Culinary collection recipe to inspire you

Culinary Latitudes Travel loves to bring you the best cruise programs in the business, including our Culinary Collection, for foodies who want to go to sea. To help get you excited, Oceania has generously shared one of their most popular recipes onboard: Gratinée à la Oignon (French Onion Soup). This classic recipe is perfected by the inimitable Jacques Pépin, and can be ordered at his restaurant Jacques, onboard Oceania ships. I hope you enjoy it and it gets you excited to sell the Culinary Collection—it’s even better at sea! Bon appétit!

If you make this, please send me a picture of you and your soup—Oceania and Jacques Pépin would love to see them.

FRENCH ONION SOUP | GRATINÉE À L’OIGNON
Serves 4 (makes 5 cups)

Ingredients
7 cups beef stock
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
9 cups thinly sliced onion
1½ tablespoons finely chopped garlic
3 thyme sprigs
3 marjoram sprigs
12 to 16 slices baguette, each ¼ inch thick
Extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup dry white wine (such as chardonnay)
1/2 cup dry red wine (such as merlot)
3 tablespoons brandy
3½ cups chicken stock
Kosher or sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

Directions
Pour the beef stock into a large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle boil and cook until the stock reduces by half, about 30 minutes. Set aside.

In a stockpot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent and a light golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook until the onion is a rich brown, 45 minutes to 1 hour, lowering the heat as necessary to prevent scorching. Stir occasionally.

Meanwhile, place the thyme and marjoram sprigs on a small piece of cheesecloth and tie into a sachet with kitchen twine. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Lightly brush the baguette slices on both sides with olive oil. Place in the oven and heat, turning once, until dry, about 5 minutes on each side. Do not allow the bread to color. Set aside.


Add the white wine, red wine and brandy to the browned onion and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the alcohol evaporates and the onion is glazed, about 5 minutes. Add the sachet, the reduced beef stock and the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Keep at a low simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat the broiler. Place 4 flameproof serving bowls on a small sheet pan. Ladle the soup into the bowls. Top with the bread slices and then top the bread slices with enough cheese to cover the bread completely and extend to the rims of the bowls, about ½ cup for each bowl. Place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and toasted.

Why Add a Pre or Post Cruise Experience?

Wait Out Jetlag - A pre-cruise stay allows travelers with jetlag to acclimate to the local time zone before their cruise begins. They can rest, relax, recover, and roam at their leisure before enjoying the incredible sights that greet them each day of their cruise.

Get to Know Europe's Leading Cities - Your clients can enjoy the luxury of time during experiences available to bookend their vacation. They'll enjoy 2-3 days exploring these cities on guided excursions or on their own, going sightseeing, or simply relaxing before or after their cruise.

Register For Our Pre- and Post-Cruise Webinar to Learn More! - Discover the benefits of pre- or post-cruise stays on Thursday, January 27th at 11 AM PST. Find out everything from how these stays help save valuable vacation time, to sample itineraries and how to book.

Contact Culinary Latitudes Travel to learn more about great options to extend your much needed vacation! Call 303-919-8627 or email rhonda@culinarylatitudes.com.

Ultimate food travel guide

Article shared from Virtuoso, Nov 1, 2021 Lindsay Lambert Day

Whet your appetite for your next adventure with these delicious experiences around the world.

From cooking classes to market tours, one of the best ways to delve into a destination is through its cuisine. Virtuoso travel advisors can point you to the tastiest must-tries wherever your travels lead with the insider access of Virtuoso Culinary Travel partners.

Cooking Classes

Check into Tuscany’s 29-room Hotel Byron and learn to make classic Italian pizza alongside your kids during a chef-led class – then feast on your piping-hot homemade pies. 

Guest at Umbria’s 24-room Palazzo Seneca can take a guided hike around Norcia to gather herbs, flowers, and wild fruits to incorporate in traditional savory dishes, syrups, and herbal teas during a post-hike cooking class. 

