Blog

Meet the Chef: Marcus Von Albrecht

Acclaimed Chef Marcus Von Albrecht is the president & CEO of Von Albrecht & Associates and MAVA Foods in Vancouver, Canada. He serves as Vice President of AREGALA (Asociasancion Restaurandores Gastronomicos De Las Americas), representing the culinary arts of 42 countries in North and South America.

Chef Von Albrecht is a six-time recipient of the Canadian Culinary Federation’s President’s award, and is past-president and Lifetime Achievement Award winner of the Chef’s Association of British Columbia.

Sails & Spices sat down with Chef Marcus Von Albrecht on a sunny rooftop patio (more…)

November 28, 2016
Bite Into the Best Vegan BLT

When many consider a plant-based diet, the fear of missing out on favorite foods can be a non-starter. No more! This amazing vegan BLT raises the bar and proves that whole foods are indeed absolute stunners, satisfying the even most entrenched cravings.

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November 19, 2016
Sipping Ginja in Obidos, Portugal

If you are looking to savor the atmosphere of a small and historic village in Portugal, there is nowhere more picturesque and charming than Obidos. This quaint town is made up of a maze of cobblestone streets and white washed churches, surrounded by tall castle walls. Although a little touristy at times, there is a great ‘lost in time’ atmosphere that takes you back to a medieval era gone by.

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November 16, 2016
Apple & Herb Thanksgiving Dressing

The holidays are an interesting time for new vegans or vegetarians and their families. Traditions rule, and that means stuffing, gravy, and all of the holiday trimmings. What to make for the plant-eaters? We’ve run into our fair share of less than inspired freezer aisle veggie “options”, and we’re here to say there is a better way!

Having lived in both the north and the south, we call it either dressing or stuffing interchangeably. Whatever your kitchen names it, the dish is a holiday staple… and it needs to be great! A perennial favourite for both our Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, this vegan stuffing recipe combines fresh herbs, apple, and crunchy walnuts to pull the side-dish into centre stage. Vegans and vegetarians (and their hosts), sigh no more at the holiday dinner table! This will be the star of the show…

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November 11, 2016
Absolutely Delicious Miso Gravy

In Vancouver there is a restaurant called The Naam. It’s a quirky vegetarian institution, open 24/7, and is the perfect place to meet friends for an inspired and healthy meal regardless of the hour. One of the most popular dishes is the Dragon bowl, made with the secret-recipe Naam miso gravy. The popularity can’t be understated; it’s even sold by the bottle. (more…)

November 11, 2016
Homemade Cranberry Sauce

When you live abroad, perspective is found equally in the new things you discover and the familiar things you miss. On our first thanksgiving in Australia, we had a heck of a time finding cranberries for the ubiquitous holiday sauce. Persistence paid off that year, and we cheerfully brought home the bright red berries to make this simple staple family heirloom of a recipe. It’s so good, we almost didn’t want to let the recipe out…

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November 11, 2016
The Lisbon City Guide

Lisbon is a city of neighborhoods waiting to be discovered and explored. Panoramic views are around every corner. The city is spread across seven hills, giving stunning views over the red rooftops and plazas towards the Tagus River (Río Tajo) as it empties into the Atlantic ocean.

After walking up all those hills, there is no shortage of wine bars, tapas lounges, and terrace cafés to refuel you. You can explore by foot, tuk-tuk, or take the historic trams through the old winding and beautifully cobbled streets.

In this city guide we share our favorite attractions, wine bars & best vegetarian place to eat. Keep scrolling to the end of the post for a map with all our recommendations listed…

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November 4, 2016
Baked Hazelnut Falafel

‘What is a falafel?’, our travel companion mused as we strolled past our second falafel purveyor in a block in Manhattan’s midtown. For a moment, I wondered if he was joking. Surely everyone had indulged in pita wrapped falafel with tomato, lettuce, and plenty of white & red sauce, whether for a hurried lunch or on the way home from a late night out!

As it turns out, the middle-eastern favorite of vegetarians and time-strapped New Yorkers alike remains new to many. Here, we skip the fryer and introduce you to the recipe for our very favorite healthy variation (more…)

November 3, 2016
Top Tips for Visiting the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is most likely at the top of your list if you are planning a visit to New York City. It’s such a classic icon of NYC, with a history of greeting passengers and immigrants as they came into the New York Harbor.

Sitting out in the misty harbor, the statue beckons you from its island, the torch continuously lighting the way for enlightenment and freedom.

These are our best tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Statue Of Liberty visit, including how to secure the best seat on the ferry for sweeping views… (more…)

October 26, 2016
An afternoon at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in St. Louis

If your travels should ever take you to St. Louis, you have two things to do… take in a Cardinals baseball game and head over to the Anheseur-Busch Brewery for a guided tour and a couple of beers. St. Louis is home to Budweiser and the original Anheseur-Busch Brewery, open since 1852!

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October 16, 2016