FOR THE LOVE OF TRAVEL & FOOD

French Food and Its Regional Influences

2007-04-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

In some regions people contained there regional specialties but most of them became famous and enjoyed all over the world. In their own region of origin you can mainly find their specialty with more quality of preparation and ingredients, even if you can find them throughout France. In each region they have also their typical way of choosing the ingredients and cooking their meals. For example

Gourmet Gift Basket - A Truly Special Present

2007-04-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

The gourmet gift basket is a really special and wonderful present that you can give to someone you care about at any time of year and not just during the holidays. Certainly the most popular of all gourmet gift baskets that are available today are those which either contain food or wine (or even both). There are literally thousands of gift basket companies online, some of which are better than

Working Up An Appetite

2007-04-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest experiences of being human is to be out in nature. There is just something about being in the fresh open air of the wilderness that makes a person feel more alive, more grounded. The stresses and responsibilities of life lessen in the great outdoors and it is less complicated. After a long day hiking or on the river even if exhaustion is felt, it is refreshing and invigorating

Organic Food vs. Genetic Engineering

2007-02-21T18:38:00.000-08:00

It's always helpful to step back and take a look at things from an objective perspective, especially when we are personally involved.Creating and sustaining an organic lifestyle means we are in the "center" of that activity, daily. Among all the other things going on in our daily lives, as moms, we are also trying to develop new habits for our family in regards to their health and well being.So I

History of American Barbecue

2007-01-27T02:15:00.000-08:00

The history of American barbecue is strongly entrenched into its sociological history. The word barbecue simultaneously brings to our mind the US and vice versa. But BBQ is more a passionate factor in the southern states of USA than any other place. Its origin dates back to the times of the Civil War and even before it. Thus, the history of American barbecue is almost the history of America

Using Onions In North Indian Cooking

2007-01-17T02:17:00.000-08:00

Onions are a basic ingredient in many North Indian dishes, and they are found in most curries. By using different techniques to cook them, you can achieve the best texture and flavour for your dish, but remember: cooking onions requires a good deal of patience, and as I like to say, your love.You'll find that chicken dishes originating in North India ask for chopped onions, whereas sliced onions

Banana Facts and Information

2006-12-30T02:24:00.000-08:00

This article is a brief study on Bananas, the history of the Banana Plant and tips on growing Banana Plant.Banana FactsBanana “Trees” are not actually trees but are herbaceous plants in the genus Musa and of the family Musaceae. Due to their size, shape and structure they are often mistaken for trees. Bananas are largely cultivated for their fruit. But the plant is also used as ornamental plants

Food in the Caribbean

2006-11-25T02:34:00.000-08:00

The earliest inhabitants of the Caribbean islands were the three Indian tribes of Arawak, Carib, and Taino. Their daily food comprised of vegetables and fruits. It was the Taino tribe that first started cooking meat and fish, using large clay vessels for this purpose.The Arawaks took a different way and used thin strips of green wood to cook meat more slowly and allowing it to absorb the flavor

The Values Of Organic Plant Food

2006-10-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

In a world consumed with the concept of bigger is better, there is a great controversy over the use of organic or chemical fertilizers to raise outstanding crops. It is important to review the values of organic plant food in order to fully understand that organic is truly the only way to go.The Power Of TrashOrganic plant food is safe for the environment. If you are using fertilizers to grow

Aphrodisiac Foods

2006-10-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

Many of us have heard that sea-food excite the human senses or that walnuts and honey are the best aphrodisiac. But do certain types of food affect the human erotic impulse? Can specific food categories be the cause of the increase or decrease of male or female libido? Is there any scientific evidence that suggests some types of foods can help the sex life of today's individuals, or all these are

Spanish Foods

2006-09-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

Spanish food and wine is very much diverse in character, with variations in the cuisine culture stemming from geographic, cultural and climatic differences. One could say, however, that typical Spanish food is influenced heavily by the fact that the country has extensive access to the sea, giving the food culture a Mediterranean soul. Spain’s long history and diverse cultural influences combine

Organic Food

2006-09-17T04:06:00.000-07:00

Organic food is generally considered to be produced without the use of artificial fertilisers, without synthetic pesticides or antibiotics, hormones or other growth promoters. There are thus standards to which organic food is produced, traditionally on small family run farms, but there are some larger operations emerging since evidence has emerged that organic farming is more environmentally

