National Coffee Day!

How can I not post on such an auspicious day!? I am compelled to commemorate National Coffee Day with a succinct love letter captured in a poetic photograph. :-)

I also have a treat for you! I found this amazing recipe for your day's ending or a coffee dessert. The Italian word, affogato, you should all know because of it's inherent heavenly combination - gelato and espresso. Yum! Needless to say, I'm a big fan. This recipe takes a wonderful pairing and adds other elements which will send your eyes rolling back in your head. Enjoy!

The original blog post is from Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time. I return to read The Mom Chef's blog not only for the recipes but for her wit and the glimpses into her life.

Affogato with Orange - print this recipe
from Every Day With Rachael Ray Magazine, September 2012

4 tablespoons orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
1 pint vanilla ice cream
shaved bittersweet chocolate, for sprinkling
freshly grated nutmeg, for sprinkling
4 teaspoons orange zest
1/2 cup hot espresso

Pour 1 tbsp. liqueur into each of 4 cups. Add 12-cup scoop ice cream to each. Sprinkle with chocolate, nutmeg and orange zest. Spoon 2 tbsp. espresso over ice cream. Serve immediately.

Coffee and the Expat (?) Process

As is my usual procedure, I discuss the locale's coffee situation wherever I travel. However, I have been unable to complete my sampling -- until I got home! Merida, in the end, did rise to suitable standards, despite the disparaging beginning of Nescafe instant. :( There was a very nice specialty coffee place, selling hot, iced, and blended coffee drinks, along with sandwiches and treats -- La Boheme. Some of the coffee drinks were too high in other flavors and over the top in calories, but I didn't have to order them! :) At a couple of other restaurants I received very good espresso, and as you know, learned how to order it with just a little milk -- "cortado."

Although, I had to wait until home before I could make some specialty coffee that I bought there. It is called De Olla and it is particular to the Yucatan, as I understand it. It comes ground with cinnamon and sugar. While chatting, I shared some with a friend. I have to say it was suspect even upon opening the bag -- the mixture was not remotely dark and rich as I like my coffee beans. Sure there is cinnamon added but... Neither one of us would really call it a coffee drink, even though there was a hint of coffee. There was a very pleasant sweet and spicy flavor that was really more tea like, in my opinion. So not objectionable but definitely not coffee!

We are so glad we finally made it to Merida after all the research we'd done. Even before going though, we had pretty much decided it would be too hot for us. Assumption confirmed! We loved the city and the people, so warm and welcoming. Unfortunately Brian did not feel well most of the time we were there. :( It's virtually impossible to know why, exactly. However, the experience alone spoke volumes to both of us. When this happens, and it will from time to time, do we want to be in a foreign country struggling to communicate, or just without our little conveniences that make life easier?

We really thought Panama was next on the list. Now we are looking within the boundaries of "home." Although, nothing is settled until we are settled. We are still in no rush to make a decision, but we hope the house is ready to go up for sale by the end of April. It's still an adventure even within the States. We just don't have to do it in another language.

Being Adventurous is a Matter of Degree

Brian and I, both, have always thought of ourselves as the adventurous type. At our first B&B here in Merida (we will stay at 3 to make contact with more people), we have had several occasions to talk with our fellow boarders - one Canadian couple and the other couple is American. Due to these conversations, Brian and I have had to reevaluate "adventurous." I had generally looked at this trait as something you were or weren't. No, it's really more of a scale and I don't think we are even close to the extreme end! It's been fascinating to hear their stories, where they've been, how they've traveled and how long ago they started! This is part of why I love travelling and meeting new people - I have my world expanded. Plus, I receive a more accurate perspective of myself! It's always good to keep my ego in check!!

Speaking of my ego, I think I was a bit overstated in my Foodie?! post about how I throw caution to the wind in the food arena! Last night I was faced with peppers, as in possible jalapeno type, on my nachos. I studiously was placing them in a pile to avoid. "Hmmm. Loving new taste sensations, am I?" So I tried them! Not all at once, mind you. :) A small one was meticulously placed on a chip along with all of the other goodies and in it went. Not that hot!! It was good and did enhance it all. I liked it even!! I didn't eat all of them but at least half. It's good to know my limits but be willing to challenge them too, from time to time. Otherwise, I could miss out on many good or even great adventures.

A Foodie?!

