Category: Cuisine

Discover India: Explore Kerala & Her Spices

If you’ve always dreamed about luxurious India holidays, consider travelling to God’s Own Country, Kerala, and visit the famed spice plantations. Spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and turmeric have long enchanted the world. Many nations fought to control the spice trade, which ran from Indonesia to India to Arabia and finally importation into Egypt and western Europe. In northern Europe, spices were worth their weight in gold, literally, as they both preserved meats and lent their intense flavours to food.

Spices of India

Southern India is world renowned as a producer of spices. On your India holidays visit one or many of Kerala’s spice farms and plantations. Take one of the famous houseboats to explore the backwaters of Kerala, five huge lakes connected by canals, rivers, estuaries and lagoons. This magical and lushly green region of India attracts many visitors each year who come to experience this unique life upon the lakes, where people routinely venture by boat and on the subtle footpaths on land. Cruise on a luxury houseboat to visit fishing villages, tribal hamlets and the fascinating floating bazaars for a very different kind of shopping experience.

Houseboat in Kerala

While staying at a Kerala spice plantation, explore how cardamom, coffee, vanilla and pepper are grown. Inhale the fragrance of the spices in the air and taste how they flavour the regional Kerala cuisine. Delicately savour a Keralan curry and explore the blended spices, seeing if you can taste the separate flavours in the masala. India’s spices are well-known for their medicinal properties as well, and they have been used for thousands of years in this region to treat and cure the people’s ills. The various spice farms and plantations you may visit all have their own different charms, with their own harvest festivals and traditions.

Tikka Powders

Kerala is bordered by the Western Ghat mountains, a region of great biodiversity. If you get a chance, cross over to Mysore, known as the City of Sandalwood. Mysore is famed not only for its fabulously scented sandalwood, but for its picturesque markets of incense, silk and crafts made from rosewood, teak and sandalwood. Mysore is host to many splendid temples and the Maharaja’s Palace as well as the famous Palace Hotel, if you desire another taste of opulence. Your India holidays will encompass days of light travel, visits to spice farms and plantations, bird watching tours, wildlife preserves, colourful markets and stays in luxury lodgings.

Spices in an Indian market

Your exotic India holidays will be all that you dreamed, the magnificent bright colours, ancient temples, the fragrant air of the spice plantations where you can almost taste the scents, so rich is the air, the lush greenery of the Kerala backwaters and the friendly, hospitable people who welcome you to their homes and farms. This fabulous journey will create memories to savour for years to come. Speak to our India holiday travel specialists today and let us tailor your trip.

Our Hit List of Culture, Food & History Holidays

There are a huge selection of culture, food and history holidays that you can take to destinations all over the world. See this selection of hand-picked sights and attractions to add to your bucket list.

Jordan

On  Jordan holidays, head to the ‘rose red city’ of Petra  to see first hand one of the most famous archaeological sights in the world; discovered just 200 years ago. It is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, where Eastern traditions are blended with Hellenistic architecture.

Petra by night

Cambodia

While on Cambodia holidays,  journey  to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, here you can unravel the mysteries of the bas-reliefs that tell of tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer Empire.

Angkor Wat

Vietnam

Vietnam holidays too, have plenty of culture on offer. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay’s myriad mountains seem to rise out of the ocean from nowhere. Another highlight is the “rice basket of Vietnam”, the mighty Mekong Delta is a landscape of floating dwellings and paddy fields criss-crossed with canals. If temples are on your agenda then take a walking tour of Hoi An. In this quaint town you can visit ancient merchants’ houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful riverside market.

Mekong Delta

India

For Indian culture Rajasthan is a must. Head to Agra to view the majestic Taj Mahal; a sight which must be seen to be believed. Whilst on India holidays, See the Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi and Jaipur’s Amber Fort. Pause for a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a late 16th century palace in great condition and soak up the views of bustling Jaipur from the Hawa Mahal.

The Taj Mahal

Egypt

On Egypt holidays, head to the vibrant, sprawling city of Cairo where the ancient and modern rub shoulders. Its medieval splendour, graceful minarets and traditional bazaars are incredible. Museums filled where Pharaoh artefacts  transport you back to an ancient time and the magnificent pyramids overlooking the city are a constant reminder of Egypt’s mysterious past. Discover the awe-inspiring landmarks of ancient civilization with a cruise along the Nile as the rich history of Egypt unfolds itself along the banks of the river.  A Nile cruise offers a truly remarkable experience, with breathtaking scenery and once in a lifetime visits to cultural wonders. While Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, hosts the mighty Temples of Karnak and is the gateway to the Valley of the Kings with its elaborate tombs and the Colossi of Memnon.

