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Traditional Macedonian Food in Restaurant “Oreov Lad” – Skopje, Macedonia

Maja Bilbilovska

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June 17, 2019

Traditional Macedonian Food in Restaurant “Oreov Lad” – Skopje, Macedonia

I really love our traditional food, Macedonian. When I cook at home I focus on dishes that I have learned from my grandmothers, my mother and I even have one favorite that my dad cooks. In fact, in my family, everyone loves and enjoys cooking. I am not saying that I don’t enjoy some experiments and variations but the classic dishes are always more filling and comforting.

However, our traditional food can’t always be offered in restaurants. This is because some of them require hours of preparing and then cooking the actual dish. Well, that is why is so delicious. But, when I hear or read impressions from others who have visited restaurants that their theme and menu is based on traditional and home cooked meals I always go to try it myself. I am always searching for the best, one that will give the impression like the dishes that are were and are still cooked in my home.

It was a few years back when I heard about a restaurant that left an unforgettable impression on my parents when they were young. What was more exciting? It was that the same one is still working and it has become one of the best and most popular in the country especially because of their specialties and national kitchen. I am talking about Restaurant “Oreov Lad” Skopje, Macedonia.

But I wanted to see this for myself and so I went there about a week or so after I learned of this place. I loved that it wasn’t far away from the city I used to live. It was about 20-30 minutes drive. And of course, I made sure to reserve before going because you can hardly find a free table if you don’t.

An Ambient that Takes Your Breath Away

When I entered I was astounded, I couldn’t bear the thought that this place actually exists. It was like a magical wonderland filled with nature and beautiful scenes and aromas. In fact, it woke all my senses, especially the smell. It was mixed with nature and food. “The real deal” was my initial thought. Even though it was late spring and I would really love to sit and have my lunch outside I wanted to check out inside as well. Once I saw it I immediately pictured a nice winter day when the snow is falling and having dinner by the fireplace with a nice, calming and traditional music in the background.

So, yes, I was truly impressed by the ambient but my biggest worry was the food. Will they manage to serve freshly made and delicious traditional food without any delays? There wasn’t one empty table and I can say that you really need years of experience to manage this type of restaurant.

Only Traditional Food

Once I got the menu I started to read and read. It took me maybe 30-40 minutes until I could pick something I really wanted to try. It wasn’t easy to choose, all of their dishes were just what I was looking for in a menu. So they passed this test and what was the moment of truth was the food itself.

I ordered “Pingjur” as an appetizer, it is my favorite in the spring and summer days. It is made from fresh ingredients, banana pepper, red tomatoes, and eggplant and as an addition I got a white cheese. For the main meal, I ordered something very interesting,

I can’t express my true experience from the first taste of the “pindjur” it took me way back when I was a kid and when my grandmother made it for me. Well, it most restaurants this is classified as an appetizer but in most Macedonian home this is served as a breakfast or even a main meal.

When it comes to the main meal that I got it was delicious, even more then I expected. I have had this traditional dish, I have made it myself but not like this, It was truly memorable. The main meal that I ordered was “Oreov Lad Grne”. It is a type of “casserole” made from three different types of meat (beef, pork, and chicken), mushroom and sauce, placed in a traditional baking clay pot closed with a clay lid and secured around with dough. This type of cooking keeps all the flavors inside and the clay pot gives a special flavor, the true flavor of Macedonian traditional food.

I just remembered one thought that I had when I was there for the first time. They have an amazing playground for kids, safe and fun. I thought to myself one day maybe I will bring my kids here to have lunch and let them play. Well, I did a few weeks ago (I have 2, a boy and a girl). They both enjoyed it here and not just them but our dog too. I really love this place it is open for everyone and everyone here is friendly and they really offer a warm and professional service. That is why I never miss out coming here.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Ceviche

Hannah Wyatt

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June 15, 2019

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Here’s What You Need to Know About Ceviche

Skeptics, you can calm your nerves. The most raw thing about ceviche isn’t the raw fish, but actually the raw and dazzlingly rich flavors it creates. Many are shocked to find out what exactly ceviche is and how it’s prepared. Given that it’s as raw as, and essentially as risky as some sushi, people are sometimes hesitant to try it. A lot of people associate eating raw fish and meat with primitive customs or dire times. You may have read The Old Man and the Sea and cringed at one point. The main character’s willingness to pull raw fish out of the sea and eat it on the spot seems daunting. He was in a desperate situation.

