CHEWING THE FAT

Travel-Wise has just published my article about my September adventure in Scandinavia. My focus is on the way Viking Ocean brings local dishes to every menu no matter where they sail.  Their Executive Chef, Anthony Mauboussin, is not just a globe-trotter himself, he is a…

I consider Pizza a perfect food.  In one slice, you combine dairy, vegetables, carbohydrates and protein.  And you pick it up with one hand to eat it—no utensils necessary. All right, I use a fork which is contrary to New York pizza etiquette but not…

No American producer of Goat Cheese is more responsible for its ever- increasing popularity than California’s Laura Chenel’s.  Starting in the 1970s, Chenel’s became America’s first commercial producer of this extraordinarily healthful cheese. Everything from its calorie count – 30 to 40{7764cd352edcf19b608e75b52a560f8f0623df8defec59f0ed185161f2ba1413} lower than cow’s milk…

I’ve been writing about Budapest ever since I came back from there in August.  I was completely captivated by the place.  Of course, staying in the #1 Hotel in the World (Trip Advisor 2017) was a great deal of the reason why.  And it was…

Meatless Mondays have been missing from our house. It was not intentional but I had trouble finding recipes that appealed to the palate and to the eyes.  But on one of the daily e-mailings from Healthy-ish, Bon Appetit’s latest venture, I spied this recipe. It…

The season is upon us in the East.  The Fried Green Tomatoes are here.  They’re one of the foods I eagerly look for in the market.  And last weekend at the Farm Stand I found them.  Firm, unripened and very green.  Steady readers of this…

I am mad for Lasagna.  Those layers and layers of pasta and cheese and luscious fillings with hints of rich tomato sauce are some of my favorite things to eat.  That explains why there are  no less than four recipes on the subject, links which…

I am sucker for about three things that are going on in this particular recipe. I am a fan of Italian sausage, cream sauces and pasta.  Throw a little basil on it for color and I found it irresistible.  And for these early Fall nights…

One of the first things I tasted aboard Viking Ocean’s Homeland cruise was an artfully arranged serving of Gravlax.  It was beautifully served in The Restaurant aboard Viking Star as we sailed for Denmark.  I liked it so much, it was the first of many…

As Fall arrives, we bid our summer image goodbye and welcome this brilliant new Tabletopping by our incredibly talented friends at the Bridgehampton Florist. You can follow them on Instagram @TheBridgehamptonFlorist for dozens of ideas of what magic they can do with flowers and almost…

I have to admit being completely charmed by my visit to Scandinavia.  In the interests of full disclosure, I went to Denmark and Norway side-stepping Sweden, Finland and far distant Iceland on my 7 day Viking Homeland itinerary.  But I felt completely immersed in Scandinavia…

If you follow me on Instagram (@montemathews) you know that I have been in Scandinavia all last week.  I boarded Viking Star in Germany and sailed to Denmark and Norway. As soon as I can cook them, I’ll be sharing some wonderful discoveries on my…

An old favorite takes on new flavors in just about 60 minutes Out here in the Hamptons, the day after Labor Day is called “Tumbleweed Tuesday”.  It is the day when the place completely clears out as everyone heads back to school and work. It…

Andrew’s sister Lauren is never one to run out and spend a fortune on food. So it came as a surprise to me when she extolled the virtues of a $9.00 tin of Curry Powder.   Of course, it was not just any curry powder.  It…