Taste Bytes Archives | The Taste Tourist

Taste Bytes – Snow Days

January 30, 2020 by Kimberly 4 Comments

I’ve always loved the New Year. A time for reflection. A time for resolve. A time for renewal.

But I have to admit…January can also be a little rough when the excitement of the holiday season fades and it’s back to reality. When the grey sky and rain can strike with a vengeance, and the winter blahs begin to hover in the distance.

But this year we had a treat – one that made this first month of the new year a little more special.

Snow started falling on a Sunday evening, and it just kept on coming down for the rest of the week.

And what a week it was…

A quiet morning in front of the fire. An array of baking– cinnamon roll pancakes, raspberry buns with crème fraiche frosting, buttery crumb cake, and cinnamon roll scones. A pot of soup bubbling away on the stove. A magical winter walk through the local park. A mug of hot cocoa topped off with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings. A hike through the snow for a pint of porter and a glass of cider at our favorite local deli.

A little interlude from everyday life – a free pass to settle in for a few days, put aside the “to do” lists, and simply enjoy the moment.

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Taste Bytes – November 2019

November 30, 2019 by Kimberly Leave a Comment

Transitions

November has always struck me as the last true month of fall – that final burst of autumn before winter and the bustling holiday season arrive.

When the summer clothes get tucked away and the cozy sweaters come out. When the kaleidoscope of autumn leaves gives way to ice and winter snow.

When the urge to get outside begins to ease as the desire to nestle in and hibernate gains momentum. When the last of the harvest fills your pantry and the scents of autumn baking fill your home.

Here is this month’s edition of Taste Bytes, a celebration of November’s top tastes.

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Taste Bytes – December 2018

December 20, 2018 by Kimberly Leave a Comment

Anticipation

It happens every year as soon as Thanksgiving is over – that sudden shift from the harvest season to the holiday season – and the countdown to Christmas is on.

December can be a busy month, a chaotic time, but it’s also one I look forward to, anticipating cherished traditions, immersing myself in holiday tunes, getting caught up in the excitement, and of course, savoring the distinctive tastes of the season.

There are the traditional tastes – the lemon bars I grew up making with my mom, the Danish pastry we devour on Christmas morning, a glass of rum-topped eggnog.

And there are the new favorites that I discovered this month, those that will become part of my repertoire, tastes to anticipate for future years. A roasted delicata squash salad, spicy sweet potato skins, chewy molasses crinkle cookies, and a melt-in-your-mouth peppermint bark cream doughnut.

Here is this month’s edition of Taste Bytes, a celebration of December’s top tastes….

Taste Bytes – November 2018

November 21, 2018 by Kimberly Leave a Comment

Welcome to Taste Bytes

I’m excited to welcome you to this first Taste Bytes post, a collection of food-related bits and pieces organized around seasonal topics. All my favorites…recipes, taste tests, restaurants, travel destinations, and more.

It’s a gorgeous fall day as I’m writing this post…clear skies, a little chilly, the brilliant autumn foliage still on full display.

My favorite season – a season of change, of rejuvenation, of relaxation. A season of gratitude and appreciation.

And a season of such quintessential tastes. A cup of hot spiced cider. A handful of candied pecans. A scoop of savory herb-infused stuffing. A tart bite of cranberry sauce. A thick slice of pumpkin pie.

Fall, perhaps more than any other season, has such distinctive flavors, each bite putting its stamp of ownership on this special time of year.

Here is this week’s Taste Bytes, a celebration of fall….