Taste History Culinary Tours | Boynton Beach & Delray Beach, Florida

I'm a proud Florida girl, born and raised. But the last time I really knew my Florida history was back in 4th grade when it was a mandatory class {and then again when I had to teach it during my elementary school teacher years}.

As embarrassing as that is, I'm sure I'm not alone. I mean, how much do you really know about the area where you live? And when would you really take the time to research the facts surrounding your city's history?

I was pleased to find that there is actually an exciting way to do this around here: Taste History Culinary Tours, sponsored by Macy's & an official partner for the State of Florida's "Viva Florida" campaign. When I received an email from Lori, Taste History's Executive Tour Director, asking if I wanted to come check it out, I thought it might be a good way to brush up on my Florida history. Did I mention that this lesson is centered around food? I was in.

Taste History currently offers two different tasting tours: One that covers the Boyton Beach/Delray Beach area, and one around Lake Worth/Lantana. For $40, visitors can experience a taste of the area complete with an air conditioned bus ride to each location, ample tour narration including historical facts and tidbits, and -- most importantly -- generous tastings at a handful of the area's best locally owned spots.

I wasn't sure what to expect exactly, but I was game for a day of nibbling and learning with Steve as my assistant and official camera holder. ;) We boarded the bus and headed down to Delray where we stopped in an area that was first established by black business owners looking to lay a foundation for life and commerce.

After driving through and seeing some of the original homes and businesses, we pulled in for our first food stop: Dee Dee's Conch, Rib & Crab Shack.



A tiny spot with big success, Dee Dee's has become a well-loved place for locals and visitors alike. We got to sample some of Dee Dee's flavorful conch fritters and ribs -- original recipes that have been perfected over time -- as we listened to her incredibly inspiring story of perseverance in transitioning from simple food tent to well-respected local business owner. She said she feels like a celebrity in her own town, and I can certainly see how her food has her propelled her to such fame! I'm not sure what I loved more: The tasty zing of the spicy sauce or her spunk.

The kick of Dee Dee's offerings was only the beginning of the spice yet to come. Our next stop was Sweet's Sensational Jamaican Cuisine & Catering.

Visiting Sweet's proved to me something that I've already known for a long time having grown up in a Cuban family: Island folks not only love food, but love to feed a crowd! While they had some traditional Jamaican Beef Patties ready for us to sample when our group arrived, their enthusiasm for feeding us seemed to grow with each second. Soon, the counter was filled with Jamaican specialties such as Rice & Peas, Curried Goat, Jerk Chicken and Sweet Potato Pudding. All homemade, all delicious! I really loved the welcoming vibe and their passion for sharing their nation's cuisine.

Though we could have stayed and chatted for spell, we soon boarded the bus again and headed to the next location: Shaffer's Tea Room.

I was immediately smitten with the renovated rectory-turned-tea haven. From the vibrant colors to the peaceful {yet energizing} vibe as you walk in the door, entering Shaffer's is like discovering a special secret. Offering more than 75 different tea selections, the staff at Shaffer's can direct you to whatever flavor, experience or healing blend you seek. They also have delightful little bites to eat that are all locally sourced from the best of the best surrounding purveyors -- we got to try some cheesy turnovers, spinach puff pastries and blueberry pound cake. As I sipped on "Heaven" and smelled "Nirvana", I realized it would take some real prompting for me to leave this space!

When I was finally pried away from the tea counter, I was hoping that the next place on the tour would keep spirits high. Cabana el Rey didn't disappoint.

What they provided for us was far beyond just a sample of their Latin American cuisine. It was more like a smorgasbord of color, flavor and style served in chic surroundings with a creative and festive flair. I had heard of Cabana before, having strolled by their location on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, but had never stopped in as I'm pretty picky when it comes to Latin cuisine -- no one can outcook my Abuelita as far as I'm concerned. Learning about the restaurant's success both in New York and South Florida opened my eyes to what I've been missing, especially once I tried their innovative takes on Ropa Vieja in a Tostone cup, Cuban Sandwich Empanadas and Coconut Shrimp over Plantain Mash. They were even kind enough to muddle me up an alcohol-free version of their famous Mojito, which was refreshing and enjoyable even without the booze! Sold!

