From sake to Mexican salsas, condiments have a way to concentrate and reveal the culinary personality of a country. Another good example of this phenomenon is aioli. This Mediterranean garlic sauce that has come to represent the soul of Provence, the historical and cultural region in Southeastern France. A Condiment Worthy of a Poet If…
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“Braised”, “Braising,” and “Braised beef” are concepts you may have read poring over a menu or in cookbooks. These terms come from French cuisine, one of the world’s most interesting culinary traditions. “Live Coals” The French verb “Braiser” (a relative of the English word “Brazier”), means cooking food with vegetables and some form of liquid…
Our menu for Gourmet Prepared Meals this week includes Mexican Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper, a dish that gets some ideas from Chiles Rellenos, a staple of Mexican cuisine that deserves to become more popular. What Are Chiles Rellenos? “Chiles rellenos” means literally, “stuffed chili peppers,” and although this dish is common all Mexican states, it…
Artichokes, a plant of Mediterranean origins, offer many culinary possibilities and have a fascinating story to tell. From its origins to its remarkable nutritional value, here are four interesting facts you probably didn’t know about artichockes. Artichokes Are Flower Buds Artichokes are the immature flower buds of a thistle. If they are left to mature…
No matter what country you visit you can be sure of one thing: There will be an Italian restaurant. Italian food is popular everywhere. And while French cuisine is considered the paragon of sophistication, Italian dishes are equally delicious but more approachable and popular. Why is Italian food so revered around the world? There are…
You may know already about brown rice and black rice, but what about purple rice? The most obvious characteristic of this Korean delicacy is a pleasant iridescent color, the result of mixing Korean white rice and black rice. Koreans themselves call this dish heukmi bap (흑미밥), or “Black rice.” A Matter of Personal Taste Korean…
You may have seen basmati rice mentioned in magazines and websites. This type of rice is touted by its taste and health benefits, and is so popular that some call it “the prince of rice”. However, not everyone knows the essential facts about basmati rice. Keep reading to learn more about basmati, its origins, and…
You may have noticed ads and commercials touting the properties of wild-caught fish, and it’s natural to wonder if there are any real benefits to consuming this type of fish. Well, wonder no more: Read on to learn more about the nutritional values of wild-caught seafood compared to farmed varieties. What Is Wild-Caught Fish? First…
Food as we understand it wouldn’t be the same without tomatoes. For example, without ketchup and tomato, hamburgers are not as tasty; salads just need tomatoes to add excitement and flavor; and entire culinary traditions like those of Italy and Mexico owe many of their distinctive characteristics to the way they use tomato. And yet,…
Mustard is one of the world’s most popular condiments. Its confident, pungent taste and even its vibrant color make it a favorite of food lovers everywhere. Read on to learn more about the origins, history and benefits of this amazing condiment A Spicy Family Mustard is a plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which…