With the opening of its new Chocolate Lab, Saint Lucia’s 29-room Jade Mountain resort invites guests to experience activities such as sensory tastings, educational estate trips, and truffle-making classes. 

Some of the world’s best seafood comes from Alaska, and travelers at the six-room Tutka Bay Lodge can learn to prepare it, alongside fresh local produce, during an hour-long cooking class. 

Terrace dining at Palazzo Seneca.

The best way to travel.

Incredible travel experiences, curated for you by the pros. It’s easy to connect with an advisor who can change your vacations for the better.

Find an Advisor

While visiting Lake Como with IC Bellagio, meet a pizzaiolo (pizza maker) then enjoy an intimate traditional dinner in a private family garden. 

Passengers sailing on Oceania Cruises’ Marina and Riviera can roll up their sleeves for regionally inspired cooking classes in The Culinary Center, the ships’ state-of-the-art teaching kitchens.  

Fine Dining

Travelers with an appetite for refined fare will feel right at home on Belmond Trains & Cruises’ seven-day river cruise through Burgundy, which arranges for meals at a different Michelin-starred restaurant every day.  

Israel is widely believed to be home to more vegans than any other place on the planet. Insiders at the Israel Ministry of Tourism can help Virtuoso travel advisors plan itineraries that include meals at elegant, veg-forward restaurants that even omnivores will love. 

Food Tours

Staff at Puerto Rico’s 319-room Condado Vanderbilt Hotel can arrange walking food tours of Old San Juan that will introduce travelers to traditional local dishes and drinks.  

Enjoy a desert picnic with PromPerú.

Lima is one of South America’s most exciting culinary cities. Virtuoso advisors partner with PromPerú to plan gastronomic tours of the city that include top spots for ceviche, pisco sours, and plenty more Peruvian specialties.

Whether it’s Sin City’s most unusual eats or a Michelin-starred-only lineup you want to enjoy, the concierge team at the 3,033-room The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas can arrange a food tour that’ll satisfy whatever you’re craving.

California is the largest agricultural producer in the U.S., and with insight from the experts of Visit California, travel advisors can arrange farm-hopping tours for travelers who want to taste the Golden State’s bounty straight from the source.  

Fair Verona.

In Verona, travelers with I.D.I. Italy get treated to a guided, gourmet food tour that takes them to a variety of venues to taste the city’s beloved specialties.  

Local Traditions

While touring Ireland with Adams & Butler, visit some of the country’s best farmhouse cheese shops for storytelling, tastings, and hands-on demonstrations.   

Guests of California’s 303-room Ojai Valley Inn can unleash their inner apiarist during a guided beekeeping and local-honey tasting.   

In the village of Buzet, in Croatia’s region of Istria, Calvados Club can arrange a truffle hunt in a family-owned forest, followed by a lunch of homemade truffle gnocchi, an Istrian specialty.

Spain is home to the world’s largest olive-growing region. On Insight Vacations’ nine-day tour through Andalusia’s rural landscapes, you can tour an olive grove, learn about olive oil-production, and taste rich, golden oil.

Tourism Australia has a host of tip on how to dig into dishes and drinks Down Under that feature “bush tucker” ingredients ranging from macadamia nuts and mud crabs to Kakadu plums and quandong fruit. 

Seafood 

Virtuoso travel advisors collaborate with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism to plan a seafood-centric itinerary that includes a cook-your-catch fishing excursion and major culinary events such as the annual celebrity-chef-studded Cayman Cookout. (Due to the pandemic, the 2022 cookout has been canceled.)

While Brittany in France with I.D.I. France, stop for lunch and a visit to the oyster market in Casale, a fishing village across the bay from Mont Saint-Michel – the region’s oyster capital. 

The Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau can help arrange a “sushi safari” that helps travelers discover hidden gems and Michelin-starred restaurants – and to the sprawling Tsukiji Outer Market to see where the fish is sourced. 

