Tools of the Trade

 

At Classic Journeys we know that local cuisine is more than merely nourishment – it’s the quickest way to experience a country’s true flavor. Having the right tool for the job is essential, and part of the fun of experiencing new cuisines is experimenting with their unique culinary gadgets that are, in and of themselves, important elements of a culture’s story. Here are a few you might encounter on a Classic Journeys’ trip.

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1. TAJINE

Tajine

A pot—usually  made of clay and consisting of a flat, circular base and a cone-shaped cover—used to slow-cook traditional Moroccan stews (also called tajine) of meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and spices. Taste a traditional tajine at world-famous La Maison Bleue restaurant in Fès or at a Berber camp in the Sahara. You can even help make your own at our friend’s farm in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
 

2. CAFETERA

Macchinetta
 

In Italy, it’s called a macchinetta; in Cuba, it’s a cafetera. It works the same both places: When heated, pressure builds to force water from the bottom chamber up through coffee grounds and into the top serving chamber, from which it is then poured. What sets Cuban coffee apart is the espumita or frothed sugar used in place of milk.

3. TAVA

Tava

Have you ever wondered what the greatest thing was before sliced bread? We’d argue that it was saj, roti, chapati or naan—different names for and variations of the traditional flat bread made all over Asia and the Middle East, from India to Morocco. The tava—also called a tawa, saj or sac—is a large, flat or convex cast-iron griddle or frying surface used to make flat bread as well as a variety of meat dishes.

4. KAE SA LAK KNIFE

KAE SA LAK KNIFE

Almost anywhere you dine in Thailand—from a street vendor to an award-winning restaurant—your dish is likely to be adorned by one or many ornately carved pieces of fruit or vegetables. Considered a fine art form since the 14th century, kae sa lak is as important to the meal as the flavor of the dish itself. There are even ornate knives made specifically for producing different effects.

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AVERSIONS AND ALLERGIES: NO PROBLEM!

Gluten sensitive? Allergic to peanuts? Pescatarian? Vegetarian? Meatatarian?
We can accommodate that. Early in your reservation process, we’ll ask about any dietary restrictions and communicate them to our guides and restaurants, who will make arrangements for you in advance.