However, times inevitably change. And with careful, educated practices, you can easily consume uncooked meat and fish. You shouldn’t be scared of the less-than-dead looking appearance of the fish in ceviche. It’s nothing to worry about.

So, if you have any reservations about this dish, set them aside. Here’s the deal. Ceviche is a dish traditionally prepared in Latin American countries. Most popularly, it hails from Peru and Ecuador, although it’s also commonly made in Mexico and Spain. There are also variations prepared in America.

Ceviche is somewhat akin to pico de gallo, and you can serve it as such. Some cultures top the ceviche concoction on toasted tortilla or other ground-corn products. It’s very unique, though. And as much as I can try to compare it to other dishes, it’s truly one of a kind. It’s made of extremely fresh ingredients, including tomatoes, onions, raw fish and shellfish, and sometimes even corn. The citric ingredients in ceviche include lime juices and fresh tomatoes. They’re acidic enough to turn the skins of the fish and shellfish slightly pink. It also creates a slight firmness in them. Some people are convinced that this is equal to cooking, although no heat is actually involved. That’s the magic of ceviche… it cooks (kind of), but it’s in a similar chemical way.

So, there you have it. You don’t really have to be afraid of the raw nature of the ingredients, so long as you’re reasonably careful about where you’re eating it and who’s preparing it. Just remember to ensure freshness!

As you’d probably guess, the widespread use of this dish warrants its many recipe variations. Especially when it comes to America, where variations fuse traditional Latin American preparation with locality.

In some variations, the ceviche recipe almost resembles the Southern low country broil. It includes anything from shrimp to corn. The main and distinctive difference ceviche holds, however, is the fact that all seafood involved is left raw.

In American styles, you may see this dish decoratively served in a clear glass or dish. This allows the radiant, natural colors of the ingredients to shine through, creating an inviting meal. It’s also sometimes served with chips or other foods to dip in it, although it can be eaten as is with a fork or spoon.

In Spain, ceviche is done a little bit differently. There, you can find recipes including a vast array of fish, like sea bass, salmon, halibut, or turbot. However, it might omit the tomato component entirely. This gives a lighter flavor that focuses on the zesty lime. And it makes room for the unique component of fresh chili peppers.

Because it contains essentially raw fish, it’s best prepared in close proximity to coastal areas, where the seafood can be gathered fresh. Absolute freshness of ingredients is totally essential to making this distinct dish work well.

If you ever have the chance to try ceviche in Peru or Ecuador, you’ll be delighted to find that the flavor is almost as surprising as its rawness. You might even get to catch the fish fresh on a boat and make it yourself. However you serve up this specialty, don’t forget to tell your friends all about it!

Sources:

https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/CevicheNotes.htm

https://www.spain-recipes.com/ceviche.html

Ali Usta; All in one: 4 popular street food

admin

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June 14, 2019

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Ali Usta; All in one: 4 popular street food

We continue to walk through the streets of Izmir. It is possible to find numerous food and beverage places in these streets.

This time we meet a different restaurant: Ali Usta. It is located under a historic building. There are many tables outside.

It is possible to find many kinds popular street food in Ali Usta.

In front of the door there is a bench that sells stuffed mussels.

Midye dolma are stuffed with seasoned rice and served in their shells with a lemon wedge. A common street food , available on every corner of Izmir.

The restaurant consists of 3 sections. The first part is söğüşçü.

On a counter, the man peels the meat of the lamb’s head. Meats are prepared to be used in söğüş.

Söğüş very famous in Izmir. Tongue, cheek and brain of sheep head.

