Around the World in the Hetzel Kitchen

Last time, we learned that I don't really like things cooked in red wine, especially dry red wine.  That was worrying.  I had already bought all of the ingredients for my other experiment in French cooking.  And that attempt was Coq au Vin.  Chicken.  In red wine.  Gulp. This recipe came from the same cookbook that the delicious crepes did last time, so that was a bonus.  I had made Coq au Vin from another cookbook once, a long time ago.  That was soon after Kevin and I got married, and I know that I have grown a lot in my cooking since then.  It was a adventure I was excited to take on, but I was a bit wary after the beef burgundy.  This is all about trying things and learning though, right?  Right! Like before, we start with bacon. However, much of the rest is different.  This calls for a whole chicken, as well as thyme, parsley, garlic...  There are a good number of spices that get thrown in there.  We a...

Background : The introduction in the Factbook doesn't read very well.  Losing side of both World Wars.  Became Communist under the Soviet influence.  Struggles with the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Turks. Location : Southeastern Europe, between Romania and Turkey on the Black Sea. Size : Over 100,000 sq km; 104th largest in the world         Slightly larger than Tennessee Population : Over 7 million; 99th biggest in the world Birth rate : 204th largest in the world Death rate : 13th largest in the world Capital : Sofia Drinking water and sanitation : 100% of their population has access...This seems to be a new stat for the Factbook. Source: CIA Factbook There were a lot of resources out there for Bulgarian food, which is not such-a-bad problem to have.  I found some nice listing sites, and was able to cross-reference things to make sure they were authentic.  I made Kevin pick some recipes, and then I compared ou...

Background : Bhutan has had a lot of changes and foreign influence over time, as both Britain and India have controlled their foreign affairs while they tried to control their internal ones.  They are transitioning away from a traditional monarchy.  If I am understanding the CIA Factbook correctly. Location : Southern Asia, between China and India Area : Less than 40,000 sq km, 136th in the world           About half the size of Indiana Name : Translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon, which refers to the violent storms from the Himalayas Geography : Controls several key Himalayan passes Population : Over 700,000; 164th in the world (consistent with the first modern census, not the government reported figures) Median age : 24.2 years Capital : Thimphu Diplomacy : The US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations National Anthem : Translated, the title means "The Thunder Dragon Kingdom" Labor : 4% unemployment rate...