Lets Talk FOOD !!!

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams,the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” –Cesare Pavese       

I am sure that if I didn’t watch myself, and exercised I would have to be rolled out of my house by a tow truck.  There are very few things I can think of that I enjoy more than eating.  I hate to admit this to you but I wake up thinking about what I’m going to eat and I go to sleep planning the next day’s menu in my head.  If you don’t think that’s obsessive  enough…. I fall asleep listening to the food channel.  Hahaha oh no, I think you know way too much about me now!   

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is try the country’s national dish.  Food is a very important part of culture. I know as a Puertorican I’m very proud of my Island’s cuisine. When it comes toLatin America, all the countries are very similar.  All except for the food;

Venezuela- Pabellon Criollo is a delicious combination of carnemechada (shredded beef), arroz blanco (white rice), frijoles negros(black beans) and tajadas (fried plantains). A side of arepas is amust!

Panama-sancocho de gallina. The basic ingredients for the sancocho are chicken, ñame (a root vegetable) andculantro.   Yuca, mazorca (Corn on the cob) chopped onions, garlic and oregano. It is frequentlyserved with white rice on the side,meant to be either mixed in or eaten with each spoonful. Hot sauce is also frequently added, depending on regional and individual preferences

DominicanRepublic- Mangu is boiled and mashed green plantains topped with red onions that have been marinated in vinegar served with fried cheese and salchichon (ahard salami)

Honduras– Catracho, its a delicious combination of white rice, carne asada, refried beans,fried ripe plantains, eggs, corn tortillas, and a creamy white butter called mantequilla it tastes like sour cream.

Now that I’ve made you hungry; go and cook up something different tonight. Get a recipe from a different country and surprise your family.  You might be the only one that likes it… buthey, at least you stepped out of the box. I’ll be right over. lol

* I can't wait to tell you about Argentina, Aruba and Europe! I had unforgettable experiences there :)