Lamb’s head is boiled in water. After resting for two hours, the head placed in the refrigerator is kept in the refrigerator for two hours and thus is ready to be used for söğüş.

The tongue, brain, cheek and other flesh of the head (inner cheek, eye, back of the ear) are separated from the head. The meat is finely chopped and seasoned thoroughly.

The meat is blended with fresh greens and onions as well as tomatoes.Spices are thoroughly fed into meats and the mixture is placed on lavash and rolled up and served without wrapping.

İn another section preparing tantuni.

Tantuni is a spicy dürüm consisting of julienne cut beef or sometimes lamb stir-fried on a sac with a hint of cotton oil. It is a specialty of the city of Mersin, Turkey.

The meat in tantuni is first crushed and boiled in salted water, then fried in cotton oil. Afterwards meat is wrapped with lavas bread together with chopped onions, chopped, preferably skinless tomato slices, green peppers and parsley. The resulting mass is seasoned with pepper, salt and possibly other spices, and served wrapped in lavash bread.

In the third and last section, preparing kumru. You can find detailed information about Kumru in another video we prepared earlier.

Ali Usta looks like a place where we can find all the popular street food together.

My Personal Favorite Macedonian Food

Maja Bilbilovska

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June 14, 2019

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Macedonian Cuisine seems endless. This is because in past Macedonia has always been influenced by other cultures. So, over time people got ideas and created Macedonian variations of different dishes. What makes the food special are the ingredients. It is a country with rich farmland that the veggies and fruits planted always grow with the richest flavors and nutrition. Each part of Macedonia is famous for specific veggies and fruits. For instance, Tetovo is known for the best white beans and tasty apples, Kocani for the rice, Kriva Palanka for the butter like potatoes. Each city is special and when all those are combined in one dish you can’t imagine how delicious it is.

But since there are so many different dishes I wanted to share my favorite ones. This will also give you a perspective on what to look for if you are planning to visit this wonderful place.

1. Sarma

“Sarma” is made from ground beef and pork and sauerkraut leaves. It is traditional to prepare preserves in late summer or in the colder days and most houses have sauerkraut at home for the winter. So, this dish is usually made only in the late fall and winter. The meat is fried with onion, seasoning and for even better taste small pieces of bacon are added. Once fried the sauerkraut leaves are filled and tightly rolled. It takes about 3-4 hours to be cooked over low temperature.

2. Musaka

Musaka is one of the most common dishes that we make at least once a week. This is because it is simple, fast and super delicious. It is made by frying ground meat with onion, seasonings, and in a baking dish, we layer circle pieces of potatoes (not too thin and not too thick). After the first layer of potatoes, the meat is spread we finish it with another layer of potatoes. It is baked for about 30 minutes and finished with 1-2 eggs mixed with milk, which is drizzled over the “musaka”.

3. Ajvar

Oh, I can’t describe how good my day will be if I start it off with a tasty breakfast, Ajvar, white cheese, and bread. Ajvar is made as a preserve in late summer – beginning of fall and we have as much as we want in winter. Yes, it can be bought in the store but the homemade is the real deal. It is made with a lot of love, carefully picked red peppers (sweet) and hard work. You must try it!

4. Pindjur

The perfect dish for summer. With fresh ingredients, tomatoes, peppers (red or green) and eggplant this dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or appetizer. It goes perfectly with white cheese and for those who enjoy spicy food, you can have a spicy pepper on the side.

5. Selsko Meso

Depending on who is cooking it this amazing traditional dish prepared is made from meat (beef, pork or mixed), onion, spices, and tomatoes in a clay pot is something you would even wait for hours if needed just to eat it. For even better touch smoked meat can be added. This gives the dish a distinct flavor.

6. Kacamak

Cornmeal gives us endless possibilities and one of the best is “Kacamak”. It can be served as a side dish with a delicious piece of meat; an appetizer or a breakfasted served with yogurt and crumbled white cheese.

