A Quick Getaway to Riviera Maya

Traveling is my HOT BUTTON.  When it's combined with excellent food choices I'm a happy girl.  When it requires long sunrise walks on the powdery white sand beach, I'm there!  Add a sprinkling of relaxing snorkel excursions and I (almost) never want to go home.

As I alluded to earlier, hubby and I escaped to the Caribbean shores of the Riviera Maya two weeks before Christmas.  I'm always amazed at how quickly my body acclimates to the warm tropical air and ocean breezes after arriving from freezing temperatures back home.  But, the Mayans graciously hailed our arrival, with a smile and a "welcome" margarita as we check into our home for 8 days.  A slice of heaven?  Maybe...

We usually allow for one touristy excursion on these "relaxation trips".  This time we chose to swim in Akumal Bay with the sea turtles, combined with a snorkel into the depths of ancient Mayan cenotes (see-no-tes).  These are a series of underground caves that dot the landscape.  The cenotes are very sacred to the Mayan people as they are believed to be the connection to the underground or other world and ,at times, their only source of freshwater.  

Sacred altar

We visited three, but swam in two because a wedding ceremony was taking place at one.  Our first dip was in a semi underground cenote  warmed by the sun thus producing algae which was a buffet for small pirhana-like fish.  I guess these tiny fish are all the rage for use in pedicures.  They nibble on the dead skin!   No thanks!

The pirhana pedicure cave

Protective thorns on trees...protected from what and do they swim in the water, too?

We ventured over to the huge cave of amazing clarity and color.  The sun beamed into the cave illuminating and casting shadows into the teal colored water.  I could have floated in there for hours while peering into the dark crevices of the cenote waterway.  I found it hard at times to quiet my mind though, thinking of all those creatures from the black lagoon...a bit of an eerie feeling as I waited for unfamiliar jaws to clamp  onto my leg.  Time to climb out of the cave.  On to the remainder of our snorkel excursion...Akumal Bay Swim with the Turtles.

The deep dark cave.  Anyone for a swim?

This bay is known for its sea turtles, abundant fish, and brilliant white sand beach.  It did not disappoint, however, if I were to do it again (and hopefully, I will) I'll hire a car to get us there and venture off on our own.  I felt rushed, racing from turtle to turtle as they were pointed out by our guide.    Swimming with the turtles is supposed to be relaxing, not when it's done with a multitude of snorkelers swimming around, over and into you.  With that said, it is a gorgeous area to swim, sunbathe and snorkel, just not with a large group.  You will see many turtles (very cool), eels, stingrays, and plenty of colorful fish as well as a coral formations swaying with each swell of the waves.

If I could snorkel everyday, I'd be a very happy girl!  More about our trip to Mexico....later.

Prime Rib with Sweet Potato Hash

When writing a blog, I learned recently how important SEO is.  That is "search engine optimization". In a nutshell, watch what choice of words you put in the title or repeat in the body of the post.  Mostly, it can work in favor of how many hits you get.  However, I experienced a flurry of activity (hits) when my blog was definitely confused with a site that has (rhymes with corn and starts with P) no interest in food, travel or recipes, if you will.  The title of my blog post just happened to be the title of this persons blog.  Oops!  So, with this "hash" title, who knows what kind of hits it will bring!!

I had a bit of prime rib left over from Christmas dinner.  Steak, lamp or pork could also be used.  Once again, my kitchen is like a "box of chocolates"  You don't really know what you'll get!  This was pretty good though, especially if you love sweet potatoes.

Prime Rib and Sweet Potato Hash

2-3 cups of cooked, cubed prime rib

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1-2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup of spinach

a handful of chopped fresh parsley

water or broth (if needed)

salt and pepper to taste

In a large skillet or pot, on medium heat,  start to cook the potatoes in a bit of oil, stirring as you go for about 10-12 minutes.  Add the onions and cook until they are soft.  Then add the prime rib or any cooked meat.  Add a bit (maybe 1/3 cup) water or broth, spinach and parsley.  Simmer  uncovered for another 5 minutes or until the potatoes are done, adding extra liquid, if necessary.  Salt and pepper to taste.  This goes together very quickly, one of those mid-week meals.  Hearty, yet quick!

