Showing posts with label foodie friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foodie friday. Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2026

World Cuisine – French Appetizers: Eat Like the French

Eat like zee French!! Better yet. Just eat the appetizers.

Have you been tasked with meal planning and preparation for the holidays?

My advice to you? Eat like they do in France.


Michey LM is a fellow freelance writer, and the information contained in an article she published inspired this “two cents”. She has chosen to unpublish her content; however, learning about this delicious cuisine has me yearning (or craving) for everything French!!  

A typical meal in France has 5 (or 7) components or courses. The first course consists of appetizers (or aperitifs). For me, it's perfectly alright to make them my entire meal!! Examples of French cuisine appetizers include herbed cheese spread, Amiens pates (duck pate), fish soup, and a dish called pissaladiere. There are plenty more. The first two on the list are the most satisfying to my taste buds. But more than happy to taste and sample all the other entrées too! Learn more about this wonderful food that you would probably enjoy so much, you would be perfectly fine with skipping the rest of the meal. :)

Here is a variation of the courses: 
  • Apéritif, 
  • Hors d’Oeuvres, 
  • Soup, 
  • Main Dish, 
  • Salad, 
  • Cheese, 
  • Dessert. 
But no matter the number of courses, the meal usually begins with the apéritifs / hors d’oeuvres. Americans would call this part of the meal the appetizers. I would be perfectly satisfied just eating the appetizers. Some people skip the meal and go straight to dessert. I wouldn’t skip. I would just start at the beginning of the meal and never graze any further!

I’ll make a confession. I have always envied the French. For me, any time a group of people can enjoy eating cheese (one of my favorite foods), cook their food with butter and/or cream, and not have a problem with their weight, I call that an “art”. Besides that, I say there must be a reason why many world-class chefs (such as popular Asian TV chef, Ming Tsai) go to cooking school in France. There are many interesting links to be found around the web that discuss the art of eating like the French. Here are a few.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon

I can smell nutmeg, apples, and cinnamon.

I can sprinkle a little powdered pumpkin spice or a dash of plain old cinnamon in my morning cup of coffee.

For an evening meal, I can enjoy a hearty bowl of butternut squash soup or cook up a stew chock-full of root vegetables and meat, made with that special secret ingredient:  cinnamon.


In the United States, people associate cinnamon with the autumn season and/or the Christmas holidays.  But for me, any time is a good time to enjoy cinnamon.
😍  

Shining the spotlight on one of my favorite warming, feel-good spices.  Cinnamon!

DID YOU KNOW?

Cinnamon used to be more valuable than gold.

"The woody, warming spice we sprinkle with abandon on top of baked goods and specialty coffees is native to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and India. But very few people knew where cinnamon came from when merchants first began selling spices throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa as far back as 3,000 years ago — and spice traders capitalized on that lack of knowledge to charge high prices. The stories they told sound wild now, but they once made cinnamon more precious than gold. ..."



http://amzn.to/2gi4rq4
DID YOU KNOW?

- There is a mythological creature called the Cinnamon Bird?
- In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was used in the embalming process?

There's probably lots of other things you didn't know about cinnamon as well.

If you're curious, read more:  20 Facts about Cinnamon.

Links to a sampling of recipes using cinnamon that reflect world cuisine and global tastes:

Soft, chewy sugar cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar, snickerdoodles are a cozy American classic with a signature tang from cream of tartar. Their warm spice and crackly tops make them a nostalgic favorite across generations.

Silky pumpkin soup often features cinnamon to enhance its natural sweetness, creating a comforting bowl enjoyed from North America to the Middle East. The spice adds depth and warmth, especially in autumn-inspired versions.

A hallmark of American baking, apple pie relies on cinnamon to bring out the fruit’s brightness and aroma. The spice blends with apples to create a filling that’s both sweet and warmly spiced.

Cinnamon is the star of many coffee cakes, swirled through the batter or layered as a crumbly streusel. This beloved treat appears in variations around the world, often served with tea or coffee.

In Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, baklava layers crisp phyllo with nuts scented with cinnamon, then soaks everything in fragrant syrup. The spice adds warmth that balances the dessert’s sweetness.

A celebrated South Asian rice dish, biriyani uses cinnamon sticks as part of its aromatic spice blend, infusing the rice and meat with deep, layered flavor. The result is a fragrant, festive centerpiece.

