CJWDT'13 Euphoriania grand tour 13th stop, Vilnius, Lithuania! Lithuania.... I didn't know anything about the country before. So I need to do some hardcore homework, there're several web links posted below, but the following link is especially great read to learn about Lithuanian cuisine >>
Due to I spent so much more time in previous countries, I decided to speed up my journey towards Scandinavia, 72hrs in Lithuania!!! The city Vilnius itself is quite compact and walkable and main market 'Hales market' was located right in the middle of downtown which I check around local goodies. Due to 3 days short stay, I didn't send any CV and no stage in Lithuania.....
Munch N' inspiration@Vilnius, Lithuania
Cepelinai
National dish of Lithuania, potato dumpling. On the first look, remind me papa rellena of Peru. It is because of oblong shape, look like potato with stuffing. The traditional Cepelinai recipe seems like no flour, done by natural potato starch. I think this would turn into really good vegan main course.
Bulviniai Blynai
Another Lithuanian potato dish, potato pancake. It's kinda like American hashed browns. In my opinion, hashed brown is considered as breakfast in the U.S. When I was in RM seafood, Pastry chef Michel Lee had 'breakfast' dessert ... thought it was like candied bacon, OJ ice cream and something others. .... All right, think I wanna do 'hashed brown'(not regular potato) dessert, probably more like pre dessert, but I'm thinking....
Saltibarsciai
Cold beet soup, which seems quite popular in Eastern Europe especially summer(pic is from Lativa since it looks nicer!) Beet is one of the most pain in the ass vegetable(cause of 'bleed') but same time chefs love red beets because of one of the sickest color in vegi history(?), vivid deep purple! As you could see above photo gallery, I made a dish called 'Ultraviolet' at Baume, I think it gonna be probably once a year dish like black n' white. Beet in Ultraviolet... 'm ready!
Popcorn ice cream
This is popcorn ice cream I had at Dione, 'supposed to' best ice cream shop in Vilnius. I would say Popcorn became quite popular in fine dining... I could find around many through CJWDT stage pantry check. Let's see... there was Liquid popcorn with caramel froth@Alinea, Popcorn polenta, morrel, new potato & basil@Coi, Lobster, truffle, bearnaise, popcorn with tarragon...
I would say I really liked polenta technique @Coi... the polenta base can mutate into different shapes & state like crepe, omelette, socca, flake.... I mean potato is magical wizard!! But... my next popcorn enterprise would be.... popcorn 'smoking'. I wouldn't say hard smoking, would be nice like popcorn 'breathed' , not too aggressive. My idea is ..... Will post one day in the future/laugh I would spend some time with popcorn in the kitchen to experiment, but the kitchen must smell like movie theater afterward.....
Restaurants in Vilnius:
Lithuania culinary web links:
One month behind with my journey.... Coming up, CJWDT 40th country... Latvia!! 155 more countries to conquer the world.... long way to rock n' roll.....