Great Hungarian Goulash

2006-09-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

Goulash, in non Hungarian terms is a combination of meat, Usually beef, carrots, potatoes, sauerkraut and spices in a thickish sauce.The dish can be cooked in a pot on the stove or in a casserole dish in the oven.The ingredients that you will need for goulash are fairly simple and straight forward. Here’s the list:1) Cubes of Beef. I use number eight or number ten cuts for goulash. They are less

Different Types of Tea

2006-06-17T06:24:00.000-07:00

If you want to metamorphose into a more relaxed, mindful and balanced individual, throw out your coffee mug and have a cup of tea instead. You can either purchase conveniently packed tea bags or buy tea in its loose form. To brew, put tea or a tea ball in a pot or mug and pour in a cup of boiling water for each teaspoon of herb or tea. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes before straining and

What is Organic Food?

2006-03-29T18:34:00.000-08:00

When I first started hearing about “organic” food, I was a little confused since all food, scientifically speaking, falls into the carbon-based organic category. But, in the world of grocery shopping “organic” specifically refers to foods which meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s set of national standards concerning properly certified organic foods. Only products certified by the USDA can

How to Cook Steak

2006-01-17T18:26:00.000-08:00

Steak, though a grill favorite, can be cooked in several other ways. They can be pan-fried, braised, broiled, baked, etc. Selecting the proper method for cooking steak depends on its tenderness. There are dry heat methods and moist methods. Dry heat methods are generally applied for more tender steaks such as filet mignon and sirloin, while moist heat methods are more suited to tougher cuts of

Lemon Juice Health Benefits

2005-12-31T18:22:00.000-08:00

Lemonade is known to have been used as a refreshing drink since the time of the Moguls. Modem investigations have tended to support this use, the essential oil being very good for cooling the body. This use can be extended to the employment of lemon juice with water and sugar as the best drink to take when you have a feverWhen the temperature of the body is high, whether from the effects of the

Chicken with White Wine & Pasta

2005-08-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

Recipe:3 Tbsp. Olive Oil1/2 C. Chopped Onions4 Tbsp. Chopped GarlicSautee all of the above until onions start to turn a bit brown.Add all of the following...1/2 C. White WineLet simmer on medium heat for about 5 mins.Add all of the following...White Wine into a wine glass, and enjoy for yourself!Add one of the following...1 C. canned red sauce1 can stewed tomatoes1 can chopped tomatoes4 chopped

Chinese Sauces & Spices

2005-08-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sauces and spices are the key in any cooking. No dishes would taste good without them. The only exception is that some sea animals can be simply steamed or boiled before serve. Well, that is because they are salty already in their body. Imagine eating steamed river shrimp? I wouldn't bother!I'd like to introduce some of the most popular sauces and spices that we use. You may already know some of

CHAMPORADO

2005-08-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

This post is for the first Filipino Food Blogging Event: LASANG PINOY"Food embodies the culture from which it developed. To know a culture, one can start with food." For their part, Filipino food bloggers the world over will launch on Ninoy Aquino Day the first Lasang Pinoy Food Blogging Event which aims to bring attention to Filipino food. Just like how Ninoy had much faith in the Filipino,

Lasang Pinoy

2005-08-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

Pilgrims Pots and Pans is hosting Lasang Pinoy.Please go to her page and read more about this...

Will be way... for a short while

2005-07-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Will be away for a while going back to France for a month or so...I do not have my own connection and my own kitchen...Will be back soon!And for those who find themselves at Cote D' Azur this restaurant La Mere Germaine is located at one of the most beautiful bay, Villefranche, between Nice and Monaco.Au revoir!

Simply Quick Baked Fish

2005-07-27T02:33:00.000-07:00

I was walking down the road when I pass the fishmongers and saw wonderful seabass (loup de mer) glistening, calling me “am fresh am fresh” For 13€ a kilo it wasnt too bad, got 2 pieces and ask him if he could clean the fish for me. Walking towards home my mind was swimming of LOUP DE MER EN CROUTE DE SEL.Ever since Stel posted her Salt Baked Chicken my gastrofantasy was going in and out of the

Squid with Tomato Sauce

2005-07-23T04:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my husband suggested we drive to the eastern part of Attica, to be exact our main destination is Rafina. A drab port really but it offers a gastronomic appeal. The area is so tacky due to seaside development but the fishing harbour has attractive spots of SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS.Markus wanted to check the prices of the fish market there, in between each restaurants are fishmongers. He just

