Category Archives: Food & Drink

Jun24

History of Grilling

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History of Grilling

The best thing about summer is that it’s finally time to get grilling! Grilling outside is really one of America’s past times. Grilling has been going on since fire was discovered, but modern grilling started with the Weber Grill. The Weber Grill was invented by a Chicago man named George Stephen. Stephen tinkered with the idea of the flat open grills of the time, to invent a dome shaped grill that is a part of priceless Americana. Stephen was able to start manufacturing the grill after taking controlling interest in the Weber Bros. Metal Spinning Co. At the time the company was known for making buoys and not much else. They updated the buoy and invented the Weber grill.

American barbecue goes back to about the 18th Century in Colonial America. The “American” food barbecues of hot dogs, hamburgers were descended from Eastern Carolina pit barbecue.

Now there are many types of barbecue including: Carolina style, which is split into Eastern, Western and South Carolina style, Memphis barbecue is what most people think of traditional BBQ, Texas barbecue is thought of more of the mesquite barbecue flavor. And of course Kansas City barbecue with a little bit of everything, it sits in the middle of barbecue country.

No matter what type of barbecue you like to eat, surely you have a grill in your backyard if you just love that smoky flavor. Outdoor living areas are becoming increasingly more opulent and luxurious over the years. Steve Barbarich started an outdoor living online internet company because he saw how high the demand is for this type of furniture. His site, chooseoutdoorkitchens.com gives consumers the ultimate outdoor cooking space, which of course includes the ever popular grill.

So get your smoke on and get into the summer barbecue season, there is nothing better than Fourth of July, or really just a Tuesday night meal out on the grill.

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May2

Vineyards on the Cape

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Vineyards on the Cape

Having long been a teetotaler, I usually avoid these kinds of places. However, in the case of the vineyards on the Cape, an exception must be made. A visit to Cape Town, South Africa would be incomplete without this experience which reveals the heart of the culture. The Cape Winelands and particularly the Stellenbosch Region are among the country’s most famous wine producing areas. With over 200 wine cellars to choose from you are certain to have a unique experience. Not only is the area famous for wine, but is also home to many of the top Cape Town hotels. Authentic examples of Cape Dutch architecture are featured on some of the hotels.

The Stellenbosh region produces a variety of red or white wine. For those who prefer white, there is Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc. For those with a preference for red wine you can choose from Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Whether or not you’re a wine aficionado, anyone is welcome to go wine tasting. Another wine growing area can be found in the historical region of the southern suburbs of Cape Town. This is where some of the first vineyards were located. Nowadays these vineyards are being revitalized by a younger, more savvy group of winegrowers. Klein- Constantia vineyards was first to reintroduce the Vin de Constance, using grape vines from three hundred year old heirloom plantings. Many of the vineyards are located on the slopes of Constantia Mountain, where they are strategically cool at night and warm during the day, ideal conditions for grape growing. Constantia’s wines were distributed worldwide up to the late 19th century, at which time the crops became infested with a type of beetle. Described as a golden, honeyed wine, a rare bottle of 1821 Grand Constance sold recently for 2,990 pounds ($5,918) at a Sotheby’s auction in London. The cultivation and distribution of this prominent wine is contributing to a resurgence of South African wine popularity worldwide.

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Apr17

The Thai Pursuit of Sanuk

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The Thai Pursuit of Sanuk

No one can deny the distinctive flavors of Thai cuisine. Restaurants throughout the city and in the Phuket best hotels offer up the tasty dishes that are so subtly spiced with the freshest of herbs and vegetables. Throughout Phuket and other cities in Thailand, the traditional recipes have combined with some of the best from India and China as well. This is just one of the many ways that these Asian countries have begun to infuse the cultures and the traditions of each other. Many different cultures are represented in the culinary options of this country, for as well as some of the most flavorful Chinese restaurants in the world, there are also quite a few European restaurants as well as American and British breakfast houses and coffee shops. There are even western snack bars along the streets as well as some of the more famous fast food chains and ice cream shops.

