Food and Beer

 

It is not easy maintaining your diet plan when you are traveling. You could end up eating more than what you should eat because of the tempting dishes around you. When you are overseas, it could even be more difficult. You might be offered dishes you are yet to try. You can’t say no to whatever you find on the table.

It does not mean though that you have to ruin your diet plan because you are enjoying the holidays. There are lots of fantastic ways to stay healthy even when you are on a trip.

Pack your snacks

Instead of buying snacks all the time, you can pack your healthy favorites. Besides, you might be unable to find them when you are traveling. It is better to bring the food you want, in case you have a hard time finding healthy dishes abroad. It is not only for weight loss purposes. It is also advisable for people who have food restrictions due to their health conditions.

Choose the right accommodation

You need to search for a place where you can cook so that if you can’t find a place where you can eat the food you want, you can quickly prepare your meals. Another option is to research restaurants that can offer the food you can eat. Book a hotel near the said restaurant so that you can quickly eat when you are there. It is also good to ask the hotel if they offer room service and if they offer meals that you can eat. Some hotels even have a low carb fast food restaurant nearby.

Avoid indulging

There is nothing wrong if you try new dishes. There are foods you might like that you are yet to try. Give them a bite or two, but don’t try to finish the entire thing. Worse, don’t buy more. You can share these dishes with your friends who are with you on the trip. The goal is for you to know how those foods taste, so indulging is not an option.

Stay hydrated

You need to drink lots of water when you are traveling. You might be walking or running to lots of places. You need to drink plenty of water. It also helps if you always drink water as it makes you feel less hungry.

Don’t stress out

Just try your best to stay healthy even when you are traveling. Eat the food you want but also stick to your plan. Don’t sweat if the food you want to eat is not available. Don’t feel too guilty if you feel like you ate more than you should. You are on a trip, so you can forgive yourself for indulging a bit. You can make it up later when you arrive home. You can return to your regular diet plan. The problem is when you allow your trip to prevent you from eating right.

Remember these tips each time you travel, so you don’t put on weight before you head back home.

Belgium is a country that tends to fly under the radar for most European visitors. Given its size, that is perhaps unsurprising – in terms of area, it is around the same size as the state of Maryland. But on the other hand, Belgium is famed for two things, its chocolate and its beer. Surely these factors should place the tiny European country on every epicurean traveler’s bucket list.

Plan ahead

Belgium might be small, but that doesn’t mean you can turn up and simply explore the whole country in a couple of days. So sort out your flights, get on to a company like Safetrip UHC to make sure your travel insurance is in place and decide on where to stay.

If you want to base yourself in Brussels, that’s fine, but in that case do it properly. Choose a downtown hotel and you can make full use of the excellent public transport system – there are trams that take you all across the city in a matter of minutes.

That’s perfect for exploring the scores of fantastic bars in and around the city. But if you want to take a look at some of Belgium’s famous breweries, you’ll need to venture out into the countryside.

Breweries of Belgium

There are no two ways about it, you’re going to need a car to get out and tour those breweries. That’s OK if you’ve got a designated driver – Belgium’s roads are easy to navigate and once you get to grips with the fact that the locals treat speed limits as a serving suggestion and nothing more, you will be fine.

But let’s be 100 percent clear on something here – Belgian beer and car keys really do not mix. If everyone wants to sample the fare, then the only real solution is to

hire a driver. That’s not as expensive a proposition as it sounds, but you’ll want to get it all set up well in advance.

Beer might not be as tied to its regions as wine, but you will definitely see some patterns start to emerge as you visit the different breweries. Payottenland, which is the area around Brussels, has a strong association with lambic style beers. This is where you will find brewers like De Cam and 3 Fonteinen.

Venture south into the French-speaking region of Wallonia towards the border with Luxembourg, and you will encounter the classic farmhouse-style ales from brewers like Dupont and Blaugies.

But it is West Flanders, around Bruges, Ostend and Ghent that you will find the classic strong, dark Trappist brews that really put Belgium on the map. One you really can’t miss is the Westvleteren brewery. Tucked away in the village of Vleteren, this brewery is the stuff of legends.

The beer is still brewed by the Trappist monks, and is only available to buy from the door of the monastery by prior arrangement. It is worth making the effort, however, and while every bottle bears the “not for resale” warning, you will find a handful of cafes close to the monastery that are permitted to sell it to discerning travelers.

