In the German state where I live, we officially get 10 public holidays per year; New Years, Easter Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Ascension, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, Unity Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day.This will sound like quite a lot, until I point out that many of the holidays are not moveable or observable on a different day. What this means is that when May Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day all fall on a Sunday, as they do in 2016 for example, well, those of us who don’t normally work on a Sunday are simply out of luck.
But in spring, ah spring, there is simply no room for complaint and it all kicks off with a nice long 4-day Easter weekend. My husband and I usually use the opportunity to sneak away for a small trip and this past Easter we made our first visit to Edinburgh. It was an absolutely lovely city and we really enjoyed our visit. We ate well, we drank well, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. And yes, for the record, we even survived the haggis. We tried it at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, so maybe it’s just the whisky talking, but dare I say that we actually both liked it!
Back home in Frankfurt, I was very grateful that this week’s My Paris Kitchen recipe, Artichoke Tapenade with Rosemary Oil, was an easy one, and even more grateful to discover that I already had most of the ingredients in my cupboard. Luckily, I even had capers in my fridge because, as David tells us, we’re not allowed to call it a tapenade without the capers. Consider yourselves schooled:-)
This simple spread came together in minutes and was incredibly tasty. I will absolutely be making this one again.
one expat's life 
We loved this as well so easy to make and I will do the oil with other herbs in near future. This did not photograph very well but all the more deliciouse.
Well done on the haggis! Totally agree with you that this was easy peachy to put together!
I was grateful for an easy on this week too. though I didn’t get to the oil, I will soon – looks amazing!
Spring break makes for a great time for family travel. It’s a good time of the year. This tapenade is fun to make as well.
I would be afraid to try haggis! You are a braver woman than I am. I loved this one. It was so easy and delicious that I know I’ll make it again and again.
Glad to hear that you had a lovely trip!
This tapenade is delicious, one that I will be making again!
That bread looks like a perfect accompaniment for the tapenade. I loved this dip, and after a little coaxing to try it, so did Kevin. I’m planning to bring the rest of it over to my parents’ place tomorrow, if I can bear to part with it. 🙂
I’ve tried haggis and I was surprised to learn it wasn’t that bad at all. It sounds like you had a proper Scottish holiday!
Sounds as if you had a lovely Scottish vacation. I think I would have to pass on the haggis, you are a braver woman than I am.
I really enjoyed the tapenade. I know I will make it quite often. Yours looks so inviting with that loaf of bread. Enjoy your weekend!
Wasn’t that tapenade great? I’m so glad to hear you loved Edinburgh! I’ve got a big birthday coming next year and me and my best friend are going with our husbands, etc., to Scotland for some scotch tasting and I’m excited to go to Edinburgh. I’m sure I’ll also try the haggis. 🙂 Great post!
I was grateful for an easy recipe too. This was a winner and wil definitely make it again.
I always like simple but impressive. Your long easter weekend sounds lovely… a definite benefit to living in Europe.
wow! haggis! you are brave!
That sounds like a lovely holiday…and as for the haggis, well I’ll try anything at least once. Maybe when I get to Scotland!
Love your home baked bread and the tapenade looks amazing too. Yay for quick French recipes!
The tapenade looks great and that bread is beautiful! I’d love that recipe too!
That tapenade looks great, and that bread is beautiful!
Is that Focaccia peeking out in your first photo? That’s a great bread to go along with the artichoke tapenade with rosemary oil. That bread must just sop up the oil and tapenade. Michael and I were in Edinburgh long ago and we so enjoyed that city. We walked every inch of the Royal Mile but I don’t remember stopping by the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society! I guess I need to return to Scotland. That’s so great that you are touring, taking advantage of and experiencing so many different cultures while you’re abroad. Good for you. Nice post.
Scotland (all of Great Britain, actually) has been on my mind for our next big trip. I’m not much of a whisky drinker but when in Rome…
I have nothing but love for this recipe. It’s a good one to jump back into the blogging with friends bandwagon.
I love that you can visit an entirely different country on a long weekend! On the upside in Australia if a public holiday falls on the weekend we have made sure we get the next working day off 🙂 Pros and cons! I am late to this one thanks to a nasty virus but so glad I made it!
That bread in your photo looks so good I want to tear a piece of it off and eat it! I will be making this one again too.