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The Answer Is Feta
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Soaking chicken overnight in brine is an age-old technique. Brining a chicken seasons it through and through, locking in the moisture for tender meat.
However, unless you work in a Greek restaurant, going through 600 pounds of feta cheese a month, you probably won’t think to use feta as brine instead of plain salt water. At the Greek restaurant Souvla in San Francisco, that’s exactly what they did!
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The process of creating a feta brine involves the actual salt water liquid that preserves the cheese during storage. With going through so much feta cheese a month, the restaurant also went through a lot of the salt water solution that was used to store their feta. They were simply tired of seeing so much brine go to waste.
The brine is a lot more complex than salt water and has a fermented pickled flavor, along with an umami character which the restaurant knew could be repurposed. With that, Mr. Cervone came up with the brilliant idea to use the brine on the rotisserie chickens, which were served at the restaurant and sold as takeout. Not only did it make the chicken even more plump and juicy, it also added a pleasant earthiness to the meat. It also sparked immense popularity at the restaurant with how delicious the chicken is and now every night they go on sale, they are sold out very quickly!
Now although you may not have the commercially used feta brine, you can actually purée feta cheese in water and use that in its place. You marinate your chicken in the mix and store it overnight in the fridge. The following day, pat the chicken dry, cover it with lots of grated lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano. You then roast it how you would any chicken and let your senses burst with this juicy, feta infused chicken!
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A Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Meal
Whether you enjoy dressing up in all green, enjoying the family festivities or getting absolutely wasted until the early hours, the most central part of any holiday is a great dinner – and a hearty, Irish meal is so important on St. Patrick’s day.
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Corned Beef Brisket, Cabbage, Potatoes, And Carrots
This incredible dish takes a whopping 10 hours to cook- but is so worth it! Back when St. Patrick’s day became a tradition, you might’ve found families corning their own beef, but nowadays there is absolutely nothing wrong with a delicious store-bought corned beef brisket. Like any holiday, getting up super early just to start cooking is a tradition- and this beef brisket definitely follows through on that tradition, cooking for 10 hours to ensure mouthwatering, tender, moist meat. Not only does it need to cook for 10 hours, you ideally need to let it cool for a day in its cooking liquid to ensure even more amazing flavor. Carrots, cabbage, and potatoes compliment this delicious hunk of meat perfectly, making every juicy mouthful a delight.
Champ
These mashed potatoes are definitely a dish for ‘champs’. Unlike normal mashed potatoes, champs are much creamier and are scallion-studded. They are enriched with milk and butter and are seasoned with salt and pepper, with finely sliced scallions added. The flavor is rich and extra zesty.
Stout-Battered Onion Rings
Onion rings may not be traditional to Irish culture, but stout definitely rings it in. Stout-battered onion rings are rich in flavor, with hints of paprika, honey, and mustard for spice and sweetness. These aren’t your typical onion rings- they are a special type, bursting with flavor, perfect for the special day of St. Patrick’s Day.
Soda Bread
Soda bread is a very traditional bread of the Irish, so it makes sense to enjoy it on St. Patrick’s Day! Soda bread is so dense and crumby and uses baking soda for leavening. It is also enriched with buttermilk and sweetened with honey. As opposed to the more traditional soaked raisins, using cranberries can be refreshing, along with it being studded with whiskey. If you aren’t a fan of Soda Bread, another option could be nutty Irish brown bread to accompany the meal.
Irish Coffee Ice Cream With Dark Chocolate and Pecans
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There’s nothing that tops off a meal better than some ice cream, but even better, Irish ice cream on St. Patrick’s Day! This delicious dessert is bursting with buttery caramel, roasted coffee grounds and not forgetting the generous portion of Irish Whiskey! Its flavor is creamy and sweet, with a slight bitterness and smokiness to it, really complementing the other flavors. The dessert is finished off with crunchy candied pecans and shaved dark chocolate- because who doesn’t like chocolate?
