Samantha shares a fave
As the Travel Channel’s primary travel maven, Samantha Brown has visited dozens of countries, hundreds of cities and countless hotels around the world. Currently, she is discovering the beauty and vibrant energy of Central and South America in the most recent edition to her “Passport” travel series: “Passport to Latin America” (Travel Channel, Wednesdays). Before the “Passport” series, Samantha hosted several successful shows on the Travel Channel, staying in “Great Hotels” and visiting other people’s “Great Vacation Homes” to see how they live. She has also discovered the extraordinary beauty of the Hawaiian culture in “Girl Meets Hawaii.”
Brown enjoys showing viewers how extraordinary it is just being a part of everyday life in other countries and cultures, and how the language barrier can sometimes be a bridge to a deeper communication. She is a graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in musical theater, and has starred in several off-Broadway shows. To learn more, go to: travel.discovery.com
“ If people visit a restaurant and can’t read the menu due to the language, is it OK to look at what other people are eating and point to it to indicate it’s what you want?
“Oh absolutely, if I have no idea, as was the case in Germany, I just take a walk around the room to see what looks good. I’m always polite while I do it, and I have started great conversations with people that way. They not only help me order, but give me great tips of what I should see and do in their country. If there is one thing that unites us all it’s our love of food and our desire to share what we know with others. It’s always THE conversation starter no matter what country I am in.”
“ Most amazing food presentation ever. And the most expensive meal?
“The Restaurant at The Four Seasons Hualalai, Hawaii, serves a fish that was once only eaten by royalty. The fish is served whole and flash fried but still retains its luminescent orange color. The way the chef arranges it on the plate is so stunning you forget to watch the sunset. The most I ever spent was at Babbo, Mario Batali’s restaurant in New York City: $250 a person. I certainly can’t do that often, but it was worth it.”
“ With only $10 in your pocket you can eat one meal anywhere in the U.S. Where is it and what do you order?
“In Santa Monica right up the street from the famed Shutters on the Beach is a tiny Mexican canteen. There I had the most wonderful fried egg sandwich on crusty bread with lettuce, tomato, a sprig of basil and a light spread of mayonnaise with a dash of cayenne pepper sauce. It’s $6 with a hot cup of coffee, and I would leave the remaining $4 as a tip for giving me such a great start to my day.”
ROASTED VEGETABLE SOUP
3 cups each zucchini, summer squash and cauliflower (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Olive oil
Salt, pepper, minced garlic
10 cups chicken stock
1 can whole crushed tomatoes, Italian style
Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces; toss lightly with olive oil and sprinkle to taste with salt, pepper and garlic. Preheat oven to 500 F. Roast until vegetables are nicely browned, tossing once during roasting. Add tomatoes to chicken stock in large pot. Bring to boil. Add vegetables and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Add more stock and spices to taste. Serves 6 to 8.