Diana Laskaris

In Blog

Reimagining Tapas

We know that the word “tapas” conjures up images of many small plates at a Spanish table finished off with a pitcher of sangria. And while that’s an awfully good image, it’s not the only one available when you think of tapas in a larger context. Tapas to us means small sharable plates of something edible. They are not a starter or appetizer; together they form a complete meal. They may be hot or cold and they provide the perfect opportunity for tasting variety of flavors from a destination, whether you’re in Spain, America or somewhere else in the world.

We find the serving of small shareable plates is naturally available in a variety of places. For example, in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, the concept of mezedes is a natural part of the cuisine.

In the Middle East, mezze are are also featured throughout the cuisine. You will find great examples such as hummus and vegetable dips, meatballs, falafel, pickled vegetables, salads, olives, cheeses and much more spread before you as a feast of small delights to be sampled and shared.

Asian food is also natural for sharing, from wonderful Japanese pork buns or edamame to Chinese egg rolls and dumplings there are a lot of bite sized or shareable tapas-friendly foods.

Even Indian foods such as samosas, pakoras, and others make for a wonderful spread of tasty eats that work great as shareable plates.

And though it may seem contrary to the concept of a big bowl of pasta, or platter of chicken parmesan, Italian cuisine also lends itself to the wonders of sharing small plates. The traditional antipasto plate is meant to be shared.

But there are also some wonderful options you can treat this way, such as crostini or bruschetta, caprese (tomato and mozzarella slices), asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and other items.

Latin cuisine makes good use of the small plates concept as well.

You can enjoy Peruvian, Brazilian, Cuban or Mexican tapas. Empanadas and tacos make for wonderful small plates sharing.

Thinking about the idea of tapas, we can extend its application to just about any cuisine, even if it may seem not to fit. For example, when we were in Dublin, Ireland, we visited Fade St. Social, a very popular restaurant featuring “Irish Tapas.”

We sampled some delicious local fare made for sharing such as the novel raw beef flatbread a modern twist on traditional colcannon.

And even the if the idea of German tapas makes no sense in the mind, the tastebuds love the idea. Especially when doing some “beer tapas” as well. You can find small glasses for sampling or sharing in many places now and having some tastes that pair well can be fun and different.

Let’s not forget about dessert! Think about French profiteroles (though some of us would rather just eat all of them than share).

Or mini cannolis or zeppelin with different sauces for everyone to try.

You may even find a well planned sampler of mini-desserts, such as we found at Seasons 52, where the choices are many but the calories are few!

The concept of tapas has reached far beyond the borders of Spain. And we’re thrilled. Using a little creativity you can find all kinds of ways to create the tapas of your dreams. Tell us about your favorite, if unexpected, tapas discovery.

Pinnable Image Below

THE QUICK BITE: The concept of tapas has reached far beyond the borders of Spain. And we’re thrilled. Here are a few of the global tapas we’ve discovered in some unexpected places.

In United States

Tasty Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas

By Diana Laskaris

Let’s face it – Las Vegas is a sort of fantasyland for grownups. Hotels and services cater to just about every desire. But if you love music – especially rock music, the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas stands alone. And more than that, for Food Travelists, it offers a great variety of dining options all in one place.

We’ll start out with the obvious Hard Rock characteristic – music memorabilia. It’s the bedrock of the Hard Rock empire. And, in this, the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas doesn’t disappoint. In fact, there are so many displays that you can spend several hours just strolling, looking in hallways, casinos, restaurants and everywhere to find something that makes your inner rocker smile. We especially liked the many drum sets on display and the fun collections of photos and items from folks like Keith Richards, Steven Tyler and Heart.

We stayed in the upscale HRH Tower part of the hotel, which offers suites and some VIP amenities.

We had a central column that divided the sleeping area from the sitting area with a flatscreen television on each side. There was also a nice view of the rest of Vegas, especially at night.

If you’re there when the weather is nice, there are plenty of options to get outside, such as outdoor patio dining, several pools, bars, whirlpools and lounge chairs, suitably set out on one of several swimming areas with sandy beach settings. There are stages outside where concerts happen during the “Rehab” pool parties.

And for the indoor entertainment scene there are the Vanity and Body English nightclubs, concert venues Vinyl and The Joint as well as live bands for Friday Night at the Pool. Of course, for those who like to gamble, there’s plenty of casino action.

