Czech Republic

Linzer Tart Cookies (Linecké Koláčky)

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Linzer tart cookie 2
Choose your own cookie shape

Czech Christmas Cookie #3

There are no nuts in these buttery Linzer Tart cookies (Linecké koláčky)! They have a lovely hint of lemon and a burst of delicious jelly/preserves goodness. I love these so much with raspberry or red currant preserves, although other fruit flavors would work, too. I buy the highest quality preserves available. These are less crunchy and more melt-in-your mouth than other Linzer cookies. They hold up well. I sometimes make a double batch because these are my personal favorite Christmas cookies. Continue reading →

Czech-Style Potato Salad

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Czech-Style Potato Salad (2)
There is actually a lot more potato salad in the bowl than it appears. Around 3 quarts.

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans! I hope everyone has good weather and will perhaps enjoy the delights of a BBQ.  I’m going to my dad’s house today, where my brother will surely be the grill master. We will have simple barbecue fare, like good ole’ Loeffler’s hot dogs, hamburgers, and pork roll (a New Jersey specialty). I was asked to bring potato salad. Continue reading →

Beef Goulash Znojmo Style (Znojemský guláš)

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Not the prettiest dish, but it tastes so good! Pictured with Karlovy Vary bread dumplings.

Goulash is very popular throughout Central Europe, and is a real comfort food, made at home and offered at some restaurants and pubs. Its origins are from Hungary, but the recipe takes on many forms, depending on where it is made. In this post, I’d like to share a goulash from the city of Znojmo in the South Moravian Region of Czech Republic. Continue reading →

Czech Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary) Bread Dumplings – Karlovarský knedlík

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Knedliky
Knedlíky are great for soaking up sauces or with sauerkraut

Dumplings (Knedlíky)! The Czech people just love them, and they come in various forms and flavors, for various purposes! Dumplings are often served with meat dishes (usually with sauces or sauerkraut), may appear in some soups, or even have fruit or other sweet fillings Continue reading →

Finding Czech and Slovak groceries in the US (and UK)

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Czech selection of foods
Selection of food items commonly eaten in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Some products may be produced in other countries.

Are you a Czech or Slovak living in the US or UK? Or a significant other of one who wishes to cook and bake some Czech/Slovak specialties for your family? You may have noticed that some ingredients are not so easy to find in the US or UK. Well, I have a few suggestions that might help you out. Continue reading →

An Assortment of Sweets Found in Bohemia (part of Czech Republic)

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Jpeg

I’m a gal from New Jersey (in the USA) who met and married a sweet Czech from Prague. With him came some recipes from his Bohemian mama, all of which I’ve made to keep my hubby happy. Me, too! All of the sweets above are a selection of ones he grew up eating frequently. They include (from top left clock-wise): Continue reading →

Getting married abroad, in a most glorious city (Prague, Czech Republic)

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Prague scene
Beautiful Prague, Czech Republic

My husband and I met each other when working for the same company in the U.S. It was an instant attraction. It wasn’t long before I officially moved in with him. After about two years together, our love grew very strong. The day then arrived when we decided to get married, which was soon followed by a request for my hand in marriage from my parents. What a sweet old-fashioned gentleman! The whole period was quite romantic. I’d share more details of that romance, but hubby told me that some details he’d like to keep just between the two of us. I must respect that. Instead, in this post I will concentrate on just the preparations and events surrounding a marriage abroad. From this point until after the wedding, hubby will be referred to as “fiancé”. Continue reading →

Ball leaning next to rock in corner of old abandoned pool

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Empty ages old pool with ball and stone

This used to be an in-ground pool where my husband swam as a small child. The water was eventually drained and later used as a make shift football (soccer) field. Now the ball is resting quietly up against a rock in the pool’s corner. The walls are as colorful as the autumn leaves upon its muddy bottom.

Picture taken in the countryside outside of Prague, Czech Republic.

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If only I could go to a Czech spa right now!

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Mariánské Lázně1
Mariánské Lázně in Czech Republic

In my husband’s home country of Czech Republic, if you are a bit under the weather or recuperating from a major illness, your doctor may prescribe a two to three week in-patient treatment at a spa (or lázně in Czech), which is covered by health insurance. There, patients are evaluated by a doctor specializing in balneotherapy (treating disease by baths) or physical therapy, who assembles an individual plan of procedures and treatments. Those range from drinking (the mineral waters!), bathing (not only in the mineral waters, but also in waters infused with herbs, fruit, salts, hops, malt extract, and others), wraps, massages, exercise, special diet, etc.  Continue reading →

Summer work abroad in Poland

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Poznan main square
The Old Town Square in Poznań, Poland

One day in the summer of 1992, I was hanging out at my university campus bus stop near the student center. The bus stop had numerous flyers advertising various activities. One read “Teach English in Poland through the Local Democracy and the Citizen’s Foundation in Poland.” Continue reading →