‘Must-Know’ List Of Irish Beers For St. Patrick’s Day
One of the biggest Irish traditions has got to be the beers- from ales and lagers to delicious stouts, they are all staples to most St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world. From Harp to Guinness, there’s a notable Irish brew for every beer lover. Whether you are heading out to a parade on the day or hosting your own party, here are some ‘must-know’ Irish beers to enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day!
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Guinness Draught
Guinness is one of the most popular Irish beers worldwide, especially in the U.S. Its flavor is distinct with smooth aromas and deep, dark, satisfying flavors. There are different Guinness brews which are most popular to have- Guinness Draught, Extra Stout, and Foreign Extra Stout.
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Smithwick’s Irish Ale
Smithwick’s is often referred as “Smitticks”. This ale has a unique flavor to it which combines hops with deep malt, coffee, aromatic fruits and roasted barley notes.
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Harp Lager
This lightly colored lager is refreshing in flavor and has a European ring to it. It is rich in flavor and isn’t like any other lager, boasting a smooth and sharp finish.
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Murphy’s Irish Stout
This Irish Stout has become increasingly more popular over the years, particularly in the U.S. It’s much more light a sweet in flavor compared to the other stouts.
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O’Hara’s Celtic Stout
Celtic Stout is a smooth, dry, Irish Stout which combines the rich flavor of coffee with traditional hops. There are also notes of tasty licorice in there!
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Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
With it’s smooth and creamy finish, it has a base flavor which is similar to Smithwick’s. However, the cream ale gives its own unique and delicious blend, nonetheless.
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Beamish Irish Stout
This Beamish Irish Stout was formulated back in 1792 to capture the traditional taste of stout from Ireland. It has a fully rounded, malted flavor.
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Murphy’s Irish Red
This beer dates back all the way to 1856. It is a crisp and dry beer which is naturally red, with hints of fruit and caramel in its flavor.
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O’Hara’s Irish Wheat
This Irish Stout isn’t as common, however, it is a good, tasty brew which is perfect for those lighter drinkers in need of an easy-drinking option. Including fruits such as peaches, bananas, plums mixed with traditional hops, this golden wheat ale is smooth and quenches your thirst.
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Porterhouse Brewing Co. Oyster Stout
Quite like its name, this stout is truly unique. Being one of Dublin’s favorite aromatic beer, it is bursting with interesting blends of dark, flavorful hops, grains and strangely enough, fresh oysters!
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5 Places Which Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Best!
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1. Sydney
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Syndey is Australia’s largest Irish event there is. It centers around different things and this year it will center around family. The parade features two music stages with over 20 acts including Aoife Scott, daughter of Frances Black. This family fun parade will also host lots of food and craft stalls and a dedicated children’s area where kids can enjoy activities such as bouncy castles, face painting, Irish dance lessons, and storytelling- all free of charge.
2. Montreal
Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival has followed its tradition since 1824, making it one of the longest-running St. Patrick’s celebrations in North America. The United Irish Society of Montreal who has been organizing the event for over 90 years have even helped revive St. Patrick’s Day festivals in the cities of Quebec, Toronto, Hudson, Ottawa, and Chateauguay. The festival is also Montreal’s official start to spring, no matter what the weather is- in the last seven years having seen torrential rain, snowstorms, and blazing heat! You can expect this festival to include more than 100 entries of marching bands, floats and thousands of participants from all over Quebec and Ontario.
3. Montserrat
This beautiful Isle of the Caribbean is the only country other than Ireland which counts St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday. This is because the Irish connections date back all the way to the 17th century when Irish Catholics fled to this safe haven after being persecuted on neighboring islands. The connection is so strong that visitors receive a Shamrock stamp on their passports! St. Patrick’s Day is not only a national holiday but a week-long celebration, showcasing the amazing, unique African-Irish heritage.
4. New York
New York has always been known for putting on a big show, and nothing changes with St. Patricks Day- New York having celebrated it since 1792! This year’s parade will have 200,000 people marching on the parade route. The parade will begin at 11 am, and will march up to 5th Avenue, stopping outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral to be greeted by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.