After a night of playing hard, you might feel like getting room service. Luckily, the Hard Rock delivers an outstanding breakfast. Just about anything you want, delivered hot and tasty. We had a full-blown eggs, sausage, and bacon platter and tried their biscuits and sausage gravy. Everything was delicious.

There’s so much variety in the restaurants at the Hard Rock complex that we’d venture to say you can find just about anything that you’ve got a taste for there. We had to try a few for ourselves.

Our first stop was Pink Taco. We loved the entrance complete with sombrero donning zebra statue and pink neon sign. The scene was fun and the music lively. More importantly, the food was excellent. The emphasis is on fresh preparations, including handmade tortillas you can watch being prepared. We found all our favorites there from fajitas, tacos and tostadas to some specialties like honey-chipotle wings, sweet corn fritters and ceviche. For those who like the hot stuff, they even have an “Inferno” menu with such items as Diablo Nachos (made with scorpion chile cheese sauce and habanero beans). They have an extensive bar, as you would expect. And, we discovered that the margaritas were all too good.

For something a little different we had lunch at Culinary Dropout, a “rebel” American gastro-pub concept that also has locations in Arizona. The menu is varied as one would expect, from antipasti to sandwiches to entrees. We tried their beer battered fish & chips, which looked lovely and hearty on the plate.

But the star of our meal was their rendition of house potato chips with famous onion dip. To call them addictive would be an understatement. Paired with a craft brew or clever cocktail and you’re tummy will be happy for quite a while.

There are several other dining options to suit your mood.

If you’re looking for an all-night diner, they’ve got that too, with Mr. Lucky’s a decidedly retro feel and satisfying menu to match. Everything from spiked milkshakes to fried mac & cheese bites, chicken pot pie to spaghetti & meatballs, you’ll find comfort food galore here. And, as would be fitting, you can order breakfast (and everything else) around the clock.

For something a little more high-end, it doesn’t get much higher then Nobu. The classic Japanese flavors infused with South American and Western accents have enchanted chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s devotees around the world.

Fu (which means “luck”) Asian Kitchen offers “Asian cuisine with attitude.” There’s a swagger to the fusion fair offering uniquely modern dishes as well as more traditional bites as well. And, should you get a yen for it, you can have in-room delivery as well.

For meat and libations there’s the classic 35 Steaks + Martinis. There’s also a coffeehouse the offers Italian coffees, teas, smoothies, pastries and gelato, a juice bar and an express cafe for grab and go drinks and snacks.

So, basically, you can find almost anything you would want at the Hard Rock Hotel. We’re sure that’s okay with them and it’s just fine with us!

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a Las Vegas hotel with a little bit extra and a lot to offer from food to games and especially music, The Hard Rock Hotel HRH Tower is a good bet.

In Asia

Asian Feasts and Finds

By Diana Laskaris

The appeal of Asia food to Food Travelists is undeniable. The vast continent with cuisines a wonderful variety of cultures and cuisines spans from Indian to Chinese to Thai to Vietnamese to Singaporean and more. There’s truly something for everyone and with as many tastes and traditions to explore as a traveler desires.

We thought we’d tantalize your taste buds and let your mind take you to familiar and unfamiliar feasts and finds in the exotic and delicious cultural landscape of Asia with a photo journey through some of our favorite Asian feasts and finds.

There are many delicious dumplings from Taiwan to Tokyo. World famous dim sum, steamed dumplings, fried gyoza, and pot stickers all fit the bill.

Many Asian feasts include noodles. Vietnamese Pho, Japanese Ramen, Chinese lo-mien and many other delicious meals include noodles at the core.

Rice is another favorite component of much Asian cuisine. Whether it’s wrapped around sushi, plain and simple, fried with lots of goodies, or somewhere in between, rice is tasty and filling.

Asian Food Everything Fried Rice — Everything Fried Rice

There are many delicious ways to stuff something yummy into a wrapper, whether using a won ton, a soft rice bun, rice wrap or lettuce. Rolls can be deep fried, steamed or served on a platter that makes everyone smile.

While there may be more Asian treats that you can shake a stick it, you can find skewers with many eats, both unique and sweet.

Asian Food Beijing Night Market Lots of Stuff on Sticks — Lots of Stuff on Sticks

Candied Fruit on Sticks Beijing Asian Food — Candied Fruit on Sticks Beijing

Street eats and DIY are also lots of fun in Asia. Hawker stalls selling local favorites, street stands and hot pots where you can cook your own meal are all part of the various scenes.

