When the Pasta alla Carbonara I was making went wrong and instead turned into spaghetti with scrambled eggs, I turned to chef Claudia Cillaria for help. Claudia spent many years in the restaurant industry and now teaches travelers to make authentic Italian dishes from her home kitchen in Zagarolo, Italy, […]
Learning the Secrets of Authentic Pasta alla Carbonara Read More »
It’s the Portugal predicament for travelers with limited vacation time: Lisbon or Porto? Both are great destinations for good food, wine and historic sites. To help make the decision, Stirring Up Adventure explores both cities. The Cities Lisbon sprawls across seven hillsides on the banks of the Tagus River. “What
Lisbon or Porto? How to Choose (if you can’t visit both) Read More »
We fell in love with these savory cheese puffs on a recent trip to the Burgundy region in France. Made with choux pastry and served warm, gougères traditionally include Gruyere cheese but grated Emmental, Comte, Parmigiano-Reggiano or even cheddar can also be used. They are a simple and elegant pre-party
French Cheese Puffs (Gougères) Read More »
A road trip through the countryside lets you slow down and explore all that France has to offer. Medieval architecture, imposing castles, wineries tucked inside hidden hamlets, and warm baguettes from the local boulangerie are just the beginning. It’s worth doing a some advance planning so you can enjoy France’s
Road Trip in France: A Photo Essay Read More »
We’re lost somewhere in the French countryside. A herd of caramel-colored cows are lazing in the late autumn sun. A rooster from a far-off field begs for attention. And the neat stone barn in front of us is not the winery we were looking for. C’est la vie. Laughing, we
An Afternoon in the French Countryside Read More »
Chef Karen Duncan takes a platter from the fridge with several raw fish filets arranged in a neat row. “Smell this,” she says. We don’t smell anything, and that’s the point. Fresh fish is virtually odorless, and these were pulled from the waters off the New Orleans coast just a
Cooking Up New Orleans Flavor at Casa Pelican B&B and Cooking School Read More »
Uzi is a special dog and she knows it. Nearly a dozen of us follow as she meanders through the misty forest, stopping now and again to look back and make sure she’s still the center of attention. We’re on a truffle hunt in Bracciano, Italy, about 30 minutes outside
It’s a Dog’s Life in Italy’s Truffle Country Read More »
I don’t remember exactly where I was in Italy when I first tried porchetta, but the taste is unforgettable. An in-the-know travel companion spotted a food truck selling porchetta and pulled us toward it, saying, “You have to try this.” I will be forever grateful. The warm slivers of pork
Porchetta: An Italian Street Food Obsession Read More »
We met up with Ricardo “The Professor” Hipólito on a day trip from Lisbon with The Cooltours, a company that specializes in small group tours and a passion for sharing knowledge and unique experiences with travelers to Portugal. In this interview, the Professor answers our questions about exploring this beautiful
Interview: Ricardo Hipólito, The Cooltours – Lisbon Read More »
We weren’t looking for morels – just mowing the lawn – when we saw a couple of honeycombed domes poking up where the grass meets the woods. The signs were promising: a hollow stem and a cap that seamlessly attaches to the stalk. To be safe, I showed the mushrooms
Beyond Morels: Hunting for Wild Mushrooms Read More »
The world is as close as your kitchen! The recent explosion of virtual cooking classes makes it easy to learn how to cook global cuisines in your own home. Formats range from interactive sessions to live demonstrations to videotaped instruction. Many are taught by regional cooks who have a passion
Seven Virtual Cooking Classes That Give You A Taste of the World Read More »
One of the best detours we’ve ever taken was in Northwest Patagonia. Instead of choosing the highway, we opted for one of Argentina’s most scenic drives, the Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Road), for the trip from San Martín de los Andes to Bariloche. The snows had melted,
Delightful Detour: Argentina’s Seven Lakes Road Read More »
Tierra Negra Gourmet specializes in dishes from Argentina and South America using fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients. Professional chef Manuel and Verónica, a travel planner and sommelier, operate the cooking school from their apartment in the Hollywood Palermo section of Buenos Aires and recently began offering online cooking classes. Tell
Interview: Manuel and Verónica, Tierra Negra Gourmet – Buenos Aires Read More »
Local produce markets are a practically a destination of their own. They are a window into the traditions, foods and lives of everyday people around the world. It’s hard to resist the fresh greens piled high…neat rows of the season’s best apples, apricots and pomegranates…or a riot of cherries spilling
Markets Around the World: A Photo Essay Read More »
My right boot is stuck in the mud up to the ankle. It makes a sucking sound as I pull it out, wobbling on one leg while looking for a drier spot. I’m heading into the woods to check on the taps I pounded into the black walnut trees. Earlier
Harvesting “Liquid Gold” from Black Walnuts Read More »
Want something that’s delicious, easy to make, and has a taste that can virtually transport you to an exotic location? (Yes, please!) Look no further than India’s Masala Chai (spiced tea). This comforting blend of black tea, milk and spices is one of India’s many culinary delights. Masala Chai is
Masala Chai: A Cup of Comfort Read More »
The alarm is off. Slide the gate open. Then follow the two-track to the sugar shack. Meeting instructions for an undercover spy rendezvous? Nope. Just the start of my latest food and travel adventure! I’m tapping some trees on my own property and the team behind Dixboro Pure Michigan Maple
Uncovering a Maple Syrup Mystery Read More »
Traveling shows us that some things in life—like young love—are universal. This story unfolded on our way to visit the Trawupeyum Intercultural Museum in Curarrehue, Chile, which highlights the area’s indigenous Mapuche people. We were still talking about the experience hours later at a small café, while lingering over sopaipillas,
A Scene from the Back of the Bus Read More »
Café Sabor Cruceño is changing lives, one meal at a time. The open-air rooftop restaurant perches like a treehouse on a steep mountainside overlooking volcano-ringed Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. It’s part of a vocational program supported by the nonprofit Amigos de Santa Cruz, whose mission is to improve the lives
Mountainside Café Offers High Hopes for Locals Read More »
Armenia may not be on your bucket list, but it should be. The capital, Yerevan, sits in the shadow of Mt. Ararat and the country is home to treasures from the paleolithic period to modern times. Here, we’ve asked tour guide Hayk Avagyan to tell us more about this emerging
Interview: Hayk Avagyan, Armenian Tour Guide Read More »