When Walking the streets of Paris many of the cafes can look alike and it can be a challenge to choose. Read on to learn the best places to eat in Paris.

Are you preparing for an upcoming sojourn in Paris?

A Paris vacation often involves a lot of wandering, and for good reason. The City of Lights is highly walkable, home to infamous sidewalk cafes, quaint shops, and cobblestone alleys.

It’s also known for its delectable cuisine.

If you haven’t visited Paris yet, you may be unsure about where to entertain your inner foodie first.

In this post, we cover the best places to eat in Paris so that your French vacation can be everything you’ve dreamed of!

1. Maison Aleph

If French patisseries are on the menu, look no further than the Maison Aleph. This bakery offers visitors a host of pastries with multicultural flair.

Anything from the Maison Aleph fuses French, Middle Eastern, and European flavors. You’ll experience the genuine perfection of French pastry flakiness plus exotic flavors like mango, pistachio, cardamom, and more.

Top off any Maison Aleph pastry with savory cream and you’ll be glad you stopped by this corner patisserie. Find the Maison Aleph on Rue de la Verrerie.

2. Les Deux Moulins (The Two Windmills) Cafe

If you’re down for some serious people watching in Paris, don’t miss this sidewalk cafe when you visit.

Situated in artistic Montmartre, Les Deux Moulins is often packed full of artists and European bohemians eager to discuss the latest trends in fashion and art.

Lovers of the film “Amelie” will particularly appreciate a visit to this sidewalk cafe, as it features in several prominent scenes.

The food at this brasserie (cafe) is typical French bistro fare; drop by for a coffee or quick breakfast and linger to savor the neighborhood vibe!

3. Bistro Paul Bert

Considered to be one of France’s best bistros, Bistro Paul Bert won’t fail to disappoint. A sidewalk cafe and restaurant in one, Paul Bert changes its general menu on a daily basis, so you can always be assured of trying something new.

Paul Bert is particularly known for its peppercorn steak, so if you are a carnivore, be sure to put this sidewalk restaurant on your list. It can also be an ideal destination for seafood lovers, as it tends to offer fresh portions from the sea.

If you visit during warmer months, be sure to savor that infamous steak outside. Poised along Rue Paul Bert, this bistro will also give you a great panorama of a unique Parisian street corner.

It’s important to note that Paul Bert is well known by locals and visitors, so it may be wise to book reservations as far out in advance as possible.

4. Le Sancerre

If you find yourself in the Montmartre area of Paris after a day of wandering Sacre Coeur, stop by Le Sancerre. This is located in the neighborhood of Abbesses, what has now become bohemian central.

This is definitely the place to visit if you want to people watch while sipping an aperitif, a European pre-dinner drink.

It’s also open late, perfect for longer evenings when you feel keen for some French bistro fare, including burgers, salads, and simple pastas.

Find Le Sancerre on Rue des Archives. Want more in this area? Find a tour here.

5. Stohrer Pastry Shop

Paris is infamous for its delectable pastries. Who doesn’t dream of wandering those French streets with a warm croissant or baguette in hand?

If you’re keen to make French bakeries a part of your foodie tour, be sure to stop by Stohrer. This pastry shop is one of Paris’s oldest bakeries, dating back to 1730!

Stohrer is located on rue Montorgueil, a quaint street lined with cobbles and green trees.

You can’t go wrong with anything behind the counter. But you may want to pay special attention to their baba au rhum, a small liquor cake typically filled with cream.

6. Le Procope

If you find yourself in the idyllic St. Germain district, known for its historic congregations of intellectuals and artists, drop by Le Procope for some French fare. This should be a historic affair–Le Procope is allegedly Paris’s oldest operating establishment!

Dating back to 1686, Le Procope has hosted several prominent thinkers and artists, including Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, and Marat. While one of your pricier options for places to eat in Paris, Le Procope will also give you a taste for history while you savor some delectable menu options.

Enjoy some lobster rigatoni, for example, or Le Procope’s Charolais steak tartar. Or simply sip on some French onion soup–in France!–or sink into some crêpes flambées au Grand Marnier.

