Matzo Ball Soup is one of my favorite winter treats - though if I was honest, I enjoy it all year round. However, winter is the best time to enjoy a steaming bowl of soup and so that's why I'm excited that we're back in season again. One of the things that is extra special about matzo ball soup though is it's history and cultural impact. While clearly it has evolved from Jewish / Hebrew cuisine but is widely enjoyed by religious and non-religious foodies worldwide today. Let's take a look at some things that make matzo ball soup special and why it continues to endure as a popular dish thousands of years later.

National Gumbo Day is October 12, 2019 and we're big fans of this hearty dish and how it reflects the local tastes and personal styles of the cook. While it is tempting to try and put together a list of "America's Best Gumbo" that would be an exercise in futility. The truth is that the best gumbo is the one that is made from the heart and served up with a smile. So, gator, seafood, sausage, pork, or something else, let's grab a spoon and check out these great places to get your gumbo on!

There's a lot of advice out there on how to create the perfect charcuterie board for wine tasting, but this is my advice. Take it or leave it, but I like to create a charcuterie platter to complement the wines that I'm about to taste - but also provide a variety of flavors and textures to entertain your palette. Some charcuterie boards are designed specifically to pair with an individual wine but I'm about having fun and exploring flavor combinations. Regardless of your style, there are some core guidelines to follow, so here's my advice on how to create the perfect charcuterie platter for wine tasting.

Now it's 25th year, Taste of The Gaslamp is one of the biggest food and wine events in San Diego and it's a great opportunity to check out a bunch of different restaurants around town. I live downtown so I can walk to virtually anything I want - but I've gotten into a rut and only go to my favorites these days. Unfortunately the restaurant industry is a dynamic environment with new places opening and old places closing almost on a daily basis. This means that while I have my favorites - it can be hard to find new ones... before it's too late. So, this gave me (and other residents) the opportunity to explore them for one low price.

I love cooking, eating, taking photos of food, and sharing meals with interesting people. Food is something that I'm pretty passionate about and so I was excited to dig into the survey results that Knorr sent me from their survey of more than 2,000 Americans. The survey included questions about food preferences, cooking styles, spending habits and more. As someone who loves food I was a bit surprised by some of the findings but maybe I shouldn't be. Here's what they found...

A Champagne toast seems to be the icon of welcoming in the New Year or really just celebrating pretty much anything. There is a sort of excitement when you pop open that bottle of bubbly and so it's no wonder that it has been the drink of choice when it comes to a celebration. However, much of what we consider in the United States as "Champagne" is really just "Sparkling Wine" and to complicate things further that's not the only bubbly wine out there for us to enjoy. Let's take a look at some different types of bubbly wines that you can enjoy during your New Years celebration!

I don't go green or organic unless it tastes good. The thrill of labels simply doesn't matter to me... but when it's delicious AND organic, that's when I get excited. When True Story Foods contacted me and offered to send over some of their products to check out, how could I refuse. A few weeks later they filled my fridge with organic hot dogs, sausages, deli meats, and pork - all gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nitrate free and a free of a bunch of other stuff. What it wasn't free of is taste and quality.

Globally, there is an acknowledgment that dark chocolate is good for health with health benefits. As the cocoa contains a high concentration of anti-oxidants, it helps to prevent heart disease, cancer, improves vision and reduces low pressure.  When choosing dark chocolate, make sure that it contains a high percentage of cocoa and minimal sugar. Research shows that people who consume dark chocolates on a daily basis have a sound mind and, sound body.  It also helps to improve good cholesterol, prevents block in the heart and so on. But before you grab dark chocolate, you have to look at a few of the ingredients.

The Hawaiian Islands are best known for stunning landscapes, sun-soaked beaches, and some of the best surfing spots in the world. However, both it's ancient and colonial history are closely tied to the islands as a source of agricultural bounty and the more I sampled this, the more excited I got to learn more. From pineapples and sugarcane to craft beer, spirits, and even ranches raising some of the world's best beef - this is an area you won't want to miss exploring during your next visit.