A stroll down the way led us to our next stop: Scuola Vecchia Pizza e Vino. 

The folks here know the real deal when it comes to authentic Neapolitan pizza -- the freshest ingredients, traditional techniques and an old-school {which is actually what "Scuola Vecchia" means!} wood-burning oven directly from Italy. House-made cheese and a seasoned chef only add to the experience of biting into a slice of one of their mouthwatering pies made in just 90 seconds in their blazing volcanic stone oven. We tried two different versions of the Margherita, both delightful.

Starting to get pretty stuffed at this point, we were glad when the next location we visited was not only a stone's throw away, but also a place to get a dainty morsels of dessert: Le Macaron French Pastries.

Oddly enough, I had actually stumbled into this cute little shop the night before not knowing it would be part of the tasting tour, so I had a little sneak preview of the Gianduja and Madagascar Black Vanilla macarons. Boasting over 18 flavors of sweet, gorgeous macarons, Le Macaron has a little something for everyone {including gelato and fine chocolates which they also sell}. Everyone "oohed" and "aahhed" over the pretty bites all lined up in the cases; they're certainly hard to resist.

Believe it or not, there was MORE! Stopping at DIG {Doing it Green} was a nice respite for the sizzling temps.

The restaurant specializes in dishes made with fresh, seasonal organic fruits and veggies as well as locally sourced and ethically produced products. Their tagline, "Big flavor, small footprint." communicates their desire to serve up delicious dishes with as little negative impact to the planet as possible. They gave us their hummus trio to sample, which is one of the most attractive hummus platters I've ever seen! Sadly, I was way too full to have more than just a tiny taste, but I'd love to return and see what else they have to offer.

Most of us were ready to tap out and wave the white napkin flag, but I'm so glad that the next stop was included. We departed from Delray and headed back down to Boynton. The Little House was definitely one of my favorite stops on the tour!

A charming cottage built in 1934 was renovated and relocated to its current location in Boynton Beach, where Chef Chrissy Benoit brings all kinds of dining delights to locals. The place is dripping with adorableness -- from the rustic elements to the vintage decor, to the fact that the house's original owner still frequents the place... I nearly had a tearful moment hearing her story. Speaking of tears, I was sad I didn't get to try the Mango Strawberry Cilantro Sangria, but the sampling of the Parmesan-crusted Fried Green Tomatillos with house made Buttermilk Ranch Dressing made up for it! Very tasty. I'm totally going back for their Pajama Brunch {held on Saturdays and Sundays} to give some more menu items a try.

We needed a short respite from chewing, so stopping at the Boynton Beach City Library was actually quite welcome, though unexpected! What exactly was a food tour doing at the library, you might ask? Stopping in for some culture, of course. This month the library is showcasing pieces from stained glass artist Conrad Pickel, which we were happy to browse in the cool air conditioning. But before we could get too drowsy from the quiet surroundings & full bellies, we were off for our final food stop of the tour.

And what a way to wrap things up! Palermo's Italian Bakery in Boynton was just the sugar rush we needed to liven up.

Wanna see a bunch of grown ups light up like kids in a candy shop? Give them free run of a bakery like Palermo's. Not only does the family-owned bakery serve classic Italian pastries, cookies, cakes and breads, but they also have entertainment weekly on their outdoor patio as well as special monthly dinners. They were so incredibly generous at this spot, loading us up with all kinds of goodies. I was happy to hear that they're planning on opening up a new location up by me in Jupiter!

We simply couldn't eat another crumb, so we headed back to our starting point to end the incredible day of delicacies and dishes. I couldn't believe how much we had covered {and eaten!} in the 4 hours we were gone.

This tour is definitely worth taking whether you are a tourist or a native who wants to brush up on your Florida history and take in some great local fare! A big thank you to my friends at Taste History Culinary Tours for the invitation to participate in this fun food adventure!

Disclosure: I provided with 2 complimentary passes to experience the Taste History Culinary Tour. As always, all the opinions here are my own!

