UPDATE: I will be in both Ecuador and Chile for the remainder of my summer! I will try my best to update while in the midst of being on an island, in a rainforest, trekking the mountains and volcanoes, where the grapes are, and in different cities! Maybe even try to make room for Mendoza or Cordoba, Argentina.
Where I'll Be:
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Galapagos Island
Old Town Quito, Ecuador
Coca, Ecuador
Yasuni, Amazon, Ecuador
New Town Quito, Ecuador
Santiago, Chile and surrounding cities
Stay tuned....
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Green Guacamole
I was in the mood for some salsa the other day but realized that I was out of tomatoes. Bummer! So I looked through my fridge and found some avocados and decided to make an all green guacamole. The color isn't too appealing because well, it's all green, but the taste is just great and of course, more important! I actually made a mistake too which I find quite laughable. I thought I was adding pepper to the guacamole but realized that I could not taste the pepper and after looking at the container, I saw that it was ground mustard! Oh goodness! That's what happens when you wake up at 5:00am everyday for work! I have been a little tired this summer, so don't blame me! Anyway, here is the recipe. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures because I was hungry, but just it being guacamole, you know it'll be good!
Green Guacamole
2 small to medium sized avocados
1 cucumber
Small handful of flat leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves (Cause I love my garlic!)
1/2 of a lemon (or lime)
Eyeball Salt, to taste
Eyeball Ground Mustard, to taste
Ground Pepper, optional :)
Scoop out the avocado, smash it up a little to make it chunky, and add the remainder ingredients. Serve alongside homemade corn tortilla chips. Yum!
Green Guacamole
2 small to medium sized avocados
1 cucumber
Small handful of flat leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves (Cause I love my garlic!)
1/2 of a lemon (or lime)
Eyeball Salt, to taste
Eyeball Ground Mustard, to taste
Ground Pepper, optional :)
Scoop out the avocado, smash it up a little to make it chunky, and add the remainder ingredients. Serve alongside homemade corn tortilla chips. Yum!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Photo Journey
Today I was in the mood to add some favorite pictures from Argentina and Brazil. My anticipation for Ecuador is building...the day is finally almost here!
Life was made to be explored. ♥
Life was made to be explored. ♥
Friday, July 2, 2010
Tortas Ahogadas - Las Originales
For bomb tacos, you need to check out Tortas Ahogadas in Old Town Newhall. It's a hole in a wall near my area that has not been remodeled..thank goodness! The owners originated from Guadalajara, Mexico and they know what they are doing in their kitchen. I love the vibe the place gives off. Makes you feel like you are in Mexico. The background music is Spanish, the menu is all in Spanish, and Spanish is spoken more than English. All this in Newhall. It can't get better than that. I would just recommend that you come here anytime before nighttime, when it is safe, or in a group if you choose to go at night. My triathlete bud Diana told me she has been eating here every week now since her man took her there, told me it was blog worthy, and that I must try it out. My question to this: Why haven't I known about this place? I only drive by it when I choose to take the short cut when heading towards the freeway..which is quite often. Anyway, these tacos were amazing, blog-worthy, and craving-satisfying until the real thing is consumed in Mexico.
There were so many dishes I wanted to indulge in but we ended up getting the Tacos con carne fresca de su preferencia acompañados de arroz y frijioles. Our meat of choice: Carne Asada. I included Nopal Asado (grilled cactus) with my meal.
The result: Just perfectly made tacos. Two corn tortillas topped with carne asado, onion, cilantro, and their own spicy red sauce. Just simple ingredients used with the spicy kick from the red sauce. Simply put--You don't need to add excessive ingredients to magnify a dish. Sometimes, and most always, simple is best. In this case, the tacos were simply damn good just the way they are!
Wasn't in the dessert mood, but you know what flan does to me, so I decided to order the Jericalla.
This is a first that I've seen. I thought it would have been a burned sugar shell, but it was not sweet and right away I figured it was a cinnamon shell. I wasn't really too fond of it but it wasn't bad. Just an acquired taste of burned cinnamon. Below is how the flan is once you crack into the cinnamon shell.
