All About Empanadas (and Two Recipes)
Filed Under Food History, Recipes
Even with the enormous landmass that is Latin America -- from Mexico down through South America -- and the enormous range of cultural influences, there's one dish you'll find in a lot of these countries: empanadas! This delicious baked, or fried, pastry treat is thought to originate with the Galician empanada of Spain, which dates back to the 1500s and which were traditionally made with chicken or cod fish. But… Read
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Pansoti Recipe from our Cinque Terre Cooking Vacation
Filed Under Destination Features, Recipes
The Cinque Terre, as well as the gateway town of Levanto, is known for its miles of hiking paths, beautiful views, rocky cliffs, and charming coastal towns. In terms of gastronomy, the area may be best known for the famous pesto, as well as seafood dishes. But pasta is also an important part of the cuisine in the Liguria region, as it is in much of Italy. During our cooking… Read
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Wine Lovers' France: All about Languedoc Wines
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips, Wines & Spirits
The region of the Languedoc is often overlooked in favor of it's neighbor, Provence. But there's many reasons to visit this off-the-beaten path region, and not just because tourists don't typically flock here. For starters, there's the beautiful landscape; the Languedoc borders the Mediterranean Sea as well as Spain, and goes up to the Montagne Noire (the Black Mountains). Cathar castles dot the countryside, as do Roman ruins that date… Read
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Ajo Blanco Soup Recipe from Our Andalusia Cooking Vacation
Filed Under Destination Features, Kitchen Tips, Recipes
Olive oil is used in all sorts of recipes in Spain, particularly in Andalusia. "We use extra virgin olive oil for everything, from savory to sweet," Chef Clive, of our Andalusia cooking vacation says. "Even in the ice cream." That said, it has to be used with care. It should also be used as soon as possible, and it's a great way to season food, just like you would with… Read
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Wine Lover's Italy: Celebrating Montepulciano Wines with a Festival
Filed Under Destination Features, Travel Tips, Wines & Spirits
Just south of Siena, discover the ancient walled city of Montepulciano with its stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside. In the heart of the Vino Nobile wine region, it’s no surprise that this town – complete with Renaissance and Baroque architecture – is best known for it’s red wines. But what may surprise you is their annual tradition, Bravio delle Botti, which takes place every year in August… Read
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A Lomo Saltado Recipe from our Peru Culinary Vacation
Filed Under Food History, Recipes
Peru is home to a number of UNESCO sites, from the ancient Machu Picchu to the historic cities of Lima and Cusco. In addition to experiencing all that beauty on a Peru culinary tour, another reason to travel to the south part of the globe is the food. Influenced by a wide variety of traditions and cultures, Peruvian cuisine is unlike any other in the world, making it the perfect… Read
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Portuguese Traditional Sangria Recipe
Filed Under Recipes, Wines & Spirits
No matter which way you pour it, sangria is a delicious concoction that originates from Spain, but is very popular in Portugal as well. On a culinary vacation in Portugal, you will find Portuguese sangria on the drinks menu at most restaurants and bars. The centuries-old "punch" first became popular centuries ago, during Roman times, when water was largely considered unsafe to drink. While many enjoyed wine on its own,… Read
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What to Make with Stale Bread: France, Italy, and Mexico Culinary Vacations
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips
We've come to the end of our bread-themed week, and so it only makes sense to talk about what's leftover: stale bread. Whatever you do, don't throw it out! All over the world people have come up with creative -- and surprisingly delicious -- recipes for stale bread. Of course there's the easy ways to not waste a single crumb – breadcrumbs and croutons come to mind – but from… Read
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Can You Pair Wine with Bread?
Filed Under Kitchen Tips, Wines & Spirits
Wine and cheese clearly go together. But can wine and bread? Bread is a staple when it comes to dining out, and while it’s served, typically, before anything else, it doesn’t just have to be filler before the real meal comes. It also doesn’t have to be just for cleansing the palate when trying different wines. Rather, bread can stand on its own as a snack -- while you enjoy… Read
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A Brioche Recipe from France: Cooking Vacations in France with TIK
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Recipes
In France, brioche is a versatile bread that can be enjoyed during breakfast, or as a snack or dessert. It’s so versatile that some even call it a pastry due to its high egg and butter content, as well as ingredients like sugar. At the same time, brioche can also be found in savory French dishes as well. No matter how you serve it though, light and puffy brioche is… Read
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