Monday, October 7, 2019

Around the Kitchen Table: Food on our Travels + #Bookgiveaway


Around the Kitchen Table: Food on our Travels

VICKI DELANY: I travel a lot and one of the things I enjoy the most about visiting new places is the local food. In Vietnam I took a cooking class and went on a street food tour. In Malaysia we ate our way though one of the worlds’ primary food destinations, George Town on the island of Penang.  The variety of the marvellous curries in India! In Mozambique I couldn’t get enough of the prawns. This month I’m off to Russia and excited about what that cuisine has to offer. Do I ever bring any recipes home with me? Not even once. Maybe I worry that trying those things at home will spoil the memory.  

After the feast 


Street Restaurants in Malaysia


Food stall tour in Malaysia


Mozambique market


Prawns!


Buying spices in Vietnam


Making curry in India

What about the rest of you? What favourite foods do you remember from your travels and do you ever try to recreate them at home?


DENISEMy husband and I used to travel a lot, but as we aged (and more importantly our parents got older) we now are limited to one cruise a year and a couple of weeks in Florida. One of the great joys of traveling has always been exploring the local food. We even tasted kangaroo in Australia--sort of reminded me of venison. 

On our last cruise we were able to take  a cooking class taught by a wonderful chef in Mexico. Truthfully, I've never been a huge fan of Mexican food, but now that I've tasted the authentic flavors, I've been won over.



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LESLIE:  Ten years ago, Mr. Right and I spent a month in France. While we haven't been brave enough to try recreating the duck confit he loved so much, the Beouf Bourgignon and Chocolate Mousse we adored in Paris -- so much that we went back to each restaurant a second time -- have become regulars in our kitchen. Although I haven't shared either recipe here, the recipes for the mousse and my huckleberry version are in Death al Dente, my first Food Lovers' Village Mystery.



Recreating discoveries of travel is part of the joy, both of the trip and of home cooking. On a trip to the Malice Domestic Mystery Convention, a friend and I met at Teaism, a D.C. cafe. The Salty Oat Cookies were absolutely fabulous. Alas, while often asked, Teaism didn't share the recipe, but a Washington Post food reporter proved that the WaPo's tradition of investigative journalism is not limited to politics! I put my version in Guilty as Cinnamon, my 2d Spice Shop Mystery, and the fabulous Kim Davis of Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder recreated them with a terrific photo recreation. And last winter, when I went to NYC for my first Mystery Writers of America board meeting, I discovered the very best Cold Sesame Noodles, and you guessed it, set about searching for the recipe, which -- finally! -- I shared here on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. I suspect they'll be part of the next Spice Shop mystery, currently spread out on my desk. It's just too much fun not to share! 


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DARYL:   I used to travel to Hawaii a lot and I often recreated foods from the islands. Cooking fish the Pacific Rim way, simply adorned, is a favorite of mine. I bought a couple of cookbooks and use them frequently for inspiration.  


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KRISTA:  Years ago, when visiting Hong Kong, I had a guidebook that revealed the location of a store with rock bottom prices on clothes with Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstorm labels. You bet I was going there! We found the store and it was every bit as wonderful as the book said. However, it was way off the beaten path where tourists usually go. After shopping, my mom wanted lunch. Right then! So we wandered the streets looking for a restaurant. We found one on the second floor of a building. It was huge. Every few minutes someone would say something over a loudspeaker, which I assumed meant something like "order for table 20 is ready." None of the staff spoke English. We ordered by pointing at what other people were eating. (How impolite is that?) They stationed a waitress at our table, which made us feel very guilty because the place was packed. They brought food, and more food, and yet more food. Certainly enough to feed four people. It was delicious. Absolutely the best! I am ashamed to say that my mom and I ate every last bite. We stopped short of licking the dishes, though. And after all that, those wonderful people refused to accept a tip. But they gave us a lovely memory that neither one of us will ever forget.


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LUCY BURDETTE: We've been lucky enough to do quite a bit of traveling lately, and the food is one of the best parts! Right now I'm deep into a run of scones, borrowed from the Scottish trip we took earlier in the summer. 

You'll see some of those recipes in the next few months. 

Meanwhile, here were posts on sushi in Japan and fish in France!


