The Culinary Tour: a Gem in the Realm of Vacations
If you’re an avid traveller, you’re likely to have taken all the ‘usual’ vacations – from beach breaks and mountain retreats to spa getaways. And if you don’t get the opportunity to travel much, you’ll undoubtedly want your trips to be extraordinary and well-worth your time. The reality is that while there are countless types of fulfilling recreational pursuits out there, travellers are always looking for new and interesting ways to spend their vacations. After all, everyone wants to come away with a holiday experience that’s not only unique, but unforgettable.
A gem in the realm of vacations has long been the culinary tour. Yet this type of getaway has kept a perpetual sense of novelty, quite simply because there are so many ways to relish it. When you go to a beach, you can expect sun, sand and waves; but when you take a tour reflecting all the cultural and culinary influences upon the cuisine of a region, you might come away with much more than you bargained for. Simply put, if you love travelling, enjoy trying new things and can’t get your fill of good food, a culinary tour is the perfect type of vacation for you.
No matter where you go these days, there’s something delicious to eat. But there are certainly parts of the US which boast a rich culinary history. One of these is undoubtedly New Orleans, Louisiana. Sure, New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras celebration and Jazz Fest; but the city, known as “The Big Easy,” is also world-renowned for its culinary customs. New Orleans is noted for its mix of cultures, each of which has held on to its past traditions in some way – and food, like music, just happens to be one of the most prominent of these traditions.
Tour the city’s most famous kitchens and dining rooms – particularly in the French quarter and along Bourbon Street – and learn about the many ethnic influences that have helped shape its history and unique cuisine. Pick up on the culinary contributions of historic restaurants in the area, dating from 1840 to present, and learn the distinctions between Creole and Cajun foods! No matter how you go about it, you can’t go wrong with a culinary tour in New Orleans.
Alternatively, why not combine a culinary tour with a wine-tasting excursion? Napa Valley, California is undoubtedly the ideal destination if this idea strikes your fancy. Napa Valley is the American capital of food and wine, and a region which attracts countless visitors from around the world each year. By touring a winery, you can come to appreciate the various processes involved in producing an exquisite wine – from harvesting and fermentation to ageing. And aside from all the fantastic culinary treasures and premium wines, you can expect stunning, picturesque scenery. Whether you’re a novice or an accomplished wine connoisseur, a wine and culinary tour in Napa Valley is guaranteed to delight you. Moreover, Napa Valley is just 30 miles north of San Francisco, so you could easily make your way down to try the culinary treats of the “Golden Gate City” – which includes those in America’s largest Chinatown.
If you’re considering a culinary tour, rest assured that you’ll find a number of fantastic options for accommodation – regardless of whether you’re off to the east coast, west coast or deep south. A culinary tour is truly one of the best ways to become acquainted with a city’s culture and unique character – so why not book a culinary tour today and prepare to have your taste buds dazzled!
Martin Mcallister
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-culinary-tour-a-gem-in-the-realm-of-vacations-90949.html
An Excellent Kitchen Companion – Slow Cookers
mortgage refinance There are two types of cookers nowadays. One is the type of people who have a very modern kitchen, probably with only 2 walls communicating with the living room. They use the microwave oven to cook. This way they don’t make smells in the entire house.
juegos Compared to traditional ovens and stoves, especially older, less energy-efficient models, the crockpot uses much less energy. You can load an entire meal into a crockpot and not turn on the oven, stove, or microwave.
You’ll need raw ingredients for the crockpot, which means you’ll save money buying fresh items opposed to boxed and processed goods. Frozen or boxed side items, as well as processed entrees, can cost up to two times as much as their fresh, raw counterparts.
Next time you’re at the grocery store, equip a calculator and add up your purchases, separating your produce and raw meats to your frozen, canned, and boxed goods. You’ll probably be surprised.
By avoiding boxed and processed foods, you’ll also be doing your health a favor. Compare the ingredient list of frozen mashed potatoes to the ingredient list on a bag of raw Russet potatoes. Compare the wall of preservatives and chemicals in a large frozen family meal to the ingredients of fresh onions, squash, mushrooms, and a chuck roast from the meat aisle.
homes for sale They allowed for unattended cooking of standard home food such as stew, rice and other dishes. People loved these because they just had to put in the ingredients, leave the cooker as it is, go to work and come back to a freshly prepared dish. With the advent of fast food joints and with the introduction of microwaves, slow cookers had lost their charm.