Winetasting

Luxury Gold’s South Africa itineraries include vineyard-hopping in the Cape Winelands, where travelers can sample the region’s crisp whites, French-style reds, and farm-to-table fare.

In Tuscany, guests of the 34-room Relais Il Falconiere & Spa can tour Baracchi Winery’s vineyard, followed by a winetasting in the estate’s cellar library and gardens. 

Take a tour of Turkey’s top wine-producing regions – and sip some of the country’s increasingly popular wines – on an itinerary arranged in collaboration with Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency

Andeluna Winery in Argentina’s Mendoza region.

Mendoza is Argentina’s foremost wine-producing region, and Mai10 can arrange an itinerary complete with tours, tastings, and pairings at some of the region’s top vineyards and wineries.

Oenophiles with a penchant for the Pacific Northwest won’t want to miss American Queen Voyages' wine cruises in Washington, which include visits to boutique wineries, wine dinners, and more.

B Cellars produces some of Napa Valley’s best blends and single-varietal wines. Guests of the 80-room Vintage House at The Estate Yountville can taste them straight from the barrel during a private tour, followed by a seated wine-and-food pairing.  



Culinary Latitudes Tastes South Africa - 12-Night Experience

Your South African adventures begin in captivating Cape Town. From the Cape Winelands to the Cape of Good Hope, there’s so much to sip and see here.

Following a blissful day at sea, it’s a late-night stay in Port Elizabeth, where you can shop in lively marketplaces, take a stroll through time on the Donkin Heritage Trail, and visit the animal sanctuary of Addo Elephant National Park. From the town of East London, discover the white-sand beaches and dunes of the Sunshine and Wild Coasts. 

After another relaxing day at sea, we arrive in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, where colonial-era architecture and the many charms of Old Town await. Take advantage of a late-night stay in Richards Bay to go on a safari at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park—home to Africa’s “big five” animals and the largest white rhino population on Earth. Then it’s on to the historic city of Durban. Go on a tour of traditional Zulu homesteads, meander along the famed Golden Mile, follow the Inanda Heritage Route, and shop and dine on Florida Road.

As we head back to Cape Town, you have two more days to really indulge at your boutique hotel at sea. Pamper yourself in Sanctum Spa, choose from specialty dining venues and fine wines, and take in some sensational performances.

The journey ends with a two-night stay in Cape Town, giving you plenty of time to explore this capital city set on two oceans. Learn about its past and apartheid history, enjoy countless outdoor adventures from mountain peaks to rugged coasts, and sip your way around world-renowned wineries.

12-Night South Africa Itinerary:

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  • FRI 27-JAN 2023 Cape Town, South Africa Embark-6:00 pm

  • SAT 28-JAN 2023 At SeaCruising--

  • SUN 29-JAN 2023 Port Elizabeth, South AfricaDocked 7:00 am 8:00 pm

  • MON 30-JAN 2023 East London, South Africa Docked 7:30 am 6:00 pm

  • TUE 31-JAN 2023 At SeaCruising--

  • WED 1-FEB 2023 Maputo, Mozambique Docked 8:00 am 3:00 pm

  • THU 2-FEB 2023 Richards Bay, South Africa Docked 7:00 am 9:00 pm

  • FRI 3-FEB 2023 Durban, South Africa Docked 7:30 am 6:00 pm

  • SAT 4-FEB TO SUN 5-FEB 2023 At SeaCruising--

  • MON 6-FEB TO WED 8-FEB 2023 Cape Town, South Africa Docked/Debark 9:00 am (Feb 6)

Why book with Culinary Latitudes Travel? Besides the facts that we research the best times and vendors to use for each vacation experience, we are a full service travel agency. We will assist you with any changes you need to make or questions you may have without long waits on the phone. We also let you know of any promotions that may have come out pertaining to your trip. We want you to get the best value and work with you to provide the perfect trip!

  • Tips included

  • Beverages included (spirits, beers, and wines too)

  • Specialty dinner onboard the ship for 2

  • Exclusive excursion for this South African group in the works!

