October 4, 2019 - National Historic Site The Hall of Fame of Great Americans, Vegan Risotto and 5 Historic Facts About Dubrovnik, Croatia

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CURRENTLY IN: DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

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Covering Long Island & NYC Boroughs 
CURRENTLY IN:LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
NEXT TRIP IN 6 DAYS: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 

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National Historic Site The Hall of Fame of Great Americans, Vegan Risotto and 5 Historic Facts About Dubrovnik, Croatia

WELL HELLO!!!
​Can hardly believe it's Friday!  These weeks are just flying by!

We had quite a bit of rain yesterday and then lo and behold, today is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!  Sunny and crisp.  Lovin' it!!

Moving right along, I've got a great deal for you today!

First of all, let's start with our regular Friday features...

(c) Travelincousins.com)

In ThisIsTheBronx.com today, my article is featured about the delightful visit I enjoyed last week to Bronx Community College for their Diversity in Public Art event where I enjoyed a most informative tour of The Hall of Fame of Great Americans.

I have been wanting to visit for many months now, and I couldn't have picked a better day to be on this lovely campus and see this century old New York Landmark, which is also on the National Register of Historical Sites.

Hall of Fame of Great Americans - George Washington & John Adams (c) travelincousins.com

Bronx Community College Diversity in Public Art Event Featuring The Hall of Fame for Great Americans

​Last weekend, Bronx Community College held their Diversity in Public Art event which celebrated artistic contributions made by and reflecting a multitude of cultural backgrounds, and above all to honor the historic first Hall of Fame in the United States.

Opened to the public, this event began on September 21st and will run through October 25th displaying a mix of exhibitions that include paintings, sculptures, films, digital art and various mixed media, with the focal point being to reexamine the Hall of Fame and focus on the importance of cultural diversity in public monuments.

Kicking off the commencement last Saturday in the Gould Memorial Library were some opening remarks by Luis Montenegro, BCC Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. A musical performance followed by the Hondurian Bodoma Garifuna Culture band to get the “party” started featuring inspiring rhythmic drum compositions and harmonized singing, which included colorfully dressed traditional dancers performing in time with the music.

Film screenings, poetry readings and performances filled the day culminating with an award ceremony and closing remarks.

For many in attendance, (and I count myself among this group) the tour of the Hall of Fame of Great Americans was the prominent highlight of the day. Considering the fact that the weather could not have been more cooperative and one of the most beautiful Fall days ever, our group tour was conducted by the esteemed Bronx Historian, Lloyd Ultan.

Both a Bronx native and a graduate of Hunter College and Columbia University respectively, Mr. Ultan has been the borough’s historian since 1996, having an illustrious career as a professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies and a member of the adjunct faculty at Lehman College. Needless to say, the tour was very illuminating!

Sharing both historical facts and pertinent pop culture information about the Hall of Fame itself and the individuals honored, Mr. Ultan’s charm and knowledge were matched only by his ability to sprinkle humor throughout the tour, making it captivating and entertaining.

The outdoor sculpture gallery that comprises The Hall of Fame for Great Americans is of course located on the grounds of Bronx Community College, but what many may not realize is that it is the first ever such hall of fame in the country.
read full article...

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Vegan Recipe of the Week

Have I ever told you guys how much I love risotto?  Well, I do and so does my Gianna.  Of course, if you know anything about Risotto, you know that it has lots of butter and parmesan cheese, which is not by any means, vegan.

So, I took a recipe this week and after omitting and adding a few of my own ingredients, I have to say, it was mighty Dee-Lish!!!
I've included my modifications below so that you can make it any way that your dietary preferences allow!

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto 

(photo credit: cookieandkate.com)

INGREDIENTS
Butternut Squash:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth, divided
• 1 cup water
• 1 ½ cups brown arborio/short-grain brown rice (I used arborio rice)
• 1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and sliced into ½” cubes (I bought the pre-cut up butternut squash to save time)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese* (about 2 ½ ounces) (I replaced with nutritional yeast)
• ½ cup dry white wine, optional (I omitted the wine this time)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced (I replaced with vegan butter)
• 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Pinch red pepper flakes, to taste Fried sage

Fried Sage:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 16 to 20 fresh sage leaves, chopped (to yield about ¼ cup chopped fresh sage)

