No drink captures the essence of the Basque Country as perfectly as txakoli does. While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Spanish wine, txakoli (pronounced “cha-ko-LEE”) is more than just a drink throughout much of the region. This wine—which has transformed from a humble peasants’ drink […]
behind the bite
Behind the Bite: Croque Monsieur
Think of France’s croque monsieur as the lovechild of a grilled cheese and a ham and cheese sandwich. Ham and gruyere are sandwiched between two slices of white bread, topped with béchamel sauce, and broiled. Served with a green salad, it’s a common, quick-and-easy Sunday supper for many French families. Photo Credit: Kayhadrin, Text Overlay: […]
Basque Cider: History, Traditions & What to Pair It With
In the midst of the animated chatter that fills any Basque cider house during the high season, only one word truly matters: “¡Txotx!” That lone syllable—pronounced “choch”—is enough to empty every seat in the room as diners make their way to the massive barrels that hold the Basque Country’s single greatest alcoholic treasure. The interjection […]
Behind the Bite: Roman Jewish Food
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series, deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. After thousands of years of habitation and hardship, one thing is certain: the Jews of Rome have a cuisine unlike any other in the world Rome is home to Europe’s oldest Jewish community. The first Jews […]
Behind the Bite: Roman Offal
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Inside the anatomy chart that is a typical Roman menu. Roman food has a few essential characteristics. It’s simple. The main seasonings are black pepper, pecorino and mint. And every part of the animal can […]
Behind the Bite: Ginja
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series, deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Lisbon’s legendary liqueur is sweet, strong and totally traditional. Learn the story of ginja—and why it’s so much more than a souvenir. It seems that every southern European country has its own iconic liqueur […]
Behind the Bite: Jamón Ibérico
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series, deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Place it on your toast with a drizzle of olive oil and you have breakfast. Add it to eggs and potatoes for a memorable lunch. On its own with a glass of sherry? The […]
Behind the Bite: Salt Cod
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series, deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Portugal may be known for delicacies that come straight from the sea, but its most famous seafood is far from fresh. If you’ve spent any time in Lisbon, you’ve probably encountered a common menu […]
Behind the Bite: Pastéis de Nata
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series, deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. If you really want to get under the skin of Lisbon, head to a pastelaria. In every neighborhood of the city, old ladies brush shoulders with hipsters, inspecting the mind-boggling array of pastries laid out […]
Behind the Bite: Tolosa Beans
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Believe it or not, there are over 40,000 varieties of beans in the world. We have fava beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, lima beans, and finally: black beans from […]