These 6 Macedonian dishes are just a few of many that leave everyone speechless with the first bite, especially people from other countries. I have met people who even stop on their travels just to have lunch or dinner in a restaurant that serves traditional food. No one can resist it. Macedonians have an open heart and they always welcome people without any hesitation and the best part you will always leave with a full stomach and a smile on your face.

The History of Restaurant “Baba Cana” where Tradition is the Main Theme

Maja Bilbilovska

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June 13, 2019

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The History of Restaurant “Baba Cana” where Tradition is the Main Theme

When I was thinking about restaurants that keep their tradition I could not stop thinking about the restaurant “Baba Cana” (“Grandmother Cana”). It was my sister’s university graduation party when I went there for the first time.

When seen from the outside you would think “oh well, this is just an older house with a beautiful garden” but wait until you get inside. When I went inside I was speechless, especially as a went through the restaurant to reach the table where my family was. You can hardly find a restaurant that thinks of every detail, but here they really did. Each square of “Baba Cana” was filled with tradition. You can find old radios, phones, typewriters, “traditional clothing” and more as decorative pieces. The music that was played was the only tradition, the dishes that the food was served on was also with a traditional theme.

The food? No comment! Here you can’t find Spaghetti, risotto or pizza (which are not Macedonian food) there is strictly only Macedonian food, prepared with love and only fresh ingredients. I enjoyed a delicious and juicy piece of pork ribs that were baked until the meat was easily detachable from the bone. But still, I can’t choose the one favorite because everything that was served on our table was perfect. “Grandma’s Shashlik”, “smoked bacon”, different cheeses, “our salad”, “homemade bread”, and more.

After this experience, I wanted to learn more about this restaurant and how come I haven’t heard anything about it before. Well, the fact was it was new in Skopje but their tradition and their first restaurant started in Kumanovo. But why the name “Baba Cana”.

The first thing that we might think about this person is probably that this woman was a lady with her own restaurant between the two world wars. In fact, the name “Baba Cana” was Pavlovska Cana a girl born in 1908. This girl was a very hardworking and nice person and an orphan who was looked after her aunt and her husband. She helped raise their son and then his children and their children too. Everyone respected her and she always sharing unconditional love toward everyone. This left strong emotions and reminders even after her death. Later one of the children that she helped raise opened up a restaurant in a house that he bought from a famous person Vojnata Petar Tashovski and he gave the name “Baba Cana” as respect and in memory of this amazing woman.

The restaurant was given to a new owner after the first one leaving for Canada because of many different reasons. Even the new owner didn’t change the name. Today this restaurant is known for his best Macedonian food, especially from the city Kumanovo. Now the same quality and ambient can be experienced in the capital, Skopje.

So, if your road takes you to Macedonia don’t forget to visit this place because it will leave a mark that you will always carry. A mark of hospitality, delicious food and great, homelike ambient that you won’t be able to find anywhere on earth.

Turkish Street Food: KUMRU

admin

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June 12, 2019

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Located in the west of Turkey and on the Aegean shores, İzmir, the pearl of the Aegean, is the third largest city in Turkey. With its 8.500 year history, fertile land, favorable climate, 629 km coastline, 300 sunny days a year, a sea that offers every shade of blue and the heritage left behind by the 32 civilizations it has been a home to, İzmir is ready for you to discover.

Even mentioned in songs, Kordon, is a place in İzmir where everyone takes a great joy. Kordonboyu, where İzmir meets with the sea, where you can watch the sunset or lay down on the grass during summer and spring is among the symbols of İzmir. The grass area starting from the Gündoğdu Square at Kordon is a meeting point where the youth comes together, sings and socialize while drinking something.

What is Kumru?

Kumru is one of the local street foods of Izmir. It is a Turkish sandwich that covered with sesame seeds which like simit. The name of this street food translates as ‘collared dove’, and derives from the shape of the sandwich. The secret of its popularity is in its tasty and soft bread, specially produced by some local bakeries and restaurants with added chickpea sourdough.