(photo credit: eatingwell.com)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To prepare: Place your oven racks in the lower third and upper third positions (we’re going to bake the risotto on the middle rack and roast the squash on the upper rack at the same time), then preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for the butternut squash. Reserve 1 cup broth from your container and set it aside for when the risotto is out of the oven.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium-to-large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and turning translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Add 3 cups broth and 1 cup water, cover, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and stir in the rice. Cover the pot and bake on the lower rack until rice is tender and cooked through, about 65 to 70 minutes. It will seem pretty dry when you take off the lid, but don’t worry!
4. Immediately after placing the pot of risotto in the oven, toss the cubed butternut with 2 tablespoons olive oil on your lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and some freshly ground black pepper and arrange the butternut in a single layer on the pan. Roast on the upper rack until the butternut is fork tender and the edges are deeply caramelized, tossing halfway. This took 55 to 60 minutes for me, but start checking for doneness around 40 minutes.
5. While the risotto and butternut are in the oven, fry the sage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the sage and toss to coat. Let the sage get darker green and crispy (but not brown) before transferring it to a plate covered with a paper towel. Sprinkle the fried sage lightly with salt and set it aside.
6. Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Remove the lid and pour in the remaining cup of broth, the Parmesan, wine and butter. Stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Stir in the salt, a generous amount of pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
7. Stir in the roasted butternut. Taste and add more salt and/or pepper, as needed. Divide the risotto into bowls and top each with a sprinkle of fried sage.

NOW - for the special tidbit for the day...

(c) travelincousins.com

6 Historic Facts About Dubrovnik, Croatia

Tanya is now in traveling in the city of Dubrovnik and we decided to bring you a bit of insight and information about this popular tourist destinations in southern Croatia. 

Long gone are the horrific shelling that occurred in the early 1990's and Dubrovnik has recovered from the war damage it suffered with visitors having returned to this serene locality. 

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, this ancient city has a mystique that is inviting and captivating.  

1. World Heritage Site

(c) travelincousins.com

The city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1979.


2. Maritime History

(c) travelincousins.com

Like other cities in Croatia that are located along the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik became a prosperous city, notable for its wealth based on the maritime trade, particularly in the 15th and 16th centuries.

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3. Dubrovnik OR Ragusa

(c) travelincousins.com

The city has carried both of these names throughout the centuries.  Originally the capital of the maritime Republic of Ragusa, the area is recorded to have carried this name in various forms since at least the 10th century and it would remain the official name of the Republic of Ragusa until 1808, Dubrovnik, first recorded in the late 12th century, was in widespread use by the late 16th or early 17th century. 

Additionally, Dubrovnik is believed to have come from Celtic origin (based on the word dubron meaning water) whereas Ragusa is believed to have been derived from Greek.


4. Yugoslavia to Independence in 20th Century

(c) travelincousins.com

With the fall of Austria–Hungary in 1918, Dubrovnik was incorporated into the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which would later become the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Dubrovnik became one of the 33 oblasts of the Kingdom. 
In 1929 Yugoslavia was then divided among 9 Banovina, and Dubrovnik became part of the Zeta Banovina.
Finally, In 1939 Dubrovnik became part of the newly created Banovina of Croatia until Croatia fought for its independence in 1991.


5. Signs of War Damage

(c) travelincousins.com

Dubrovnik was heavily bombed during the Croatian War of Independence from 1991 to 1995. Almost all of the damage has been repaired; however, if you look closely around the old town, mortar damage in the cobblestone streets and bullet marks in the stone houses are visible.


6. ​Important City Festivals & Celebrations

(c) travelincousins.com

​There are several festivals throughout the year celebrated in Dubronik, so plan our trip accordingly to enjoy these cultural events!

• Feast of St. Blaise - February 3rd - The patron saint of the city is Saint Blaise (Sveti Vlaho) whose statues are seen around the city. His importance to Dubrovnik can best be comparied to that of  St. Mark the Evangelist to Venice.  Every year  in Dubrovnik the holiday is celebrated with Mass, parades, and festivities that last for several days.
• The Annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival - A 45-day-long cultural event with live plays, concerts, and games. 

Well, that's all folks.  Tanya will be filling in my Scoop with some photos of Dubrovnik!!

More tomorrow!
-Travelin' Elisa
xoxo