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SHEILA: I am seriously addicted to farmers' markets anywhere. I've already shared the Skibereen market weekly market with you, and no doubt you'll see it again, but the one that sticks in my memory was in Merida, in the Yucatan, on my first and only trip to Mexico. It was a covered market with a wonderful variety of unfamiliar items, including clusters of octopus hanging from the beams, and tables with piles of brightly colored spices (the piles were at least two feet high!). Wish I could share pictures, but this was so long ago that I was still using film (for slides because they were cheaper than prints). Most of the food I ate in that part of Mexico was wonderful, although I drew the line at eating turtle because I'd had pet turtles as a child.


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PEG: I had satay for the first time in Kuantan, Malaysia and loved it so much that I ordered it for the next four days of our stay there! I frequently make it at home. On our trip to the Far East I sampled mangosteens and durian (which you aren't allowed to bring back to your hotel because the exterior of the fruit smells so bad.) And while I've seen durian in our local Asian market, I haven't been tempted to buy it.  I also ate jelawat--a type of fish--that I'm certainly not going to find at our local supermarket, which doesn't go much beyond salmon, catfish and tilapia.  I loved the Portuguese soup caldo verde when we were in Lisbon and have made that at home as well.  Thanks to Julia Child, I've made numerous French dishes at home and also sampled them when in Paris.  On my bucket list is to take a cooking class in a foreign country--Italy perhaps?


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MAYA: When my daughter spent a semester abroad in Valencia, Spain, the place where paella originated, we visited her and ate different varieties of this rice dish every day. The classic paella valenciana combines rice with meat (chicken, rabbit, and sometimes snails) and vegetables (butterbeans, flat green beans, and artichokes when in season). Paella de mariscos combines different shellfish and sometimes other fish and usually omits the vegetables. A mixed paella includes meat from land animals, seafood, and vegetables. Saffron, an ingredient in most paellas, turns the rice a lovely yellow color and adds a unique flavor. The rice simmers in a broth with the other ingredients, which might include garlic, onions, paprika, and tomatoes. In Valencia paella is cooked in a huge pan, several feet in diameter, over an open fire. I start mine on top of the stove and finish it in the oven. Paella makes a beautiful dish, with a variety of colors and textures, and it feeds a lot of people. My family’s cleaner-upper likes it because there’s only one pan to scrub, though it’s a big one.


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ESSIE LANG:  I've always enjoyed pasta but since a trip to Sicily, I love pasta! It was wonderful to devour so many different types of dishes and not worry about the wheat aspect of the pasta. I had heard that their wheat is a different, more easily digestible one (too much info?) and was delighted it was true. I daringly sampled pasta with octopus, pasta with clams, and squid ink pasta. Just so you know, be sure not to smile for a couple of hours after eating that one. I even, more daringly, tried fresh sea urchin that had just been pried from a cave wall.What can I say -- it was memorable!



CLEO COYLE: When it comes to food and travel, Marc and I are most inspired not by jumping on a plane but following our feet. Yes, New York City can be loud, crowded, and expensive, but the World’s Fair of Food here makes this tough town more than worth tolerating. Even better, we live in Queens, a small area that holds one of the most diverse populations on the planet. Within a few blocks of our home, there are family restaurants run by immigrants from Thailand, Korea, Pakistan, Latin America, and the Philippines. A ten minute stroll in one direction and we’re in Little India (Jackson Heights). In another direction, we’re inside an Irish Pub (Woodside). One of our favorite stops these days is located in an unassuming strip mall. It's a local French bakery (Cannelle Patiserrie), opened by a Brittany-born genius who retired to Queens after working for decades as the Executive Pastry Chef of the Waldorf Astoria. On the other hand, we're always up for traveling, especially across the USA. From New England to New Orleans and the Midwest to the Southwest, America has its own unique foodie cultures and culinary favorites. To wit...


Cleo's Queso Fundido
Click for the recipe.

When we were last in San Diego (for ComicCon), Marc and I ate a fantastic Queso Fundido and decided to try one at home, with a little advice from our Hispanic neighbors here in Queens. The result is a recipe we shared in one of our Coffeehouse Mysteries, and we’re happy to share it again. For the recipe, click here or on the photo above, and...eat with joy!




GIVEAWAY


Leave a comment to win these 4 books, and leave your email so we can contact you should you win.

Stirring the Plot by Daryl Wood Gerber
Crypt Suzette by Maya Corrigan
The Diva Sweetens the Pie by Krista Davis
 Shot in the Dark by Cleo Coyle



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Click to see more of our
upcoming releases.





What favourite foods do you remember from your travels and do you ever try to recreate them at home? 


