature is right. Keep moving the cutlets to generate an even goldbrown colour. Turn them at least once until they are golden brown on both sides.
Put the Schnitzel on a sheet of paper kitchen towel which will absorb the oil.
Wiener Schnitzel are usually served with a wedge of lemon on top, and with warm or cold potato salad, and lettuce.



http://www.food.com/recipe/green-cabbageand-apple-saut-134043
Green Cabbage and Apple Sauté
By NcMysteryShopper Photo
Photo by Shannon V. Holmes

Prep Time: 20 minsTotal Time: 50 minsServings: 6
ABOUT THIS RECIPE
"This is a great combination of flavors! It is a healthy recipe that can be made ahead of time to save time. This recipe was crafted by Kurt Gutenbrunner, the chef at Manhattan's Wallsé and Cafe Sabarsky, who willingly offers his secret. MAKE AHEAD: The cabbage and apples can be refrigerated overnight."

INGREDIENTS
3 lbs head green cabbage, halved cored and coarsely shredded ( 12 cups)
1 cup riesling wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 granny smith apples, peeled halved, cored and sliced 1/8 inch thick
salt & freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, toss the cabbage with the wine, lemon juice and sugar. Let marinate for 1 hour, tossing often.
In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until golden, about 8 minutes. Add the cabbage and its marinade and cook over moderately high heat, tossing, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Cover and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add the apples and toss well. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.



http://allthingsaustria.com/austrian-recipes/goulash-recipe/
Goulash Recipe
Goulash is a very tasty stew type meal found primarily in Austria and of course in Hungary, where it had its origin and is frequently served as a soup.

Goulash an Austrian Hungarian dish is served in a number of varieties throughout  Austria
A Variation of Fiakergoulash
In Austria you’ll find goulash being served in a number of variations, ranging from goulash soup to a hardy stew, which in itself varies depending on where you go, although some of the basics are the same; cubed beef, lots of onions and Hungarian Paprika.

Goulash is also one of those dishes that’s even better as a “leftover” than when eaten freshly prepared. Here in the US, we have our own versions, which most of the time are a far cry (macaroni and ground beef, is not goulash) from the European version.

In Austria, you’ll frequently find the soup variety being served at ski resorts energy and warm up food. The goulash recipe presented here is for the Fiakergoulash, which you’ll find mostly in the Vienna and even then, you’ll find a number of adaptations, all good.

Fiaker is a horse drawn carriage and the name of a variety of goulash
Fiaker Carriage in Today's Vienna
Fiaker is the Viennese term for the licensed and numbered two horse carriage, with the first license issued in 1693. Today, you’ll find these all around the Central District in Vienna, ready to take you on a sightseeing tour, for a price of course.

Following is the recipe for a fairly typical Fiakergoulash:

Ingredients: (serves 4-6)

2 lbs marbled beef, cut in cubes

*1 lb onion, diced (want more taste – match the weight of the beef)

1/4 cup oil or lard (lard is still used extensively in the native cuisine)

1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika, hot if desired

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups beef or vegetable broth

1 tablespoon caraway seed

1 tablespoon dried marjoram

2 teaspoons flour, for slurry

1 teaspoon salt (to taste)

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil or lard in a heavy pot and add the onions and garlic, stirring the saute until very dark. Add salt.

2. Add meat in batches, brown on all sides before adding next batch. Do not let the meat steam, raise the heat and add oil if necessary.

3. Saute meat until browned on all sides, add paprika, stir until fragrant (smell those onions-yumm) but watch out so it doesn’t burn.

4. Add the broth, caraway seeds, marjoram and tomato paste and simmer until the meat is tender. Depending on the cut, this can take up to 2 hours. If it gets too dry, add some broth.

5. When the meat is tender, in a separate dish mix the flower with a few ts of water and add to the meat little by little, checking on the thickness of the sauce.

6. Simmer until the flowery taste is gone and the sauce has the perfect consistency.

This is one dish that you may want to let sit for a while, allowing the flavors to soak in.

Serve the goulash with spaetzle, dumplings or noodles.

Other adaptations include adding a frankfurter to the plate and perhaps crowning the goulash on the individual plates with a sunny side up egg.

Enjoy!

Select other Austrian Recipes



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/rugelach-recipe.html
Rugelach

Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 -pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup apricot preserves, pureed in a food processor
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash
ADD CHECKED ITEMS TO GROCERY LIST
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts.
On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges—cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Australia Film - The Castle (1997)


It's a cliche that foreign films are always dark and depressing and we like to try and find films that break that mold and The Castle (1997) is definitely one of them.

This film tells the seemingly simple story of an every-man who is very happy with his life and his family and his home.  One day some developers come and say that the airport is expanding and that they are (compulsory) buying his home.  They offer him a fair price for his home but he doesn't want to give it up so he fights them in court.

Not exactly end of the world stuff but that the point.  The drama presents an perfect canvas for the Kerrigan family to show their foibles, their quirks, and their deep love for each other and the life they have built.

It's a deeply contented movie it is both a fantastic comedy and a great slice of Australian life.

