Why Molise "Doesn't Exist" and Other Fun Facts about Our Authentic Italy Culinary Tour
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Travel Tips, Italy
There's a saying in Italy. "Molise non esiste." Molise doesn't exist. It's a running joke among Italians to pretend Molise doesn't exists due to its small size and relative obscurity, even among Italians. If you ask your average Italian to tell you something about Molise, you shouldn't expect much (if any) information! But it's also a running joke among Molisani, the quirky inhabitants of Molise, who seem to enjoy the… Read
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"Thursday, Gnocchi!": All About Our Favorite Italian Dumpling
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Kitchen Tips, Travel Tips, Italy
"Giovedì gnocchi, venerdì pesce, sabato trippa." So the saying goes in Rome, that Thursday is gnocchi day, Friday is fish day, and Saturday it's tripe! It's not hard to understand the "venerdì pesce" – this is a Catholic country after all. But why gnocchi on Thursday? I've always heard that it was to load up with a heavier meal the day before the Friday fast, and that it worked well… Read
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Celebrating Thanksgiving with Three Sisters...Even If Your Family Is Far Away
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Special Occasions, USA
This Thanksgiving is likely to be one of the least traditional for many U.S. families. Instead of gathering in large groups for a traditional turkey dinner, most of us will be celebrating in small family units. Many people will be missing from our family table this year, but there are still three sisters I can celebrate with! And their names are.... corn, beans, and squash? Our family, like many others,… Read
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Travel Memories: My First Trip to Italy
Filed Under Destination Features, What's Up at TIK, Italy
It's hard not to wax nostalgic about travel these days. As the effects of COVID-19 keep us all at home, with no clear indication of when we'll be able to travel again, those of us with wanderlust turn our minds to fond memories of trips past. I have been thinking increasingly of my first trip to Italy, when I was a university student taking part in a study abroad program… Read
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Indulge Yourself! Food & Wellness Tour in Spain
Filed Under Destination Features, What's Up at TIK, Spain
If you're like most of the world these days, you're more in need of self care than ever. Treat yourself to something to look forward to, like our fabulous food and wellness tour in Spain! The dictionary defines "wellness" as "the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal." But we think it's more than that, it is, in our opinion, being of sound body and… Read
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A Middle Eastern Dinner: Culinary Travels with TIK
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Greece, Israel, Turkey
I found myself craving Middle-Eastern food over the weekend, so I did what I usually do: I decided to make a Middle Eastern dinner! But when my kids asked me what that meant, I found I had trouble answering. "Can it be Middle Eastern food if there is no falafel?" was one question. "I thought that was Greek!" was another comment. So what exactly is "Middle Eastern food"? If the… Read
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