Places, Plates, & Cocktails

11/20/2024

Get the recipe:

A tart, sweet, and fizzy drink, the Holiday 75 is what happens when a Mimosa, a French 75 and an Aperol Spritz combine. It features gin, orange juice, Aperol, sparkling wine, and a whole lot of citrus flavor.

11/08/2024

National Cappuccino Day!

Before the Cappuccino
In Europe, coffee drinking was originally based on the traditional Ottoman style of preparation. Water and coffee beans were brought to a boil, and sometimes sugar was added. This is similar to modern-day Turkish coffee preparation.

By the late 1700s, the British and French had started filtering coffee beans from their coffee. Gradually, filtered and brewed coffee became more popular than boiled coffee. It was around this time that the term 'cappuccino' originated (though it was not used to describe the drink as we know it).

The Invention of the Cappuccino
Although the name 'Kapuziner' was used in Vienna, the actual cappuccino was invented in Italy, and the name was adapted to become 'Cappuccino.' It was first made in the early 1900a, shortly after the popularization of the espresso machine in 1901. The first record of the cappuccino we have found was in the 1930s.

'Cappuccini' (as they are known in Italy) gradually became popular in cafes and restaurants across the country. At this time, espresso machines were complicated and bulky, so they were limited to specialized cafes and were operated solely by baristi. Italian coffee culture involved sitting around in these specialized cafes for hours, enjoying espresso, cappuccinos, cafe lattes, and other drinks over conversation and reading. Photos from the era indicate that cappuccinos were served in the "Viennese" style, which is to say that they were topped with whipped cream and cinnamon or chocolate shavings.

11/02/2024

10/29/2024

Celebrating National Jerk Day.

A little late, National Jerk Day is celebrated the fourth Sunday of October.

National Jamaican Jerk Day is a vibrant celebration of Jamaican culture. It focuses on the unique jerk seasoning and cooking method. This day brings people together to enjoy the rich flavors of jerk chicken, pork, and even seafood.

Beyond the delicious food, the festivities include music, dancing, and a sense of community, creating a lively atmosphere that honors Jamaican heritage. This event highlights the blend of spices and slow-cooking techniques that make jerk cuisine special, drawing food lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Significance of the Day
National Jamaican Jerk Day celebrates more than just food; it honors the cultural fusion that jerk cooking represents. The seasoning combines elements from the indigenous Taino and African cuisines, reflecting Jamaica’s diverse heritage.

With this recipe from Paul Chung, discover how to make Jamaican jerk chicken that's fragrant, fiery hot, and smoky all at once.

10/07/2024

Fall is here. Time for warm cozy soups and stews.

New! Creamy Butternut Squash Sage Pesto Soup. With golden brown butter, sage, and crispy bacon too! YUM! And so cozy!

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/butternut-squash-sage-pesto-soup/

10/07/2024

It's Fall. Time for warming soups and stews.

https://senseandedibility.com/sancocho-latin-american-meat-and-vegetable-stew/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFw1r9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbR_zjsH3MAbxBG2dWX4tZenPQa4LegkdRfEbCMTGQOt6AGdlor3pRKK0w_aem_dZ6UqC3I4ZSA4O_jUysxKA

Sancocho is a gluten-free meat and root vegetable stew simmered in a flavorful broth that's beloved in many Latin American countries.

09/08/2024

Get tickets online for Chocolate & Bourbon Festival here.

09/05/2024

Barbados is calling all foodies to the Barbados Food & Rum Festival.

09/04/2024

Did you enjoy BBQ or a cookout for the Labor Day holiday? We enjoyed a delicious meal at Midwood Smokehouse. Pictured the Well Fed which included Carolina Chopped Pork • Beef Brisket • 1/2 Rack Pork Ribs, and Chicken Barbecue. Your choice of two sides and hushpuppies. Washed it down with a Kicking Mule (Titos vodka, gingerbeer, lime, and jalapeno pepper. Yummy!

Locations: North Carolina - Charlotte, Raleigh, and Huntersville
South Carolina - Columbia

08/02/2024

Alchemy Martha's Vineyard

Pan-roasted halibut served with Moroccan couscous, creamy tzatziki, and roasted pepper bruschetta. 🐟🌶️🥒 A perfect blend of fresh ingredients and bold spices. Who’s ready to dig in? 🍽️

07/25/2024

https://fb.watch/txlUh7v5JQ/

07/22/2024

07/10/2024

Happy Pina Colada Day!

07/07/2024

Imported cheese takes us on a trip around the world like no other. With thousands of varieties to di

07/06/2024

As in-flight beverage has returned to pre-pandemic levels, Delta is bringing Du Nord on board amid an effort to double its spending on Black-owned businesses by 2025, part of the company's larger diversity and equity initiative. Du Nord is the first Black-owned distillery in the United States.

Chris Montana never planned on doing any of this. Du Nord Social Spirits was born out of a desire of a father to spend time with his children. With very little capital (only a loan of $60,000), Chris Montana leveraged his love of chemistry, his grit, and grain from his in-laws' farm to create Du Nord Social Spirits.

That was ten years ago. It took good people, extraordinary circumstances, stubborn curiosity, and booze to get to where it is today.

It started with Chris Montana taking on all the roles. And that grew into a team of industry outsiders putting it all in the bottle. But still, Chris was the only Black man in the room at trade events. He decided to make that different. He created an organizational culture where everyone had a seat at the table and worked to diversify the industry.

Then George Floyd was murdered in our hometown of Minneapolis. Du Nord did what needed to be done to help their neighbors and those impacted by forming the Du Nord Foundation.

This scrappy, micro-distillery has overcome impossible odds and continues to work to remove barriers for others and lift others up.

We didn't start with a grand plan. Just good booze. Then we just did it. And you can, too.

Learn more: https://dunordsocialspirits.com/

📷 Special thanks to IIsabel Subtil photographywith kk2 Studios

07/03/2024

San Bei Ji (Three-Cup Chicken) lives up to its name by infusing chicken with tons of flavor from ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and rice wine.