In Mexican mole sauces, cinnamon contributes subtle warmth that complements chiles, chocolate, and nuts. Its presence helps create Mole’s famously complex, bittersweet depth.

Cinnamon often appears in Chinese and Southeast Asian roast duck marinades or spice rubs, adding gentle sweetness that enhances the rich, fatty meat. The spice helps create a beautifully aromatic, lacquered finish.



Kunafeh, the Middle East's Favorite Cheese Delight!



https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/792542919952302080/dolce-rita-kunafeh-the-middle-easts-favorite

Chinese Cinnamon Beef Noodle Soup Recipe - Chinese.Food.com

Chinese Cinnamon Beef Noodle Soup Recipe - Chinese.Food.com

This was published in a Fine Cooking magazine a couple of years ago. I was so excited to have found a relatively easy yet very flavorful noodle soup for my family. My husband (the ultimate food critic) loves this and doesnt mind eating it for days.



Tomato Bredie - Traditional South African Stew (Video) | PantsDownApronsOn (One stick of cinnamon required.)


https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/792543963461697536/tomato-bredie-traditional-south-african-stew


Featured Products from SpiceCubed.


Friday, March 13, 2026

Foodie Friday: Flavors of the African Continent

The African continent is a vast tapestry of culinary traditions shaped by geography, history, and vibrant cultural exchange.

From the aromatic spice blends of North Africa—where cumin, coriander, and saffron perfume slow-cooked tagines—to the bold, pepper-driven stews of West Africa, each region tells its own story through food. East Africa brings its own rhythm with dishes like injera, berbere-spiced wot, and coconut-infused coastal curries, while Southern Africa offers comforting classics such as bobotie, chakalaka, and braai culture that celebrates fire-kissed flavors.

What makes African cuisine so compelling is its deep sense of place and community. Meals are often built around shared dishes, fresh local ingredients, and techniques passed down through generations. Whether it’s the smoky heat of suya, the earthy richness of peanut stews, or the bright tang of preserved lemons, African flavors invite you to slow down, gather together, and savor food that is both soulful and celebratory.

West African jollof rice with chicken and plantains 

🌍 A Taste of Africa: Four Regions, Four Distinct Culinary Worlds

African cuisine isn’t a single flavor profile—it’s a continent of culinary identities shaped by landscape, history, and culture.

  • West Africa is bold and hearty, built on layers of heat, smoke, and earthiness. Think jollof rice, peanut stews, grilled suya, and dishes enriched with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and warming spices. It’s comfort food with attitude, deeply tied to communal cooking and celebratory gatherings.
  • North Africa, by contrast, leans into aromatic spice blends like ras el hanout, saffron, and cumin. Slow-cooked tagines, couscous, preserved lemons, and sweet, savory combinations reflect centuries of Mediterranean, Berber, and Middle Eastern influence.
  • East African cuisine brings a completely different rhythm—bright, tangy, and often fermented. Ethiopia and Eritrea offer injera and richly spiced wot stews, while coastal regions like Kenya and Tanzania weave in coconut milk, fresh seafood, and Indian influenced curries.
  • Southern Africa is grounded in rustic, fire-forward cooking. Braai (barbecue) culture reigns, alongside dishes like bobotie, chakalaka, and maize-based staples. It’s a region where indigenous traditions meet Dutch, Malay, and British influences, creating a cuisine that feels both familiar and entirely its own.



🌍Food Blogs to Explore African Cuisine

1. AfroVitalityEats

A gorgeous blend of West African flavors with modern twists—vibrant, approachable, and perfect for home cooks.

2. Immaculate Bites

A beloved blog featuring African, Caribbean, and global comfort foods with step by step guidance.

3. Demand Africa – Food Section

A curated collection of recipes from across the continent, highlighting regional diversity and cultural context.


🌍YouTube Channels Showcasing African Cooking

1. Chef Lola’s Kitchen

Warm, clear tutorials focused on Nigerian and broader West African dishes—great for beginners and seasoned cooks alike.

“Chef Lola’s Kitchen.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/cheflolaskitchen.

2. Sisi Jemimah’s Recipes

A channel packed with authentic Nigerian recipes, from party jollof to pepper soup, with easy-to-follow instructions.

Sisi Jemimah’s Recipes.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@SisiJemimahsRecipes.

3. Kaluhi’s Kitchen

A Kenyan food channel bursting with personality, creativity, and beautifully filmed recipes rooted in East African flavors.

