20 Awesome Things To Do, See And Eat In Maui, Hawaii

Maui Beach

A Maui vacation should encompass far more than sitting on the beach and soaking up the sun (although I was tempted to the minute I landed!). Maui has some of the most unique foods, drinks and activities in the world. So my advice to you is this, don't break out the lounge chair and sunblock until you've tried everything Maui has to offer.

Essential Road Trip Food

Road Trip

When I lived in California, my friends and I would constantly be on the road going here, there and everywhere. Apart from the music and long conversations, the food made the trip something I actually looked forward to. With Memorial day and summer fast approaching, families all over the country are preparing to vacation at the destination of their choice. This year, millions of Americans will hit the road and enjoy this great country, whether on their own or with their families.

Fine Food and Mountains: Skiing Holidays in France

Les Deux Alpes, France

Today's Food and Ski holiday was written by Nick Lewis, a travel writer and copy editor for Eclipse Ski, specialists in group and skiing holidays. Visit Eclipse Ski for more information.

For the traveller keen on both skiing and fine food, there is no better place for a skiing holiday than France. As any gastronomer knows, the French take their food very seriously. And the Alpine French take their skiing just as seriously.

Taste Your Way Across South America - 10 Dishes To Try

Photo Credit: inloughborough.com

I have always been fascinated with South America because of it's abundance of natural beauty and the unique combination of flora and fauna found there. It is a without a doubt one of the most unique places on earth, just waiting to be explored. No trip to South America would be complete without a first hand taste of the local fare, which can range from simple treats to more complex spicy dishes. Rest assured that whatever you try it will be bursting with flavor. Let's take a short culinary tour of South America!

A Romantic Dinner For Two - Inspired by My Restaurant Favorites

There is just something about food that excites our senses and makes us feel good. When you really think of it eating food involves at least 4 out of 5 of our senses (sight, smell, taste and touch), so in that sense (no pun intended) it's a total body experience. Food has the ability to comfort us, and get us in the mood for love.

Since I know that right now, many are looking for ideas and inspiration to craft the perfect romantic dinner, I have picked my favorite restaurant foods (that I have tried so far) and created a menu that I hope will tantalize your taste buds as much as it has my fiance's and mine. Whether it's a special occasion like your anniversary or you just want to surprise your sweetheart, give this menu a try!

Offer: Win a 4 day, 3 night luxury  vacation at a Sandals Resort of your choice (no purchase necessary) !

Appetizer

Photo Credit - Olive Garden

Lasagna Fritta - The absolute best appetizer that has ever caressed my taste buds came in the form of a Lasagna Fritta, from Olive Garden. These little morsels are fried Lasagna pieces breaded with Parmesan cheese on top of Alfredo sauce served with marinara sauce and more parmesan cheese on top. Oh words cannot give justice to how good these Frittas are!

Salad

Photo Credit: Flickr user JD

Spinach Salad with apples, almonds and dried cranberries. This fresh crisp salad can be served with your favorite sweet vinaigrette dressing.

Entree

Photo Credit: Flickr user Another Pint Please

Roasted Rack of Lamb with rosemary-mint glaze inspired by Carvers Steaks & Chops Restaurant, Rancho Bernardo, CA. Serve with Roasted Potatoes, Rice Pilaf or Sauteed Asparagus.

Dessert

Photo Credit: Flickr user Rae Vasky

Belgian Chocolate Truffle Cake inspired by Hans and Harrys bakery in Bonita, CA. Layer upon layer of rich, moist chocolate cake with truffle filling. A raspberry sauce would be the "cherry" on top!

Wine

Photo Credit: Flickr user schonwandt

A Shiraz or Syrah wine would pair well with the Lamb and Chocolate Truffle dessert.

Montenegro (Crna Gora) - Must See, Must Do, Must Eat Things and Places!

One of the most exciting events at the Olympics for me, has to be the opening ceremony when each country parades its colors and athletes proudly. I don't know about you but hearing the name of each country just takes my breath away. They all sound so unique (obviously) and packed with history and culture (and scandals) that set each apart from the other. One country that captivates me with its name alone, is Montenegro ... It just sounds so enchanting and luxurious! I just couldn't help but explore this country, to see if it lives up to the sound of its name.

Curried Lamb and Vegetable Chow Mein

(photo flickr user mswine)



As requested by @savorthethyme here is my Recipe for Curried Lamb and Vegetable Chow Mein. It's what's for dinner tonight!

Ingredients
1 lb Lamb Stew Meat
3/4 cup Leeks sliced
3 tbps Bajan Seasoning
3 tbsp Curry Powder
3 tbsp Red wine
1/2 Maggi cube
200 g or half pack of Chow mein noodles
2 cups Broccoli
2 medium potatoes cubed
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Ketchup
Black Pepper to taste
1/2 tsp Clove
Water for cooking

Method
1. Marinate Lamb with leeks, seasoning, soy sauce, red wine, curry powder, black pepper and clove.
2. Brown meat on stove approx 5 mins on medium-high heat
3. Add water and let simmer on low heat. Keep adding water as it drys out and continue to simmer.
4. When meat is almost tender add potatoes and more water. Wait 5 minutes.
5. Add broccoli and then chow mein noodles. Add maggi cube. Stir.
6. Let cook on medium heat, stirring often until noodles are done.

Serve hot | Serves 3 - 4
Enjoy!

NB. Measurements are approximate. I rarely measure when I'm cooking from my head. Feel free to experiment - add more or less according to your tastes

Recipe Spelled D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R? Not at all!