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Inspired by our stop at Cabana del Rey, I recreated their tasty little Cuban Sandwich Empanadas at home! The recipe is so simple and the outcome a perfect appetizer.

What a fun way to get the flavors of a classic Cubano in a handy dandy portable bite.

Mini "Cubano" Empanadas

6 empanada discs {I use these but if you can't find them you can use pie crust}, cut into 12 small rounds
Yellow Mustard
Mayonnaise
2 slices of your favorite ham, chopped
2 slices of deli pork {roast pork is best, if you have it, but deli pork will do in a pinch}, chopped
2 slices Swiss cheese, cut into very small dice
10 dill pickle chips, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil and spray lightly with olive oil. Set aside.

2. Place empanada rounds onto pan and spread a tiny bit of mustard and a tiny bit of mayo on each circle. You may want to dab a little bit around the edges of the circle with your finger to use as "glue".

3. In a medium bowl mix together ham, pork, Swiss and pickles. Take about a tablespoon of mixture and place in the center of each empanada round.

4. Carefully fold over one half of the empanada to the other to form a half circle, pressing lightly around the edges. Using the tines of a fork, press down on edges to crimp closed.

5. Spray or brush tops with olive oil and bake for about 12-15 minutes until they start to get golden and the dough is puffed up and cooked.

Serve while hot & melty, but be careful not to burn your tongue. :)

Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival

Where can you mingle with world-renown chefs and food TV personalities while sampling some of the finest examples of culinary genius around, all in the name of charity?

The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, of course.

I had the distinct pleasure of attending a few of the 7th Annual PBFWF events last month, and I can't say enough about what a great experience it was... though it's taken me this long to post about it. Darn holidays.

Anyway, being a month a little late with the post has allowed everything to sink in and I'm ready to share my experience with you so you'll be pumped for when PBFWF comes back around next year.

Many of the PBFWF events took place at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach. Let's be real: You can't go wrong with an event at a place that looks like this.

Oh, hi. Can I live here?

I was able to attend the Chef Talk, where chefs Daniel Boulud {Cafe Boulud}, Michael Schwartz {Restaurant Michael Schwartz}, Mike Lata {FIG}, Stephen Stryjewski {Cochon}, and Giorgio Rapicavoli {Eating House} discussed their thoughts on the James Beard Foundation. Though they all agreed that being a JB Award winner -- and even nominee -- is a grand honor that all chefs covet, they also seemed to concede to the fact that the award is never the true objective.

There I am, in all my geeky-excited glory.

Each of the chefs have experienced success in some aspect; some touting world-renown accolades, others just beginning their journey in the new, uncharted world of reality TV-fueled fame. But no matter where they consider themselves in their career, the consensus was the same: The ultimate goal is to provide an exquisite dining experience to those who really matter -- their customers.

Chef groupies/paparazzi.

I had a whole page of notes including fun little anecdotes {think: Boulud sharing his "finger" salt measurement technique with the audience} and details pertaining to each chef, but alas, in my excitement I exited the talk and left them behind. It's a wonder that I never became a real journalist, huh? Sigh. I'm sorry. But tell me you can concentrate with this surrounding you:

Fact: I was way too excited to eat. Well, ok. I had a tiny donut. But whatever.

After the talk, Steve and I {he was my camera-holding assistant for the day} decided to walk around the resort and take in the scenery. We ended up finding ourselves smack in the middle of setup for the next event. It's a funny thing to unexpectedly run into people you've only ever watched on TV. {Steve may or may not have stalked Unwrapped Marc Summers for a picture, claiming that he could not leave without taking a picture with the "Double Dare" host. Oh, children of the 80's.}

Left: Chef Irvine doing his thing. Top right: Me & The Sandwich King. Bottom right: Steve & his childhood hero.

Though we weren't officially part of the Chillin' N Grillin' event, we got a little taste of what was to come for attendees as we watched chefs like Jeff Mauro {The Sandwich King} and Robert Irvine {Restaurant Impossible} set up their stations and banter with onlookers. There were more events to come that evening, but we packed it up and headed home since we were technically stowaways, and we knew we'd have a chance to nosh on some tasty bites during the Grand Tasting.