The best thing about the crock pot recipes is that even though they take 8 hours to get cooked, in that 8 hours you don’t care at all what happens to the food. Because it can’t get burned. The recipes are also very delicious. This is because the seasoning has enough time to fully combine with the meat.
These recipes haven’t been that popular in the past. Maybe this is because the crock pots used to be expensive. But now it’s not the case. These recipes are the new wave in cooking.
* Save money by buying fresh ingredients and in-season produce, as well as helping your budget through reduced energy costs
* Improve your health by cooking with and appreciating fresh produce and meats
* Save time by prepping and “cooking” in the morning before work You can be published without charge. You can to republish this article in your website or blog. Please provide links Active.
Destination Haitian Cuisine
Haitian food is similar to the rest of the Latin-Caribbean (the French and the Spanish-speaking countries of the Antilles) however it differs in several ways from its regional counterparts. Its primary influence derive from French, and African cuisine, with notable derivatives from native Taíno and Spanish culinary technique. Though similar to other cooking styles in the region, it carries a uniqueness native only to the country and an appeal to many visitors to the island. Haitians use vegetables and meats extensively and peppers and similar herbs are often used for strengthening flavor. Dishes tend to be seasoned liberally and consequently Haitian cuisine tends to be moderately spicy, not mild and not too hot. In the country, however, many businesses of foreign origin have been established introducing several foreign cuisines into the mainstream culture. Years of adaptation have led to these cuisines (ie: Levantine from Arab migration to Haiti) to merge into Haitian cuisine.
Rice and beans in several differing ways are eaten throughout the country regardless of location, becoming a sort of national dish. They form the staple diet, which consists of a lot of starch and is high in carbohydrates. In the more rural areas, however, at great distances from the major cities, other foods are eaten to a larger degree such as mais moulu (mayi moulen), a dish comparable to cornmeal that can be eaten with sauce pois (sos pwa) [a bean sauce made from one of many types of beans such as kidney, pinto, or garbanzo beans, or pigeon peas]. Mais moulu can be eaten with fish (often red snapper), or alone, depending on personal preference. Tomato, oregano, cabbage, avocado, and red and green peppers are several of the many types of vegetables and fruits that are used in Haitian dishes. Banane Pésée (Bannan Pézé), flattened plantain slices that are fried in oil (known as tostones in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico), are eaten frequently in Haiti as both a snack food and as part of a meal. They are frequently eaten with tassot and/or griot, deep-fried goat and pork respectively.
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pernil
pernilIs this a good way to make shrimp gumbo?
ROUX—
5Tbs of butter and 5Tbs of flour. Melt butter fully and mix in flour. Stir until milk chocolate color. Mix in 2/3 cup of onion. Stir for a few minutes. Mix in 2/3 cup of celery and 1/4 cup of bell peppers. 2 cloves of chopped garlic – Or one, use to taste.
BROTH—
1.5 quarts of chicken broth — mix with roux and stir. Mix in desired ammout of Rotel Tomatos. Let cook for an hour. Add desired ammount cajun and file powder. Stir. Add in peppers and then seafood. Stir, let cook. Remove from heat. Serve.
you almost got it, the few things i would change is use vegetable oil instead of butter for the roux and you do have to constantly stir the roux or it will burn (could take about 30 minutes to get the right color)(do not use a nonstick pan) and you can add the onions, bellpepper and celery and garlic after you add the broth (i would use seasoned water or shrimp stock not chicken broth) cook this about an hour
and another thing i wouldn’t do is add tomatoes but i make a cajun gumbo and what you are doing is creole and either way is OK
also you just want to add the shrimp at the very end like 10 minutes before serving.
serve with rice in a bowl
another suggestion would be to add okra if it is availible in your area chop in small pieces and add 30 minutes before serving
Do you have a really good recipe for cooking salmon?
I usually do the same mix of ingredients: margarine, cajun seasoning (Tony Cacherie’s), fresh lemon juice or bottled lemon juice, dried parsley flakes, garlic power and a few drops of green Tabasco. I melt all that in the microwave and pour the mixture on top of the fish. It gives the fish a tangy, spicy and seasoned flavor. It’s probably not the healthiest recipe though, so I am looking for different ideas.
