Travel + Leisure: Food and Travel Issue!

I started a new personal trend...whenever I am traveling for work, I always pick up the latest copies of my favorite travel magazines: Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler and potentially one other magazine that peaks my interest.  Last time I was at the airport I was extra excited because Islands had an article about living in Nevis (where I am going on my honeymoon) AND more importantly, this month's Travel + Leisure was THE FOOD AND TRAVEL ISSUE.

If you know anything about me or if you have read my blog and have any sort of reading comprehension, you realize I love food and I love to travel (or to dream about traveling)!!  Plus, food is one of the best outlets to get a true taste of the culture and country you are visiting (pun intended).  As one article in this magazine adequately described it, "You can learn a lot about a culture by watching it shop for groceries.  It's like sneaking into a nation's house and rifling through the fridge."  

Eating is a significant part of any getaway and your experience at any food establishment can tell you a lot about the local economy, how people interact with one another, general lifestyle choices, even things like local fashion, and how people view Americans!

Anyway, I have only made it half way through my Food and Travel Issue and I already need to tell other people about it.  From learning about the best places to eat throughout the United States with recommendations by local chefs in each state, to reading about the farm to table establishments in Italy and best places to buy cheese in France, this issue of Travel + Leisure  is a must read!

Bon Appetit and Bon Voyage!

Have Ripe Bananas? Two Great Recipes for Brown Nanners!

I recently began playing in an ultimate frisbee league and our team name is the Radioactive Bananas.  I am perfectly happy with this team name because
1. I LOVE bananas (I literally eat one every day, usually with breakfast)
2. Bananas have many health benefits
3. Frisbee players are very generous and often bring goodies for team members...meaning banana baked goods for everyone!!

Seeing as my team is named after one of my favorite fruits, I just had to do some banana baking.  I stocked up on bananas so I would have plenty for my morning breakfasts, while still allowing some to ripen enough for my banana baking extravaganza!  I actually went slightly overboard on the banana purchase, so I was able to make not one, but TWO delicious banana dishes.  This actually worked out perfectly because I was able to make a loaf of my great-grandmother's Banana Bread recipe for a camping and hiking trip as well as some Banana Peanut Butter Chip Cookies for the frisbee team!

The Banana Bread recipe is great because it is very simple and doesn't use any obscure ingredients that you may or may not have in your house when the banana urge strikes (like buttermilk, crisco, wheat germ, etc.).  It is a classic banana bread and is moist and delicious, not to mention I baked it at 5,000 feet with no issues!  Ask anyone on my camping trip....this banana bread is proven to be a delightful morning breakfast and it provides enough energy to power you through a mountain hike so you can eat even more banana bread while enjoying a 14,000 foot view (see photo below).

View from the top of Huron Peak - 14,004 feet

The Banana Peanut Butter Chip Cookies also ended up being a huge success and everyone on the frisbee team thoroughly enjoyed the post-game dessert....with the exception of the one person that took a bite and then told me he was allergic to bananas.  Don't worry!  He spit it out before any reactions began.  Phew!
Anyway, this recipe was adapted from Sweet Treats and More, a blog I came across when searching banana recipes on one of my favorite websites: Foodgawker.  I used peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips, because who can resist the peanut butter banana combination?  The recipe is easily halved or doubled and they are sure to please!

Now on to the recipes!:
Banana Bread (Makes 2 loaves.  Easily halved or doubled)

Ingredients

- 2 C all purpose flour
- 1/2 C butter or margarine
- 1 C sugar
- 1/2 t baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 t salt
- 1/2 t baking powder
- 3-4 bananas mashed
- 1 C chopped nuts (pecan/walnut/mixture), optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit
2. Mix all ingredients well
3. Turn into 2 greased loaf pans
4. Bake for 45 minutes
5. Allow time to cool and serve!

Banana Peanut Butter Chip Cookies (Makes about 4 dozen)
Ingredients
- 1/2 C white sugar
- 1/2 C brown sugar
- 1 C butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 2 C all purpose flour
- 1 t baking soda
- 1 t ground cinnammon
- 3 ripe bananas
- 2 C rolled oats
- 1 C peanut butter chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees farenheit
2. Cream together butter and sugars
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla
4. Mix dry ingredients and pour into creamed mixture.  Mix well.
5. Mix in bananas, oats and peanut butter chips
6. Drop onto cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes (10 minutes makes very soft cookies)
7. Cool on rack and serve.  Store extra cookies (if there are any) in an air tight container.

Bon Appetit!

If You Can't Travel - Eat Authentic Food Locally!