Turkish Simits are also called Gevrek in izmir. Gevrek vendors in the streets, which are very common in Izmir, sell Gevrek, kumru and a pastry called boyoz, which is also unique to Izmir.

The Kumru you will get from these vendors include izmir tulum cheese, raw tomatoes and a single green pepper. This is actually the traditional kumru.

Another type of Kumru, made from the same bread, is a special type of sandwich that is associated with Cesme which is a region of Izmir .

There are many kumru restaurants in Çeşme and several of these stay open for 24 hours.

Over time, these kumru restaurants and buffets spread all over Izmir.

Today we are shooting video at KUMRU & KUMRU restaurant located in İzmir Kordon.

This restaurants cook the kumru ingredients on a grill over burning coals or gas.

Kumru consists of cheese, Turkish sausage (sucuk pronounced sujuk) and tomato, and is mainly served today with additional sausage and salami, small dishes of diced dill pickles and small hot chilli peppers along with condiments of tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.

The ingredients are prepared according to the customer’s request. But whatever you request there will be plenty of ingredients as to surprise you.

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Vegetarian dishes.

Restaurants

Seth Green

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June 11, 2019

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Ever noticed how googling the top dishes to everyone should eat brings up a list of meals with there being a substantially low number of vegetarian dishes? If you haven’t noticed then, you can check it out for yourself.

It just seems that the web world is flooded with numerous delicacies for the beef lover. There’s the idea that vegetarians don’t have special delicacies that match or even surpass those of beef in terms of taste, and quality. This intuition is more than wrong as every vegetarian who’s done a little research can attest to that.

Well, I am here to put things straight. Regardless of whether you are an individual in search of testing new waters, interested in consuming less meat, interested in eating more healthy, newly vegetarian on been on this bus for a while now here are some amazing dishes that would wow your taste buds.

Extra vegetable fried rice.

The extra vegetable fried rice is just amazing to try. Every time I do, it reminds me of how great a decision to become a vegetarian is as you are only likely to have such a meal if you are of such tastes. This meal is gluten-free and easily vegan so not only it is delicious to have, but it’s also very healthy which is a huge plus meaning anyone can have this meal and be satisfied in the process.

Crispy baked falafel.

Falafels! Falafels!! Falafels!!! I have a rule that you must at least have a taste of falafels before you die. Like serious, they are just so amazing, and when merged into this dish you are more than in for a treat. Falafels go amazingly well when taken with tomatoes, wheat pita, Kalamata olives or spring greens, finger licking awesomeness at your fingertips, this meal checks all boxes in terms of taste, feel and flavor.

Lentil soup.

Yes, the concept perceived by most is that vegetarian dishes are simply lumps of solid green component with no real creamy of liquid structure. Well, the Lentil soup more corrects that perception as you more than get that what you expect as soon as you taste this bad boy, all thanks to the curry powder and lemon juice for rich and exquisite flavoring.

Vegetarian Tacos.

Yes, you read that right, vegetarian tacos do exist. See the reason behind the whole fuzz I was on about vegetarian dishes? Well, this dish has the perfect blend of nutrients, and taste to fit the bill when it comes to preparing any dinner for any occasion. The dish when prepared well complement each other amicably all thanks to the feta cheese. Another advantage of this delicacy is that you nothing goes to waste, have leftover ingredients and simply piece them all together and make burritos.

Vegetable Lasagna.

Another surprising food that makes this list is the Vegetable lasagna, an amazing recipe that gives off not just an inviting aroma but also sets your taste buds ablaze. The meals are so nice that in about every case of someone trying it, they confess it’s the best lasagna ever prepared.

Regardless of your take, I Strongly suggest you look into these dishes, lack the knowledge on preparing vegetarian delicacies? You have nothing to worry about. Look up the names of the listed foods on google, and you’d have all the information needed to make these amazing vegetation delicacies.

