Holland America
I have traveled to the South Pacific a dozen times. It is a wonderful part of the world. Every island is different.. Thursday's show on SDLiving will focus on a few recipes and travel talk! Here are the recipes. If you can not tune in or San Diego is not in your viewing area you can watch online or after the show I will put my segment up.
Drink: Coconut Pineapple Breeze
New Caledonia Shrimp with Honey Dipping Sauce
France 2018.. What happen to 2017?
We just returned from a great tour of France with a group of fantastic "foodies". I have been taking groups since the mid-90s and I never get tired of the countryside.
From waking up to the morning church bells of the quant village to the hot freshly baked croissant to all of the classes, tours and events we have planned.
Here are a few recipes from the week and also information on 2018. We are sold out for 2017. And the registration opens on June 1st. So if you are planning on joining us in the South of France. Take a look at the brochure and ask questions. The first 4 couples to have their registration in after June 1st are on the trip!
Recipe: Brochettes de Tomates et Mozzarella
This upcoming Saturday (May 14th) I will be on board the ms Westerdam from Seattle to Seattle into Alaska. Next week I will bring you recipes from the trip. It is going to be a great week as its their Chefs at Sea Program.
See you on the sea, my segments on SDLiving or a class soon!
George
The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant:
http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au
Going back in time.. We had reservations for the luncheon. You arrive at a train stop with about 50 others. In a few minutes prior to your designated time, you hear a click-ity clack on the tracks and up comes from around the corner 4 restored Victorian train cars in beautiful Burgundy and brass. The inside were plush and the feel of turning back the clock. You spend about 2 hours on the tramcar drinking anything that a full bar would have (they love you to enjoy the local wines of the region), and hot rolls out of the oven. The two servers introduce themselves and also the chef for your car. While you are riding around the city of Melbourne you can see out to the busy streets but the windows are tinted so nobody can see you.
If you get to the wonderful city of Melbourne make a reservation months in advance like we did as they sell out. From our ship we were the only two on board. They have dinner and late night seating’s also.
Here is the menu for Lunch Service.
Appetizer:
Hummus dip: A smooth blend of chickpea and tahini with a hint of mint, served with crisp lavosh
Roasted Red Capsicum Dip: Fresh roasted capsicum blended with Australian cream cheese and tapenade, served with golden baked water crackers
Entrée:
Duck Terrine: Tender confit duck terrine wrapped in prosciutto, accompanied by a wild berry relish and cornichons.
or
Smoked Salmon & Avocado: Smoked Tasmanian salmon and avocado mousse, dressed with baby capers, red onion and tomato salsa
Main
Grilled Chicken Breast: Marinated in herbs on a bed of sautéed spinach served with seasonal vegetables and a rich reduction
or
Victorian Farmed Eye Fillet of Beef: Paired with a rosemary and thyme scallop potato, fresh seasonal vegetables, onion marmalade and red wine jus
Cheese Tasting Plate
Chef’s Selection of Local Cheese
Matched with a quince paste, golden crisp water crackers, and a spic
ed fruit 
Auckland to Cairns "The World" 2017
This was my second time in Auckland, NZ without really seeing it. From the airport to the ship.. Then we sailed! 14 days on the water, 5 ports, 2 demonstrations, 2 hands on cooking classes, 2 cocktail "sip and savory" parties and 5 co-hosting of Good Morning Amsterdam. And that's just a few of the highlights.
I have been on this run a few times, but getting up at 5am to see us sail into the Port of Sydney with the Opera house illuminating with the morning sunrise and going under the Sydney Bridge just clearing it by a few inches. Previously we have docked in Circular Quay (Between the Bridge and the Opera.. But since the ma Amsterdam can clear the bridge under we go to another dock..
One of my shows was New Zealand Foods. Here are the two recipes I made. Try them out.
Monday on SDLiving I will be doing a special show for Dad's.. Mainly my dad!
Here is a rare picture of us.. Mom really didn't let Dad hold us.. In fact some didn't think we had legs that worked! Father's Day is a tough day for gifts.. You try to get something useful yet fun.. So I came up years ago with a blend of Cinnamon Sugar that dad likes on his buttered toast in the mornings.. I packaged it and put lables with this picture.. Wala! A perfect personal gift.. We will be making this and also a Steak/Rub rub. Also some of Dad's Favorite Chocolate Desserts!
Join me on SDLiving Tomorrow LIVE at 9am.. Here are the recipes...
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
See you on the HAL Flagship... The ms Amsterdam on Sunday out of Seattle.. Heading to Alaska for a week!
We are 1/2 full for France 2016.. Will you be coming with us? It maybe our last weeks in the villas for a while.. ggeary@aol.com
The Waffles of Norway
I recently returned from a 7 day cruise of The Netherlands and Norway. We started in Rotterdam the home port of Holland America Lines and also the ms. Rotterdam. We sailed to Oslo, the Fjords, Flam and a few places in-between.
Many places served waffles. cold waffles. I am used to a nice crispy hot butter melting waffles. Not the Dutch or Norwegians. They make waffles and stack them up with just a towel on top to keep warm. Served with a nice raspberry compote and thickened cream or sour cream. Here are the waffles I had above Flam, Norway