TRAVEL
Places, Food & Drink
"Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends.
You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things: air, sleep, dreams, sea, the sky --
all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it."
-- Cesare Pavese
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association
2023 Photo Contest Awards
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CATEGORY: FOOD
Menudo is Mexico's Celebratory Meal
Before diving into a hot bowl of menudo at Hacienda Diaz in West Covina, California, its bright colors and luscious aroma captivated me. History has it that this humble stew -- made with hominy corn, tripe, garlic, onions, dried chiles, spices, cilantro and lime -- originated during the Mexican Revolution. It’s high in protein, low in fat, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Also known as Mexico’s chicken soup, it's one of the country's most traditional recipes that's famous for curing hangovers. It takes a long time to prepare menudo, which is served at gatherings, celebrations and for the holidays.
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PLACE
CATEGORY: FOOD
Truffles Falling On My Ravioli
Inside Fiesta Americana Coral Beach resort in the quieter northern half of Cancun’s Hotel Zone in Mexico, a French dish at le Basilic sublimely comes together as truffle shavings land softly on my ravioli. Raviole de Foie Gras aux champignons sauvages et truffes, jus de canard et mousse de lait -- the glorious creation of Chef Henri Charvet, renowned Maitre Cuisiniers de France -- translates to foie gras ravioli with wild mushrooms and truffles, duck juice and milk foam. Here, savoring Mexico’s beloved dishes side-by-side with France’s haute cuisine reached divine culinary heights.
ATHENA LUCERO
Whether you’re in search of inspiration for your next adventure or keen to learn something new, I hope you’ll indulge -- and simply enjoy.
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