How many times can one do a staycation? The possibility is endless really - unless you live under a rock or in some desolate location like an iceberg that has broken off the North Pole and is floating aimlessly into the warmer waters of the Atlantic. But a "staycation" can be a lot more than just the frugal man's vacation; it can be lots of fun and can be taken almost every weekend. Just follow along and you will see how a culinary staycation can be the best time you and your palate have ever had.
For a fun, exciting and memorable culinary staycation, you have to start by using your imagination. Close your eyes and imagine yourself somewhere you've never been but have always wanted to go. Or imagine yourself somewhere you have been and want to visit again. I like to envision myself somewhere off the Mediterranean, I can even smell the sea salt when I shut my eyes really tight, or in Chinatown where Asian fare is without compare. Think of a picnic at the Tuileries Garden or visiting wine country. You get the idea. Pick a place and put yourself there through the experience of food and drink.
The Mediterranean is a big expanse of water and many different countries and cultures encircle its frigid, sparkling azure waters. The good thing though is that these countries share very similar cuisine. Pita is eaten in Turkey, Greece, Israel and Egypt and throughout the Mid-East. The list for olives is too long to list. Feta is made by Greeks and Bulgarians. Falafel, eggplant dishes, spreads made from chickpeas and sesame; we would be here all day comparing the similarities in food. So if you have ever wanted to visit Turkey (that's me), or Egypt (that's me too), or Syria (I am there) or Lebanon (I can climb trees), then take note of how to get there without leaving home.
Grocery list for Mediterranean culinary staycation: pita bread, feta cheese, olives (black, green, or cured), hummus, tahini and falafel. Most of these items are available ready-to-serve and those that aren't are so easy to prepare that yours-truly can whip them up in no time flat. You can add your own personal touch to the mix; I like to add a plate of sliced tomatoes and fresh scallions. The Mediterranean-style of eating is shared. You place food on the serving dishes and diners spoon out what they want onto their plates or they just scoop it out of the serving dish using a piece of pita. It's an extremely cozy and intimate way of eating so if you don't like people eating off your plate or you have issues with people touching food you will eventually eat, then this experience is not for you. Otherwise, it is open for a time of laughter, conversation and full bellies.
It is also open time to make a daring food and wine pairing. The earthy savoriness of Mediterranean foods is a perfect setting for Washington State Riesling. The slight sweetness and fruity flavors of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley 2010 Riesling ($9), which has juicy flavors and aromas of peaches, pears and apples, acts like a bond holding all the flavors together. The food cuts into the sweetness of the wine allowing you to enjoy the acidity of the fruit flavors. And the wine brings all the food flavors together in a heavenly food and wine pairing combination.
Next stop is somewhere off in the Far East. Again another big expanse of land and cultures; but that is the thing with staycations, there is no getting lost, no turning maps over and over and no one to tell you that you caught the wrong plane and are in Taiwan instead of Thailand. Imagine the possibilities with the provisions. You can pick from stir fry, lettuce wraps, rice dishes, noodle dishes-somebody stop me!
Always start with something easy otherwise your staycation becomes more work than vacation. Lettuce wraps are a cinch; flavor chicken, shrimp or beef with soy, teriyaki or ginger dressing, saute and wrap in Greenleaf lettuce. Most grocery stores now offer to-go sushi and, of course, who doesn't love to pick up Chinese in those cool white containers with the metal handles? It's so Hollywood! No matter the Asian fare you chose to serve, the CampoGrande Orvieto Classico ($12) is a sure bet. Orvieto is located in Umbria in central Italy and white wines from this region are blends; in this case, Procanico, Grechetto, Verdello, Drupeggio and Malvasia. If you've never heard of any of these grape varietals, you are not alone. The banana, pineapple and almost flower-like flavors of the wine fill the palate with just enough acidity to stand up to the saltiness of soy, the sweet/peppery contrast of teriyaki and the bite of ginger.
Finally let's have a good old-fashioned American summer picnic. Yikes! We're all experiencing a heat wave the likes we hope to never see again. No problem-have the picnic in your air-conditioned living room, family room or den. Spread that thick blanket you haven't used since the last snow storm on the floor and, because it's an indoor picnic, use pillows and cushions to make the seating comfy.
For this culinary adventure think leftovers or whatever you have in the pantry and fridge: cheese and crackers; a piece of cold, fried chicken; the last slice of pizza; or a mystery omelet. Just don't forget the piece de la resistance-those big, overly chipped, chocolate chip cookies you see at the bakery but never buy because you're afraid they'll be so good you'll come back for more. I double dare you to give in and just buy the cookie. You can share it.
Although we already paired our Mediterranean staycation with a Washington State wine, I offer up another one in the form of the Ethos Columbia Valley Reserve Syrah ($25). This has 14.8% alcohol-it's big but it's all the Syrah you could ever want in a wine. I first poured it for some friends who came over for a, well, staycation type of picnic except we sat at a table. I served cheeses, frittata with onions, peppers and potatoes, crusty bread and salad that had everything in it including part of the kitchen sink. The wine was exceptional; opening up with each passing minute and each type of food. The best part about Syrah is that it is chocolate's best friend. Wow! What it does to that big, overly chipped, chocolate chip cookie is so decadent that if I wrote about it, it would surely be censored.
Enjoy your summer with as many culinary staycations as possible. The most fun you will have is visiting all the different ethnic food shops and wine stores to place yourself and your palate someplace else.
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