A Culinary Tour at Don Alfonso: Part 1, Beginnings
Filed Under Destination Feature
When journalist David Sharos contacted us wanting a cooking vacation in Italy that was above and beyond anything he had experienced before, we knew just where to send him: Don Alfonso 1890. The history of Don Alfonso 1890 goes back - not surprisingly! - to 1890, when Alfonso Costanzo Iaccarino founded the restaurant. Decades later it was reimagined and renamed by his grandson (another Alfonso) until it became one of… Read
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The Culinary Traditions and Altars of Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico
Filed Under Special Occasions
What is the Day of the Dead? It is a popular and long-standing Mexican celebration of the deceased that occurs over Halloween (All Hallow's Eve), All Saint's Day (November 1), and All Soul's Day (November 2). This is the period when the threshold between the living and the dead is seen as at its "thinnest" and most permeable. The holiday is celebrated throughout Mexico and in communities of Mexican heritage… Read
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Welcome to TIK's New Look!
Filed Under What's Up at TIK
We have been working for over a year on our new website and we could not be more thrilled with how it turned out. For years people have been telling us that 1) our old website did not accurately represent how awesome our trips are, 2) that it was hard to search and book online, and 3) that we need more pictures! We think the results take care of all… Read
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Mardi Gras Treats
Filed Under Special Occasions
It's Mardi Gras, the last day of Carnival in European countries, the day before heading into the austere Lenten season. This generally means indulging one last time before swearing off the good stuff like sweets, alcohol, and meat. There are tons of fabulous Mardi Gras treats - many of them liquid - to be found around the world. We're feature a few of our favorite Mardi Gras pastries. Celebrate Carnevale… Read
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Tamales, Tamales!
Filed Under Food History, Special Occasions
The tamal or tamale dates back to as early as 7000 BC in pre-columbian history when Aztec women would tag along as cooks during battles. Because battles were long and far from home, sustainable food that was portable and easily heated was required and because tamales could be premade in large quantities, they quickly became popular. According to history, tamales were originally buried in hot ashes. Later the Aztecs learned… Read
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Tiramisu
Filed Under Food History, Recipe
Tiramisu is the king of Italian sweets, and the popular dessert is one you'll often encounter on our cooking vacations in Italy. And it is actually quite easy to make! While there are variations on the recipe for tiramisu, and its history, it's thought to have originated in Treviso, a small town 30 minutes from Venice in Italy's Veneto region. More specifically, a restaurant in Treviso stakes claim to the… Read
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