  • 10-nights accommodations on Azamara Journey

  • All your meals and snacks with 24 hour room service available

  • Azamara's included cultural excursion

  • We provide bulk air tied to your sailing

  • We provide pre or post sailing hotel bookings

  • Price is guaranteed!

Starting prices based on double occupancy: (contact us for single or triple rates)

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  • Interior - $3,039 per person

  • Ocean View - $3,439

  • Veranda - $4,799

  • Club Veranda Plus - $5,065

  • Club Continent Suite - $6,599

  • Club Ocean Suite - $10,499

  • Club Spa Suite - SOLD OUT

  • Club World Owner’s Suite - $11,299

taxes & port fees are $204.54pp

Click here to get more information on staterooms what each of them offer. Verandas typically sell out first on sailings like this one. Complete the form below if you have questions or if you’d like us to hold your cabin today!! You can also email rhonda@culinarylatitudes.com or call 303-919-8627.

Want to know more? Check out these amazing excursions! Anything from cage diving with the sharks, to safaris in UNESCO national parks, to culinary and wine experiences!

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO IN AFRICA!

There is also an option to add a pre or post stay with Azamara. Click here and scroll down to see what’s in store for you.

We look forward to hearing from you! As always, travel with taste!

Rhonda, owner of Culinary Latitudes Travel

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The Ultimate Packing Check List

We’ve created this ultimate packing list to help you pack well every time. It doesn’t matter is you are a list person or not, you will want to read this article. Feel free to share and keep handy for future travels!

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To see the ultimate packing list, scroll down the page or click here for a PDF version—now editable—that you can save or print out. To customize the list, simply download or print it, then edit for your specific needs. You can even use the packing list to help you decide what to separate into a carry-on.

We’ve added a brand-new feature … you can now download an editable, mobile-friendly version of the ultimate packing checklist; click here and save to the files section on your phone.

CLOTHES TO PACK

  • Underwear

  • Socks

  • Sleepwear

  • T-shirts

  • Dress Shirts

  • Casual Shirts

  • Jeans

  • Pants

  • Shorts

  • Dresses

  • Skirts

  • Sweaters

  • Sweatshirts

  • Suits

  • Swimsuits

  • Cover-ups

  • Coats

  • Hats

  • Gloves

  • Scarves

  • Laundry Kit

  • Leisure Shoes

  • Hiking Boots

  • Sneakers

  • Snow Boots

  • Dress Shoes

  • Sandals

  • Belts

  • Ties

  • Jewelry

  • Purses

TOILETRIES TO PACK

  • Toothbrush

  • Toothpaste

  • Dental Floss

  • Soap

  • Deodorant

  • Shampoo

  • Conditioner

  • Hair Brush

  • Styling Tools

  • Facial Cleanser

  • Face Lotion

  • Sunscreen

  • Moisturizer

  • Contact Lenses

  • Contact Solution

  • Shaving Supplies

  • Makeup

  • Makeup Remover

  • Feminine-Hygiene Products

  • Nail File

  • Nail Clippers

  • Tweezers

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Bandages

  • First-Aid Ointment

  • Insect Repellent

  • Pain Relievers

  • Vitamins

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

  • Film/Memory Card

  • List of Medications

  • Banking Contacts/Information

  • Emergency Contacts

  • Copy of Passport

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CARRY-ON

  • Books or E-Books

  • Headphones

  • Travel Blanket

  • Travel Pillow

  • Eye Mask

  • Earplugs

  • Tissues

  • Lip Balm

  • Disinfecting Wipes

  • Laptop/Tablet

  • Travel Adapter

  • Change of Clothes

  • Snacks

  • Chargers

  • Empty Water Bottle

  • Medications

  • Valuables

  • Camera

  • Passport/Visa/ID

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Gum

  • Cash

  • Credit/ATM cards

  • Insurance Cards

  • Itinerary

  • Maps/Directions

  • Glasses

  • Sunglasses

  • House Keys

  • Face Masks

  • Medications/Birth Control


When packing for a vacation the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard clothing or gear you might need. There will also be some accommodations that will provide some of the items listed above. Check with them if you are unsure. This will help you keep your packing light.

