The Spice of Life · Global Voices
Melissa De León

#1: From Argentina, Pomelo Pleasures presents:
The Spice of Life: She wants it in her jam, me too!!! :)
I am an absolute nut about mulled wine, and perhaps with good reason. I remember France during the holidays, going to a bazaar full of baked goods and steaming vats of mulled wine, warming the hands and the belly against the chilly air. I spent Christmas in France in Stasburg, the place for Christmas, eating pain d'épices and downing bucketfuls of spicy wine on the snowy streets, but mulled wine is sold all over France during the winter season, and is also very plentiful around my family's home, especially during holiday parties. The wine fills the air with the unmistakable aroma of cloves and cinnamon, a sent forever linked in my mind with smiles and the good cheer of the season.
Now, I am sorry to reminisce about all of this Christmas business but I really am getting to the point; and that is the flavor of this mulled wine brings back memories of childhood and good times. Well, I want that in my jam.
#2: From the Raw foods world: Rani and Raja and his Raw Key Lime Pie.
I prepared it, it's…hmmm… fantastic! Go ahead, try it…and you will see :)
#3: From Karine's Food in China!
A wonderful, very colorful virtual trip to the Farmer's Market in Dali, Yunnan. The climate and geography around the ErHai Lake helps the farmers to grow a big variety of vegetables and fruits with an "eat-me" sign written all over the place. It really makes me want to go there right now!!!
#4: From Anthony's Kitchen, The Bachelor Cooking Blog from Mumbai, India.
Is the showcase for the Curry Mela 16th! Mouthwatering Indian creations. One after another, they will inspire you to cook in a way that probably you have not tried before. Go ahead, do not be shy!
#5: From Divina Cucina in Certaldo, Italy…a gorgeous Season's Best: Primavera. Beautiful produce, and the hills wearing a rainbow of shades of green! Oh My…!
Inspired by Tana and her small farm blog, I thought I would let you know what is happening in the hills near my home in Certaldo. I will try to document some of the local producers and interview them.
Certaldo is a beautiful hill town, built all in red brick. It is very tiny and full of atmosphere, not really a tourist town as there is really a living village and not a series of shops…
Certaldo and the surrounding valleys are also Chianti wine producing villages, not Chianti Classico, which is limited to the hills where it originated, Radda, Castellina and Gaiole.
The hills are lined with vineyards, olive trees and farm houses, still working farms. My neighbors the Tinti’s still sell their wine in bulk, Vino Sfuso, if you go by with your demijohns! Continue reading this inspiring post…
#6: The Flying Apple in Austria really takes off this time. Learn about how Angelika acknowledges the inspiration she has gotten from fellow food bloggers around the world. Thanks to that and to her charming spirit and energy, her catering business is a total success. I only have one question thou, would she deliver to Panama? I am in need of a Personal Chef! LOL!
#7: From Fusion View, London, U.K.
This post is so good that we have to share it with you! Have you ever heard of "hair dryer duck." The truth is that the duck was super tasty and extra crispy—-what else do you need from a duck?
In the middle of all the laughing caused by the story behind the "hair dryer duck" recipe, I remember that long time ago I read about an incredible post by The Skinny Chef, the recipe was to prepare "dishwasher poached salmon." Yep. So, after looking and digging into my favorites, I found it. This recipe is going to crack you up too.
Recently, I was browsing through a community cookbook compiled by a ladies’ congregation from the suburbs of Pittsburgh, close to where I grew up. Most of the recipes were divine though I had to laugh when I saw this bizarre exception. The preparation struck me as unappetizing, but technically speaking, it’s a cooking method that must work. I thought I’d include the recipe for those of you who might be curious. So what will be featured in the next book, you ask? Garbage disposal pesto is my bet! Get the recipe NOW!
Nothing like a good recipe to prepare when you do not have a stove or microwave, or any of the other conventional cooking appliances available! Ha! Creativity is great. I love it :)
#8: Have you been to Citarella's in NY? The Cooking Adventures of Chef Paz writes about what she had to do to get some photos of her favorite Fish Market. Loved those giant clams, YUM!
Have a tasty week!