What are the ingredients for a great dinner party?  According to Nutmeg this is the list:  great food, interesting people and good wine (lots really good wine if the people are not interesting).  Ginger would add a full iPod, cleansing ales, dark rum and ice cream as must haves.

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Dinner Parties, Food and Travel Blog, What are the ingredients for a great dinner party

Nutmeg as you already know is quite black and white on most issues and this is definitely one of those.  Chocolate only comes in one acceptable format – dark and really dark.  White “chocolate” is about as real as marshmallows and about as good for you as MSG, trans-fats and saccharin.  For those interested here are some fast facts:

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Recipes & Travel:
Biscotti Recipes, Chocolate recipes, Easy Cookie Recipes, Easy healthy desserts, Easy healthy snack recipes

Nutmeg would like to introduce some of her friends and family.  Without a doubt, they are a spicy bunch and that is what she loves most about them.  There are a few who have not quite defined themselves yet (more on them at a later date).
In no particular order…
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Recipes & Travel:
Food and Travel Blog, Health Benefits of Spices

Just a quick note to say Nutmeg has many failures in the kitchen but those are never published.  She looks forward to your feedback!

Recipes & Travel:
Food and Travel Blog

Nutmeg loves fennel, which is a bit strange because she hates anise, sambuca and black licorice.  In any case, this fennel mustard recipe caught her eye.
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Recipes & Travel:
Fennel Mustard, Recipes with Fennel

Nutmeg has a bit of time on her hands this fall and this soup one of her new favorites:

Print Pear, Fennel and Acorn Squash Soup Recipe type: Soup Prep time:  15 mins Cook time:  30 mins Total time:  45 mins Serves: 4   This is an easy soup to celebrate the best of fall produce. Note: mild curry can be added as well (optional). Enjoy! Ingredients 1 Small Fennel bulb, diced 3 Shallots or ½ onion, diced 1.5 Tbsp. Olive oil 2 Pears cored and cubed 5 cups Vegetable or chicken stock ½ Tsp. cinnamon 1 Tsp. Fresh ginger, crushed 2 Medium Acorn squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes ½ Cup Coconut milk Salt and Pepper, to taste Instructions Saute fennel and shallots in pan with 1 Tbsp oil until lightly…

Recipes & Travel:
Acorn Squash, Quick and Easy Soup, Recipes with Fennel, Recipes with Pears, Soup Recipes

Ok so a little island time was long over due as Nutmeg pointed out it has been nine (9) years since we had been to an island and over 25 since her last visit to Bermuda! Bermuda is one of the most cosmopolitan of all the Atlantic/Caribbean islands with the British influence, global bank presence and established wealth it is not hard to imagine a fabulous vacation spot. The food was definitely tourist focused and priced accordingly, although we were not there long enough to find all of them we are certain there are some special spots. An almost hidden gem is Harry’s, located in an office complex by the Hamilton marina. This place has a great patio on a quiet cul de sac at the end of the marina. Great bar menu – must try the salt and pepper shrimp and the tuna carpaccio. They have a great cocktail selection and attentive wait staff. There is no danger…

Recipes & Travel:
Bermuda, Restaurant Reviews

In praise of the small restaurant!
Have you ever been to a “Chinese, American, Italian” restaurant and dreaded the fact you had walked in the door?Have you ever been handed the 11”X17” full color (with pictures), multiple page encyclopedia and wished you had stayed at home for popcorn?
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Calgary Restaurants, Canmore Restaurants, Restaurant Reviews

What is your favorite coffee shop?

 
There are many things that Ginger and Nutmeg do not agree upon, however when it comes to coffee we are aligned. Without a doubt the top Calgary pick is Bumpy’s Cafe. They serve a great coffee; there are no bitter, weak or otherwise sub-par shots. The milk is steamed perfectly and they are magicians with the designs on top. Did we mention the home-baked goods? Fresh muffins daily, great oatmeal with toppings, soups and paninis that give Italian delis some competition. Give it a try they are open 7 days a week.
 
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Recipes & Travel:
Canmore, Coffee Shops, Restaurant Reviews