7. Philou

Philou is one of Paris’s best-known bistros, particularly when it comes to its wine selection and ambiance. If you’re interested in a delicious, quiet evening tucked into Paris’s best corner, look no further than Philou.

Get a spot on Philou’s terrace, situated near Hôpital St. Louis and Canal St. Martin. Enjoy their classic Breton desserts or splurge on some wild game dishes (a hot item in the winter months).

And if you’re looking for a place to try some real foie gras, drop by Philou.

The more budget-conscious can still have a lovely evening at Philou, given the restaurant’s prixe fixe menu: you can easily enjoy a two-course or three-course meal for less than 45 euros.

Final Thoughts: Best Places to Eat in Paris

Paris is a spectacular destination for anyone interested in world-class cuisine, culture, and history. Yet planning your vacation to France can be daunting, especially if you want to identify the best places to eat in Paris.

Luckily, you truly can’t go wrong visiting any sidewalk cafe in Paris. But save time on review browsing by dropping by any of the cafes and restaurants mentioned in this post.

Some of these cafes may only have outdoor seating in certain seasons; others, however, are the authentic Parisian sidewalk cafe, set up for people watching and aperitif enjoying.

Visit Philou for its ambiance and fancy French cuisine. Drop by Le Procope to catch a glimpse of centuries-old history or Maison Aleph for creative interpretations of French pastries.

Here at Beekman Beer Garden, we are always in search of the world’s best cuisine, particularly craft beer. Want some more life tips about your next travel destination? Start a conversation with us now!

Tacos are everyone’s favorite food. If you want to know how to make killer tacos, you came to the right place! Here’s how to make perfect tacos at home.

Taco Tuesday has evolved into a force that has taken over the US. It’s so popular that Mexican is now the third most popular type of menu item.

You don’t have to go out to enjoy them, though, you can enjoy delicious tacos at home. The great thing about tacos is there are really only two rules that you need to follow.

You need to have great flavors and you need to have multiple textures. This creates a pleasant experience when you bite into the taco.

We are going to walk you through the different elements of your taco. We’ll provide you with some different options and ideas to help you get started.

The Meat

In today’s world of tacos, you have a wide choice of meats that you can choose to put in your taco. There is always the traditional beef, pork, or chicken.

Don’t stop there though, you could choose to use fish or shrimp. You can go fancy with some fresh seared tuna or lobster.

The important thing is to use high-quality meat. This is a strategy that the best chefs know and use. You can get more info here about using quality ingredients.

Be sure to season your meat before you cook it. You can go simple with just some salt and pepper to let the other flavors of the taco shine. Or you could go with a smoky chili to enhance the flavor of the meat.

Slow Cooked

This is an easy low maintenance way of prepping the meat for your tacos. Throw the meat in a slow cooker for a few hours. Then use a couple forks to shred the meat when it’s ready.

Grilled

If you plan on using steak, chicken, or even salmon then grilling is a great option. This will also add a crispy factor to the meat which will add another layer to the textures of your tacos.

Braised

If you need to make tacos for a lot of people then braising is the way to go. When going with this method your best options are brisket or pork butt.

Fried

Nothing is more delicious than frying up some fish. Go for a batter that crisps up for a good crunch when you bite into the taco.

A tempura style batter will be light but still, give you that crispy crunch. It’s also hearty enough to stand up to the other ingredients that you are piling on top of the fish.

The Tortilla

The best fillings in the world mean nothing if you don’t have a quality tortilla to put them in. A great tortilla will be warm and pliable.

If you want to go traditional, you’ll make them yourself from masa. That’s corn kernels that get soaked and ground into a dough.

You can also opt for buying some. Just make sure they aren’t old.

If they are, don’t make tacos with them. Instead turn them into chips.

The Toppings

When picking your toppings you’ll want to pick ones that compliment your meat. You want a good mix of colors, textures, and flavors.

Cheese

Most people put too much cheese on their tacos. It’s not their fault, we’ve been trained to expect a lot of cheese thanks to Tex-Mex style restaurants.

Instead of the standard shredded jack try some crumbled queso fresco. It melts great, cools the heat of the chili, and enhances the protein’s flavors.

Veggies

Use your vegetables as a way of adding texture and crunch to your tacos. Otherwise, everything else is soft, leading to a lackluster experience.