“Kaluhi’s Kitchen.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@Kaluhiskitchen.


  • INTERESTING FOODIE FACT: Many African foods are mentioned in the Bible because ancient Israel traded extensively with Egypt and Kush (or Cush). Kush is often translated as Ethiopia; however, it does not refer to modern Ethiopia. It mainly referred to Nubia, the area south of Egypt, which today lies mostly in Sudan and partly in Ethiopia. Kush = Nubia (Sudan + southern Egypt). It is the original Hebrew name.




Thanks for visiting! Happy Foodie Friday!

Friday, February 27, 2026

Foodie Friday : Experience the Joy of Salsa

There was once a time when the recipe for fresh salsa was simply diced tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, lime juice, red pepper or a jalapeno pepper, salt to taste (cilantro, optional). I love salsa! It's a fun way to eat your fruits and veggies.


Salsa isn’t just a condiment—it’s a celebration in a bowl.

Several years back, I moved into a new neighborhood and was at the local grocery store. Walked down an aisle, and on the shelves were bottles of every kind of salsa imaginable.  What I thought was only a simple mix of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and lime turned out to be a vibrant universe of flavors that reflect the creativity of home cooks and chefs everywhere.  It was one of those "What else don't I know about planet earth?" moments.  

Walking down a grocery store aisle felt like taking a mini world tour:
  • mango salsa that tastes like sunshine, 
  • roasted pineapple salsa with a smoky twist, or 
  • bold tomatillo blends that wake up any dish. 
Each jar tells a story about how food travels, transforms, and inspires. Oh, the wonder of it all! Had no idea salsa came in that many flavors.  That’s the joy of salsa—it invites experimentation. One spoonful can turn grilled chicken into a summer feast or make a humble bowl of beans feel gourmet. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, or something in between, salsa proves that the simplest foods often bring the biggest smiles.

This week's Foodie Friday focus is on salsa!

* * *

Gave me all kinds of foodie ideas. Sharing some recipes. 

Why keep all these delicious delights to myself?



Originally published at Persona Paper on Jul 3, 2015.


Sharing a bit of salsa heaven!  
Recipes found around the web.


Wild Beet Salad Company makes Wild Beet Salsa



Recipe: Roasted Pineapple Salsa (thekitchn .com)



Blackened Tomatillo Poblano Salsa With Habanero

Monday, November 3, 2025

Recipe Sharing : CHICKEN RECIPES – The Best of

Award-winning TV chef, Lidia Bastianich, says that “chicken” is the most searched for food term. There is no reason to think that fact needs to be checked out. Lots of people love chicken! Fried, stewed, baked, barbecued, grilled! There has got to be a million plus ways to prepare this delightful bird and make it taste like it's the first time you've ever eaten it! Agree?

 



What's your favorite part of the chicken? (Breasts or dark meat?)

  • I like chicken thighs.

Do you also like chicken livers, gizzards, and hearts?

  • If you tenderize them you can cook them in a stew with carrots, potatoes and green cabbage. It's a poor man's meal but very filling.

Do you have favorite way you like to eat chicken?
 
When people say “best of”, it's almost always purely subjective. However, for several years I have been collecting what, in my opinion is the “best” chicken recipes from wherever they can be found and as of today my Pinterest board boasts close to 600 recipes.

Here is a quick list of just a few of the best chicken dishes ever.

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Yeah mon!! :)


Mango makes everything taste good!
 




Who doesn't like Greek or Thai food? (O.o) (???)
 


Honey Jalapeno Chicken Tenders

Finger food in its finest hour!
 


* soy sauce, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, olive oil.

Just listing the seasonings makes my mouth water.
 

Chicken Rice Casserole Sunday Supper
The mighty one-pot dish!
 


* use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.

 Chicken Rice Casserole Sunday Supper 137 ​ 138
The mighty one pot dish!

 * use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. 
 Said the magic word. Easy!!
Lemon Chicken Rice Soup 
Don't resist chicken soup! It's good for the soul! :) 

 

Lemon Chicken Rice Soup

Best Chicken Detox Soup

Don't resist chicken soup! It's good for the soul! :)




Friday, August 15, 2025

Foodie Friday : Pesto Around the World

I'm going to take aim at pesto for my Foodie Friday topic.  Another wonderful delight for enlivening salads, adorning sandwiches, dressing pasta … you name it! Always sing the praises of salsa. This time, doing a song and dance routine for pesto.


