Vinnies Deli

Vinnies Deli is a great spot in the lovely Haarlemmerstraat to grab a delicious lunch. Their food is fresh, organic and yumm. The service is fast but very relaxed. So there's no one rushing you to scoot over for the next guests, like some other places. And they always have these cute little flowers to appease your eyes :)

As they switch up their menu regularly there's always something new to try. Here's what I've tried so far.

Happy Mother's Day

My mom is my hero.

I know a lot of people say so, but she really is. In fact while growing up I secretly suspected her of being a super hero. You see, we were never scarce of love, care or attention. And even though money might not have always been abundant, I never found myself wanting for anything I didn't already have. Well... accept for Crystal Barbie, but my uncle took care of that :)

Of course we bicker and argue every now and then, but I really can't imagine my life without her.

So thank you mommy for all that you've done for us. I hope we'll remain besties for life and that you don't turn out to be a grumpy old lady like you know who.... hihihihi.

Carlos Ruiz Zafón

The past weeks I've been entranced by his works. Stealing every available moment to read a little more. Unconsciously gnawing at my nails in suspense. Sometimes even forgetting I was at work and uhm... had to work! Yes, mr. Zafon has enthralled me with his stories circling the cemetery of forgotten books.

It all started with me needing a new book to read. And when I say need, I really do mean need. I have a fair collection of books I cherish as if they were all hardcover signed first editions. I read them over and over again. Because I truly love them. Because they remind me of things I do not wish to forget. Because they help clear my head and set me straight. But sometimes I find myself roaming, scouring bookstalls, searching for something I can not put my finger on until I have found it. Or better said, until it has found me. And that's how I stumbled upon "The prisoner of heaven". 

A beautiful tale about friendship, love & losses woven with a thread of mystery that will have you sitting on the tip of your seat from start to finish. I devoured it within two days and was extremely saddened once I had finished it. I even considered reading it again, just to see what it would reveal next. But there was more to be discovered. It appeared I had bought part of a trilogy, so two more books awaited me: "The Shadow of the Wind" and "The Angel's Game".

I finished reading them with a hungry speed. My favorite remains to be "The prisoner of heaven" and my least favorite "The Angels Game". The last had this very dark and sinister feel to it and at sometimes I even wondered whether I should stop and pickup reading during the day. This wasn't necessary a bad thing, but I missed that hopeful hint which the others had. Its story also didn't line up with the other two which left me feeling a bit bereaved :(

For a moment I feared mr. Zafón might have knocked Chris Cleave of his literary pedestal. But in the end Cleave's still remains my nr.1!

Pumpkin pancakes

I've been craving pumpkin pancakes for a while now. Not really sure why since it's not something I'm used to eating often... Guess it just got stuck in my head. My mum used to really love these when she was little so I made a special batch for the two of us!

Ingredients:

• 200 gr flour
• pinch of salt
• 5-7 tbsp sugar
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)
• 100 ml milk
• 1 egg
• 250 gr cooked butternut squash puree 
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• butter

Directions:

1. Sieve flour together with sugar, salt and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
2. Whisk milk and egg together. Pour half of the milk in the flour and whisk together till there are no lumps left. Then add the rest of the milk and whisk together.
3. Now add the pumpkin puree and mix until well blended.
4. Lastly add the baking powder and oil and whisk together. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.
5. Melt a bit of butter in frying pan and pour some batter in. Bake on one side until pancake no longer appears to be "wet". Then flip over and bake until golden brown on both sides.
6. Serve while still hot with honey or syrup.