Your first step when packing is to decide if you’ll be checking a bag or only taking a carry-on and then curate the amount of clothing you’ll need based on that decision. Typically, you should avoid checking a bag in situations where you have a layover since the likelihood of your bag going missing goes up with every connection. You might also want to avoid checking a bag if you absolutely need items in your bag on arrival—for example, if you’re going on a cruise.

If you’re packing more minimally, focus on packing layering clothes in more neutral colors. That’s not because we don’t like fun colors and patterns; it just means that neutral-colored clothing is more versatile, so you can wear these items more than once when you’re tight on space.

Also invest in clothing that does double duty, like multi-use wraps, crushable hats, self-cooling and heating fabrics like merino wool layers, bug-repellent clothing, wrinkle-resistant shirts, quick-drying activewear and undergarments, casual sneakers, UPF-proof clothing, and compressible jackets … just to name a few. Look toward popular athleisure brands like LululemonprAna, and Athleta for comfortable yet stylish travel clothing.

When curating your packing list, you should keep in mind the length of your trip and decide on quantities from there. For a shorter trip (three to five days), you can probably manage with the following: one pair of underwear and socks per day, one pair of pajamas, one to two dressier outfits, one to two activewear or athleisure outfits, one to two casual outfits, and one to two pairs of shoes. For a longer trip (over a week), you can manage with one pair of underwear and socks per day, two pairs of pajamas, three dressier outfits, three to four casual outfits, two pairs of shoes, and two activewear or athleisure outfits.

And if you’re able to do laundry on your vacation, you can probably manage with even fewer items. Just don’t forget to pack a travel laundry kit.

Also make sure to bring along accessories like a money belt, scarf or sarong (can be used for things like an airplane blanket, coverup at the beach, or to throw over your dress on a cool evening), and a collapsible tote or day bag for any extra items you might acquire on your travels. If traveling to a city or destination that is prone to pickpocketing, make sure to pack some pickpocket-proof clothing and gear.

Depending on the type of trip you’re going on, you may need to invest in some special travel gear. We’ve tested out everything from a headlamp to interchangeable heels, so you can trust our recommendations. If you’re headed out on an organized group tour, you’ll most likely get a packing list from the tour provider, which should make your trip planning easier. If not, do your research online (one tip is to look at locations on Instagram and see what people are wearing) and consult this story for other handy lists of tips.

For more active trips, make sure you have a sturdy pair of hiking boots, quick-drying clothing, a day pack, snacks, and any necessary equipment. Check out our specific packing lists for hiking trips and camping trips.

Another type of trip that you may need to pack slightly specific items for is a cruise. Make sure you pack non-standard items like seasickness remedies, formal wear, dress shoes, and your bathing suit. Beach vacations also require different items like water shoes, towels, sunscreen, and maybe even snorkel gear. Luckily for you, we also have a specific cruise packing list and a beach vacation packing list.

Lastly, you need to consider the weather. For warm-weather destinations like jungles and Caribbean islands, you can obviously skip the coats and gloves, but if you’re headed out on a ski vacation then you’ll need a whole slew of things like goggles, a neck gaiter, and snow boots.

To help keep things organized, we love using packing cubes and/or compression sacks. They’re especially useful for when you’re traveling to multiple destinations in one trip.

Wondering how to pack all of your items? Enter the great debate of the rolling vs. folding method! While this is definitely a personal preference, we put two editors to the test to find out which method is in fact, more space-saving. Watch the video below to see the answer.

How to Pack Toiletries and Medications

Whether it’s important medication or your favorite lipstick, forgetting any type of toiletry can range from being mildly inconvenient to becoming a serious problem. For toiletries, make sure to pack your essentials, like medication, contacts, and any other items that you might not be able to purchase or replace during your travels. (Put them in your carry-on bag, not your checked suitcase.) However, if you forget items like a toothbrush or razor, you can typically call the front desk at the hotel for a spare.

