Spice Up your Weeknights with Some Wordly Travel!

Enhance your daily life by experiencing the world through food and drinks! Lindsay Myers, Access TV Personality, budget travel, and lifestyle expert says you can experience the best of the world right from home.

We all deserve to explore and try new things this summer. Stepping out of our comfort zones and trying something new is an advantage we all have the ability to do right from home. You can now visit Thailand without quarantine – check out the Thailand Pass Application a free guide and an optional paid white-glove service.

Food and drink pairings are really the way to go, add  some vibrant music and virtual tours online and really take your home dinners and hostings to the next level. Such a great way for kids to experience the world as well, even add some language teaching to the table in a fun way!

Here’s a few tips from Lindsay on spicing up your weeknights with some worldly travel:

Monday: Ciao, Italy! The country has something for everyone and Italian food is delicious and really not hard to make. Try simple Carbonara paired with an Aperol Spritz  Aperol Spritz 

• 9 cl Prosecco
• 6 cl Aperol
• Splash of soda water 

Aperol was created in 1919 but became popular and the Aperol spritz was born in the 1950’s. This aperitif helps stimulate the appetite and is enjoyed throughout Italy. 
Tuesday: Opa! Greece: Escape to the Mediterranean.Just think of that beautiful crystal blue island water. Try Moussaka  It is a great dish full of eggplant, lamb, potatoes, and cheese on top. A staple in Greek culture. Make sure to sip on Ouzo while you enjoy your meal. 

What is ouzo, you ask? You might remember the infamous ouzo-drinking scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Ouzo is made from a base spirit of grapes before being flavored with anise – the same distinct taste found in absinthe.  Wednesday: Viva la Mexico! Brunch up on a Wednesday with chilaquiles.  It is very simple, but amazing! It is just tortilla chips, salsa, fried eggs, and all the nacho toppings. Why not bring brunch to your mid week? Paired great with some Mezcal!  MARGARIZO

• 2oz. IZO Mezcal 
• 1 Lime Juiced
• 1/2 oz. Triple Sec

The word “mezcal” comes from Nahuatl mexcalli [meʃˈkalːi], which means “oven-cooked agave”. It has a distinct smoky flavor which is generated from the unique manner in which the agave is “baked”. There are over 40 varieties of agave, any of which can be used to produce Mezcal, but each of which has its own flavor.

Thursday: Korea – 건배  ‘Cheers’Some may  think is the cuisine is complicated, but anyone can make it. And, it is healthy! Bibimbap is just rice, veggies (mushrooms, carrots, spinach, bean sprouts) beef, and a fried egg. This really elevated dinner and will impress your friends. Try this meal with some Soju,  Soju (소주; 燒酒) means “burned liquor”, the origin of soju dates back to the 13th century!
Friday: India, all about the spices!. A delicious and easy dish from India is Butter chicken, a true crowd pleaser full of spices like, cinnamon, turmeric, garlic, cardamon, finished off with tomatoes. Paired with their good ol’ local beer of Kingfisher. 

Saturday: Egypt, eat like a Pharaoh. A country known for so many things, but have you ever tried their food? They have delicious dishes and perfect for sharing. Try hummus with pita bread, shish kebab with yogurt sauce, and falafel with rice, then have some delicious Egyptian tea to top it off.When it comes to tea, there’s always time for more talk. Tea and shisha, a standard duo you can see around literally every corner in Egypt’s traditional coffee shops. 

Sunday: Thailand -A little Spicy- phet nit nawy, it’s all about the heat of your curry!You will be blown away with their food. Their curries are amazing. Red or green depending on how spicy you want it to be served with rice and meat of choice. Top it off with their local beer, Singha
  Some great cocktails to try along the way:  Cuba: Mojito 

• 4 cl white rum
• 3 cl fresh lime juice
• 6 sprigs of mint
• 2 teaspoons sugar (or 2 cl of sugar syrup)

Originated in Havana, Cuba and a favorite of Hemingway, this simple and fresh cocktail is made for the Caribbean.  Ireland: Irish Coffee 

• 4 cl (2 parts) Irish whiskey
• 8 cl (4 parts) hot coffee
• 3 cl (1½ parts) fresh cream
• 1 tsp brown sugar

There are many theories of the exact location that this cocktail came from. But all stories come from Ireland.   Spain: Sangria

• (1) 750ML Bottle of Red Spanish Wine
• (1) Lemon
• (1) Orange
• (1) Peach
• (1) Apple
• (1/4) Cup Spanish Brandy
• (1) Cup Orange Juice (not from concentrate)
• (1/3) Cup White Sugar
• (1) Cinnamon Stick

Sangria can be traced back to the 18th century. It gained popularity throughout all of Europe and can be mixed with red or white wine.   France: French75

• 3 cl gin
• 2 dashes simple syrup
• 1.5 cl lemon juice
• 6 cl Champagne

This cocktail dates back to World War 1 but got its formal name in 1926 at Harry’s Bar in Paris. “The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun.”  NYC: Old Fashioned

• 4.5 cl Bourbon or Rye whiskey
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 sugar cube
• Few dashes plain water

There is debate whether the old fashion was created in NYC or Louisville dating back to 1880. When most people think of cocktails they think of the classic old fashioned in a NYC bar. But don’t mention that to Kentucky!