tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41348376040691592682012-02-16T15:47:07.415-05:00A blog about the tasty surprises in lifeArroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.comBlogger1551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-42213929427974651322010-07-15T23:13:00.003-04:002010-07-15T23:26:05.585-04:00

Harris Teeter had bogo ribs a couple of weeks ago, and the baby back ribs looked too good to pass up. I trawled the internet for recipes for making these in the oven and came up with some really good sites. Most of the recipes called for a dry rub followed by 30-40 minutes in the oven, then a baste with barbecue sauce followed by another 20-30 minutes in the oven, and finally one last baste with

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-25447347197985783972010-07-07T10:48:00.002-04:002010-07-07T11:00:47.221-04:00

Chef Michael Schwartz is at it again! Besides being a James Beard award winner, he has recently teamed up with Blue Star foods creator of crab products and come up with some delish-sounding recipes. I'm a huge fan of Michael's Genuine Food and Drink (in Miami and the Caymans) and of blue crab so these recipes definitely seem worth a try. If the Schwartz vouches for these products they can't be

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-63690006919435956652010-07-05T17:59:00.002-04:002010-07-05T18:00:04.179-04:00

I'm off to Miami in a week. Yay! Any recommendations for new food spots? I'm up for some culinary adventures.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-31700366910014826412010-07-01T13:09:00.004-04:002010-07-02T13:36:53.333-04:00

For all of you out there with the luxury of a balcony, terrace or even a backyard, here is a website that will help you grow to your full potential. My good friend John started Grown in the City a few months ago and it has grown up quite nicely. If you love fresh food there is nothing fresher than something that comes just a few feet from your door. Besides growing tips, John will clue you into

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-17353843785918104132010-06-29T16:33:00.003-04:002010-07-16T08:41:54.691-04:00

This weekend we got lucky with a happy coincidence. Harris Teeter had a sale on the Perlini Mozzarella and hot house tomatoes, and Chris' basil was running wild. The result? Only the best caprese salad I've had this side of the Atlantic! OK, so maybe it wasn't the best, but it was pretty good. We ate it while we watched the U.S.A. soccer heart breaker, but at least our taste buds were happy.This

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-90443986682043446732010-06-25T14:15:00.003-04:002010-06-25T15:59:15.163-04:00

Ok, so you know I couldn't resist the alliteration. Lately, I've been working on healthy meals and sides that don't involve a whole lot of heat. Two valiant window units try desperately to cool our apartment and the oven/stove combo is often too much for them. Today's lunch consisted of leftover frittata (God bless the microwave!) and a spinach salad. This salad is so tasty and quick to make

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-58186956423831515762010-06-16T18:08:00.002-04:002010-06-16T18:22:41.783-04:00

Every now and then I fiddle around with a recipe and it comes out GREAT! Then, I forget to write it down and can never recreate it again. Last night could have been one of those nights. I made a chicken pot-pie that was so delicious that Vince and Chris declared it was the best they ever had. So in the efforts of helping my fragile memory remember here it is:Chicken Pot Pie2 large chicken

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-61728114777168749482010-06-16T10:07:00.002-04:002010-06-16T10:09:11.067-04:00

I'm glad I got some pictures up yesterday. It seems that my computer has a virus and I can't get rid of it! I'm afraid to connect my external hard drive to the computer for fear of contaminating that too. So until this gets figured out you will just have to use your imaginations!Happy Hump Day!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-69668548562409522992010-06-14T08:46:00.005-04:002010-06-14T08:56:44.531-04:00

So I have definitely been holding out on you all for pictures. Chalk it up to laziness and the fact that the external hard drive lives in one of the two rooms of our house without air conditioner. But today I'm making the sweat-sacrifice to bring you some color and flavor from Italy! The Colosseum St. Peter's Square seen from the top of the dome.Some friends!These guys cracked me up! Apparently,

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-68757358310668165842010-06-09T15:02:00.004-04:002010-06-10T09:47:35.238-04:00

We love Arugula salad at our house. After tasting a really delicious one at Bread in NYC, I brought this back to Miami and then Arlington. The pepperiness of the arugula provides so much flavor you really don't need much in the way of dressings. The Bread arugula salad is topped with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and shaved parmesan and replicated frequently at home.Lucky for us, arugula

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-35937414122916603072010-06-08T11:48:00.004-04:002010-06-09T15:01:57.735-04:00

This is a super simple Roman dish that only requires you to have the very best ingredients on hand. There are only four ingredients in this dish so you really can't skimp on quality. The flavor is intense and amazing. We tasted this at La Carbonara (not in Campo d'Fiori) in Rome just last week and it made the top three on our best dishes in Italy list. You could probably make this with a pasta of

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-87897602518047507882010-06-07T10:20:00.002-04:002010-06-07T10:29:01.913-04:00

This weekend I finally made it to the Dupont Circle Farmer's market. It's vast and fantastic and reminded me of the Campo d' Fiori in Italy (more on that later) only more organized. I was drawn to one of the white tents that was hung with multi-colored skeins of soft, folded wool. The colors were so warm and inviting, ironic that this was still enticing on a 90+ degree day. Through the wool, I

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-2885472296715588942010-06-07T07:04:00.004-04:002010-06-08T11:48:40.250-04:00

