Typical Portuguese Food: Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato This recipe is an example of typical Portuguese food. We find this dish almost everywhere in Portugal. It is extremely simple, yet with a delicious result. You will see in the ingredients that the recipe contains a lot of oil. This is not a mistake; the olive oil …
Douro Valley Wine Tours and the Solar de Mateus Solar de Mateus In the heart of Portugal’s Douro Valley near the large town of Vila Real, capital of Tras-os- Montes (lit. “behind the mountains”), sits the Solar de Mateus manor, a species of lady Palace Tartine crossed with a garden the likes of which you …
The Prestigious Wines of Porto, Portugal The vineyards of Porto are one of the most prestigious in the world. From the 17th century, its zone of production was jealously protected by the producers of the Douro Valley: it is one of the earliest existing regions. A Fortunate Alliance Although Portugal, like Spain, produced wine since …
On Mozzarella: Buffalo and Burrata Because we adore it, we believe we know all about mozzarella. Nevertheless, it may prove difficult for most to distinguish between two varieties: Buffalo and Burrata. Mozzarella Basics Mozzarella is a cow’s milk cheese of Italian origin, but is not only produced in Italy. Since there are no precise regulations …
Trulli a Treasure in Puglia Italy Beautiful outside, fresh inside! The Trulli houses make up major part of the face of the region of Puglia (Apulia). Today, one of the main functions of most buildings – whether offices, restaurants or residences – is protection from the elements. This had long been the case in areas …
The Wine of Puglia: Castello Monaci Artas The heel of Italia’s boot, Puglia (or Apulia, as it is sometimes called) is a region of prolific wine production. In past, this region often surpassed Sicily and Venetia in volume. As the traditional markets for heavy and strong wines gradually decreased, local producers put more and more …
Basque Pintxos: Bite Size Culinary Treasures One of the gastronomic treasures of San Sebastián is its famous tapas (or pintxos, to use the Basque term), culinary miniatures which range anywhere from a simple piece of bread covered with food, as in its origins, to the tiny culinary creations of the master chef. Originally, the pintxo …
The Basque Cider House Tradition: Txotx! Those looking for soft lounge chairs, elevator music and chic atmosphere – look elsewhere. The authentic Basque tradition of cider-making is something else entirely: A warm, friendly culinary experience focusing on exceptional local products in a charming, rustic environment. The History of the Basque Cider House Tradition The historical …
Irouleguy Vineyards in the Heart of French Basque Country In order to arrive at the vineyards of Irouleguy, you must ascend slopes so steep you will feel like you are standing in the presence of the sun. But O! The mountain is beautiful! The vineyards of Irouleguy are situated in the heart of French Basque …
An Interview with Estelle Touzet We have begun sharing interviews conducted by our very own, Jeff Puech, who lives “on location” in Bordeaux, France. He will interview some of the great names of the culinary world and we will share these rare moments with our readers. Today’s guest: Estelle Touzet, wine steward of the famous …