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