The Grand Tasting is the culminating event of the PBFWF and, in my opinion, a place you definitely want to be. Nearly 100 vendors were set up along the amazing, two-story courtyard at 150 Worth Avenue offering everything from savory bites to sinful sweets and perfectly poured cocktails. Among them, were my friends at Echo, the impeccably coiffed mavens of HMF at the Breakers {which I've still not visited!} and even my buddies from Whole Foods Market Palm Beach Gardens!

It was sensory overload with sights, sounds, smells and tastes bombarding you from every direction -- in a very good way. I'll let the pictures tell the tale...

As the final event of the evening, The Grand Chef Throwdown presented by Creekstone Farms showcased the skills of three chefs {Edward Dickens, Scott Varricchio & Eric Grutka} as they battled it out in a 30 minute cook-off {complete with "mystery ingredient"} where the winner would take home $10,000 to split with a charity of their choice... not to mention bragging rights. The judges Virginia Phillips, Nathan Stambaugh and Lindsay Autry {remember her from my visit to Sundy House?} had a tough, but delicious, task ahead of them in choosing the dish that would win the dough.

The view from the judges' seats.

In the end, Chef Eric Grutka of Ian's Tropical Grill & Crush Wine Bar beat out the other two chefs securing his win for the second year in a row.

I had a fantastic time at the PBFWF... my only regret was not getting to attend more of the events! {They all looked absolutely amazing.} But now that my eyes have been opened to the wonder that is this great foodie festival... you know where you can find me next year!

Until next year, PBFWF!

Follow the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival Facebook page for updates and information for next year's event.

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to the two events mentioned in this post in exchange for media coverage. As always, all opinions are my own.

Spicy Broccoli Rabe + White Bean Soup

My energy/productivity levels seem to have a direct correlation to the amount of sunshine on any given day.

Bright, gorgeous, sunshiny day? Just try and stop me -- I'm on fire.

Cloudy, rainy, gloomy day? I'm lucky if I change out of my jammies.

What can I say, I'm solar powered. Pretty appropriate for a Florida girl.

The "Sunshine State" has done a poor job of living up to its moniker this week, bringing buckets of rain and the tiniest glimmers of sunshine through the thick blanket of clouds that have been looming overhead. I'm not complaining... I realize half the country has been buried beneath mountains of snow thanks to the "Polar Vortex". I realize how good we have it. {Though, seriously, there are some areas that are so flooded right now you'd need a rowboat to get to work.} I'm just telling you this because I need an excuse for the non-recipe recipes I've been sharing this week.

Something about falling precipitation -- rain, sleet, snow -- causes cravings for soup.

It warms you up from the inside out and, whether you're soaked to the bone or chilled to the core, feeds the tummy and the soul.

Truth be told, I didn't plan on sharing this recipe on the blog... it wasn't even a "recipe". It was just a bunch of stuff I threw into a pot on a rainy day that happened to result in deliciousness. Sometimes those types of meals turn out to be the best ones to share.

White beans form a healthy base for this comforting soup. Not a drop of dairy to be found, and yet, the result is creamy and rich enough to give a sense of decadence. A hint of spice from red pepper flakes turns up the heat, and the subtle bitterness from broccoli rabe adds interest to this simple dish. Served with crusty bread or salty crackers, it's truly complete.

So, if you're like me and this week has had you struggling for energy {i.e. you're completely unmotivated to cook but are still hungry}, this is soup is a great solution to your rainy day/snowy day blues.

What's your favorite recipe when Mother Nature is being temperamental? 

Stay dry, friends!

Spicy Broccoli Rabe & White Bean Soup

1/2 a large onion, diced
Pinch of salt
2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, depending on how spicy you like it
2 cans white beans, rinsed & drained {I used Great Northern Beans}
3 cups low sodium chicken broth {or vegetable broth}
1/2 of a medium yellow squash, chopped {or 1 small one}
1/2 of a medium zucchini, chopped {or 1 small one}
1/2 of a large bunch broccoli rabe, tough stems removed, chopped {probably about 3-4 cups worth}

1. Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt, and saute for 4-5 minutes or until just tender. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring frequently until fragrant.