Dishes that require patience to perfect (and to eat!) are a testament to the thoughtfulness evident in some Asian cuisine. Delicately carved duck that has taken hours, even days to prepare by masters in a restaurant can be matched by the beauty of lovely carved fruit that can be purchased from a local in an alley in some neighborhoods.

Asian Food Peking Duck Prep — Peking Duck Prep

Tea has a special place in Asian cultures. Not only the explanations and the ceremonies, but the great variety as well. And then there’s just the fun of it, like bubble tea, which can be found in trendy areas from China to Los Angeles.

Nanluoguxiang and Bubble Tea — The Trendy Nanluoguxiang Hutong and Volcano Bubble Tea

But after all that wonderful food, we find ourselves out exploring what’s going on where we are.
Singapore provides some great places to commune with nature through the Jurong Bird Park and the Zoo, which also has a night zoo so you can see nocturnal animals when they are awake.

Beijing’s Confucious Temple and Guozijian Museum provide a thoughtful place where you can contemplate in a relatively small area dotted with old and historical trees amid a bustling metropolis with millions of people.

Parades and celebrations are part of fun.

And markets of every sort provide opportunities to scout out unique ingredients and the freshest produce nearby.

Whether you like to eat outdoors or catch a great view, Asia is full of opportunities.

From tasty snacks called “Chaat” in India

to entertainment by talented acrobats in China

Asia is full of feasts and finds. And if you’re looking for some western dish, you can find that too, like a tasty burger in Singapore.

Daniel Boulud Singapore — Burger at Daniel Boulud’s db bistro moderne in Singapore

More Asian Food

Sometimes Asian flavors are even in your own town. So, while you’re waiting to make that trip, enjoy some local tastes of Asia whether they’re modern and unique like a crazy Ramen Burger

or traditional and tasty

Asian Food Sharing with Friends — Sharing with Friends

like a Chinese restaurant with a big lazy Susan full of food to share with family and friends.

THE BIG BITE: Explore the exotic and delicious cultural landscape of Asia with a photo journey through some of our favorite Asian feasts and finds.

Pin to your Asian Food board on Pinterest

In Americas

A Day in Wisconsin

By Diana Laskaris

There are a lot of places that make for a good day trip all around the Midwest. If you’re in Chicago, Wisconsin is a logical choice and Milwaukee is only about 90 minutes away. And for Food Travelists, it can make for a fun day of taking in a variety of places and plates. Here’s a look at a few favorite Milwaukee highlights that you can enjoy without breaking the bank in just a day.

The Milwaukee Public Market is one of our favorite places to amble around and investigate the local food scene. From a whole booth dedicated to mustard to wine, delicious baked goods, and much more, there’s something for everyone at the market. You can check out the seafood by just looking for the easy-to-spot signage.

And if you want to take something home to cook, there are plenty of spices and rubs from experts in the field, like Tom Douglas, whose book of crab cakes has guided us in making more than one meal!

If you love coffee, you’ll find some fresh roast blends there.

And of course, it’s a cheese lover’s paradise, being Wisconsin and all.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the abundance of world-famous cheese curds aka “squeaky cheese” available there too.

And, if you want to take something lovely home with you from your visit, stop by the fresh flowers and get a bunch to go.

Fresh Flowers at the Milwaukee Public Market

More Than Just Cheese & Beer

The Milwaukee Art Museum is also world-class, especially for modern art. It’s also got some beautiful views of Lake Michigan.

Artists from Ellsworth Kelly

to Andy Warhol

to Georgia O’Keefe

and Alex Katz is all on display.

Alex Katz - Sunny #4 — Alex Katz – Sunny #4

There is usually a fun special exhibit, like the one we saw on animation art.

And, there are some unique displays that you just won’t find anywhere else.

And, of course, no visit to Milwaukee would be complete without a visit to a local brewery. We heard that Lakefront Brewery, in addition to having some fabulous beer, also had a fun tour.

The price of admission includes tastings, and you can earn more “chips” good for additional samples if you correctly answer a question posed by your brewery navigation specialist along the way.

The brewery tour is fun, and you get to see its inner workings.

You can choose to taste many award-winning brews and they have some of the best organic and gluten-free beer you’ll find anywhere.