It's hard to believe that its been almost 2 months since I have posted a blog up here (or anywhere for that matter!) First of all, apologies! Secondly, my excuse...Tasting Serendipity is PREGNANT!!!! This very exciting development has me and the hubby quite excited, but it did have an adverse effect on my relationship with food. While my morning sickness was never epic, it did cause a revulsion

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-37055573673928375632010-04-05T14:07:00.004-04:002010-04-05T14:19:37.759-04:00

Now that you have made the caramel, what you need to do is make the custard. For that you will need: 12 extra large egg (yolks separated)2 8-oz cans of condensed milk1 12-oz can of evaporated milk1 12-oz measure of 2% milk2 tblsps of pure vanilla extract (no imatation) 1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Separate the eggs from the yolks. Use the shells to separate if you are planning on making angel food

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-20366673380937641942010-04-05T13:54:00.002-04:002010-04-05T14:06:53.986-04:00

Flan is a decadent Cuban dessert that combines the creaminess of custard with the deep deliciousness of caramel. Incredibly simple to make and equally hard to resist, this dessert had eluded me for some time. But not any more! After a foray into Angel food cake, I found my self with a quantity of egg yolks and no real use for them. A-ha! I thought, I'll make a flan. So I trolled the internet

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-22282639006037575372010-04-01T17:36:00.002-04:002010-04-01T17:50:19.519-04:00

So this post is a little out of date, but as I was looking through my food pics for today's blog, I just couldn't help myself. The first weekend in March was warmish, sunny and free for us so we decided to check out the Fairfax Chocolate Lover's Festival, and let me tell you, it was a chocolate extravaganza. The event coordinated merchants, restaurants, and confectioners in downtown Fairfax, but

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-77667418231563895972010-03-29T16:37:00.002-04:002010-03-29T16:47:51.730-04:00

This baby can be considered an Inna Garten meets Jaleo meets necessity. At Knaus Berry Farm, the Amish sold these absolutely beautiful red beets and some truly succulent butter lettuce. Having recently been introduced to the goodness of beets by my friend Jaime, I had to try and make them for my family at home. We are not by nature a beet-eating people, but we are goat cheese and grapefruit

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-67884085947503726182010-03-27T10:25:00.003-04:002010-03-27T10:45:58.299-04:00

Hey there, everyone! Yesterday was a cold, wet, dreary day. Thank goodness it was Friday! Today I got a boost from the sun and from my sister's awesome blog. My sister, Luly, is an amazing woman. She has a doctorate in physical therapy, two kids, and is starting her own business to help women get back in shape post-baby. The name and the logo say it all: BABYWEIGHT: Use it to lose it. It's all

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-17178830565179888272010-03-24T14:22:00.002-04:002010-03-24T14:33:37.760-04:00

These pictures are long overdue on the blog. I actually took them while I was down in Miami for Blizzard 2010 part II. When I got back, there was sooooo much snow around I felt bad posting pics of vine ripening tomatos and juicy strawberries. It just seemed wrong, but now that the sun and the 70s have returned it seems perfect for a preview. These lovely tomatos and strawberries are growing

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-72816082339340340022010-03-16T16:55:00.002-04:002010-03-16T17:01:38.992-04:00

Hey everyone, I had a little break today to troll the internet and explore some new blogs and I found one I love!Cara's CravingsI found it while reading the comments here. Cara has some really great healthy spins on foods you already love. Plus she's not afraid to use big flavors and try something new, like these spicy thai fishcakes or crock-pot Mongolian beef. She also has great recipes for

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-90270323833340537822010-03-13T20:00:00.002-05:002010-03-13T20:09:47.516-05:00

My favorite pizza topping combination usually involves thinly sliced green peppers and sweet onions, add sausage to the mix and you have a winner. This week, I thought I would bring the same flavors to a pasta dinner that would be both quick and delicious. So here's the run down:I cooked up some Italian sausages (4) in the oven, 350 for 25 minutes in a foil covered pan. As they cooled, I

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-45989695850192265122010-03-12T10:19:00.003-05:002010-03-12T10:29:50.673-05:00

We finally made it! After weeks, no months of thinking about classic cocktails and hidden entrances, Vince and I casually walked up U Street, turned on 14th and knocked on the big black door next to Marvin. It was Thursday night, before 10 and we felt so cool when the door man answered and whisked us up to the second floor bar, much to the amazement of our fellow pedestrians (I'm not sure that

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-71137882070884988352010-02-24T08:12:00.004-05:002010-02-24T13:38:11.828-05:00

Usually for Cuban food, I have to go to my house! There isn't a dense population of Cubans in this tri-state area, so your chances for a good cafe con leche or a pan con lechon are slim to none, unless you are eating at Casa Carmen! But there may be light at the end of the tunnel. One of the blogs I follow just posted a review of Cuba de Ayer in Burtonsville, MD. A bit far from us

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-62930778875647568082010-02-17T17:22:00.002-05:002010-02-17T17:32:13.658-05:00

No, not the musical group, the kind you eat. The bi-colored beans seem to be making a come back on the fine dining scene these days. The evidence? After never having seen a black-eyed pea in a restaurant in my entire life, I spotted them twice within a weekend in two different cities, but in remarkably similar preps. The first eating occured at an established Portuguese restaurant in Miami,

