French Quiche Lorraine

Quiche – A Classic French Pie

Quiche - A Classic French Pie

A Hearty Traditional Meal with a Long History

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A classic French dish, the quiche Lorraine is a favorite to many. This French tart is now known for its delicious filling with cheese. However, originally, the dish contained no cheese at all.

Birthplace of The Quiche Lorraine

Lorraine, a region in northeastern France, was the birthplace of the famous quiche Lorraine. This region shares a border with Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. There are many historical sites in the area from both war and industry. Mixed into the historical sites are beautiful natural wonders.

Scenic prairies with rolling hills, lakes, and rivers cover the landscape of Lorraine. Within the old capital, Nancy, there are renowned 18th-century baroque buildings and squares. Lorraine is also home to the charming Vosges Mountains, famed for their natural warm water springs.

In addition, the cuisine boasts classic French dishes like Macarons de Nancy, Potée Lorraine, and Pâté Lorrain.

French Lorraine
French Cheese Market

Rich French Cheeses

The authentic quiche was made with cream, eggs, and pork fat. It wasn’t until later on, that cheese became a staple ingredient in any quiche. 

With 1,200 varieties of cheese in today’s France, the country is known for its traditional cheeses.

The French enjoy cheese boards in restaurants and cheese with wine, making cheese a staple in the French diet. A few popular ones are Camembert, Brie, and Bleu d’Auvergne. The French cheeses are also categorized into 7 different families: Fresh cheese, Blue-Veined, Hard, Semi-Hard, Processed Cheese, Soft-Ripened, and Chevre.

In every region of France, a unique type of cheese is produced and consumed. Due to the abundance of cheeses, many French dishes require cheese in their recipe.

Delicious Cheese & Flaky Crust

Common fillings of the original quiche Lorraine include bacon, gruyere cheese, onion, and nutmeg. The dish ties all of these ingredients together into a deliciously flaky pie. 

From the ingredients, it is no wonder why the quiche Lorraine is the most popular quiche dish. Try our SpiceBreeze recipe for Quiche Lorraine! It contains many options to adapt it to your taste or to make it every time a bit different: add zucchini, pumpkin, spinach, or kale,  different kinds of ham or bacon, and, of course, different kind of cheese (mild to sharp). There are so many possibilities!

Nutmeg can be found as a common ingredient in quiche recipes. Our SpiceBreeze Quiche Lorraine recipe introduces you to a precious alternative: Mace is a bit finer than nutmeg and not as sweet.

Nutmeg's Sister Spice

Mace is a sister spice of nutmeg as they come from the seed of the Nutmeg tree. Nutmeg is the actual seed from the tree, while mace is the aril, the red lacy coating around the seed.

Mace is a popular ingredient in Northern European dishes and often used in Indian curry.

This mace has no relation to the pepper spray of the same name.

nutmeg with mace

Homemade Almond Crust

Lovers of the quiche Lorraine boast of its creamy and buttery taste. The flaky crust plays an essential role.

We suggest to try a homemade crust. It tastes so much better than prepackaged pies. And it sounds harder than it is. Our recipe is foolproof and doesn’t require a rolling pin or mixer.

The homemade crust from gluten free almond flour can be adapted for sweet pies as well.

A Taste of French Cuisine

Fines herbes refers to a set of herbs, most importantly chervil, chives, parsley, and tarragon. 

Chives add a mild onion-like taste making the dish taste a bit stronger. Chervil, also known as French parsley, adds mild, anise-like flavor. Finally, tarragon is a leafy herb (image on the side) that has a slight licorice-like taste to it. 

This combination is especially popular in French cuisine where it is added to poultry or egg dishes, and fresh salads.

Tarragon

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Hops

Cooking With Beer

Cooking with Beer

A Drink For The Centuries

Beer has a long history in cuisine all around the world. Consumption of beer can be dated back to 1750 BCE. Germany and the US in particular have fascinating origins of beer.

Noted as the world’s oldest alcoholic drink, beer has a history in all countries around the world. Mentions of beer in early writings can be found in notable historical texts such as the Code of Hammurabi (Legal Code, Babylonia, 1750 BC)The production of beer starts with brewing cereal grains, commonly barley, to where the starch sugars ferment to create ethanol and carbonation. 

Hop Plant

The Famous Purity Law

While beer is a staple in almost every culture in the world, Germans have embraced beer as a major part of their culture. Its history in the country runs long and deep. 

