
Delicious Idea: Easy Cream Soup of Pumpkin and Ginger
We are already in the pumpkins season and that is why they will be the main character today. We present you an easy, quick and very healthy recipe for cream soup. Try it and you will see for yourself!
Necessary Products:
- 500 g pumpkin;
- 2 carrots;
- 1 onion;
- 200 g butter;
- 200 ml fresh milk;
- 1 tsp ginger;
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds.
Method of Preparation:
We start by cleaning the pumpkin, carrots and onions, then boil them in salted water. We put somewhere around 1 tsp salt. Once the vegetables are soft, mash them together with the butter and milk * until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
Then we grate the ginger on a fine grater and add it to the main mixture. We mix all well and we are ready. Before serving, we sprinkle the soup with some pumpkin seeds and, if desired, we add a handful of croutons.
* The milk must be removed from the refrigerator beforehand so that it is not cold.
What is a Pumpkin Good For?
- It is rich in vitamin A, which strengthens the immune system and fights infections in the body.
- It is high in vitamin C – a strong antioxidant.
- Pumpkin also contains protein, vitamin B2, vitamin E, iron, potassium, manganese and smaller amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and folate.
- Helps with stomach ailments, kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, obesity, skin diseases, eye diseases and helps to have a more stable nervous system.
- It also boosts libido and, according to experts, has the ability to rejuvenate us.

The Most Delicious Dishes in Bulgarian Cuisine
Bulgarian cuisine combines the traditional dishes of our lands with the spiciness, appetizing appearance and unique aroma of the Orient. A combination created over the centuries… And the most delicious are the wonderful ingredients from the Balkans which fascinates every foreigner.
Among the most popular products used in Bulgarian cuisine are white brined cheese and yogurt, and all well-known recipes have been created for centuries. But who are the most liked by foreigners? Those who leave them speechless, you can see in our top 5.
The Most Liked Meals from the Bulgarian Cuisine
Shopska and Shepherd’s Salad
Undoubtedly, the Shopska salad is the leader in the ranking, but we put it in the first place together with the Shepherd’s salad, because it is not inferior to it. The wonderful combination of vegetable flavors is something that most people “fall in love” with.
Yoghurt
Our country is known around the world, especially in Asia, with the yoghurt. For us, yogurt may be quite ordinary, but travelers who have not tried it always remain fascinated.
Banitsa
Quick, easy and very tasty! If you have guests from another country, be sure to prepare banitsa for them. We guarantee that they will like it.
Moussaka
It is not a completely Bulgarian dish, but if we have to characterize the Balkan cuisine as a whole, we will note that there are many similar recipes with some variations in different places.
Barbecue
Lamb or piglet (whichever you prefer), roasted on embers = meat that just falls apart and melts in your mouth. The aroma is simply indescribable.
A Brief History of Bulgarian Cuisine
We have already mentioned that nowadays the cuisine combines the traditions and tastes of the Balkan peoples with those of the Asian world. In the past, the creation of the Bulgarian state marked the beginning of the merging of the kitchens of the Thracians, Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians. Thus, a common national cuisine is gradually being built, in which each of the ethnic groups has its contribution.
According to the researches, the main ingredients of ancient cuisine in our lands were traditional vegetables (cabbage, carrots, beets, turnips, onions, garlic), various types of meat (sheep, goat, pork, beef, poultry, game), cereals ( millet, oats, barley, rye, wheat), as well as legumes (beans, lentils, peas, vetch). Later (sometime around the 16th and 17th centuries), recipes began to be enriched with plants and animals found in America. Previously unknown foods such as beans, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, sunflowers, turkey and others appear. But that’s not all, the mix becomes even bigger with the addition of rice, eggplant and special spices from the east. After the Liberation, European cuisine began to have a serious influence.
After 1965, many of the main ingredients were missing from the market, so people began to replace them with others that are still part of our national cuisine. For example, butter has been replaced with lard, olives – with pickles… Balkantourist creates some of the emblematic dishes of our country. Then the transition required other innovations such as various modifications of “Shopska salad”, “Shepherd’s salad”, “Mill salad”, kavrma.
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If you want something really very tasty, welcome to the Simona restaurant. Here we prepare everything with passion and attention to detail, because the ultimate goal is to achieve a uniquely delicious result.

