Food Raconteur

Get ready to roll out the fun because National Egg Roll Day is here! This mouthwatering food holiday throws the spotlight on the irresistibly crispy appetizer while giving a shout-out to the Chinese-American and Vietnamese-American immigrant families who turned this iconic dish into a nationwide superstar.

Kicking off in 2019 thanks to Van's Kitchen, a family-run business in Texas, the day marks the founding of the company by Vietnamese immigrants Van and Kim Nguyen back in June 1986.

Fun fact: despite the name, egg rolls usually don't have eggs in their filling. The magic happens in the thick, crispy dough wrapper, where eggs help create that signature crunch we all love.

The origin of the egg roll is a tasty mystery, with some crediting 1920s New York chefs like Lung Fong or Henry Low. But one thing’s for sure, the egg roll is a delicious American twist on the traditional Chinese spring roll.

Real-deal egg rolls are a scrumptious mix of finely chopped cabbage, pork, shrimp, onions, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts, all wrapped up and fried to golden perfection. So, grab your chopsticks and join the celebration in style!🥢🥢🥢

Tavë Kosi is Albania’s culinary sweetheart! Imagine a cozy, savory casserole starring tender lamb and baked rice, all wrapped up in a luscious egg-and-yogurt sauce that fluffs up like a soufflé. The name translates to "sour milk casserole" (with "tavë" meaning casserole and "kos" meaning yogurt).

Even though it's oven-baked, the ingredients are surprisingly light, showcasing bold flavors of garlic, oregano, and butter, all perfectly complemented by the tangy zing of yogurt.

Legend has it that Tavë Kosi dates back to 1452 during the Ottoman siege of Krujë. As the story goes, local cooks were marinating lamb in yogurt for the sultan. Instead of tossing the spiced yogurt, they mixed it with leftover grilled lamb to whip up what we now know as the beloved Tavë Kosi.

While lamb holds the traditional crown, many modern kitchens swap it out for chicken (Tavë Kosi Me Mish P**e) to make a slightly lighter, everyday version.

So whether you are Team Lamb or Team Chicken, this dish is sure to win your heart!👏🏽
(baked lamb and yogurt)

Let me tell you about Marissa and Howard Rosen, who are absolutely bursting with pride over their amazing daughter, Emily. And rightly so! Emily, who is sharp as a tack, graduated this year from Ladue and is all set to head off to Tulane University in Louisiana. Tulane’s medical programs are top-notch, so you can just imagine how excited they are!😁

The Rosens joined us at one of the graduation events we organized last year, and they were all about making it an unforgettable moment for Emily.

We served up a menu inspired by New Orleans, featuring;

**Crab Cakes**

**Chilled Shrimp Remoulade**

**Vegetarian Caprese Skewers**

**Bruschetta With Tomato**

**Vegetable Crudité With Hummus**

**Andouille Sausage Bites**

**Sweet Beignets**

**Small Chocolate Desserts**

During the event, Marissa and Howard couldn’t stop beaming as they shared stories of Emily’s journey.👏

And once it was time to wrap up the party, the Rosens raised a wonderful toast to their daughter’s bright future, confident that her time at Tulane would only bring more achievements and adventures. It was clear that Emily had a strong support system cheering her on every step of the way.❤️

It turned out to be an absolutely wonderful day, and we had such a great time preparing these dishes for everyone😊

Carolyn, Rasmi, and Emilee were a huge help, and our star bartenders Katie and Tova (who’s an up-and-coming entrepreneur from St. Louis. Keep an eye on her!) took care of the drinks.

It was an amazing event and such a proud moment for Emily and her parents. Big kudos and congratulations to them!🥂

A while back, we had the delightful opportunity to celebrate Vimal's wife's birthday dinner. They couldn't stop raving about it, which inspired their kids, Raghvi and Rishi, to plan a special brunch surprise for their dad.

We absolutely adore this family and the warm, inviting atmosphere of their home! It truly it’s one of those places that instantly feels like a second home.the perfect kind of atmosphere that helps churn out great dishes😄

The brunch was a feast for the senses, starting with the effervescent pop of champagne bottles. We enjoyed bottomless mimosas, with both classic orange and a refreshing blood orange twist🍾🥂🍾🥂🍾

The menu was a perfect mix of flavors, featuring;
** Fusion Bruschetta**
**Chicken Tikka Frittata**
**Lamb Keema Hash**
**Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail**
**Smoked Salmon With Dill Asparagus Sauce**
**Paneer Tikka Frittata**
**Soy Chunk Hash**
**Gulabjamun Affagatto**

Vimal was totally blown away by the surprise, and the family’s closeness is just heartwarming. You instantly feel like you belong and are invited to become a part of a very special memory💜

And guess what? We left with a thoughtful gift! That’s a first for us after nearly 2,000 events🤯

Huge thanks to Raghvi and Rishi for making it an unforgettable day! Your parents are truly wonderful, and Vimal, here’s to many more joyful moments!🥂

Soutzoukos is the delightful, chewy treat from Cyprus that is such a fun, healthy snack!

Imagine strings of almonds or walnuts taking a dip in thick, grape-must jelly called moustalevria, over and over, until they’re just right. Then, they hang out to dry for a few days,till they reach perfection.

This sweet wonder is crafted from concentrated grape must (freshly pressed liquid obtained from grapes), flour, and your choice of almonds or walnuts, which gives it that irresistible, dense texture.

Traditionally, soutzoukos is whipped up during the grape harvest season, from August to October, especially in the picturesque Troodos Mountains.