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-37986319047677269752010-02-03T10:38:00.004-05:002010-02-03T10:48:46.871-05:00

Well not really. It just looks like its snowing because all of the frosting is raining down off the trees in front of my window. It's like a sunshower with snow. The trees are getting naked again. But here are a few more pictures of them in their winter garb. Isn't this tree gorgeous! This lovely stretch of street is usually quite busy, but I caught a traffic break! This snow was perfect for

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-36286645904216030722010-02-03T07:57:00.002-05:002010-02-03T08:04:11.067-05:00

We had snow again last night, and today we have frosted trees!If it gets sunnier, I'll upload some more pics.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-18024831448059040812010-02-01T09:03:00.002-05:002010-02-01T09:11:41.102-05:00

Well, dear readers, we made it through January! Here in Arlington, we made it through a few snows and two epic weeks of a deep freeze. Seriously, I have never been so happy to see 40 degrees on the thermometer. It felt like spring time. Miami, I know you were frozen too, but people we made it through! In February, we have the Super Bowl and Valentines day coming up. Two made-up, but

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-16366418792818538742010-01-24T12:24:00.002-05:002010-01-25T09:34:15.826-05:00

While we were flipping through the channels this Saturday night, Vin and I came across chef Jose Andres' PBS series "Made in Spain." Having just eaten at Jaleo that night, we had to see the man behind the food we loved so much. "Made in Spain" is a hilarious, delightful, and delicious look at la cocina espanola (the spanish kitchen). Jose is so exuberant and enthusiastic about food that its

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-89626158335712072622010-01-24T11:44:00.004-05:002010-01-24T12:36:43.579-05:00

January 1st is one of the best days to visit New York City. The revelers have gone home, the streets are quiet and you feel like you have the place to yourself. This year we rang in 2010 in NJ, and set off to the Big Apple with Vince's parents as our first adventure of the year. We caught a glimpse of the ball in Times Square and then sauntered over to the Empire State Building for a view of

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-24616924688531434392010-01-21T08:40:00.005-05:002010-01-21T09:04:43.038-05:00

At the request of someone who will remain nameless (you know who you are!), I'm going to tell you about some really delicious food today. I had forgotten all about it until a Bon Apetit (yes, I'm starting to love that magazine) recipe reminded me and made me crave last Friday's dinner all over again.For you long time DC residents, this will statement will come as no surprise: Jose Andres' Jaleo

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-22312521172926264062010-01-19T13:09:00.004-05:002010-01-19T13:12:58.807-05:00

I think I am finally getting the hang of this yogurt thing. The key (for me at least) is honey. Half a teaspoon of honey plus any fruit and the yogurt is heavenly. It's also a pretty quick combination. If I had a real job, I think I might spend some time pre-packaging these yogurt concoctions into tupperware and taking them in as breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-30462655383345887372010-01-17T10:11:00.002-05:002010-01-17T10:19:12.257-05:00

In an effort to eat healthier, I have introduced yogurt into my diet. I see the commercials all the time on tv, in magazines, even the newspaper, but I was hesitant to try it. Mostly because dairy, with or without active cultures, often does a number on my innards. Goat' s milk products are usually much better, but Trader Joe's is the only place that I've found to sell goat's milk yogurt.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-13180709760271848522010-01-14T08:22:00.002-05:002010-01-14T08:29:46.474-05:00

I'm a big believer in making a big batch of something and then freezing up a few portions to have easy meals for later. However, sometimes this goes awry. Like the time that I made a huge portion of red beans that tasted absolutely terrible. Well, not inedible, but tasteless. This caused some strife in the house as I obviously couldn't throw 3 freezer bags full of perfectly edible food away

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-55433702240649016222010-01-13T10:07:00.002-05:002010-01-13T10:17:39.613-05:00

This holiday season our go to appetizer was a little something I whipped up with leftovers one day for Vince. It's a sweet and savory combination with just a little bit of crunch that will have your guests coming back for more. All you need is French bread, brie cheese, ripe bananas, brown sugar, butter, and a splash of brandy! It's a little like bananas foster, but with a creamy cheesy twist.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-75332724130420684072010-01-12T10:55:00.002-05:002010-01-12T11:01:54.085-05:00

If you are looking for a quick and easy bread recipe that is full of flavor, look no further. My sister, Mimi, passed this recipe along from one of her boyfriend's roomates at UNC. I made it awhile back and just found the recipe as I was doing some January cleaning. Here it is:Beer Bread:1.5 cups of whole wheat flour1.5 cups of white flour4.5 tsp. baking soda1.5 tsp. salt12 oz beerAssorted

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-4646961029099630192010-01-11T08:38:00.003-05:002010-01-11T08:44:37.375-05:00

First and foremost, Happy Birthday, Tito! Secondly, I have just hit upon a new breakfast sensation. As part of the New Year's resolutions to get fit, loose weight, etc, etc, I am trying to get into eating oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal is good for you. It has fat grabbing properties, and it can keep you full for a loooong time. I made a big batch last week and have been slowly working my way

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-82374332701901029142010-01-08T16:48:00.002-05:002010-01-08T16:57:30.312-05:00

