Food


June 8, 2009: 5:50 pm: CraigFood

Indonesia condiments are created to appease the burning question in the hearts of the entire population of Indonesia: ‘What if my favorite dish isn’t spicy enough?’  Some condiments are used for very specific meals, like plum sauce, a dark, sweet-savory sauce, always served with Peking Duck. Other condiments have a huge fan base from the chefs of a hotel in Bali Indonesia to students cooking on a single burner in their dorm-room and use the condiments on every dish the can get their hands on.

One particular condiment is Wasabi. Wasabi, also know as the ‘Japanese Horseradish’ is well-known through out the world as the best hot spicy condiment severed with any sushi rolls and sashimi. It a powerful green paste and usually is mixed in with soysauce to cut the burn factor. Wasabi can also be found flavoring pistachios to ice cream. Another condiment is Raita, a yogurt-based dip that is mixed in with flavors and spices like cucumbers, onions and chillies. The fats in the yogurts help cool the palate from the searing effect of ordering a hot spicy dish. Bagoong , a Filipino condiment contains the ingredients ranging from the salting and fermenting of anchovies and or shrimp. This condiment has similarities tastes and smells of anchovy paste. Bagoong becomes the residue of the production of any fish sauce. Many lower income families use bagoong as a stand-alone meal. It flavors cooked rice or can supplement steamed vegetable leaves.

The ever familiar Kimchi, a Korean side dish, is served alongside any dish in Indonesia. Kimchi is traditionally made with cabbage, brine and ground hot peppers. Not only do Koreans crave this tasty condiment, so does the rest of Indonesia and parts of the western world. But, the most simplest traditional condiment of Indonesia it Sambal made from ground chili peppers and salt. A more elaborate Sambal sauce will have onion, lemongrass, lime juice, sugars, garlic mixed in an oil and vinegar base.

All you need to answer your question is to serve one or all of the condiments listed above alongside your favorite dish and never worry every if your dish is spicy enough.

June 1, 2009: 12:50 pm: CraigArts & Culture, Food, Travel

With its incredible location, with no shortage of beautiful beaches, fabulous urban delights, and amazing restaurants, Dubai has something for everyone. The city has always been a major center of activity in the Middle East, because of its port location and proximity to other nations, but in recent years Dubai has been going through a kind of cultural renaissance. Musicians and visual artists and performers are finding the city to be welcome and supportive of new art works and performances. The multicultural nature of the place means there are splendid restaurants of all types of food, with some of the finest chefs in the world, and there is also a whole lot of art.

Art Dubai is one of the more visible events as far as galleries go, with state support helping to promote the efforts to bring dozens and dozens of art houses together to display some of the most innovative art in the region. They also have a fantastic online journal to go with these efforts, called, simply enough, Art Dubai Journal. This monthly helps to fill in the gaps when Art Dubai is not happening, and is a wonderful window into the local art scene.

There are three sections for each issue of Art Dubai: Debate, a forum where critics chime in to discuss pressing issues around the local and global art scene, focusing on topics specific to each issue; Interview, where an established or emerging artist discussed their work process with the editors; and The Project Space, where a new work is presented in a virtual space. It’s a heady combination, where theory and criticism and art practice have a meeting ground in a public space. There is also something very appealing to the idea of the Project Space, because it always puts the focus back to the artists producing work. The focus is local, and the sensibility is global, and the appeal of Art Dubai is broad, inviting global culture to take part in the conversation.

February 1, 2009: 11:36 am: CraigFood, Travel

While millions of people travel to Ibiza to enjoy its party culture of nightclubs, bars, and beach raves, its the food that makes the island experience complete. Party-goers will find restaurants that cater to their schedule during the crowded summer party season. Want breakfast at noon? No problem. Dinner at midnight? You got it. Many bars offer snacks and small meals all night long, with tapas being a popular option.

While Spanish cuisine is the norm, there are restaurants offering dishes from around the world. Look for Indian, French, Chinese and Indian restaurants on the island. There are even British, Japanese, Dutch, German, and Thai restaurants for those who prefer a taste of the world. And eateries range from barbeque shacks on the beach to upscale cafes to rustic country restaurants in the island’s interior.

Ibiza restaurants shine when they are serving local, Spanish cuisine featuring the freshest seafood. Many restaurants let you choose your meal while its still alive in large tanks on the premises — and that’s not just lobster. Crabs, octopus, prawns, and squid all find their way into Ibiza cuisine. Fish is also featured in paella, zarzuella, and in a mixed grill called parrillada de pescado.