5 Easy Things You Can Do with Avocadoes

Recipes

Hannah Wyatt

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June 9, 2019

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Avocadoes are a lot more versatile than you might think. Just like other superfoods, such as kale and quinoa, the popularity of avocadoes has risen drastically in recent years. That’s right. They aren’t just for guacamole anymore. And further, even new ways to eat avocadoes, like hipster takes on avocado toast, are the least of what you can do with this amazing fruit.

One of my favorite things about avocadoes is that they’re an extremely healthy way to fatten up your food. Not only do they have a creamy flavor that’s both mild and versatile; they’re made of unsaturated fat, which is actually good for you. This won’t cause you to put on as much weight as saturated fats, and it’s also not going to wreck your stomach or bowels.

Some of my favorite ways to eat avocado are as a topper on sandwiches, burger and turkey burgers, or with white meats or fish. Luckily, though, I’m compiling a list of five recommended ways to eat avocado if you like it, too, and want new ways to prepare it with your food. I went to the Internet and looked at a lot of recommendations, but these were the ones that seemed the most appetizing to me. After all, even with the most versatile of foods, there is still a distinct taste to most things. And avocado is one of those foods that I can’t quite see with everything.

Fried Avocado

I didn’t think this was a thing until I saw it online in several places, including those Tasty style videos you scroll past on Instagram. There are different ways to do this, but here’s the way that seemed most appetizing to me. You take avocado slices or wedges. This is up to you, but you should make sure to cut them thick enough that they won’t melt completely in the cooking process. Tasty’s simple recipe involves mixing salt, bread crumbs, and cayenne pepper, then dipping the avocado slices in whisked eggs before rolling in the mix. From here, all that’s left is a quick bake in the oven!

Quinoa Taco Salad

If you’re into superfoods – foods that are known for being rich in hearty vitamins, minerals, and low in fat – then you will love this way of eating avocado. Quinoa is a super healthy grain that you cook similarly to rice. Any chance you get to eat whole, unrefined grains is a great opportunity to eat healthy. And paired with avocado and various other ingredients, like beans, corn, and tomato, it’s a bowl filled with health!

Grapefruit Salad

To many, this might not sound like a great combination. But this dish is a classic in Caribbean food culture. And apparently, it’s beloved. It’s a mix of three distinct and fresh flavors. You combine fresh, juicy grape fruit slices on a plate with slices of avocado and salty grilled shrimp.

Avocado Grilled Cheese

There are many ways to make grilled cheese, this way not being the least of them. The idea for an avocado grilled cheese comes from the Food Network website, but that variation includes Tex-Mex cheese mix. I’m personally not a huge fan of this type of cheese, and I tend to go for a milder, softer mix of cheese for grilled cheese (like mozzarella and mild cheddar). So, my version would included the classic buttered bread, with the filling including melted cheese of your choice, fresh avocado slices, and a sprinkle of garlic salt!

BLT with Avocado

My absolute favorite Panera menu item is the Roasted Turkey Avocado BLT, but it’s insanely overpriced considering the size and ingredients used. Fortunately, you can easily recreate this at home. I like to use cooked turkey or chicken, and add slices of avocado and occasionally, shredded mozzarella cheese. It’s delicious!

The History of Sushi in the United States

Tanner Flick

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June 3, 2019

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The History of Sushi in the United States

Sushi nowadays is just as common as any other food in the United States, but that was not the case just a few decades ago. While sushi has been a staple in Japanese culture for thousands of years, it was not until the year 1966 that sushi first found its way onto American soil. The very first sushi bar in the United States was opened inside of a Japanese restaurant named Kawafuku. Kawafuku was located inside of a two-story building, with the first floor being the main restaurant which served more traditional Japanese cuisine and the second floor becoming the home of a sushi bar that was run by Shigeo Saito. Saito’s wife was his only waitress, and together they introduced a new clientele to the flavors of traditional Japanese sushi.

