Learning on the road.....

Reminiscing about the wonderful learning experience in the kitchen and on the road traveling, that has brought me to where I am today, I came across some pictures and thought I would share them with you all.
A few years ago I was working on a private yacht and traveling through the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Atlantic side.  Once we were there a big storm blew in and kept the Yacht docked for a couple weeks.....hmmmmm what to do for a couple of weeks?   Here are some pictures from Colon, Panama.  The fish and seafood was astounding and the people were delightful, well as long as you knew someone.  The statistics show that for every week a tourist is in Colon they will be mugged once.  Avoiding this scenario I had a fabulous guide who was a local and kept me very safe.  I was even invited to his families home for dinner.  There were 6 people living in a 400 square foot, concrete home.  His father had a Mango tree in the back yard filled with hanging baskets and orchids, stunning!

 This was my favorite picture.  It needs no explanation.

 Here is the snapper that I bought at the market.  Such an amazing experience to bring all this fresh fish back and then figure out how it is going to be prepared.

 This is the Cordova or Sea Bass.  This was incredible and look how fresh it is!

 Nothing is wasted and thrown away.  Every part of the animal is for sale for eating.  This is the greatest way to learn how to use the whole animal and not just have the Tenderloin!  Yes that is a jar of blood in the back ground!

These were my buddies.  They sell plastic bags for $0.25 and will carry everything for you.  I gave them $5.00 each at the end because they had a lot of food to carry and look after.  Such sweethearts!!!
The best dish I learned while on the Atlantic side and in Colon was Fish Head Soup.  Roberto, the guide, introduced me to his family and his mother and I made fish head soup and then sat down with the family and ate dinner.  This is a memory I will have forever and am grateful for.

Where have you traveled and learned something fabulous to cook?  Where is your favorite food country where you have learned the most?

I will find more pictures and share more food and traveling experiences!

Have a fabulous day!

Dinner For One!

I find it funny that we are so devoted to making good, healthy, colourful and delicious food for everyone, but how often do you make yourself a delicious meal that just you enjoy.  You get to make exactly what you want, how you want it and then sit down and enjoy the love you have just put into a meal and now yourself.  Is there any better way to nourish your soul?

My boyfriend works a lot in the winter and is away a lot so this leaves me the opportunity to have some selfish time and take care of myself and put some love into the food I am putting in my body. 

Here is a meal I had the other night.  I sauteed Shitake mushrooms, Pancetta, Spinach and Sunflower seeds in a pan.  Starting with the Pancetta and Shitake mushrooms then adding the Sunflower seeds and the Spinach.  Once this was slightly cooked some roasted beets were added and mix together along with a sprinkle of Pear Balsamic vinegar.  This was then put into a ramekin covered in some delicious local cheese and baked in the oven.  Delish!

And after a day of Heli-skiing I deserved this healthy and delicious meal!

Don't forget to take care of and love yourself because at the end of the day when you lay your head on your pillow, you matter most!