Culinary Travel: Florida

Florida cuisine is extremely diverse, as varied as her population, as exciting as her history. From the Spanish settlers in the early 16th century to the Cuban, Caribbean and African immigrants, the rich fusion of exotic and complex cuisines has created a food culture that continues to evolve. Visiting the Florida panhandle, the food traveler will find barbecue, grits, Cajun and Creole dishes, while a cooking vacation in the lower parts of Florida offers dishes such as Cuban arroz con pollo and Jamaican jerk chicken. Foodies will discover spicy flavors combined with the sweetness of tropical fruits such as mangoes, papayas, coconuts, and citrus fruits. Florida cuisine also features native seafood specialties including conch, grouper, snapper, and grunt along with unique local dishes like swamp cabbage, seviche, and Key lime pie. Vacationers are sure to enjoy the eclectic blend of culinary delights that are found in Florida.

Florida Key Lime Pie

 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
 2 (14 ounce) cans low-fat sweetened condensed milk
 3/4 cup key lime juice
 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
 1/4 teaspoon salt
 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions
To Make Lime Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, lime juice, lime rind, and salt. Whip until mixture is smooth. Pour into graham cracker crust. Cover with plastic wrap and chill thoroughly.

To Make Topping:
 In a medium bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add vanilla or lemon extract and confectioners' sugar. Continue to whip until cream forms stiff peaks. Place topping in a fine-mesh sieve and place sieve over a bowl to catch liquid that drains off. Cover topping tightly with plastic wrap and allow to drain for 2 hours.

Before serving, discard liquid that has drained from topping. Spread topping over pie.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com