Australia Recipes

http://www.food.com/recipeprint.do?rid=370539

Creamy Pumpkin Soup (From Australia)
By Debbie R. Photo
Photo by Galley Wench

Prep Time: 10 minsTotal Time: 25 minsServings: 6
ABOUT THIS RECIPE
"This recipe is from "Cooking the Australian Way," which says that nearly every family has a version of it. This one sounds good. Haven't made it yet. If you're not looking to hold down fat content or calories, you can double the butter; substitute half-and-half for the evaporated skim milk; and use full-fat sour cream. Use fresh cooked and pureed pumpkin if desired"

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter
1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 (15 ounce) cans pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups evaporated skim milk
2 1/2 cups chicken broth ( or vegetable broth)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons minced parsley
1/3 cup nonfat sour cream
DIRECTIONS
Melt butter. Add chopped onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not brown. Add curry powder; cook 1 - 2 minutes longer. Process this in a food processor or blender. Add pumpkin and salt. Process til smooth. Add evaporated milk. Process again until smooth.
Pour pumpkin mixture back into pan. Stir in broth. Heat slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, stir cinnamon and minced parsley into the sour cream.
Serve steaming hot with a dollop of the sour cream mixture atop each bowl.


http://www.food.com/recipeprint.do?rid=142234
Australian Shrimp on the Barbie
By katie in the UP Photo
Photo by Katanashrp

Prep Time: 10 minsTotal Time: 15 minsServings: 8
ABOUT THIS RECIPE
"Posted for 2005 Zaar World Tour. Times DO NOT include marinating."

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh herb, parsley and thyme
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 large garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon minced shallot
salt and pepper
1 1/2 lbs shrimp, unpeeled medium to large
spinach leaves ( to garnish)
lemon slice ( to garnish)
DIRECTIONS
Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl. Mix in shrimp. Marinate at room temperature 1 hour or in the refrigerator 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Prepare barbecue with medium hot coals. Thread shrimp on narrow skewers. Grill until just opaque, about 2 minutes per side.
Line platter with spinach. Arrange skewers on platter. Garnish with lemon and serve.


http://alldownunder.com/australian-food/pavlova-recipe.htm
Australian Pavlova
Who invented it ... Aussie or Kiwi ?
We only care that it tastes good!
Ingredients for Base
  as needed butter, melted
  dusting corn flour (cornstarch)
6 eggs, separated
280 grams (1¼ cups) sugar, caster (sugar, granulated)
½ teaspoon vanilla essence (vanilla extract)
2 teaspoons corn flour (cornstarch)
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Method for Base
1. Preheat your oven to 120°C ( 250°F ). Line an oven tray or flat pan with foil or baking paper (wax paper). Brush with melted butter and dust with cornflour. Shake off the excess.
2. Take a spoon and gently mark out a 23cm ( 9 inch) diameter circle in the dusted cornflour. This is the guide you will follow when you put the meringue on the pan. (see tip below)
3. Use an electric mixer to whip the egg whites in a clean dry bowl (see tip below) until soft peaks form.
4. Very slowly add sugar
(about 1 tablespoon at a time) beating well as you go.

Continue until all the sugar is fully dissolved (see tip below) and the meringue is thick and glossy.
5. Now add vanilla, cornflour and vinegar to your meringue. Beat only until these new ingredients are mixed in thoroughly.
6. Spoon the meringue into the circle you marked on the foil lined pan. Using a small spatula, smooth the side and top of the Pavlova base and make little peaks around the top edge.
7. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours or until it feels dry to the touch.
8. Turn off the oven and leave the door ajar with the Pavlova base still inside to cool down slowly.
9. When the base is completely cold, move it to a serving plate. You can also store it in an airtight container to complete later as needed.

Ingredients for Top
300 ml (1¼ cups) whipping cream (heavy cream)
2 tablespoons icing sugar, sifted
1 lime, juiced
2 bananas, sliced thin on an angle
3 kiwi fruit, peeled, thinly sliced
2 star fruit, thinly sliced

Method for Top
1. Use an electric mixer to whip the cream and icing sugar in a medium bowl. Whip until it forms firm peaks.
2. Spoon the whipped cream on the top of the base.
3. Pour the lime juice into a glass or ceramic bowl and add the banana slides. Toss to coat and then drain.
4. Decorate the top of the base with the fruit.

Serves 6 to 10 depending on how big you cut the slices.
Leftover Pavlova can be stored in the refrigerator overnight, however, it can absorb moisture from the air causing it to lose its crunchy crispness. You can use this as an excuse to finish off that last piece sitting there!


http://allrecipes.com/recipe/9816/anzac-biscuits-i/?origin=detail&metric=false
Anzac Biscuits I

Recipe By:Sharon McAllister
"Traditional recipe from Australia and New Zealand. Associated with the joint public holiday (ANZAC Day) to commemorate the Gallipoli landings during WW1."
Ingredients
1 cup quick cooking oats
3/4 cup flaked coconut
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
2 tablespoons boiling water
Directions
Mix oats, flour, sugar and coconut together.
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the syrup and butter together. Mix the soda and the boiling water and add to the melted butter and syrup.
Add butter mixture to the dry ingredients. Drop by teaspoons on greased cookie sheets (or baking paper).
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 18 to 20 minutes.

Australia Pictures

























Saturday, October 18, 2014

Armenia Film - The Color of Pomegranates / Sayat Nova (1969)


Picture yourself an Armenian living under Soviet occupation in the 1960's.  Life is hard and always has been for your people.  You look for entertainment where you can find it, and  if you are lucky, one film set in and about your country ever five to ten years.  1969 rolls around and a film about one of your most famous figures, a poet, is released.  And it just drags on and on and on without really telling anything resembling a story.

Yes, I get that it's visual but I also think it fails to tell a story in an engaging way.  It was difficult to watch due to the pacing.  Perhaps that's because we are too jaded with too much fast paced story-telling.  But for our modern eyes it was not an enjoyable film.

Armenia - Pictures