winter

Einspänner is one of Vienna’s most charming coffeehouse classics: a strong black coffee crowned with a generous layer of cold whipped cream. The name comes from the one-horse carriages once used in the city, and the drink is said to have helped coachmen stay warm and alert while waiting out in the cold. That thick cap of cream helped insulate the coffee and kept it from splashing, too. Today, Einspänner is loved for the same reason it has always been memorable: the contrast of hot, bitter coffee and cool, softly sweet cream.

Baked apples are what happens when dessert is cozy instead of complicated. You take whole apples, core them, and let the oven do most of the work, baking them until they slump slightly and turn soft, fragrant, and spoonable.

You can keep them ultra-simple: just apples, a splash of water, maybe a little cinnamon. Or dress them up with an optional nutty filling, chopped walnuts or pecans mixed with a bit of honey or maple syrup, tucked into the center so it melts into a gooey, toasty pocket as they bake.

Traditional Greek meatballs, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with fresh herbs and spices.  Keftedes are traditionally made with ground meat, fresh herbs, and spices, then either fried or baked.

The hot and sour soup represents a balance of contrasting flavors, where the vinegar's sourness is balanced with the chili's heat, similar to the balance of yin and yang.

The soup is customarily consumed during the winter months due to its warming properties.  It's also particularly popular during Chinese New Year celebrations due to the belief that sour foods cleanse the body and help usher in a fresh start.

Halwa is a classic Indian sweet recipe that's vry popular during winter. The traditional carrot halwa is made with just carrots, whole milk and ghee in addition to sugar. We prefer this version with coconut milk.