Maple syrup is the gastronomic analog of pharmaceutical grade crack cocaine. But not just any maple syrup: I was educated in this by a Québécois chum of mine who sent me two items — Beurre d’érable and Tire à l’érable — that disappeared within days — neat, right out of the jars. This was recently…
Top-notch chili sauce made by Heartbeat Hot Sauce. Very well balanced, neither watery nor bland nor overpowering. A very classy and versatile product. chilligastronomyheartbeat hot sauce
If you think that you know what peri-peri sauce is via a certain high-street grilled chicken franchise and it’s supermarket bottles then you have something coming. Try a drop of this on grilled/roast chicken or prawns for the real deal. But beware . . . it’s not for the faint hearted. chilligastronomyhot saucepiri-piriportugal
The year’s most noteworthy release: Ardbeg Drum is a no-age statement single malt initially aged in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in rum casks. Like previous Fèis Ìle bottlings, Ardbeg has released two versions. This one, bottled at 52% ABV, is sold exclusively to Ardbeg Committee Members. Not surprisingly, it has great appeal to Islay…
Boston Herald creoledooky chasegastronomyleah chasenew orleans
A positive review from BeerMeBC. As an aficionado of Islay single malts and of course cigars, I couldn’t resist checking this out — I’m not overly convinced but it’s a decent enough effort. Despite the regressive licensing laws and ridiculously high tax rate on booze, BC is a hotbed of very experimental breweries and distilleries,…
Unsurprisingly, much like all the individually rich cultural streams that feed emergent Louisiana culture, music and food plays a profound role in Cajun culture. Look out for this documentary “On Va Continuer!” and explore this excellent guide to the Cajun Bayou country and especially the Food Trail. Cajungastronomylocalismlost bayou ramblersLouis MichotLouisianaroots music
Still on a boozy note, the annual Cairdeas (Gaelic for ‘Friendship’) is set for release. This year’s release is matured in first-fill bourbon casks before being double matured in Fino Sherry casks. In lieu of my main man, Horst Luening’s assessment, here are Canuck enthusiasts Trenny and C from a year ago. alcoholgastronomyHorst LueningIslayLaphroaigSingle malt Scotch
Good sense prevails! Now join CAMRA. Michael Jackson would have approved. alcoholBeergastronomymichael jackson
The second annual winner of the Red Beans Madness competition. gastronomynew orleansred beans and riceRene Guzman
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