Picnic Sites in Pécs and Recipe Ideas
Good weather is approaching, and you’ve no idea what to do? A picnic with your partner or friends is the perfect way to kick off the summer mood. After all, what could be better than sitting outside on a soft blanket in the shade of a tree, surrounded by people you care about? But you don’t even need company – spending time alone outdoors, immersing yourself in a good book, can be just as calming, relaxing, and uplifting.
However, the question arises: where should you go, and what should you take with you? When it comes to locations, Malomvölgy Lake, just outside the city center, is a perfect choice – or even “alagúttető” – the roof of the tunnel on Kálvária Street –, from which you can see the entire city. Along the Vaszary Gyula Trail, you’ll find benches and tables that are ideal for a picnic, and at the end of the trail awaits “Flóra-pihenő”, the lookout which is home to the famous swing of Pécs. In addition, here are four simple snack recipes you can prepare quickly and easily – perfect if you’re in the mood to bring something homemade. Muffins: This double chocolate muffin recipe is sure to be a favorite among those with a sweet tooth (makes 12 muffins – 1 batch): 2 whole eggs 100 g sugar half block of margarine (about 125 g) 250 g flour 3 tbsp cocoa powder 200 ml milk half a packet of baking powder or a pinch of baking soda pinch of salt 200 g baking or dark chocolate Mix all the ingredients together, then stir 100 g of baking or dark chocolate chunks into the batter. After that, let the oven do the rest. Once the muffins are baked, you can spread another 100 g of melted baking or dark chocolate on top to make them even more eye-catching and sweet. Danish Bundt Cake: 6 eggs 150 ml water 150 ml vegetable oil 1.5 cups of sugar 1.5 cups of flour 1 pack of baking powder 1 lemon zest 1 pack of vanilla sugar Separate the egg yolks and beat them with the sugars. Then, continue mixing while gradually adding the water and vegetable oil. Next, mix in the flour combined with the baking powder. Finally, gently fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites. Divide the batter into two equal parts, and stir some cocoa powder into one of them. Grease and flour a Bundt cake pan, then layer the two mixtures into the pan. Bake it as you would a sponge cake. Do not open the oven door for the first 10 minutes, and bake at a moderate temperature. When it looks done, test it with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. Once cooled, you can optionally top it with a chocolate glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar, according to your taste. Photo by: Henrietta Nagy Student-Style Cocoa Rolls: What makes this recipe special is that it can be baked both in a traditional oven and in an air fryer – perfect for students in dorms who don’t have access to an oven. 1 package of ready-to-use raw puff pastry (400 g) 100 g margarine 35 g Dutch-process cocoa powder 45 g sugar First, gently warm the margarine to make it easier to mix. Then, stir in the cocoa powder and sugar. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness to your preference. Next, unroll the puff pastry and spread the cocoa cream evenly over it. Roll it up, slice it into pieces, and place the slices in either the air fryer or a conventional oven. During or after baking, drizzle a little milk over them to keep them soft and tender. Let them rest briefly, and then they’re ready to enjoy. Savory cheese sticks: If you're in the mood for something salty instead, this simple cheese stick recipe might be just what you’re looking for: 500 g flour 250 g margarine (in block form) 1 cup of sour cream (about 150 g) 1 tsp salt Knead all the ingredients together thoroughly, then roll out the dough to about half a centimetre thick. Place it on a greased or parchment-lined baking tray, brush the surface lightly with a beaten egg, and sprinkle with grated cheese. Cut the dough into long strips of your preferred size and bake in a very hot oven for 15–20 minutes. These sticks stay crispy for days – if you can resist eating them all at once! Tip: If you don't have a rolling pin, a water bottle works just as well for rolling out the dough. And instead of a pastry board, simply lay out a sheet of baking paper on your table – it’ll do the job perfectly. We hope we’ve inspired you to enjoy some stress-free baking and picnicking! Especially with the start of the exam period, it’s more important than ever to take time to relax and recharge. So, don’t forget to stay hydrated, soak up some vitamin D, and get plenty of fresh air! Translated by: Zoé Eötvös