Instead of the standard shredded lettuce and greens go for something more creative. Try cabbage that is thinly sliced. You could also put some onion, pickles, or radish on there.

Whatever you choose, make sure it has the crisp crunch factor. Fresh vegetables are perfect for this.

The Sauce

The soul of the taco is in the sauce. You can make a quality salsa with ingredients you have in your fridge.

Always make sure to add some chilies, either fresh or dried. This will give you some heat and spice to your tacos.

Green Salsa

You’ll need some roasted tomatillos, lime juice, jalapenos, garlic, and onion. Blend it all up and you’re good to go.

Dark Red Ancho Salsa

Take some dried ancho peppers and let them soak until they are soft, then blend them with some roasted or raw tomatoes. Throw in some white onion and garlic to really round out the flavors.

Pico de Gallo

For a chunkier sauce chop up some white onion, tomato, cilantro, and jalapeno. Mix it up with some lime juice and oil.

Guacamole

While it isn’t a must, guacamole has become the biggest craze in the taco world. There’s a good reason too as it adds a creamy fattiness that rounds out your taco.

Keep ingredients simple, white onion, salt, cilantro, and lime juice added in. Mash it all up and you’re ready to go.

Creamy Sauces

If salsas and guac aren’t your thing, then go for a creamy sauce. Try using sour cream, mayo, or even greek yogurt.

Then mix your base with some spices or your favorite hot sauce. A favorite is sriracha mayo.

Tacos at Home

There are two basic rules that you need to follow when crafting tacos at home. You need good flavors and good textures.

You want to craft a taco that uses quality ingredients so that the flavors of the ingredients get enhanced. Then mix different ingredients together that complement each other.

Check out our blog for more great information, recipes, and advice on food.

 

The general populace is becoming more welcoming of adapting to healthy lifestyle and eating choices. Wellness experts and dieticians have been recommending the addition of leafy greens to combat the culture of trans fats in the fast food economy. A food critic will want to see variety or at least delectable green items on the menu for them to try and see how a restaurant deals with using vegetables in their meals.

Vegetables are tricky ingredients that are often underutilised with amateur restaurants serving ‘fresh’ dishes as salads blasted with seasoning to evoke flavour when there’s none. From soups to casseroles to the fan-favourite garden salad, vegetables make up the menu from the appetiser section to the deserts. If you want to make sure that you’re using your greens to their best potential, here are some tips for serving veggies.

Understanding your menu

What your customers will be seeing won’t be the images of the food or the reviews they see online. Your list can be your most versatile advertisement tool in catering to food critics. Most restaurants that want to endorse greens in their inventory have a smart tactic in addressing their menu’s layout. Some restaurants categorise the food not by its meat choices but by vegetable choice. It’s all a matter of utilising your word choice to make sure that you can grab your customers’ attention right off the bat.

Work with what’s in season

Using seasonal vegetables and fruits in your menu is a smart way of attracting adventurous eaters who are aware of the products in season. Produce in season is sold cheaper due to abundant supply. Leafy greens such as lettuce are great for buying in bulk during spring, fruit choices like watermelons and mangoes are summer’s best, while winter offers plenty of root vegetables and squashes. Keep track of where you can outsource IQF vegetable suppliers in the UK so that you can have the best quality ingredients once peak season comes for you to order.

Add vegetables to your specials

Vegetarian dishes have made their way to the mainstream and have gained the interest of non-vegetarians as well. Restaurants who are great at cooking greens have been commended by their customers who ‘don’t taste the difference’ when they have a taste of their vegetarian dishes. Though it does read as something positive, it can also be a negative in the sense that they’re not catering to develop the palate of their customers if they can hardly taste the vegetable’s taste. Contrary to your kid’s taste buds might suggest, not all vegetables taste the same, and they add a much-needed spice in dishes.

Vegetables are often relegated to garnish such as parsley and rosemary, but that’s not the full extent of their presence in cooking. Pasta is an excellent mix for vegetables with pesto and spinach as delicious ingredients to spice up the sauce and the meat included in the sauce. Greens can even be served on their own in the likes of grilled and buttered broccoli or smoked asparagus.

