Panamanian Food You Need to Try

Panamanian Food - The Nomadic Boys

The Panamanian Cuisine has strong influences from Africa, Spain and its indigenous Native American population. There is a lot of similarity and overlap with some of our favourite famous foods of Colombia as well as several unique dishes we had never heard of before.

These are our 5 favourite Panamanian dishes we tried and loved during our big Latin American trip.

Sancocho de gallina Panameño: the national dish

Sancocho is a delicious, light chicken soup with potatoes, corn on the cob, culantro herb, yuca and plantains. Other ingredients often used include corn on the cob (mazorca), ñampi (a tropical root vegetable), hot sauce, chopped onions, garlic and oregano.

The traditional recipe of sancocho is from the Azuero region, but other regions have their own variations. For example, in the town of La Chorrera, it is referred to as ancocho chorrerano and is only made with free range chicken, onions, garlic, chili peppers, oregano and ñame. Whereas in the Chiriquí Province, it is called sancocho chiricano and it is made with squash, giving it a yellowish colour.

Due to the varied ingredients used to make a sancocho, it is often used as a metaphor for Panama’s racial diversity, showing that each different ingredient has just an important and equal role to play in the preparation of this very yummy dish. As such it is considered the national dish of Panama.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Panama Gay Travel Resources

Eating Out: Sweden

Eating Out - Sweden

Some may think that Sweden goes into hibernation once the dark months hit, temperatures plummet below zero and crisp white snow blankets everything with absolute abandon.
They couldn’t be more wrong, Swedes like to eat and drink all year round, regardless of weather and as a result, there’s a long, awesome food culture that every LGBTI foodie must try. So we asked the globetrotting gourmets with a love of Sweden, the GastroGays about their favorite foodie experiences. This is what they had to say…

Dinner on Ice in Brändö, Swedish Lapland

‘Swedish Lapland is a true winter wonderland with incredible food experiences to be had in the colder months.

‘In Brändö, you can dine between the stars and sea, by eating on the ice itself. Dinner on Ice is just 30 minutes outside Luleå at Brändö Kvarnväg. Beneath a starry sky and above the water itself, leave the shore surrounded by darkness and walk towards the glow and warmth of fire and enticing smell of food.

‘The lávvu tent sent up on the ice offers a truly unique experience for all the senses that seems all kinds of wrong in theory but in practice works on every level.’

Full Story at Gay Star News

Sweden Gay Travel Resources

A Crash Course in Spanish Paella – Tango Diva

paella - Pixabay

They say the secret to getting to know a culture is born through a passion for its food. Spain is no exception. Paella, the country’s most well-known and celebrated dish, is a reflection of the richness and diversity of the country that created it. The bright, inviting colors and layers of intense flavor the dish is known for tell a story. They take you on a journey to a land that is steeped in tradition, history and a love for community. Whether you are planning to make your very first paella or you consider yourself a seasoned paella pro, here is some information you may find helpful on your road to paella perfection.

It is said that the Moors brought rice from northern Africa to Spain in the 10th century. And, it is agreed, what we know today as paella originated in the 18th century in Spain’s third largest city, Valencia. Like many of the world’s best recipes, it is a beautiful melding of cultures that has led to Spain’s most popular dish, now happily eaten in every corner of the globe.

You may not know that the word paella actually refers to the name of the pan used to cook the hearty rice dish. Traditionally prepared in a large metal pan with a dimpled surface, these days, cooks can opt for a dimpled or flat-bottomed pan, depending on personal preference.

By Allison Neves – Full Story at Tango Diva

Spain Gay Travel Resources

Eating Out: Montreal – Passport Magazine

Republique Restaurant - Montreal

Montréal has long offered delights to fans of gastronomy, but there’s a major difference between the culinary scene of today and even just a decade back. Whereas Montréal used to be chock-a-block with amazing, homey French-style bistros and holes in the wall, today’s Québecois chefs have truly embraced the region’s indigenous farm-to-table bounty and flavors, and married them with contemporary technique and innovation.

A substantial melting-pot population (including Latino and Vietnamese) has also spawned an impressive international variety of cuisines and ethnic specialties from Peruvian Nikkei fusion at Tiradito to authentic Salvadorian pupusas(a sort of corn tortilla pouch stuffed with savory fillings) at neighborhood fave, Los Planes.

The excellent “Beyond the Market” walking tour from gay-owned, decidedly nontouristy Spade & Palacio Tours (Tel: 1-514806-3263. www.spadeandpalacio.com), features a pupusa tasting stop at Los Planes, bites from other venues including Montréal’s famed Jean Talon Market, where vendor Fromage Fermier’s local goat cheese and Havre-aux-Galce’s seasonal ice cream and sorbets alone are worth a visit. The tour concludes with a picnic lunch and takeaway “cheat sheet” with a map of their favorite restaurants and cafés.