Eggplant Salad

2005-07-22T04:35:00.000-07:00

Way back April when I was still in Norway, Market Man of Manila posted on his terrfic food blog about Grilled Eggplant SaladI knew I would have to wait for a while before I will have a chance to do this. First because I hardly saw good aubergines in Oslo and secondly I wanted good sweet tomatoes that has ripen under the Mediterranean sun.It is very easy to do and very refreshing. I used a good

Maja Blanca -BLANCMANGE OF CORN AND COCONUT CREAM

2005-07-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

Stel of Baby Rambutan her post dated 14th of July, wrote about kakainin and she mentioned maja blanca (BLACMANGE OF CORN AND COCONUT CREAM) maja blanca is a popular afternoon snack lumped in the kakanin section of my memory ...one of the items my ma or lola (grandma) would bring home as uwi (take home gift) from the wet market.And she "dedicated" the recipe to me. The very next day I went to the

Overview of Maja Blanca

2005-07-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

I took some of the maja blanca to some Swiss friends and as usual they were curious. I was asked what it is and the nearest equivalent I could find is BLANCMANGE. I did explain that instead of milk I used coconut milk. They all love it.Blancmange (bluh-MANHZH) is a pudding made of cornstarch, milk, vanilla, and sugar. Gelatin is substituted for the cornstarch. The mixture is poured into a mould,

Mung Beans & Munggo

2005-07-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

My sister Tara and her husband Nick just came back recently from their short break driving around Killin, north west of Glasgow, around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.They hiked, toured and stayed at wonderful BB’s they found along the way.And they have been a wee tired from the trip and just want to eat something homey and comforting.I myself after days of travel all I could wish for Is a simple

Palitaw

2005-07-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

After a very Filipino lunch with mung beans my sister went craving for a Filipino sweet or dessert. My sister makes the wonderful leche flan, but she said too much calories but she even toyed the idea of Yemas. So I told her to checkKaren's Pilgrims Pots and Pans and Sassy's Pinoy Cook. pages for yemas.We needed condensed milk but she said why not just check what we have in the cupboard and

Whats on my shelf?

2005-07-12T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ah cookbook meme, I knew it will not be long before I will be tagged. And not once but twice, first byLady Charlie's Cookshop and today by Market Man of Manila. But before I go on I will write about the cookbook I created when I was young.When I was in my early 20's and struggling between jobs to pay rent and live day per day, I couldnt afford books. But my friends would lend me theirs and

Global Pinoy Food Bloggers

2005-07-11T02:02:00.000-07:00

Blog o Rama The Global Pinoy Food BloggersThis week, Manila Bulletin's Blog O Rama continued with their feature on Pinay food bloggers who are scattered all over the world and yet remain Filipino in spirit.Ajay's writing on the wall.Annalyn the feature writer of this Blog O Rama is also a foodie herself. On her page at Ajay's writing on the wall she has section titled : MUNCHIN MANILA. She checks

Oxtapodia Octopus

2005-07-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

LastJune 29th,Market Man of Manila posted on his wonderful food blog about Inihaw na Pusit - Grilled SquidI asked him if octopus is popular in the Philippines as I could not even remember having such delicacy inspite the fact we lived near the coastline."Amazing you should ask! At the market last weekend they had several small octopus for sale but I didn’t know how to tell if they were fresh and

Cooking Meme

2005-07-09T02:03:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by Stel of Baby Rambutan. She is just curious how I learn to cook or rather she wants to know some gory details of my kitchen disasters. Ok then lets have some funWhat is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?Does cooking rice count? I mean before I learned to cook this was the thing I must learn foremost.I cant remember how old I was, maybe around 8 years old or

Ice Bowl

2005-07-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

We went to visit our friends Bea and Momo at Bricket Wood, St Albans, UK. My husband and Momo went for a walk around the garden where Momo works. They came back with some beautiful flowers of BORRAGE or BORAGEHere is a description of this flower from a botanical site I foundThe plant is rough with white, stiff, prickly hairs. The round stems, about 1 1/2 feet high, are branched, hollow and

Mezopoleion Naxos- Psirri , Athens

2005-07-04T04:56:00.000-07:00

Last June 7th the day I finally met Bayi and his wife, I decided to take them around Athens which is not on the tourist guide list. For almost a week in, they were toured to the key ancient sites, the Acropolis, the Hadrian Arc, Athens Academy and had their dinners mostly at Plaka, the old district of Athens which is very touristy.I wanted to show them the Athens where the Eastern Culture still

June July Posts I Owe..

