Loading...
Start a new Travel Blog! Blogabond Home Maps People Photos My Stuff

Wine and food, Languedoc,France

Carcassonne, France


Why the Languedoc? Well, we have the most hours of sunshine in the whole of France. Secondly, we are the largest producing wine area in France. We have also the most varied landscapes, huge amounts of beach, mountains, skiing, and much more.

The wine. Here are the main regions. Minervois, Corbieres, St Chinian, Fitou and the Coteaux du Languedoc. They all have their own characteristics, flavours. They do vary in strength too- anything from 12% to 15%. Generally, they are made to drink young. However, they do survive ageing very well and fascinating characteristics can develop. The best way to appreciate this huge variety, is to travel to the area and be prepared to invest time and mileage to view what the Languedoc has to offer.

When tasting- be responsible to your taste buds and liver! Most tastings can involve up to 10 different wines- usually starting with a sparkling wine, followed by the lightest white (sometimes a Muscat-or sweetish wine as well). Then onto the reds-once again starting with the lightest. Remember to spit the wine out between tasting. I know many people find this habit odd- it is- but you will survive the experience much better. Always ask for something to nibble on between tasting. Some wine makers will encourage wine and food pairing during a tasting. Perfect. If not, nibble on French bread, or a dry cheese biscuit- to cleanse the palate. This will then allow the next wine to enter a clean palate.

Food in the Languedoc. This region is not known as the gastronomic capital of France. However, there are a huge amount of locally grown produce that gets used, seasonally, in most restaurants. The most famous dish from the region in Cassoulet. This is a slow cooked dish, with sausages from Toulouse, confit de Canard, white beans, goose fat and other “secret” ingredients.

Cassoulet, a thick casserole of beans and meat, is a hearty peasant dish that originated in the Midi-Pyrenées and Laguedoc regions. The name comes from cassole which is name for the earthenware pot used in making cassoulet.

A gastronomic council decreed in the 1966 that a true cassoulet must consist of 70% beans. The bean of preference is the haricot lingot du Lauragais. This white navy bean is grown in the region and stands up to the long cooking cassolets require. Various meats make up the remaining 30% and it is the meats that determine which region of Languedoc the cassoulet is from.

There are many types of cassoulets from various regions, cities and villages but the three most well known form what Prosper Montagné dubbed the "Trinity".

We have many very good Michelin starred restaurants in the region- using locally caught fish, influences from northern Spain, and back in history, the Occitane days. There are many pleasure awaiting the explorer. One very good way to experience the Languedoc, is to take an organized tour of the region that will show you the delights of the wine, the epicurean experiences of the food, and maybe even go on a Snail trail picnic.


Look at http://www.wine-food-languedoc.com


permalink written by  mikithecig on February 15, 2007 from Carcassonne, France
from the travel blog: Discover the Languedoc, France
tagged Food, Wine, Languedoc, Cassoulet and Vineyards

Send a Compliment

Life continued...

Seoul, South Korea


This weekend was interesting. I ended up going into Seoul both nights to see friends, which was a lot of fun! Friday night we met up with friends from Madison that all moved over here. The three of them live south of Seoul, so we figured we'd meet up downtown. They chose an area called Insadong, which is known for its traditional windy streets filled with more upscale antique and souvenir shops.
We ended up at a really neat restaurant in a side alley that was traditionally decorated with light wood everywhere, paper walls, and a garden in the middle. Mmm, and then they ordered us the most yummy food! It's something called a peojong, which is like a pancake but better. I tried making one the night before out of a mix, but the directions were all in Korea, and somewhere along the line I messed up and it didn't turn out quite like I would've liked. Anyways, the one at the restaurant came out in a big griddle, about an inch thick, and full of shrimp, squid, peppers, and green onions. Sounds weird, but it is sooo tasty! To go with it they ordered traditional Korean rice wine, which is unlike anything I've ever tasted. It's kind of milky in appearance, and slightly carbonated, perhaps from the yeast? I'm not sure. I guess foreigners either love it or hate it, and so far I'm falling under the 'love' category. The best part is it's really cheap, which will be nice next to all of the expensive drinks in Seoul. The one bad thing about the night was that we had to leave pretty early, at like 10:30, because the last train to Yangju every night is at 10:45, even though almost all of the other metro lines are open until one. Poh. However, apparently there are places in Seoul caled Gingabangs, which are like hostels but nicer and extremely popular with Korean people that live outside of downtown. for roughly seven dollars, you pay to get a clean pair of pajamas and sleep on the heated floor, in traditional Korean style. I've yet to try one, but the Americans who have been here for awhile and Koreans alike swear by them as clean and safe, so I'm sure at some point in the year I will give them a try.

