The life of a Midwesterner in the Mediterranean isn’t all palm trees and fresh artichokes with Romesco sauce. And besides, sometimes I just crave typical Midwestern special occasion eats. The midwest’s endless variations on dips, potato dishes (like hashbrown casserole) […]
The best anchovies ever
Anchovies are a small, strongly-flavored, salt-cured fish. I adore them, but can (if somewhat begrudgingly) understand that plenty of people abhor the little stinkers. But even people who think they can’t stand anchovies tend to like my friends Eva and […]
Packing for Beach Getaways
I’m not a beachy kind of girl. Or at least that’s what I thought until my recent trip to Puerto Rico convinced me otherwise. Which seems especially strange coming from a long-time resident of Barcelona…..a coastal city with truly beautiful […]
Fiery Hot Guacamole for the Avocado and Hot Pepper Obsessed
In case you don’t follow my yammerings about writing, traveling and cooking on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, I’ve just gotten back from a 10-day trip in Puerto Rico during which I ate avocado in some form nearly every day…and […]
Pre-Travel Rituals
Pre-Travel Rituals Before I travel (usually a few days ahead of time) I have some pre-travel rituals. No homemade altars required, and nothing very complex, just a few things I do in the hopes of a smoother, less stressful trip. […]
Green Salad with Romesco Sauce, Grilled Chicken, Hearts of Palm and Black Olives
Later winter in Catalonia means afternoons spent at someone’s second property in the later winter sun scarfing grilled meats, rustic bread toasted over the fire, and spring onions (calçots) smeared in homemade calçot sauce. But as Semana Santa nears (Easter/Holy […]
Traveling with Dietary Restrictions
Traveling with dietary restrictions can be a real pain in the you-know-where. While I’m not allergic to anything, and eat pretty much whatever can be foraged, I have lots of friends and loved ones who are vegetarians,celiacs, diabetics, have religious […]
Vegan Coconut Curry
As an undergraduate, I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to study in India. Of all of the places I’ve been, India is the most mind-boggling, heart-breaking and exciting. By leaps and bounds it’s my favorite destination that I’ve […]
Top 3 Travel Don’ts
Here is a list (in brief) of things you shouldn’t do on your adventures (abroad or otherwise). They’re guaranteed to make your travel experience better for everyone involved, you included. Travel Don’t #1–Strutting around half-dressed. If you wouldn’t pump gas […]
Vegetarian Quinoa Cabbage Rolls
When I want to see my friend Carmen, it never fails, I can lure her in with stuffed cabbage. Any variation on cabbage rolls, and she comes knocking at my front door. Since I was recently gifted with a homegrown […]