Food, in a wide combination of styles, from many different ethnic roots, served using the finest fresh ingredients from the land and sea.  Historical buildings and architecture that go back to some of the deepest American roots and include the oldest operating restaurant in America (and, surprise, it is good!).  If that combination intrigues you, then the next stop in your Culinary Travel itinerary should be Boston, MA. Boston hosts over 12 million annual visitors from across the US and around the world. This vibrant, thriving city is renowned for its abundance of fresh seafood, cultural facilities, world-class educational institutions, as well as its place at the very forefront of American history. Boston is able to accommodate and entertain you as few other cities can.

A reminder of the famous Boston Tea Party, this sign now hangs above a Starbuck's.

 

Cambridge, MA is just across the river from Boston proper.

Being a huge fan of Chris Schlesinger's we head out for dinner one evening to this mecca of hot and spicy seafood, The East Coast Grill. We own several of his cookbooks and are fans of his Inner Beauty Hot Sauce which is guaranteed to "wake" up any tired taste buds.  Since it is no longer bottled and sold make your own.

Warning this is seriously HOT!

 INNER BEAUTY HOT SAUCE

Boston Seafood

BOSTON - New England without fresh seafood would not be New England! If you love fresh seafood, and who doesn't head for Boston for a culinary holiday.

Ever since Colonial days fishermen have been pulling out the treasures of the sea and popping them into hot steaming kettles or preparing the famous New England Clam Bake.

Clams, lobsters, corn, and  red potatoes are laid into the pit of hot rocks covered with seawater wet burlap sacks and seaweed.  Then covered with additional hot rocks, wet seaweed and burlap sacks.

The traditional clambake is an all-day affair, although most guests arrive in the evening.  If you are doing this at home, you can also steam in a large pot and serve on newspapers on an outside table.

Brunei?

Now where is that you ask, according to Wikipedia "Brunei Darussalam, officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace, is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea it is completely surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, and in fact it is separated into two parts by Limbang, which is part of Sarawak. Brunei, the remnant of a very powerful sultanate, regained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984." Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultinate of Brunei at one time was ranked as the richest man in the world.

The cuisine of Brunei has been greatly influenced by neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, as well as the many ethnic Chinese living there.

  Gujuarat textiles are of marvelous colours.     Gujarti is one of the 14 main languages of India.  There are nearly 2000 languages in totral in India.  They are not writen the same as in Chinese languages.  English is the common denominator language in business and education all over India.  This fact always made it easy to get about! Tribal jewelry resembles tribes in Rajastan as well   The state of Gujarat borders Pakistan to the north west and the state of Rajasthan to the north and northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south.

photo-http://phuket-photos.blogspot.com

It is Vegetarian Festival time in Phuket. Held on the first 9 days of the ninth Chinese lunar month.  This annual festival this year runs October 18 ending October 26, 2009.  During this time Thai-Chinese celebrate a tradition established after an auspicious ocassion in 1824 when a visiting Chinese opera troupe had fallen seriously ill.  They were "healed" by eating only vegetarian foods.

During this 9 day festival many processions occur daily, fire crackers are set off, drummers endlessly play, participants refrain from doing wrong, eat only vegetarian meals, abstain from alcohol and sex.

Face piercings, walking on fire, and other extreme acts of faith are practiced.

Loy Krathong is celebrated on the Third Lunar Moon in November (Nov 3rd this year).  This festival is celebrated all over the Kingdom of Thailand.

 A Krathong is shaped often using banana leaves woven into a lotus shape with flowers, then a candle and sometimes sparklers on top. It is the custom to place a small coin (baht) and a piece of hair or something of your self in the top area.

The festival is a tribute to the Water Goddess, Mae Nam, who they believe will bring good luck.  This is done in celebration of the rainy season.   It is to thank her for the furture crops IE rice.

Its believed by lighting the Krathong and floating it away down a river, pond, or lake that one’s bad luck and bad doings will be carried away. Therefore, starting giving you a chance to start over for a new year.

Artichokes are a very popular vegetable grown in Mediterrean type climates (Italy, Spain, France, Greece, California, etc).  However they are available frozen (hearts) and in jars or cans world-wide.  Artichokes is called " Sharifa " or " Shalifa" in Hindi.  However I do not recall seeing artichokes growing in India.  They require a not too hot climate and seem to prefer ocean breezes.   Here is an artichoke blooming where it is a thistle type flower.   Here is how to prepare an artichoke-such a delight to eat.   Artichoke&Tomato Salad     I LOVE ARTICHOKES!

How would you like to find this on the side of your trash can!!!!!!! (or anywhere!!!!) -- Our friends in Australia sent us a picture of a Coconut Crab.   This is pretty interesting.....   Coconut  Crab (Birgus  latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. It is  known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers in  order to eat the contents. It is sometimes called the robber crab because some coconut  crabs are rumored to steal shiny items such as pots and silverware from houses and tents The second  photo gives you a good idea of how large these crabs are - a coconut crab is seeking food from a black trashcan.

I know many who won't eat legumes/beans for the fear of flatulence. Once you understand the cause of gas, it's fairly easy to remedy. Beans contain a sugar called oligosaccharide and we lack the enzyme required to break the sugar down. When the sugar arrives in your lower intestinal tract intact, it ferments, creating a buildup of gas. The gas isn't absorbed into the intestine, so the body expels it, creating opps I am sorry remarks and embarrassment. Many countries could be called the land of "Embarassement" as legumes are the mainstay of proteins.

 

The answer to this problem is pretty simple. Cook your own beans rather than using canned, and soak them thoroughly first to allow the sugarto leach out. To avoid having it re-absorbed into the beans, it's a good idea to change the soaking water a few times. Cooking the beans slowly also makes a difference. Adding the spice asafoetida, or Kombu which is a kelp or baking soda are all said to help break down the sugar. Rinse the beans after you have cooked them as well.

 

 

 

Be it a cookout or a casual barbecue, beetroot dressing is always a huge hit. It not only perfectly complements your veggie salad, chicken, cheese, trout, but also packs in enormous health benefits. If you have been looking for cues on how to dress beetroot, but haven’t been able to know much, then this write-up could be your savior. Zesty, zingy, smoky, or sweet, this write-up covers beetroot dressing of every possible combination and flavors.

PLANTING THE RICE

By hand

Measuring to keep the rows straight

These ocean creatures are very creepy and more terrifying than sharks. They are deadly, incredibly large, and they all are very scary.