And the restaurants are just as diverse as the food. As previously stated, there are the western chains such as MacDonald’s and Pizza Hut, and those so incredibly different such as out door, restaurants in gardens. Seafood is very popular and the restaurants take care in providing only the freshest ingredients. There are those in the malls and market places as well as street vendors and hawkers. Many of those living and visiting the country prefer these open air options as they are much more representative of the culture and provide amazing and relaxing evenings, such as the small restaurants on the boats, diners will dine by candlelight as they are slowly drifting down the river.

Many of the traditional restaurants offer entertainment as well. Guests are usually seated on the floor at low tables, served the very best of local wines and cuisine, while musicians and performers and dancers move around the tables and offer one of the most memorable nights of Thai culture. This is how the Thais live, with respect for the ancient ways, while enjoying the present moment to the fullest. One word used to describe this way is ‘sanuk’. This is the pursuit, the quest of each individual, a wish for good times, for good food. The rich flavors and the care that is put into the dishes by the chefs is testimony that in Thailand… they do as they say, and say as they do.

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Feb28

Traveling to Dubai

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Traveling to Dubai

In recent years Dubai has become the center for trade, tourism, and entertainment in the Middle East. The city is located in the emirate of Dubai, one of the seven that constitute the United Arab Emirates. For centuries, Dubai has been a trade center for the region. However, in the past decade or so, the city has exploded into a major magnet for business and leisure travelers, especially the incredibly wealthy yacht and jet-set.

Thanks to the establishment of “Free Zones” by the government, many businesses can now operate in Dubai as if they were an off-shore company. This removes virtually all taxes from transactions and has made Dubai a hub for the importing and exporting of goods. Add to this the thriving real estate business and Dubai’s importance to financial markets becomes evident.

Corporate travelers will find that the many business hotels in Dubai are modern, clean, and have all the technology and services needed to do conduct business on a global level in the 21st century. A quick perusal of the restaurants Dubai will show cuisines from all over the world, so that any diet, preference, and budget will be easily filled.

Once the day’s business is complete, visitors can take advantage of the many entertainment venues throughout the city. Films, theater, performing arts, and concerts fill the calendar. Dubai is also developing their sporting venues, offering major competitions in tennis, golf, horse racing and cricket among other international sports. And if one can get away during the day, the waters around Dubai offer a variety of fishing, diving, and sailing options. Those wanting to take the dry route can take a desert safari and go dune bashing in the desert surrounding the city.

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Dec27

The Seafood on Ibiza

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The Seafood on Ibiza

Ibiza is a magnet for tourists drawn to its famed nightlife and gorgeous beaches. The island is one of the Spanish Balearic Islands and is ideally situated in the Mediterranean Sea to offer a perfect mixture of sand, sea, and sun. Visitors to the island will be happy to learn that the food on Ibiza is equally appealing. The many Ibiza restaurants and pubs offer a range of Spanish and world dishes to suit most tastes and pocketbooks. And pretty much any restaurant within easy distance of the coast is going to offer some of the island’s delicious seafood.

Most traditional foods on the island contain seafood or fish. Many dishes include fish in rice dishes (as the main ingredient) or as guisat (stew with potatoes). Another popular presentation is grilled fish. With easy access to the ocean, many restaurants offer their seafood in live tanks, so diners are assured of the freshest catch.

One of the more common fish dishes on Ibiza is burrida de ratjada. This is ray cooked with almonds. Coques are square pastries filled with fish or seafood (and sometimes chopped vegetables or other meat, such as pork). Another typical dish is bullit, a boiled fish and rice dish that you eat backwards: fish first, then rice. The island also offers popular fish dishes such as bull d’anfos (vegetables with grouper entrails), bonito casserole with capers and fennel, and anglerfish casserole. Zarzuela is a fish stew that is widely available while ordering parrillada de pescado will get you a selection of various grilled fish.

The most popular seafood available on Ibiza is local lobster, served with squid or by itself. Other seafood to enjoy on the island include crabs, prawns, and octopus. Guisat de marisc is a “hotpot” of delicious seafood and fish. Other seafood dishes to try include Merluza, Bacalao, Mero, emperador, and Rodaballo.

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