The Beignets That Support An Important Cause

This article appeared on Mashed.com — read the full article here.

The chances are when you hear the word beignet (pronounced ben-yay) you might think of a trip to New Orleans, where the deep-fried dough topped with powdered sugar is part of the local culture. The delicacy was introduced by the French when they first colonized Louisiana in the 1600s and is now a must-try and part of most food tours in the southern city. 

In fact, if you visit the famous local Café Du Monde, you may be surprised to learn the only thing you can buy there are beignets, chicory coffee, and orange juice. The eatery is popular enough that you will often see a line of people waiting to get into the French Quarter store, no matter the weather. Therefore, it seems only natural, that in a city that has a festival for many things, including jazz, food, and Mardi Gras, amongst many other events, a beignet festival should be in the mix (per New Orleans). 

The 600-Year-Old Pub Saved By Outlander Fans

This article appeared on Mashed.com — read the full article here.

If you ever wanted to travel back in time but thought it was impossible, try visiting the little Scottish village of Culross situated in the county of Fife on the banks of the North Sea estuary. You will certainly feel as if you’ve left the modern era. It’s easy to imagine what it might have been like back in the 15th century as you wander among cobble-stoned streets with various colored stuccoed houses on either side. If you climb toward Culross Palace and turn in the manicured gardens, you can see over the red-tiled rooftops towards the water and believe this is a similar view to the one Sir George Bruce of Carnock had when it was completed for him in 1611.

Of course, while these large houses were important to town life, one could argue that the most critical establishments are those of the community — such as the town pubs. Culross originally had two pubs amongst its approximately 400 inhabitants, but one was sold to developers several years back. The remaining Red Lion Inn has been the center of the community and a major source of employment for locals for many years. When the owners finally decided to retire, the town was left with a dilemma: could they raise the funds to keep the pub in the community or would it again be sold to someone who didn’t care about heritage and community? 

The Heartwarming Inspiration Behind Hugh Jackman’s Coffee Shop

This article first appeared on Mashed.com — read the full article here.

When it comes to coffee, Australians tend to have a different idea of what constitutes a good beverage. Rather than extra large cups filled with multiple pumps of syrups from places like Starbucks, or the pots of drip brew available everywhere in the U.S. (which you’ll never find at an Aussie cafe), an average Australian coffee shop serves drinks in either an 8 or 12-ounce cup. It starts with a good espresso and is then filled with steamed milk to make lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites. 

Several Australians have joined the U.S. coffee market, introducing Americans to the Aussie concept of coffee. Blue Stone Lane, which was created by an Australian and serves Aussie cafe-style beverages and food, has grown to almost 60 locations, including New York, Washington, D.C., and California. Owned by Hugh Jackman, of “Wolverine” fame, The Laughing Man Coffee Shop began in New York, and, while it has fewer locations than its other Aussie counterparts, the mission behind the store is different — it’s not just about profits. 

One of the advantages of being a celebrity is that product promotion is a lot easier than it is for the average person in the community, and that’s exactly how Jackman is giving back to those in need.