Food & Wine

Those of us with gluten allergies or celiac disease are somewhat used to interrogating wait staff on what we can or cannot eat.  It's a totally different experience at Company Café in Dallas, Texas.  Gluten eaters may find themselves asking for the gluten version of things because pancakes, French toast and bagels are gluten free, unless you request the full flour version.

Ever wonder why some balsamic vinegars cost $5 at the local grocery store, but other smaller, albeit fancier, bottles and found only at specialty food stores cost $100?  It's all about the aging. You may also wonder if the price difference is worth it. After a tasting at Acetaia San Giacomo, I argue that there is a place for all versions, and even if you can't afford the $100 bottle vinegar, you can enjoy the unique, fabulous, sweet and sour taste of great balsamic.

When most people think of France, they think of Paris. But, the diverse region of Languedoc-Rousillion in the south, just across the border of Spain and a short drive north of Girona and Barcelona, is an enchanting place to see. The Languedoc region is often called the "poor man's south of France."

The Casablanca Valley, a beautiful area about 45 minutes from downtown Santiago, is lush with vines and filled with wineries. Driving to the coastal cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar last January, we stopped at the Casas del Bosque vineyard in the Casablanca Valley for a tour, tasting and lunch.

There seems to be a lot of confusion around whole grains, and good and bad carbohydrates.  I think the pandemonium occurred somewhere along the path of human food consumption when someone erroneously stated that all carbohydrates were bad. Who knows how it happened? I can only guess that maybe an innocent victim was wolfing down an oversized bagel too quickly and it got lodged in his throat. 

Potato salad is the perfect accompaniment to a summer picnic.  There are many styles of salad prepared with potatoes as the base and each of us has a favorite.  I prefer mine made with red potatoes (skins on) and with a touch of mustard to add a little zip.  After some experimenting I have perfected my recipe.

As you all know, I love my ice cream (see http://www.goodnewsgirlz.com/story/we-all-scream-ice-cream ).

We love to eat and enjoy cooking. However, coordinating dinner either at home or out can sometimes present challenges.  Free smart phone apps make our lives easier. Whether it's figuring out which fish, fruits and veggies are safe, what to buy for a recipe, or when all else fails--how to get a reservation fast, there are apps for that.

Another beautiful day and a late start. Our hotel, the Accademia, is perfect for this kind of morning-breakfast is lavish and served until 10:00 and it's set just off a pedestrian street with the best shopping in Verona. We found plenty to occupy us before climbing back into the van for the return to Milan. And we must admit that there were many more bags to load after some serious shopping.