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129 comments:

  1. I haven't done much traveling outside the U.S., but my favorite culinary place I've visited is Louisiana! I've made a few dishes at home: jambalaya, gumbo, and dirty rice. Two of my other favorites (beignets and boudin balls), I'll leave to the professionals.

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    1. I've never been to New Orleans, but I'd love to go some day, not least for the food!

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    2. Oh, gosh, yes! When Bouchercon, the international mystery convention, was held in NOLA in 2016, I made it a mission to eat local: ate a muffaletta, drank a Sazerac, adored afe au lait and fresh beignets, and so much seafood. Loved it!

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  2. We don't really travel, but we enjoy a variety of cuusines, Indian and Mediterranean in particular. We have tried making some of the dishes, but most of them are better in the restaurants.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  3. I love cruising and my favorite food on cruises is the desserts! No way can I recreate them! Lindaherold999@gmail.com

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  4. The diverse foods of New Orleans! I could never duplicate it!

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  5. The Artist Colony restaurant in Nashville, Indiana has a sauce that comes with their Sunfries (sweet potato fries) that tastes like a brown sugar sauce that is so good. I tried to duplicate it several times but have been unsuccessful. We get the fries every time we visit because we live that sauce so much.
    Bleakney750@yahoo.com

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    1. Karen - I'm also a fan of sweet potato fries. The Artist Colony sounds like a wonderful place to visit. ~ Cleo

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  6. I used to travel more than a I do now. I had jagerschnitzel on a trip to Germany that was so delicious! I have not tried to recreate it. I am a semi-adventurous eater but not an adventurous cook. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. That sounds like me. I rarely try to recreate anything I've eaten at a restaurant.

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  7. The cuisine in Jamaica was unique & delicious. Don't think I could do it as well.

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    1. positive.ideas.4you@gmail.com, in case you need it. Thanks!

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  8. We haven't traveled outside the country but we had a delicious salmon dip, when we cruised to Alaska. I did try to make it at home but it didn't turn out very well. Also tasted some delicious foods on our cruise. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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    1. Dianne - That salmon dip sounds amazing. My sister served as community health director in Bethel, Alaska. (She worked as an MD for the IHS.) When I visited her, I ate the very best salmon I'd ever encountered in my life. Never forgot it and never had it as good again! I would very much enjoy returning to AK someday (for many reasons, but certainly for the salmon). ~ Cleo

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  9. We love all the fresh seafood when my Sister, my Mom and myself goes to Orange Beach, AL! Sadly we can't get fresh seafood in North Central Arkansas.

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    1. OOps! Forgot my email! almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)

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  10. Since our wedding in February 1966 we've lived in several different states & we've travelled quite a lot mostly to satisfy an insatiable curiosity about other areas of our country (the U.S.) & other countries (so far only Canada, Mexico, Korea & Japan). Learning about the area's cuisine is always my priority with the area's history next in line. I have wonderful memories of the restaurants & the specialties of each place we've lived & visited. I'm a huge fan of Mexican food & have recreated at home several of the dishes we've had in restaurants in Washington state & Mexico although being born & raised in Texas, Mexican food & Tex-Mex have always been part of our normal eating routine.

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  11. In Hawaii forty years ago, we went to a little place at a shopping mall across from the beach and had the best noodles. I don't know what they were but they were wonderful. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. I loved Krista's story about being off the beaten path and discovering a culinary gem -- that's one of my favorite parts about traveling to new places. Vicki, I love your foodie photos from your travels, and enjoyed everyone's posts! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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    1. Isn't that a great story? Holes in the wall can be the best finds! Loving all the stories here!

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  13. Wonderful stories! Some of you are very brave about eating.
    Lucy, your picture of the scone has my mouth watering.

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  14. I don't don't usually try cooking foods I've tried in restaurants, but I will go back to the restaurant again to enjoy a favorite dish.
    diannekc8 (at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. After visiting Spain some years ago I tried to make a tortilla. That is an egg and potato dish, not anything like a Mexican tortilla! I have made cranachan (sp?) a couple of times after visiting Scotland. Afraid to try making scones. We are fans of Rioja wine now, and of course, Scotch. I discovered the Costa Rican version of smoothies way back when and loved the ones made with guanabana. I just saw frozen guanabana in some grocery store recently so maybe I'll try to replicate that drink. And mango lassi in India! Yum.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  16. Recipes which are simple and straightforward to duplicate I enjoy for the family. When we visited Italy for the first time many years ago the food was exceptional. When I returned home I wanted to change my meals and do incorporate many recipes which I enjoyed. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Some exotic travel and foods here! I do like to try and replicate a recipe and have had success with most of the foods we enjoyed in Spain. It's fun trying to get it right and then adding your own tweaks. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. I haven't traveled much. I had some wonderful food in a local tavern in Germany, some nice dishes in Montreal and delish food in Hawaii. I have tried a Cuban sandwich in Tampa and enjoyed it. Most of my travels have mostly been in the US. I try to eat local areas and not in tourist spots.

