Food Travelist
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Sue Reddel

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Turkey Around The World

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Food Travelist Turkey

 

No matter how you slice it, Turkey is a treasured part of many Thanksgiving dinners. While the wild turkey is native to North America, it was imported to Europe by the Spaniards, passing through Turkey, the country, which is how the bird got its name; Native Americans called it “peru.”

Food Travelist Diana Serving Up The Turkey
Food Travelist Diana Serving Up The Turkey

 

Interestingly, it seems that Israel consumes more turkey than the U.S. (28.9 pounds per Israeli versus 17.6 pounds by each American). Canadians, Europeans, Brazilians and Australians are the top turkey-eaters after Israelis and Americans. Mexico imported nearly 400 million pounds of turkey in one year. China, Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic all seem to have a taste for the bird as well.

So it appears that there are many ways to enjoy turkey whether at a Thanksgiving table or otherwise. So here are a few ethnically inspired ideas for you to enjoy that big bird, wherever you may be.

1. Greek – Add garlic, oregano and lemon juice to your basting liquid (with olive oil, of course!). Skip the stuffing and serve it with roasted onions, carrots and potatoes.

2. Chinese – Marinade your bird with a combination of hoisin, soy and oyster sauces with a little honey and garlic. Serve with a dressing of sticky and long grain rice.

3. Dominican – Lavish a mix of citrus such as bitter orange and lime juice with wine over turkey, and stuff with mix of Spanish olives, garlic, smoked ham or pork and chiles. Use the juices from the pan to make a nice citrus gravy.

4. Israeli – Coat with extra virgin olive oil, paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic, coriander, parsley and some white wine. Make a stuffing with couscous and some lovely dried fruit like raisins, sultanas, apricots and cranberries and mixed nuts like pine nuts, hazelnuts (filberts) and almonds.

5. American Turducken – You may or may not have heard of this crazy combo, which originated in the specialty meat stores of South-Central Louisiana in the United States. It consists of a deboned chicken inside a deboned duck inside a deboned turkey, traditionally with different stuffings such as sausage, rice, cornbread and oyster layered in between. The poultry is usually rubbed in butter or olive oil, inside and out, then with a spicy rub that can included onion and garlic powder, oregano, basil time, paprika, and black, white, and cayenne pepper.

This is a fun time to try some new traditions and expand your turkey horizons. With turkeys on tables around the world, you can bring a little of the world to your own turkey table.

THE QUICK BITE: While Americans love their turkey especially on Thanksgiving Day, lists of people around the world enjoy turkey all year long. Here are some global ideas about turkey tastes that you can bring to your own table.

 

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In Food

Grandmas Recipe Box

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Food Travelist Grandmas Recipe Box

I have my Grandma’s recipe box. When she passed away and I was asked what I would like of hers, it was the only thing I wanted. It’s a very old wooden box stuffed with index cards containing recipes. Some are typed, some handwritten. It’s organized with little category tabs like meats, desserts and cookies. The recipe box probably weighs about a pound, but it’s worth more than its weight in gold.

Food Travelist Grandmas Recipe Box
Food Travelist Grandmas Recipe Box

Grandma Martha gave me my introduction to the wonders of being in a kitchen and the wonders that could come out of it. She was one of those bakers who could also cook. And no matter the quality of or variety of ingredients, she made them taste wonderful. Maybe as Chef Carla Hall says, the special ingredient that makes the difference was love. It didn’t make a difference to my family or me. We just loved eating at Grandma’s.

To this day, whenever anyone asks me what is my favorite type of cake, I instantly think of the dreamy all-white, buttery two-layer round cake with real whipped cream in the middle and lovingly frosted on every surface. When thinking of my favorite vegetables, I recall the parsnips, gently coated in flour and then pan-fried in butter, that rarely ever made it out of the kitchen and onto the table. No matter how many she bought and how few people were there for dinner, the plate that went to the table was always rather anemic, while the lip-smacking from the kitchen could be heard around the world.

The recipes in the box also tell the story of family and friends from decades ago, many of whom I never met. With handwritten notes like “Prizewinner” and “Nancy’s Favorite” or
Frank loves this” These notes connect me to a history that I can appreciate best in front of my oven and stove.

Grandpa Frank and Grandma Martha were world travelers and inevitably the recipe box is full of global influences from Mexican eggs to Moroccan couscous. And, while Grandpa Frank would regale all listeners, willing or not, with stories of his latest excursion, Grandma Martha would be in the kitchen, preparing an appropriate meal. Everyone who loves to cook and/or travel was inspired along the way to discover these passions. Who was your inspiration? Who was your Grandma Martha?

Diana Laskaris

THE QUICK BITE:  Some of the best recipes we ever know come from those we love and their recipe box. Here’s a story about one such classic Grandma recipe box.

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In Food

It Is The Great Pumpkin Soup!

