Pula, Croatia

Happy Easter! Today we grilled steaks, had Ranch Potato Casserole, a cucumber salad, roasted asparagus and strawberry pie.

Way back in October, we took a weekend trip to Pula, Croatia.  Pula is known for its Roman Arena. We stayed at an AirBnB super close to the arena.  We visited the arena, walked around Pula's oceanfront and marina, visited an outdoor market, and went out on a boat trip with the AirBnB owner's father.  Some of my family went swimming in the sea, but it was too cold for me.  They loved it though. Then we went to a very good and cozy restaurant that the owner recommended to us. (These are only phone pics; I forgot my big camera.)

Every morning, the owner's grandmother, Marija (Maria), brought us homemade pastries.  So good!

 Above: the Temple of Augustus. Below, Twin Gates- once the entrance to the city.  

 Above & below: Views from the boatride.

Above, trying the local olive oil at a very good restaurant, Alla Beccaccia.  Pula is on the Istrian Peninsula, which is well-known for producing very good olive oil.  Below, my wild game and gnocchi dish.  This region of Croatia has food influences from Italy, but they put their own spin on it. 

 We looked for an olive oil farm and finally found this random one.  It was SO good and they were harvesting the olives when we were there.  This guy filled up a few fresh bottles for us and we were on our way.  I mention the olive oil in the bottom of this post about Croatian soup.  

 **This post and photos are property of http://dishingwithdish.blogspot.com/ **

Istrian Maneštra- Croatian Minestrone Soup

Over Columbus Day, we went to the Istrian Peninsula of Croatia.  It was a nice drive and the Istrian Peninsula is beautiful.  We stayed in Pula right by the old Roman amphitheater which is still in great shape.  I forgot my big camera, so I only have phone pics (that aren't downloaded onto the laptop yet) so maybe I'll share some of those later.

Our Airbnb host made reservations for us at his favorite restaurant, which was very good.  The favorite thing I had there was the Istrian Maneštra- this part of Croatia's version of Minestrone.  It was SO good and flavorful, with a perfect texture.  It had a nice sweet, crunchy bite from the corn, too.  Pic below is my phone pic of the soup in the restaurant.

When we were in Croatia, we learned that region of the country was famous for olive oil, and had won awards.  We tasted some wonderful local olive oil at the restaurant.  On our way home, we stopped at a random oil factory, had a quick on-the-spot tour, sampled their oil (they only made one kind; was a very small factory) and bought two bottles.  The owner filled the bottles for us, right there on the spot!!  I used it in this recipe, and to drizzle over the top of the soup.

I didn't think to buy a pršut bone in Croatia- it's a kind of ham bone common there, used in this soup. So I just used a smoked ham hock instead, and it provided great flavor.  Also, our soup had corn in it, so I added it at home.  I guess this turns it into another soup- called Manestra di Bobici- but I'm leaving the title as is because I'm just not sure about the whole name thing.  Lol.

Istrian Maneštra- Croatian Minestrone Soup
adapted from Live Istria 

300 g white or yellow beans (I used Great Northen)
2 large onions (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 pršut bone * (can use ham bone, smoked ham hock, or chunk of smoked bacon)
1 large potato (cut into small squares)
2 carrots (cut into small chunks)
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp olive oil

1 cup frozen corn, or more to taste
Salt & pepper

1.  Soak the beans overnight and then bring to the boil in the same water.  Boil the beans for a couple of minutes and then drain

2.  Place the beans in a fresh pan with all the other ingredients and pour the olive oil on top.  Add water until everything is well covered and bring to the boil.  Cover and simmer for 1 ½ – 2 hours

3.  Remove the pršut bone (or whatever meat you're using). Trim off any available meat and add back to the soup.  Serve with crusty home-made bread. Drizzle a good olive oil over the top, if you want.

**This post and photos are property of http://dishingwithdish.blogspot.com/**

First Visit to Croatia

After our time in Slovenia, we headed over the border to Croatia.  It was so close and we had never been.  Our B&B hosts provided some helpful info on a coast town we should visit.  It was so beautiful.  Children's parks right on the beach, multiple places, fancy, beautiful resort hotels, and a beach-side walkway spanning the whole town.  The small parts of Croatia we saw were beautiful- clean, picturesque, sparkling sea views everywhere.  (The beaches are rock/pebble beaches though.)

At a sea-side restaurant, my son ordered fried calamari (above) and I got grilled salmon and veggies (below).  The calamari was some of the best we've ever had!

 They built swimming areas into the rocky shores, pic below.  Just like the Azores!!!  :)

**This post and photos are property of http://dishingwithdish.blogspot.com/**