San Inazio 2k17

Every year the Boise community comes together to help celebrate The San Inazio Festival that is held the last weekend in July at the Basque Block in Downtown Boise. This Festival is a 25+ year celebration honoring St. Ignatius of Loyola, who is the patron saint of the Basques community. It started out as a picnic where families would come together to eat and enjoy each other's company, and once it became so popular turned into a Boise community event that features music, dancing, sporting events, and of course some of the most popular foods from the Basques kitchen! I went and checked out the festival with a few friends, and even met 5 or 6 more people and had the chance to learn their stories which always fascinates me!

OPA! - Boise's 36th Annual Greek Food Festival

Boise's 36th Annual Greek Food Festival took place this past weekend in the Downtown Boise area every year during the weekend after Memorial Day. St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church has been the hosting hub for the festival over the years, and funds raised have been used to help support the church's outreach initiatives along with their partners such as Life's Kitchen.

Although there have been Greeks in the Boise area for much longer than 36 years, the festival was started by about 20 members of the Greek community as a way to introduce Boise to Greek culture. One of the originals, Effie Karellas Kaufman, said that promoting ethnicity in the community was important to them. Effie has deep roots in the Peninsula in areas such as Athens, Arcadia, and Kalata Village of Greece.

Boise Hot Spot

I lived across the street from the Boise Tech Mall for a whole year before I ever stepped foot in there, but once I did, I was amazed at all that was in there. I was most excited to find the 2nd floor area where you could eat or just hang out and have a beer or a cup of tea. The Boise Tech Mall restaurant is hidden away, and I feel that people should definitely know about it, and check it out. I sat down with the new restaurant owner, Zach Dummermuth, to hear his story, and I was able to even enjoy a few samples. I went in thinking I would have a little sample of one dish, and was pleasantly surprised to show up to 3 full dishes. He definitely spoiled me, and after that, it was over for the day for me. Straight to the couch I went, just me and my leftovers. Check out the 3 dishes he prepared for me along with my interview with him! 😃

The 3 dishes he prepared for me were:

Everything Is Better In Chocolate

A couple days ago I received an invite to a Christmas networking event, and honestly, I was debating if I wanted to go because it started at 7:30am. I don't know why I cared though because I wake up around 5:30 every morning like clockwork for some reason. The one thing that caught my eye was the wonderful statements "Free Food", and "Chocolate Covered Bacon". I had never had chocolate-covered bacon, but I knew that I loved both chocolate and all things swine. So I had to go try it out!

I am not a big sweet and salty person, but it was actually pretty good. I don't think I will be making it anytime soon. I think I will keep mine separate, but it wasn't bad. For anybody that has a sweet and salty taste palate, you would love it. I shared with a couple people and they loved it, so I suggest everyone try it out at least once. You never know. I also heard it's good with Cayenne pepper for all my spice lovers.

Have you ever tried it? Leave us a comment!

When In Idaho Do As The Idahoans Do

Ever since I moved to Idaho, I have heard over and over just how great elk meat was. Although I love trying new things, Elk NEVER seemed appealing to me. I think I blame my dad for that...