Oh the places you will go....and the things you will eat

This post is dedicated to those special places that keep us coming back. Places that remain in our memory, even when we have not been back in ages. What are some of your favorite places to eat and what do you remember about it that keeps you coming back?

I know it is repetitive but a lot of my most memorable moments were in California when I would go to visit my grandmother. No matter how long it had been since I had seen her, my grandmother always made time for us to visit Half Moon Bay to eat at Barbara's Fish Trap. A tiny little wooden almost shack-like restaurant which overlooked the bay, Barbara's was home to some of the most delicious seafood I have ever tasted. The fish was caught right there near the restaurant and most was fresh from that day. In every bite you could taste the fresh seawater melding with the blend of spices which made eating at Barbara's so unique. Even as you started to get full you wanted to keep eating because each bite was that delicious. Whenever I travel to California I always try to make time to eat at Barbara's Fish Trap. The lovely preparation of the seafood takes me back to memories of my grandmother and of looking out over the water to the horizon.

For more information on Barbara's Fish Trap so you can enjoy their delicious food during your travels visit the link below. Happy Eating!

http://www.barbarasfishtrap.com/

Sip it Good

This post is dedicated to the unmistakable drinks we encounter on our life journey. Whether it be a remarkable tea, a tantalizing coffee or an unforgettable cocktail this post has it all. What are some drinks you remember that you would like to have again? Or, what are some drinks that are linked to a wonderful memory you may have.

When I was a graduate student I could barely find time to whip up a bowl of macaroni. It seemed like my life consisted never ending assignments and a flurry of study notes. The thing I loved to find time for, however, was tea time with my fellow graduate. There is a coffee house near the college where we would go to decompress. The times were few and far between when we could get together but when we did the flow of ideas shared over a cup of piping hot tea are something I will cherish forever. Each time I could experiment with a new tea flavor and share my ideas and thoughts with my friend. My friend was the first person to introduce cream in my tea and I continue drinking cream in my tea to this day. A particular favorite of mine is sweet and spicy tea with vanilla cream. What are some drinks you remember or what are some flavors of drinks that remind you of particular events in your life.

For more information on all things tea visit the link below:

https://www.itoen.com/all-things-tea

Whipping up Travel Memories

This post is dedicated to the memories of those recipes that bring cultures together. What are your travel memories where food was used to bond people of different backgrounds?

As a college student I was afforded the opportunity to travel abroad for a good chunk of my studies. Travelling in Jordan was especially memorable. I met some of the most wonderful people and made some life-long friends who continue to keep in touch to this day. One such person who made a lasting impression on me was Miss Lamia Hadaddin. She excitedly welcomed me into her home and made a delicious family meal which I was lucky enough to help her prepare. One of my favorite dishes consisted of rice and meat and spices which were wrapped in a grape leaf, pulled from Lamia's own grape vines, and then steamed until the meat and rice inside were tender. I can still taste the somewhat bitter taste of the grape leaves complementing the buttery, savory and slightly sweet taste of the contents inside. Lamia was delightful to cook with and even though there was a language barrier between us we came up with our own way of communicating over food. What are some memories you have from your travels where food was a conduit across cultural and language barriers?

Taking It Back

This post is dedicated to the flavors within recipes that can take your mind back to a particular memory. What are some recipes that remind you of the past?

One of my most favorite dishes to eat to remember my grandmother is her lasagna. When I was a young girl my grandmother would spend the better part of the day preparing this dish. She would begin with the sauce which would take hours to cook because the longer it was left to simmer the more infused the flavors would become. Then she would start layering the pasta in a white corning ware dish made specifically for lasagna. The layers were always stacked in the same order, very carefully, until the pan was almost full to the top. Then came the long wait of baking the lasagna in the oven. Every so often grandma would go back into the kitchen to open the oven and check on her creation. The aromas which filled her small house were mouthwatering. The unmistakable smell of onions and garlic mixed with the acidic smell of the tomatoes. You could hear the sauce and cheeses sizzle as they melted together. Whenever I taste a bite of lasagna, especially one I have made from her recipe, it takes me back to that two story blue house in California where I played with blocks as my grandmother made the most delicious dinners I have ever known.