The process is a bit of a culinary dance: almonds are blanched, soaked, threaded onto strings, then lovingly dipped three to five times in hot moustalevria, with a little drying time in between each dip. Thanks to this drying process, soutzoukos can hang around for quite a while, often lasting up to a year!🙌🏼

The name “soutzoukos” has roots in the Turkish word “sucuk,” meaning sausage, and it shares a resemblance with the Georgian Churchkhela.

It’s often sliced into thin, circular pieces, showing off its nutty heart, and served to guests with a side of local spirits like Zivania.

You’ll find it stealing the show at local festivals, like the Limassol Wine Festival. So next time you’re in Cyprus, don’t miss out on this tasty tradition!

Did you know there's a special day dedicated to one of the most scrumptious French dishes ever? Yep, it’s National Coq au Vin Day, celebrated every year on May 29th.

We’re talking about that heavenly concoction of slow-cooked chicken swimming in red wine, mushrooms, and lardons. Thanks to the fabulous Julia Child, who brought this dish into the global spotlight back in 1961, it's now a classic!

“Coq au vin” literally means “rooster in wine”. Fancy, right? This dish has a legendary backstory that goes all the way back to ancient Gaul.

The Gauls supposedly sent Julius Caesar a tough old rooster, probably as a cheeky gesture. Not to be outdone, Caesar’s cook turned it into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece by braising it in wine. Talk about turning the tables!😅😅

The traditional recipe calls for red wine, typically Burgundy, but there are delicious regional twists like Coq au Riesling from Alsace, Coq au vin Jaune from Jura, and Coq au Champagne.

This dish even made a star appearance in the 2009 movie *Julie & Julia*, giving it a modern boost in the culinary world.

So, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, why not celebrate with a pot of this French delight? Bon appétit! 🍷🍗

And for my next guestttttt…i would like to introduce you to Jim and Alex!😄

A few months ago, Jim and Alex made the move to St. Louis, and it turns out they're practically our neighbors!

Jim works in finance, and Alex juggles her role as Chief of Staff at Boeing while also being an incredible photographer and a seasoned world traveler. Together, they have two amazing kids.♥️

You can imagine our delight when Jim reached out to us to celebrate Alex's birthday, and we couldn't have been more excited. Their home is simply wonderful and full of warmth, and here's a little taste of the evening we had in store for them!

**Amuse-Bouche:**
We kicked things off with marinated artichoke heart bruschetta—grilled bread topped with marinated artichokes, a hint of lemon zest, and a sprinkle of feta.

**Appetizer:**
Next up was a refreshing tuna crudo with citrus and fennel. Thinly sliced raw tuna dressed in orange-infused olive oil, shaved fennel, and pink peppercorns .

**Pasta Course:**
For the pasta lovers, we served linguine alle vongole—linguine with fresh clams, garlic, white wine, parsley, and just a hint of chili flakes for a subtle kick. It's a classic coastal Italian dish that's both light and flavorful.

**Main Course:**
The main attraction was a grilled branzino with a lemon-herb sauce. This whole grilled sea bass was served with a light lemon, caper, and parsley sauce, accompanied by roasted fennel and zucchini. An elegant dish with clean Mediterranean flavors.

The kids were simply adorable, and their friends joined in on the fun, making it a happy, happy occasion for the whole family. We truly had a wonderful time cooking and celebrating together. Thanks so much, Jim and Alex, for such a memorable evening! Hope to see you soon, Neighbours!😄😄😄

Cypriot Kleftiko is like the ultimate undercover dish…stealthy, delicious, and steeped in history!

This traditional slow-roasted lamb or goat dish got its nickname, "stolen meat," from bandits known as klephts, who cooked stolen livestock in secret underground pits to keep their tasty exploits under wraps😄

While lamb is the star of the show, goat meat makes a fantastic cameo, especially in those charming mountain villages where authenticity rules.

And let's not forget the potatoes! They soak up all that luscious lamb fat and juices, making them almost as irresistible as the main event.

Although the klephts relied on earthy pits or clay ovens back in the day, today's modern take involves marinating the meat in a zesty mix of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like oregano and thyme.

Then, it's all wrapped up snugly in foil or parchment paper to keep every drop of moisture locked in🤤

In Cyprus, you’ll often hear it called Ofto Kleftiko, which translates to "baked thief's meat." It’s a big deal in Cypriot cuisine, a must-have at feasts and weddings, and a delicious slice of the island’s culinary heritage.

Fun fact: In 2019, Kleftiko was proudly added to the register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cyprus. Talk about a dish with street cred!👏🏽

Get ready to unwrap some sweet fun because National Taffy Day is on May 23rd! This day is all about celebrating the chewy goodness of taffy, especially the iconic saltwater taffy.

The legend of this delightful treat comes from Atlantic City, New Jersey, back in 1883. Legend says, a storm flooded a candy shop, and the quick-thinking owner, David Bradley, started selling his soggy sweets as “saltwater taffy.” Genius, right?👏🏽

Now, don’t get it twisted! Modern saltwater taffy doesn’t actually have any ocean water in it. Instead, it's made by boiling sugar, corn syrup, and butter, then pulling the mix until it’s light, airy, and oh-so-chewy.

Traditionally, we celebrate by indulging in a rainbow of flavors. Sure, it's a classic boardwalk souvenir, but this sweet celebration isn't just for coastal dwellers. Folks all across the country join in the fun, making National Taffy Day a nationwide sugary sensation!🥳