Foodie's Nest

Learn how to cook barley two foolproof ways! This chewy, nutty whole grain is perfect for soups, salads, and hearty side dishes. Here’s a grain that’s chewy, hearty, and works in everything from hearty comfort food to fresh salads: barley! People have been eating this ancient whole grain for centuries: it’s packed with protein, fiber and vitamins, and its chewy texture and nutty flavor make it uniquely delicious. As an expert in Mediterranean diet recipes , I love recommending barley as a unique way to eat whole grains. I love throwing it into salads and soups (particularly this barley salad ), or eating it as a side dish alternative to rice. Here’s more about this grain and how to cook it! What Is Barley? Barley is a whole grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor. It’s a seed of the grass family grass family Poaceae and is the fourth largest grain crop in the world, after wheat, rice and corn. It’s one of the oldest cereal...

Here’s how to make the classic French Pastis drink ! It’s a refreshing mix of the anise-flavored liqueur and water. Looking to drink Pastis like the French do? I’m always up for adding a bottle to my liquor cabinet, and today it’s Pernod , an anise-flavored liqueur from France. It’s very similar to Pastis: so similar, in fact, that you can drink it in the same way! The French dilute it with water so that it becomes beautifully cloudy and almost iridescent yellow. I first tasted this on the beach in Cassis, France and it was sophisticated and refreshing, kind of like drinking ice cold black licorice! What Is Pastis? This classic French drink works with Pernod or Pastis, two anise-flavored liqueurs that are similar to absinthe. In fact, Pastis was invented as an alternative to absinthe after it was banned in France in 1915. It became very popular in the 1930’s and is popular to this day. How the French Drink Pastis Here’s how the Fre...

The Cappelletti Spritz is a delicious spin on the Aperol Spritz using Cappelletti Aperitivo. Here’s my easy 3-ingredient recipe for this refreshing Italian cocktail. Here’s the I reach for when friends come over and I want something that tastes like Italian golden hour with almost zero effort: the Cappelletti spritz! This Italian aperitif is sweeter and easier to drink than Campari, making it a great option for drinkers who are new to or love Italian amari . The sweet wine-based aperitivo has a roundness in flavor that’s unlike any you’ve tried. One of my favorite ways to drink it is a spritz: I love a good Aperol Spritz and Hugo Spritz , but this one is even better (I think!). Here’s my Cappelletti spritz recipe and more about why I love this amaro. What is Cappelletti? Cappelletti , aka Aperitivo Cappelletti , is a wine-based Italian red bitter aperitif that’s been produced by the Cappelletti family for four generations. Th...

The Royal Flush drink mixes Crown Royal whisky with cranberry juice and peach schnapps for a refreshing sweet-tart cocktail. Here’s how to make this easy drink at home, plus a Royal Flush shot variation. Looking for a way to use Crown Royal whiskey? Try the Royal Flush , a fun drink that pairs sweet tart cranberry with the vanilla, brown sugar and oaky notes of Crown Royal. Add fruity peach schnapps, and it’s a refreshing, sweet-tart way to drink your whiskey. As a cocktail expert I like balanced drinks, so I’ve created my own spin on this cocktail so it’s interesting and sophisticated, not overly sweet. Here’s how to make it! What’s in a Royal Flush Drink? The Royal Flush drink is a cocktail made with Crown Royal whiskey, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps. It’s named after the highest possible poker hand: ace, king, queen, jack, and ten in the same suit, making it an apt drink for card playing. Some recipes incl...