5. Buenos Aires
With over 500,000 Irish people and their descendants living in Argentina, there’s every reason to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! The event is co-hosted by the Argentina-Ireland Association and the Buenos Aires city government, and the Irish Embassy in Buenos Aires. It takes over the whole city, culminating in Plaza St. Martin, where there are 100s of food and beer stalls with Irish dancers and live music and huge processions of bagpipes! The event is known as Dia de San Patricio and will be a beer-fuelled party which carries on till the early hours.
The Creamiest, Dreamiest Mac ‘N’ Cheese On Earth!
Mac ‘n’ cheese is an American staple! It is one of the most convenient, but tastiest foods you can make, pleasing all ages. Unfortunately, we are often disappointed with premade mac ‘n’ cheese, with it being too bland or worse- dry and gritty; when all we really want is fluffy pasta, smothered in a creamy, velvety cheese sauce, not forgetting the light, but perfect, crunchy topping. We want the type of mac ‘n’ cheese that is so good that we are scared to start eating it, in fear we might not stop!
Here are some top tips on creating the creamiest, dreamiest mac ‘n’ cheese you can find:
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1. Classic Cheddar Is The Way To Go!
A lot of recipes or premade packages of mac ‘n’ cheese call for lots of different fancy cheeses and multiple kinds of cheese in general. It seems to take away the classic flavor of what mac ‘n’ cheese actually is- sometimes, simple is better! Classic mac ‘n’ cheese usually uses a simple, but tasty cheese like cheddar. Cheddar gives back the iconic taste of macaroni and cheese, along with a hint of parmesan. The parm combines with the cheddar, giving it a nutty flavor, but working well with the cheddar instead of distracting its flavor. It is also recommended you shred your own cheese as well, as there are usually added things that make ready-shredded cheese drier with less flavor.
2. Add Cream For A Super Rich Sauce
This is quite possibly one of the most important stages to ensure the creamiest mac ‘n’ cheese. It is common to add a basic white sauce such as béchamel. However, béchamel doesn’t really give the creaminess we are looking for- but milk and cream does! Trying a combination of milk and cream will change your life! It adds such an indulgent texture, making your mouth water with every bite. Whisking your cheese throughout the process is another recommendation, it will ensure the cheesiest sauce possible.
3. Add A Dash Of Mustard Powder
It may seem unusual to be adding mustard to mac ‘n’ cheese, but it really boosts the flavor, all while staying undetectable! You can use a number of spices when making this dish, but mustard powder gives that perfect, mouthwatering addition that is needed to bring out the cheddar in the best way possible.
4. Using Garlic Breadcrumbs For That Extra Burst Of Flavor!
Adding that extra layer to the top of our mac ‘n’ cheese gives us this extra amazing flavor with the light and crunchy texture needed. Many just use plain breadcrumbs, but using garlic breadcrumbs will infuse the flavor like no other.
5. A Simple, But Easily Missed Trick
This step is easily forgotten, but so important- seasoning your mac ‘n’ cheese. Seasoning in three steps will ensure the right amount of seasoning all throughout your dish and gives it just the right amount of kick. It is always best to add your seasoning (such as salt and pepper) while making the topping, the sauce, and the macaroni.
You may love to add extras such as bacon or lobster, but this creamy macaroni and cheese alone is more than enough! It simply melts in your mouth.
8 Foods That Will Give You A Healthier Mind
It is easy to forget, with our busy lifestyles, the basic guidelines for healthy eating. A lot of the time, we are so busy that we don’t even manage to consume the 3 important square meals a day. However, there are certain foods that are considered to be ‘brain foods’ and can really help with the overall function of your brain and are really easy to fit in with even the busiest of lifestyles.
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Here is a list of 8 super foods that are proven to help with memory, focus and keeping you feeling more energized throughout the day- which we can all admit, would be very helpful!
1. Nuts
Being high in fiber, protein, unsaturated fats and a huge array of minerals and vitamins, eating a handful of nuts each day, may well keep the doctor away! Each type of nut offers a huge variety of nutrients. For example, Walnuts contain a high amount of alpha-linolenic acids, which is essential for our brain in keeping it healthy and active, as it is one of the three Omega-3 fatty acids that we need. Another example would be Cashew nuts. Cashews are high in iron, zinc, and magnesium, which is linked to helping the improvement of memory loss and memory related diseases.
