I've Bean Travelling

Scotland

Wrapping up in Scotland: Edinburgh Castle

Hello, I’m Jess.

Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and food adventures from around the world.

Travel

How I cancelled an international trip during COVID-19

Back in late January before the world completely imploded, there were already stirrings of a brewing outbreak. At that time, COVID-19 was primarily contained in China but many people travelling to surrounding areas in Asia were becoming concerned about the safety of proceeding with their trips. You may recall me mentioning that my mother was…
Recipes

Easy breezy Caprese salad

Here’s an easy light salad recipe, just in time for us lazy cooks as summer weather finally arrives. Caprese salad (or insalata Caprese) is a simple Italian dish named for the island of Capri, made up of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, all seasoned with salt and olive oil. If you want to eat…
Canada

Vietnamese eats in Toronto

This is a follow up to the recent post on my favourite foods and drinks in Vietnam. Since we won’t be able to travel back there for quite a long time, I’m on a quest to continue discovering Vietnamese cuisine here at home. Mainstream Vietnamese communities began arriving in Canada in the mid-1970s and early…
Vietnam

10 foods and drinks to try in Vietnam

Like I said on Instagram: when you can’t travel, you drool over old photos of your trip to Vietnam. If you followed my blog posts from that time back in February, you will recall that Mr. Chuckles and I basically spent our entire trip on food tours, cooking tours, and eating everything in sight. I’ve…
Recipes

Cedar planked shiso pesto salmon & miso maitake mushrooms

One of our forever favourite restaurants and a worthy addition to the Best of Toronto is Skippa, a modest but top quality Japanese eatery that serves delicious sushi along with other innovative small plates. The dishes are inspired by southern Kyushu cuisine, formulated by the skilled hand of chef Ian Robinson, whose credentials include apprenticing…

About Jess

Hello! My name is Jess and I’m a traveller from Toronto, Canada making my way around the world and documenting my adventures for all to see. Also, I like to eat. (Read more…)