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  19. My favorite food from a trip was when I went to key west and ate a lot of key lime pie - my favorite was our last dinner in the keys and the restaurant said they were out - then said they had some but they were frozen - they were willing to see if it could be cut frozen and it turns out it was like ice cream so they cut us each a slice - it was the best pie of the entire trip - I've never tried to make it myself as I'm not much of a baker - thanks for the chance to win a great group of books - trwilliams69(at)msn(dot)com

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  20. I haven’t traveled outside of the US but love trying new foods & recipes
    jwhaley4(at)aol(dot)com

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  21. I haven't done much traveling lately but a couple years ago I went to Vermont to a brewery and had the most delicious pretzel bread with cheesy beer dip. I'd love to recreate that recipe at home. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  22. I am disabled and cannot travel but I love reading about new places and trying out recipes. ringo_94(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. All those adventures and amazing foods. Have to say I would love some satay right now. Scb3236@gmail.com

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  24. I love good food. When traveling I try to stay off the beaten path and go to the little dive diners or restaurants. They usually have the best food.
    grannylovestoread(@) yahoo (.com)

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  25. I love these authors. Was pretty set in my menu from Southern Indiana where I grew up. Luckily I traveled for work and got to try lots of new dishes.
    cjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net

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  26. Love all your stories about food. Well I just love food. Now that I'm retired I like to explore new recipes. lsum1258 at aol dot com

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  27. I am the world's pickiest eater. I now have a stomach disease so types of food limited

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  28. I don’t do much traveling nowadays. My town, though, has an amazing hole in the wall. It only serves pel’meni (Russian dumplings). Oddly, it is called Pel’meni. Haha. It is downtown by where the cruise ships dock. It’s a secret from tourists who seem to flock towards more expensive restaurants, which is fine by us locals. More of this Russian treat for us. Haha. At $7 you can’t beat it in this town. It is so tasty! I have no idea how to make them. I would love to. Now I’m starving. It’s a side effect from this blog. Haha. Love you all!
    cristinaalaska(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. When traveling, I always sought out ethnic food. New York City is a great place to find mom & pop"s restaurants run by people from all over the world. One time, we went into a Columbian restaurant. We got the platter piled with meats, potatoes, plantain. My daughter was learning Spanish and wrote a note in Spanish on a napkin for a cute waiter and thanking him for the wonderful meal. He came out after we left and said thank you! It made his day, I think. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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    1. Bonnie - What an adorable story. And I'm absolutely sure your daughter made that waiter's day!

      ~ Cleo

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  30. i've not done a lot of traveling, but when I do I love to try as much as possible of the food that the area is known for. I'm not that great of a cook, so I've never tried to recreate the dishes at home.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  31. I've never traveled outside the US. I have visited North Carolina, Tennessee, all the states between Georgia and Texas, and California. I have been curious to try Japanese culture so the closest I can come to is the oriental section at the grocery store.
    christinacrbn511@gmail.com

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    1. Christina - The USA has so much to offer, it's a joy just to travel within our country. The diversity of our population is also a wonderful thing to see, including the "melting pot" of delicious foods!

      ~ Cleo

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  32. We try to find out what the local specialties are when we travel. Then get different dishes to share. cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com

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  33. I’ve recreated food from restaurants, but not from traveling, since I haven’t traveled much. Great giveaway! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  34. I haven't really traveled so I haven't experienced much local food but I love cookbooks and trying recipes from other parts of the country and around the world. The ones I made for my family and were their favorites was bratwurst marinaded in German beer and onions and then grilled, a holiday cake from Norway and the biggest winner was German Nut Corners. Everyone loved the cookies.
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. I'm fortunate that when I was growing up, we very rarely ate at chain restaurants when we traveled. My dad would look for a 'corner bar' somewhere and we'd pull in and get whatever 'burger' was their specialty. I ate a lot of bison -And I'm an onion ring connoisseur for sure! robinswebhotmailcom

