A History of Coffee for International Coffee Day
Filed Under Food History, Special Occasions
It's international coffee day! And although I drink it every day and love it in many forms, I realized I didn't know very much about it. What is coffee? Where did it originate? Where is it grown today? How is it drunk around the world? What Is Coffee? We all know coffee comes from beans, and that they are roasted. The beans actually come from trees - if coffee trees… Read
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Matzo Ball Soup Recipe
Filed Under Recipes, Special Occasions Israel
If you're scrambling to get the soup made for tonight's Passover Seder, don't worry! This Matzo Ball soup is quick and easy, but oh so tasty! We prefer to make it with our own homemade broth, but you can substitute store-bought chicken stock - or even vegetable stock if you're cooking for vegetarians. See our culinary tours in Israel. Matzo Ball Soup Serves 4 Prep time: 75 minutes Cook time:… Read
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Gobble Gobble: 6 Ways to Use up Your Thanksgiving Leftovers
Filed Under Kitchen Tips, Special Occasions USA
Chances are, the day after Thanksgiving the last thing you want to think about is more food. But you also probably have plenty of leftovers to last you some time. According to statista.com, 81% of Americans include turkey on their Thanksgiving menu. And I guarantee you they aren't eating the whole bird in one day! Growing up, leftover turkey meant slapping together a turkey sandwich (you could try changing this… Read
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The Culinary Traditions and Altars of Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Special Occasions Mexico
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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Italian Culinary Trips: Recipe for Frappe for Carnevale
Filed Under Recipes, Special Occasions, What's Up at TIK Italy
At The International Kitchen we love the Carnevale (Carnival) season, and one of our favorite parts of Carnevale in Italy are the special pastries that appear this time of year in every pasticceria. Stroll through the streets of any city or town and you'll find the pastry shop windows full of wonderful confections for Mardi Gras season. Learn more about Mardi Grad treats. One of the traditions in my family… Read
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Recipe for Santa Lucia Buns
Filed Under Food History, Recipes, Special Occasions Italy
Santa Lucia Day is celebrated December 13. Her legend says that she carried food to persecuted Christians hiding in the catacombs, and that she was guided by a candle-lit-wreath she wore on her head. For this reason Saint Lucy Day celebrations frequently feature a child sporting such a wreath and walking through the dark winter - a wonderful sign of December in many parts of the world, but particularly in… Read
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