The nature of the work and its fun comes shining through with a proudly posted notice containing the words of the Laverne & Shirley tv show theme song declaring “We’re gonna do it!”

If you want to spend an enjoyable day in a city that pleases all of your senses, give Milwaukee a visit. There’s a lot of fun and flavor within a reasonable driving distance from many places in the Midwest.

THE QUICK BITE: From food to art to shopping to beer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin offers a lot of fun for a Midwest day trip.

In Americas

A Quick Relaxing Getaway

By Diana Laskaris

We love the idea of getting away from it all without having to pack a big bag and head to the airport. The idea of a “stay- cation,” if you will, is something we like, but confess we haven’t done much. We thought it would be great to give one a try and tell you what we think. Maybe it will inspire you to take a little local jaunt when the opportunity arises.

When the Le Méridien in Oak Brook, Illinois offered us a chance to experience a comfortable executive suite, spa treatment, and on-premises restaurant, we thought it would be a great way to check out just what a little R & R close to home has to offer to a harried local or two.

Disclaimer: We were invited to stay at Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center and experience their offerings. We were not financially compensated and the opinions expressed are our own based on our experiences.

Just so you know, Oak Brook is a suburb about 45 minutes from downtown Chicago. It’s also home to the headquarters of several large organizations including Ace Hardware, Blistex, and Lions Clubs International. Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center is located in the Oakbrook Shopping Center, with access to over 25 restaurants and luxury boutiques, so you’re not out in the boonies somewhere with nothing to do, although that would be okay with us too.

The hotel itself has undergone a $25 million transformation, creating a sleek, modern, comfortable environment with just about every amenity you could want. When you walk into the lobby, there’s a cool piece of artwork, attentive service, and a vibe that says, “Don’t worry. We got you covered.” Even though we arrived in our own car, it felt like we were somewhere much further away.

We were given a full explanation of the services and set our appointments for massage in the spa suites, then went to the room. The executive suite was cool and sleek, but not too cold. Little touches like live plants and painted log tables provided a nice accent to the otherwise super-cool tech and urban chic. The suite was spacious with a large bedroom sitting room that spilled out into a dining area. The Bose sound system, flatscreen TVs and stylish phones made it clear that you were only as far away from the world as you care to be.

A nice touch, too, Le Méridien’s unique partnership program with local cultural centers. Presenting the Unlock Art™ pass found in your room will get you complimentary admission the local cultural partner. In this case, the Elmhurst Art Gallery is the partner and presenting the Unlock Art™ pass at the Art Museum gives you complimentary admission and access to private events and exhibition launches.

If you reserve a Le Méridien Club level room, you get access to the Executive Club Lounge with complimentary workstations, high speed Internet (also available in the rooms), newspapers, a full breakfast, snacks and beverages throughout the day and light appetizers during happy hour. You could even just hang out and watch TV while sipping a fresh espresso, if you like.

The hotel also has an exercise room with a full complement of whatever you might want.

The main floor of the hotel has Longitude 87, which serves cocktails, breakfast, and lunch.

The 9th floor holds El Tapeo, a restaurant offering a modern twist on Spanish tapas.

There’s also a lounge, which provides a great place to hang out and listen to live music on weekend evenings.

With the local theater and shopping scene, we can easily see why the restaurant is full of shoppers and theater goers looking for a way to rest their heels with a drink or nibble before or after the entertainment of their choice.

And as nice as all these are, there’s one offering that made this Le Méridien soar for us. Unquestionably, the spa suites are the crown jewel of this local retreat. We were provided with what we agreed were the best massages we’ve ever had. Tipsukhon Calfa, our massage therapist and esthetician, originally from Thailand, honed her skills first working with chiropractors then another high end spa in Chicago. She now provides services at Le Méridien, that include a meaningful consultation and personalization that are knowledgeably tailored to suit your individual needs.

She spent considerable time with us, learning about our trouble spots and determining the best course of therapy for each. And, even if you’re just looking for a way to soothe your tired muscles or refresh your skin, we’re sure there’s magic in any treatment you will get here.

In addition to the ESPA aromatic essential oils specific to your preference, fruit, juice, tea and water, the comfortable spa suites also offer a unique “hot bed,” a heated tile lounger built into the shower area. After your treatment you can lay on the hot bed, enjoy a a soaking tub, rain shower, body sprayers or soaking tub as well. You receive a bit of personal relaxation time where you can get yourself together before heading back to whatever activity or non-activity you choose. One of the suites is large enough to accommodate a small group for a girls’ or guys’ getaway, perfect for de-stressing before or after a big event.

