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…

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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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DIY Turkish Iskender Kabob

Bring Turkish cuisine into your home with this recipe for homemade Iskender kabob that is so easy, even for those chefs whose kitchen expertise is largely confined to opening take-out! In my last post, I shared my first experience with the Turkish Iskender kabob. Roasted meat, toasted flatbread, tangy tomato sauce, and tart yogurt combine…

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Where to go for dates

Tonight is date night. Choose wisely! Dates are more important than you might think – human survival has depended upon them in many cases. All dates are not the same. The range in appearance and texture is unexpectedly wide. A good date is sweet and gives you a boost of energy, while a bad date…

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Global food adventures in the Sultanate of Oman

What is Omani cuisine?  And where is Oman?  I’ll answer these questions in my next few posts.  Join me on a culinary tour of the exotic Sultanate of Oman. The Middle East.  When you think of the region’s cuisine, shawarma, kabobs, hummus, falafel, halva/halwa, and baklava are a few of the images that might come…

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Guest Post:Traveling on a Budget: 4 Ways to Save

Today, I am excited to share a guest post from CD Ambassador Sandra Sentell. Join Sandra as she shares four tips for saving money – while still eating well -on the road, set against the backdrop of a five-country vacation! Welcome, Sandra! What does visiting 5 countries and traveling to 10 cities in a matter…

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The Culinary Diplomat rates airplane food

Ok, you saw the title and were either disturbed or intrigued. Airplane food? Really? We all know it certainly has no reputation as a gourmet walk in the clouds. Why bother rating dishes that barely resemble the international delicacies they pretend to be? As a frequent international traveler, airplane food is an inevitability. Over the…

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Why Champagne is champagne, Part II: Demystifying from vine to label

In my last post, I dissected the cultural icon that is champagne. Not all sparkling wines are created equal. For many of us, champagne is a bit of an enigma, elitist even. The terminology may seem a bit foreign. Like an exclusive club created it like a secret handshake: a means to determine who really…

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