"Until you've tried a Peach."

"An apple is an excellent thing - until you have tried a peach."
George du Maurier (1834-1896)

I've taken three peaches shirtless to the kitchen sink in rural Georgia. No need to peel or fuss. I wash them with clear water that runs just cool of warm and the fruit is ready. And so am I ready. This is to be my first experience eating the famed Georgia peaches, and timed just right for the height of the harvest. Juicy run down your face fleshy, luscious peaches and such big, big flagrant flavor. I'm a sticky succulent mess, but well worth every mouthful. I lick my lips. Guess I should clean up. Wipe off the keyboard, too. Tomorrow I'll pick three more...

Always Twice as Nice with the Rice

Touring the Southern United States has been a revelation. I have never really spent much time here nor with the people of the South. However, the very first time was in 1974 traveling on a Greyhound "Ameri-Pass". It was a bus pass valid for 3 Summer months, any bus, any direction at anytime. To me that little paper ticket represented three months of unlimited, unfettered freedom, something I wasn't overly familiar with as a newly graduated high school student. I held that paper pass in my hand and felt I could go anywhere. So I bolted South and those tales of seeking America's music (Blues, Jazz and Dixieland) & general catawallowin' good times, I'll leave for another time.

Now moving to the present, today's journey is a different experience altogether. Traveling in a Toyota Rav4 vehicle stacked with camping gear, road atlas and a GPS device we call Ms. Garmin (Pss, Ms. Garmin could use a different voice, anything other than insistent grade school teacher would be an improvement, thank you). Put that one irritant aside, this trip has been exhilarating.

Having gathered a few tomes to accompany and enlighten us along the way, we were fortunate to have packed The Carolina Rice Kitchen. Being one of our destinations is Charleston South Carolina this historical treatment has been timely and insightful. Tracing rice from the Far East all the way to The Carolinas is a great feat, but the manner in which it is done by Karen Hess is light and clever. Reading this admittedly will have one sure outcome. I'll be looking forward to Carolina Gullah Rice dishes once we arrive in that great city. Rice as sustenance, rice as culture and rice as a connection to the ancient past, all in one book. No other author has been so thorough.

Rakatanga - Paella Fiesta

Few days contain all the ingredientes for a lifetime memory, those that do are shared with friends!

The Molcajete at Rancho Market, SLC UT

Crisp Tostada & Succulent Ceviche

When appetite is sparked by the light, fresh, quick and inexpensive, be assured, you can be satisfied. And perfectly it all can be done at El Paisa taco cart on State Street in Salt Lake City, UT. There are many such carts on corners throughout the city but one, just one is owned by two brothers (Julio and Felipe) from a town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Being boys who have grown up in a village facing the sea they know fish and Ceviche. Unlike other street carts (owned principally by Nortenos, meaning big meat), they bring their knowledge of Ceviche to this little Utah town. Oh, you can get the big meat at El Paisa too, but it's not greasy. Being fish lovers, all items offered are fresh, clean and not heavy. And after an informal survey, they are the only street vendors who serve CEVICHE in SLC. Now my question is that if I were to bring a good white wine in a sippy cup could I reach seafood Nirvana right there on the corner of 9th South and State Street? Or if I ordered "to go", I think I might get rather close. And so can you and we'll see you there soon.

"Ayoba"

"Ayoba" is South African slang for "Super" or "Cool". I haven't been in South Africa for years yet I remember this word clearly. I was there with clear intention of chasing wine and seafood. Anyone familiar with my writings would not be in the least bit surprised. Now presently watching the 2010 World Cup televised from the new stadium expressly built in Cape Town to accommodate this frenzy of football, I am awash in memories. However, there are some things that are different. Much like the overwhelming characteristic of this year's contest will be the sound of the "Vuvuzela", a simple, one note trumpet made of plastic. I saw them when visiting but at that time they were in the hands of boys playing in the street. It was nothing more than a fun and funny toy for kids. Now during the 2010 World Cup the sound of the "Vuvuzela" is front and center. It is the instrument to express pride and joy of place and produces the din that you will hear in the background of every match coming to us from South Africa! All I can say is "Ayoba"!

Neptune's Salsa Marinara

Calamares are the fastest seafood to cook. Olive oil, mince of onion and garlic flashed together with tentacles and rings then placed as a topper on your favorite pasta and Marinara Sauce. Now that's taking a trip to the shore without leaving the house!

Pairs nicely with Spanish Rosé wines (rosados) or Portuguese Green Wine (vinho verde).