Over the years I've gotten a HUGE number of kitchen gadgets to try and test out for review or simply just provide my thoughts on. Some are good... some are bad. Others seem really cool but ultimately ended up sitting on my countertop collecting dust... or put back in a box despite being generally good at what they were designed to do. That's why I've put together this gear guide of essential kitchen gadgets that every guy needs in his collection. If you are the kind of guy who doesn't like to cook then stop reading now... the rest of you, let's take a look!

The resurgence of interest in Ensenada and the Valle de Guadalupe has brought the culinary adventurers back to Baja. When you start to do a little research to choose where to dine, one name pops up among the talented chefs of the region: Javier Plascencia

Asking a chef or cook what their secret recipe is one of those things that I generally try to avoid. After all, there's always more to a great meal than simply a set of directions. That being said, after trying some of the famous Gator Gumbo at Peace River Seafood in Punta Gorda, Florida I just had to ask for the chance to share it with you guys. It's THAT good... and what's even better is that they even have a pet alligator in the pond out back... because of course they do, It's Florida!

Honestly, even though I was with a tour group I was a bit afraid to tour Puerto Vallarta at night. Unfortunately Mexico doesn't have the best reputation these days but thankfully I ignored those concerns because I had an awesome experience that was safe, clean, and tourist friendly. While I'm sure that most of you could wander around and explore the Puerto Vallarta food scene on your own - it was so much easier to do with the folks at Vallarta Food Tours who guided us and made everything easy.

Coffee is a drink that has transformed the world almost as much as tea. For millions of Americans it is part of our daily routine that gets us started and then powers us through the day. Unfortunately, as coffee has progressed from a relatively cheap and plain black drink and transformed into a gourmet beverage, it's gotten pretty expensive. From speciality coffee drinks to fancy machines in your home - those dollars add up... but we have some ways that you can save money, while still savoring the delicious flavors and aromas.

Nevada is one of those states where most visitors only visit one or two points. In the case of this state, you have Vegas and Reno... but while much of the state is empty desert, there are some real gems that deserve more attention. Carson Valley is one of those spots and it's surprisingly convenient, low cost, and packed with awesome stuff that guys of all ages will love.

Last week I was invited to a fantastic dinner at a new San Diego brewery - 10 Barrel Brewing who collaborated with one of my favorite restaurants, Carnitas Snack Shack. While the food was good and the beer was excellent, it really made me think about the impact of social media and the current state of the "craft beer" scene in the United States right now. Specifically, what is a craft beer vs a local beer and does it really even matter anymore?

Vermont is surprisingly a pretty awesome state for foodies and while I knew of Ben & Jerry's factory tour I was surprised to find oh so much more. From maple syrup to apples to dairy, this state has a lot to offer anyone seeking a different sort of food tour experience. Here's some of our favorite stops...

Blue crabs are a delicacy that is often synonymous with Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay areas of Virginia. In reality though, pretty much everywhere along the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States where you can find coastal marsh land there will be crabs. This includes the Peace River in Punta Gorda Florida where Peace River Seafood is found. As I sat there with the owner shucking oysters, popping tails off shrimp and picking meat from crabs fresh caught that morning, it brought back childhood memories of doing the same. Unfortunately, not everyone is as privileged as I was to have grown up with fresh crabs, so here's a primer on how to eat blue crabs...

Last night I had the opportunity to not just visit a fantastic new brewery but also meet with five of the best chefs in San Diego. We were assembled to help raise money for Feeding San Diego, while also celebrating the launch of Flesh & Blood - Bitter Brothers new Golden Sour that has a stunning color and flavor of tart cherries and raspberry. Each of the five courses was inspired by and paired with one of their beers, for a culinary experience that I wish could be shared better than just my words and pictures.

Eastern Europeans drink a lot of vodka - that's no secret. However, if you've ever been to a party or had a long dinner with someone from Russia, Poland, or Ukraine then you've probably also noticed that they are generally able to hold their alcohol better than their American counterparts. While some of that comes from years of practice and a generally high level of consumption, there's another secret too. Salo! Salo is a salted pork fat that is sometimes referred to as the Ukrainian national dish and was served at nearly every meal that I had while touring the country.