Beauty. Fashion. Food. Lifestyle.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Experiencing Cyprus Through It's Traditional Desserts

Oh, how I would love to travel the world and sample desserts from various countries. I enjoyed reading this sponsored post about the delectable desserts from Cyprus and wanted to share it with you. Have you tried these desserts? I've had kourabiedes and they were delish. It was fun looking up each. Enjoy! 

The island of Cyprus is known for many things, not the least of which is their impressive range of delicacies, both savoury and sweet. While traditional Cypriot food takes from some of the most delicious culinary cultures in the world (Turkish and Greek) the local fare has a flavour all its own. For visitors who packed a sweet tooth, Cypriot treats are some of the most interesting and delicious sweets your tastebuds will ever know. Here's a simple guide for those flying out the Cyprus with First Choice and wanting to navigate its delicious world of authentic desserts.


Loukoumades
These are essentially tiny, sweet, fried doughballs covered in syrup or honey. They are incredibly delicious and dangerously addictive.

Souzouko
A local favourite at fairs and festivals throughout Cyprus; the dessert is made by dipping strings of nuts in hot grape juice, which then solidifies and creates a sort of candy coating. This treat is both delicious and fun to eat.

Glyko
This dessert is a preserve which can come in a range of flavours including dates, almonds, apricots, cherries, quince or grape. These preserves are traditionally served with a glass of cold water.

Kourabiedes
These are traditional Cypriot almond cakes which are coated in icing sugar. A favourite among tourists, they are abundantly available and truly delectable.

Loukoumi
This is the famous dessert otherwise known as Turkish delight. The sweets are a family of confections which can be simple gels of starch and sugar with some of the more premium varieties including other ingredients like chopped dates, pistachios and hazelnuts that set within the gel. Eaten in small cubes and dusted with icing sugar, if there's one dessert every visitor must try, it's Loukoumi.

Vasilopita
If you're lucky enough to be visiting Cyprus over the New Year, be sure to try this traditional New Year’s cake. There's a gold coin baked into each of these cakes and it is said that the slice with the coin in it will bring good luck for the duration of the year!

Fresh Fruit
There are few more simple and delicious desserts in Cyprus than the bountiful fresh fruit. Local fruits include watermelon, oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, tangerines, melons, apples, pears, prickly pears, cherries, apricots, figs, pomegranates, bananas, plums, grapes and dates. More often than not these delicious fruits are fresher than fresh, typically being picked from a nearby tree and served as they're ordered. There's nothing quite like savouring the fresh flavours of seasonal Cypriot fruits; it is truly the ultimate dessert.

Cypriot fare is absolutely incredible. From the Greek and Turkish influences, to the fresh flavours cultivated in local fields and kitchens, the cuisine is to die for and the sweets are no exception. Whether they're enjoyed at the end of a meal or as a standalone treat, everything from traditional candied nuts to Turkish delight to fresh figs straight from the tree; Cypriots know how to bring sweetness to life in all sorts of delicious ways.

Image by Ale, used under the Creative Commons license.
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Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Nutcracker Sweet

Happy THANKSgiving Everybody! I took pictures of the Christmas decorations at Beau Rivage. They went with a beautiful nutcracker theme. I've always loved The Nutcracker Suite and these nutcrackers are just as SWEET. The lobby and hallways of the hotel are filled with banks of snow, islands of poinsettias, festive floral arrangements, over-sized Christmas ornaments and presents, animated animals, nutcrackers and an assortment of themed Christmas trees. It's so gorgeous. Enjoy. I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Be grateful and thankful for ALL that you have. SO MANY are without. If you have been blessed with extra, give to others that are less fortunate. God bless and have an amazing day.


















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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The Gambler

Guess what I found tonight? A Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory Slot Machine (see below)! Only me! LOL It was an interactive slot machine! If you get 3 glass elevators, you get to pick a lollipop and THEN the bonus starts! The chair you sit in shakes (like you're in the glass elevator) while the bonus reels spin. It didn't pay much, but it was fun. Plus it sings all the songs from the movie! HaHaHa I also found a cupcake slot machine. It paid well and was really cute. I didn't lose any money, so that was good. I'm really not a gambler, but I thought the name was befitting for this post. I always think of Kenny Rogers when I hear...The Gambler. I wore the most comfortable dress tonight! It's from Garnet Hill (click HERE) and I need it in ALL colors. It's worth every penny! So comfortable and soft. Nothing like a LBD. I paired mine with tights and my Michael Kors ballet flats (click HERE for Drama Queen bag). Makeup? I wore all Naked Skin products tonight. Love Urban Decay! I'll be doing reviews & giveaways for their products in December. Here's a preview! Remember to use Ebates to get CASH BACK!









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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Table Of Sweets

What's a getaway without a little indulgence? Ok, overindulgence. But that's what vacations are all about! LOL I had room service bring an assortment of sweets last night and a bottle of moscato (SMILE) *hiccup*. Cheesecake. Red velvet cake w/ cream cheese butter cream. Chocolate cake w/ chocolate mousse and chocolate butter cream. I could only sample each (they were huge hunks of cake), but the bottle of moscato? It's GONE! >.< Oh and lookie look! Some equally as sweet BEAUTY TREATS that I'll be reviewing and giving away in December! Now tell me, what kind of cake and wine do YOU like? I'm loving white wine.

Anna Sui Holiday Sweets Collection 01 (review), Sara Happ The Lip Scrub in Confetti Cake (review & giveaway), 
Benefit Holiday Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O'Blushes (review & giveaway) - all in December!






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