When in Rome, do as the Romans

When traveling to a country with customs different than your own, it is best to live by this philosophy.."When in Rome...

There was an incident I heard about of an American traveling in Turkey.  This teenager entered a mosque wearing a bustier top and hot pants and to make it worse, she was with her mother who did  not see fit to tell her daughter that this is not how to dress in a holy place, whether it is your faith or not.  You should have respect for all religions and cultures.

Reading some blogs recently on the appropriateness of Hillary Clinton wearing a headscarf when she visits Muslim countries, I was quite surprised by some comments.  One person actually said it was not Christian to wear a headscarf, where all she is doing is respecting the people and culture that she is visiting.  This is the way to bridge international gaps, not with bias and inflexibility.

Here is my travel advice - if you want to be welcomed by the locals and really taught the uniqueness of the culture you are visiting and get the most of your vacation, RESPECT their culture!!!  Wearing a headscarf in a mosque does not make you less Christian but more so because you are able to treat ALL people with respect regardless of your differences.

Turkey is a beautiful Muslim majority country and one of the most tolerant as it is in that middle land between Europe and the Middle East.  If you respect their culture when you visit, you might be invited to a family dinner as they are some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet and be able to taste the unique, varied taste of Turkey - much more to it than gyros!!

Here is one of their unique, delicious recipes just to tempt your palate:

Yogurtlu Makarna

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
2 medium jalapeno, finely chopped
2 fresh thyme sprigs
1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
3 cups natural yogurt
3 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh mint, finely chopped
1 pound penne
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
fresh mint leaves, garnish

1.    Cook onions in olive oil until soft. Add meat, jalapeno, thyme, and parsley. Cook until the meat browns.

2.    Stir in 2 tablespoons water, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

3.    In separate bowl beat together, yogurt, garlic, mint and salt.

4.    Cook pasta as directed. Toss with meat sauce and keep warm. Pour yogurt sauce over the top.

5.    Stir together butter, paprika and cayenne. Pour over the pasta and garnish with mint leaves.

Chef Mireille
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Restaurant Week is here!!!

Restaurant Week is here.  This is the time to sample some of the best that NYC restaurants have to offer at a price that won't break the bank!!

Lunches are priced at $24.07 and dinners are priced at $35.00 for 3-course meals.  For a list of participating restaurants, please see here.

For the first time, this year there will be also be a soup truck traveling around the city with soups from participating restaurants, at a cost of $6 and $1 of this will be donated to Hati Earthquake relief.  You can follow the Soup Truck here to see when they will be in your neighborhood.

Have fun exploring these restaurants and always looking for your feedback.  Please post comments!!!


Chef Mireille
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Bruine Bonen

The NYC Cooking & Dining Group celebrated the unique, multi-cultural cuisine of Suriname on Sunday.  We cooked a complete menu including:

• Peanut Soup with Tomtom (mashed green plantain balls)
• Stuffed Bitter Melon
• Soy Ginger Pork Chops
• Bami (Indonesian noodles with ginger and Kecap Manis)
• Kauseband (Long Beans with Chinese Sausage)
• Bruine Bonen (the national dish of red beans)
• Bojo (flourless Cassava Coconut Cake)

This menu illustrates the different communities present in Suriname.  Peanut Soup was brought over from the first Africans.  Bami  and Bojo is indicative of the large Indonesian population.  The Pork Chops represent the Chinese population, marinated in soy sauce, ginger and five spice powder.

Now that Suriname has been listed as a top destination for 2010, to give you an idea of the type of cuisine you can expect when you visit, here is a recipe for the national dish of Suriname:
Bruine Bonen (red beans):
2 cans red kidney beans
1 sausage, sliced
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 cubes chicken bouillon cubes
1 fresh hot pepper
4 stalks celery, chopped
black pepper
3 tablespoons oil

1.    Heat the oil in a large pot and fry the sausage.  Add the onion and garlic and fry until translucent.  Add the tomatoes and beans with the liquid from the can.  Bring to a boil.

2.    Add bouillon cubes, pepper and celery.  Reduce flame to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, until all flavors are well blended.

3.    Serve with white rice and sambal.  The photo here is pictured with a hot pepper sambal.

NOTE: You can also use fresh beans, soaked overnight and cooked for 1 hour, or until tender.  Then follow all steps of recipe above.

Enjoy!!!

To join the NYC Cooking & Dining group and join us at our event in 2 weeks, learning Ghana cuisine, please join here



Chef Mireille
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NYC Newspaper/Lonley Planet lists Suriname as top vacation destination for 2010!!!

When I talk about Suriname to most people, they have no idea what I am talking about.  Most Americans have never even heard of it, so I was very impressed when it was listed as one of the TO GO places for 2010 in today's Metro newspaper, one of New York City's free local papers.
Lonely Planet has released it's Lonely Planet's Best Travel 2010 guide: "...this little country in South America had done a great job preserving their rain forest and using ecotourism to bring in people...."

 I have always known about Suriname because my grandfather was born there and periodically from the time I was a small child, my Surinamese family would come bringing with them a different language and cuisine.  They would always cook for us when they came to visit and I remember unique dishes like Pom (a casserole of chicken and tannia) and stuffed bitter melon.

A very multi-cultural society with large numbers of Indonesians, Indians, Chinese, Dutch and African descendants, you will find Hindu mandhirs, churches and mosques next door to synagogues.  Beautiful beaches, breath taking waterfalls, the Amazon rainforest, multi-cultural cuisine (like the duck food festival in the attached photo)!!!  Geographically South American but culturally Caribbean it truly is a unique destination!!!

It is wonderful that westerners are now beginning to appreciate this South American gem.  Plan Suriname for your next holiday and you will not be disappointed!!!


Chef Mireille
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Beautiful Beaches, Historical Citadels and Unique Cuisine - the other side ofr Haiti!!!

When people think of vacation spots in the Caribbean, most people's first choice isn't Haiti because they think of images of political violence throughout the years and they usually see news images of poor children in the overcrowded city of Port-au-Prince, but there is another side to Haiti.  In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, I would like to highlight the other side so that when communication and basic infrastructure is rebuilt, going to Haiti for vacation can be your way to help to feed their already weak economy.  A stronger economy will help the poor people of this impoverished nation.
In the countryside, you will find breathtaking beaches, native artisans and a historical Citadelle.  A unique cuisine will also await you.  The national dish of Lambi is one of my favorite stews of conch, onions, garlic and peppers, finished off with Picklese which goes on everything Haitians eat.  Picklese is the Haitian native hot sauce, but not the typical red sauces you find in other places of the world.  Picklese is made by taking the hottest Scotch Bonnet peppers and letting them soak in vinegar, with carrots, thyme, allspice berries and onions.  Let this sit for a week and then a few drops of the pepper infused vinegar on a plate of food adds the perfect amount of acid and heat, that will complement any meal.
So if you would like beach fun, a little history and delicious food - try Haiti for your next vacation.  Please check out Lonely Planet for travel information and resources.  This can be your little way of helping the people of Haiti and having fun at the same time.

Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers and if you would like to donate to reputable aid organizations, see here.

Chef Mireille
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