These days I had the chance to spend some quality time with my dad in the kitchen and he made his famous Aubergine Salad, or as it's known in Romanian, salata de vinete, a traditional Romanian dish (mostly used as an entrée at our dinners) that the whole family and all our friends absolutely adore.

Even though the whole process can be a bit long, the steps to follow are extremely easy and you only need 5 ingredients to make it, so let's dive right into it!

For a jar, you are going to need:

• 4-5 Aubergines
• Salt
• 1 Onion
• Sunflower Oil
• 2 tablespoons of Mayonnaise

1. Preheat your oven at 250C for about 10 minutes.
2. Make a cut in the shape of an X at the bottom of each aubergine.
3. Place all the aubergines on a baking sheet & straight to the oven!
4. Let them bake for 45-60min at 250C until they're brown.

(Told you these steps were super easy)

Now, look at your aubergines, then look at these, and compare. Do they look similar? Great, then it's time for another round of super easy steps to follow:

1. You're gonna cut the upper part of the aubergines.
2. Peel them.
3. Place all the pulp in a strainer (they're still filled with water and you want to get rid of as much of that water as possible)
4. Once you're done peeling them all, use a knife to cut it in small pieces (yup, do that in the strainer cause you guessed it, a looooot more water is gonna come out)
5. Then simply set the aubergines aside and let them rest for a couple hours until they lose most of the water.
6. So far we've only used the aubergines, but now it's time to move on to the onion: cut the onion in small pieces and fry it on a pan with a little bit of sunflower oil until golden.
7. Mix the onion and the aubergine in a bowl with some salt (add as much or little as you like).
8. Add 1 o 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, and mix a little bit more.
9. Let it rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

And you're done! Simply serve it in a bowl and let people either spread it on bread or use it as a dip. Everyone who has tried this dish has fallen in love and I'm pretty sure you will too! 

If you'd like to see these steps in more detail, head over to my youtube video, and if you try this recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below and tag me on your pictures on instagram! I'm dying to see!!

       

This week, my sister and I visited the Zoo Aquarium of Madrid where we had the chance to see a lot of different animals! We planned our whole day around the shows we knew we wanted to see- like the one with dolphins (which was definitely worth the hype), and luckily we got to see almost all the animals.

Prices are usually between 20 and 27€ per person depending on the day, however, we got the chance to  pay only 12€ for both tickets with the abonoteatro. They offer a 1 year subscription for 50€ (which you can normally get for 25€ with a promotional code) and it includes tickets for daily activities like museum expositions, theatre plays, theme parks, zoos, movies, etc for only 3,5€ (you can also get reduced tickets for your friends for 8,5€). 

This has honestly been my favourite thing to use this past year in Madrid. It has allowed me to watch so many plays and visit so many expositions for such an affordable price that I will definitely renew my subscription for the next year. If you're in Madrid and you're fluent in Spanish (or at least understand it well and want to improve it fast), I highly recommend getting this. 

Being a student, can sometimes be hard in terms of income, making going out extremely hard. But platforms like this one make it so much easier to make plans with friends or family on a tight budget. Which is honestly wonderful for any student's mental health. 

The visit to the Zoo Aquarium was included in this month's calendar and we loved the experience! My ticket was 3,5€ and I got my sister's as a +1 for only 8,5€ using the same platform. You can easily take the metro there and you'll then have to walk for a little bit until you arrive to the entrance (if you're going by car, you can park right next to the entrance and avoid the walking). 

For those visiting Madrid for the first time, it is EXTREMELY hot outside and the air is incredibly dry so please make sure you wear a bottle of water, sunscreen, a cap and if you have a little spray bottle you can fill up with water, make sure you pack that too.

Once you enter the park, and if you plan to spend the whole day there (which we did), you'll find that some things are a bit over priced. Hot dogs are about 7€, burgers 12€ and midday menus cost around 20€. So if the plan is to not spend much, make sure you pack some sandwiches too! 

A lot of people were sitting on the grass and eating whatever it is that they brought from home, so you're allowed to do that! There's also plenty of vending machines around the zoo where you can get snacks and drinks (but once again, they're pretty over priced so keep that in mind).

There's also water fountains around the park where you can refill your bottles or (and this is something they recommend doing to avoid a heat stroke) wet your cap every now and then to keep your head cold.

I'd also recommend to go first thing in the morning, not only to get to see everything but to avoid the highest temperatures you'll be encountered with later in the afternoon.

Check out my latest youtube video if you want to see what the place looks like!

If you're anything like me and asian food is at the top of your list, one of the best (and cheapest) restaurants in town to have gyozas is located in Pl. del Comandante las Morenas, 5, close to Sol. Bar Gyoza Go! it's a tiny and charming restaurant tucked away in the heart of Madrid. If you're a gyoza enthusiast, this is, without a doubt, the place for you. After trying out the gyozas at several different places in town, I can confidently say these are the best so far. And in case you think I'm biased, yes, my friends also agree.

The place is a bit hidden and you can easily miss it at certain times of the day, but during rush hours, it's incredibly easy to spot since you'll find a lot of people waiting in line to try their whole menu, which you guessed it, it's all gyozas!

From the moment you enter Bar Gyoza Go, you're greeted with a  rustic decor and cozy setting which makes it the perfect spot to unwind and indulge in delectable dumplings. The soft lighting and busy cooks create an energetic ambiance that adds to the overall dining experience. Whether you're dining alone, with a partner, or in a group, Bar Gyoza Go provides a delightful and comfortable environment. However, I would recommend going in small groups (up to 4 people) or simply in pairs, since placing the tables together is not an option.

This is the perfect spot for those who want to eat something delicious & quickly. They serve your food pretty fast, you can see the cooks prepare it, and you devour the gyozas so fast you'll find yourself wondering where did it all go.

Here you can find their menu (which I designed with much love) and prices. My personal favourites are the fried dumplings (I simply live for the crisp) and among those, the beef and the vegetable dumplings are at the top of my list. 

All in all, Bar Gyoza Go is truly a hidden gem in Madrid, a heaven for gyoza lovers and food enthusiasts. With its inviting ambiance, extensive selection of mouthwatering gyoza, and fast service, it promises a dining experience that will leave you wanting more. So, gather your friends, embark on a flavor-packed adventure, and discover the joys of Bar Gyoza Go. Your taste buds will thank you!

And if you have already tried this place, tag me on instagram or comment below and let me know which ones are your favourites!