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  36. what a wonderful post. Thank you. On our honeymoon, we went to Hawaii. When we got to our hotel on Maui, we were told that for all the new people that checked in there was a get together with food that night. There was all kinds of wonderful Hawaiian foods to choose from. One taking center stage was a huge Maui-Maui fish that was raw with raw veggies around it. I never had raw fish. I didnt like fish. My new husband got me to try some eaten with a piece of raw veggie. Wellll... I still dont like fish. LOL quilting lady 2 at comcast dot net

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  37. We love the Mickey waffles from Disney world but the one time we tried to make them they didn’t come out right thanks for the chance
    Angelcake12 at optonline dot net

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  38. Yes! I went on an exchange trip to Germany in high school. The food was amazing! I got spoiled by all the wild ice cream flavors, and I really would love to find a place here that has Döners. I've been to a place here that made Spaghetti Eis but it's just not the same. Even their McDonalds tasted better. I do not miss the carbonated water however.
    kozo8989@hotmail.com

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  39. I haven't traveled a lot, but I always find interesting things in the various states I've traveled. I don't recreate recipes often, but love to try the ones you all post and try to make them gluten free. Thanks for a chance to win! ljbonkoski@yahoo.com

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  40. I haven't tried to recreate anything from my travels there, but one thing I love about eating in France is eating bread and cheese without guilt! We used to live in Florida and loved Cuban sandwiches, and I do make those at home now. Delicious! rwilson@ws4r.com

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  41. I haven't traveled outside the United States so as far as foreign food I usually am stuck with the American version of food. My interest would be in the pastries area. My mother often made balish and kolache when I was a child and my sweet tooth has remained. robeader53atyahoodotcom

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  42. Sadly I haven't gotten the chance to travel much but my favorite place ever is in San Diego and it's a little tapas place. The chef and owner is part Cuban and part Spanish and it shows in his food. My God I miss that place because I haven't found anything close to it

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  43. Mt favourite actually was a pasta dish of all place an Italian restaurant in ixtapa Mexico, plus some small local restaurants where I could get fresh fish tacos etc.

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  44. Don't do much travelling; have to rely on local spots for ethnic cuisine or my bad cooking.

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  45. I haven't done much traveling. I do remember one time when I got to go to California and we went to China Town, we got this cake that was more delicious than anything I've ever had. It was a white layered cake with whipped cream type frosting and had slivered almonds on top and strawberries on top and in the layers. Oh my goodness! I was the best thing I think I have ever eaten! smurphee@yahoo.com

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  46. Mysteries that involve food and travel? What's not to love! k_flying04@yahoo.com

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  47. I used to travel by myself including a week in California but health issues stopped that! Love seeing and reading about trips and foods here and the Mystery kitchen is really growing here! Love it!

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  48. We also travel a lot, but lately I’ve been on a restricted diet so unfortunately I can’t eat a lot of food that I used too. It’s ok though because now I’m eating healthy! Gluten and sugar free and feeling good! Thanks for the chance to win!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  49. I used to travel a lot when I was working. Now just a stay at home. But I have time to test new recipes and read. Thanks for this chance to win. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. My son and his family life in Rego Park in Queens, and so, as we visit often, we are lucky to find at many restaurants with cuisines from around the world (like Cleo Coyle). When traveling elsewhere, I collect recipes for my daughter, who is an amazing cook, to make. A recent surprise for me was that my 92 year old mother in law took the key lime pie recipe I brought back from Key West and made it for me. She said she needed to try something new to keep her mind sharp and her taste buds fresh!

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    1. Lisa - Sending a wave to your son and his family across our shared borough (lol). What a touching story about your mom-in-law, love it -- and love Key lime pie, which I would have inhaled, no doubt!

      ~ Cleo

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  51. I traveled a lot about 20 years ago, health problems keep me closer to home now. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  52. I would love a return trip to Hong Kong for the food!

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  53. I haven’t traveled very much, but I did go to Italy in 2012 and I loved the food! Their Alfredo was the best I’ve ever eaten. I’ve been afraid to try making it, because I know it won’t taste as good.