Of course, here we have a Montréal “cheat sheet” of our own, which runs the gamut from a game-changing restaurant that has since launched Montréal’s biggest new generation of kitchen talents to a lesbian-owned craft beer pub to a new, buzzy Japanese-fusion bistro. Bonus: those with a penchant for international fine dining can find Canada’s first L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, from French superstar chef Joel Robuchon, at Casino Montréal.

Brasserie Harricana

Montréal’s craft-beer scene easily warrants its own feature article: there are some 35plus-brew pubs within the city at present, and around 150 microbreweries throughout the Québec region. A lesbian-owned, threeyear-old brasserie and microbrewer, straddling the Mile Ex and Little Italy neighborhoods, Brasserie Harricana represents a fabulous spot to give some of these brews, ciders, liquors, and even local kombucha a whirl. As indicated on the drinks menu, some draughts are served at specific temperatures, with alcohol content indicated.

The Brasserie’s space is lovely, and be sure to crane your neck and glance upward at the ceiling’s enlarged images of women’s body parts, which are partially obscured by wooden panels resembling window shutters. I created my own flight with tastes of several Harricana brews, including a sourapricot wheat beer, a Berliner Weisse infused with coffee from artisanal local roasters Dispatch, and a raspberry milk stout, plus lip-smacking ice cider from rural Québec’s Cidrerie Milton. The food menu, meanwhile, encompasses gastropub fare: deviled eggs, ale-braised lamb shank, beerroasted chicken, and generous veggie options. Weekend brunch sees crêpés, stuffed French toast, a bacon and egg brekkie sandwich with potato latkes, and decadent ribeye eggs Benedict. 95 rue Jean Talon West. Tel: 514-303-3039.

By Lawrence Ferber – Full Story at Passport Magazine

Quebec Gay Travel Resources

Eating Out San Francisco – Lesbian Travel Edition

San Francisco

Long ago, in another era and career that involved cubicles and quarterly reports, a colleague sat his khaki-clad butt on my linoleum desk and asked me the question that would ultimately lead me straight out the front door.

“What would you do, professionally, if you could do anything?”

The answer came immediately. “I’d write.”

Working beside me day after day, he’d witnessed the frowning and temple rubbing–my career frustration hadn’t escaped him.

At my response, he stood up and put a hand on my shoulder.

“Do it,” he said. “Go find what you love and fill up on it.”

Twenty years later, not a day goes by that I don’t sit down to a blank page and feel grateful for that conversation. Today, I write for a living and have been blessed with bylines in some of the best publications in the world. It never gets old–especially when the subject matter combines three things I love to muse over—people, places, and food.

When the opportunity to pen Unique Eats & Eateries of San Francisco came along, it was impossible to say no. San Francisco is that place, for me, where food and memory are inextricably linked.

By Kimberley Lovato – Full Story at Tango Diva

San Francisco Gay Travel Resources

Gay Providence, Rhode Island – Gay Star News

PVDonuts - Gay Providence

When I told UK friends I was heading off to gay Providence, the reaction was the same.

‘Oh,’ followed by the look people inadvertently display when they search their mind for any knowledge of a destination and come up blank. ‘Er… nice.’

‘Is it for Bear Week?’ asked a couple of pals.

‘Um, no. That’s Provincetown. This is Providence, Rhode Island.’

In short, for many in the UK, Providence has a branding problem. Until now, visitors to this corner of New England were more likely to travel to Boston (an hour north-east by train), or Provincetown (a 90-minute ferry ride from Boston or 2.5 hour drive from Providence).

I say ‘until now’ because that is set to change. In June, Norwegian airlines began the first, direct services to Providence from the United Kingdom. It operates flights from Scotland and Ireland.

By David Hudson – Full Story at Gay Star News

Gay Providence, Rhode Island Travel Resources

Richmond for Foodies – Passport Magazine

Richmond for Foodies

The camera eats first!” insisted the alpha-teen at the table next to me when a waitress arrived and lifted the lid from a bamboo basket of steaming shrimp dumplings, confettied with fragrant green snippets of chive.

Forty fiercely painted fingernails reluctantly reversed direction and withdrew as their queen bee moved her iPhone to catch just the right angle, sliding water glasses and cutlery out of view to frame the impend- ing tastiness just-so. “Come on,” com- plained one of her gaggle, “I’m hungry!”