5 Tips for Healthy Eating During the Holidays
It is clear that summer is the holiday season – there is no dispute on this issue. But during our travels and entertainment we often forget about our healthy diet. If you still stick to proper nutrition and you are wondering exactly how to combine it with your plans for sea or mountain adventures, maybe these few tips are just for you.
How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays?
Make a List With Forbidden Foods
Something very valuable, especially for people with digestive or gastric problems. They certainly understand well what we mean, but we will explain to everyone else. And in the beginning we clarify that we do not need to be very drastic to eat relatively healthy, even when we are out of town.
The easiest way is to make a list of foods to avoid. This does not mean that we will deprive ourselves, we will just be careful. This list is good to include fried and greasy things, as well as very salty packaged products and sausages. And if you’re wondering why it’s so important, it’s good to know that it won’t hold water or fill you with toxins.
Think About Places to Eat in Advance
When we go to the sea or the mountains, we choose a place to sleep in advance. At the same time, however, inquire about the places where you will be able to eat. If you prefer and have such an opportunity, you may prepare your own food. In case you are going to eat in a restaurant, ask in advance where delicious and quality dishes are offered.
Don’t Hurry – Positive Emotions Will Not Escape
Clearly, adventures can’t wait, but you don’t need to rush all the time. Take enough time for breakfasts, lunches and dinners, because they are valuable both for energy and for sharing time with loved ones and friends. And if you’re still in the rhythm of the big city, slow down a bit, eat something tasty, take some drink and enjoy the company.
You Have to Limit Fizzy Drinks
We know very well that gin goes with a tonic and rum with a cola and we do not say that they are forbidden, but we do not need to pour carbonated drinks from morning till night. We will save you explanations of how harmful they are to your health, because we believe you are aware. We just want to point out that there are healthier and more enjoyable alternatives. Think about them!
You Don’t Overdo With Sweets
It is true that the vacation is time for relax, but you do not want to try to lose the extra pounds next two months, right?!. Not to mention the harm to health from excessive amounts of jam… So you better sweeten your life with some fruit or dark chocolate.
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And for those who have a trip to Sofia – no matter for work or just for a walk, know that Art Hotel Simona can offer unforgettable experiences in an artistic rooms at reasonable prices. And all this 3 km from the city center and with impeccable hygiene measures, as the new reality requires. And for gourmets, the Simona restourant has a wonderful list of specialties that you will find hard to resist.
We are expecting you!

Which is the Perfect Time for Dinner
Scientific claims on this issue are contradictory. In principle, eating late at night has long been “stigmatized” because it interferes with healthy sleep. According to some studies, early dinner or skipping it altogether can increase the amount of fat we burn. Some experts even claim that eating after 19:00 is a health risk, not just for weight gain.
What is the Best Time For the Last Meal of the Day?
It all depends on the lifestyle we lead. If we get up early, it is quite understandable that our dinner will be earlier. At the same time, someone who sleeps until 11:00-12:00 cannot finish his meals at 17:00, can he?! Therefore, it is best to stop eating at least 1-2 hours before bedtime, if we can 3 hours – even better.
And we at Art Hotel Simona advise you to forget about fast food and take care of your health in the most delicious way possible. We do not accept skipping dinner as an option, because “hungry eyes do not can sleep”, as folk wisdom claims. You will also miss many shared moments with your loved ones.
Tricks Against Night Hunger
Our body needs to get used to certain habits, but if you still suffer from “night eating syndrome”, there are some tricks to help yourself. One of them is drinking water, because it will fill the stomach and prevent overeating. The other – start brushing your teeth after dinner, not before going to bed. This will create the attitude that you are done with the culinary temptations for the day.
And Watch Out What You Eat
It became clear that at the end of the day we should not overdo it. Keep in mind that fats and high-fat foods are absorbed more slowly by the body and can cause reflux or heartburn. It is good to limit bread, fried foods and desserts. If for some reason you are still hungry after dinner, you can afford some cheese, a handful of almonds, wholemeal biscuits, yogurt or an apple, because they stabilize blood sugar when we sleep.
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And we are waiting for you in Simona restaurant (at what time you decide) to enjoy together the variety of temptations in the culinary art.