  • Monasteries in Germany have been mass-producing beer since the year 1000 and some still exist and operate to this day. 
  • Germany grows more hops than anywhere else in the entire world. 
  • The German Beer Purity Law, Reinheitsgebot, is the oldest regulation for food or drink in the world.

 To assure quality in brewing, the law states that ingredients for beer must be water, barley malt, and hops.

Oktoberfest in Munich

An Annual Wedding Celebration

With this much focus on beer in Germany, it is no wonder why they hold the largest beer festival in the world, Oktoberfest. This festival attracts around 6 million visitors from around the globe to Munich, Germany, and lasts for around 16 days in mid-September. 

Oktoberfest started to celebrate the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Bavaria and was originally a horse race. Andres Michael Dall’Armi, inventor of Oktoberfest, arranged the horse race celebration in 1810 and it was such a success, they continued the festival annually for the years coming. 

Today, Oktoberfest is held in the same fields as the first festival. Visitors can enjoy beer tents, concerts, roller coaster rides, dressing in traditional German outfits, and more.

Bavarian brewery owner created Obatzda to make use of overripe Camembert with the addition of beer, of course. Today, it is a popular Bavarian beer garden dish.

Bavarian Obatzda
Bavarian Obatzda

Brewing from the East to the West

In the USA, the history of beer has an interesting start. Native Americans brewed beer from corn and birch sap.

Birch Sap

British-style ale was the main choice of American settlers before the middle of the 19th century until German immigrants brought their lager over.  Lager was preferred for its longer shelf life and became the most popular style of beer.

Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser, Michelob, and Faust), founded by German immigrants, developed new ways to spreading beer across the country by making refrigerated rail carts and buying breweries on the west coast.

Anheuser-Busch_logo

The prohibition era in the 1920s lead to the beer industry in the USA to take massive tolls and did not pick up again until the late 1970s. Only a few large brewing companies made it out of the prohibition era alive. Today, there are many craft beer breweries made locally. This has expanded to the beer industry in America immensely and it continues to grow across the world.

Cooking With Beer

With beer being such a staple beverage in almost all cultures in the world, there of course are excellent and famous recipes from around the world that include beer:

  • Fried fish & chips, onion rings, or apples covered in a batter made with beer
  • Beer-braised short ribs
  • Beer can chicken
  • Belgian carbonnade stew (recipe)
  • Bavarian Obatzda (recipe)
 
Belgian Carbonnade à la Flamande
Belgian Carbonnade à la Flamande
British Fish & Chips
British Fish & Chips

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Tempeh

Tempeh

Tempeh

Versatile, High in Protein, & Scrumptious

Tempeh is a delicious meat alternative. It is rich in protein, versatile, and incredibly healthy. Plus, cooking it is quite simple. At first glance, honestly, tempeh may look like a brick wall, but it is actually made of soybeans. Therefore, in a dish it is often used as the protein source. Of course, there are also soy-free versions, in which the tempeh is then made with grains or other beans.

tempeh on plate

Tempeh vs. Tofu

It is more likely that you have heard of tofu, which is similar to tempeh in many ways. For one, they both come from soy, a product used in many plant-based foods since it is high in protein. If you are familiar with tofu, it’s likely you have eaten it paired with Asian flavored dishes such as stir-fries, Asain noodles, or panfried with a sauce. In that case, you can easily swap the tofu for tempeh since it will absorb the flavors as well and crisps up to a tee.
Difference
A significant difference between the two is the texture. While tofu is soft and filled with water, tempeh is quite firm. This comes from the fact that the ultimate difference is how they are made. Many consider tempeh a healthier option than tofu because of two reasons. One, it is less processed. You might have noticed you can still physically see beans in tempeh. Tofu, on the other hand, is not made from whole beans but rather soy milk.

Reason two, not only is tempeh less processed but it is also created through fermentation.Fermentation has an abundance of health benefits from prebiotics aiding healthy gut bacteria to boosting your immune system. But don’t get it wrong, they both have many health benefits. While tempeh is higher in iron, potassium, and fiber, tofu provides more calcium.

We do warn you that tempeh, along with its nuttier taste, can be more bitter than tofu. You can combat this with a nice sauce and take a look at how to cook it below. 