Two avocado posts in a row? Yes. Two avocados at their peak point of ripeness = two posts. Thank goodness we didn't have any more! I just whipped up a batch of avocado salad and was amazed at how quick and easy it is, not to mention how healthy. All you need are avocados, limes, onions, olive oil, salt and pepper. The last four are kitchen staples in our house, always on hand, so it is no

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-25988569422957789462010-01-07T06:52:00.002-05:002010-01-07T07:09:01.935-05:00

There are hundreds of different ways to make guacamole with the same basic ingredients: avocados, onions, lime juice, and jalapenos. While usually a fan of the traditional, I tried something different this week with the now-ripe avocados we got from a family friend in Miami. (For the record, avocado season is usually over by late august, but my grandfather's best friend, Duque, has the greenest

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-70492988236897686012010-01-06T20:41:00.003-05:002010-01-06T21:08:39.618-05:00

Vince and I got to make Christmas dinner this year. A very nice casual affair because we had a wedding to go to the next day. While the rest of the family relaxed (or played with their toys), Vince and I got to work on a pasta bar using the farm fresh veggies that my mom gets from a friend at work. In our corner we had a pound of spaghetti, some mature arugula (read very bitter), tomatoes,

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-837684776569772972010-01-05T08:09:00.002-05:002010-01-05T08:15:29.791-05:00

It's that time of year again. Time for taking stock and making promises. The usual New Year's suspects always seem to include eating better, vowing to lose weight, or attempting to broaden your mind (while reducing your mid-section). All are admiral goals, albeit too soon abandoned. This year, while I may also secretly by adhering to the usual suspects, I plan on having a few new resolutions:

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-37081812983727411462010-01-04T19:23:00.003-05:002010-01-04T19:25:44.733-05:00

is really quite tasty, especially when eaten on the way home from New Jersey at the Maryland House. Popeye's two-piece and biscuit is also a send off to the wanton ways of holiday eating. Tomorrow we diet!Happy New Year everyone! 2010!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-88297580773797326912010-01-02T15:40:00.002-05:002010-01-02T15:56:39.111-05:00

For starters, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! 2009 was a great year and 2010 looks to be even better. This holiday season brought a lot of travel our way and the discovery of the airport date. What is the airport date you may ask? Well, it begins with an extended layover or the anticipation of long lines and security delays at the airport. You arrive early at the airport with your

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-67474970164382815502009-12-23T12:44:00.003-05:002010-01-02T15:40:38.323-05:00

a tomato!!! and it is the season here in Miami for gorgeous red, flavorful tomatoes! I think we'll have tomato sandwiches today for lunch. Happy shopping!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-41344653867572716632009-12-18T13:16:00.004-05:002009-12-18T13:19:19.951-05:00

These beautiful cookies were made by our good friend Kathleen K. Easy on the eyes and delicious too! P.S. these were tiny, and the detail is amazing! Merry Christmas!!!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-848304432579979012009-12-17T09:23:00.002-05:002009-12-17T09:28:37.027-05:00

Well, to be honest I never have, but an article in today's Wall Street journal got me thinking. Mostly about how talking about food can be great, but too much description can get gross. For example, you want to hear about how something tastes, how great and silky your gelato was or even how to get the best mouth feel in a batch of polenta. However, there is a line, people. Thou shalt not

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For years, I considered Egg Nog the vilest of all holiday traditions. This thick, sticky, super-sweet liquid that smelled faintly of nutmeg and rum and left a pasty film on anything it touched. Personally, I could have left the nog out of the holiday without a second glance. Well, this weekend Vince picked up some Egg Nog at Trader Joe's, and I have to say I was absolutely converted! My

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On a cold winter's day, there is nothing more yummy than cozy comfort food. Chicken potpie is a classic example, but with the wedding countdown in full swing alterations must be made to the recipes or you risk having to make them on the clothes. For starters, forget the flaky tender pie crust. That's got to go! Substitution: Bread crumbs. Advantages: quick fix, lower in calories, still

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-69028091475069085452009-12-07T20:48:00.002-05:002009-12-07T20:55:32.246-05:00

One of my favorite side dishes in the whole world is a big pile of baby arugula lightly covered in an easy dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper with big shavings of parmesano reggiano on top. I tried it once at Bread in NYC and had to duplicate it myself (at 15.o0 a plate, it was an economic neccessity because I was addicted from the very first bite!). It turns out that that very

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-74550167261468867182009-12-03T08:56:00.002-05:002009-12-03T09:03:02.325-05:00

If you are in the mood for something sweet, but healthy, why don't you take twenty minutes out of your day and make yourself some fresh applesauce. In college, my old roommate used to make a big batch in the slow cooker. It would simmer all day while she was in class and when she got home it would be warm, steamy and comforting. When you are short on prep time, or just plain impatient, you can

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-6654469053885959042009-12-01T08:49:00.004-05:002009-12-01T09:19:47.843-05:00

With all the eating going on for the holidays, everyday dinners during December should be a bit lighter, but still festive. Last night I brought out one of my mom's proven easy, healthy, tasty dinners from the past to kick-start our Christmas slim-down. It's so easy to make you'll find yourself craving it all the time, plus it can even double as party food. So here it is: Carmina's taco salad.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-76965650941076300272009-11-25T08:37:00.002-05:002009-11-25T09:00:56.030-05:00