2. Avocado
Avocados are a heavily packed food, containing an incredible amount of nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, K and all B vitamins, along with potassium and fiber. And if that isn’t enough, Avocados also are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, also known as Omega-3 fatty acids. With Avocados containing so much goodness, they help with a wide range of things such as keeping your heart and brain healthy and reducing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Beets
Beets have been proven to increase blood flow to the brain. Not only that, they are also high in minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin C, folate, fiber, manganese, and potassium. They convert nitric oxide in your body which can improve your overall mental performance and brain function greatly because it helps you to relax and dilates the blood vessels in your brain, ultimately lowering your blood pressure.
4. Salmon
It may be known to you that eating fish that is high in fatty acids is one of the best sources of protein and other nutrients which are essential for your brain and body. It is even more important that we eat foods like salmon because our body simply does not make the essential fatty acids we need. Salmon, along with trout, mackerel and sardines also contain high levels of EFAs and DHAs, which DHAs improve memory loss and can reduce the risk of memory related diseases.
5. Dark Chocolate
For all you dark chocolate lovers out there, it is proven that dark chocolate has the most brain health benefits out of all chocolates. Chocolate is used widely as a comfort food, but realistically chocolate does actually make you feel a lot happier because of its high levels of tryptophan, which is a neurotransmitter of feeling happy. The flavonoids in dark chocolate improve blood flow to the brain which in turn, increases your reaction time, your attention span, your overall memory and your problem-solving skills. That isn’t all, dark chocolate also releases endorphins into our brain, which reduces stress levels and pain.
6. Broccoli
Since we were children, it is always hammered into us that eating greens is important. But eating greens really has never been more important than for your overall brain health. Broccoli helps strengthen your cognitive brain functions and improve your memory because it is rich in Vitamin K and choline. It also contains a high amount of folic acid, which helps fight off depression and keeps you feeling happy. Not only that, the folic acid aids in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, broccoli benefits our most basic functions such as reasoning, thinking, remembering, imagining and learning, because of its high levels of lignans.
7. Whole Grains
There are a huge variety of whole grains such as pasta, whole grain bread, brown rice, and oats. Whole grains are low glycemic foods which will keep your blood sugar stable for a lot longer than when you eat refined or white grains. This is why whole grains are considered to contain magical energy for the brain. Whole grains also alter your glucose levels slightly and will slowly supply glucose to the brain and body over time, helping you concentrate for longer and stay focused more, throughout the day.
8. Blueberries
You might be relieved to know that many studies show that eating blueberries can help slow the aging process and age-related diseases! According to another study, from Tufts University, blueberries, if eaten regularly can also help with short-term memory loss. These magic berries can also help your motor functions and improve your learning abilities.
World’s Most Bizarre Chocolates
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Plum Liqueur Chocolate
These chocolates are from Japan but are also available in Korea, China, Thailand, and Taiwan. Sadly, they do not ship to the U.S. and the only way to purchase them is at the annual New York Chocolate Show. Each of these beautifully hand-decorated truffles is made with ganache which contains Japenese plum Liqueur (Umeshu). However, the liqueur is actually made from unripe apricots that are soaked in sugar and shochu, which is a semi-strong distilled Japenese spirit.
Havana Tobacco Chocolate
Although it is illegal to bring these chocolates into the U.S., they originate from Burges and Antwerp in Belgium but are also available in upscale restaurants in Germany, Holland and other areas in Belgium. A self-proclaimed shock-o-latier Dominique Persoone crafts around 60 bizarre varieties of truffles, but his most illicit have got to be the Havana. It is so illicit because it is crafted with real cigar leaves which are marinated in rum and cognac. The flavor leaves a very peppery feeling in your throat, simulating the sensation of actually smoking a cigar.
Pig’s Blood Chocolate
A chocolate shop in Portland, Oregon, took inspiration from blood sausage, which is popular in Western Europe and Asia. The owner, who is a former sous chef, only makes this ‘special’ chocolate for holidays such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day. This bizarre creation is made with cinnamon, smoked Spanish paprika, and blood. It is then enrobed in Felchlin 72 percent Ecuadoran chocolate and dusted with more paprika. It is no surprise that this chocolate is one of the least popular flavors available at the chocolate shop, but nonetheless, it still receives special orders.
