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Culture: Food – Fresh Farmers Markets of the Midwest
I remember stumbling upon the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison, Wisconsin in October. The variety of apples that were for sale astounded me. This is where I tried my first Honeycrisp apple and fell in love (luckily, this variety is a staple at most stores even out on the West coast now.) Below are some highlights of delicious Farmer Markets in the midwest – most of which are even open (at indoor locations) during the harsher winter months. Boulder County Farmers Market – Boulder, Colorado With one of the longest market seasons in the state, Boulder County Farmers Market has been a thriving community event for almost 30 years.…
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Culture: Food – Delicious Delis Across the United States
What defines a truly authentic delicatessen? The concept of a delicatessen dates back to Germany in the 1700’s. It was a place were unusual and foreign prepared foods were made and sold. In the late 1800’s, when a large number of immigrants of Jewish dissent (mostly from German regions) came to the US, they brought the tradition of delicatessens with them. Now over 100 years later, delis are a mainstay in most of our cities and towns. Below are a select few of some of the most famous delis in the US. Katz’s Deli – New York City In 1888, two brothers from Iceland immigrated to the US and started…
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Culture: Food – Fresh Caprese Salad from Italy
A summer breeze coming from the Mediterranean cools us as we sit on the terrace reminiscing about our day boating around Capri. The sun is just beginning to set and the heat of the day is subsiding. It’s time to pour a delicious glass of wine and enjoy a light meal – a Caprese salad reminiscent of the Italian flag! If you can’t get to Capri, bring home these delicious tastes of Italy by making a Caprese Salad at home. This salad one of those easy go-to recipes that make it feel like a Capri summer day all year long! The recipe couldn’t be simpler. Just cut thick slices of fresh, ripe tomatoes and fresh mozarella cheese…
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Culture: Food – Fresh Farmers Markets of the West Coast
Whenever I travel, I always seek out the local farmers market. It’s the perfect place to not only pick up a snack or bite to eat, but also a great way to enjoy the local culture. It’s amazing how at each locale, you’ll instantly get a sense of not only the types of foods that are grown in this region, but also can see what is trendy in that city – from specialty foods, crafts and more. Here is a few popular Farmers Markets on the West Coast of the United States– each with their own flavor and all worth a visit. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market – San Francisco, California San Francisco’s…
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Culture: Food – Cioppino A San Franciscan American-Italian Fish Stew
Although San Francisco is typically known for it’s incredible cracked Dungeness crab and sourdough bread, there’s another San Franciscan original that shouldn’t be missed – Cioppino, a delicious stew filled with the catch of the day swimming in a flavorful tomato based broth. Cioppino is said to have been originally created by Italian fishermen (mostly from Genoa) who settled in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. It is said to have first been made on the boats for the fishermen to eat while out at sea, but quickly became a staple in the growing number of Italian restaurants in the area. Cioppino can still be found on many menus…
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Culture: A World of Flavors – Irish Pickling Spice Mix Recipe
The art of pickling foods has been around for over 4000 years. The process has been instrumental in history by providing a way to preserve foods for longer periods of time yet also gives rich flavors to otherwise common foods. This cooking method allows for meats and/or vegetables to be eaten on long journeys. This was especially common during sea exploring days and/or times of war. During both World Wars, corned (or salted) beef that was then pickled was very popular because of both meat rationing and long months at sea. Corned Beef made in Ireland was heavily traded from the 1600’s through the 1800’s. It was a high priced exported commodity that ironically not…
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Culture: A World of Flavors – Moroccan Spice Mix
From the pungent odor of the leather tannery, to a serene mosque decorated with intricate tile work, wandering through the old medina in Fes was a feast for my senses. My trip to Morocco was a whirlwind, but I will never forget the experiences I had that day while exploring this historic area of the city. We dutifully visited a rug shop, and watched leather be dropped into antiquated vats of dye. I peaked into shops and was decorated with a gorgeous henna design on my hand. But like most experiences while traveling, it was the flavorful lunch that is etched so vividly in my mind. After we dined on an aromatic tajine, I…
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On Location: American Delicacies? Adventures at La Grande Épicerie de Paris
We were off to have a quintessential Parisian summer picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg. I had done my research and had a list of the best places to shop in the 6th arrondissement to find the perfect delicacies for our lunch. First up was Poilâne bakery. Being one of the oldest and most famous bakeries in Paris, it was worth getting lost down a few streets so we could stock up on some bread. Next stop was Le Bon Marché department store, which includes La Grande Épicerie de Paris on the bottom floor. I had read this was one of the best gourmet food markets in all of the city,…
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Culture: New Years Food Traditions from Around the World
New Year’s is a time of resolution and new energy. It’s a time when people from around the world sit down and list their hopes, aspirations and dreams for the upcoming year. To make these hopes come true, many cultures are quite superstitious and eat certain foods. There are foods to eat for good luck, and foods to eat for prosperity. There are foods to eat for progress and foods to eat for longevity. Whether or not you believe in these superstitions, the tradition of serving certain foods on New Year’s are quite ingrained for some. My mom has always been insistent that we eat black eyed peas on New Year’s Day. As a…