One of my favorite sections in the Wall Street Journal is the weekly Health and Wellness supplement. This week's seasonal topic: The Flu, or more accurately, how you can eat your way to a healthier immune system. According to article writer Laura Landro, the key ingredients to fighting germs are: Vitamin D, Selenium, Vitamin A, Zinc, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B-6. These can be found among the

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-48155816838155269852009-11-18T09:29:00.002-05:002009-11-18T09:39:40.527-05:00

My favorite thing about eating Asian food is going with a big group, ordering a table-full of dishes, and tasting a little bit of each one. Now, when you eat out with just two or three, especially for lunch, your choices are a bit limited, but not if you order the Kantok platter at Bangkok Bistro. You get your own personal lazy susan with four different dishes: Pad Thai (possibly the best we

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-39764998951610950932009-11-11T10:23:00.004-05:002009-11-12T08:56:12.262-05:00

Ummm, chicken wings! Buffalo style, sweet and sour, salt and pepper, I'll take them any style. But when it's time to make wings at home, there is one recipe I know I can rely on for savory, sticky, delicious wings! It's a family recipe, handed down from Vince's mom to us (ok, so it doesn't have the longest history, yet!) But it is a favorite with all of Vince's cousins (hence the name), nieces,

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-89191142273655833382009-11-09T11:49:00.004-05:002009-11-09T13:01:37.839-05:00

Northern Virginia Magazine recently put out their guide to the 50 best restaurants in the area. Although my criteria for the best restaurants in the area is definitely different from theirs (high marks for Eventide in Clarendon was the first tip off), I found out that Vince and I had actually been to quite a few of these without the benefit of the guide. One of the more surprising picks was

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com101tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-86034565579067045902009-11-05T18:26:00.004-05:002009-11-05T18:36:22.271-05:00

The weather has really cooled down in the last couple of days. Bright sunny skies, but a definite chill in the air. Vince says it smells crisp, and I think it smells like the first gust of cold air that comes out of the freezer when you open the door. I know that might sound like a crazy comparison, but I really do feel that the coming of winter is like entering a sub-zero refrigerator, minus

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-35003904325767441152009-10-28T14:55:00.004-04:002009-10-28T18:20:17.769-04:00

So this is what I was talking about in my last post! Today is a beautiful day in Virginia. 72 degrees, sunny, and the trees are in their full glory. For all my Miami readers, here's a look at fall in the North. On days like today it is really stunning. So if you are in VA or the North and have similar weather, get outside! It's amazing. This might even be a perfect day to grill out! P.S. This is

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-40064599440896922002009-10-27T17:33:00.005-04:002009-10-27T17:50:42.783-04:00

Here are some beauty shots (ok, I'm still working on my photography skills) of some Greek-style stuffed peppers I made with my family in Miami. I just love how the bright red, orange and yellow peppers contrast with my Mom's robin egg blue cast-iron pot, especially on these grey autumn days in Arlington. The peppers are stuffed with some grilled chicken, feta cheese, cherry tomatos, spinach,

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This week I've been in Miami taking exams (I passed!) and hanging out with family and friends. It's been great to have an extended time at home to just chill and really enjoy quantity of time with my sisters and parents. The other great thing about being home is that you can enjoy the surprises that come with the daily rhythms of life. For example, every six weeks or so my mom's long time

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-70993794355012663172009-10-05T16:34:00.003-04:002009-10-05T16:37:10.262-04:00

For starters, sorry for the crickets over here in my corner of the blog-o-sphere, I've been studying for exams like a crazy person and haven't had the mental energy to devote here. But I had to post a quick comment after reading that Gourmet Magazine is getting the ax from Conde Nast. I just subscribed to this magazine and am really sad to hear that it is going. They have great recipes that

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-9793837020414724652009-09-21T17:56:00.002-04:002009-09-21T17:59:59.778-04:00

As a study break I have decided to surf the blog-o-sphere, something that I don't get to do often enough. But today, I found this really neat blog called, very simply, Candy Blog. Yes, you guessed it, its a blog about CANDY. Not just any blog about candy, but a one told by someone passionate about the subject, yet able to maintain a critical distance for proper analysis. If you are looking

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-2886510326979590772009-09-09T11:04:00.008-04:002009-09-21T17:39:15.571-04:00

At long last, part two of our South Carolina adventure. The first thing we noticed when we rolled into Charleston were the palm trees, palmettos to be exact, the state tree of SC. They were everywhere, lining the streets, nestled in parks and brought us a real sense of Southern flair. We didn't realize how much we missed palm trees in Arlington. After a quick drive down King street, we decided to

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Here's a shot of our oyster dinner, or what's left of it, at Old Ebbitt. We had pacific something or others and they were absolutely delicious. As you know, I recently got over my oyster-squeamishness, and I just can't get enough of them now. At Old Ebbitt, they have so many types of oysters that they give you a little description of each on a menu, kind of like a wine list. Well, I thought an

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-38124378882650070582009-09-04T18:16:00.006-04:002009-09-06T11:24:53.255-04:00

There is nothing like walking in the shade of the orchard with the heady smell of peaches all around you. The fruit hangs off of the branches tantalizingly within reach and just begging to be taken home and baked into a cobbler. But first you will have to grab one and take a bite, then you realize that there is nothing better than a ripe, sun-warmed peach eaten in the middle of the orchard. Of