Cucumber Vodka Chocolate
Well, this is one way to get in your ‘5-A-Day’. This exotic, handmade truffle is crafted with traditional French methods. The boldly flavored white chocolate ganache is infused with cucumber purée, mint, and vodka. It is then covered in dark chocolate and leaves a slight tingle on the tongue, because of the alcohol. This chocolate is only available for six months out of the year starting from April because fresh ingredients are insisted by L’Artisan du Chocolat.
Absinthe Chocolate
For all those who like to party hard, Absinthe Chocolate is available in New York, in a shop on the Lower East Side. This chocolate which was once an underground experiment, flourished into a product that people buy and enjoy, after the absinthe ban in the U.S. was lifted. This interesting chocolate consists of a Callebaut bittersweet chocolate ganache with pear, anise seed, fennel, and commercially brewed absinthe.
Shiitake Mushroom Chocolate
This ganache contains dried mushrooms and earthy Peruvian dark chocolate. It is hand dipped in 70 percent Colombian chocolate. Shiitake is from Asian cuisine for umami. It usually has a savory taste but in this chocolate, it lends a subtle, warm flavor. The truffles are created with a personal and direct touch due to Fair Trade certification being expensive for small farmers. This ensures that the cacao is improved and the farmers earn a fair wage. The truffles are available in the Midwest or online.
French Toast Chocolate
Inspired by today’s comfort foods such as tortilla, chips, french toast and ramen, Komforte Chockolates created French Toast Chocolate. It contains a wide variety of ingredients which gives it, its butter flavor- 33 percent milk chocolate, cinnamon, bagel chips, nutmeg, and molasses. It is considered a specialty chocolate and is available in specialty store across the country and online.
Gouda Cheese Chocolate
For all you cheese and chocolate lovers, Japan has found a way to formulate both into a Gouda Cheese Chocolate bar! Bizarre kinds of chocolate are something Japan is known for, they are a big hit with tourists, becoming popular souvenirs over the years. Soy sauce is one of the favorites for chocolate in Japan. However, one of the most difficult flavors to find is the European Cheese. This chocolate contains 58 percent Gouda by weight, which leaves a salty, smoky and sour taste.
Camel’s Milk Chocolate
This chocolate was created by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and Al Nassma is the only company which produces the camel’s milk chocolate. Camel’s milk chocolate is literally considered to be “liquid gold” in the Middle east because the milk has 3 times the amount of Vitamin C than cow’s milk. It’s also considered to be “liquid gold” because of how difficult the milk is to obtain, as camels make a fraction of the amount of milk that cows do. Its flavor is quite malted and minerally. It is available in selected countries- UAE, Oman, Japan, and online.
A World Where Baked Goods Are King!
There’s nothing better than a house that smells like sweet baked goods, there’s nothing better than a belly full of them either! Let’s turn on the oven, get cozy, and take a tour on these glorious baked goods!
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British Hot Cross Bun
Hot Cross Buns used to be available during Easter time, as they symbolize the religious event that Easter is. They’re stacked with currants and have a cross to symbolize the crucifixion. They also contain a number of spices to represent the embalming process prior to the burial. You may get your fingers sticky, but these tasty buns are definitely worth it!
Portuguese Pastel De Nata
This small egg custard tart is one of Portugal’s favorite snacks. It was first baked by monks at the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. It was made quite by accident, or as an experiment, the monks had too many egg yolks left over after separating the egg whites to starch their clothes, so they came up with the delicious egg custard.
Italian Ferrarese Panpepato
There are many varieties of panforte in Italy. They usually consist of densely-packed nuts and dried fruit, with a pinch of cinnamon, pepper and even sometimes alcohol! They are then baked into a loaf, and then covered in chocolate. This baked good is very filling, so a little goes a long way. It is said that it is a modern-day take on medieval sweetbread.