We also recommend traveling with some type of a travel first-aid kit, which includes items like tweezers, first-aid ointment, bandages, travel-sized hand sanitizer, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

We have an entire story dedicated to packing and traveling with medications as well, which is full of tips on how to travel abroad with medication.

Packing Tips for Everything Else …

Traveling without tech items like your phone, laptop, tablet, or camera can be a major bummer. For those traveling abroad, you’ll also want to remember to pack electronic adapters and converters. Other tech-related items for photographers to pack are a sturdy camera bag, backup batteries, and memory cards, as well as lens cleaner. And don’t forget smartphone essentials like a backup charger, waterproof case if you’re headed out on the water, and a phone stand or tripod for photos.

A travel packing tip we’ve learned the hard way? Travel with a copy of your passport, credit card, and bank contacts, as well as a list of medications and your emergency contacts.

If you are traveling abroad, we have an entire checklist for you, but the most important thing to note here is your passport and visas. Make sure that your passport is up to date, has as least six months of validity, and has enough blank pages for any stamps. Another tip for international travel? Give yourself plenty of time to apply for any visas that you might need (we have a handy list of standard visa requirements here and information on Covid specific visas and travel restrictions here) and arrange for a visit to a travel clinic if any special medications or vaccines are needed.

What to Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

In case you’re separated from your checked bag or other items, you should always make sure that you have your ID, wallet, house keys, medications, valuables, camera, phone, laptop, tablet, pen, cash and cards, glasses, and copy of your itinerary with you on the plane.

Other items that you might want to have handy with you include entertainment for your flight, comfort-promoting items like a blanket or pillow, as well as an empty water bottle to fill up post-security (here is a list of our favorites), a change of clothes (just in case your luggage is lost or delayed), snacks, and gum.

If you’re looking to pack carry-on only, you guessed it: We also have a separate packing list and tips for that, as well as the best bags to use for carry-on only.

What to Pack for Covid-19 Safety

We all know that the pandemic has significantly changed the way we travel. By extension, the items we prioritize in our luggage have changed as well. Make sure, no matter how you’re getting to your destination, to always have a face mask on you. It’s a good idea to keep a few extra in your carry-on or personal item as well.

Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer, while always a good idea to have on hand at the airport, have become absolute carry-on musts. Wipe down frequently touched surfaces by your plane seat or in your hotel room for peace of mind, just make sure whatever liquid sanitizing products you bring on board meet the TSA requirements

Finally, triple-check that you have your vaccine passport or negative Covid-19 test results handy. Many destinations and airlines require one of these forms of proof to proceed. Bring along a laminated copy of your vaccine card for extra insurance. 

Article shared by Smarter Travel. February 12, 2021, Christine Sarkis

Sandals Negril’s Secret Fish In Foil Recipe

By Kylie Morrow | April 17th 2020

Trying Fish in Foil is a must in the Caribbean. It’s a simple yet delicious way to cook up a tasty meal that’ll probably bring you right back to your last Caribbean all-inclusive vacation.

Fortunately, this recipe isn’t something you can only enjoy during a camping trip, or while snacking it up Jerk Shack style at a Caribbean resort. Without needing a whole lot of skill or cooking ambition, just about anyone can make their own fish in foil, zesty bells and whistles included. The great thing about this recipe is the easy clean up once you’re done indulging yourself!

If you’re stuck at home and craving some delicious Fish in Foil, round up the ingredients below shared by Delroy HayesExecutive Chef of Sandals Negril to begin!