Richmond, British Columbia, on Lulu Island, is the only place in the world where the visitors’ bureau has officially adapted “The camera eats first” as a tourism slogan, urging locals and out-of-towners alike to flood blogs and social media with mouthwatering imagery.

Success was pretty much guaranteed from the get-go. With the largest Asian population in North America and over 800 restaurants, Richmond provides easy access to a world of alluring, sometimes unfamiliar foods for American travelers without the time, budget, or adventurous- ness to manage trans-pacific travel.

Many gay travelers have been to Richmond without even knowing it. If you’ve ever flown into Vancouver, one of Canada’s most popular LGBT destinations, you actually landed in Richmond, where the “Vancouver” International Airport is located. Just a 30-minute car or public train ride from central Vancouver, its a must-do on any Vancity vacation. And if you’re a culinary adventurer, Richmond easily merits a dedicated long weekend trip of its own. Richmond is ready for its close-up, Mr. Delicious.

By Jim Gladstone – Full Story at Passport

Greater Vancouver Gay Travel Resources

Ten Famous Foods in Chile – Nomadic Boys

Foods in Chile

In Chile you have to try the seafood!

This was one of the many foodie tips we were given before visiting this incredibly long country. With a coastline measuring 4,270km (2,653m), you can expect to find some of the best and varied sea food.

Of course, there’s a lot more to discover, such as different types of pies, stews and Chilean Pisco. This is our 10 favourite and traditional famous foods in Chile you need to try, based on our experience travelling from San Pedro in the North all the way to Patagonia in the breezy south.

Foods of Chile - HUMITAS: Chilean tamales#1 HUMITAS: Chilean tamales

Humitas are a popular Andean street food snack eaten all over the country. They consist of fresh corn mashed together with onion, basil, and butter. It is then wrapped in corn husks and baked, held together during cooking with a thread or twine.

On our morning market day visits to buy fruits and vegetables, we’d often see a man with a large tub selling freshly made humitas for 900 Chilean pesos ($1.4/£1) each. They make for a tasty and filling morning snack. They are quite similar to tamales, but do not contain any type of dough.

Foods of Chile - MACHAS A LA PARMESANA#2 MACHAS A LA PARMESANA

This is one of many famous Chilean seafood inspired foods. Machas a la parmesana are razor clams baked in their shell, mixed with cheese, wine and more, depending on the recipe. They’re incredibly easy to make: try out our machas a la parmesana recipe and impress your friends.

It was created in the 1950s in Viña del Mar by Italian immigrant, Edoardo Melotti Ferrari, who took his inspiration from French gratin style dishes. He tried it with razor clams, which was so successful, the dish was born.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Chile Gay Travel Resources

Gay Geneva, a Foodie Paris – Gay Star News

Gay Geneva

Looking out on Lake Geneva on a clear, sunny day is to be instantly charmed. By its magical, 50-shades-of-blue water, and by the elegant 150m-tall Jet d’Eau fountain therein. It’s truly an ‘inland ocean’; the largest lake in Europe, and shared between Switzerland and France. Best of all, perched on the shores of its most southwesterly tip is the French-speaking city of Geneva.

It may be Switzerland’s second most-populated city after Zurich, but Geneva, located at the mouth of the River Rhone, is surprisingly tiny. Its population is just 197,376. This makes it comparable in size to Bournemouth in the UK.

But for a small place, it boasts massive selling points. It’s immensely walkable. It boasts tourist-friendly weather all year round, because of the neutralizing effects of the lake and the nearby Mont Saleve. And of course, the majestic Alps are within day trip distance. But for me, it’s the destination’s cultural and culinary chops that really sell it.

By Lewis Peters – Full Story at Gay Star News

Switzerland Gay Travel Resources

Food Porn in Brussels – Keep Calm and Wander

Food Porn in Belgium

Nothing beats the taste of Belgian waffles in Brussels. When you eat these in the country that started it, it’s more gloriously delicious! In Brussels, these waffles are in every corner and you can even smell them from afar – that is if you have a good sense of smell. To be honest – I only had two of these because they were just too much for me. They’re topped with whipped cream, bananas, cheese, butter, margarine, strawberries, vanilla, syrup, and of course, chocolates! It’s carbo and calories galore!

I had the chocolate and banana (No, I’m not a monkey!) flavours and I felt so bloated after. I walked three miles after gorging on them.

When you’re in Belgium, there are four things you should try to eat: waffles, mussels, chocolates and fries. Don’t ever try to order or eat them all at the same time. Or else, you’re gonna be so stuffed that you can’t walk. And yeah, pair them with a bottle of Stella Artois or any local beer you can find.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Belgium Gay Travel Resources