I cook my salmon two different ways. With one, I put a layer of mayonnaise seasoned with black pepper, dill and onion powder over the top of the salmon, wrap it in foil and bake it until just done. The salmon is very moist that way. I’ve had it in a restaurant fixed that way but I believe they mixed mayonnaise and either sour cream or cream cheese. By the texture, I want to say cream cheese.
And, when we went to Juneau, Alaska, a restaurant that cooked their salmon over alder use a 3-2-1 method. 3 parts brown sugar, 2 parts lemon juice and 1 part butter. Melt the butter, mix everything together and coat the fish. I again seal it in foil and bake it.
Some ladies in my group like the 3-2-1 method and others like the mayonnaise version. The restaurant that uses the mayonnaise method is Anthony’s Home Port in Olympia, WA
does anyone have any good recipes for boiled peanuts? regular or cajun or anything else!?
Lickety-Split Cajun Boiled Peanuts:
1 day 5 min prep
12 servings
1-2 lb peanuts (in their shells)
water
2-3 tablespoons salt
10 dashes red peppers
1 dash garlic
1 dash soy sauce
1. In a crockpot, put about 2 quarts of water and add the peanuts (in their shells) such that the water just barely covers the peanuts.
2. Add 2-3 tbs salt and 10 dashes of red pepper (more if you like spice) and a dash each (optional) of garlic and soy sauce.
3. Let it all simmer for 24 hours, adding more water when the level gets lower, every so often.
4. The idea is to get the peanuts really soft inside the shells.
5. When ready, serve hot, with an empty bowl nearby for the empty shells.
I have a big garden and lots of product. What kind of soups can I make with all this stuff?
I have zuccini, squash, carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, bean sprouts, snap peas, onions, green peppers, cilantro, red cabbage, lettuce, jala peppers, banana peppers, baby corn, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, steak, chicken, lamb, rotini, linguini, mahi, tilapia, sausage, ginger, black pepper, chick and beef soup bases, lemon pepper, seafood seasoning, sesame seed, curry, cumin, chili powder, red pepper, oregano, herbs de province, cajun, I can get a couple more spices if needed, I am not very experienced with soup making.
Minestrone Soup:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
1 large onion, cut into large dice
1 celery stalk, cut into large dice
1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2 moon shapes
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup boiled ham chunks or end of prosciutto, large dice
4 medium tomatoes, fresh or canned, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian parsley leaves
6 cups hot vegetable stock or chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 small zucchini, medium dice
3/4 cup arborio rice
2 yellow, red, or orange bell peppers, roasted, cored, skinned, seeded and cut into strips
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
6 fresh chopped basil leaves
In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until hot, but not smoking. Add the onion and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Lower the heat to low, and add the celery, carrots and garlic. Allow to simmer over low heat until the vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add the ham pieces and cook 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes and the parsley. Cook for 5 more minutes so that the flavors meld.
Add the hot water or stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, and add the zucchini and the rice. Bring back to a boil and then lower the heat so that the liquid is simmering. Let simmer gently until the rice is cooked, about 40 minutes. Remember to stir the soup occasionally. Add more water or stock, if necessary. When the rice is cooked, add the roasted peppers and remove the soup from the heat. Stir in Parmesan, to taste, and top each serving with some chopped basil.
Cianfotta:
2 medium-sized bell peppers
1/2 pound ripe tomatoes
1 bunch (about 5-6) zucchini flowers
1/2 pound (about 4 small) small green hot chili peppers
1 medium-sized eggplant
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 baking potatoes, cut into cubes
2 cups vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch fresh basil, cut into chiffonade
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, to taste
Clean and cut all the "verdura" (including the bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini blossoms, chili peppers) into 1/2-inch dice. Make sure to do the chili peppers last and clean your knife and cutting board thoroughly after chopping them.
In a 12 to 14-inch saucepan with 3-inch sides, heat the olive oil over a medium-high flame until hot but not smoking. Add the garlic and onion and cool until a light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the potato cubes and cook until light golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes more. Add the rest of the vegetables and let cook until soft, about 15 minutes more.