So if you don’t think you have time for a big getaway, go for a little one. And if you’re anywhere near Chicago, check out Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center, relax and enjoy.

THE QUICK BITE: Sometimes a quick getaway is the perfect way to relax and refresh. Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center provides a welcome respite and an incredible spa experience.

In Food

Deliciously Unique Le Chique

By Diana Laskaris

If you are a fan of avant-garde cuisine, where every dish will surprise your senses, stimulate your imagination, and dazzle your taste buds, then the spectacular experience offered by Le Chique restaurant in the “gourmet inclusive” Azul Beach Resort Riveria Cancun by Karisma in Puerto Morales near Cancun, Mexico should be a must in your travel plans.

Disclaimer: We were invited guests of Azul Beach Resort and Le Chique Restaurant. However, all opinions expressed are based on our own experiences.

The ingenious and delicious Author’s Menu at Le Chique created by Executive Chef Jonatan Gomez-Luna Torres plays hide-and-seek with your inner child while delighting your grown-up sensibilities about how fantastic a truly inventive menu can be. The menu can vary from 12 to 24 courses, depending upon whether you are staying at the resort and looking for the “inclusive” offering, want to expand to the extended menu or are staying elsewhere but dining at the adults-only restaurant. We were invited to experience Chef’s accomplishments, as Le Chique was being recognized with a rare AAA 5-Diamond Award.

Chef Jonatan is not new to cutting-edge world-class cuisine, having trained at some of the most notable chefs and restaurants in the world, including El Bulli’s Ferran Adria. But his heart belongs to his native Mexico, and the flavors, ingredients and sensibilities he brings to the table reflect this appreciation and insight.

There are so many deliciously unique elements to the Author’s dinner at Le Chique that we tasted, we could write our own book (and we wouldn’t even hide food in it, as was done for our meal).

But to give you just a sense of the fun and delightful nature of our experience, we will share a few of our favorites.

To begin the adventure, we were offered mescal, a Mexican alcoholic beverage made in Mexico. Adventurous as it sounds, the ground “cricket” dust on the side of the bowl added just the right saltiness to accentuate the handcrafted liquor. And we were off to a fiery good start.

Some of the fun of this trip into food wonderland came from the surprise elements. We were mesmerized by the gin cloud, like a puff of cotton candy that when consumed in one bite squirted sweetened gin into your mouth like a grown-up carnival treat.

The mimetic pecan nut played hide and seek with us, as it took us a minute to determine which of the nuts in the bowl were actually made of foie gras and chocolate.

The large cherries on top of the Maraschino cherries are called Cherry Campari. They provide a delightful burst of flavor upon the first bite.

Not only does the food at Le Chique play tricks on your taste buds, it also provides a visual feast. Having a friend who handcrafted some of the serving dishes, Chef Jonatan enjoyed bringing the rustic appeal of nature to our table. From hollows that look like a good place for marrow to posts with “leafy” tacos to fish nets filled with crispy fish rinds, the menu continued to surprise and intrigue us.

Roasted-looking mini-corn cobs on forks sticking up from burnt wood embers playfully tease your eyes and tongue at the same time.

As if there wasn’t enough to keep your mind reeling, the Kumamoto/Oyster Leaf/Ojo Rojo was literally rolling in fog!

When it’s time for the sweets, there’s more to your “lemon pie” than meets the eye, as the “lemon” is actually not a lemon, but cleverly detailed lemon ice inside a crusty lemon rind, all of which is edible.

The Azul Sensatori is a large, luxurious resort, well-appointed and with attentive service that you would expect from an establishment of this level. The “gourmet inclusive” approach includes 6 restaurants including a Caribbean bistro, classic Mexican, global tapas, authentic Tuscan Italian and more. There are also swim-up bars, high-end lounges, beachside grill and cantinas and most anything you could want.

Regardless of where you find yourself in Mexico, if you’re looking for a truly unique and memorable dining experience, don’t hesitate to check out Le Chique. We understand the menu and, in fact, the decor are changing, so you might just see us there too when the new ambiance arrives!

