A.M. Ruggirello's Blog, page 3

Napolitane cu Caramel și Nuci {Wafers with Caramel and Nuts}

Welcome to the second recipe in my Cousin’s Cookies Collection (if you’re new to From Dill to Dracula, check out recipe number one of four: Heather’s Cookies)!

These were never called Napolitane cu Caramel și Nuci (pronounced nah-pole-e-tahn-eh coo car-a-mel she noo-chee), or Wafers and Cocoa. Instead, these were lovingly called Ashley’s Cookies. Yes, I had my very own cookies. And, of course, they were my favorite of the three.

(Again, this is more cake-like than cookie-like, but who am I...

Traveling Through Romania, Part 1: Bucharest

Note: Here’s another article I meant to post in 2019 but, as you can see, life interrupted and I’m posting it now. Better late than never, right? But please keep this in mind when you see the year referenced. This is pre-COVID, after all…

This year meant a lot to me. 2019. Next month will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the fall of Nicolae Ceaucescu, and his communist regime, in Romania. It may seem like a silly thing to want to celebrate (maybe honor is the more accurate word), but in rese...

The Romanian Food and Recipes of Resident Evil Village RE8 // Part 2: The Duke’s Kitchen

I’m excited—and not gonna lie, a bit surprised—to be back with Part Two to what has become my Romanian Food and Recipes of Resident Evil Village series (click here to see Part One). Unlike the first, which features recipes displayed as a meal between characters Ethan and Mia, most of which aren’t referenced by name, the recipes we find later in the game via The Duke’s Kitchen have made my job a whole heck of a lot easier!

Here’s a quick and easy round-up of the six recipes featured in The Du...

Pește Alb Cu Sos Marar și Hrean {White Fish with Dill and Horseradish Sauce}

Even though meats (particularly pork) are the more plentiful protein used in Romanian cuisine, there are many different species of fish featured in Romanian recipes thanks to the country’s access to the Danube and the Black Sea. Combining two popular Romanian flavors—dill and horseradish—Pește Alb Cu Sos Marar și Hrean (pronounced pesh-tay all-b coo s-ohs mah-ra-hr she hu-ran ) makes use of the many different white fish available and can be whipped up within 15 minutes!

Update 05.2021 // Hey...

Ciorbă de Porc {Sour Pork Soup}

Ciorbă de Porc (pronounced ch-or-bah day pork) utilizes Romania’s most popular protein in this hearty sour soup filled with vegetables, perfect for a cold autumn day when you’re looking for a quick and delicious warm-up. Traditional recipes use borș {borscht} as the souring agent, but since that’s not a very common ingredient to find I’ve replaced it with lemon juice.

Update 05.2021 // Hey! This recipe has been featured in the opening scene of the horror-survival video game Resident Evil 8 Vi...

Top 5 Vintage Romanian Finds I Love

Just like a fine wine, certain things just get better and better with age. There’s a history and character to things that have seen decades; a story waiting to be told. Or, some things just look better with a little bit of fray and tarnish added to them. Either way, I spent my fair share of time searching through the Etsy archives for my favorite vintage Romanian pieces and I’m excited to share them with you! (Though I really wish I could just up and buy them all, instead!)

↓Old is the new Ne...

The Romanian Food and Recipes of Resident Evil Village RE8 // Part 1: The Beginning {No Spoilers}

If you’re not big into the horror video game space, you may not know that the new Resident Evil 8 – Village is set in Romania. Heck—I didn’t know until my cousin pointed it out. As is typical with mainstream media, when producers or developers set their stories in Romania, it tends to be of the horror variety. I think we have vampires to thank for that. I’m not complaining, though. I’m a huge fan of horror movies. Horror games, on the other hand, are a little more involved and harder for me to s...

The Romanian Food and Recipes of Resident Evil Village RE8 {No Spoilers}

If you’re not big into the horror video game space, you may not know that the new Resident Evil 8 – Village is set in Romania. Heck—I didn’t know until my cousin pointed it out. As is typical with mainstream media, when producers or developers set their stories in Romania, it tends to be of the horror variety. I think we have vampires to thank for that. I’m not complaining, though. I’m a huge fan of horror movies. Horror games, on the other hand, are a little more involved and harder for me to s...

The Food and Recipes of Resident Evil 8 Village {No Spoilers}

If you’re not big into the horror video game space, you may not know that the new Resident Evil 8 – Village is set in Romania. Heck—I didn’t know until my cousin pointed it out. As is typical with mainstream media, when producers or developers set their stories in Romania, it tends to be of the horror variety. I think we have vampires to thank for that. I’m not complaining, though. I’m a huge fan of horror movies. Horror games, on the other hand, are a little more involved and harder for me to s...

Get Poked At Dracula’s Castle!

Hey… it’s not Monday! You’re right. Bonus post! (I’m making up for lost time…)

It’s not what you’re thinking… not exactly. Unless you’re thinking of getting the COVID-19 vaccine at Bran Castle (yup, it’s Bran Castle, not Castle Bran), in which case it’s exactly what you’re thinking. That’s right, the famous (or infamous) Bran Castle is hosting a vaccination drive for those brave enough to venture into Dracula’s domain. Though, technically speaking, Vlad Țepeș didn’t spend as much time as you’...