How to Cook Tempeh

Cooking tempeh is very simple. If you’re familiar with meat think of it as a slice of chicken. You can marinate it in sauce beforehand or just cook it with the sauce. The best methods are either frying it in a pan or baking it in the oven (or air fryer if you have it). Make sure you slice the block to your liking before you cook it though, whether that’s in thin strips, cubes, or crumbled up. 

tempeh sliced
Sliced tempeh
tempeh in pan
Fried tempeh

Tip: If you are having trouble with the bitterness try steaming the tempeh in 1-inch of water for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then you can drain and pat it dry before you begin the actual process.

Best Recipes to Substitute Meat with Tempeh

If you are worried about your cholesterol or simply want to have a change, tempeh makes a great meat substitute. Crumbled-up, for instance, it can be used as a ground beef alternative which you can add to bolognese or use as a taco filling. If you slice it up into thin strips and dip it in some smoky BBQ-inspired sauce it can be a great bacon substitute. You can also cut into cubes and stick on a skewer to grill. So next time you are making a delicious meat dish, try simply swapping it out for tempeh. If it’s more of a soup or stew though, that is a place we may recommend tofu instead.

salad with tempeh

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South African Cango Caves

South African Cango Caves

The Cango Caves

Natural Caves of Wonder

On the south-western coast of South Africa extends Western Cape province, home to the metropolis Cape Town with its distinctive Bo-kaap area.
 
Travelling north, you will reach the small town Oudtshoorn which is known as the ostrich capital of the world, and the spectacular Cango Caves. The cave system extends over 3 miles with gigantic artful formations from limestone minerals created by natural processes over 20 millions of years.

In the Western Cape province of South Africa just north of the town Oudtshoorn, lies the Cango Caves. Within the network of caves are large limestone mineral formations made by natural processes over millions of years.

Situated in the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves are home to gigantic stalagmite formations that will be sure to astound in person. Discovered by a local farmer in 1780, the Cango Caves are now one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations that attracts visitors from around the world.

South Africa Cango Caves
South Africa Cango Caves

Adventures For Everyone

The Cango Caves extend for over 3 miles with visitors are only able to see about a quarter of its vastness. There are different tours offered in the caves with different levels of difficultly. 

If you are a more experienced cave explorer, the adventure tour may be for you. Taking the adventure tour requires tourists to crawl through small passages and climb up steep rock formations, so it is not recommended for those suffering from claustrophobia or back ailments. The standard tour offers easy mobility around the caves, great for children and non-adventurers.

Navigate through the Cango Caves from home with this video!

South African Sosaties

Sosaties are marinated skewers from the Cape Malay which became a staple in South African homes. Their flavor is fragrant and a little spicy. 

South African Bobotie

Bobotie was most likely influenced by the Malaysian and Dutch cuisine. This creamy meat pie balances a sweet-sour-spicy flavor.

Ostrich Farms

The Ostrich Capital of the World

The home of the Cango Caves is also home to the largest bird in the world.  Ostriches are unique birds that can sprint up to 70 km/hr and cover 5m in one stride. To put that into perspective, former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal boasts a height of 2.16 meters, meaning the ostrich can stride over 2 times the length of Shaq! 

The town of Oudtshoorn boasts a number of ostrich farms that tourists can visit and learn about these amazing flightless birds. Ostrich farming proved profitable for the farmers of Oudtshoorn due to the European fashion trends in the early 20th century where hats adorned with an ostrich feather grew in popularity. The eggs of the ostrich can be used for food, while the eggshells are used as decorative lampshades, artwork, and more. 

South African Ostriches

South African Wildlife

With some of the most endangered species in the world, Africa has a fair amount of conservation areas that they protect. In Oudtshoorn, Cango Wildlife Ranch is a facility dedicated to the conservation of the endangered species that surround the area. 

At the ranch, they home South African cheetahs, Nile crocodiles, vultures, and more African wildlife. Visitors can interact with various species during animal encounters offered at Cango Wildlife Ranch including holding snakes, feeding leopards, and meeting cheetahs. 

About the history of rich ostriches farms, historic mansions, and the Cango Caves.

From luxury hotels to feeding ostriches and elephants, here you are at close.

Jamaican Blue Mountains​

Jamaican Blue Mountains​

Jamaican Blue Mountains

Exploring Nature

Over the southeast of Jamaica extends a 28 miles long mountain range known as the Blue and John Crow Mountains. The Blue Mountains were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015 as one of the 78 most irreplaceable protected areas for the conservation of its biodiversity and to preserve the cultural heritage of slaves that found refuge in the mountains.