Chinese Mooncakes
If you find yourself in China anytime soon, you will definitely want to try their Chinese Mooncakes! It is a pastry crust stuffed with red bean paste or lotus seed paste. They seem to be more than a tradition than a delicacy as it is reported that around two million mooncakes are thrown away each year! What a waste!
Italian Panettone
Originally from Lombardy, this sweet brioche loaf can be great for Christmas time but does come in many different varieties to suit all seasons. It ca be dusted with powdered sugar to being dotted with dried fruit or chocolate. Panettone is known for its dome shape, it may have the texture of brioche but its leavening process is a lot more complicated because an acidic cure is used to make it more akin to sourdough than a traditional cake.
Viennese Strudel
This beauty was popularized in the 18th century Habsburg Empire. The pastry is filo and is layered with sliced apples. Back in 1696, the original was actually layered with turnip- so glad they switched to apples; it tastes much sweeter and nicer!
New England Whoopee Pies
You might not be able to tell whether it is a pie or a cookie. New England Whoopee Pies are a mixture of both. It usually consists of a gingerbread or chocolate soft cakey top and bottom with a creamy filling. They might possibly be the fanciest Orea look-alike you ever see! It is argued among New England and Mane about who invented it, but either way, it is a delicious delicacy!
Filipino Bibinkga
This tasty treat is made from a rice flour pastry baked in a clay pot lined with banana leaves and it is dusted with coconut! Making it can be more complicated than eating it, that’s for sure, but it is definitely worth it!
Slovenian Potica
The Potica is Slovenian’s national pastry. It is a favored centerpiece for holiday meals or special occasions. This baked good is normally filled with ground walnuts on a really large sheet of pastry that is rolled and then jiggled from one corner into a tight serpent-like shape. It is then laid into a terracotta Bundt pan to bake. Usually, it is served in slices.
German Blitzkuchen
The name ‘German Blitzkuchen’ sounds a lot fancier than what it actually is- coffee cake. Nevertheless, it’s one of the best coffee cakes you’ll ever try! It’s quite bizarre how coffee cake doesn’t actually have any coffee in!
Latvian Klingeris
The translation of this baked good is “Golden Coffee Cake”, it is traditional to have on birthdays, but can also be a popular choice for a dessert smorgasbord. you may wonder why a coffee cake is being classed as a baked good rather than a cake. Well, this is no ordinary coffee cake, it is twisted like a pretzel and has flavors of almonds and saffron and cardamom.
A Countdown of the Greatest Cured Italian Meats!
Italy is famous for many things, contributing at large to the well-loved dishes such as pizza and pasta, in the world today. However, their most important contribution has got to be the cured Italian meats. Without them, our pizzas would just be a pool of orange grease, our charcuterie boards would be so very boring and most of all, Oscar Mayer would be nothing, without his famous Bologna!
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11. Pepperoni
Pizza would be a much healthier dish if it wasn’t for pepperoni, but that’s no fun and not as tasty, so thank you pepperoni! Although people usually don’t know exactly what it is made of (either cured beef or pork in a slice), everyone can agree that its overpowering taste and greasiness is why it is one of Italy’s greatest contributions to the world’s love of pizza.
10. Lardo
Much like its name, Lardo is cured back fat. It is very similar to bacon, except without all the meat… It’s addictive rosemary flavor will have you hooked on it!
9. Salami
If you want to be traditional, you might want to call it Salumi instead. Now, despite all the variety that there is to choose from, you will have to agree that Salami alone is a delicacy. It’s delicious on a cheese plate, sandwiches or even on its own. Salami was once a peasant’s simple storec upboard staple, but now it is a staple of the world’s finest wine bars. The point is, whether it is being cut off a basic stick, or coming from one of Oscar Mayer’s finely vacuum-sealed packages, you’ll never be disappointed.
8. Mortadella
Mortadella is perhaps one of Italy’s finest contributions to cold cuts. The world without mortadella is not the world anyone would want to live in. Its perfect blend of pork, nuts, spices and other delicious ingredients make it very much like and Italian version of bologna.
