Sometimes a Papaya!

Having received an invitation to a late lunch, I went to scout ingredients in our neighbourhood market in La Paz, Bolivia. I thought discovery should dictate my dish and that really was my only guide for the morning. At one of my favorite kiosks I found the perfect Papaya, or rather it found me. Silvia, a vender, holding aloft a ripe orange-yellow sphere said ¨This Papaya is estupenda today. Tomorrow, no.¨ Her all-knowing look won me. To cut it lengthwise and scoop the ripe flesh left me with two fruit bowls and two opportunities to delight my hostess and her guests. The salads to fill the papaya halves came together with little effort and the list of ingredients isn´t overly exotic if Papaya is in season where you cook. However, if the sky is gray at your house think Papaya, one or the other of these salads will change your outlook on life!

1 - Ensalada del Lago y Selva (Salad from the Lake & Jungle)

PAPAYA cubed
Flaked Trout (from Lake Titicaca or the lake nearest you)
Red Bell Pepper
Cucumber cubed
Roma Tomato cubed
Onion diced
Light Vinaigrette w/Lime Juice
Chop of Parsley
Mince of garlic
Salt/Pepper

2 - Ensalada Yucateca (Yucatan Salad)

PAPAYA cubed
Chicken cubed
Cucumber cubed
Avocado cubed
Chop of Cilantro (or parsley for the cilantro adverse)
Onion diced
Honey & Lime Juice added to your preferred vinaigrette
Salt/Pepper
Dusting of Chile Powder (optional)

Toss all respective ingredients well and serve in the Papaya halves that have been brushed inside (when first cut) with lime juice to prevent discoloring. The added bonus, fewer dishes to wash! Also, favorite bread sticks or crispy baguette are a perfect accompaniment ...

Sometimes it takes a Papaya to ignite your passion for all things culinary and even brighten your world! Bon Appetit or as we say in Latin America, Bien Provecho!

P.S. A crisp white will complete the offering!

© Mick Huerta 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Illimani the Golden Eagle!

The name ¨Illimani¨ comes from the Aymara people and means ¨Golden Eagle.¨ It is a befitting title for the highest mountain (21,200 ft/6900m) in the Cordillera Real which lies (16 390S; 67 470W) just south of the city of La Paz, Bolivia. For those of us who live here, Illimani is both landmark and companion. The city is defined by it´s presence and it´s caps of snow, more aptly described as high-altitude tropical glaciers. Quite literally, there is not a day that goes by without Pacenos (residents of La Paz) looking up to catch a glimpse of Illimani and not feeling better for having the city accompanied by a consort of such magnitude. Jallalla!

© Photo by: Mick Huerta 2011 mickhuerta@gmail.com 
All Rights Reserved

Roasted Green Chiles

One of the tastiest aspects of the autumn season is the Roasted Green Chile! They just might be the best compensation for the weather going yuck & gray! Lately, my family has been utilizing fresh roasted chiles in dishes breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were given taste buds, so we´re inclined to believe it's always good to use them! And when and if you burn out on the¨heat,¨the beverage that most effectively cools the palate is Horchata (cinnamon rice milk). So refreshing you´ll crave yet another portion of roasted green chiles! And most anything else!

One Persimmon Paradise!

Buy one Persimmon, peel and de-seed (there are only 8) and cut into chunks. In a saucepan, put a few tbsps of sugar and a few thimbles full of water and heat. Add fruit and a dram of Rum. Once you've made this simple compote, spoon warm onto favorite Cheesecake or ice cream or one another! You'll be so happy you did!

Foto courtesy of: commons.wikimedia.org

© Mick Huerta 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Cheese, Please!!!

Last night around the table, we had lively conversation regarding cheeses used in Latin dishes. Here in Santa Fe, NM many cooks utilize yellow cheese as a topping that melts. Our hostess assured us she grew up (in Las Truchas, NM) with the yellow stuff. "Everyone here did," she added. The topic moved to Mexican cheeses and substitutes available in US markets. I shared the GourmetSleuth.com link with them and now with you. The information readily clears any mysteries and just may spark a little cooking in your kitchen. Couldn’t be any better, no?

Seafood Thanksgiving - Charleston, SC

A Sunday afternoon on the Savannah Highway (U.S. Route 17) slipping east into Charleston, we saw men landscaping a colorfully painted seafood store while others cleaned bags of oysters just 'round back. Being out-of-towners arriving for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we mistakenly assumed we could get seafood on a Sunday, any Sunday. We jumped out of the car filled with greetings and chat. The men pointed to one jovial sort who explained that they were closed but if we wanted crab-meat "we can take care of y'all." He keyed the door, turned on the lights and sold us the best quality lump crab-meat, oysters and also red, red tuna steaks. He went out of his way! And he was perfectly cheerful about taking care of us! Ravenel Fresh Seafood - above and beyond? Oh Yeah! Kindness like this sweetens any visit to anywhere. But it happened just outside Charleston. And on our holiday we had one more thing to be thankful for!

The Sultan was Good to Us! - Istanbul, Turkey

In one month, we stayed twice. The Sultan's Inn is not the poshest but it is homey and certainly is strategically located (& price is right). Close to everything we wanted to see in Istanbul, all the legendary sites were within walking distance (we cared to be in the center of things). Mr. Hakan Varan at the reception, wears many hats (city information, cultural guide and master of Istanbul logistics - ferries, taxis, trams). The amazingly informed Hakan is superlative! Also, the unflappable Mr. Kamil Kaya in reservations, made room for us and a surprise friend (at a busy time) upon return to Istanbul. Without a hitch, it all came together airport transfers and accommodation. At the Sultan Inn, we met people from all over the world. Many were repeat guests who love the Sultan and the breakfast on the rooftop patio with views of the Marmara Sea on one side and the Blue Mosque on the other. I believe when guests treat a hotel as their own home away from home, there can be no better recommendation!

If fully booked try their sister hotels, Deniz Houses & Naz Wooden House Inn – each a perfect example of the famed Wooden Houses of old Istanbul. We visited these (very nice) yet preferred the Sultan Inn for the exceptionally kind staff…