 Last night to celebrate my Mom's birthday I took her out to Cuba Cuba Cafe and Bar in Denver, CO.  I had never tried it, but my good friend Carlyle suggested this wonderful restaurant and I will second her opinion that Cuba Cuba is a place in Denver that is not to be missed!

Unlike so many other restaurants offering ethnic cuisine, Cuba Cuba really  has a way of transporting you to Cuba from the moment you walk through the door of the small house, turned restaurant.  Everything from the music, to the decor, to the delicious food makes you feel as though you could be sipping mojitos in Camaguey or grabbing an authentic Cuban meal after a long day of site-seeing in Havana. 

The creole/Spanish/African fusion of music authentic to Cuba is impossible to miss and if you are so inclined, you could join in on one of the many bongo drums decorating the restaurant (ask permission first...).  The small house has been divided into multiple dining areas, complete with an outdoor patio, and each area is strategically decorated with vibrant colors and decor that instantly makes you dream of a Caribbean getaway.  And then there is the food...

The owner Kristy Socarras Bigelow was born to an "ultra-Cuban" family and decided to open the restaurant after not being able to find any authentic Cuban food in the city.  I am so happy she felt a need to satisfy her craving for her home and culture, and more excited that she decided to bring it to Denver!

The complete menu can be found on the Cuba Cuba website in case you need to tantalize your taste buds even more after hearing about our dinner last night.  I do realize that it seems as though we ate a lot of food...that is an accurate statement, but the portions are reasonable (as well as the price) and it is so good you won't want to stop eating!!


Appetizer (per Carlyle's suggestion):   
Mariquitas Cubana - plantain chips with avocado mash, a garlic oil dip and a mango habanero salsa

Salad:
Tropicana - mango, cucumber, tomato, queso fresco, mint, cilantro, tossed in a chili-lime vinaigrette 


Mom's Entree:
Mahi Pintado En Guarapo -  grilled mahi glazed with a citrus & sugarcane syrup served over plantain    and pork crackling mash



Leah's Entree: 
Vaca Frita - Mojo marinated flank steak, seared crispy, topped with sauteed onions, served with white rice, black beans and maduros (sweet plantains)


Dessert, after all it was a birthday celebration
???? - A french toast made with sugarcane syrup topped with mango sorbet and a chocolate drizzle

YUM YUM YUM!

So what is the lesson learned here?  Traveling can be expensive and sometimes we don't have the time or money to get away for a while, BUT that doesn't mean we can't experience other cultures!  When life calls for a vacation, don't worry about a long flight...just find a local, authentic restaurant that can provide you with one evening of mental transportation to somewhere amazing!  I am not suggesting you go to the closest Mexican establishment, despite how good the margs may be...
Look for something unique like a Cuban, German, Ethiopian, or Indian restaurant where you can try something new!

Food is one of the most rewarding and unique things about traveling anyway, and it is amazing what some music, decor, food and a little imagination can do to transport you to a different place for a quick, yet satisfying getaway!

Bon Appetit and Bon (Mental) Voyage!

Slow Cooker Pork Tacos

Yes, slow cookers can be used for much more than chili or soup on a cold winter day!  Yesterday Lucas and I spent the whole day brewing and bottling our most recent beer batches which left little to no time or kitchen space for making dinner.  Typically when we brew we eat leftovers or make dinner in the crock pot and yesterday seemed like the perfect time to try something new!

This slow cooker pork taco recipe is EXTREMELY easy and requires no effort other than measuring a few ingredients, starting the slow cooker and chopping / setting out whatever toppings you like to include on your tacos.  The pork in this recipe ends up being so tender you can shred it with a spoon, and the pork's smokey and spicy flavor is great for tacos. 

The type of salsa you use will have a significant impact on how muck kick these tacos have and can also alter the flavor slightly.  We used a cilantro salsa made with cilantro and jalapenos and it ended up being delicious!  Also, this recipe makes a generous number of portions so if you make it over the weekend for a few people you will still have plenty of leftovers for dinner the following week!

Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of this amazing dish....but don't let that be a reason to not try it!

Ingredients

• 2 C Store bought salsa
• 2 T Chili Powder
• 2 T Dried Oregano
• 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• Kosher Salt
• 2.5 lbs boneless pork butt or shoulder (trimmed of fat)...I used Pork Shoulder Butt??  
• 18 taco size tortillas (recipe calls for corn but I prefer flour)
• 1/2 C cilantro sprigs - to be used as a topping
• Can of black beans, rinsed and drained - you can use this as a side or topping
• Your favorite shredded cheese (optional for topping)
• Any other toppings you enjoy on tacos...tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, avocado, bell peppers, onion...you name it!
  

