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Culture: Food – Gulliver’s Corn Illustrated Recipe
One of my family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes is Gulliver’s Corn. It’s a creamy, cheesy corn dish that is always scraped clean by the end of the meal. I first learned about the recipe from a Thanksgiving cooking class I took with my sisters and mom. I had no idea the origin of the recipe, but that Thanksgiving, we cooked the dish and it hasn’t left the menu since! It turns out the recipe originated from a restaurant in Southern California called Gulliver’s. It’s an old fashioned prime rib house, modeled after an old English roadside inn, one that would have been the perfect spot for someone like Lemuel Gulliver (from…
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Culture: Food – Holiday Foods from Around the World
Yes, there are the decorations, the presents, and the holiday get togethers… but by far one of the best parts of the holiday season is food! There are so many food traditions surrounding the holidays. Many cultures and countries have specific traditions surrounding holiday food– for instance, in Germany, when wandering through the famed Christmas markets, it’s essential to have a glühwein in hand to keep your spirits warm. A holiday party in England wouldn’t be complete without serving mince pie! Below are just a few of the holiday foods I illustrated from around the world. What’s your favorite holiday food tradition? Pumpkin Pie (America) – Although pumpkin pie can be…
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Culture: Food – Hot Sauces from Around the World
I will always remember the time my brother bet my cousin that he wouldn’t be able to eat a slice of pizza covered in a spicy hot sauce. Of course, this cousin couldn’t refuse the challenge. He gobbled up the slice and within minutes was out the door running around the block trying to cool down his mouth! I’m pretty sure this is not the way hot sauce is intended to be used. A month ago, I had my own hot sauce challenge. In response to a call for spicy recipes from the illustrated recipe website, They Draw and Cook, I decided to illustrate a series of hot sauces from around the…
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Culture: Food – Fresh Caprese Salad from Italy
A summer breeze coming from the Mediterranean cools us as we sit on the terrace reminiscing about our day boating around Capri. The sun is just beginning to set and the heat of the day is subsiding. It’s time to pour a delicious glass of wine and enjoy a light meal – a Caprese salad reminiscent of the Italian flag! If you can’t get to Capri, bring home these delicious tastes of Italy by making a Caprese Salad at home. This salad one of those easy go-to recipes that make it feel like a Capri summer day all year long! The recipe couldn’t be simpler. Just cut thick slices of fresh, ripe tomatoes and fresh mozarella cheese…
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Culture: Food – Fresh Farmers Markets of the West Coast
Whenever I travel, I always seek out the local farmers market. It’s the perfect place to not only pick up a snack or bite to eat, but also a great way to enjoy the local culture. It’s amazing how at each locale, you’ll instantly get a sense of not only the types of foods that are grown in this region, but also can see what is trendy in that city – from specialty foods, crafts and more. Here is a few popular Farmers Markets on the West Coast of the United States– each with their own flavor and all worth a visit. Ferry Plaza Farmers Market – San Francisco, California San Francisco’s…
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Culture: Food – Cioppino A San Franciscan American-Italian Fish Stew
Although San Francisco is typically known for it’s incredible cracked Dungeness crab and sourdough bread, there’s another San Franciscan original that shouldn’t be missed – Cioppino, a delicious stew filled with the catch of the day swimming in a flavorful tomato based broth. Cioppino is said to have been originally created by Italian fishermen (mostly from Genoa) who settled in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. It is said to have first been made on the boats for the fishermen to eat while out at sea, but quickly became a staple in the growing number of Italian restaurants in the area. Cioppino can still be found on many menus…
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On Location: American Delicacies? Adventures at La Grande Épicerie de Paris
We were off to have a quintessential Parisian summer picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg. I had done my research and had a list of the best places to shop in the 6th arrondissement to find the perfect delicacies for our lunch. First up was Poilâne bakery. Being one of the oldest and most famous bakeries in Paris, it was worth getting lost down a few streets so we could stock up on some bread. Next stop was Le Bon Marché department store, which includes La Grande Épicerie de Paris on the bottom floor. I had read this was one of the best gourmet food markets in all of the city,…
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Culture: Cassoulet in Carcassonne, France
When the late afternoon sun started getting low, and the tourists all began to file out of the fortified city gates, that is when I started to fall in love with Carcassonne. Located in the Languedoc-Roussillon southern region of France, Carcassonne is reminiscent of a scene out of a Disney movie. The walled city sits high upon a hilltop. It’s impenetrable citadel and imposing towers have incredible historic charm, yet the mid-day crowds meandering through the tiny Medieval streets can get a bit overwhelming. I was advised to book a room within the city walls to really experience the town and was definitely not disappointed. There are only a few…
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