Loved in both Latin America and Asia, Picadillo makes a good appetizer or main dish.
Bastille Day
It was a double-celebratory weekend for France this July 14 and 15. Their team won the Soccer World Cup and added another star to their record, which happened right after Bastille Day, France’s National Holiday. I had a third reason to celebrate with a French twist: friendship – more specifically, a new friendship with French visitors to the U.S.
Mici Mititei – Romanian Grilled Meat
One of my all-time summer-time (and other times) favorites is grilled minced meat, which Romanians call “mici” or “mititei.” It’s our alternative to the American burger and we love it! So, for this 4th of July or any other good-weather day, fire up the grill and savor these tiny delicacies (“mici” [meech] means “small”, “mititei” [mee-tee-tay’] means “tiny” or “little ones”). Continue reading “Mici Mititei – Romanian Grilled Meat”
Hot Weather in Hot Springs, NC
When the summer heat is rising, it’s best to find some shade and a body of water where you can cool off your body. A few weeks ago, our friends invited us to join them for a weekend in Hot Springs, NC. Continue reading “Hot Weather in Hot Springs, NC”
Jerk Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Melon Pico
The July/August 2018 issue of Coastal Living is PERFECT. From the stories, to the picture-perfect pictures, to the recipes, it’s a feast for the senses. I was sure to jot down a few of the places I will have to sample when we hit the road next year. Meanwhile, with July 4th festivities approaching, I dog-eared some recipes to try out, including this mouth-watering looking jerk shrimp tacos with spicy melon pico recipe: Continue reading “Jerk Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Melon Pico”
Salata de Vinete – Grilled Eggplant Spread
One of my most favorite things to eat growing up (and now) is Romanian roasted or grilled eggplant spread. Similar to baba ganoush, we call it “salata de vinete” (“salata” means salad and “vinete” means eggplants). There are many versions of this recipe – some using mayo, some adding chopped onions, but I really prefer it simple. In Romania, we use sunflower oil but I go for a light olive oil instead. If you want to play with the taste some more, use a flavored olive oil (I get mine at Tree and Vine in Knoxville), such as Persian Lime or Rosemary. Continue reading “Salata de Vinete – Grilled Eggplant Spread”
