The Culinary Traditions and Altars of Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, 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 Food History, 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 ancient Mesoamerican 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… Read
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Tiramisu
Filed Under Food History, Recipes
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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A Recipe for the Epiphany: Galette des Rois from Normandy
Filed Under Food History, Recipes, Special Occasions
For Christians January 6 marks the day of the Epiphany, the day that commemorates when the three wise men visited and gave gifts to the Christ child. As with many religious holidays, are are distinct culinary traditions to go with it, most famously the galette in France. Learn to make the galette on a cooking vacation in Normandy. In the U.S. the Epiphany galette is better known as the "Kings'… Read
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Discovering Passover Seder in Rome
Filed Under Destination Features, Special Occasions
April is an extraordinary time to visit the city of Rome where the Jewish people and Passover have a very special relationship, and in turn have a unique Passover Seder. The Passover seder is one of the most ritualistic meals that you can participate in, and it should be no surprise that Rome has its own way of doing it! The Jewish neighborhood in Rome is located along the bank … Read
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