Saturday was equally as interesting. The highlight of the night was the kareoke hotel. Yep. I'm not sure how much you have to pay (I haven't had to worry about paying much yet), but for a certain amount, you can rent out a room that comes with a big flat screen TV, huge overstuffed comfy couches, and thousands of songs to sing to. I guess it's really really popular here to sing, all the time. So, keeping in Korean style, I sang "Sweet Caroline" and "American Pie" while eating the free ice cream that comes with the room.
Soo cool! This was also at like, 5 in the morning though so I was a bit tired to appreciate all of the different things. Either way, I know it's something that I'll want to do again at some point. We also visited a few different restaurant/bars. I don't know which to call them because even though you order some sort of alcoholic beverage to share, there is always food that comes along with the drinks. Obviously some of it has to be ordered, but apparently it's relatively unheard of to go to an establishment and drink anything alcoholic without also ordering large amounts of food to eat.


permalink written by  Rachel in Korea! on September 1, 2008 from Seoul, South Korea
from the travel blog: South Korea, 2008-2009
tagged Food, Seoul and Nightlife

Send a Compliment

One More Time, Baby!

Seoul, South Korea


Last night was a special night. A very special night.

Earlier in the week I was invited to a welcome dinner for the new foreign language teachers. I was told that the principle was so impressed with our first impression that she wanted to host an official dinner to welcome us to Korea. So, in true Korean fashion, an upscale sushi restaurant was chosen.

What an event! The dinner began at 5:30 and didn't finish until after 9. Even before the any of the food was brought to the table, soju bottles appeared and the principle along with the two vice principles of the schools offered up welcoming speeches and toasts. Unfortunately they were all in Korean but I guessed they were directed at us due to the continuous stares in our direction, and the mumbling of our names in the speeches. Either way, I was extremely impressed with the formalities exhibited by all of the teachers and administrators, who, while solemn in the dictates of tradition, were cheerful to the occasion and made us feel openly welcome to their group.

Then the food began...octopus, pocheon (a spicy Korean flat bread with vegetables), snails, cabbage salad, fried sweet potatoes, paper-thin slices of shrimp on rice balls, raw skate drowned in sweet pepper relish, a whole cooked fish we all picked off of with our chopsticks, and rice soup. The sushi was next, with heaps of raw fish, more than I could even count. Asking what much of it was, the Koreans were unable to translate most of the pieces, but were able to tell me: live sea worm, live earshell, salmon, innumerable types of whitefish, and a plate of oddballs, none of which I could identify but all of which I sampled. Then came the seaweed cones, which were leaves of seaweed stuffed with rice, cucumber, caviar, and hot pepper. These were followed by a version of seafood kimchi soup served over rice. The meal finished with a cold tea with hints of cinnamon and parsimmon.

Throughout the meal, shots of soju were taken. This tradition was somewhat confusing for me. On one hand, I wanted to be polite

and thus didn't want to refuse their offers, but by the end I could feel the effects, and, as a woman, realized it's extremely inappropriate for women to show signs of drunkenness in public. While the men kept drinking, I began to politely refuse all of the offers to pour me more. This became a pefect position from which to observe the effects of soju on Korean men. As the meal kept progressing, they began slapping each other and singing American song lyrics as a form of entertainment. Imagine a straight-edge English teacher popping to his feet to serenade us with Britney Spears, "One More Time, Baby!" All of the lyrics were wrong, but in the end it was even funnier to hear American pop lyrics butchered mercilessly in Korean accents.

Overall, the meal was an absolute blast and circus all rolled into one. Despite the language barrier encountered with a few of the administrators, many laughs and smiles were shared. I'm beginning to understand the meaning behind the statement that offering a smile is speaking in the universal language that all people can understand. Evidence and examples of the traditions of Korea were numerous, and although I didn't understand all of them, went along with as much as I could, hoping that soon I will understand. But really, when surrounded by welcoming smiles, how can one possibly feel anything but content?



permalink written by  Rachel in Korea! on September 4, 2008 from Seoul, South Korea
from the travel blog: South Korea, 2008-2009
tagged Food and NamMun