(photo by flickr user kevincrumbs)



It's funny how recipes are created, invented if you would. When you really sit and think about how did that recipe you have come into being? Was it because you had none of this but some of that? That your taste buds told you a dash of this and a cup of that would produce culinary excellence? Was it perhaps that you were traveling somewhere and something caught your eye and your brain immediately started wondering how it would go with such and such that's been sitting in your cupboard for the longest time? It's just so fascinating.

I think cuisine is just like fashion in the sense that it comes from feeling, creativity, passion. I can't recount how many times I would start to cook a meal and just feel my way through it. Well that's exactly what I did this weekend. While traveling, and visiting friends I decided to cook up something special. Now when you're cooking in someone else's kitchen you quickly realise that you don't have all your "special" ingredients - this could spell D I S A S T E R! Or it could spell the creation of something pleasantly delicious!

Monterey Jack Raisin Cucumber Salad

Ingredients
1 medium sized cucumber peeled and diced
1/2 cup of raisins
1/2 cup of Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped celery
Dash Black Pepper
3 tbsp Ranch Dressing
Turkey bacon bits (optional)

Method

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and serve chilled.



I wanted to make a salad and those were the ingredients at hand! Enjoy...

Thanksgiving From Afar

It's been a while since I last posted and that's because I've been swamped with work and travelling and working and travelling some more! I've finally found ... no Made some time to write a post and what better thing to post about than Thanksgiving!

In Barbados, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but I had the pleasure of experiencing an American Thanksgiving a couple years ago when I was in California. I must say it is a most splendid occasion. For one day people are actually thankful for what they have, unlike other holidays when people are upset about what they didn't get. Maybe that's what makes it such an enjoyable holiday!

This year, I'm thankful for many things - for love of friends and family, for a job (especially in today's economy!), for a home, for health, for peace in my life...for everything I've got and even for the things I don't. One of the highlights for me this year was getting engaged to the love of my life! So even though I won't be in the USA this Thanksgiving, I've still got plenty to be thankful for.

So while many are feasting on Turkey, pie and more pie, I will be reminiscing on my last Thanksgiving and looking forward to the next. I'll be getting ready to celebrate Independence Day in Barbados (Nov 30th)...and I'll also be dreaming about eating these exciting foods that I found on Foodista. May it give you some inspiration this Thanksgiving!

And of course, I've gotta have a good cocktail! I'm a sucker for Pina Colada!

Taste The Caribbean - So Many Islands, So Many Flavors...

Delectable Caribbean Dishes

You'd think that you'd find the same food on each Caribbean island, and you'd be right to a certain extent. But I can guarantee you that it won't taste the same! The way a Jamaican flavors rice, is surely not the same way a Barbadian (Bajan) would do it, and what one island calls Conkies the other calls Doucanou, and on and on the list goes. It can be quite confusing for visitors to figure out what they are eating and what foods they should try on each island. So I've compiled a list of favorites from each island to help you taste the Caribbean.

Red, White & Blue, Stars and Stripes, Fireworks and BBQ!!

Finally it's that time of year when the sun shines bright, the beaches are full and the grills come out. Added to that the fireworks and the celebrations...yes I'm talking about 4th of July! Now I'm not American but I do love to eat and celebrate, and the 4th of July is just the time for that!

This time I'm fortunate enough to enjoy the festivities here in Southern Cali. How about you? What's cooking this 4th of July and what's your list of places to see and things to do this weekend? Me? I plan on lazing around at the beach, maybe take in the sites and sounds of the San Diego County Fair and of course gorge myself with some good food! Then I'm gonna top that all off with some eye popping fireworks. Hopefully I can get a spot where I can see several fireworks displays at once!

Here are some recipes I'm contemplating for this weekend. (Yep I'm gonna be full!) Enjoy!

Meats:






Salads:








Sides:




Desserts:




Drinks:







HAPPY 4TH JULY AMERICA!!!

Wonderful Wine...with an amazing view!

If you're like me and you have an appreciation for wine, you would've enjoyed my recent visit to Callaway Vineyard & Winery in the heart of Temecula, California. It was a bright, sunny day with a nice cool breeze - just perfect for a nice outdoor lunch complete with wine. This is the stuff that makes life oh so pleasurable!

Callaway Vineyard & Winery has been making quality wines since 1969 and they have a lovely outdoor restaurant called Meritage where the menu features a nice selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts wonderfully paired with wine. The views from this restaurant alone are well worth the trip! Panoramic views extend for miles - rolling hills, clear blue sky - just awesome! And the crisp fresh air - it's holiday for the spirit!

Being my first time there (or to a vineyard period) I found it hard to choose from the menu. Everything looked so good! From the salads to the pasta to the bread to the prime rib. Ooh! Finally I decided to try the Hangar Steak "Frites" - tender cuts of Beef in a light garlic sauce. Excellent choice! My partner decided to go for the Short Ribs prepared in a well-balanced red wine sauce. Another excellent choice! For dessert we had a berry cobbler with cream sauce. It was hot out the oven and the sweetness was just right, but not enough crust on top for me.

And then there was the wine - we ordered a whole bottle - perfectly paired with our meal. It was a melange of aromatic cherries, juicy plums and bittersweet chocolate....Mmmm. Too bad we couldn't drink the whole bottle between us!

My first visit to Wine Country left me wanting to return - it was the perfect way to spend a perfect day!