What you need for 6 servings

Ingredients

½ cup julienned pumpkin
½ tablespoon whole allspice berries, coarsely cracked
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 small onion, julienned
1 small bell pepper, julienned
2 sprigs scallion, chopped
6 okra pods, sliced
¼ Scotch Bonnet pepper, finely chopped (optional)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cups coconut milk
Salt & Pepper to taste
6 (5-6 ounce) boneless snapper fillets
6 medium cubes unsalted butter
Aluminum foil

How to make it

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

  2. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except fish fillets and butter, and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

  3. Fold foil into six double-layered 8” square sheets.

  4. Season fish fillets with salt & pepper and place one fillet in the center of each sheet of foil.

  5. Top each fillet with the vegetable and coconut milk mixture, and place one cube of butter atop each portion of fish and vegetables.

  6. Bring two sides of the foil together and fold down to seal the fish into a tight packet. Fold the two remaining ends over the top of the packet so that the coconut milk stays inside.

  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes without turning. Remove from the oven and place on a plate, open the foil packet and serve in the foil.

Chef’s Note: This can also be cooked on a grill. Simply lay the foil packets on the grill over medium heat and cook for the same amount of time. This recipe is great on its own, but is excellent when served with festivals, bammies or steamed rice.

The history of cooking in foil

Cooking in foil is a technique that has been around for years. In countries like Italy and France, this cooking style was common in times past, and still is in some places. In France, you’ll hear this being referred to as “en papillote” which translates to “in paper”, while in Italian, it’s referred to as “al cartoccio”.

Now, we know the French and the Italians know a thing or two about cooking, and we’re certain that this cooking style’s popularity in these territories, and around the world, is because of how consistently succulent the end result is. The cooking method also has a conveniently quick turnaround time too. Without adding the prep time, it’ll take about 15-20 minutes to cook your fish in foil. This can vary depending on the type of fish you use, so keep an eye on it if you choose to use a different fish, other than the one recommended.

Dig in and Enjoy!

Presentation wise, there’s something exciting about unwrapping fish that’s been neatly wrapped up and cooked in foil. Once it’s served and on your plate, you probably won’t be able to hold back from savoring this simple and hearty meal. The best fish in foil is cooked up with tasty vegetables and served alongside some of our chef’s recommendations above. If all else fails, perhaps it’s time to start planning your next trip to Sandals all-inclusive resort in Negril, so you can taste this recipe cooked by the original master chef!

Contact Culinary Latitudes Travel to book your tasty Caribbean vacation today! 303-919-8627 or info@culinarylatitudes.com.

Sachertorte

Austrian dessert by Viking Cruises

Austrian dessert by Viking Cruises

Recipe courtesy of: Viking Cruises

Here is a version of the decadent Austrian classic, the eponymous Sachertorte (pronounced “SOCCER tort”) found in many of Vienna’s coffeehouses and originally served in Vienna’s Hotel Sacher. You can sample this on our ships, or try our delightful interpretation of this Viennese treasure at home. Just close your eyes, and you will hear the faint strains of a Strauss waltz.

Ingredients

CAKE:

  • 10 T (143 g) softened butter

  • ½ C (65 g) sifted confectioners’ sugar

  • 8 egg yolks

  • 8 egg whites

  • 5 oz (142 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

  • ⅔ C (82 g) flour

  • ½ C (96 g) sugar

  • 2 T (44 g) apricot jam

GLAZE:

  • 8 oz (227 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

  • 2 T (29 g) butter

GARNISH:

  • Whipped cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cream together butter and confectioners’ sugar. Add 1 egg yolk at a time, mixing until creamy. Melt 5 oz bittersweet chocolate; add gradually to the creamed mixture; fold in flour. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and sugar until stiff; fold into chocolate mix. Pour batter into a lined 9-inch springform pan; bake 50-65 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. Heat apricot jam and smooth over entire torte, including sides, or alternatively, slice cake in half crosswise and also add jam between layers. Make glaze by melting chocolate with butter, then pour over cake; let dry before slicing and garnish with whipped cream.

  • Cook time: 50-65 minutes.

  • Makes 8 servings.

To enjoy treats like this, plus many other culinary delights, contact Rhonda at rhonda@culinarylatitudes.com for more information on a perfect vacation filled with locally sources cuisine, history, beaches, and more!