2005-07-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

I know I am slightly behind with my posts but with this sweltering heat, I prefer to go out and spend the eve with friends going out, than sit down and blog.Also, when I was in France (am going back again by the way) I was using the internet cafe where most yacht crew hang out. And guess what? Its 5euro an hr. With all the crowd around me I do not fancy writing in the public.But I did find out I

Vieux Nice

2005-06-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

Cours SaleyaI have visited Nice in the past, not as a tourist but someone who was based in the area. But this time we went to met Amy and Michel a fellow blogger who is resides in Nice.Nice is the capital of the Riviera, a pick pocket’s paradise, a traffic night mare and yet Nice managed to be delightful.Columns of La Chappele de la MisericordeWe went for a walk at Vieux Nice- the old town with

Pancakes

2005-06-25T05:06:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my sister, Tara and her husband Nick, were busy fixing things around their garden They were fixing their shed and painting few bits and bobs when I asked to my brother in law, MERIENDA?Merienda in Filipino means snack the closest equivalent of afternoon tea to the Brits. I know he loves pancakes!I even taught him how to do it. I have learned how to do pancakes when I was quite young,

Caribbean Food - A Little History

2005-06-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

The Arawak, Carib, and Taino Indians were the first inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. These first inhabitants occupied the present day islands of British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Trinidad, and Jamaica. Their daily diet consisted of vegetables and fruits such as papaw, yams, guavas, and cassava. The Taino started the process of cooking meat and fish in large clay

A Birthday Celebration

2005-06-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

Finally I found time to re write the story of this birthday. I normally prepare the post on the words format then upload it on blogger. That night for some reasons I just did it straight on blogger and just I was editing it , voila I have pressed something, gone within a split of a second.I am typing now while having my pan chocolat and tea here in Antibes. I am staying at a friends flat right in

"Tantalizing Titillating Tempting Tarts!"

2005-06-14T05:07:00.000-07:00

This is our (I say our because it’s a team workbetween my husband and myself) first time to join the events of IS MY BLOG BURNING the event of IMBB is being hosted by Life in Flow.At the site of IS MY BLOG BURNING this is what it says...Sugar High Friday #9 From the host's blog - "And so, I embark on a quest to find fellow tart-lovers, to discover what strange manner of tart, tartlet, galette, or

Orange Glow Chiffon Cake

2005-06-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

I had a postal notice last Thursday to claim a package. I was not sure where it was from but I somehow had this idea its probably the TUBE PAN for angel cake from my friend Stephanie. She is my half English and Greek friend way back during the senior years at school and now lives at Milwaukee, USA. On Wednesday night we chatted and she said I should get my pan next week. It came few days earlier

Nature's Herbal Fragrances in Your Kitchen

2005-06-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

Isn’t it a pleasure to gather fresh herbs for your soup, omelette, salads, and roasts?Last weekend visit to the garden centre was such a delight that I could have brought all the herbs available. But we got the ones we mostly use, cilantro, oregano, mint and rosemary. I have forgotten the parsley though.Herbs are the soul of good cooking and by imaginative use of their natural flavouring agents a

Trotters

2005-06-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

Trotters are cooked by lengthy poaching, they can be coated with breadcrumbs and grilled or served with a piquant sauce. The gelatine that they contain makes them useful for enriching stews and jellied stock.Photos taken: Athens Central Market, Trotters at 0.73 euro a kilo

Summer Fruits

2005-06-03T05:10:00.000-07:00

Just came back from my walkabouts here in Athens and went to check the farmer's market on the other side of my area. After my shock with the food prices in Oslo and the availability of fresh products in that beautiful city, I am just so happy to be here in Athens again.My fjord escapades will soon be posted......at the mean time am going to enjoy all these fruits blessed by the Gods and the

“LOVE AND EGGS ARE BETTER WHEN FRESH”

2005-06-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Avga ya mora! Eggs for children, in Greece that's the sign you see, eggs for children. Ask the vendor why is that. They will say there is no chemicals on them, but why just for babies?There maybe nothing special with omelette (AHM -let) but it becomes one when you start adding whatever you could make it special. I had some ORGANIC FREE RANGE EGGS and some leftover sausages. I added spring onions

Maroulousalata

2005-05-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

Lettuce SaladWell M kept saying he feels like going to Greece soon for a short break and we have been looking for tickets. Well we both MISS GREECE and the food.The other day, I sent him to buy some salad and he came back with lettuce, hoping we will do a Caesars salad, but with the crouton, egg yolk and Parmesan we opted for a healthier salad.Here is one of my favorite salad in Greece ,