I am not a connoisseur, plain and simple. (The closest I come, perhaps, is that I'm coffee snob!) Although I may not have a refined taste, nor am I able to isolate flavors to improve a sauce, for example, I do enjoy food. I can recognize an inspired meal and revel in it!

We have started a another journey and it began with a YUM! Our departure was early out of San Francisco so we decided to go up the night before. Some wonderful friends took us up and we enjoyed the evening together. Of course dinner time came around and looking at our options around the hotel we settled on Italian cuisine. This restaurant had one of those classic Italian names - West Coast Cafe! :) Honestly with a name like that I expected standard fare and "nothing to write home about." Certainly nothing to blog about!! However, I was in heaven from beginning to end. The bruschetta was perfect and perfectly messy with diced tomatoes piled high and olive oil running onto my fingers. The basil and garlic tantalized my taste buds, waking them up and they hungered for more! They and I were not disappointed! The marsala sauce for the main course was exquisite and had to be sopped up with delicious bread to get every drop. I could go on and on, continuing with the vegetables, polenta and on through dessert. Naturally dessert was accompanied with espresso done to perfection - rich, dark and smokey. An awesome, over the top experience along with the company!

The next day we were off to Mexico, a direct flight to Cancun. We made our way to downtown, found our hotel and settled in. Tired but needing food, we opted for the easy route - the hotel restaurant. Again, would the hotel restaurant across from the bus station be inspiring? I didn't hold any high hopes. Silly Me!!

Brian and I split two meals. One of them was "chicken fillet mignon" and the other was flank steak fajitas. I figured the name of the first meal was just some sort of translation mix up. We made our orders were asked how we wanted the steak cooked and then the waiter was off to make it all happen. A minute or two later he comes back to ask how we wanted the chicken cooked - medium or well. Confused having never ever been asked how I wanted my chicken cooked, I thought maybe it was supposed to be "beef fillet mignon." No, he was asking about the chicken so I definitely said, "Well!" The mystery was partly solved when the meal came. Yes, we had chicken for one meal and beef for the other. The chicken steak was wrapped around the edge with bacon! Often I have seen fillet mignon served that way so I think that is where the confusion in translation stemmed. In any case, both meals were wonderful and a delight. I know I was really hungry, however, the flavors were amazing. We topped it off with flan, the classic Mexican dessert!

As noted earlier in my blog, a big part of traveling for me is the food! I love trying new things. The notable exceptions have been octopus and beef tongue. There are a few items I just can't get past. Although, by and large over the years and the many places I've traveled, I've let my prejudices go, having enjoyed some delicious food adventures! It's been quite a beginning to this trip.

We are now in Merida, Mexico!

Simple Pleasures

Christmas is coming in less than a week! It doesn't really seem possible but, then again, I'd be foolish to deny it!! I've moved slowly this year into embracing the idea of it all.

Last night we went went out with a couple of other friends for wine and appetizers. Honestly, we decided on going out because to pull something together at one of our houses was more effort than any of us had the energy for. The important point was getting together, and it was delightful. I won't bother you with a detailed description of all the yummies we had! Although taste treats are always enjoyable, it's the company that matters.

Last night was the whole package of a "holiday simple pleasure." I appreciated the Christmas lights inside and just outside our window, reminding me of the season. Our order of food (all shared :-) ) was a wonderful mix of flavors. The atmosphere was warm, the wine warmed my insides, I relaxed and engaged in the conversation that ranged from travel to Christmas visitors, family to future plans.

For me, this shows the best of the holidays. It is simple, more intimate, relaxed and relational.

Coffee Granita Recipe!

Amazingly enough I came across another blog Philz Coffee Blog which talked about the same cold coffee treat that I had in Rome! (Part 1) The same cafe, evereything. He posted a recipe which I hope comes close to the original. With this recipe, there is a twist - cardamom in the whipped cream. I'm copying it here as well for your convenience. It's nice to know I'm not the only one on this side of the ocean who has enjoyed that wonderful taste.

OK, I just found another blog that reviewed the recipe at The Mom Chef. She is a self-professed coffee snob as well. I'll be sure to take her suggestions to heart as it sounds like this recipe might pale in comparison to the original. If you make it, let me know how it turns out!

Coffee Granita with Cardamom Whipped Cream
This recipe is from Bon Appetit’s April 2010 issue.