2. Add beans and about 1 cup of chicken broth to the mixture. Bring to a slight simmer.

3. Ladle out about 2-3 ladle-fulls of bean mixture {you can do more or less depending on how you prefer the texture of your soup -- for chunkier soup, scoop out less for smoother soup scoop out more} and place in a blender. Blend until smooth. Return blended mixture to pot and stir.

4. Add remaining chicken broth and stir well. Add squash and zucchini and stir to incorporate. Increase heat and bring to a bubble.

5. Once bubbling, add chopped broccoli rabe and stir. Let cook for about 4-5 minutes or until the tougher parts of the broccoli rabe are tender and the zucchini is no longer raw.

Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers. Or croutons. Or those yummy little oyster cracker things. Mmm.

*I don't add a whole lot of salt to things that have chicken broth as it is usually flavorful enough, but as always, season to taste.

Savoring South Beach | Miami Culinary Tours

Sometimes I forget that the area where I live is where people choose to spend their time vacationing. I guess being a South Florida native can make you take warm weather, sandy beaches and turquoise waters for granted.

Another thing I often overlook? My close proximity to Miami! I mean, people from all over the world fly in to spend time in a place that's just a little over an hour from my home... driving distance. And here I am, complaining that Miami is too far away for more visits. {By "far away", I obviously mean outside the invisible force field that keeps me from crossing the Palm Beach County line.}

When I got an email from Miami Culinary Tours inviting me to come check out the local cuisine, I decided it was high time I venture down to the place that beckons to sun-worshipers, culinary enthusiasts and celebrities alike. {Did I mention I was actually born in Miami??}

Miami Culinary Tours offers several different tasting experiences from Little Havana to the artsy Wynwood neighborhood. I decided to take the South Beach Tour since my last visit to the trendy locale was over 10 years ago!

Our tour guide, Cassie, was cute as a button and full of all kinds of information about the area, the history and, of course, the food! We got to the good stuff right away at our first stop...

Stop 1: 660 at The Angler's
Bite: Scallop Tiradito with Aji Amarillo, Garlic Chips & Lemon Oil

Steve and I had some time to take a peek around The Angler's Boutique Hotel before the tour began and it was charming. The chic restored Mediterranean revival resort had features like dreamy vine-covered walls and cozy seating areas tucked away that make you want to stay a while. {Or, you know, forever.}

Chef Carlos Torres spices up the menu with mouthwatering items with a "Floribbean" flair. The Scallop Tiradito was bursting with flavor {and a touch of heat} and it definitely whetted our appetites for all the food to come!

Stop 2: Bolivar Restaurant
Bite{s} & Sip: Deep Fried Corn Empanadas, Seasoned Shredded Chicken atop a Crunchy Plantain & a "Refajo" Cocktail

We walked over to Bolivar where the vibe quickly changed from relaxed to energized. The bright, quirky space had a fun feel to it and the food followed suit!

Though I'm not a huge fan of deep fried foods, the Columbian-style empanada and crunchy plantain with shredded chicken paired with a spicy chimichurri-type sauce were both too flavorful to refuse. The most surprising part of the sampling came when we were served "Refajo" cocktails, made from a combination of soda & beer! A bit odd, yes, but refreshing and pretty tasty!

Stop 3: David's Cafe
Bite & Sip: Pastelito de Guayaba & Cafe Cubano

You simply can't experience Miami fully without Cuban coffee and guava pastries. It's a law, I think. So, our next stop at David's Cafe was abiding by the rules of South Florida. We strolled up to the ventanita {window} at David's for our little taste of Miami.

I have eaten many a guava pastry in my life. David's didn't disappoint with its flaky pastry and sticky, sweet guava filling Truthfully, I think it's hard to make a pastelito that I don't like. The thimble-sized shots of Cuban coffee counteracted any lethargy that might have been taking hold at this point in the tour. Syrupy sweet and s.t.r.o.n.g. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but exactly how I like my coffee! It's the Cuban in me, what can I say.

