Cocktail Recipes with Cognac or Armagnac
Filed Under Recipes, Wines & Spirits
Brandy is a subject that comes up frequently in our blogs, in our office conversations, and on our French culinary vacations. There are so many types of brandies in France alone that it's no wonder we return time and again to this wonderful spirit. If you thought brandy was just, well, brandy think again! It is at heart a spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice, but the results… Read
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Risotto with Parmesan Cheese Recipe from the Veneto
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Recipes
A drive through the lovely countryside of the Veneto on a culinary tour in Italy with TIK will often mean passing rice mills as well as rice fields. So it should come as no surprise that rice dishes play an important part of the gastronomy of the region. Risotto is one of those dishes -- or should we say many? After all, risotto is a versatile dish; not only can… Read
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4 Reasons to Add Abruzzo to Your Travel Bucket List
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips
Populated with lovely small cities and towns, Abruzzo isn't as well known to tourists. But that's one part of its charm. Time and time again too, it's ranked as a place worthy of visiting, as it’s a diverse land, made up of mountains and beaches, art towns and medieval churches and castles. For its beaches, it's even been named one of the top 10 beach vacation destinations by the Telegraph.… Read
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A Focaccia Recipe from our Puglia Cooking Vacation
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes
Pizza always ranks highly as a favorite among many, and its origins do come from Italy, but there's another dish that's very similar but not as well known: focaccia. The dish actually predates pizza by 2,000 years, and with its ingredients, it's considered a cross between bread and pizza bread -- and it's just as delicious! Today we're bringing this focaccia recipe from our favorite Puglia cooking vacation. Many regions… Read
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Where is Puglia? And Why It Should Be on Your Bucket List
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips
Outside of Italy, the region of Puglia isn't well known. But ask any Italian, and chances are the region of Puglia ranks high as a vacation destination. From it's art and history to its nature and agriculture, it has a little bit of everything. And if you're a foodie? They've got some of the best cuisine in the country, thanks to their long growing season, mild climate, and extensive coastline.… Read
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A Bolognese Sauce Recipe from Emilia Romagna
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes
Emilia Romagna has a lot of different nicknames. The Italian region -- north of Tuscany -- has been called the "motor valley" as its the home to cars like Ferrari and Maserati; the "wellness valley" as its a wonderful place for spa visits and bike tours; and the "food basket" of Italy. In other words, there are plenty of reasons to visit this beautiful valley on a foodie vacation in… Read
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The Cured Meats of Emilia Romagna
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips
There's nothing quite like the cured meats of Emilia Romagna if you are on one of our foodie trips in Italy. While the northern region of Italy is known for quite a few delicacies and dishes, and a variety of preserved products -- even tomato paste! -- it's often the cured hams that draw people to this beautiful land: not only to see how they're made, but also to taste… Read
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How to Harvest Oysters
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Kitchen Tips
One "dish" you'll find on my of our cooking vacations in Europe? Oysters -- and all have a different flavor depending on where you're slurping them down. While in the U.S., it's often recommended to harvest and eat them in the "R" months -- whether they're from the East Coast or the West -- an even more general rule of thumb is to harvest and enjoy them when the water… Read
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Culinary Vacations in France: Pear Tarte Tatin Recipe
Filed Under Food History, Recipes
The tarte and the tarte tatin are similar, but there's a distinct difference: the tarte tatin looks like it's been flipped upside down and is served right out of the oven. It's also a dessert that's most associated with the Loire Valley of France. Check out our cooking vacations in France. There's no question that the tarte tatin got its start with two French sisters with the last name Tatin,… Read
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Food and Wine Tours: From Grapes Into Wine
Filed Under Food History, Wines & Spirits
The flavor you taste when snacking on grapes is quite different than the flavor of wine those grapes can turn into. But those flavors are dependent on a whole lot more than just blending different grapes (although it's part of that too). While every wine estate and winery does things a little bit different, some more modern than others, this is the very basic process of turning grapes into wine.… Read
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