Begin adding the stock, bit by bit. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve the soup in 4 warmed soup bowls, garnished with basil. Add some Parmigiano-Reggiano, to taste, if desired.
Simple Veggie Soup:
2 small leeks, white part only
1 large potato, peeled
1 small onion
2 stalks celery
1 medium zucchini
12 green beans
2 medium carrots, peeled
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons water
1/2 gallon chicken stock (or 1/2 gallon water, 4 bouillon cubes, a pinch of thyme, and 1/2 bay leaf)
6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded
4 medium garlic cloves
30 fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
Salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cut the leeks, potato, onion, celery, zucchini, green beans, and carrots into 1/4-inch dice.
In a 6-quart stockpot, combine 3 tablespoons of the olive oil with the water. Add the vegetables and saute over medium-low heat until all the water evaporates. Do not brown the vegetables.
Add the stock and bring to a boil. Cook at a gentle boil for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, put the tomatoes, basil, garlic, and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Pulse until pureed. Stir the puree into the cooked soup. Do not let the soup return to a boil. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve the soup hot or cold from a tureen or in individual bowls.
Chicken Veg Soup:
2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
2 leeks, cleaned and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup of peas
4 boneless chicken breasts
2 to 3 bay leaves
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
6 ounces uncooked egg noodles
1 cup zuccini or squash
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add leeks, carrots, garlic, and celery and saute 4 minutes, until soft. Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and black pepper and stir to mix well. Add chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Return mixture to a boil and add egg noodles. Cook 10 minutes, until egg noodles are just tender. Stir in peas and cook until peas are just heated through, about 1 minute.
Remove from heat, discard bay leaves and stir in parsley.
Chicken Cacciatore Stoup:
1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 to 1 1/3 pounds, diced
Coarse salt and black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch squares
4 portobello mushroom caps or 16 cremini mushrooms, sliced or chopped
4 ribs celery hearts, chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup dry Italian red wine, eyeball it
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped, 3 or 4 sprigs
1 cup basil, arugula or baby spinach leaves, shredded or torn
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, to pass at table
Crusty bread, to pass at the table
Heat a deep skillet or a medium soup pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, and the chicken. Season it with coarse salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.
While the chicken cooks, chop up the veggies.
When the chicken is evenly and lightly browned all over, 3 or 4 minutes, remove it to a plate and reserve. Add another tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, 1 more turn of the pan. Add the potatoes to the pan. Cook a couple of minutes, then add in the mushrooms, celery, and onion and cook another couple of minutes. Add in the peppers and garlic and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Add chicken back to the pan. Toss it with the vegetables. Add red wine to the pan and deglaze it, picking up drippings. Add tomatoes and stock to the stoup and stir to combine. Stir in rosemary and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 8 to10 minutes.
Turn off stoup and ladle into shallow bowls. Top with basil (for a sweet finish and balance to the spice in the soup) or arugula (for a peppery finish) or with spinach (for a woodsy finish). At the table, pass grated cheese for sprinkling on top of the stoup and bread for mopping up the bowl.
Broccoli Stoup:
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds broccoli rabe, 1 large bunch, trimmed and cut into large bite-sized pieces
Salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, 1 minced, 3 chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can white beans, cannellini
Black pepper
1 quart chicken stock
2 cups beef or vegetable stock
1/3 pound orecchiette, little ear shaped pasta, or ditalini
1 pound ground veal
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano, a generous handful, plus some to pass at table
2 to 3 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
Crusty bread, for mopping
Bring a couple of inches of water to a boil in a medium skillet. Add salt to boiling water and the broccoli rabe and cook 7 to 8 minutes. Drain rabe and reserve.
While rabe cooks, heat a medium soup pot over medium to medium high heat with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Add 3 cloves chopped garlic, carrots and onions. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, add white beans and heat through, a minute. Season veggies and beans with salt and pepper. Add drained rabe and the stocks and cover pot to bring to a quick boil. Add orecchiette and stir. Reduce heat and simmer soup to a low-roll, uncovered.
Mix veal with egg, remaining clove minced garlic, bread crumbs, cheese, sage and salt and pepper. Roll into 1-inch balls and drop into stoup. Cook 5 minutes. Adjust seasonings and serve stoup in shallow bowls with crusty bread.