Process

1. In a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker, combine the salsa, chili powder, oregano, cocoa, and 1 tsp salt.  Add the pork and turn to coat.
2. Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily (aka with a spoon), on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
3. 30 minutes before serving, chop up any toppings you plan to use.  I ended up sauteing some red and yellow bell peppers with some onion (using lime juice, garlic, and salt & pepper for seasoning).  At this time you should also prepare any sides you plan to have with the tacos...rice, beans, etc.
4. Once the meat is done cooking, shred the pork and stir into the cooking liquid.  Spoon equally into tortillas and serve with any desired toppings.
5. Savor the flavor!!

Bon Appetit!

Gimmelwald, Switzerland

About five years ago I was fortunate enough to spend just over five weeks traveling around Europe with three of my friends from college and one of my friends that I have known since kindergarten.  Eight countries in five weeks was a whirlwind, and although I don't plan on seeing that much in such a short period of time again, it was an incredible experience and allowed me to see many cultures, experience wonderful new things, and think about places I would like to return to some day.  Of these eight countries, the three that topped my list of places to return were Switzerland, Italy and Ireland.

Gimmelwald, Switzerland

During our time in Switzerland we stayed in Bern, the country's capital, Interlaken, a paradise for adventure seekers, and Gimmelwald, a sleepy town high in the Alps with a population of just over 100 people...it was heaven.  You can only reach Gimmelwald via gondola or hiking and there are no cars, no televisions, and no stores (other than local farmers selling local cheese) within an hour.

The only ride into town

If you ever make it to Gimmelwald, plan to stay at the Mountain Hostel.  There are only dorm rooms available, but no one would have it any other way.  Petra and Walter Brunner are very accommodating hosts and every guest staying there is down to earth and happy to be so close to heaven.  If you are fortunate enough to celebrate Swiss National Day at the Mountain Hostel, they will provide you with an authentic, traditional Swiss meal as well as a decorative red paper lantern so everyone staying at the hostel can parade around the town together to celebrate the holiday!

On our first night, we walked about an hour in the rain to Mirren which had the closest grocery store and accidentally bought what we thought was vegetable pizza which turned out to be flavorless pastry, but still, I couldn't be happier.  Days were spent relaxing, reading, playing scrabble, enjoying the handmade hot tub and sipping spiked hot chocolate...made with Swiss Chocolate of course! 

Mountain Hostel's Homemade Hot Tub

The hiking in the area is beautiful as well and options are endless whether you are seeking a full day hike with significant gains in elevation or a local stroll.  We hiked just past Sprutz Waterfall and could have gone on forever.  The views are incredible regardless of how far you hike and any route is sure to be peaceful, satisfying and a great work out!

Sprutz Waterfall

Gimmelwald is surrounded by the towering peaks of the Alps, the views are incredible regardless of where you stand, the people were extremely friendly and when you wake up in the morning (and throughout every day) you will literally be eye to eye or above the clouds hovering between the mountains and shading the towns below.  In Gimmelwald you can walk 10 minutes down the road and feel completely alone and at peace, simply surrounded by nothing but fresh mountain air, breathtaking sites and the occasional cow.

The main website for Gimmelwald provides all the information you need from directions to where to stay and where to hike.  If you are in Europe, Gimmelwald is a must see, particularly if you enjoy the outdoors, want some peace and quiet, or time to just relax and think.  In Gimmelwald, time stands still.  It is the type of place that allows you to find moments of complete solitude, when you can look at the world and think of nothing but the blessings in your life and wonder why there is ever any need to worry.

Bon Voyage!

Broiled Grapefruit - an easy, warm, refreshing breakfast!

I know it sounds strange, but I read about broiling grapefruit last week and had to try it sooner rather than later.  It turns out that broiled grapefruit is easy, delicious and a great new way to enjoy a warm breakfast even if you want something light!  Plus, it is SIMPLE and QUICK TO PREPARE!

1. Turn on your oven's broiler to a low setting
2. Cut grapefruit in half and place both halves on a baking dish
3. Sprinkle each piece with brown sugar and cinnamon.  For a sweet breakfast use more sugar and less cinnamon, for a slightly spicier taste use more cinnamon and less sugar.  I used even amounts of both and it was a wonderful combination of sweet and spicy.
4. Place grapefruit in oven & broil for 5 minutes, checking periodically until sides of the peel are brown
5. Serve warm and eat directly out of the peel as you would a cold grapefruit!

Bon Appetit!