Author Archives: Rosanna

Escape and Unplug: Camping in the Dry Tortugas

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From the Battlements of Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park

From the Battlements of Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park

There are few places where you can truly unplug and escape the frenetic pace of modern life. But camping in Garden Key—a remote island in the Dry Tortugas National Park located approximately 70 miles from Key West and accessible only by boat or seaplane—disconnects you from the rest of the world, both physically and digitally, letting you live in the moment.

Natural beauty and wildlife surround you at the Dry Tortugas National Park. Aquamarine waters stretch as far as the eye can see. Each evening, spectacular sunsets grace the sky—the fiery orb of the sun sinks into the sea, while the sky fills with brilliant pink and golden hues. On a clear night, the stars shine perhaps more brightly than you will have ever seen before, thanks to the lack of light pollution. read more

Where to Eat in Chicago with Limited Time

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Milk-Braised Pork Shoulder at the Purple Pig

Milk-Braised Pork Shoulder at the Purple Pig

I lived in Chicago for three years, and while I don’t miss the brutal, unrelenting winters, I certainly do miss the food scene. Chicago houses some of the nation’s best restaurants and markets. Whether you’re seeking a magically creative fine-dining experience or delicious craft beer and food in a fun, urban environment, you can easily find a restaurant (or three) to suit your mood.

I recently had the chance to travel with my sister to Chicago and revisit some of my old haunts, but only for a few hours between flights. It was a mad rush, so we had to come up with a game plan that would allow us to hit as many eateries as possible. This was my version of Anthony Bourdain’s The Layover, only much, much shorter. read more

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake with Edible Gold Leaf

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Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake with Edible Gold Leaf

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake with Edible Gold Leaf 

I recently made this chocolate raspberry truffle cake with edible gold leaf for my father-in-law’s wedding, and it was such a hit that I had to blog about it! This decadent cake tastes like a dense, creamy chocolate truffle with tartly sweet raspberries. And chocolate lovers will rejoice, because this is a flourless chocolate cake that’s then topped with chocolate ganache—double chocolate! Whipped cream accompanies each slice and provides a lighter note (yes, it’s that dense) to this luxurious cake. read more

Experience Japanese-Homestyle Cooking in Mayuko’s Little Kitchen

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Japanese-Homestyle Cooking Class in Mayuko’s Little Kitchen

Japanese-Homestyle Cooking Class in Mayuko’s Little Kitchen

Whenever I travel, I try to immerse myself in the culture and experience local cuisine. I enjoy dining out, visiting markets and cafés, and tasting different regional specialties and styles of cooking. But I also like to see how the locals cook, as restaurant cooking usually differs significantly from what’s prepared in the home. That led me to Mayuko’s Little Kitchen.

Mayuko is a young Japanese woman, who quit her job as a cosmetics manager to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a cooking teacher. She teaches out of her small Tokyo apartment located on the border of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in a quiet residential area just off the main bustle. Her classes give an intimate glimpse into Japanese cooking. read more

Greek Salad with Oil and Vinegar Dressing

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Greek Salad with Oil and Vinegar Dressing

Greek Salad with Oil and Vinegar Dressing

Salad. Most people will want to stop reading there, but that would be a mistake. This Greek salad is anything but boring and insubstantial; rather, its many ingredients provide a full range of flavors and textures that will leave you satisfied.

Crisp romaine lettuce forms the base of the salad, but the magic of the salad comes from its many toppings: assertive red onions, peppery radishes, juicy tomatoes, cool and refreshing cucumbers, sweet-tangy peppers, crunchy celery, savory feta cheese, briny Greek black olives, meaty anchovy fillets, fresh parsley, and pickled capers. Basically, there’s something to activate every taste receptor. read more