Ingredients
* 2 cups water, divided
* 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
(instead of using espresso powder, try making a really strong brew of Turkish or Philharmonic)
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3/4 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Preparation
*Bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar just to simmer in heavy small saucepan over medium heat, stirring mixture constantly until sugar dissolves. Stir in instant espresso powder and vanilla extract. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups water. Pour into 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan. Freeze mixture 1 hour; stir, mashing any frozen parts with back of fork. Cover and freeze mixture until firm, at least 1 to 2 hours longer and up to 1 day. Using fork, scrape granita, forming icy flakes. Return granita to freezer.
*Beat cream, cardamom, and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl until peaks form. Divide granita among bowls or glasses. Top granita with whipped cream.

(photo from The Bitten Word)

So Many Things

So many days of sunshine, wearing my sunglasses, enjoying a breeze when it comes. Where do we go today? Or do we just enjoy our spacious terrace, being apart of this small village? Naturally, there were excursions! We visited 3 different port cities of various sizes, each with their own unique flair. It's amazing to see how they have built these cities. The houses are all on top of each other, stacked up the hillside clinging to the rock. Great photo opts but no shot really does it justice. Due to the weather and a lust for more, we were compelled to try the gelato in each place! Comparison 'shopping' is important. Actually, Rome wins, the place on the Pantheon square. :)

Then, there was the day on the boat, a wonderful day. So many sites to drink in, caves to swim in and, of course, photos to take! This fine day stretched on not because it was something to be endured but rather because it was so glorious in fun, food, laughter, sun and warm water. Did I mention food? The day culminated in a grand feast. It was described as a 3 course meal with local wine. Well, in all honesty I think it was closer to 8 courses. (My heart and stomach want to say it was 16 courses so I've consciously cut that in half to be realistic!) The clean plates for the next course just kept coming (and our wine glasses were not allowed to be empty)! For at LEAST 3 of those clean plates I figured it had to be dessert – but NO!! Something else delectable was placed before us. I don't remember eating so much for a VERY long time. This was like being in the house of an Italian that loves to cook. It was a full-body experience in many ways!! (Sigh)

A Pizza a Day...

...helps keep the waistline away!!

It's all very tasty but...enough said! :)

Chalk up another one!

Oh, the culinary pleasures of traveling! It is quite warm in Rome; so what is called for in the afternoon? A very simple but delightful cup of frozen coffee. It's not ice cream but scoopable - 2 scoops even, with a portion of whipped cream on the bottom and the top, served with a spoon. Yummy, refreshing and rejuvenating!! :) The many delectable forms of coffee just keep coming!

Rome has a delight and/or surprise around every corner, it seems, and sooo much history! Naturally, I revel in the architecture both grande and vernacular. My camera is drawn to the magnificent structures and street scenes. (Just a few pics!)

Street scenes above

Interior of the Pantheon

Pantheon at night

Last night we went out for a walk to enjoy the sites all lit up in their finest! At night the city and it's monuments have a very different atmosphere. Rome is warm, inviting and decidedly social! The city starts to come alive at about eight. After dinner one night, around 9:00 we were treated to a shot of Limoncello. A delicious lemon liquor originating from Italy. Again yummy! Also, it was very warm and inviting of them!! So we've had tequila in Mexico, plum vodka in Poland and now Limoncello in Italy - all freebies even! Do we look like lushes? :P
At any rate, we are enjoying the "flavor" of Italy in so many ways.

Chocolate Like Never Before!

The first leg or our journey is over. :( I already miss Sabina and our morning coffees together. But I am a little concerned we ran her ragged. Needless to say, she treated us to a wonderful time. On the final day we spent the afternoon in Krakow. It's a great city, full of energy, astounding architecture, fun shopping and lots of memories for me.

Sabina had an absolutely fantastic idea to wrap up our time before we were off to the airport. We went to a “chocolate restaurant” (my terminology). All I can say is OMG! Brian and I split two different treats that were heavenly and beyond true description! Brian got a trio of drinking chocolate – dark, milk and white chocolate. WOW! It was like melted chocolate bars or it actually was, not sure. Nothing like our hot chocolate I can tell you that much. Heaven in a cup! Then I got a sundae – chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce and chocolate crunchies. Of course, whip cream atop. There was little conversation only moanings and groanings of an ecstatic nature.

This Polish chocolatier has existed since 1851. Over the years, I would say they have reached perfection! I would have taken a picture, but by the time I thought of it they were all gone!! Yummy! Another incredible memory to add to my Polish experience.

Now it's on to gelato (fabulous ice cream) in Rome and (of course) Italian coffee. :)