THE QUICK BITE: If you are a fan of avant-garde cuisine, where every dish will surprise your senses, stimulate your imagination, and dazzle your taste buds, then the spectacular experience offered by Le Chique restaurant in the “gourmet inclusive” Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma in Puerto Morales near Cancun, Mexico should be a must in your travel plans.

In Food

Flavors of Aloha

By Diana Laskaris

Winter may be raging outside your window today. Or you may be living in a milder climate with some sun and soft breezes. But wherever you are right now, chances are you’d be happy to be experience the delights of island living, if you could. Luckily, we found a way to share a slice of Hawaiian flavor with you right now and you don’t even have to get up from your chair. Flavors of Aloha is the first delicious cookbook in the Cooking with Tommy Bahama series, and it puts the creation of island-inspired cuisine within reach for home cooks everywhere.

Food Travelist Flavors of Aloha — Flavors of Aloha

As anyone who has stepped off an airplane in the Hawaiian Islands can tell you, the fragrances of Hawaii hits you before your feet are on the ground. You are transported immediately and know you are someplace special. This gorgeous coffee-table sized volume sets the right mood from the beginning, with a cover displaying images of flowers, fruits and fish that evoke the unique scents of island cuisine.

Food Travelist Fried Rice — Fried Rice with Kimchi, Bacon, and Peas

The sections of the book honor nature’s elements of earth, wind, fire and water, engaging your senses both visually and emotionally as the delicious recipes swim across the pages. Asian and Western cooking traditions blend together to create exciting and inviting dishes that will help even the most dedicated Type A personality relax a bit and enjoy the bounty of nature.

Food Travelist Hawaiian Beach — Hawaiian Beach

Recipes cover the gamut from pupus (appetizers), through soups, salads, entrees and sides, all with an easy flair that makes this an ideal book for home cooks to use for spreading their culinary wings just a bit. Everything is clearly laid out from ingredients to instructions, with explanations that do not assume too much expertise.

Beautiful photographs of the islands, activities and, of course, mouth-watering food, pepper the pages along with over 100 recipes that range from super simple 5 ingredient Lomi-Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes and Onions to more intricate undertakings such as Kalua Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Cocktails are covered too, including such classics as the Blue Hawaii and more modern libations such as the Hibiscus Lime Cooler. And, of course, desserts are abundant from a passion fruit chiffon tart to the transcendent Pina Colada Cake. There are even easy instructions for making your own fresh fruit syrups for your own shave ice treats.

Food Travelist Pulled Pork — Kalua Pulled Pork Sandwiches

We loved the beauty of the book, the wonderful sampling of island-inspired recipes and the stories about the people, places and elements that come together to make this island cuisine so unique and memorable. More than just a lovely cookbook, Flavors of Aloha Cooking with Tommy Bahama is a love letter to a lifestyle and an invitation for you to share in it wherever you may be. All we can say is “We accept!”

You can read more and pick up a copy here.

Try this easy dip recipe below when having some friends over and add a little Aloha! to everyone’s day.

MAUI SWEET ONION, BACON, AND CHIVE DIP

Ingredients

3 slices bacon
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 sweet onions, preferably Maui, about 12 oz/ 340 g total, cut into 1/4-in/6-mm dice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup/240 ml sour cream
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish
1 tsp granulated onion
Potato chips or assorted raw vegetables, for serving

Directions

1. Cook the bacon in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning it occasionally, until crisp and browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool. Discard the fat and wipe out the skillet with paper towels.
2. Add the oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Uncover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer the onions to a medium bowl and let cool completely.
3. Finely crumble the bacon and add to the onions. Stir in the sour cream, the 2 Tbsp chives and the granulated onion and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate to blend the flavors, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
4. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with chives to garnish and served chilled, with the potato chips for dipping.

Makes 6 to 8 servings (2 cups/430 g)

THE QUICK BITE: Flavors of Aloha is the first delicious cookbook in the Cooking with Tommy Bahama series, and it puts the creation of island-inspired cuisine within reach for home cooks everywhere.

In Blog

8 Tips for the Best Harvest Feast Ever

By Diana Laskaris

by Diana Laskaris

It’s that time of year when people all over the world celebrate the bountiful harvest feast and nature’s grandeur. We know that each Food Travelist appreciates the wonder of seasonal delights and sometimes spends them with friends or family in places known and new. Because I have been a hostess on many such occasions, I want to share some of my favorite tips with you for having your own successful harvest feast, keeping it fun, and making it memorable. Here are my top 8 ideas to help you create a wonderful harvest feast of your own.