Sashimi and Nigiri were the two main types of sushi that were served at Kawafuku, with each one being accompanied by a small portion of wasabi and authentic soy sauce. It was not until the 1970s when the California roll was introduced. The Maki roll was introduced not long afterwards, with avocado being a substitute for tuna whenever the tuna fish was out of season, which was more common at the time. The 1980s saw the continuation and evolution of sushi in the United States, namely putting the seaweed wrapping on the inside as opposed to being on the outside. This change added an extra area of taste and serve as a metaphorical launching pad for sushi to really take off from. Shortly after this, it was when things such as cream cheese, mayo, and even fruit in the case of dessert rolls. From its introduction in the 1960s to its immense popularity today, sushi has certainly had a positive and ever influential impact on the United States.

Morgantown, West Virginia’s Tea Time Bakery Caters to Your Sweet Tooth

Restaurant Reviews

Hannah Wyatt

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May 31, 2019

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Morgantown, West Virginia’s Tea Time Bakery Caters to Your Sweet Tooth

Over the years, Morgantown hasn’t always had a lot offer when it came to specialty foods and restaurants. But, as Morgantown has grown, so have the businesses. And with these changes came an increase in just the types of foods that were often out of reach for locals like me.

This is why, when a unique, hole in the wall bakery opened up in Morgantown several years ago, I was shocked to find that they offered homemade baked goods that just couldn’t be found anywhere else in town. Tea Time Bakery is situated in the Westover area of town. I was used to just getting baked goods at grocery stores growing up. In Morgantown, we have several Kroger stores, Giant Eagles, and other grocery shops with in-house bakeries. These are fine enough, if you just want traditional iced cupcakes and cookie cakes for parties. But sometimes we crave something a little more special to the taste bud. Something with more life and artisanship that goes into it. Luckily, that’s what Tea Time Bakery has to offer.

When you first approach this bakery, you may be wondering how they could serve as many options as I’m about to mention below. This is because the sheer size of the small building is hardly big enough to seat more than two or three tables. The atmosphere is simple; no bells or whistles are used here to draw you in. But once you taste their treats, you’ll know exactly why people come back.

They offer way more inside those walls than you might expect. Tea Time Bakery serves a wide variety of pastries and Asian pastries, baked goods, donuts, desserts, pepperoni rolls, and more. You can also order fresh coffee with your sweets while you dine there. They offer reasonable prices and one of the most diverse bakery menus you’ll find in Morgantown.

Inside the donuts showcase at Tea Time Bakery.
Image c/o Hannah Wyatt

For donut lovers in particular, Tea Time is a must-see. I don’t have a very sweet tooth myself, so when I do try pastries and desserts, I tend to lean towards ones with a hint of savory or salty. For me, donuts somehow meet those requirements, especially chocolate dipped donuts. Tea Time Bakery offers a huge variety of donut options, as you can see from this picture. More specifically, though, they have the following flavors: Sugar, Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Double Chocolate, and more.

One really unique thing about Tea Time is that they offer a fusion of different cultural pastries. Some of their items are influenced by traditional French recipes, while others provide distinctly Asian flavors. You can find this specifically in their Green Tea flavored items, like their Green Tea Cupcakes. There is also rich Asian influence in their vast sweet bun menu. For lovers of Japanese buns, this bakery is the place to go. You really can’t find specialty foods like this in places like Morgantown. Maybe if you head to a more metropolitan area, but really, this is the place to get it in West Virginia.

You can order from the bun menu at Tea Time and have your choice of flavors like Milky Filling, Red Bean, Butter Cream, Custards, Spring Onion, and several more!

Tea Time also offers more traditional bakery items if that’s what you want. You can order from a variety of cupcakes, as pictured below.

Fresh cupcakes on display at Tea Time Bakery.
Image c/o Hannah Wyatt

And lastly, they couldn’t get away with their bakery title without some of the great European-styled classics, like puff pastries, Danish fruit pastries, éclairs, fruit tarts, breads, and more.

Pastries available at Tea Time Bakery.
Image c/o Hannah Wyatt

Tea Time Bakery offers something fresh and new in terms of baked goods in West Virginia. Stop in to try a sweet treat for yourself.

Holland Avenue

185 Holland Avenue
26501 Westover, West Virginia