Send a Compliment

food

Karlstad, Sweden


Ok so I have to tell you about this sandwich I made the other day, dad this is for you. Ok so I had oven roasted some chicken so I put that on a toasted bread with melted feta some avocado sundried tomatos, and marinated grilled artichoke hearts!!! with the juiciest honey doo melon ever, Soooo good! Things are going pretty good here still no kids have shown up to our coaching job, so we continue to juggle and work on our individual things. Boo and I have had really off sleep patterns lately with it being light till 12am dark then light again at 2:30am so sometimes were waking up at 12pm and racing to work. But the other day I forced myself to wake up early and went to the gym I felt good after, oh and I made the best breakfast. I made scrambled eggs with avo onion tomato all stirred together with pan fried potateo pieces and melted cheese. It was oh so good! The past couple of days have been very beautiful outside today was the first real hot day here. It is so nice its 8:30pm still sunny blue sky and probably 70 out. I think tomorrow we may go float down the river or go to one of the lakes because we have the day off.
Boo and I are also helping coach a younger QBIK team tomorrow so that will be alot of fun. After that the mens team plays so were going to go watch that, should be pretty good match. Oh we play the number 1 team in the league this sunday so hopefully we win we easily could. We are apparently 6th but honestly I don't think we have lost to a team that was worthy of beating us.
ciao


permalink written by  katieandboo on June 24, 2009 from Karlstad, Sweden
from the travel blog: sweden adventures
tagged Food

Send a Compliment

Iceland Day 1- Nicosia Rainey-Ray age 11

Reykjavik, Iceland


Day one Reykjavík Iceland.

When I was walking through the town I noticed that there was no African-Americans. Since I live in Boston I'm used to a lot of African-Americans,
but all I see is a lot of the white people. In the town that we are staying in, it smells, really bad. And Water smells bad to.
My mom and tells me it is because of a volcanic mineral called sulfur. So basically, I'm drinking water with sulfur in it.
At first I thought my mom said Silver, and then I was like oh my God, I'm drinking silver! But then she kept pronouncing it she kept saying sulfur, then I was like,
oh, wow. But for some reason, sulfur tasted gross, and awful. It was in my water to, I like the water back home, it was so, not sulfury, I guess?
Also, while I was walking around in the town I noticed that almost every single boy had the same haircut, short and bowl like. It was very strange, a lot of people
in Massachusetts all have different haircuts like, spiky haircuts, buzz cuts, brades, long and loose, afros, or mine, wavy and short.
But all the adults have different hairdos.
While my family was walking down town and we were hungry we thought.. some hotdogs. The hotdogs there were very skinny and there was like a plastic bag covering over it.
The hotdogs taste awful too, it tasted like there was honey on it, which I thought is very nasty. We are going to be trying lots of wierd food today, so I'm expecting
a bad taste in my mouth, and maybe even some good ones.

permalink written by  nicoandkara on June 29, 2009 from Reykjavik, Iceland
from the travel blog: Around the world in 80 days
tagged Food, Sulfur, Iceland and HotDog

Send a Compliment

International Arrival

London, United Kingdom


There are a few things I fear in life - spiders, wolves, snakes, the woods at night, etc. - and one on the secondary level of fright for me is flying. Perhaps it's a fear of heights, or the thought that a crazy could be aboard, but I think a lot of it simply has to do with that feeling that I won't possibly be able to sit through the time it takes to make a transatlantic flight without going crazy. Thankfully, my mind was in "I'm on holiday" mode, and I decompressed enough to sleep a bit on the journey - that always makes things speed along more quickly!

Also, US Airways helped out by serving an unexpected meal at about midnight, EST. Surprisingly, it was rather tasty! Who knew? They also showed a film ("Duplicity"...I didn't watch it), and served a breakfast of coffee/tea and a strawberry turnover just before we made our descent into London. US Air gets a thumbs up from me for the food alone, but also just for having this flight...because my jet lag is minimal, and that's a truly nice feeling compared to the narcolepsy I'm used to experiencing here!

After we arrived and I freshened up as best I could (i.e. brushed my teeth, because they were GROSS), I busted my bum to get down to Customs before Vanessa started to worry about me. The queue was extraordinarily long, and I filled out my card incorrectly the first time, like a dork. (Leave it to me!)

When I finally made it up to the counter, I - of course - got the most sour-looking agent, but he did brighten up a bit when I greeted him. He looked over my card, then handed it back to me with an admonishment: "You forgot to sign your entry card." I looked at it, then back up at him, thinking I was in trouble, until he smiled at me. "You must have been too excited to get here."

With a big sigh of relief, I told him that yes, I was VERY excited to be here, and that I couldn't wait to see my friend, who was waiting for me. He stamped my passport and sent me on my way, with a new bounce in my step now that I was only a few corridors away from giving Vanessa a hug!

