We are off again and still married after all the company and trials! It’s been fun to visit so many places and still eat gluten, soy, and dairy-free! But I have to say…Gouda is Cheese country, and my taste in cheese. So, I sought a factory that made goat cheese from raw goat milk. So tasty! But I’m back in the saddle now.
Check out these tasty meals we prepared on our trip, and try them. I love to hear how you adapt them and use your creativity to infuse them with your bright ideas!
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Pockets
Grilled Veggie Pockets
Grilled Asain Meatballs & Veggie Pockets
Here is my best translation of Lutz’s newsletter (I do add my impressions):
We returned to our home harbor in Ophoven near Maasbracht and headed down the Maas, passing Roermond to Venlo. This little town is overloaded weekly with German shoppers (and I know why!!). It’s a cute little town with unique shops. Further down the Maas, we made a few stops on different Plassens. These lakes were created by digging up sand (to keep Holland afloat, I think!). After a day on the canals, we reached Hertogenbosch. This is where we toured a cool museum and learned about Hieronymus Bosch, the artist. We also received our guest, Andreas. The next highlight was the De Biesbosch. This is Europe’s largest natural preserve of sweetwater rivers created from the tides. The river’s depth was so low at some points we could only tour portions. After this area, we visited the lovely towns of Heusten and Gorinchem. Through the Merwede Canal, we reached the most breathtaking scene, the Hollandische Ijssel Canal. This led us through Oudewater and on to Gouda. Oh my God, we saw many beautiful sites: nature, pleasure lakes, canals, romantic cities, and middle-aged protected cities. In Gouda, along the city canals (from the 1600s) or Grachtens, there were cafes, restaurants, and shops (can you believe I didn’t buy a thing?). Our guest, Andreas, departed by train to return to Germany. (We cleaned, washed sheets, and prepared for our next visitors arriving today!)
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.