January 28, 2015

Merida: Oliva Kitchen and Bar and Chopped Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

I have taken a liking to salads that are composed of many vegetables, all finely chopped and tossed together in a harmonious pile. They are easier to eat than a large leafy salad and the flavours blend together so nicely with the dressing, just my kind of thing. I have had one such salad recently on a side trip to Merida last week. We went there to take a cooking class at Los Dos cookings... View Article

January 26, 2015

Yucatan: Villa Verde Merida (and egg and avocado breakfast recipe)

Last week we headed west of the Mayan Riviera to Merida to explore the Gulf of Mexico side of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Yucatan Peninsula separates the Caribbean sea from the Gulf of Mexico and includes three states: Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Campeche. The Yucatan is home to the Mayan people and is distinct from the rest of Mexico by its culture and cuisine. The new double lane highway from Cancun to Merida now has... View Article

January 26, 2015

Yucatan pickled red onions (Cebollas Encurtidas)

One item that appears on almost every plate here in the Yucatan peninsula are the brightly coloured pickled red onions. If you look at any cook’s kitchen here you are sure to find a jar or a dish of this lovely condiment hanging around to be used with just about every food other than dessert. There are various ways of making these pickled onions but what is unique here is that they make them with... View Article

January 22, 2015

Puerto Aventuras – Rajas Poblanas from Chef Danny at Latitude 20

The weekly cooking classes at Latitude 20 restaurant are packed every week. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn authentic Mexican and other South American cooking from the knowledgeable Chef Danny and meet other people in the community who clearly have an interest in learning about local cuisine. Although no reservations are required to attend the class (you can just show up) Danny is never phased by the number of people (anywhere from 20 to almost 40)... View Article

January 14, 2015

Sustainable Tulum – Casa de las Olas and Chef Lulu’s Green Chilaquilles

  Tulum lures eco-conscious travellers for whom the massive all inclusive resorts lining the Mayan coast are not an option. It lures them with the promise of secluded beaches, great food and commitment to sustainability. But do they deliver? Are the beaches still secluded? Are they truly committed to sustainability? Tulum is off the utilities grid and hotels power up with diesel operated generators, wind power and solar panels, each with a different environmental impact.... View Article

January 14, 2015

Cancun – Mercado 23 and poblanos and red pepper tacos recipe

Don’t be mad at me. I am writing this post sitting on a lounge chair on the beach at Chac Al Hal Bay with my toes in the cool white sand and gaze occasionallyat the unparalleled view of turquoise waters, a few palapas and a fishing boat or two in the distance. The Christmas crowd has come and gone and the resort village is back to the few die hard regulars that fell love with... View Article

January 13, 2015

Mexican yellow rice with achiote

I am learning a little about Mexican cooking while we are vacationing here. The more I learn, the more there is to learn. I have been experimenting with different rice dishes lately and this red rice turned out to be one of my favourites. I used achiote paste that I heard about at a cooking class with Claudia of Can Cook in Cancun and after discussion (mostly with hand gestures) with staff at our place... View Article

January 13, 2015

Puerto Aventuras – Restaurant Latitude 20 cooking classes and black beans with tortillas (Enfrijolada) receipe

Latitude 20 has taken on a club role here in Puerto Aventuras. In addition to good authentic food any time of the day, it’s the place to go to meet locals and other snow birds and ex-pats that spend several month a year here on the Mayan Riviera. The restaurant is owned and run by Peter and Danny, both personable and sociable and I know that Danny has significant talent in the kitchen. I was... View Article

January 12, 2015

Mayan Riviera – cooking at COCO’S and caramelized banana crepes recipe

The culinary scene is developing in Playa del Carmen. New restaurants feature sophisticated versions of Mexican foods, private chefs are available to cook in your home while you are on vacation and some will come to your house to teach Mexican cooking in your own kitchen. You can also attend cooking classes and learn how to cook authentic Mexican foods prepared with local ingredients in the traditional way. The best cooking school in Playa del... View Article

January 8, 2015

Tulum – Hotel Mi Amor, Unico restaurant, and Cucumber, Jicama and Orange Salad

One of the new hotels in the eco chic Tulum scene is hotel Mi Amor. It is part of a group of four Tulum hotels by the Colibri Hotel Collection that includes the Hotel Mezzanine, El Pez and the famed La Zebra, all situated on the Tulum white sand and turquoise water stretch of beach. We have driven past the Mi Amor on the way to the Mezzanine a couple of times while it was... View Article

January 3, 2015

Mayan Riviera – Cooking in Cancun with Claudia and Salsa Roja Recipe

The red doors in the wall surrounding the villa swung open and we were invited into a charming courtyard dominated by a lone giant banyan tree. Lorenzo led us through the open style villa to the covered patio at the back of the house and we settled in the comfortable wicker furniture covered with colourful cushions. After a few words of introduction Lorenzo invited us to the outdoor kitchen at the end of the patio.... View Article

December 10, 2014

Reporting from the Mayan Riviera, and fluffy Mayan jicama and cucumber curls

Hola from the Mayan Riviera. We arrived here a few days ago and I am just getting into the swing of things. The pace is different here. The trip down was a “speedy” 26 hours with an overnight stay at an airport hotel, thanks to the monopoly that Canadian airlines have over the Canadian skies. I believe it takes the same amount of time to fly around the world. Upon arrival we had to endure... View Article