A special night of home-cooked dishes from southern India brought back memories of a past trip to Karnataka. If you’ve never traveled to India, you likely have eaten more dishes from northern India than from its south. But Indian is so much more than what most of us know. Take a culinary jaunt to the state of Karnataka…
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Impress your friends with truffled red pepper coulis!
Have you ever experienced the smoky sweetness of a roasted red pepper coulis accenting a restaurant entree? Ever wondered what effort goes into producing this deliciousness? Refined restaurant flavors are easier to create in your own kitchen than you might think! This luxurious condiment is easy to make and versatile to use – not to…
Having fun with harissa, Part II: Spicy harissa hummus
Give that tired, mass-produced hummus a run for the money with a hearty homemade hummus with the smoky red pepper and chili kick of North African Harissa. Hummus will never be the same! After a few weeks in Tunisia, I was inspired to find several ways to use harissa. In my last post, I discussed…
Having fun with harissa, Part I: The harissa omelet
Whether you’re a harissa fan or harissa what?, learn about this spicy North African condiment and try out a few recipes – you’ll be hooked! Today, I’ll share a habit I started while in Tunisia on the #wholelifechallenge – limiting starches, sugars, and dairy – by incorporating harissa into an omelet for a spicy, satisfying,…
The best grits you’ll ever eat – and make yourself
Often in life, the best ideas are the simplest. The best dishes are not necessarily the most complex – like molecular gastronomy, for example. Nice to look at, but really? These grits, quite the opposite, are insanely good. I promise you that you will never taste grits as good as this recipe. I also bet…
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…
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…
Healthy Diplomat: Four tips for staying healthy away from home
Frequent or long trips away from home can wreak havoc on one’s body. Overdosing on new food, exposure to new germs – especially during air and rail travel, limited access to fitness facilities, and altered routines easily can lead to illness, weight gain, and falling out of shape. When I travel, I try to follow…
The best plat I ever ate: Parisian seared foie gras ravioletti
It is a rare moment in life when you experience something so spectacular you know you’re going to remember the rest of your life. Whether it’s people, a natural wonder, a concert, a work of art, or food, you typically know soon that the moment will remain with you for years – if not a…
The Healthy Diplomat brings tzatziki to a party – do you dare to Feta?
As the Super Bowl fast approaches with its slew of entertaining commercials, a dazzling halftime show, and, most importantly, the year’s biggest excuse to eat junk food. Fried chips, a variety of salsas or dips, and the obligatory chicken wings are certain to pop in to so many gatherings. The airwaves buzz as morning television…
The Culinary Diplomat 