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Food Travelist Pumpkins For Soup

 

 

Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin Soup

One of the best things about the fall for those of us who are pumpkin lovers is the combination of readily available pumpkins and the time-tested time-saver, the slow cooker. We’ve found that one of our favorite things to do while passing out candy to a horde of trick-or-treaters is to have something warm ready for the tasting whenever we want a break from the festivities. Pumpkin soup was our delicious dish this year. It’s full of vitamins and we love it’s a bright orange color. You can make it with cream if you want. Or, if you’re looking to keep the fat and cholesterol down, you can make a broth-based version, like the one we provide here. There are many ways to dress it up, chunky or smooth. You can even add other vegetables to it if you like.

Here’s the “souper” simple recipe you can make for yourself.

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped
1 stick butter
3 cloves chopped fresh garlic (or to taste)
1 sugar pumpkin, cleaned, peeled and cubed (about 6 cups)
7-8 cups chicken stock (low sodium, low fat)
1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground sage
salt & pepper to taste
nutmeg & fresh Italian Parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Melt butter in a skillet on medium heat. Add the onions and cook until clear. Add the garlic and cook a minute or two until fragrant.
2. Pour butter, onions, and garlic into the slow cooker and add thyme and sage and chicken stock.
4. Stir to be sure all ingredients are well mixed.
5. Heat in slow cooker on low for about 8 hours, high for about 4 hours until pumpkin is totally soft.
6. Pour into blender small batches or use an immersion blender until all ingredients are blended smooth. Salt and pepper to taste

To serve, pour into soup bowls, sprinkle with nutmeg and top with a sprig of fresh parsley.

NOTE: If you like a more creamy soup, you may add some heavy cream to the soup after blended or drizzle in a bowl.

THE QUICK BITE:  Pumpkin soup is an easy and hearty meal that can practically make itself. Here’s a super simple recipe for you to try at home.


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In Food

One of the Hottest Barcelona Bars

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Espit Chupito, Barcelona, Spain

If you’re looking for hot Barcelona Bars look no further than Espit Chupitos. This little bar doesn’t look like much from the outside, in fact, most people would pass it right by, but you will be amazed by the selection of drinks available. This bar specializes in shots and over 200 are available and neatly listed on the wall of the bar. If your Spanish is not that great – you might be surprised at what you’ll have in store, so order carefully.  We ordered the Ferrari and were surprised as the bartender prepared the drink that he spilled some alcohol or fuel on the bar. But not nearly as surprised as when he lit the alcohol and it ignited and moved toward the glass. It all happened so fast that we had to order another just to get this great picture. In true Spanish form – this bar doesn’t even fill up until after midnight. If you get there at 9 pm the bar will be all yours. Good if you’re in a large group not so great if you’re alone.

Flaming Ferrari Cocktail
Flaming Ferrari

There is so much to experience in Barcelona – the beach, the art and architecture, the shopping, the music and dancing, and of course all the delicious food. Exploring all the tapas bars along with the Spanish wine can also be fun and a great way to sample all the food Barcelona has to offer. After spending a full day in Barcelona hitting the bars is a wonderful idea.

Which gives this bar a rating of cheap and cheerful. If you’re looking for a great place to start or finish your evening this is one of the Barcelona bars that just might be the spot for you.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re visiting Barcelona and looking for a fun spot to get a drink, try Espit Chupitos for a huge list of shots and picture-taking entertainment.

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In France

A Birthday French Barge Cruise To Remember

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Barge Crusing

French Barge Cruise
The Chef making some last minute adjustments.

I make a big deal about my birthday. Always have. Years ago I saw a documentary on French barge cruising and thought it looked wonderful. I made it a goal to take one on my 50th birthday. As I got closer to the big date I enlisted the help of Ellen Zak “The Barge Lady” to help us with our planning. After very thorough research we chose French Country Waterways burgundy region barge river cruise.

Needless to say, it surpassed all my wildest dreams.  For 6 days I was pampered, fed the most amazing food, drank delicious French wine & champagne, and visited castles, chateaus, museums, vineyards, shops, villages, and even a Michelin-starred restaurant. The accommodations were far more plush and posh than you would expect on a barge. The Chef left the barge early every morning to bike to the local bakery in every port for fresh bread and pastries. The first guest to rise was sure to get the best selection. The pace was slow and relaxed you could take the day’s excursion or stay behind and slowly float up the river watching the lovely French countryside pass by while sipping wine, reading, or napping.  A path along the river made it easy to either bike, walk or run to the next stop without fear of getting lost or left behind. The more adventurous of us biked through some of the small towns discovering what life in the French countryside was like for the locals. Stopping for a glass of wine or croissant was not only condoned but encouraged.

It was indeed a trip of a lifetime. Only 12 passengers were on board so the experience was intimate and friendly. By the end of the journey, new acquaintances became good friends. The piece de resistance was a scrumptious birthday dinner and a wonderful birthday cake topped with a spun sugar tower. It’s certainly a trip I’ll never forget. 

QUICK BITE:  If you’re looking for a special trip for any reason a French Barge Cruise is definitely one to consider. 

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