Jericalla is a specialty flan that originates from Guadalajara. The only difference between this flan and regular flan---cinnamon. What I also noticed was that they chose to make it an egg white flan--no hint of egg yolk. I think that's what brought this dessert to a slightly higher intensity for me. I know that sounds like it would be the opposite for anyone but I find I really like the all egg white versions of flan just as equally, if not a little bit better than the original. ***I would like to add that I find this at the top as one of the best I've ever had besides the one I had in Buenos Aires, Argentina and at Ford's Filling Station in Culver City. And for $2, it should be illegal because I'm afraid I might head over there more often now while I'm still near the area. Uh oh, I'm in big trouble...
I give Tortas Ahogadas 5 hearts: ♥♥♥♥♥. Well worth the drive to get your taco fix on. Wallet friendly as well. A definite plus. Next time, I think I'll try the Tortas Ahogadas, which is one of the typical dishes in Guadalajara. Hasta que Mexico viaja a pasar, ir a Guadalajara en Newhall, por ahora.
There were so many dishes I wanted to indulge in but we ended up getting the Tacos con carne fresca de su preferencia acompañados de arroz y frijioles. Our meat of choice: Carne Asada. I included Nopal Asado (grilled cactus) with my meal.
The result: Just perfectly made tacos. Two corn tortillas topped with carne asado, onion, cilantro, and their own spicy red sauce. Just simple ingredients used with the spicy kick from the red sauce. Simply put--You don't need to add excessive ingredients to magnify a dish. Sometimes, and most always, simple is best. In this case, the tacos were simply damn good just the way they are!
Wasn't in the dessert mood, but you know what flan does to me, so I decided to order the Jericalla.
This is a first that I've seen. I thought it would have been a burned sugar shell, but it was not sweet and right away I figured it was a cinnamon shell. I wasn't really too fond of it but it wasn't bad. Just an acquired taste of burned cinnamon. Below is how the flan is once you crack into the cinnamon shell.
Jericalla is a specialty flan that originates from Guadalajara. The only difference between this flan and regular flan---cinnamon. What I also noticed was that they chose to make it an egg white flan--no hint of egg yolk. I think that's what brought this dessert to a slightly higher intensity for me. I know that sounds like it would be the opposite for anyone but I find I really like the all egg white versions of flan just as equally, if not a little bit better than the original. ***I would like to add that I find this at the top as one of the best I've ever had besides the one I had in Buenos Aires, Argentina and at Ford's Filling Station in Culver City. And for $2, it should be illegal because I'm afraid I might head over there more often now while I'm still near the area. Uh oh, I'm in big trouble...
I give Tortas Ahogadas 5 hearts: ♥♥♥♥♥. Well worth the drive to get your taco fix on. Wallet friendly as well. A definite plus. Next time, I think I'll try the Tortas Ahogadas, which is one of the typical dishes in Guadalajara. Hasta que Mexico viaja a pasar, ir a Guadalajara en Newhall, por ahora.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Scallion Blini With Chicken in Tandoori BBQ Sauce By Aarti Sequeira
So I am now finally able to post this recipe. I cannot really get into what I saw at the Food Network taping of "The Next Food Network Star" back in January, but it just aired last weekend so you are now able to see it online..
Small recap of the show: Santa Monica Pier Party
I think you can probably tell who I am rooting for. You know it... Aarti!
How she is on TV is exactly how she is in person. So friendly, warm, genuine, real, and a darn great cook! Her dish was BY FAR my fav dish that day. I remember some of my conversation I had with her too. I went up to her station. She said hello and asked me if I had anything good so far. I told her I hadn't tried anything that sparked my interest yet and she responded by saying she hoped I enjoyed this and explained what it was. I tried it--I loved it! All I said was "Oh my goodness, this is so good!" She then said "Really!" and seriously walked around her station and gave me a hug! Too bad that didn't show up on camera! So yes, this recipe here definitely sparked my interest. Nothing compared to it. And I am SO GLAD the judges felt the same way. In fact, I even told Bobby Flay that he had to try it!
Right after the show aired last Sunday, I immediately wrote to Aarti asking her to please post the recipe! She sent me the link and now I can't wait to make it on my own! Here it is...
Scallion Blini With Chicken In Tandoori BBQ Sauce
Here's her blog if interested in checking it out. She gave me the link after our conversation. It is also located on the right side of my blog under Good Reads:
Aarti Paarti
Not even kidding, it was absolutely magnificent and you should really try it out. Now, all I've got to say is this: Food Network, PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN THIS YEAR! Last year was bad but please do the right thing this time around!
