Author Archives for FoodieWineLover - Gina (Martino) Zarcadoolas

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About FoodieWineLover - Gina (Martino) Zarcadoolas

My name is Gina (Martino) Zarcadoolas and I am the name behind the blog Foodiewinelover. I am of Italian and Middle Eastern descent, but spent part of my early childhood in Haiti. It's a small country in the Caribbean (formerly known as Hispanola, because the island was occupied by Haiti and the Dominican Republic before both nations became independent.) I am married to a Greek and I currently live in South Florida, where there is a big Cuban influence. As you can see, I am multi-cultural, and I enjoy traditional and authentic dishes from various cuisines. I am a passionate food writer, a recipe developer, and a cookbook author. I am a Level 2 sommelier, and recently received a level 2 "WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust". I am a culinary personality and a world traveler. In March 2023, I was awarded the title of "Italian Wine Scholar", after undergoing rigorous studies of all the twenty Italian wine regions. In between blogging, I sell and invest in Real Estate. I have been inspired by many different cuisines during my travels abroad, and I am fascinated, the way food plays a major role in cultures all over the globe. I have had the pleasure to visit many countries and cities in my lifetime, and savored many delicious ethnic cuisines. I am really excited to discover WordPress and share with you my passion for food, wine and travels around the world. I feel blessed to have visited so many places such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti (where I lived), Mexico City, Taxco, Acapulco, and Cancun in Mexico; Nassau, Paradise Island, in the Bahamas; St. John, St.Thomas, San Jose, Guanacaste in Costa Rica; Rome, Naples, Capri, Positano, Florence, Venice, Lake Como, Milan, in Italy; Lugano, Switzerland; Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, in Greece; Kusadasi and Ephesus in Turkey; Corsica, Monacoville and Montecarlo in Monaco; Nice, Cannes in France; Barcelona in Spain and Palma De Majorca. Most recently, I visited Cartagena, Colombia. I currently live in the USA with my beautiful family. In 2013 I visited wine country, Sonoma and Napa Valley, and had the time of my life. In 2017, I explored the world of Tuscan living and wines from that region. I also visited Positano, the Amalfi Coast and Naples where I relished on some authentic Southern Italian Cuisine. I cook passionately, and I love to entertain family and friends, while sipping on some amazing wine. I will share with you some of my delicious culinary creations, and some beautiful pictures that I captured during my travels. I hope you will sit back, relax and enjoy My Food, Wine & Travel Lifestyles.

Gina’s Hummus

Hummus

Good morning all! I am still very excited about blogging and hope more of you will join me on my new journey.   I have debated what to post, since I have a nice collection of recipes in my database. Today, I decided to share with you my popular Hummus recipe. It’s always a big hit at my gatherings and so easy to prepare.

Serves:  6-8
Degree of difficulty: Easy

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 – 16 ounces can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 tsp. salt, optional
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp. Tahini (sesame paste) optional but highly recommended for richness
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 1 lemon
  • Paprika
  • Olives and flat leaf parsley for garnish, optional
Very appealing to the eyes

Very appealing to the eyes

 

PREPARATION:

Combined all the ingredients (except for the  paprika and garnishes)  in a food processor or blender until it reaches a creamy texture. Add more water if needed. Place in a medium size bowl, garnish with olives, parsley, sprinkle the paprika and drizzle some olive oil on top. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Voila, you got yourself a crowd pleaser! Serve with Pita bread.

Bon Appetit

From Gina’s Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

Helene’s Delicious Tabbouleh

Happy New Week everyone! I’d love to share with you, my favorite salad that my Mom taught me. Her name is Helene and her background is from the Middle East. It is sometimes called Tabouleh or Tabouli.You will love this recipe because it’s delicious and very refreshing. You can make it on hot summer days or cold winter nights. Either way, it will be delectable.

 

img_5976

Tabbouleh

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1.5 cup finely cracked wheat, which can be found at specialty stores *
  • 1.5 cup of water
  • 1 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 2 cups chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 1 large tomato, diced
  • 5 scallions, sliced
  • 1 large lemon, juiced
  • 6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Pomegranate seeds for garnish, optional

PREPARATION:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, soak the cracked wheat in water for about 20 to 30 minutes until all the water is fully absorbed.
  2. In the meanwhile, chop and prep all your ingredients.
  3. Add all the ingredients in the wheat and give it a good stir. Taste it and adjust as needed. Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours for maximum flavor. Most of the time, the oil will be absorbed during the chilling process. You will need to add some extra lemon juice and olive oil  to moisten the salad and give it that glistening look.
  4. Place the salad in a serving bowl and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

* You can substitute the cracked wheat with bulgur or quinoa. Cook according to package directions. The measurements that I give you are to be used as a barometer. I always recommend that you tweak everything to your taste.

Bon Appetit

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Foodiewinelover
My Food, Wine & Travel Lifestyles
Culinary Aficionado and WSET-Level 2 certified wine connoisseur

 

 

 

 

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