One of the biggest travel treats isn’t in what you see. It’s in what you eat. Whether you’re traveling for fun or traveling to experience the culture, trying foods prepared in ways you’ve never experienced before adds a layer of sophistication to your travel memories. Europe is home to a wide variety of cultures of cuisine. From Portugal to Greece, here are some favorites you’ll want to add to your palate repertoire.
1. Gazpacho Soup
Eaten on its own or as a complement to any delicious meal, choices of soups vary across cultures. If you have the opportunity to travel to Spain and Portugal, be sure you try Gazpacho. This vegetarian soup utilizes a tomato base which can be creamy or chunky. While Gazpacho traditionally utilized vegetables such as cucumber and pepper, it can also be made with fruits.
Gazpacho originated in Spain, but Portugal adopted it as well. It’s a cool soup to enjoy on hot summer days. Traditional Gazpacho also utilizes bread crust for added texture.
2. Wiener Schnitzel
Even if you’ve never tried Wiener schnitzel, you’ve most certainly heard of it. After all, who can resist saying Wiener schnitzel five times, but with a v sound for the w. In the United States, when you hear the word Weiner (with a w), you think of a hotdog. A Wiener schnitzel is not a fancy hotdog.
In short, it’s friend veal, but it’s in how it’s prepared that makes it special. The veil is pounded thin, much like a chicken fried steak. It is then coated in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs before being dipped in a hot batch of oil. This traditionally Austrian dish is a favorite in homes in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. If you don’t have veal, your schnitzel can also be made with pork or chicken.
3. Goulash
There are many takes on how to make goulash, but the one true goulash comes from Hungary. Goulash is a filling paprika-flavored beef stew served over noodles or with a side of biscuits. American goulash is nothing like the goulash invented by Hungarians. In fact, Hungarian goulash utilized cuts of meat rather than ground beef.
4. Moussaka
Moussaka is a Greek dish that upon first seeing it you might think looks like lasagna. However, upon tasting it, you’ll find it is definitely not lasagna, as there is no pasta in it. Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish that is regularly served in households and taverns through its Mediterranean countryside.
It utilizes minced beef or lamb, but the main event is the eggplant and bechamel sauce. Using potatoes as the base of the dish is optional. Moussaka is the main course and can be enjoyed with buttered bread or a cool salad.
5. Soufflé
The soufflé is a Parisian dish of baked egg whites and whatever else you want to add to it. The word soufflé means to inflate, and that’s what the egg whites do as they bake and bubble. It is typically combined with gruyere cheese, meat, vegetables, or even chocolate to create a dreamy dessert.
It has been said that every soufflé is a unique artistic creation. You’ll have to visit Paris to try one and discover whether or not this is true.
6. Trifle
The last example on this menu of excellence is of course dessert. You could call the trifle a pudding cake. It originated in 18th century England and while today there are several takes on it, one thing they all share in common is the building of layers. You can layer fruits, cakes, creams, and custard. No matter how you layer it, it’s going to be delicious, so be sure to eat it slowly to get the most out of every bite.
There’s no doubt traveling abroad brings with it many treats. The next time you have the opportunity to visit Europe, be sure to try one of the many delicious choices on this list.
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