Stop 4: Jerry's Famous Deli
Bite: Raspberry Rugelach

Because we weren't on enough of a sugar high after our Cuban treats, we headed over to Jerry's Famous Deli for another sweet bite. Jerry's wasn't at all what I expected -- quite an expansive space! Though it was large, it still maintained that definitive delicatessen feel with menu options to match. Classics like matzo ball soup and pastrami on rye mingled with unexpected additions like flavored martinis and "SoBe Mex" options.

We each sampled a delicious Raspberry Rugelach, a traditional Jewish favorite. I really enjoyed the cookie {though I was starting to feel pretty stuffed!} with the rich dough and fruity filling with cream cheese adding a creamy cheesecake-like addition. I want to recreate these at home!

Stop 5: Block's Pizza Deli
Bite: The "Sundried Hippie" Pocket

I couldn't believe we had a few stops left, but I marched on to our next location, Block's Pizza Deli. I'm not going to lie, I initially thought that this particular stop was a little out of place. You could tell it was a newer location, and I personally don't identify pizza with South Beach. But my questioning was soon halted when I took a bite of the "Sundried Hippie" Pocket, a delicious combo of sundried tomatoes, feta, baby spinach, pesto, and kalamata olives.

While we ate, I looked around and got a better understanding for what sets Block's apart from "just another pizza place." I found the concept of the "Mother Dough" fascinating, and I loved the fact that they really do focus on fresh, quality ingredients -- they don't even have any freezers! I would definitely want to check this place out another time.

Stop 6: Charlotte Bakery
Bite: Argentinian Chicken Empanadas 

I could have happily curled up on a bench somewhere and drifted away into a food coma by this part of the tour, but we still had more eating to do at Charlotte Bakery.

As soon as I walked in, I just had a good feeling about this spot. A family-owned and operated location, Charlotte's offers something I just adore: A smorgasbord of cultural delicacies served under one roof {and in this case, inside one bakery case}. I loved the fact that each empanada and bite was labeled with the country of its origin {as each country has its own unique approach}.

The Argentinian empanada we were served differed greatly from the deep-fried, corn tortilla-enveloped version we had earlier int the day. This baked empanada was bundled by a soft, flaky pastry and filled with seasoned, shredded chicken. Bottles of creamy avocado-cilantro sauce were passed around {and I seriously wanted to stick one in my purse to take home with me. So good.} for dipping, and the two flavors went together perfectly. I had all of 3 bites and had to throw in the towel because we still had one more stop before the end of the tour...

Stop 7: Milani Gelateria
Bite: GELATO!

As full as I was, there was no way I was going to turn down gelato. And upon seeing the rotating roulette {click for an Instagram video} of flavors at Milani Gelateria, I was mesmerized.

Milani is located in what I thought was the cutest area of all the places we visited, Espanola Way. It's sort of adorable. And romantic. It made me want to find a table to sit at with Steve and enjoy a glass of wine. But alas, we had gelato eating to do. {And obviously, that's way more important.}

We each got to choose a flavor {I picked Bacio which tastes like Nutella, no surprise there}. The gelato was just what I hoped it would be: smooth, silky, rich... pure perfection. The perfect way to wrap up an amazing day of gluttony!

Disclosure: Miami Culinary Tours gave me two complimentary passes for this experience. I was not compensated for this post, and as always, all opinions here are my own! 

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The tour gave me such an appreciation for the beauty of South Beach and made me want to come back for more. There wasn't one stop that I wouldn't return to, which I would call a success. It was way beyond what I expected, and I think it's a great way to get a feel for the area whether you're a visitor or a local.

The next time I feel like trying something new, I think I'll head back down to South Beach and do some more exploring! A huge thank you to Miami Culinary Tours for the reminder that there's an epicurean adventure right in my own backyard!

Want a little taste of South Florida? Try some of my Cuban family favorites, including my Abuela's famous Arroz con Pollo Relleno {"Stuffed" Chicken & Rice}!

Arroz con Pollo Relleno, Croquetas de Jamon, Flan de Naranja

Yuca con Mojo, Bocaditos, Pastel de Guayaba y Queso