Jigg’s Dinner. Salt brisket. New England boiled dinner. It doesn’t matter what you call it. Briny corned beef with a thin, meltingly soft layer of fat takes center stage on the St. Patrick’s Day dinner table, flanked by the traditional boiled cabbage and potatoes. Corned beef is generally considered an […]
Make Your Own Corned Beef for St. Paddy’s Day Read More »
The slow boat was waiting for us just past the Friendship bridge between Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), its motor puttering in the muddy brown water. Within minutes, we had kicked off our shoes and were padding barefoot across the polished teak, ready for a two-day float
Laos: A Photo Essay Read More »
I wish I could say I first had this delightful cake while sitting in a cafe on the Amalfi coast. Or that I discovered it in an old Italian cookbook at a flea market in Rome. Maybe a generous nonna slipped me the recipe after a homemade dinner in Tuscany?
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Read More »
Visiting the U.S. National Parks has been on the bucket list for a long time, so it’s fitting that our journey started during this year’s National Parks Week (April 19-27). The National Park Service System includes 63 national parks as well as 433 monuments, historic sites, battlefields, recreation areas, trails
Exploring the Great Outdoors: U.S. National Parks Read More »
Warm or cold, brothy or thick, meaty or plant-based…there’s something about soup that makes it the ultimate comfort food. No matter where you travel in the world, you’ll find home cooks serving soups that make the most of fresh, local ingredients. It’s not surprising, then, that some of our most
Comfort Soups from Three Continents Read More »
Mesaluisa cooking class takes place in a restored fisherman’s warehouse in central Lisbon that oozes Portuguese charm—rough stone walls, weathered wood, and copper pots dangling from the rafters. It’s almost too perfect, and there’s a reason: the space doubles as a studio for Luisa Villar’s popular television cooking show. But
Cooking Traditional Portuguese Dishes with Mesaluisa Read More »
It’s easy to get into the holiday spirit at a European Christmas market, and some of the most festive can be found in Vienna, Austria. The tiny wooden stalls burst with all-things-Christmas, from glittering ornaments to handmade jewelry, apparel, candles and more. And then there’s the food: Candied almonds, sizzling
A Guide to Vienna’s Christmas Markets Read More »
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 »
