It’s true, the Francesinha, Porto’s signature sandwich, could be slightly disturbing to an actual French person. After all, it’s a multi-meat sandwich on white bread, coated in cheese and then bathed in a beer sauce. Egg on top optional. More hangry fisherman than Parisian chic. Detroit has its Coney dog. Philly its cheesesteak. In Pittsburgh, … Continue reading
New Orleanians and their king cakes have something very special with each other. This year, that special something is the 58 days they have to find the iconic seasonal cakes at grocery stores, gas stations, upscale restaurants, downhome cafes and everywhere in between, if you happen to be in New Orleans, that is. At the … Continue reading
2013: my Year of the Dog. Or better yet, Year of the Daisy. Daisy came into our lives in late spring as a stray, and quickly made herself one of the family. Having a dog has changed my life for the better. There’s no other way to say it. I’m so happy she found us. … Continue reading
Kelowna (pronounced “coll-oh-nah”), British Columbia, sits at the northernmost tip of the Sonoran Desert. You know, the one that starts in Mexico. Its terminus is in Canada. I didn’t know that until quite recently. Shielded from the Pacific by several mountain ranges and situated in the arid desert north, Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley is … Continue reading
Bread is a serious business in most of the world. In the United States it doesn’t seem as much of a rite and standard bearer of civilization. In Mexico even, the supermarket bakery aisles are a cavalcade of delightful sights. Orejas (named for their ear shape) Conchas (shaped like a shell) Payasos Not sure what … Continue reading
Recently I asked a group of Detroit food fanatics to submit favorite recipes and the stories that went with the tastes. The responses are captured in this mini-cookbook, Detroit Delicacies (click photo to download PDF). I’m eager to continue this idea a little further to create a full-length cookbook. Stay tuned! Continue reading
Drive along any highway and a place will reveal itself to you. The way that Ohio folds into Pennsylvania, along Route 80 East, as the Great Lakes basin abuts the watersheds of other rivers that lead you into Pittsburgh, such a uniquely hilly city along three rivers. Here they forged the backbone of our rail … Continue reading
Whenever I want to take a trip back to my roots, I think about my grandmother’s kitchen. I inherited a dog-eared cookbook from her; it’s got Cajun recipes galore and looks pretty good; however, I doubt she used it. Not even once. Someone probably gave it to her. She cooked from memory mostly, or from … Continue reading
Lest you think I’m going to get too deep here with an ongoing stream of poetry, I’d like to spend the next few minutes on the topic of frites and chocolate. I have about three point one hours of free time in Brussels this coming week. Yes, I’ll take in the sights. Yes, I’ll test … Continue reading