Small recap of the show: Santa Monica Pier Party
I think you can probably tell who I am rooting for. You know it... Aarti!
How she is on TV is exactly how she is in person. So friendly, warm, genuine, real, and a darn great cook! Her dish was BY FAR my fav dish that day. I remember some of my conversation I had with her too. I went up to her station. She said hello and asked me if I had anything good so far. I told her I hadn't tried anything that sparked my interest yet and she responded by saying she hoped I enjoyed this and explained what it was. I tried it--I loved it! All I said was "Oh my goodness, this is so good!" She then said "Really!" and seriously walked around her station and gave me a hug! Too bad that didn't show up on camera! So yes, this recipe here definitely sparked my interest. Nothing compared to it. And I am SO GLAD the judges felt the same way. In fact, I even told Bobby Flay that he had to try it!
Right after the show aired last Sunday, I immediately wrote to Aarti asking her to please post the recipe! She sent me the link and now I can't wait to make it on my own! Here it is...
Scallion Blini With Chicken In Tandoori BBQ Sauce
Here's her blog if interested in checking it out. She gave me the link after our conversation. It is also located on the right side of my blog under Good Reads:
Aarti Paarti
Not even kidding, it was absolutely magnificent and you should really try it out. Now, all I've got to say is this: Food Network, PLEASE DON'T LET ME DOWN THIS YEAR! Last year was bad but please do the right thing this time around!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Chiba-licious!
Just went to Chiba restaurant in N. Hollywood over the weekend. Sushi there--absolutely fantastic! Very fresh and fast. The only setback is the location. Not in a very safe looking location but as someone put it on Yelp, "If you're intimidated by the neighborhood just go somewhere else, so I can have more elbow room at one of the two packed sushi bars!" or I say go so there are more parking spaces! I'm holding this restaurant high up there with the best I've had so far in my young life because I left with a very happy stomach, it better be because the prices there are ridiculous, and because the highlight of that evening was: Sea Urchin! Yes, I believe I wrote something in one of my first blog entries about not liking sea urchin, but as I encourage everyone to try things more than once, I did the same and I am so glad I did because I absolutely loved it! My thoughts have changed and it's actually quite funny because all I've been dreaming about the past couple days (besides Ecuador!) is Sea Urchin! Anyway, here are the highlights of the evening:
*Sushi in order: Full plate of sushi, Blue Fin Tuna, Salmon, Spanish Mackerel, Baked Scallop Hand Roll, Sweet Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Sea Bream, Yellowtail, Unagi, Sunset Strip Roll, Sea Urchin, a second order of Sea Bream and Sea Urchin, and the Highlight of the Evening!*
I give Chiba 4 1/2 hearts: ♥♥♥♥1/2. Nice atmosphere, friendly and fast service, fresh sushi, and left not feeling like I had a heavy stomach; very light. The only reason why it wasn't a 5 was the price! Very expensive. Almost didn't want to order anything! Bill came out to $100. I have never gone that close to spending that kind of money at a sushi place by myself or with friends. Little over triple the amount I usually spend and the places I go to are quite good. For the amount of money spent and sushi ordered, it doesn't really add up equally but I guess this comes with fresh sushi so I really have no complaints at all. This is a WOW, that's how much everything totaled out too! Would I go back with the friends? Yes I would. Wouldn't make it a habit of course but once in a while is fine with the group!
*Sushi in order: Full plate of sushi, Blue Fin Tuna, Salmon, Spanish Mackerel, Baked Scallop Hand Roll, Sweet Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Sea Bream, Yellowtail, Unagi, Sunset Strip Roll, Sea Urchin, a second order of Sea Bream and Sea Urchin, and the Highlight of the Evening!*
I give Chiba 4 1/2 hearts: ♥♥♥♥1/2. Nice atmosphere, friendly and fast service, fresh sushi, and left not feeling like I had a heavy stomach; very light. The only reason why it wasn't a 5 was the price! Very expensive. Almost didn't want to order anything! Bill came out to $100. I have never gone that close to spending that kind of money at a sushi place by myself or with friends. Little over triple the amount I usually spend and the places I go to are quite good. For the amount of money spent and sushi ordered, it doesn't really add up equally but I guess this comes with fresh sushi so I really have no complaints at all. This is a WOW, that's how much everything totaled out too! Would I go back with the friends? Yes I would. Wouldn't make it a habit of course but once in a while is fine with the group!
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