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  54. I love scones! I don't travel but your adventures with food are interesting. I'd be chicken to eat some things. But love reading about places in your book. Thank you for the chance

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  55. I am not a veteran cook, I have just recently started to put some effort towards cooking. I love reading books about it though. One day I might be able to recreate without "easy" recipes. Thanks for the chance to win! prockish2013@gmail.com

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  56. When I visited Europe I tried all different types of food some I liked & some not so much, but what a great experience it was. Thanks for the chance at these amazing mysteries. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  57. I don’t have much luck recreating dishes from our travels, other than some of our fast food faves! Skyline chili, white castles.....things we can’t get in our part of Alaska.
    debbiehagedorn@yahoo.com

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  58. My favorite food memories are those from my visits to family in Germany. My oma made the best, simple meals that tasted full of flavor and love. Including rouladen, potato or yeast dumplings (she made the best yeast dumplings), cucumbers and potatoes. My aunt is famous for he salt cured pork chops that have the meal falling off the bone. Then there is all the amazing bread, rolls, cakes and wursts. Oh how I love mettwurst and teawurst. They really have the best bakery items. It was a real thrill when my uncle owned his own bakery. Even pizza tasted better. Yes we do make a few of the wonderful dishes here, with the help of German seasonings (bought on amazon or the now defunct Germandeli) and I can get some of the wursts from a few places online. Still they never taste as good as when oma made them. Thanks for the chance to win. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

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  59. Have not tried them yet but have a couple of recipes from my relatives in Finland when we were there a few years ago. Also a few of my grandma’s fish recipes who lived in Nova Scotia, Canada. Love the fresh seafood. Thanks for the chance.
    lhallson@shaw.ca

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  60. It sounds like fun. I'm so glad you had a great time.
    Joannlowehunter@aol.com

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  61. I remember all the wonderful Mexican food from the different parts of Mexico...each with their own special taste & ingredients. Coastal Mexico & their wonderful fresh seafood, border town enchildas, tacos, & refried beans. Now I'm hungry! cornpeassmile-4(at)outlook (dot)com

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  62. Last time I went anywhere I discovered this wonderful, creative restaurant. I had their eggplant and tofu a couple times. Delicious, although I didn't try to recreate it at home. I wouldn't know where to start! mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  63. I've done a little traveling and love eating food native to the area. I can't tolerate spicyness at all so I'm careful about what i try. I sometimes attempt to recreate a dish but it doesn't turn out to taste as good.

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  64. Cathi_7 email is Cathi_7@yahoo.com

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  65. We love experiencing several different types of food. Whenever I hosted an exchange student, they would share and even prepare a favorite dish from their family! I learned (not very well) how to make Lumpia a favorite Filipino dish. All of our travel has been throughout the US and have always found something new to try!

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  66. Love trying new places to eat. Used to love a place in park slope brooklyn called sweet melissa. Unfortunately they closed :(

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  67. Last July, we spent a week in a little AirBnB cottage on the shore of Casco Bay, on Bailey Island. Our host, a lobsterman, stopped in to ask us if he could catch a few lobsters for us while he was out, and to educate us about Everything Lobster. We sampled a lot of lobster that week! I'm an Eggs Benedict aficionado, so I was fascinated by Lobster Benedict. Freshly-caught lobster, creamy Hollandaise, perfectly-poached eggs, and crispy-tender Wolferman's English muffins made a treat I'm willing to go back to Maine for. Any time. laineshots@gmail.com

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    1. Laine - You've got my mouth watering, OMG, sign me up for the Lobster Benedict. Your vacation sounds like heaven on earth.

      ~ Cleo

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  68. nani_geplcs(at)yahoo(dot)com ..I love food cozies and recipes included, well that's a plus plus. I love all types of foods, Chinese, Italian and seafood being my favorites! I've not traveled in years, other than in my state of Texas. Thanks, have a great day/night all!

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  69. I haven't traveled much but do like to try new recipes!! tena1998@live.com

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  70. Have never traveled outside the US. Love trying new recipes. THx for the chance!! ctymice(at)gmail(dot)com

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  71. I've never traveled outside of the United States. However, being an Army brat living on base, we had just about every nationality living around us. It is through that vast cultural experiences that we learned how to make Mexican tacos, burritos and hot tamales - Italian breads, spaghetti and lasagna - oriental dishes like stir fry, chicken ala king, and egg rolls - as well as Greek dishes and even dishes from different parts of our country. You might be amazed at how different each part of the country cooks/eats. Hubby and I have just started to travel after retirement and I've learned not to "assume" I know what a dish is or how it's cooked from those travels. Also found a lot of dishes that that we haven't tried before that we do like and wish I knew how to make. Just haven't had the time to try to find recipes on line to resemble what we had yet.

