Surubi - The Delicious Amazon Catfish! La Paz, Bolivia

Surubi is an Amazon Catfish or as some would say, a "River Monster." Of two species the spotted is the BIGGEST! Five feet long and one hundred pounds is said to be average, even though in the markets of Manaus, Brazil I saw larger. Surubi makes for good eating as the flesh is a bit like Swordfish and rather delicious, much muscle and little bone. I look for thick cuts and sear them at high heat after an overnight marinade (soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, fresh ginger, salt & pepper). Once seared I add the marinade to the pan and cover finishing the fish with a steam/saute technique... Serve with Wasabi, Pickled Ginger and Soy Sauce as condiments for a playful Japanese approach. To complete the offering, salads are perfect (i.e. daikon, cucumber & seaweed). And if you like, sushi rice is awfully nice.

The recipe works well with large cuts of any firm fleshed fish. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and cup of Sake top it off. Kampai!

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2012. All Rights Reserved.
mickhuerta@gmail.com
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food & Wine!

3rd photo courtesy - www.Taxidermy.net

Restaurant Paladar - Cozinha Brasileira - La Paz, Bolivia

In La Paz, there are three locations for "Restaurant Paladar - Cozinha Brasileira." The closest to me is a mere block 1/2 away. It is housed in an old residence now converted into two large dining rooms, one with green walls - the other biege, and both with dramatically high ceilings... I consider this restaurant a secret pleasure because I lunch there alone and sip a Caipirinha (Brazil's National Cocktail) while making my way through the menu a plate at a time. I'm in no rush really; I'll get there as long as the Caipirinhas continue to be this good. And the big, Brazilian flavours keep coming fresh and dynamic.

Recently, I sat down to a delicious Septinho de Pollo, thin chicken breast breaded, skewered and cooked perfectly. The plate was completed by Feijao Brasileiro (Brazilian style beans) to be mixed with rice, a hunk of savory cornbread and salad dressed with a Brazilian vinaigrette. This simple vinaigrette is nothing more than slivered scallion and a fine dice of onion, bell pepper & tomato with white wine vinagre to cover. No oil, no garlic, salt or pepper. I put it on everything as it's a sparkling acidic element that elevates the flavours.

At Restaurant Paladar, the lunch (USD$4.00 - 28 Bs.) is always accompanied by dessert of the day and a cafezinho (a small, intense, sweet shot of black, black coffee). A perfect finish to a perfect lunch alone with a Caipirinha dreaming of the beaches of Brasil! Valeo cara!

Restaurant Paladar -
Cozinha Brasileira
Guachalla 359, Sopocachi
La Paz, Bolivia
tel: 2.244.4929

Copyright © Mick Huerta 2012. All Rights Reserved.
mickhuerta@gmail.com
All Accordin' - Travel, Culture, Food & Wine!