Flavors from Motilor Land

There are places in the world where every moment seems to stand still and stubbornly reveal its beauty, slowly, beckoning you to sit, stop and savor it. One such place is the Apuseni Natural Park, a hidden place in the west of Romania, where the Bihor and Vlădeasa mountains welcome their visitors in a fairytale setting. Here, those who will step into the Land of Moti, will discover landscapes of particular beauty, and authentic culinary customs; a world where tradition and taste meet and unite their stories of aromas and colors.

Now imagine embarking on a journey where every dish you taste becomes an experience, where every element of the earth tells its own story designed to delight your senses - the Râșca potato, an old variety, renowned for its thin shell, it is transformed into gastronomic dishes that pay tribute to the earth, or the wild mushrooms, picked one by one from centuries-old forests, that add a touch of mystery and sophistication to every dish in which they are included.

And because every culinary experience deserves to end with a sweet taste, the jams, syrups and natural juices, which concentrate in the bottle all the essence of the fruits grown under the gentle sun of the Western Mountains, will complete the ceremony of the tastes of these fabulous lands.

Honey, the sweet liquor of the hills of the Apuseni Mountains, will open the series of culinary experiences with a divine breakfast, which will remind you of the simple beauty of life lived in the countryside.

But Apuseni Mountains aren't just about taste, they're also about community and tradition. Here, local festivals and markets give you the chance to meet the producers, the people who turn these simple ingredients into unforgettable delights.

With creamy cheeses, mushroom and meat dishes, these community gastronomic events are periodically a celebration of life and the joy of sharing.

And if your soul longs for discoveries and stories, choose to go on a journey guided by the Say Cheese app to local farms. At each of them you can stop and taste the fresh milk and mountain cheeses, you can connect directly with the source of your food and learn the story behind each product. It is also worth making your way through Mărgău for the summer lunches, wine tastings or brunch organized outdoors by Chef Horia Simon and the Transilvanian Gastronomic Club.

Your culinary journey in Apuseni would not be complete without stopping at the top of the mountain at the Motilor Hut in Mărișel, where you will surely be served with the famous traditional dishes of the area: mushroom balmos, mushroom soup, and a pie with cream and jam. While you're eagerly waiting for the dishes, you can admire the Mountain Pantry arranged in the corner and take home a bit of the goodies from the village.

Of all, however, the mushroom balmos stands out as that culinary masterpiece, a testament to tastes, a covenant between man and nature. This delicacy is a perfect combination of the taste of fresh mushrooms, onion, garlic, cream, dill and parsley. The preparation process of this fantastically tasty culinary recipe begins with washing the mushrooms, followed by sauteing onions and garlic, adding mushrooms and dill, preparing a sauce from flour and water. And finally, cream and parsley are those magical ingredients that finish the whole concept. Balmoș, the traditionally boiled corn flour by the shepherds in the jintuiala, or, nowadays in milk, butter and a little salt, represents the essence of the traditional cuisine of the Apuseni.

In the Apuseni Natural Park, every meal is an invitation to stop, to slow down the sometimes too alert pace of life, to savor and reconnect with both nature and the traditions that nourish not only your body, but also the soul. It is a place where gastronomy becomes a bridge between the past and the present, where each ingredient tells its own story, and each dish becomes a culinary masterpiece.

Choose to get lost looking at the dreamlike landscapes of the Land of Moti, to discover the culinary treasures of the Apuseni Mountains, to discover a paradise for gourmets and adventurers alike. Here, in the heart of Romania, you will find not only food, but an experience that will remain in your heart and soul for eternity.