Moments: HOME COOKING

2005-05-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

Lombok is a mix of ethnic Indonesian but majority of the people are Sasak Muslim.One compound in the heart of the city are "immigrants" from the neighboring Bali, where they form their close knit community. We got invited to this small community and this man was preparing our Bali feast for that day!Mataram, Lombok, INDONESIA

Torta Caprese

2005-05-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

Isola di CapriLast week my husband was in his day dreaming mode of Italy and not just Italy but Capri.Well he started saying, you know Sha that restaurant in Capri and they serve a great Chocolate Torta.The restaurant he was talking about is LA CAPANINNAlocated at historical Capri which serves cuisine typical of the region and perhaps the freshest fish of the day. And after each meal they serve

Behind the Walls and Moats of Fredrikstad

2005-05-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Gamleyen FredrikstadThe original plan was to take the 0937 train north to Hamar, a town just south of Lilehammer. But we left the flat past 9am (my fault it took a while to get out of bed) and little did I know the bus does not come often on Sundays. It was sure we would miss the train. What’s next.. Brainstorming at the bus stop1) Take tram to the edges of the city and hike around the lake.2)

Apple Turon

2005-05-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

When we first move to Greece in 1984, there were hardly any Asian shops. There is a supermarket in Psyhico where most of the diplomats live and there AB supermarket has a small selection of rice, soya sauce and some noodlesLooking back I think it was much more aimed for the Japanese. Of course we have learned to improvise, cook and eat what Athens has to offer. It was, still is exciting indeed to

A Fishy Lunch

2005-05-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

That's what M called our lunch today. After the gym I just wanted something light. A bowl of salad with cervelat. The guilty person admitted he ate all the cervelat in the fridge.Cervelat is a style of sausage that combines pork or beef with various herbs and spices.We went to the gourmet shop down our building. Quite a long queue but I really wanted to have something light so we bought some

Grilled Halibut

2005-05-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

Today my husband cooked some halibut and I am going to share to you his recipe in which is very easy to follow and difficult not to forget. As the taste of the marinate is just so wonderful.For the marinade:- about 1 tsp grated ginger- Zest and juice of half lime and half lemon- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil- 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped finely- Sea salt & freshly grinded black pepper- Mix

The Resurrection Table

2005-05-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

KALO PASCHA CHRONIA POLLA... GREEK EASTERFasting is over. Last Thursday, the Orthodox Maundy Thursday, the preparation for the Easter celebration begun when the women started baking their TSOUREKI, the braided sweet bread, with a dyed red egg in the middle.Kokkina avga (red eggs) are made by adding dye to the boiling water and vinegar . As soon they are cool, eggs are polished with olive oil to

Kaseschitten, A Swiss Classic

2005-02-26T13:42:00.000-08:00

Káseschitten is listed as one of the Swiss national dish, of course tourist only dream of fondue and raclette, but I have discovered more than that and the real Swiss love affair of cheese.We wanted something quick to prepare and M said he is going to make Kaseschitten basically a toasted cheese but he will do it the Swiss way. I said the Swiss way? That would mean kirsch isn't it? He wished its

Subject: Re: Do you know any lovely little hotels or guesthouses in Greece?

2005-01-31T04:25:00.000-08:00

Skiathos September 2004 I received an email from Mike, I have hiked with him here in Greece.The reason I'm writing is that I'm compiling a guidebook to 'Special Places to Stay' in Greece and I wondered if you had any suggestions. They must be small hotels, guesthouses or villas (<30 rooms), owner-run (i.e. not part of a chain), friendly, and very special in terms of decor and/or location I've

2005-01-30T16:27:00.000-08:00

"A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness."Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) Shocking Life

I must have married a sorcerer!

2005-01-30T13:27:00.000-08:00

If a good cook is a like a sorceress then I must have been married to one or we happen to bewitch each other with our experimentations....My agapi is cruising between St Maarten & St Barts (Anguilla & St Barthelemy) & whipping the finest cuisine aboard M/Y One More Toy. I am eagerly waiting for his promised email with the menu details and if he had time hopefully some photos.

the prickly sea urchin- archinoos sept 2004 skiathos

2005-01-29T16:28:00.000-08:00

I never had sea urchin in my life, whenever I am in South of France, I just look at it with sheer curiosity.The thought d oursin, the prickly sea urchin just doesnt entice me to try it.But one day as we were snorkelling in one of the most beautiful cove we discovered in Skiathos, a greek couple joined us.They were obviously not there to sunbathe or to idle their time. I took my fins and snorkel,