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-2364786360517357132009-08-31T17:59:00.006-04:002009-08-31T19:40:20.459-04:00

The weather today makes me nostalgic for Christmas in Miami. I know that might sound crazy, but if you have ever experienced a Cuban Nochebuena, you know what I mean. On a perfect December 24 in the 3-0-5, you will wake up to a day like today, sunny, warm, zero-humidity, and the lightest breeze ruffling the palm trees. The smell of hundreds of charcoal fires being lighted in backyards around the

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-31723272003407037932009-08-31T08:23:00.003-04:002009-08-31T08:32:56.016-04:00

This is a picture of a pear tree in my neighborhood. It lives in front of an apartment building not too far from mine and it is covered in fruit. I don't know why, but I find fruit trees fascinating. I've also heard that they offer the best bang for your buck as far as backyard gardening is concerned. I grew up around mango trees and avocado trees and I love those too, but there is something

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-9940701805008740902009-08-26T08:22:00.002-04:002009-08-26T08:42:54.417-04:00

Vince and I spotted this Luca Giordano painting at the Princeton University Art Museum. We just loved it! This brawny Italian has just finished toiling in the fields and has come home to a heaping plate of spaghetti lightly dressed in olive oil. No need for a fork, he dives right in and enjoys each slurp of homemade goodness. oil on canvas c. 1660photograph by Bruce M. White

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-80442169503794837082009-08-23T13:22:00.004-04:002009-08-24T09:07:57.088-04:00

This weekend I had the chance to see Julie and Julia in the theater with a great group of girls, who coincidentally also blog about food. We had a lovely time and completed our experience with a French dinner at Bastille in Alexandria. Yummy!I came away from the movie with a few pearls of wisdom and here they are:1. In life, its so important to have a mate (if you have one) that shares your

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-63163781851115835952009-08-14T11:56:00.003-04:002009-08-21T09:30:59.873-04:00

This is a picture of Vince's lunch at the Majestic in Alexandria. Fresh green beans with bacon as a side dish and Chicken liver mousse with crostini and poached figs. Everything was really tasty, but the figs stood out among the rest. The were juicy and sweet with a thin, crispy layer of caramelized sugar across the top. I ordered a B.L.T with arugula instead of lettuce. What a great (and

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-52418024875476027082009-08-14T11:52:00.002-04:002009-08-18T12:56:36.625-04:00

The bitter melon squash: a knobby cucumber-like vegetable whose slightly bitter taste is valued as a palate cleanser in some Indian and South Asian cuisine. Who would have thought it would turn up at the Shoppers (supermarket) in Arlington. I picked it up on a whim and at the urging of a more culinarily adventurous friend than I on a recent shopping trip. Unfortunately, this post is prompted

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-10162291834096637582009-08-12T09:27:00.005-04:002009-08-12T09:58:18.877-04:00

Vince and I both have pizza-making pops. We both remember our dads making dough, kneading away at a mass of flour, water, and yeast that would somehow come together in a smooth shiny ball and grow in a warm dark corner of the garage. Pizza days are special at my house, especially because it meant that dad had the day off from work and would be home early for dinner. It also meant that we would be

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-51972335927192598642009-08-11T08:09:00.004-04:002009-08-11T08:17:54.652-04:00

Just about a year ago, Vince and I had the best ceviche ever at the Finisterra Hotel in Costa Rica. Sweet and savory with just the right amount of acidity and a ton of flavor, we haven't had ceviche this good again any where else.It was so good that we special ordered it to go on the last day that we were in Playa Hermosa....I wish we were there now!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-9687380741504643452009-08-09T21:57:00.002-04:002009-08-09T22:00:46.060-04:00

Vince and I just got home from a great weekend trip to Charleston, S.C. Even though it's only been a few hours since we left, I'm already thinking about our next trip back! We ate soooooo well in Charleston. Really, really good food. Stay tuned for pics and recs to come. Thanks A, B, and J for a great weekend!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-91937084815062318662009-08-05T21:44:00.008-04:002009-08-05T22:36:52.268-04:00

Whenever we had company growing up, I always remember having my mom's signature dish: Camarones enchilados. This was the Cuban equivalent of Boeuf Bourguignon (Julie and Julia lovers, you know what I'm talking about!). Always a crowd pleaser, always delicious, my mom knew she would get good reviews with this savory shrimp creole and the complementary plates of sweet plantains, a crisp green

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-19877927868230915282009-08-02T15:24:00.003-04:002009-08-02T16:42:24.646-04:00

This week we made a lovely stuffed zucchini from one of the giants in the last post. Vince made an awesome Italian sausage and cremini mushroom filling that could not have been better.Here is a before picture: And an after! All the juices from the filling ran down and into the zucchini giving it a really sweet and mellow taste that perfectly balanced the the savoriness of the sausage and

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-65064740671750875072009-07-29T18:55:00.003-04:002009-07-29T22:01:53.280-04:00

My brother-in-law Chris has been keeping a backyard garden for the last three years and this year, it has really taken off. Here are some GIANT zucchinis, extra-large cucumbers, and a bumper crop of tomatoes. I don't know what he put in the soil this year! The little cherry tomatos are super sweet and delicious.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-84426138573179447962009-07-26T21:46:00.005-04:002009-07-26T22:09:07.376-04:00