1. Whatever form your harvest feast takes, enjoy your traditions and celebrate your heritage.

If there’s any ethnic identity you want to celebrate, include it in the dishes you prepare. Grilled halloumi is a family favorite.

2. Sharing the harvest bounty with loved ones makes it memorable and comforting. If there’s no one for you to celebrate with at home, please consider visiting a local house of worship, shelter or other social service organization and give your time generously to help them out feeding those in need, or just being there to encourage and support those less fortunate. You will be immeasurably enriched and have a true feast for your spirit.

3. If you’re the one who’s doing the cooking be sure to have something for everyone at your table.

Don’t be afraid to surprise them with something new or different!

And don’t forget to offer some old favorites as well.

Bring back an old family recipe if you have one. And share any stories that may go with it.

4. Be sure to celebrate the harvest with vegetables that are in season.

Making dishes that are so special to the harvest season.

They add so much color to the table.

And provide so many wonderful options for those who don’t eat meat.

5. Don’t worry too much about the calories at this feast. It’s a feast, after all.

And making special homemade items that take a little effort just makes it that much more meaningful. Here’s a terrific recipe for homemade bread.

6. Be sure to enhance your feast with a little extra special decor. Celebrate the season, your guests, the occasion, and everything by making a feast for all the senses.

7. Don’t be afraid to finish off with a flourish. Pies made with seasonal ingredients are always a favorite.

8. And be sure to make the most of your leftovers. The dishes of the feast sometimes provide the most cherished and delicious meals of the year in the days ahead. Turkey Tetrazzini is one of our favorites.

I hope this gives you a few ideas on how you can have a fabulous harvest feast. Whether you celebrate a holiday such as Thanksgiving, Harvest Moon, Volksfeste, Chuseok or just enjoy nature’s bounty at this time of year, share your love and think about others around the world and you will surely have the most memorable feast ever. Cheers to you during this wonderful season of delicious delights!

Also, check out Turkey Around the World to learn more about how different cultures prepare turkey.

THE QUICK BITE: Here are 8 favorite tips to help you enjoy nature’s bounty and have the most memorable harvest feast ever.

In Food

Eats By The Shore

By Diana Laskaris

As the winter season approaches, if you’re not near a shoreline you might be hankering for a some tasty eats and a view of the water’s edge. We’ve certainly spent some of our favorite holidays visiting coastal areas of some delicious destinations. Even if it isn’t warm outside, waterside dining offers something special that we seek out any time of year.

Here are a few of our favorite retreats where you can find a great beach view and something delicious to eat. We look forward to hearing about your recommendations in the comment section!

The sunny shores of the Florida coast always provide a warm welcome. You can visit one of the many resorts for a peek at the water.

And when you’re ready to sit for a meal in style, there are many restaurants ready to treat you to the tastes of Miami, especially along Ocean and Collins Avenues in South Beach.

San Francisco, California provides some fun activities as well as some gorgeous views. Try one of the restaurants along the wharf for some fresh and tasty seafood.

Or drive across the bridge a bit into the lovely little town of Sausalito. You’ll get a wonderful view along the way and a memorable sunset as you’re heading back.

Speaking of sunsets and sunrises, there are some of the most spectacular ones you’ll ever see in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The beaches are the stuff of dreams, wide, soft, white sands that seem to go on forever.

And while you can always find delicious Mexican and international cuisine near at hand, stroll on over to the lively Fifth Street area and give the local Maya cuisine a try. It’s colorful, tasty, and lots of fun.

When Irish eyes are smiling, it’s probably at least in part because of the amazing coastal views. Ireland has dubbed its tremendous coastal route The Wild Atlantic Way, and you can now travel along the entire route. We made a stop on a fabulously sunny day at the incredible Cliffs of Moher.

Then helped ourselves to so traditional Irish delights, including Guinness, of course. There are many small coastal towns with spectacular cuisine, some known worldwide for their seafood like Dingle and Kinsale.

Try something different like having your meal on a boat. In Bodrum, Turkey there are long wooden boats known as gulets that you can rent for a day, a week, or whatever. If you have a group it can be quite affordable. And let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like having fresh caught fish served to you while you watch the water as you cruise along the Aegean or Mediterranean coast.