Cairo

Mexico

Mexico holidays allow you to experience the incredible Chichen Itza,  a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya civilization. The archaeological site is located in the municipality of Tinum, in the Mexican state of Yucatán. The traditional Mayan church can be found in the Cancha Maya, one of the main plazas in Tulum pueblo. Or try Laos, which has its own distinct culture. Discover the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Luang Prabang, Explor the Pak Ou Caves, walk among the archaeological site of the Plain of Jars or watch the magical sunset on the bank of the Mekong River in Vientiane.

Chichen Itza

Thailand & Cambodia

Experience the culture on Thailand holidays through the countires exquisite cuisine. Thailand has an abundance of towns which offer lessons, classes and courses that will enable you to enjoy Thailand’s culinary arts and its culture through hands-on experience in the kitchen as well as opportunities to explore the country. On Cambodia holidays enjoy a cooking class at one of the very best cooking restaurants in the city, Malis. Luu Meng is Cambodia’s most renowned chef and he will guide you through a morning to remember that includes shopping for ingredients at the local market and then preparing and cooking some choice courses which you can then enjoy for lunch. In Siem Reap enjoy a private cooking class at the Sugar Palm restaurant. Home-cooked Cambodian food, including an introduction to prahoc will be on the menu as you work with the head chef to produce dishes that will make your mouth water in anticipation.

Thailand & Cambodia have many Cooking Classes

What else would you add to this list?

BBQ Recipe from Jamaica: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican Jerk Chicken, is world famous for its fantastic zesty taste and spicy after taste. This simple recipe will let you bring a bit of Jamaican culture into your food and home, the perfect thing to shake things up a little.

Country: Jamaica

Recipe: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Ingredients:
1 spring onion, minced
4 tablespoons of orange juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

Instructions:

1. Combine spring onions, orange juice, ginger, chili, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, allspice, cinnamon and cloves.
2. Add chicken and marinate for 8 hours
3. Preheat barbeque for medium heat. Cook chicken until juices run clear, and drizzle with leftover marinade that has been boiled for 2 to 3 minutes.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

You can enjoy your Jamaican Jerk Chicken whilst your on a Jamaica holiday or at home with friends and family.

BBQ Recipe From Mexico: Mexican BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Mexico is a country famed for its diverse culture and cuisine. This delicious recipe creates the perfect fusion between the sugar and the hot chillies. This recipe is perfect for any BBQ occasion and will leave your guests smiling!

Country: Mexico

Recipe: Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients:

8 chicken drumsticks
3 tablespoons of Soy sauce
4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup of water
2 bay leave
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of hot sauce
3 teaspoons of cilantro (minced)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan combine Soy sauce, garlic, water, bay leaves and hot sauce. Mix ingredients together and bring to a simmer.
2. Place the drumsticks in the saucepan and gently simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Pre-heat the grill to a medium heat and place the chicken on the grill.
4. Grill for 6 minutes turning occasionally. Serve chicken with rice and left over sauce.

You can enjoy this recipe on your next Mexico holiday or at home with your friends and family.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

BBQ Recipe from Anguilla: Anguillan BBQ Sauce

Caribbean cooking is known for its blend of rich flavours and spices to create a truly sensational culinary treat. This recipe is the perfect accompaniment to any of your BBQ recipes and is the perfect way to add a bit of spice to your cooking.

Country: Anguilla

Recipe: Anguillan BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
½-2 scotch bonnet chilies seeded and minced
3 lbs of tomatoes ripe: peeled, seeded and chopped
¼ cup of tomato paste
¼ cup of barbeque sauce
2 tablespoons of Caribbean hot sauce
¼ cup of cider vinegar
¼ cup of brown sugar
¼ cup of rum
¼ cup of water
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of chopped fresh time (1/2 teaspoon of dried)
Salt and Freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and chile and sauté until just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Stir in the tomato paste, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, 1/4 cup each vinegar and sugar, the rum, 1/4 cup water, the oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from the heat and taste for seasoning, adding salt, vinegar, or sugar as necessary; the sauce should be highly seasoned. Add water if the sauce seems too thick.
4. Any unused sauce may be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
5. Makes 3 to 4 cups.

Bring the taste of Anguilla to your cooking.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

Taste the Flavours of Mauritius in Grandma’s Kitchen!

The beautiful Shanti Maurice in Mauritius is spread over 36 acres of tropical gardens with breathtaking views of the hills and the Indian Ocean. In addition to the rejuvenating  amenities of this fantastic five-star resort, Shanti Maurice is also known for the unique culinary experiences it offers. Ingredients come fresh from the ocean, the resort’s gardens or nearby farms, so fresh local produce and imaginative menu choices are the order of the day.

Always at the forefront of innovation in hospitality, Shanti Maurice has recently introduced a new eatery concept which combines home-cooked meals with the essence of a five-star dining palate. On November 2011, Shanti Maurice was also awarded with the prestigious ‘Best Initiative in Clients Experience’ Award by Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2011, for the ‘Grandma’s Kitchen’ experience.

