Step back in time for an underground (literally!) feast of some of Poland’s finest cuisine deep in the heart of Krakow. A colleague who knows Poland well highly recommended Pod Aniolami (literally “Under the Angels,” translated) for both the excellent food and a walk back into medieval Poland. Not one to ignore such an enthusiastic…
Year: 2015
Exploring food and beverages in Lesser Poland
What is Polish cuisine? While it is always tough to define or pigeonhole any country or locale’s food, Polish cuisine is not vastly deviant from that of other eastern European nations or groups. Traditional foods are well suited for its bone-chilling winters. Sausage, pork, potatoes, cabbage, beets, and sour cream are a few of its…
Mutabel: The Arabic twin of Baba Ghanouj
A creamy eggplant dip with the bite of garlic and an almost airy fluffiness, accented with nutty olive oil – sound familiar? Think of Mutabel as the fraternal twin of Baba Ghanouj: nearly identical ingredients, expressed just a bit differently. If you didn’t have them side-by-side, one could easily mistake them for one another. This…
Barcelona – an upscale Spanish wine and tapas chain captures the East Coast
In the world of food writing, restaurants with multiple locations (dare I say ‘chain’?) are portrayed often as second class. Reviews or endorsements of those types of restaurants, more often than not, tend to be more along the lines of press releases and paid marketing. I absolutely believe in the power of promoting a small,…
Bourbon Brown Sugar Caramel Ice Cream
Looking to America for culinary inspiration, I bring you an ice cream to wow your friends or guests. Brown sugar, caramel, and cream accentuate the Southern charm of bourbon. Crumbled caramel-cashew cookies add buttery sweetness and crunchy texture to this grown-up dessert. I wrote my first blog post several months before the launch of The…
Nonna’s Kitchen at Alphonse: An Italian experience on Washington, DC’s U Street Corridor
When fine dining becomes a memorable and entertaining experience worth savoring and you feel that you aren’t simply a number at a table begging to be turned over to the next reservation, that’s when the bill is worth every penny. When foods you would just as soon avoid become bites you can’t get enough of,…
Curried English Pea Soup
Fresh, green English peas evoke memories of spring. A healthy dash of curry powder and cayenne pepper give this soup enough of a kick to make one curious for more. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken and your meal is vegetarian friendly, also. This soup is not photogenic (“Pea green” has its reputation to uphold). Yet…
Shiraz: An Iranian feast in Muscat
When a country is right across a narrow gulf from another, it is reasonable to assume the two countries’ cuisine should influence one another’s. In Oman, Iranian (or Persian) food is not as visible as one might expect, but Omani food certainly benefits from a history of Persian/Iranian trade and culture. During my visit to…
50th Post: Mumtaz Mahal, sumptuous Indian in Oman
Welcome to the 50th post of The Culinary Diplomat! Thank you to all of you – friends, family, or the fellow bloggers from Word Press – for checking us out, following this blog, and offering feedback. Thank you to my two CD Ambassadors (guest bloggers)! To the rest of you, please consider submitting a guest…
Omani Halwa-Inspired Cardamom-Pistachio Gelato
Cardamom, nutmeg, and pistachios bring the exotic taste of Arabia to your kitchen and guests in this sophisticated, refreshing gelato, perfect for spring and summer. Many kabobs and savory dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine are subtly spiced; the desserts not so much. Spicy cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, rose water, and lavender are a few unmistakeably exotic…
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