I just got my first copy of Gourmet magazine this week and it got me to thinking about cooking magazines I have encountered in the past. There is something relaxing and tantalizing about flipping through the glossy pages and seeing beautiful images of food you could make in your very own kitchen that I just can't get enough of. So in the spirit of Cook's Illustrated - one of my favorites -

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-56005749979398720222009-07-21T08:18:00.002-04:002009-07-21T08:23:41.214-04:00

Ok, a quick post and a plug. Lately, I've been trying different kinds of separated peanut butters, you know the kinds where the oil sits on the top and you have to stir and stir and stir it to get peanut butter again? I'm trying to avoid the trans-fats. Well, first I tried Smuckers version and it was tough to stir and dry as paste. This can happen with organic and unmixed butters, hydrogenated

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-48312495462505359782009-07-08T07:31:00.006-04:002009-07-08T07:58:56.032-04:00

Hey all... went to Cape Cod for the Fourth of July! Beautiful area. The Cape is casual and even though we stayed in Hyannisport unpretentious. Ate seafood galore, oysters, clams, scallops, and of course...Lobster.Took the Island Queen ferry out of Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard and rode bikes to South Beach and through Edgarton. Lovely little town of shops, candy stores, and restaurants. Had

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-429061850090168912009-07-07T12:53:00.003-04:002009-07-07T13:00:27.898-04:00

After being stuffed all weekend in Cape Cod (more on this later), we decided to stuff some artichokes for dinner last night. My in-laws make stuffed artichokes all the time, but I've been wary of the prickly little veggies. So I did some searching on the net and found this video by Tracy Porter on how to prepare artichokes. It is a really easy to follow video that takes the mystery out of the

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With the Fourth of July just around the corner and summer in full swing, a road trip may be in your future if it hasn't already happened yet. When I was a kid, my mom always let us splurge on candies and salty snacks when we took our long East coast drives. I couldn't imagine being in the car for longer than three hours without a bag of Twizzlers by my side. These days, I'm a little bit more

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-16254933053124623482009-06-25T19:23:00.004-04:002009-06-25T19:50:20.314-04:00

Hey there! It's been a fun andbusy week in Capital City-landia, but I just had to share two awesome meals. They stack up so if you are also going to be having a busy week this is just the thing. Plus, it will feed you and yours for 2 nights. The first is my mom's slow cooker pork loin with garlic, oregano, and lime juice. Pork loin is on sale frequently at the markets and you get two pieces

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-31144516194528262152009-06-22T00:10:00.001-04:002009-06-28T15:46:44.052-04:00

Sure! What could be more American during Independence month? I just found this recipe on a blog and I had to post it so I could find it again.http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/2008/10/09/apple-cake/I'll let you know how it turns out.

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One more Miami post for you all! This one is close to my heart. My great-aunt Hilda passed away a few years ago, but she has not been forgotten. A music teacher and choral leader, she was also the archivist and historian of the family. She saved newspaper clippings, photos, curios, and best of all, pictures of our family. While I was home, my RC cousins and I got together to sift through a

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-16479196441679926192009-06-18T08:56:00.006-04:002009-06-18T12:12:44.878-04:00

My great-aunt, Tia Tere, is a phenomenal cook and host. She knows just how to plan a multi-course meal that will make your mouth water at every bite. Even when you drop in on her unexpectedly, while her stove is out, like I did last week, she will not disappoint you. On the contrary, she will stuff you with Cuban lasagna, salad, awesome empanadas (more on these later), hearty soup, and plantains.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-36579245754312465462009-06-15T09:57:00.004-04:002009-06-15T10:29:37.333-04:00

New Kingston is primarily a business district, so there wasn't much in the way of dinner, but lunch was spectacular. For about 350 Jamaican you could get a large serving of rice and peas with stewed or jerked chicken that could double as dinner. Yard Vybz, the tiny kitchen and counter place pictured below, also served amazing fresh squeezed juices. Lara and I had a beet juice with ginger that

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-45579877985217929022009-06-13T12:38:00.003-04:002009-06-15T16:35:11.814-04:00

Hey everybody,I just uploaded pictures to some of the previous posts. Check them out here and here.

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Jamaica is a beautiful country, much more mountainous than I expected. We stayed in Kingston our conference. New Kingston, the business district, to be more specific. Our hotel, the Knutsford was comfortable and had a pool!Michelle bought mangoes and a pomerack. I had never tasted a pomerack before. It's light and crisp with a bit of a floral scent to it. The texture is something between a pear

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-49735258753492946272009-06-12T11:56:00.003-04:002009-06-12T12:00:03.129-04:00

Home sweet home again. I'm back in Arlington and looking forward to our first summer here in our new hometown. We've been to NJ and Miami recently and it's exciting to think that this place, Arlington, VA, will always be special to us as the first place that we kept a house together. In honor of that, here is a link to a hilarious video about Arlington. I don't know how to embed vidoes yet,

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-48699362364255399442009-06-10T11:19:00.003-04:002009-06-10T11:29:55.392-04:00