Jamaican Blue Mountains​

Biodiversity

The high elevation (850m to 200 m asl) and rough terrain of the North and South-facing slopes of the mountains account for a wide variety of habitat types. 

Jamaica hosts numerous endangered species and a high proportion of endemic plants. 

The mountains are also one of the 78 most irreplaceable protected areas for the conservation of the world’s amphibian, bird, and mammal species. 

Jamaican Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountain Peak Trail

Enjoy hiking? The Blue Mountain Trail is a scenic attraction you’ll want to check out. It is the route to the highest point (7400 ft.) in Jamaica, with a distance of 5.8 miles it typically takes 4 hours to get to the summit.

 The terrain is steep so you will definitely need proper hiking shoes. The hike is intense but it offers an amazing observation of native plants and over 200 bird species; including the rare Jamaican Blackbird.

Jamaican Blue Mountains

Jamaican Dinner

Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Caribbean Coleslaw
Caribbean Coleslaw
A caribbean dream - travel to Jamaica

Blue Mountain Coffee

Sit back and enjoy the gorgeous view with a cup of coffee from unique local beans.

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans are renowned for their exceptional boastful taste and rich aroma. 

Blue Mountain coffee is the world’s highest mountain-grown coffee at elevations of over 7000 ft. The coffee beans are in high demand due to the limited growing space on the mountain.

Ride along on this tour on a coffee farm.

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The Blue Mountain Project

The Blue Mountain Project is an exceptional program that offers a community library and a computer lab for all ages. The project receives support via in-kind donations of support for their educational programs.

The Blue Mountain Project also provides healthcare by teaming with the Jamaican Ministry of Health. Due to the rough terrain and roads of the mountain access to healthcare can take 1-2 hours to isolated communities near the peak of the mountain.

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Sweden Celebrates Midsummer

Sweden Celebrates Midsummer

Sweden Celebrates Midsummer

The Longest Day of the Year

Going north, in mid-June, the sun doesn’t set at all.

On June 21st, the sun doesn’t set at all in the north of Sweden. On this second largest holiday, friends and families abandon the cities to come together in the countryside to celebrate Midsummer with flower wreaths, maypole, games, dances, and, of course, good food.

If you are new to these traditions, discover traditional meals and enjoy the funny videos at the end of this post.

Midsummer Bonfire
Midsummer Dance 2
Sweden Celebrates Midsummer
Stockholm Archipelago 3
Sweden Celebrates Midsummer
Sweden Celebrates Midsummer

Beautiful Countryside

Everybody in Sweden leaves for the countryside to celebrate Midsummer. The celebrations start always on Friday.

A popular destination is an archipelago close to Stockholm. Do you plan a trip for Midsummer next year? Check out this travel destination.

Stockholm Archipelago 5
Stockholm Archipelago 1

Pickled Herring Midsummer Tradition

Sweden Celebrates Midsummer
Sweden Celebrates Midsummer

The traditional dish for Midsummer celebrations is pickled herring with new potatoes. You can make it easily at home with prepared pickled herring.

Do you have an Ikea store in your area? They have a variety of pickled herring. Serve it with new potatoes boiled in the skin, some butter, sliced onions, and fresh chopped dill and chives.

Our tip: For dessert, serve fresh strawberries with freshly ground black pepper.

More Swedish Classics

Köttbullar, the national dish of Sweden.

 Surprisingly, Sweden revealed Turkey as its origin. In the 18th century, King Charles XII fell in love with Turkish meatballs and introduced them to his home country.  

Smörgåstårta

It looks like a cake with a savory decoration. The inside is a layered sandwich filled with everything you can imagine as long as you combine it with mayonnaise and eggs on sandwich bread. This recipe is one easy version. You can also make four single “cupcakes” instead of one large cake. Popular are different fillings for each layer and rich decorations.

Swedish Midsummer Fun

The Small Frogs

A very popular funny ring dance is ‘The small frogs’. Children and adults imitate frogs, hopping around the maypole while singing the classic song. Try it yourself at home with this instruction video: 

Alexander Skarsgård Teaches Jimmy the Swedish Midsummer Dance

A Complete Guide to Midsummer Traditions