    You've definitely had great opportunities to try new foods and enjoy the sights along the way. Safe journey and can't wait to see what Russian food you found.

    Sharing but hoping to be the extremely fortunate one selected. Awesome giveaway! Thanks for the chance! <3
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  72. When I travel I love to pick up a cookbook, then I have a souvenir and can try to create some of the great food I had while on the trip. Loved reading about the places you all have been

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  73. I have never traveled outside of the US but my favorite thing to make from scratch is pizza. susanbichell@yahoo.com

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  74. Sadly I don’t get to travel, but I love trying to make the desserts that I see when I watch food channels. I think my favorite was trying to make stroopwaffels. A spectacular failure...but even in their failure they tasted amazing. lynettetrotta@gmail.com

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  75. In Romania, we had a soup that I just loved! I think it was a chicken soup with butter and cream and potatoes and maybe spinach. We were served it at a home for handicapped adults that we were doing some repairs on. Those cooks made such a good soup!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  76. Haven't really traveled much,but my youngest son is a sous chef and likes to make us lots of foreign dishes as well as regional foods. Not sure I have a particular favorite though... I have liked most everything he has tried out on us. Renee (mickeymania1@aol.com)

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    1. Renee - Cheers to your sous chef son--and cooking for his mom. That's what I like to hear! May his culinary career be a joy to him and you for years to come.

      ~ Cleo

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  77. To give you an indication of how we NEVER TRAVEL..I am still waiting to go on our honeymoon..we will be married 19 years in December! I traveled some before I met my husband..went to many of the islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, most of the continental US, some of Canada. Always tried local foods wherever I went. Thanks for the chance to win! I do all my traveling either through all my reading or vicariously through others!

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    1. My name is Lisa Mitchell. Blessedfllady62@yahoo.com

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  78. Reading about all of that food made me hungry, I'm drooling!! I love all kinds of food! On a vacation to England we were walking around town just exploring when it started to rain...I mean POUR! So we ducked inside a little place and that was the beginning of my love of curry. Fortunately, we have a few places that are pretty good, but nothing like that first experience in England. It was so spicy, I was sweating, nose running and I was in heaven! Lol. konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  79. The first time we visited New Orleans (in 1988), my husband became inspired by the food we ate; we purchased a cookbook with the advice of a New Orleans native, and we've been cooking gumbos, red beans and rice, and other dishes - both Cajun and creole - ever since. Thanks for this chance to win these fun books! teenlibn(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I've never been to New Orleans, but really hope to go one day. Not least to sample the food.

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  80. I've never really traveled much except in my home state of N.C. I think it is amazing that foods are prepared differently from one end of the state to the other. One of those foods is Barbecue pork. Vinegar based sauce on the pork in the east and tomato based in the west. Flat fried cornbread in the east and a baked cake of cornbread in the west. Livermush is popular in the west but not in the east. I lived in the west and the east, so I have tried them all. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  81. Each book looks delightful. Just like a good meal.It is fun to try various meals in different parts of the U.S. A surprise is often found. I had sweet and sour chicken in Wyoming and the sauce tasted like bar-b-que. Surprise! Tasted ok.

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  82. My favorite food memory is Bread Pudding in Charleston, South Carolina. Thanks for the giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  83. Can’t wait to read theses title. I’ve seen these authors at my local library

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  84. I haven't ever really traveled anywhere to try exciting foods. My son likes to experiment with cooking and likes to cook Indian foods. I try to eat it and do okay as long as there isn't a lot of spices. I really like simple, plain foods. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  85. In Mexico a few years ago, I tried and learned to try some New Mexican dishes that I now make at home. I love to cook and my food is always homemade. You had me with the book covers and I’d be so thrilled to win these books. Thank you for the chance.

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  86. I would love to travel and try new foods. My daughter had her wedding in Hawaii and I enjoyed trying poi for the first time and some of the other dishes but I haven't tried to prepare them myself .