Image: Pixabay.com

 

 

Shumai dumplings, also known as Shao Mai dumplings, are a popular and traditional dish in the Guangdong region of China. The dumpling typically contains shrimp or pork inside and can be eaten with or without rice. Shumai is one of many types of dim sum, which is a type of Cantonese food that contains a variety of fillings. Chefs prepare dim sum by steaming or frying it. The translated words mean dessert in English, which explains why most people eat shumai and other types of dim sum as a dessert.

The History of Dim Sum

Chefs in the Cantonese culture were the first to create and serve dim sum. People often visited Cantonese tea shacks to indulge in it. It continues to be something that people enjoy with tea instead of coffee as that is how it originated. Restaurants that serve dim sum typically open around 10:00 a.m. in the United States so people can include them with their lunch or brunch. Those looking to enjoy dim sum in China can find them available as early as 5:00 a.m.

The Making of Shumai Dumplings

The first step in preparing a shumai dumpling is to create a wrapper with water and flour. The chef will then pinch the top of the dumpling to create a pleat. However, he or she leaves the center of the pleat open to have a place to insert the toppings. After doing so, the chef cooks the dumplings by steaming them. The dumplings need to be placed approximately one and one-half inches apart to avoid having them stick together. Another way to prevent sticking is to place large lettuce leaves around the sides of the steamer.

Shumai dumplings have a see-through white color once they have been fully steamed. It’s possible to make a batch of these dumplings up to three hours in advance. They will need to be placed on a plate with corn starch, covered, and refrigerated immediately.

Traditional Serving Methods

In the typical Chinese restaurant, a server pushes a cart containing shumai dumplings around and diners call out to indicate that they would like to have one or more. The ready-to-eat dumplings sit inside of a bamboo steamer or they may be on traditional serving plates. It is less common for servers to push carts in the United States where diners typically pre-order what they would like to have.

Popular Fillings

Pork is the most common meat filling of a shumai dumpling, but chefs may also use crab or mutton. The exact ingredients and seasonings used often depends on the season of the year. Beef is a typical meat filling in Japan while Cantonese chefs usually opt for pork and crab coral. Other common fillings include bamboo shoots, chives, mushroom, and shrimp in the spring and onions during the winter months. Additionally, some chefs choose to garnish the dumplings with flavored oil, sesame seeds, chives, or green onions after removing them from the steamer.

Sauces served with the shumai dumplings complete the intense flavor experience for diners. Chile sauce, hot mustard, and soy are particular favorites.

Stag do is one of the most exciting and anticipated events in the life of a man, especially once he’s engaged. Stag do is the celebration of the last lap of unmarried, single life of the groom-to-be. The best man is responsible for hosting and planning the stag do.

So if you’re the best man looking for ideas for stag do for your beer loving groom friend, then the best that you can do is take him and his friends for a destination stag do to places that are known, not only for the best beer, but also for really cheap beer.

Beer is available almost everywhere, but if you want a true beer-y stag do, take your groom to one of the five destinations mentioned below, which will definitely not disappoint you with their pints.

1.Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is known as the City of a Hundred Spires with Eastern European culture, architecture, Gothic churches, baroque buildings and the famous Old Town Square to leave you charmed. Prague is known not just for the cheap beer, but also for REALLY good beer. For your stag do in Prague, if you consult some locals, you can sip on some really good ale at the local pubs for just a pound and penny. The local bars have a great atmosphere and are a great place to hang out. While in Prague, you can’t miss the Pilsener Urquell brewery tour, where you can learn all about the world’s first blond or pale lager.

2. Budapest, Hungary

The capital of Hungary, this city has the best of both worlds; culture and nightlife. Buda is the hilly region with all the culture that you and you stag gang will love to explore at your stag do in Budapest. Pest is the flat region with all the city’s hustle and bustle. This is where you will find your beer at local bars, restaurants and clubs. Budapest offers the cheapest beer. According to a Post Office research, cost of a pint of beer is less than a pound in Budapest (year 2015). Once you’ve gulped down all the beer you can in Budapest, you can treat your hangovers with a dip in one of the 80 hot springs that are housed here.

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam is known as a party destination and you cannot go wrong with an Amsterdam stag do. Get a taste of Amsterdam’s finest ale while exploring the city on a BeerBike, drinking a 30 litre keg of fabulous beer on the go. The city is also known for its canal system, art, museums and most of all, beauty. Once you’ve enjoyed the beer of Amsterdam, you can visit the Van Gogh museum, Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum and also see some modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling lies at the heart of this city, so be prepared to explore Amsterdam on cycles.

4. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is the capital of Germany and this city goes back till the 13th century. If Munich rules the Oktoberfest, Berlin owns the International Beer Festival which is an annual festival in the month of August. The ‘Beer Mile’ which is a speed drinking and racing event, stretches from Strausberger Platz to Frankfurter Tor with over 300 breweries from more than 80 countries and there are more than 1500 speciality beers for you and your stag gang to enjoy.

5. Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is not just the capital of Republic of Ireland, but also the booze capital of Ireland. If there’s one thing that the Irish are known for, its their ale, so you know you’re doing it right when you’re throwing your beer loving friend a Dublin stag do. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse is going to teach you how your drink is brewed and everything else you’ll want to know about brewing.

The tourist attractions in Dublin are also plenty, like the Dublin castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, National Museum of Ireland.

Conclusion

There’s not a better way of celebrating a stag do of a beer lover than taking him to a city which is known for its beer. Your groom friend will surely appreciate and love a beer stag do and these cities have more than just good beer to offer your stag gang, so it will tick off all the boxes of an awesome stag do.

Whether you’re an avid camper or a camp counselor, creativity is key for cooking. These camping meals are sure to please every camper’s pallet.

 

Camping is an awesome way to get off the couch, spend some time in nature, and figure out who was actually paying attention in Boy or Girl Scouts growing up.

Of course, it’s no secret that pulling off the perfect camping trip requires tons of planning — and a willingness to embrace the unexpected. But with so many different things to remember, camping food often gets left as an afterthought.

This year, don’t settle for canned food, nuts, and jerky. And don’t feel like you need to bring along every piece of equipment in your kitchen to create a gourmet camping experience.

Believe it or not, it’s completely possible to create camping meals that will keep everyone happy using nothing more than an open flame and the right ingredients.

Ready to see how it’s done?

If so, then read on.

The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

This camping food might be meant for breakfast, but we say that it’s a crowdpleaser at any time of the day.

All you need is an open fire, some tin foil, and a skillet — along with the following ingredients.

Pack a few pieces of cooked turkey bacon, ham, or even leftover barbecue in a container in your backpack. (To prevent spillage, we suggest wrapping everything up in a plastic baggie for good measure.)

Also grab a pack of English muffins and some eggs. If desired, you can also toss in a few packs of American cheese slices.

Start by heating up the English muffins in the skillet over the fire. This should take about 2-3 minutes each side. Then, take out the meat of your choice, and warm it up. Finish my frying the eggs and, if you’d like, adding the cheese to melt on top of them.

Then, just assemble your sandwiches (we suggest enlisting other campers to help with this process.) Now, for the magic: wrap them each in tin foil, and let them sit on the grate for about 4 minutes.

This final step combines everything perfectly, and the foil also helps to minimize the mess!

Campfire Lasagna

Yes, you read that correctly.

It’s totally possible to assemble a dreamy camping meal of lasagna — and we promise it won’t take anything near the amount of work you’re imagining.

To make it, you’ll need:

• 1 dutch oven
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of oregano
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 2.5 cups your favorite pasta sauce
• 12 oz. lasagna noodles

Then put about 25 coals onto your campfire, and give everything a moment to come to a flame.

Put the olive oil in your dutch, and give it a minute to heat up. Once that’s done, add 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce. Put one of the lasagna noodles down to create layer one. Then, add another 1/2 cup of the pasta sauce, along with a cup of the spinach and 1/3 cup of your cheese.

Repeat this process two more times. Add your spices on top.

Now, put the dutch oven on a bed of 8 coals. Then put the lid on the pot, and place the last 17 coals on top. Wait for about half an hour, and you’re done!

Spinach Dip for a Snack

Sometimes, the best camping food isn’t a complete meal at all. Instead, it’s a little pick-me-up that you can enjoy in between the bigger meals.

To pull of campfire spinach dip, you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup of frozen chopped spinach
• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 package plain cream cheese
• Tin foil
• Crackers of your choice

If you’d like to spice up the dip further, you can add extras like green onions or artichoke hearts. But the above ingredients are the basics.

Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, and then fold it into a tin foil packet.

Set up your campfire and place the foil packet close to the hot coals for about half an hour. Then, gently open your packet, and enjoy with crackers.

One Final Tip for Camping Meals

While this is a list of incredibly easy campfire meals, keep in mind that you’ll need to find solutions that work for longer camping excursions.

After all, the last thing that you want to deal with is having to tote around fifteen different ingredients. Look for recipes that have a major overlap in overall ingredients. You could even consider finding some ingredients, like mushrooms or herbs, along the trial.

Also, break up the ingredients between your campers’ packs. There’s no reason why one person should be carrying around everything.

Above all, we suggest embracing meal planning before you go. For a great list of inspirational meals that fit within a camping theme, visit the Camp Food website to help design your menu. Check it out here.

Need More Campfire Cooking Hacks?

We hope this post has helped you to understand that it’s possible to create beautiful camping meals out of nothing more than an open fire and a willingness to branch out of canned beans and hot dogs.

Just remember to plan ahead as much as possible, to prevent people from getting too hangry along the trail.

Of course, in addition to the right campfire cooking prep, you’ll also need to think about a packing list. You should also figure out the routes you plan to take, who should come along, and how strenuous you want your camping trip to be.

No matter what kind of vacation you’re going on, we want to help you to get the most out of it. Keep checking back with our blog for more advice on how to make that happen.

 

The city of LA has forever featured at the top of the list of every craft beer lover in the country. All along the west coast and in the arms of this thriving city, are breweries where magic is brewed into sparkling gold pitches of perfection every day. So, in case you have been meaning to take a beer tour or two in the coming weekend, here’s a list of breweries in the city of Los Angeles that no self-respecting beer lover should ever miss.

And if you’re planning on making your LA craft brew tour a group affair, you might want to book a Los Angeles charter bus or minibus rental so that everyone can indulge and enjoy themselves without having to worry about being designated driver.
1. Glassel Park’s Eagle Rock Brewery 

Now Eagle Rock Brewery should be first up on your list if you are just discovering the unique tastes of craft beers. Every Saturday and Sunday, at three hours past noon, the lovely people at Eagle Rock give quite educational and highly boozy tours that are not only free but quite informative. And in case you are (un)fortunate enough to get Jeremy Raub, who is a co-founder, to give you a tour, get ready for at least a solid forty minutes’ worth of talk on all things beer, from the cleaning to the crafting.

But it’s not just dry info that you must gather here. All three flavours of beer, including the Manifesto, the Populist and the Revolution, and the seasonal delights that one wishes would stick around, pack quite a punch and must be tried at least once. Or twice. Just make sure you’re not the designated driver, savvy?

2. Angel City Brewery in the Downtown Arts District 

Since you obviously delight in the finer things in life, the Angel City Brewery should definitely be on your list. And that’s not just for the craft beer, which is amazing in itself, but also the scent of history that clings to the place like the fine taste of beer on an expert tongue. The brewery left its old storefront in the Alpine village in early 2010 to set up shop in the historic Roebling building that had once produced the suspension cables that holds the Golden Gate and Brooklyn Bridge up in such glory. The place is extensive and has a scattering of picnic tables under the glorious mezzanine. The brewery not only offers free tours every Thursday to Sunday but also hands out free samples that you can try before choosing a favourite.

3. The Arts District Brewing Co.

They say all work and no play may turn Jack into a dull albeit a very drunk boy. Don’t be Jack. and visit this adult playground of a brewery in the Arts District for a taste of good beer and victory as you battle your friends at the pingpong table. There are darts, there is Skee-Ball and there is the scent of delicious food wafting from a takeout window. And just when you think that it couldn’t get any better, you actually encounter the beer, including the ten original brews that are literally ready to sweep you off your feet. The place also hosts a free tour every Tuesday. The tour lasts for about 20 minutes and is first come first serve so, you might want to hurry. Just be careful not to spill your beer. Especially since there are no free samples.

The city of Los Angeles might be spilling over with ‘beer-full’ options, but you must remember that not all that sparkles is a good beer. Don’t worry, though. Just buckle up and plan for a long weekend and some hangovers ahead, because the breweries on this list will refuse to leave you thirsty for more.