San Juan, Puerto Rico provides an astounding array of delights. From the gorgeous coastal areas, you can lounge and dine at your leisure.

Fresh Donuts in Puerto Rico — Fresh Donuts

Or if you’re an early riser, you might just catch the donut guy selling freshly made baked goods out of the back of his truck.

There are plenty of restaurants in Old San Juan to sample the local fare, dance the night away, and enjoy the views, inside and out.

For a real eye-popping view, Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands wins a top prize. And by top, we mean that their restaurant is on the top of a skyscraper and gives you the kind of view you only imagine most of the time.

And if you’re tired of all the hawkers, you can always stop for something familiar, like a gourmet burger from Daniel Boulud.

While you might find it a bit too hot to hang around the shoreline in Dubai, UAE, there are plenty of delicious options, including fresh fruit and juices you find everywhere.

Or indulge in one of Dubai’s many outstanding restaurants, such as NOBU>

To finish the night off in Barcelona by the beach, you might want to stop in at Espit Chupitos, a local bar that doesn’t even open until after 10 pm. You can set your night ablaze with a flaming Ferrari.

Or finish off your night with a more mild visit to one of the lovely little cafes where you can end with some tapas and cerveza. Whatever coastal route you choose, there are plenty of delightful eats by the shore. Let us know some of your favorites!

THE QUICK BITE: Whatever you’re in the mood for eating, it always tastes better when you’re at the shore. Here are some of our favorite shoreline locales and tasty treats.

In Blog

The World Of Bacon!

By Diana Laskaris

One of the most beloved and creatively utilized foods in the world is bacon. From country to country and meal to meal, those who are aficionados find new and intriguing uses for that cured porcine product sometimes known affectionately as “meat candy.” Sometimes it’s crispy, sometimes soft. Sometimes it’s savory, sometimes it’s sweet. And it doesn’t even have to be pork – as we’ll show you below.

Take a little trip with us around the world of bacon and see bacon around the world!

Bacon is known for its versatility as a way to start the day.

Bacon and French Toast — Part of a Full Breakfast

Many folks like to start their day with a traditional breakfast meal.

Or you can serve it up with a tasty little twist by using Italian pancetta!

Canadian Bacon in Eggs Benedict — Canadian Style in Eggs Benedict

For something special and elegant, it’s nice to use a soft Canadian style for tasty Eggs Benedict. In its many varieties and limitless uses, this hearty meat has certainly found its way to breakfast tables around the world.

But it makes a great addition to other meals too. It’s hard to beat a delicious “BLT” sandwich

unless, of course, it’s from the toppings on a ridiculously delicious cheeseburger.

Folks in some parts of the world enjoy soft-cooked “rashers”

While others like a crispy accent on dishes like pizza

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp — Crisply Wrapped Around Jumbo Shrimp

or wrapped around other foods like dates or shrimp.

Peameal Bacon — The Celebrated Peameal Variety

Sometimes it is treated like a celebrity, such as the famous peameal sandwich at the Carousel Bakery in Toronto, Canada.

Iberico Jamon Bacon — The Iberico Jamon Version Is A Reason To Celebrate

Other times, it is just a cause for celebration, like when it is made from incredibly delicious Jamon Iberico de Bellotta from Spain.

Bacon Cheese Slider Chips — Tasty Burger Slider Chips

It makes a great flavoring for a savory snack, like when it’s included in a creative potato chip.

Crispy Bacon Salad — Crispy Bits On A Healthy Salad

And it can be part of a healthy meal, like when it’s sprinkled on a salad.

Bloody Mary at the Met Bar in Boston courtesy of Hal Evans

It can be used as a hearty garnish for a cocktail

Bacon Vodka — Vodka At The Center of the Drink

or can even be the main ingredient in a cocktail!

It doesn’t even have to be made of pork, though some might argue that vegetarian styles made from seitan, tofu, or carrot aren’t really bacon.

Others would just say Bacon, Schmacon, as they name their product, which is made from beef.

And there are many sweet ways to finish off with this treat too. From ice cream and cupcakes

to donuts,

and lollipops,

and even sweet Belgian chocolate, bacon is one of the most versatile foods in the global culinary world.

We’re sure you’ve got other delicious examples. Show us your favorite creations. We’d love to hear from you!

THE QUICK BITE: One of the most beloved and creatively utilized foods in the world is, bacon.

Diana Laskaris

More Asian Food

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