Nothing brings me greater joy than talking about food. Especially talking about food that I’ve traveled far and wide to get to. There’s something about finding a flavor that is unique to a place, and when you recreate it at home, it all comes rushing back to you in one bite. Food creates the greatest kind of sense memory.
If I find out you're going somewhere that I've visited, the first thing I'm gonna do is tell you where to go eat. (Honestly, even if you aren't going anywhere, I'm gonna tell you where I ate.)
And when I come home from a trip, I want to learn how to make the food I ate, and I want to tell you about that, too.
What you’ll find here are simple and accessible recipes inspired by places I’ve been and places I want to go (which is pretty much everywhere, really.) I’ll also share stories of my travel adventures, and tips for you if you want to go there.
I've worked in all kinds of restaurants - from Italian to brewpub to tapas - where I learned a little bit about how to cook a lot of different things. I’ve worked as a travel agent, a beer cart driver at a country club, and I’m currently in marketing. I once spent three months backpacking across Europe - and thankfully I’ve returned a few times with a proper suitcase to stay in more luxurious surroundings. I’ve got a few favorite spots in Mexico, and spent my honeymoon in Buenos Aires.
So yes - Food Tastes Good! Travel Is Fun! That Is Great!
But what else?
The answer is shared experience. Sharing that great taste, that cultural exchange, that discovery with others makes it for me. It's about talking and laughing with friends over a meal, gaining understanding of someone's culture and history by sharing a recipe, learning about people in a faraway place by tasting what flavors their everyday lives.
So please share these recipes with friends and loved ones, talk about them, talk to each other. Go out and discover new flavors from new people in new places. Travel to another continent, or just to the next town over, and find out what people are eating. And share your experiences with me! I'd love to hear from you!
Happy reading, cooking, traveling, and sharing,
Debra Cummings
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