XXI Century Molecular Kitchen With Wojciech Modest Amaro

One of the adventures everyone of us is taking upon every day is...cooking. Judging from some of my friends and mine experiences, quite frankly it is not the easiest adventures in our lives. It's a lot of messing up, mixing, time management and stress there...

There are, of course the cook books that are suppose to guide us during those experiences and discoveries. And there is a Polish ones to, that our mothers, grandmothers and grand grand mothers commonly used for years.

But modern cuisine is something more than those old granny books. We all see that and we are all eager to bring some freshness and sexiness to our kitchens. That's why programs like "Simply Cook" ("Po prostu gotuj") with Pascal Brodnicki or Jamie Oliver series are so extremely popular. It's because we all search for this perfect recipe there.

The XXI Century Gastronomy by W.M. Amaro*

And here I went, just last night, to a event that has changed my way of thinking of cooking totally. It was a promotion of a book of Wojciech Modest Amaro titled "Kuchnia XXI wieku" (XXI Century Kitchen). Not writing too much about the event itself (it was really nice though), the food was simply spectacular and brilliant.

It's because Wojciech Amaro uses a "molecular kitchen" technique that, simply saying, means using the lab techniques and science in everyday life cooking. So, we have a lot of liquid nitrogen there, fantastic creamy coups in test tubes or spheric Apple raviolis.

More info on molecular gastronomy here:

But I will say no more, just that you should really try (I can't wait to do that and let you know about this) :)

Now, let th dishes say for themselves....

Polish style Duck

Unusual sturgeon

Foie gras

*pictures come from the media materials from the event
The book is aprox. 50 PLN (so I was told), so I think good price for students ;)

An Alternative Adventure...what inspires me

A big adventure of mine - my new work in a public relations agency is one of those inspiring adventures I love to take upon every day!

My job is my passion and I am not afraid to admit that!

And here is little something I would like to share with you - something that inspires me and helps to be creative at work.

This is a link to a great campaign prepared by Click5 agency for he brand of juices Tymbark. This is really cool (sorry, only in Polish), as the campaign puts together several intriguing communication channels and engages participants the way that they interact with the brand and stay connected to the brand for a couple of months.

So, here is the link and hopefully - next time I will be able to show you something of my own ;)

So much going on in Warsaw!

OK, I have to admit - I was a very bad girl for my blog! I totally abandoned it for no reason what so ever! Sure there was so much going on, but that's no excuse.

But, hey look what kind of fascinating adventures Mario and I experienced recently after moving in to Warsaw. Yes, we did that, for good living Manchester (Mario says "never say never", so for now I just assume it's for good).

It was good, all that living in Manchester, being a student and working in an English companies thing, but it was time for us to settle in in Warsaw. Sure, it does not mean we leave partying, discovering and enjoying ourselves behind. Truly, it just is a beginning of it!

So, to sum things up, the newest adventures include:

1. Moving in to Warsaw, obviously, which basically means totally new world for us. I thought it is just England that varies so much from one "-shire" to another. Seriously -it's the opposite! People here seemed to me to not only speak a different language (what's with ending every sentence with "yes"?......), but also they live fast here, extremely one could say.

In the Łazienki Park

But it's not like Warsaw is this scary place where a girl like I feels left alone and like a stranger. Get me right - i think anyone can find there place here! And what's more if you do love events, parties, meeting new people, musicals and all that "city lights" you simply should try Warsaw! It is so much going on here!

Feeding a peacock

Mario in front of the Royal Palace

Having fun with my friend, Sylwia

A visit to the Warsaw's ZOO

On the Chopin's music concert in Łazienki Park

2. Leaving Rzeszów - that's understandable with no further explanations needed. One could think that after living for two years in a different country, on your own in your very apartment, you would not be missing your own home-city. But again - it's nothing like that.

It is better when we are together...

with Mario's little nephew - Kamilek

I guess, it is amazing to be able, like us, to regularly come visit your dearest ones in a place where you have been bruoght up and where all the good memories are.

But there are new, fantastic memories waiting for us here, so I want to believe.

So, there soon will be more on an amazing adventures of the Crucian and her Beloved One...

Kisses from M&M

Hey, check out the side links for newest pics! ;) if you like to!

Spanish City Break by M&M - Seville in Andalucia

As the days go by and inevitably the summer will finish soon, a good memory about the place visited few months ago seems so refreshing......this is how this post could start, but the truth is I sadly haven't put any notes here because so much was going on in my life lately: living the UK, going back to homeland - Poland but to a completely new life in Warsaw.... It's all part of a big journey that life is, isn't it? Here is to all of you guys who's life is like a huge exploration trip!