This culinary option invites guest to dine with one of the resort’s favourite team members who prepares and serves her own individual creations of decadence. “Grandma”, is the grandmother of Rimala, the General Manager Paul Van Frank’s assistant, and the venue where Grandma cooks and receives the guest is at their family home.

As a lover of the art of food, Grandma handpicks fresh ingredients daily, guaranteeing that you will have the healthiest, but tastiest selection of options.

Grandma Purchasing Fruits & Vegetables

Her specialities encompass a wide variety of dishes including a fish curry, honey lamb with cinnamon, and a thick soy and ginger sauce. If guests are in the mood for a refreshing sweet treat, she will offer you a pineapple bomb consisting of locally grown fruit, sugar and eggs topped with cream.

Grandma Cooking Food

The importance of Grandma’s Kitchen as a culinary experience is not simply about the food, but also about creating an ‘at home’ atmosphere. During dinner, guests sit around a communal table as Grandma shares stories about her life and passion for cooking.

Grandma's Family & Guests

At the end of the meal, you will receive a mini cookbook that includes some of Grandma’s handwritten recipes and secret cooking tips.

Although your holiday in Mauritius will eventually end, this unique memory of dining in Grandma’s kitchen on your luxurious Mauritius holiday will without a doubt last a lifetime.

BBQ Recipe from Barbados: Caribbean Chicken Skewers

The Caribbean is famed for its relaxed culture, and the food is no different, with tangy tastes, amazing aromas and vibrant colours, this Barbadian recipe is sure to brighten up your barbeque, and make it one for your friends and family to remember.

Country: Barbados

Recipe: Barbadian Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic
1 onion, cut into 6 wedges
2 habanero or Scotch bonnet Chilies, seeded
1 bunch spring onions, chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon of dried thyme
1.5 teaspoons ground blended spices
3cm piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and minced
175ml of rum
5 tablespoons of treacle
4 limes juiced
4 skinless, bonless chicken breast fillets, cut into medium sized pieces

Instructions

1. Place garlic, onion, chilies, spring onions, thyme, blended spices and ginger into a food processor and blend until smooth. Then season with salt and pepper

2. Transfer mixture to a large, non metallic bowl, and stir in rum, treacle, and lime zest and juice. Place chicken in bowl, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate for 24 hours.

3. Preheat barbecue for high heat.

4. Remove meat from marinade, and thread onto skewers. Boil marinade in a small saucepan for at least 3 minutes.

5. Brush grill with oil, and arrange skewers on hot grill.

6. Slowly cook the chicken until slightly charred and cooked through, brushing with the marinade every time you turn the meat.

Enjoy your tasty chicken skewers on your luxury Barbados holiday or at home with family and friends.

For more BBQ recipes from around the world, look at our fantastic selection on our BBQ Recipe Page.

Searching for the best BBQ in the World

Everyone had told me that Anguilla is a gourmet’s paradise and now I have been there and experienced it for myself, I can confirm they are not far wrong! With a population of under 14,000, the island has to have more restaurants per household than any other destination I have been to, at last count there were more than 100 places to eat in Anguilla.

You will be spoilt for choice with places such as the famous Roti Hut next to the runway at the International Airport which serves up conch roti, a shell fish cooked in West Indian spices and wrapped up in a Roti bread – simply delicious! For dining by the sea, splurge on fresh seafood at Mango’s on Barnes Bay, and enjoy the ocean breeze in this open air restaurant while sampling some of the island’s finest cuisine.

But by far the best dining experience in Anguilla has to be Scilly Cay, which is open twice a week (and closed in September and October). Stand on the end of the pier at Island Harbour and wave towards the small island of Scilly Cay, then wait for someone to head over to collect you in their boat!

Scilly Cay in Anguilla

Image by: therealaxalady

Scilly Cay is more than a spot for lunch, but is a highlight not to be missed on any holiday to Anguilla. Owned and managed by husband and wife team Euxodie and Sandra Wallace, this delightful couple are dedicated to making your visit to Scilly Cay an experience to remember.

You will be personally welcomed by Euxodie and Sandra, and you will soon work out he is a character in himself. Witty with a dry sense of humour, he will soon have you settled and drinking his famous Euxodie rum punch.

Now comes the best bit, the freshest and most amazing barbequed lobster and crayfish I have ever had. I have eaten lobster all around the world but Scilly Cay’s secret recipe really cannot be beaten. Guests can go out back and watch the team cooking dozens of the freshest lobsters and crayfish on open BBQs, watching them change from their green and blue colour to the richest oranges and reds.

Served on a bed of salad and pasta, the succulent meat of the lobster just falls out of its shell and is one of the tastiest things I have ever had.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon sitting on the beach, swimming in the harbour or continue with Euxodie’s rum punches while listening to Caribbean tunes being played live by a local band. Heaven on earth and possibly the Best BBQ in The World?