Other popular local dishes feature pork. Ibiza is known for its locally made sobrasada: a spiced sausage served alone or as an ingredient in many dishes. Lomo is a cured pork loin and chorizo sausage is also popular in some local dishes.

December 19, 2008: 8:26 pm: CraigFood, Travel

A decade after the transfer from British to Chinese rule, Hong Kong remains an exciting and dynamic tourist destination. Thanks to the agreement governing the transfer, Hong Kong retains much of its autonomy and its strongly capitalist ways. The diversity of the heritage and culture of this exotic locale is reflected in its wonderful cuisine.

Hong Kong is home to over ten thousand restaurants offering a variety of Asian, western, and other world cuisines. Its Cantonese and regional Chinese dishes are rumoured to be some of the best in the world. The region is also famous for its seafood and Dim Sum. Most locals eat much smaller portions than Westerners are used to and consume five meals a day.

The Sai Kung district is home to “Seafood Street” and is favored by both locals and tourists. The coastal areas are also ideal places to find the freshest seafood, must of which are chosen from live tanks and then served to order. Some of the more exotic seafood available include conch, bamboo clam, and abalone. Raw fish in Hong Kong is known as yee sang and is not to be confused with sashimi.

Dim Sum is a Hong Kong tradition that ever visitor should experience. Cantonese bite-sized delicacies are served from carts and eaten with tea, usually for breakfast or lunch. Dim Sum is a highly social event and some of the more popular options include pan-fried squid, beef balls, and shrimp dumplings.

Other local favorites include poached chicken, roast duck, dai pai dong, wife cake, and the mooncake. One of the more exotic foods that is widely available in Hong Kong is snake meat.

Hong Kong is also home to restaurants featuring other Asian cuisines as well as Western and “Hong Kong Western” meals. Just as lodgings range from Hong Kong 5 star hotels to youth hostels and bed and breakfasts, the eateries range from fine dining restaurants to small shops and hawker stalls.

December 8, 2008: 9:15 pm: CraigFood, Travel

Newcastle upon Tyne owes its name to the castle built by the oldest son of William the Conqueror in 1080. At times a center of coal mining, wool trade, and shipbuilding, this city on the north bank of the River Tyne has evolved into a cultural and administrative center. Today, it is developing a reputation for a thriving nightlife, and was voted the Arts Capital of the UK in 2006.

A revival of theater and architecture is fueling a new wave of tourism to the area. These visitors will find an incredible range of restaurant options available to suit their individual appetites.  Finding the right Newcastle Restaurant isn’t as easy as it used to be. While traditional pub food can be found in the city, modern diners can also feast on cuisines as diverse as Thai, French, Indian, Italian, and other specialties. There is even an entire street devoted to Chinese regional cuisines on Stowell Street in China Town. Other flavors available in Newcastle include Greek, Polish, Japanese, American, Moroccan, Greek, and Vietnamese. Vegetarian and organic cuisines are also growing in popularity. And, of course, as a coastal city, there is an abundance of fresh seafood to sample.

Choosing a cuisine is just part of the equation.  Visitors can also take into consideration the location of the restaurant. Besides China Town, there are restaurant districts in the City Centre and Quayside.  Speciality restuarants in Newcastle include tapas bars, karaoke bars, and family friendly establishments.  In recent years there has been an influx of top chefs opening fine dining restaurants in the area. Throughout the year there are several events that cater to the food lover. EAT, the Newcastle festival of food and drink, the Newcastle Beer Festival, and the Chinese New Year celebration are all great excuses to travel to Newcastle and enjoy the Newcastle dining experience.

November 30, 2008: 10:51 pm: CraigFood, Travel

New York is one of the world’s most popular destinations.  It is also a melting pot of different colorful cultures.  This diversity means that the city offers some of the finest dining experiences around.

New York boasts over 25,000 restaurants located within the city.  This means that it offers something for everyone and the choice can be difficult to make!  It does also have benefits – there are usually New York restaurants that meet your needs close by. You have the choice of prices from inexpensive to very expensive. And so will be able to find something that meets your needs.  There are all types of New York restaurants ranging from delis and coffee shops to top of the line cuisine.  Some may have been established for many years.  Others may feature the very latest in trends or celebrity.

Some areas have a distinct ethnic population and may have a lot of local restaurants for example – Vietnamese, Greek, Jewish, Korean, French, Japanese, Caribbean, Italian, Thai, Indian, and Chinese.  Be sure to try some of the New York specialties like pizza, cheesecake, knishes, and clam chowder.

Enjoy your visit to the city and make sure to plan the New York restaurants or types of meals you want to have in advance.

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