I recently tried Vietnamese sweet and sour mango salad at a dinner put on by students in the Culinary Arts program at Mercyhurst University. This is the school where I work; and which happens to have a great culinary program from which my son is a graduate. My husband, mother in law and I went....
Food History
I find food history fascinating. Anytime I am introduced to a new dish I want to know its origin, and if its current state is anything like its original.
What I have found in the last few years of research, is that foods go through multiple developments in order to adapt to tastes, availability, and climate. When delving into food history, sometimes I encounter that the reason a dish exists is due to the ingenuity of a certain culture, usually stemming from need.
In this blog I try to focus on the origins of foods, and how they have been adapted throughout the history of mankind. whenever I bring up the issue of food history , sometimes I get raised eyebrows. Other times, I just get a brush off:"Oh , I just like like to eat, I never really wondered where different dishes or ingredients came from."
Irish Cider Tarragon Mustard Recipe
Many moons ago I made Guinness mustard. It was an experiment of sorts, and it actually turned out really well. Recently I went home to Panamá to visit family and friends, and taught my oldest sister how to make it. She was very impressed. I felt like a true culinary genius. Now, I guess I...
Best Cooking Class in Hanoi
Last year, my family and I enjoyed one of the greatest cultural experiences of our trip to Vietnam: the best cooking class in Hanoi. Thanh (Tang), my daughter's Vietnamese friend invited us to her house for a culinary experience. Thanh is quite the entrepreneur. She runs a travel company that offers amazing street food tours. Her...
How to Make Guinness Mustard
Because we're almost to St. Patrick's Day, I thought it was a good idea to show you guys how to make Guinness mustard. I'm serious about his homemade mustard! So here we go! I never in a million years thought I would be making my own whole grain mustard, let alone this Guinness recipe because...
Creamy Walnut Tartlets
Creamy walnut tartlets for the win Here I am with another walnut recipe for personal food, my FAVE! Creamy walnut tartlets are sweet, crunchy, creamy. They are toasted walnut perfection in a nutshell, excuse the pun! [feast_advanced_jump_to] These beauties are a take on a recipe I found in a French cookbook that belonged to my...
Spicy Shakshuka
Spicy shakshuka eggs? Now that sounds interesting. [feast_advanced_jump_to] What is shakshuka? Well, it's a simple dish that uses tomato sauce, eggs, basil and red pepper flakes. It can be prepared in less than 30 minutes; so in my opinion a fabulous dish! Spicy shakshuka (also known as eggs in purgatory) are perfect for a...
15 Grape Moments in Wine History
For quite some time I've been dying to write about the history of wine. I wanted to write something fun and educational without sounding too academic. I wish I could take credit for the catchy title "15 Grape Moments in Wine History." Alas, kudos go to my friend's husband for his help and his...
Sweet and Spicy Chai Latte
TAZO® Chai Latte K-Cup® pods: the ultimate marriage of 5,ooo years of ancient traditions and modern convenience. In today's busy world, the delicious flavors of chai latte can be yours in a matter of minutes. Chai has become synonymous with tea. But, did you know that the word is directly taken from the Persian chi which in turn...
Basil: History, Types, and Other Info
For a long time now, I've been toying with the idea of a blog series where I talk about different herbs and spices we all know and love. Basil: history, types and other info is the first installment of the series. Basil, is one of my favorite herbs; I am never without fresh basil, even...
Cumin: A Seasoning for all Ages
Cumin, you either love it or hate it. But, did you know that cumin is as old as recorded history? Indeed it is . For starters, cumin is the only word in the English language that can be directly traced to the Sumerian word gamun, found in cuneiform tablets dating back 4,000 years. A similar...
How to make Ricotta Cheese
A couple of summers ago I became interested in cheese-making. I was talking to someone who casually mentioned she made fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheese. My ears perked up. I mean, up until that day I always thought any type of cheese-making involved a cave. Not so! [feast_advanced_jump_to] My cheese-making adventure began with goat cheese...
Easy DIY Za'atar
Zatar or Za'atar, I love it! Until recently I was buying it from a company that specializes in spices. Recently it dawned on me that zatar is a spice blend, therefore I could probably create my own blend and you can too! After all, I had already dabbled in and succeeded in making chili powder,...
The Perfect and Classic Manhattan
The Manhattan: Not originally a strong drink The Manhattan was developed as a way to make a drink that was not TOO strong. Really? Yes, I guess the use of sweet vermouth was supposed to tame down the bourbon, or whiskey which I recently learned is the traditional choice. Cocktails like the Manhattan are making...
13 Desserts: A French Christmas Tradition
The 13 Desserts is a French Christmas tradition that incorporates a variety of sweets, nuts and other tasty items. Last year I posted my recipe for Buche Noel (Christmas Log), a typical French dessert served all through the Christmas season in France. Following that thread, I am posting not really a recipe, but a tradition...
Sweet Olive Oil Bread
[feast_advanced_jump_to] In order to ensure an even bake, the bread needs to be scored. Sweet olive oil bread forms part of the 13 desserts served in France during the reveillon or Christmas dinner served after midnight Mass, a tradition that is only about 100 years old. What is Sweet Olive Oil Bread? Have you...