Couscous is a staple food throughout North Africa or the Maghreb, which is historically known as the Barbary Coast or Barbary States, the region including the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, Mauritania and Libya and to a lesser extent in Sicily. This Maghrebi dish of small steamed balls…
Back in 2014 we got a glimpse of Mexican culture and Dia De Los Muertos in a film, “The Book of Life”. With “The Book of Life 2” scheduled to release next year and another seemingly cute look at the ethos of Dia De Los Muertos with the upcoming Fall release of “Coco”, I thought…
October is a strange time of the year. You have a little spook in the air as the winds blow in phantasm pushing out warm air and beckoning the chills. It’s also a time for Indian summers when the hopes of cooler atmosphere are dampened by a few more heated days. At times like this,…
With the arrival of fall we also basque in autumn fruits of the heavens and the gift of Dionysus himself. It’s time to harvest grapes in the vineyards with grand festivals and celebratory grape stomps. Napa is the most famous for its wineries and grape harvest festivals alongside its renowned restaurants by legendary chefs. Down…
Fall is knocking on our doors. It’s the Fall Equinox, when the earth will experience equal hours of day and night. This first day of Autumn promises us cooler temperatures, perhaps rain, and shorter days. This rhythm of Mother Nature calls on us to embrace the coming darkness and introspect within ourselves to nourish our…
Fall is around the time when I start doing more baking. And as the first day of Autumn – The Fall Equinox – arrives this Friday, I look forward to a weekend of festivities. Some baked goods are perfect to nourish every person’s senses. I’m baking some traditional Banana Bread that can be easily passed…
The end of summer is one of the best times to visit wine country. Not only because it starts to slightly cool down, but also because the grapes are ripe and it’s busting with activity. The valleys in wine country come alive for the grape harvest. In the great California wine region of Napa harvesting…
Have you tried the Trader Joe’s or shall I say Trader Jaques Shells with Brie and Asparagus? The pre-made dish can be found in the frozen section displayed in a country style ramekin with a handle and boasting that it is “sinfully rich and worth every bite.” To be honest, I found it to be…