Nestled in the center of Rio de Janeiro atop the hills, resides a quaint neighborhood filled with narrow streets, charmingly, antiquated buildings and art. This would be Santa Teresa which originated around, 1750 and grew into an upperclass borough with elaborate mansions. The upperclass vibe is no more but the old mansions are still standing. Santa Teresa cycled from its upperclass status to that of a dangerous bohemian enclave surrounded by favelas. Today it has revitalized, preserving old homes, opening new businesses and cultivating itself as an artist hotspot. Santa Teresa is filled with galleries, street art, great views of Rio, excellent eats and the “bodinho.”
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New York Cowboys
I recently spent an afternoon warmed by sun beams in a horse pasture. This was a very special horse pasture tended by the Bonney’s, two New York city-ites transplanted to a lackadaisical pace nestled among the mountain peaks of Gunnison, Colorado.
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A nod to Cinco
Last night was an uncelebratory nod to Cinco de Mayo. My friend (A.) invited me over for dinner and between what she had in her fridge and what I had in mine we were able to collaborate a meal. Fish Tacos with fresh Tuna and Southwest Slaw accompanied by Rick Bayless’s Lime Ice
(A.) seared the Tuna in a spice blend, prepared a cabbage slaw scented with lime juice and honey and whipped up a fresh yogurt to drizzle atop our tacos!
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Coconut Porter
I was at a pub in Gunnison, CO and this brew caught my eye….Maui Brewing Company, Coconut Porter, brewed with hand-toasted coconut.
I ordered it up and my chilled porter arrived, not in a bottle and not in a glass but in a can! I was a bit stunned that a microbrew was served dressed in a can and I would expect nothing less from a PBR or Strohs but a microbrew? I snobbishly requested a glass.
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Off-the-Cuff
Sunday was a bit like spring…I awoke to a warm rain followed by a burst of green leaves and grass. I enjoyed my morning coffee over bossa nova and rain drops and dabbled with the ever-addicting Pinterest until yoga class.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad
No matter how you say it this dessert has absolutely no class! What it does have is the perfect blend of sweet and salty and a flair of 1950’s Jello! Strawberry Pretzel Salad is common place on the potluck or buffet table, and makes its rounds about once a year for family holiday gatherings.
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Rosewater and Pistachios
“We snaked our way among the merchants and the beggars, wandered through narrow alleys cramped with rows of tiny, tightly packed stalls. Baba gave us each a weekly allowance of ten Afghanis and we spent it on warm Coca-Cola and rosewater ice cream topped with crushed pistachios.”
–The Kite Runner
Coconut Milk + Oatmeal = ♥
A delightfully relaxing Sunday morning involves coffee while seated at my tulip table listening to NPR….this was my morning!
Wrapped in Indonesian Flair….
I typically arrive home, post-workout around 8:00 or 9:00 pm each night and at times I don’t have a meal readily prepared. This is a problem because after a long ride or hard run I need food fast. Perhaps some of you can relate to the following scenario:
Girl works all day.
Girl flies home grabs a banana, water and changes clothes to workout.
Post-workout girl comes home STARVING.
Girl turns into a ravenous crazy woman scanning the cupboard or fridge to eat whatever is quick and appealing….NOT GOOD!
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Ful Mudammas
Throughout college I worked part-time at a local Mediterranean restaurant, The Pita House. The restaurant locale resides in an eclectic neighborhood with a good mix of college kids, families, hipsters and hippies. I was able to walk to work everyday, worked along-side my BF Brooke and donned a self-fashioned turban with a kanga from Brazil…it was highly fashionable for my then, bohemian self (and a heck of lot better than a hairnet!) My uncle humorously referred to me as, Erykah Badon’t…funny guy!
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The Singapore Airlines serves it!
Singapore’s National Dish a local delight….Hainanese Steamed Chicken Rice
Served up to passers-by at food stalls and carts this dish is also easily prepared at home. It was introduced to me by my co-worker (Sophia) who grew up in Indonesia, she said that her mother would prepare it for her when she felt under the weather…a promise to cure-all ills!
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You can’t stop the “beet”….
As Bill Cosby stated, “nobody ever says, can I have your beets?” I categorize beets as an acquired taste, something to the effect of your very first beer! I recall as a child being served the ‘tinny’ taste of beets straight from the can….and I was NOT a fan! However, I grew up, my tastes changed and I tried ‘real’ beets not from a can and I like them! Not to knock canned beets….they are useful in a pinch but do have a different taste.
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Lunch….and make it snappy
Goal: Make a nutritious lunch in 30 minutes or less, un-prepped.
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Jamón Crudo con Palmitos y Tostones!
If you love entertaining as much as I do, then you understand how important appetizers are! They are a subtle introduction to a meal, a way for guests to mingle and wet their appetite while not getting too full! The following appetizers would be great accents to a Latin or Caribbean style meal. Each dish is simple to prepare, look fabulous and most importantly taste amazing.
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A dish with no name
This is one of my go to meals for colder weather months or when I’m short of time….it doesn’t have a name but it’s really, really good! Not too posh yet not lacking in taste, this dish dazzles by being bright, colorful, crunchy and filling. I actually borrowed upon the idea from a restaurant down my street called, Gaia Cafe. It’s a lovely little brunch spot with mismatched tables and chairs, you serve your own coffee and can watch your food being made. They serve up vegetarian-fare subsisting mostly of stir-frys, scrambles and overall yummy hodgepodges.
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It’s Electrifying!
Who doesn’t love pre-dinner cocktails…much deserved when dinner isn’t on the table until 10pm! Also a great way to keep company in good spirits and allows the cook to cook! I must remember this detail the next time my grandmother is cooking Thanksgiving dinner and 15 of us are all crowded around her in the kitchen!
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Table Without Borders 