Picked up my luggage (yes, Dad, it was highly visible, and no, there were no large groups who'd purchased the same rose-colored suitcase that I did! Ha ha!) and headed around the corner...and was told to stop! and smile! "...because I know you'll want this documented!" Gosh, she knows me well, doesn't she?

And one huge hug later, we were off to the car park and headed here, to Aylesbury, my home away from home for this holiday. The countryside is quaint and beautiful, and I can't wait to explore it with my homegrown tour guide.

Is it worth those hours upon hours tucked into a seat in a pressurized tube, way too high in the sky to think about without getting queasy? Oh my goodness, yes. Every minute, every time.

permalink written by  Mary Rose on July 16, 2009 from London, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: UK 2009
tagged Food, Flight, Airport, Arrival and Customs

Send a Compliment

Getting a Sense of the Twee

Great Missenden, United Kingdom


As my last post mentioned, on Saturday, Vanessa and I ventured into Great Missenden to attend The Chilterns Show, a kind of county fair...with English country flair.

The morning was gorgeous, as I showed you by photograph on Saturday, and it continued to be as we got to the car park. Walking in, we discovered that, sadly, the horse show was cancelled because the person in charge was feeling sick. They implored us - do we know anyone who could help in 2010? V and I both wondered...couldn't they maybe try to find someone to help, oh, I don't know...in 2009? So it could actually occur this year? But hey, we're not in charge.

We started off at the Pets tent, taking the rare opportunity to stroke an owl's feathers - something I've never, ever done before. They're so incredibly soft and light! What a treat. :) The old man holding the owl would've taken four quid from us to have our photo taken with the owl, but V rightly pointed out that they're really pricing themselves out of the market that way - having the photos at 1 or even 2 pounds would draw people in, quite a few, really...but at 4 pounds, it's just a ripoff.

Next, we did a bit of shopping, looking around at jewelry (that's "jewellery" here!) and wishing it was less expensive, then heading on to the woodworking tents. After that, we were hungry (when aren't we) so we ventured over to the food tent - shown here with the double entendre-filled "Pheasant Plucker's Song" sign at the entrance. Too funny.

We both got pork pies for lunch, as I'm told this is quintessential English country fair food. It was delicious and very filling...I really liked the crust, and the fact that it was portable! Ha ha! Here I am trying my first bite. :)

While we ate, we listened to the RAF Halton Pipe and Drum corps perform, and it was just fantastic. Wow! I feel like I am sometimes, but I know I'm not alone in loving the sound of the bagpipe...and it's truly taken to a higher plane when those tones are mixed with a drum beat.

The "coming events" for the day said that the Highland Games were being performed by some strongmen at an upcoming hour, so V and I sat down by the arena to watch the show. And we laughed and laughed and laughed some more.

Not only did the contestants (all TWO of them, including the first black man I've ever seen in my life wearing a kilt, and a man suspiciously named Spencer "Highland") have to set up their equipment on the field, the sign proclaiming the event STONES OF DENSITY kept falling over in the breeze. Somehow, this became the funniest thing in the world to Vanessa and me, and we giggled quite a bit at the sight on the field.

We watched the Stones of Density, the Dead Lift, and the Caber Toss - which Spencer Highland had never done before, and had to be told over the loudspeaker by the Scottish announcer that he "wasn't holding it the right way round". Oh my goodness. Hilarious!

Oddly enough, he ended up winning that event, as well as the games themselves. I say he has an unfair advantage, having that name! LOL.

After we'd had enough Highland Games laughter, we stopped over at the obviously American store...which wasn't quite so American at all. Unless you count nearly ONLY items relating to Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Boop to be the whole of Americana...oh, and trucking! Can't forget good ol' truckin'! Hmmm. Also included on the table, as you can see, were some not-just-vaguely British items. I call shenanigans on this booth!

Too soon, we'd finished the entire fair (though I have to admit, it was quite small), and were ready to leave for Vanessa's parents'. On the way out, she took my photo with this truck's stickered-on proclamation - which is so true! "If it isn't fair, it isn't fun."

And boy, was it ever fun!

permalink written by  Mary Rose on July 18, 2009 from Great Missenden, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: UK 2009
tagged Food, Music, Funny, Countryfair, OddSights, Twee and QuintessentialEngland

Send a Compliment

Mini Huskster

Beijing, China


There are street vendors everywhere. You can buy hair accessories, chipmunks, socks, stationary, kites, underwear, rabbits, fans, roasted sweet potatoes [yum!], counterfeit receipts, quilts and so much more as you walk along the sidewalks of this city.