Creamy Pear Thyme Salad Dressing

Do you get tired of the same old salad dressing?  Or maybe you have your "go to" salad dressing.  Why not get creative and make your own.  At least, you'll know what goes into it.   For so many years we only ate ranch dressing or blue cheese.   When ordering a salad at a restaurant it was like hearing a skip in a record, reciting " ranch please" every time!  No longer!  

Now, I enjoy dressing my salads...no more boring oil and vinegar or bottled ranch for me.   The taste is incredible when the ingredients are fresh!  Salad at its best!

Creamy Pear Thyme Salad Dressing

In a blender or food processor mix the following:

1/4 - 1/3 cup olive oil

1 small shallot, chopped

1/2 pear, peeled, cored  and sliced

1 tsp dijon style mustard

1 Tbsp sour cream

2 Tbsp mayonnaise

3 sprigs of fresh thyme leaves, removed from woody stem

1/2 tsp lemon zest (optional, but adds a zing)

salt and pepper to taste

Let your blender or food processor do all the work.  Refrigerate in your own nice bottle.  Makes about 8 oz. (8 servings)  I highly recommend making it an hour or longer before you use it.

Most Viewed Posts for 2012

As promised, here are the top ten most popular food posts for this last year.   In all honesty, it was not what I expected...I have my own "favorites". #5 and #6 made my personal list, how about you?

#10 Mini Turnovers

#9 Lasagna - A Work in Progress

This should have been titled, "How to Destroy your kitchen in 100 steps".

#8  Pulled Pork Tacos

#7 Margherita Pasta

#6 Butternut Squash Soup

#5 Green Chili Chicken

This is practically a staple in our house because it's so easy and flavorful.

#4  Limoncello Cake

Let the truth be know, this was not a complete success, but anything with limoncello in the title gets extra hits.  This has been revised but not posted  (or made) yet.  Soon, I hope.

#3  Eggplant Parmesan on the Grill
Very yummy and you can cut out a huge amount of oil usually used  with frying.

#2  Glazed Carrots

Really?? Number 2?

 #1  Panko Crusted Baked Cod

For all you fish fans here's the link for this mild fish.  Enjoy!

Panko Crusted Baked Cod

Thanks, again for all the views.  Hope you saw your favorites.  If not, stay tuned for more in 2013!  Happy New Year!

Year in Review - 2012 Part Two

Here is the second installment of my year in review for 2012.  I take MANY pictures, but sometimes all those special events don't get captured as they should.  This compilation is a small snippet of what went on in my world month by month.  Enjoy....I did.

July is always a busy month with anniversaries, birthdays and other events.  This year was no different!  I admit I was a little green with envy when I saw my son and Leilani off for a trip back home to Kauai, but also thankful and excited for them to experience such a beautiful island together with Leilani's family.

 We celebrated a "big" birthday in Half Moon Bay.  Hey..it's not Kauai but we had a great time relaxing, walking/hiking the cliffs above the beach and eating some fabulous seafood.

 In August we celebrated my son's 35th birthday.  Congratulations!!  How can that be?  I don't think I'm past my 40's!!

 August is also a great month to work play in my garden as I start to see the fruits of my labor after watering, weeding and chasing the critters away!

September brought a new addition to the family and I think my finicky  aunt kitty approves.  They are the best of friends and new partners in crime when they aren't looking this cute!

We took a brief but spectacular hiking trip to Yosemite's Tuolomne Meadows.  I spent a lot of time here in my youth so it made it that much better sharing it with my hubby.

Another fun day was spent with my almost daughter-in-law at a cooking class.  Frankly, we could both teach the class...she's an excellent cook....but, I just enjoyed the time with her.  Thanks, Leilani, for the invite.

October literally blew by as we celebrated hubby's birthday with his Italian rum cake and homemade lasagna!  And, my other love celebrated her 8th (?) birthday.

November brought Thanksgiving, of course, and I'm thankful for all family, friends, and the goodness that surrounds them.  The Christmas tree went up early this year...and she helped!

I was not happy or thankful about the past election this year and I don't want to sweep it under the rug.  It was ugly (and still is) and I wish someone else was flying around in that jet!

My cat displays my feelings best...a picture tells a thousand words!

 December rains gave us "the flood that never happened", thank God.

"Travel is good for the soul" - Wendy.   We flew off to Playa del Carmen before Christmas, wish I was there!

But, home we went for Christmas...time to spend with family.