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  87. I love traveling and trying new foods. The most exotic place I’ve traveled is Egypt. I tried many new dishes and loved them!
    Hrdwlby@gmail.com

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  88. I've not done much traveling, but I grew up with a chef as a father and I used to spend afternoons after school hanging out and helping him with whatever I could. After high school I went to Job Corps in Anaconda Montana and certified in culinary arts. Also, my father was Scottish so I learned how to make several UK dishes (Scotch eggs, scones, mince and tatties, neeps and tatties, shortbread, Yorkshire pudding, just to name a few favorites). I love experimenting with different flavors and ingredients (chocolate chip and bacon bit cookies, sounds odd, tastes phenomenal) Lemon raspberry scones are another odd but delish combination. greeneyesredhair@gmail.com

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  89. I have only been out of the country once. I was little. We lived in Germany for a few years. I don't remember many foods. I do try recipes I find online of Mexican dishes and Chinese dishes.
    moonbay7399@gmail.com

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  90. One of the best foods I've had while traveling is xiao long bao, Chinese soup dumplings where the soup is inside the dumplings. We had them in Chinatown in NYC and also in Chinatown in Philly. We loved them so much that my husband bought me a dumpling cookbook and the steamer pots to make them, but so far we haven't been brave enough to try making them.

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  91. What a sampling! I've not traveled physically outside the US, but I like to travel with my tastebuds with the recipes I find in books! Thank you for this exciting opportunity 😊
    Cheers-
    Kelly Braun
    Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  92. I am not much of a cook,but I do love to travel. We have tried to re-create fried peanut butter cups from the county fair which turned out ok... and once I did make key lime pie from a recipe we got there.

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  93. When it comes to cooking you need someone to tell you how great it is. I stopped cooking and let my hubby cook because he's better at it.

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  94. You guys have been to a lot of interesting places and tried a lot of delicious sounding foods. My favorite was favorite in Switzerland, reminded me of my childhood favorite book, Heidi.

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  95. I wish I could travel and experience different foods from different cultures. Luckily I love to cook, so I get to experiment in my own kitchen at least. Pictorvia2979@gmail.com

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  96. Was scrolling through and caught a picture of the Lok Lok stall and went like "wait that looks very familiar"��. �� I'm a reader from Malaysia! Glad that Vicky enjoyed the street food :)
    Email: cookiechan90@gmail.com

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    1. I'm glad you saw the picture. Yes, the street food was incredible AND no worries about the safely in eating it (as in India)

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  97. I am not as adventurous with trying different types of food but when I was in New Orleans I did try turtle soup and a Muffaletta sandwich which was amazing ! I do like to try the local drinks! Like a Hurricane!☘️
    Email: smcmahon19@icloud.com

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  98. We have travelled extensively, and I love both eating and cooking. So the food in any place is a big deal for us. I frequently bring home an English version of a cookbook of recipes from where we have been. Sometimes the translations leave me quite puzzled, or in stitches, or both. I have reproduced foods from many places we have visited, but since you are off to Russia it put me in mind of the amazing spicy pickled red tomatoes that we had in St. Petersburg. I have tried several recipes, but have not managed to come up with an acceptable version. Yet.
    gnluciow ( at ) gmail (dot ) com

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    1. I'm home now. So sorry I didn't think to look for spicy picked tomatoes. I think I'd love them.

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  99. the only place i've traveled to is wisconsin and the only thing i ate there was kfc and domino's so i never tried to recreate them..besides i'm not adventurous when it comes to food i'm a simple person,steak,fried chicken ,cheese pizza.. mekachew@keromail.com

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  100. Haven't traveled in years. But when younger we visited most all the states and two countries. Now I visit through books and videos. Some really neat experiences here. Love trying new recipes. From wherever. And if at a restaurant, or anywhere else, I try something different & really like it. I try to recreate at home. Had some successes. Some spectacular failures. When visiting Louisiana in '68 discovered pralines. I have tried and tried to make them. So far? No success. But recently, when I checked around for praline recipes I found one method they said can't fail. So well see. One of these days soon I will try it. deepotter at centurylink dot net

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  101. I will never forget the best shrimp dish my first night in Florence though it came complete with head, shell, and legs!! A beautiful veal in amaretto in Doolin, Ireland is a keeper memory, but my best memories of food are in San Francisco with my Uncle Frankie at Villa d'Este and his own homemade tomato sauce, manicotti, and lamb chops! sharonrizzo@hotmail.com

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  102. I don't travel much but when I do I always like to try new good places. I've tried to create some of them at home but never come out even close to the restaurant. All the pics of the foods look amazing!

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  104. I love finding places where the locals go...some of the best food I have had was in Devon on the water. The Fish/seafood was fresh and whatever came in with the boats...the roasted parsnip was to die for...and the Owner was a Pastry Chef...it was wonderful...
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  105. I love eating at local seafood places on our travels, but would not dare to try to undertake that task at home. I love seeing all of your travels! -Rachel (foxyflojo83@hotmail.com)

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