| Today the planet seems smaller than ever. Our | | | | |
| modern world with all of its inventions has | | | | Some ingredients are tied to season and can |
| made it possible for people living on | | | | therefore be considered a seasonal gourmet |
| opposite sides of the globe not only to know | | | | food. In general gourmet food wouldn't be |
| about each other but also to become friends. | | | | viewed as gourmet if it didn't taste, smell |
| Friendships are made by way of travel or | | | | and look great. A fresh dessert with |
| through the Internet. This highly | | | | strawberries can certainly be produced year |
| communicative world has made it possible for | | | | around by importing the berries but people |
| people to share information about their | | | | are quite picky when it comes to these |
| culture, language and of course cuisine. | | | | delicious red treats. It seems that in most |
| Originality is a must when it comes to | | | | countries around the world people believe |
| gourmet food and location has a great impact | | | | that their native strawberries are the best. |
| on what will be viewed as a delicacy. | | | | Dipped in the finest Swiss chocolate it just |
| | | | won't be the same treat if the berry was |
| Knowing what to eat and when | | | | imported from Greece! |
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| It is true that gourmet food is much more | | | | Recipe of the Day |
| than its ingredients. In most part of the | | | | |
| world people expect a delight for the eye as | | | | Chocolate Chili Marshmallow Tree |
| well as an exquisite taste when they order in | | | | |
| a gourmet dish. It is also considered more | | | | This is a desert treat with an excellent |
| interesting to eat exotic foods; which brings | | | | visual effect and yet simple to make; you can |
| with it the possibility of something that | | | | even add Christmas decoration to make it look |
| would be considered quite regular in its land | | | | like a Christmas tree. This recipe also uses |
| of origin but gourmet somewhere else. | | | | the chocolate chili sauce, for those who has |
| | | | not try this combination, please give it a |
| In most places of the world people love to | | | | go, you will be more than pleasantly |
| eat cheese. In America, Swiss cheese is | | | | surprise. |
| considered a delicacy and in Europe the | | | | |
| French are known for their cheese making | | | | The candied fruit is used to add in effect, |
| skills. In order to take the cheese up the | | | | so use something like orange which are sliced |
| ladder from making the morning sandwich | | | | and half or kiwi fruit. Another alternative |
| really tasty it can simply be melted in the | | | | to candied fruit is dried fruit such as kiwi |
| evening and served as Fondue. The same bread | | | | fruit slices. However, whichever you use, |
| used in the morning will now be dipped in the | | | | make sure it is of a contrasting colour. |
| cheese and the meal is considered gourmet | | | | |
| food. | | | | Serving Size |
| | | | |
| Time and place does matter when it comes to | | | | 2 or 4 People depending how much you are |
| gourmet food. Sometimes a regular food takes | | | | willing share? |
| on a completely different look and becomes | | | | |
| the latest hit in one place while another | | | | Ingredients |
| food is tied to a specific time and its place | | | | |
| of origin. | | | | 1. 3 x 250g packet of Dark Chocolate Rocky |
| | | | Road |
| While many Swedes view the Italian Caffe | | | | |
| Latte as a gourmet version of coffee the | | | | 2. 1 x 100g packet of soft candied fruit |
| Italians leave it to the tourist to pay lots | | | | |
| of money to drink their morning coffee in the | | | | 3. 1 x 250ml jar of Dark Chocolate Chili |
| afternoon. Something the Italians most likely | | | | Sauce refrigerated |
| will never view as gourmet food is the | | | | |
| Swedish root called the black root. This root | | | | 4. 1 x 50g unsalted roasted peanuts coarsely |
| is especially cooked for the annual festival | | | | chopped |
| of Marten the Goose. A food connected with a | | | | |
| local festival usually stays local unless the | | | | Method |
| festival takes on wings. | | | | |
| | | | 1. Clean a flat serving plate with an |
| Original ingredients | | | | approximate diameter of 25cm; make sure it is |
| | | | completely dry. |
| While the black root is a rare Swedish | | | | |
| delicacy, snails can be found in most of the | | | | 2. Build your tree using by cutting the rocky |
| world. Repulsive to some, snails are viewed | | | | road to the appropriate size from big chunk |
| as high class cuisine to others. Under the | | | | at the bottom to smaller chunk at the top to |
| much more elegant name of Escargots Americans | | | | achieve a conical shape. |
| and Europeans can order in this French dish | | | | |
| as an appetizer. It is usually spiced up with | | | | 3. Insert the candied or dried fruit pieces |
| garlic and butter and it is carefully | | | | along the tree in regular interval or |
| prepared not to contain any toxic item that | | | | according to your fancy at the time. |
| the snail might have eaten. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Drizzle the dark chocolate chili sauce |
| There are many examples of ingredients that | | | | from the top to the bottom of the three |
| can only be found in certain places and are | | | | generously. Avoid covering the whole tree |
| therefore viewed as exotic. The truffle is a | | | | with it and the candied/dried fruit. If the |
| mushroom that has been called "the diamond of | | | | chocolate chili sauce does not drizzle, dip |
| the kitchen" by Brillat-Savarin. It is mostly | | | | the bottom into a container of warm water for |
| produced in Europe but there is also a | | | | a few minutes to soften it. |
| Chinese version called the Chinese Truffle. | | | | |
| This delicacy is sought after all over the | | | | 5. Sprinkle with the coarse nut and serve |
| world and it is very expensive. The Black | | | | immediately. |
| Summer Truffle can cost up to $670 a pound. | | | | |