Hear the word pesto and one usually always thinks Italian. Right? But different cultures have their own version of pesto. Africa. Mexico. Australia. This link is an awesome foodie find! Not only does it tell you the main ingredients in everybody's version but it introduced me to a new word. “Permaculture”.

Preserving With Pesto – It’s Not Rocket Science | PermacultureNews.org


Wheatgrass Pesto Recipe | inSpiral

Here is a quick recipe for Raw Wheatgrass Pesto, using our premium, organic, raw super food powder. This will m ake your taste buds go wild! Adds a good dose of vitality to any diet. Made in a blender there is virtually any preparation to do! Just the way we like it!

Mexican Pesto Recipe by emilie_ 1 - Key Ingredient



Thai Basil Pesto


Thai Basil Pesto

This one's for my Thai lovers. But before I even start talking Thai basil pesto, I feel moved to have a little rant about how much I love Thai food. It's like an instant exotic vacation right in my kitchen.

Raw Macadamia Pesto | Vegan Semi-Dried Tomato Pesto | The Blender Girl


Raw Macadamia Pesto | Vegan Semi-Dried Tomato Pesto | The Blender Girl

This raw vegan semi-dried tomato and macadamia pesto is super easy and seriously delicious. Just throw everything into your food processor.

African Blue Basil and Lavender Pesto


African Blue Basil and Lavender Pesto

Combine all ingredients, except cheese, in bowl of food processor. Process, adding additional oil or water, until desired consistency is reached. Stir in cheese. Use immediately or store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. (Tip: pesto can also be frozen in ice cube trays.)

Chimichurri Pesto Sauce - Culinary Envy


Chimichurri Pesto Sauce - Culinary Envy

Chimichurri Pesto Sauce combines Italian parsley, cilantro and basil with jalapeño and parmesan cheese. It is vibrant, nutty and tangy. Perfect for pasta. I will never forget the first time I tried Chimichurri Sauce. It was at my incredibly talented friend Bibi's home. She had me over for dinner and prepared the most mouth-watering steak.



* * *
Content first appeared at Persona Paper on July 27, 2015.



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Friday, February 21, 2025

Foodie Friday : Winter Salad Binging

There's #FoodieFriday, #FollowFriday, #FriendlyFollow … whatever! It's the weekend!  Just pick a food and drink topic to share and run with it! 



Connie Guttersen, author, dietitian, nutritionist, a lady on Twitter (@ConnieGuttersen) inspired me to pick salad for my topic.  She shared a Tweet (below) about all the different kinds of lettuce that are “worthy”.  Appreciated the info, but from there it was a leap into “winter salads”. Why? Because during the cold months, salad is not always on my menu. Bowls and bowls of warm and hearty soups. Yes!  But salad? Not so much.  That has to change.





Raw Vegan Blood Orange Winter Salad Recipe (frivolousgirl.com)






Click for More Winter Salad Recipes


Friday, November 22, 2024

Foodie Friday : Apples and Pumpkins

Autumn is the season for apples and pumpkins.  My favorite recipes are apple cobbler and pumpkin pie, which (in my humble opinion) are true American holiday cuisine.  I enjoy these desserts for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

FUN FACTS:

Cobblers originated in the British American colonies.  "The earliest recipe dates from 1824. Apple Cobbler – Cobblers (stewed fruit topped with batter, biscuit, or dumplings) originated in the British American colonies with the term “cobbler” recorded in 1859. Cobblers can be made with any type of fruit or berry and are also known as slumps, grunts, and pandowdy." (SOURCE: M. E. Bond)

A cobbler is not the same as Crisp, Crumble, Betty, Or Buckle?  What's the difference?  "Cobblers are a fruit dessert baked with biscuit-style topping. It's called a cobbler because its top crust is not smooth like a pie crust but rather “cobbled” and coarse. It's usually dropped or spooned over the fruit, then baked. Individual fruit cobblers." (SOURCE: Farmers' Almanac)

"Northeastern Native American tribes grew squash and pumpkins. The Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first settlers, and taught them the many uses for pumpkin. This led to serving pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving in America about 50 years later." (SOURCE: The History Behind Pumpkin Pie)

Do you have a favorite recipe using these ingredients?

BONUS QUESTION:  Which do you prefer to top your apple cobbler or your pumpkin pie?

  • Scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • Huge squirt of whipped cream
  • Other topping


History of Baked Fruit Desserts Like Buckle, Pandowdy, and Cobbler

Pumpkin Pie! A History!


Previous 5 Foodie Friday Posts;

YACR (Yet Another Chili Recipe)

Figs ~ Enjoy a Coconut Fig Slice

Childhood Memories:  COTTON CANDY

Upside-Down Cakes

Dinner Idea: Chicken with Blackberry Salsa


Saturday, September 7, 2024

Mushroom: Real Food of Fantasy and Fairy Tales

When one says the word “mushroom” it might provoke various thoughts. Psychedelic dreams.  Fantasy and fairy tales.  Tiny homes for whimsical creatures.  A meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians.

For me, it provokes a memory of a romantic dinner date.  My first experience tasting a mushroom was when my late husband (my fiancé at the time) prepared dinner for me.  Steak with mushroom gravy. 

Before meeting my husband, I avoided mushrooms for two reasons.

~Number 1:  My mother never used them in any of her recipes.  Mom didn’t cook them. (???)  Maybe they don’t taste good.  (O.o)

~Number 2:  The way people describe mushrooms.  Fungus.  Toadstool.  They don’t make the mushroom sound appetizing or visually appealing.


However, many cooks and chefs use the mushroom as the main ingredient in their recipes.  Foodies are happy to share photos of amazing dishes where mushrooms are the star of the show.  

As for being visually appealing, mushrooms are quite beautiful. 

Artists often use them to illustrate fantasies. 

Nature photographers go insane! They capture incredible pics just roaming through the woods or the fields.

My first time eating mushrooms was over 40 years.  But from that day forward, I didn’t need convincing to make mushrooms a part of my diet.  However, in case you do, perhaps this health article by Popular Science will persuade you.  “4 reasons you should eat more mushrooms”.


It's good to know these reasons why, but the most important thing everybody needs to know about mushrooms is that some of them are NOT edible.  No doubt you will find these information links useful.

10 of the World's Deadliest Mushrooms - WorldAtlas.com


  • 14 Types of Mushrooms and their Uses – Epicurious


  • glitter-graphics.com


    SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL MUSHROOM MONTH!

    Content first appeared at Virily.com

    Thursday, August 8, 2024

    Foodie Friday : World Cuisine : Cooking : The Right Blend of Spices for Cajun Food Lovers

    Enjoy Everyday Exotic Spices Every Day!

    If you are a spicy food lover then more than likely Cajun food is on your list of most awesome world cuisines ever! Right? But you don’t know just the right blend of spices needed get that authentic spicy Cajun flavor. Also right. Huh?



    Image credit: © Photographer: Ppy2010ha | Agency: Dreamstime.com
    * * *

    Ever tried Slap Ya Mama seasonings?

    Interesting name huh?. The way Walker & Sons advertise their food products is:

    "Taste so good. Make you wanna slap ya mama!"

    Say what??!! There is nothing in my entire life that I've eaten that ever made me want to slay my momma. But guess what? These are award-winning spice blends.

    "Real Cajun Seasoning for Real Cajun Cooking."

    How did I find out about these products? The Internet and Facebook, in particular, is a beautiful thing. This person saw my foodie website, Everyday Exotic Spices, which is advertised on Facebook via my business page, contacted me, and asked if they could send me samples. Of course, my response was “Yes!”
    Received various products in a box delivered straight to my door. Tried them in different recipes and here's my reaction. Did I want to slap my momma? No. But I was ready go mano-y-mano with my spouse!
    He wanted to keep it all to himself. I'm like: “Oh no! That ain't happening!!”

    View the entire selection of Slap Ya Mama products.

    Below are my favorites.


    Slap Ya Mama Original Blend Seasoning



    Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning White Pepper Blend



    Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning Hot Blend



    Slap Ya Mama Etouffee Sauce

    "Étouffée or etouffee (pronounced: [e.tu.fe] ay-TOO-fay) is a dish found in both Cajun and Creole cuisine typically served with shellfish over rice." (Source: Wikipedia)

    * * *
    Links of Interest:
    Cajun Food History and Louisiana Creole Cuisine History
    Cajun vs. Creole: What’s The Difference?

    Hope you enjoyed this post.



    Image credit: © Photographer: Moneca1 | Agency: Dreamstime.com



    Previous #FoodieFriday posts?


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