7. Capicola
This delicious, ultra-fatty salumi is made from the meat surrounding a pig’s shoulder or neck. Given where the meat is from, it gives the flavor a salty one, along with the greasy strips of fat. It is a very popular cured meat on charcuterie plates all over, along with it being a staple to the deli-style Italian sandwiches.
6. Soppressata
Making more use of prime cuts than a sandwich-style salami, this dry sausage, melts in your mouth with its overload of fat chunks. Not only is it mouthwatering, it leaves your tongue coated in delicious spices. This cured meat just overpowers the senses with its rich flavor.
5. Bresaola
This Italian meat is leaner than pretty much all of them. Although it can look quite like a Tootsie Roll, it tastes quite the opposite. Its taste is similar to dried salted steak and can actually be served up with a meal.. a very filling meal!
4. Culatello
Referring to Culatello as “Italian Ham” does not do it justice at all. Culatello is perfection and also quite a rare Italian cured meat to find because it was banned from importation due to it being aged in a bladder. However, just recently, the ban was lifted, so it should be gracing our hungry tummies soon enough!
3. Porchetta
This delicious combination of roasted and cured pig is what makes up Porchetta. You could compare this beautiful, Italian cured meat to an all-meat burrito, the skin being the outer shell, pork belly, and loin as the filling, with the garlic and spices acting as the salsa. Unlike most cured meats, Porchetta hasn’t been cured all the way through, so it doesn’t have a very long expiry date, which means you have to eat it fast.
2. Pancetta
Pancetta is Italy’s version of bacon. This salty chunk of pork fat will have your mouth-watering. Even though it is cured and not smoked, it is just as delicious whether it is served in cutlets or is thinly sliced.
1. Prosciutto
This amazing piece of meat takes the throne with its abilities to make even vegetables delicious when wrapped around them, and to make pizza even tastier (who thought that was possible?!) If you really want to devour some glorious pork, Prosciutto is where it at! the tasty, salty, paper-thin pieces will leave you dying for more.
Some of the World’s Best and Delicious Breads!
Everyone loves bread; from Irish soda bread to Palestinian spinach pies, enjoy as we explore the bread of the world.
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Corn Tortillas
The secret to a tortilla rich in flavor is the masa being made from freshly ground white or blue corn. Fresh masa is widely available in cities of the large Mexican population, but a dry corn flour such as masa harina can also be used. In Mexico, the tortillas are flattened with a wooden press, and then the dough is pressed between sheets of plastic to keep it from sticking.
Gorditas
Gorditas are a favorite Mexico City street food. They are soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. These savory corn cakes make a good base for all types of toppings including shredded chicken to pulled pork. To make the gordita even more luscious you fry the dough in lard or butter instead of oil.
Palestinian Spinach Pies
The spinach which fills the fatayers isn’t flavored with feta, instead, it is spiked with lemon and sumac, which is a tangy Middle Eastern spice. This recipe is from Palestinian- born baker, Maha Ziadeh. Ziadeh forms the pies into a triangle, however the regular half-moon shape is a lot easier to do.
Lavash Crackers
Lavash can be a soft flatbread and is usually made with water, flour, and salt. The thickness all depends on how thin it is rolled out. Sometimes, the lavash is dusted with toasted sesame seeds or spices before baking.
Sephardic Challah
The Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe favor eggy challah bread as their Jewish Sabbath bread. However, the Sephardic Jews of the Mediterranean, enjoy their challahs with anise and caraway, thus calling it the Sephardic Challah. Usually, challahs are braided, but Sephardic Challah is twisted into a round, turban-shaped loaf. They do this by stretching the dough into a long rope and then they coil it.
Irish Soda Bread
Irish soda bread is a delicacy of Ireland but is also a traditional product to many poor countries- this is because it is made with only the most basic of ingredients: baking soda, soured milk, salt, and flour. It’s perfectly accompanied by corned beef and cabbage or simply smeared with Irish butter.
Rosemary-Potato Focaccia Rolls
These rolls are gourmet rolls like no other. They are perfect for many different uses such as mini pizzas, mini flatbread, specialty sandwiches. It is a good idea to vary the toppings by season: using potato and rosemary in the winter and tomatoes and feta in the summer.