I love having the tilde function at my parents' desktop computer. Just press the Alt key down while you type in 164 on the number pad and voila ~ you have an ñ. En-ye. A funky Spanish letter that doesn't exist in any other language to my knowledge. The ñ was a huge part of my life for a very long time, but has since departed following a marital name change. Once the bane of my existence, ñ

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-76822219822828544372009-06-08T10:13:00.002-04:002009-06-08T10:26:48.173-04:00

One of the great things about coming back home is getting to swap magazines with my mom and mother-in-law. They both get magazines that I love to look at but don't usually buy, like Good Housekeeping and Family Circle. This week at my mom's I read the most amazing article in the July 2009 issue of Family Circle about a mom from Moscow, Idaho, who turned her garden surplus into a way to improve

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-91034410836325692062009-06-02T10:59:00.003-04:002009-06-13T10:53:23.646-04:00

I made it to Jamaica. This country is beautiful! Much more hilly than I expected. The food is fantastic. At the hotel restaurant, we had leisurely service, a deliciously spicy pumkin and chicken soup, and brown stewed fish with veggies and rice and peas (Jamaican red beans and rice with a hint of coconut flavor). For dinner, we got a tip from our driver who escorted us to Ziggy's, a very local

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-57792019928938811452009-05-31T16:45:00.005-04:002009-06-13T10:58:35.222-04:00

Lychees!After a near-miss of my flight due to a predilection for Auntie Anne's pretzels, I am home in Miami, taking a long layover before my trip to Jamaica tomorrow. Although the tropical growing season is backwards from that of the Northern hemisphere, it does have its advantages: tomatoes and strawberries in January for example and lychees and mangoes in May/June. My parents had harvested the

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-61420551311711654872009-05-28T20:30:00.009-04:002009-05-29T08:05:07.100-04:00

New Jersey usually gets a bad rap in the media. New Jersey, home of the mobsters, the landfills, the whiny housewives, the big hair. While all of this may in part be true, there is another side to Jersey that Vince and I love. It's the Jersey of good food, good music, boardwalk games and quirky ways to have fun. It's been awhile since our last Jersey trip (4 months to be precise) and we decided

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-63255225280936970812009-05-27T09:30:00.002-04:002009-05-27T09:37:20.341-04:00

My sister-in-law, Monica, came up with a really cute, simple shower game for her sister's wedding shower this weekend, and boy was it spicy! No, not that kind of spicy (mind's out of the gutter, please!). While the bride opened her gifts, Monica passed out little containers of unidentified spices. This was a great way to keep the crowd of ladies engaged as they oooh-ed and aah-ed over

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-77972363826605213442009-05-21T08:50:00.006-04:002009-05-29T08:04:38.831-04:00

On my recent Cuban-cooking foray, I decided on some comfort food, frijoles negros, black beans. This is actually a really easy recipe. It just takes some pre-planning as you have to soak the dried beans over night.1. Sort through 1 package of dried black beans. Sometimes you find little rocks in the package. This is normal. Do not throw them out and start again just pick through them carefully.

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-83678332525014830442009-05-20T14:32:00.013-04:002009-05-20T20:43:18.417-04:00

I got this postcard idea from a few blogs, here and here. I think its awesome, and in the spirit of the snail mail on which real postcards travel here is our Greensboro, N.C. postcard just a little bit late. Dear cyber friends,Went to Greensboro to see Boss and the E-Street band. Concert was a blast. Waiting in line for a chance at the pit was totally worth it. Noshed on dogs and veggie burgers

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-44229988270487376012009-05-19T14:23:00.004-04:002009-05-19T14:41:27.290-04:00

It appears I'm becoming a Tuesday-Thursday blogger, but that's just as well. The past two weeks have been really busy with concerts, communions, and commuters. Well, not really commuters, but I needed one more C for the alliteration. Here's the update: 1st weekend of May, Bruce Springsteen concert (awesome, but more on that later), 2nd weekend, Dennis's first communion (really a beautiful event

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-15429438524147787042009-05-14T15:37:00.002-04:002009-05-14T15:45:23.713-04:00

I was surfing the web today a bit as my substitute students worked on their classwork and I came across these two stories on MSN. Does Home-Cooked Mean Healthy? by Karen Collins M.S., R.D, C.D.N. - Collins reviews findings that suggest that cookbook recipes have drastically increased portion sizes, fat content and salt grams as compared to those of yesteryear, raising the title question. It

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-3429424916043027062009-05-12T21:43:00.003-04:002009-05-12T21:45:40.979-04:00

Does anyone have any ideas???? May is looking to get hectic, June is heating up and July has guaranteed fireworks! The ideal meal: short ingredient list, yummy, different. Feel free to post a comment or shoot an email! P.S. I promise proper posts (soon!) despite the madness!

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134837604069159268.post-89498263358068187152009-05-06T13:58:00.003-04:002009-05-06T14:26:04.228-04:00

In Miami, my family often ate dinner really late to accomodate sports practice, piano lessons, and Dad's work schedule, so we got in the habit of having pre-dinner tapas. We always had some Manchego cheese, chorizo and Spanish olives in the house. Missing our pre-dinner ritual here in Arlington (we eat much earlier!), I decided I could make a tapas inspired dinner. Mom and Dad had brought us a

Arroz con Mangohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03302120070678034877noreply@blogger.com1