Gallos

On this particular day, we decided to head to Playa Guiones. The sun felt like it had been high in the sky for hours as it poked through the slats of the wooden shutters at 8:30 a.m. Outside, the chitter and chirp of birds filtered in with the sunlight, letting us know morning had descended.… Continue reading Gallos

Tita’s Carne con Salsa

“My memories of Tita are unfortunately fuzzy.” I made this comment to Mom as she drove me to the airport last weekend. “I don’t think it’s that you’ve forgotten them completely, but you went through a lot early on in your life and sometimes that’s the body’s way of living through the difficulties. The memories… Continue reading Tita’s Carne con Salsa

Homemade Tortilla Chips- Baked & Fried Variations

Who doesn’t like tortilla chips? Okay, maybe people who are allergic to corn or just avoiding it. In our household pantry, they are a staple. In our refrigerator, you can always find tortillas. Recently, Nathan stocked up on some from Chavez in the East Bay. The tortilla chip is humble and yet crunches and crackles… Continue reading Homemade Tortilla Chips- Baked & Fried Variations

Kale Caesar Salad

Watching the TV show Modern Family this week, I chuckled as one of the characters told his husband, “You’ll never guess what the new Spinach is.” To this, the husband chirped “Radicchio” and was trounced with the response, “No, kale!” They proceeded later in the episode of introducing this leafy green vegetable with the initial… Continue reading Kale Caesar Salad

Jose Maria’s Gallo Pinto

Have you ever stalked an ingredient before? This is what it must feel like to be the hunter: to crane your ear toward the direction of the prey and listen for a rustling- to look with eyes that see beyond the veneer of branches and blades of grass for what moves among that which doesn’t… Continue reading Jose Maria’s Gallo Pinto

Spiced Moroccan Chicken

The air was thick and moist. As Raju, our rickshaw driver pedaled onward, the slight breeze felt recompense to the Indian summer. On this day, my translator Vinay was unavailable and my study partner Todd, back at the hotel with digestive distress. Today, my pregnant friend Laura and I arrived by my usual escort the… Continue reading Spiced Moroccan Chicken

Chocolate Almond Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

The very thought of Valentine’s Day makes some of you want to gag. I know the stores are bedecked with red and pink streamers and brightly colored foil wrapped chocolates faster than you can say John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. After Christmas, it’s fair game for a game that does not feel all that fair sometimes.… Continue reading Chocolate Almond Cake with Cherry Cream Cheese Frosting

Open-Faced Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Goodbye. See you later. The difference is infintesimile but huge. One infers a finality, a wish that in Spanish conveys the person to God, adios. The other is more casual, connotes opportunity and potential for future meetings. If 2010 seemed to be the year of big changes, then 2011 is merely riding out the coat… Continue reading Open-Faced Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Lagarta Lodge Ensalada de Palmito

A former roommate of mine, Lisa, first introduced me to hearts of palm years ago. Picking my way through eating all during childhood, I missed a lot. When I first caught sight of the heart of palm in one of her salads (Lisa has the gift of salad-making), I was skeptical. Perhaps downright dubious. I… Continue reading Lagarta Lodge Ensalada de Palmito