Today I passed a sliced melon vendor. He was three feet tall and a force to be reckoned with - a Chinese Billy Mays Mini-Me. Even the locals were looking & smiling as he singled out my big nose in the passing throng for extra adjectives of enticement.

I passed.

[Something about Beijing smog all through the air & Beijing grime on all surfaces, including people, make most sidewalk foods unappetizing.]



permalink written by  prrrrl on August 30, 2009 from Beijing, China
from the travel blog: China 2009
tagged Food and Vendors

Send a Compliment

Jalapenos

Nanyuki, Kenya


I miss jalapeno's!!! I know it sounds so silly but i do. Tabasco pepper sauce has become new best friend.

They do grow fresh jalapenos, so i can still make pico de gallo. Matter of fact i am gonna make my dad's special salsa and sell it to Barney's, the local restaurant :)
But its not the same without the canned jalapenos..

We were at the bank today and a bunch of kids, came up to me asking for money. You feel sorry for them but after a while it gets old. Kid's and adults hang around the atm's waiting to sell you stuff. So i fianlly learned the trick, i just start speaking spanish!! They dont understand me and cant ask me! It's wicked i know. ;)

That's where im at today.

Till next time!!!

Love drea




permalink written by  africandre on December 1, 2009 from Nanyuki, Kenya
from the travel blog: Nanyuki Kenya
tagged Food

Send a Compliment

Held up in Kota Kinabulu

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia




After the jungle, back to urban life in Kota Kinabulu which is the principle city in Malaysian Borneo. En route, we drove past the famous Mount Kinabulu without actually stopping to make the popular [and slightly expensive] ascent to the summit. Instead, we had a good look as it sat above the clouds, thinking how beautiful it must be up there! We arrived in the city and spent a few days trying to avoid the intense heat that filled the streets and food markets, fortunately the lodge has air conditioning! Eventually we made it both to some small islands off the coast and the impressive philipino fish market. We relaxed on the islands and on our return filled ourselves with wonderful cheap food in the market! Delicious! [...and cheap!]

Apres la jungle, nous voici a Kota Kinabalu la capitale de Sabah. En chemin, nous avons apercu le fameux mont Kinabalu dont le sommet est au dessus des nuages. Son ascension est une des choses a faire ici, mais a cause de son prix (il faut un guide, une assurance etc...) et d'une legere flemme nous nous sommes contentes d'imaginer a quel point cela devait etre magnifique de la haut! A part la visite de quelques iles sur la cote, nous avons decide de rester quelques jours a KK (KK tout le monde dit ca ici). Pas grand chose a faire a par profiter du marche de nuit et ses fantastique barbecues philippins! Des crevettes fraiches enormes, poisssons, calamars et tant d'autres... delicieux!

We thought that the Chinese New Year might bring some events or festivities to enjoy but it was actually really quiet. Unlike in the west, the Chinese spend the occasion at home with the family having a traditional dinner. Apart from seeing lots of promotional tigers and the familiar lion dance around town you really wouldn't know it was New Year. On the same note, there is not actually that much to do in Kota Kinabulu itself, however due to Borneo being a little more expensive than we imagined [or were told] we have decided to stay a few extra days and limit the day-to-day damage. We have good food, a good place to stay and things to catch up on before heading south to our next stop, Brunei.

Ici, c'est la periode du nouvel an chinois et vu qu'il y a beaucoup de chinois a KK, nous pensions profiter des festivites. Et bien pas vraiment, c'etait plutot calme car les chinois celebrent le nouvel an a la maison en famille. Donc a part quelques feux d'artifices et danses du lion, RAS! Les magasins sont fermes durant plusieurs jours. Mais cela tombe plutot bien car nous avons decide de rester quelques jours sur place pour rattraper les ecarts sur notre budget avant d'aller a Brunei!


permalink written by  Lenameets50 on February 16, 2010 from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
from the travel blog: Indonesia & Malaysia et al 2010
tagged Food, Malaysia, Borneo and KotaKinabulu

Send a Compliment

Viewing 11 - 20 of 25 Entries
first | previous | next | last



Heading South?

Online Spanish lessons with a live personal tutor FairTutor can hook you up with Online Spanish lessons with a live personal tutor. It's pretty sweet! Online Spanish lessons with a live personal tutor www.fairtutor.com
Navigate
Login

go
create a new account



   

Blogabond v2.40.58.80 © 2024 Expat Software Consulting Services about : press : rss : privacy