First of all notes about Andalusia's Seville - surely this is your choice if you are one of those cheeky monkeys that simply just can't sunbath on the beach during whole the holidays. This is for those, travellers, that are eager to turn your city break in Seville into a proper exploration excercise. The way we have chosen Seville as our next destination was asking yourself some simple questions:

- Do I want to lie on the beach or do some sight-seeing (or both)?
- Am I looking for a quiet place in the middle of nowhere or a vibrant and dynamic one?
- Do I want to explore a new territory or rather the country I know a bit already.

Now, obviously these are the basic ones, not including the prices, distance and the time you have for your exploration. But it worked out beautifully for us: we wanted a bit of sight-seeing and 'doing nothing', in a place that is vibrant and full of energy (like us) :) and because we love Spain (especially Southern part), the choice suddenly became simple.

A good idea in that case would be to find a nice, proper map of the city or a pocket directory, just like the one we had. It divides the city for you into 6 sections that you can easily choose and discover during your holidays in Seville.

Seville surprises with the beauty and richness of the architecture

Try to be lost in one of the tiniest streets

Seville is also about mixing the new with the old

Time for lunch! We found this lovely, typical Spanish tapas bar in the centre of the city. It was so different to other places - you can sit here on one of the stairs covered with 'azulas' typical Spanish mosaic

Mario and the Giralda, Seville's amazing tower situated by the Cathedral. It represents various styles and eras so if you are perceptive enough, you'll find them - Renaissance, Gothic,etc. - but also cultures and religions: Catholic, Islamic...

A Tower of Gold - Torre del Oro - where all the gold from the quests was beig kept. Now - just charming building overlooking the River Guadalquivir

Some of the Seville Expo 1992 are still here and can be viewed from the boat. They are now used for commercial purposes and that way the Spaniards prevent the Expo village from demaging. For me it still looked weird to be in the middle of this quiet village that seemed adbandoned

In Seville's full offer of bar, pubs, restaurants and tapas, we chose one place with a traditional Andalucian cuisine. It was loud, crowded but lovely and the wine with the fish (on my plate) and meat (on Mario's) tasted great.
There could be no Spain without football and for Mario it meant visiting Ramon Sanchez Pizujan Stadium in 'our' part of Seville. The trip was just a glance, comparing to for example Manchester United's Standium, but even from the outside (we could not get in because of some constructions going on), it looked fine.

Decorative mosaic in another great place in Seville - the Real Alcazar Palace. It is famous for its azulas all over the place and I ejoyed the most its open architecture with lots of open rooms, gardens and corridors.

Right in the middle of crime scene-this is where the fishes living in that water where fighting for pieces of bread (and sweets!) people were throwing at them. Shocking picture, really. Apart from that - nice place to relax by the water and enjoy the view on the royal gardens.

In the garden - playing hide and seek with Mario

On the Plaza de Espana

Mario and the mosaic Barcelona

M&M - Mario & Marta - us :)

try some local shells with sangria...hmmm heaven!

Seville is great for its bikes - simply hire one of them from the street stops and have a ride!

In the former Expo city - now some modern offices are located there

With the visit to the still-open bull ring

This is how corrida started - as a training activity for the military

The most famous toreador in the world - my Mario! :)

Bull ring from the outside

Flamenco - dynamic, filled with emotions

In the motion...

Charming And Not So Vey New...York

On its official website, English York proudly titles itself one of the Europe's most inspiring cities. And as soon as you arrive there you get the idea why they claim that - the city is full of gorgeous places, both historic and modern, that co-exist here beautifully. What inspires you straight away is this rich culture, tradition and history that the city has to offer and all that set in a pictures scenery of this small, yet charming city.

Not a surprise that together with Mario, Agnieszka and Lukasz we decided we can't miss the chance to visit this place on one, warm and pleasant day.

M&M in stunning castle's ruins

Mario enjoying the view

These little fellows represent how friendly York is

York opens its rich Roman history in front of all visitors.
Here a short 'martial arts' workshop in the Romans village

The 'old times' are in every street of York

But York also cares about the future.
A group of people protesting against wars of our times

Mario patiently studying the history of York in the Castle Museum

Romans in da town!

Seriously?
Even the cars are not from our times :)

Aggi, Lukas and Mario after visiting the time machine

'Come on MPs, claim visit in this place back!'
Unusual promotional campaign by The York Dungeon
(very scary and exciting house - highly recommended!)

York Minster - a mixture of styles and witness of rich history of this town

York Castle

Mario on our boat trip
This is great way to visit York and unforgeable experience thanks to the boat captain who we voted best comedian in York ;)

You'll find plenty of these in York

Pubs, bars and cafes overseeing the river are very popular

Most of the town's industrial buildings, like this chocolate factory are now closed or have been transformed into modern apartments

Clifford's Tower - a proof of York's uneasy times

Aggi, Lukas, Marta on the top of the observatory tower

M&M's a bit exhausted after excited day in York

coffee and off we...go
back to Manchester

Whether you are a resident in England or are just coming by, visit York and you won't regret it!

I used this website to prepare for the trip: www.visityork.org