Have You Ever Daydreamed About Desserts?
With all of us working remotely and attending virtual events, the one thing that no virtual world can make up for is the excitement that travel brings to you and the food that you get to discover while traveling. But travel is not just about local food in the smallest corners and prettiest streets, but also about crossing off that one item off your food bucket list. I don't know about you, but I have one that is dedicated to desserts!
So here I am listing my top 10 desserts, some that I have had the privilege of trying and some that I cannot wait to get my hands on.
1. Passteis De Nata - Pasteis De Belem, Belem, Portugal
My favourite time in general is snack time, so when I was in Portugal, and on a day trip to Belem. This 'snack time' turned into the highlight of my day when we waited in line for a small table at Pastéis de Belém! I was lucky to get my first taste of the pastéis de nata right in the exact spot where they originated.
There were so many things I was looking forward to in Belem, including the Jeronimos Monastery which is Vasco Da Gama’s final resting place,but what my mind was thinking of 70% of the time while I was there is when would I get to stand in line to admire textures of delicious custard egg tarts of Pasteis de Belem, that promise to melt in my mouth.
And they did not disappoint!
2. Choux and more - Angelina, Paris, France
When in Paris, you cannot miss out on Angelina. Especially if you have a sweet tooth. It's an experience! Every dessert is delectable! My favourite was the classic Opera cake, actually invented in Paris inspired by the Opéra Garnier.
But no matter what your pick is here, a cake or a gorgeous Choux Pastry, a visit to Angelina will be worth it!
3. Baklava - Karaköy Güllüoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey
This iconic Baklava shop opened in 1949 and I have only visited this place through few travel articles about it but it's been on my Istanbul wishlist. The pistachio, the cream and the ambience is something I crave to experience in person one day! Have you been?
4. Beignets, Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans, USA
Of course Cafe du Monde is iconic globally but this girl only started daydreaming about Beignets and the city of New Orleans once I saw Princess and The Frog! Tiana and Naveen dancing to 'Dreams Do Come True in New Orleans' and the animated version of these desserts were enough to tempt me! Have you ever wanted to eat a food that you have only seen in a film?
5. Cannoli, Sicily, Italy
I have had cannolis before and I have not been a fan. It's been too creamy... if that makes sense? But I do not know why. I believe that if I am in Italy, in Sicily I will have a different impression. Somehow, being there and having the real thing will make it all different. In my daydreaming mind it is a lot more beautiful.
6. Cendol, Singapore
Cendol, or Chendol, is an iced sweet dessert that contains droplets of green rice flour jelly, coconut milk and palm sugar and is a very common South East Asian dessert. It's like a weird cool ice cream but not really. Full disclosure, it's not the dessert I would normally opt for. But on sudden hot days I really find myself crave this or a really nice Mango Kulfi!
7. Nolen Gur Rosogulla, Kolkata, India
Nolen Gur, is palm jaggery and if in Kolkata, no sweet shop or mart is complete without this. From 'Roshogullas' to 'Payesh' to 'Shondesh'
And no list of desserts around the world, is complete without this!
8. Poffertioles and Pancakes, Pancakehouse Upstairs, Amsterdam, Netherlands
When I was planning my trip to Amsterdam, I remember my friend and I making a list of all the places we will have Pancakes and Poffertjes at (The smaller brother of the classic Pancake). But our favourite spot that we kept going back to was 'Upstairs Pannenkoekenhuis' or 'Pancake Upstairs'. The place is so quaint with a small set up and those hot pancakes savory or sweet, with melted butter or powdered sugar, or even non-traditional toppings such as whipped cream, would win your heart. Just like it did mine!
9. Churros , Madrid, Spain
The over 100 years Chocolatería San Ginés had amazing reviews and we had to plan a visit. But while this was my first real churros in Spain experience, my American friend said she preferred the ones from local Mexican carts. This Indian girl had nothing to compare it to. So, finding a good churro in Madrid was more difficult than we had initially thought. But imagine, I have a lot of time now to research and find spots before my next visit to Spain!
10. Kunāfah, Habibah Sweets, Amman, Jordan
A dessert with layers of dough and cream cheese and the nicest flavour combinations. Zest of orange and spices like cardamom and so delicious! Again, have had versions of this dessert but from my favourite articles on magazines like Travel and Leisure to food bloggers like Mark Wiens have written and recommended Habibah Sweets while in Jordan, saying it's different and amazing! Jordan has been on my travel wishlist for a while and one day I hope to find myself in these old lanes outside this bakery tasting this Kunāfah!
Have you ever daydreamed about dessert? What are some of your favourites? They can be ones you have tried and ones you are dying to try! Leave them in comments below!
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