arenal noshings

It's true that when in Costa Rica, the food is not going to be the rich mole's and spicy chiles that you'll find in Mexican cooking. In fact, the food is quite simple. Comida tipica (typical food) called gallo pinto (rice and beans) and casado (rice and beans + protein) are eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's modest and can be quite lovely, just like the people of Costa Rica.

Our first stop in Arenal was where we were exposed to the most Americanized version of dining in Costa Rica. Well... actually I take that back. It's actually kind of hard to find real, honest to goodness, comida tipica in major Costa Rican cities. Randomly enough, our very first stop was at an Israeli restaurant on our way from the airport to Arenal. Loveat is a super cute restaurant serving ecclectic foods from burgers to pad thai to casado.

Loveat

I was starving and the view was amazing. We were lucky enough to meet one of the owners, an Israeli lady who had moved to CR 5 years prior with 18 people. They opened this restaurant alongside the ziplines right next door. I always admire people who can take such a big leap of faith.

inside the restaurant

The first thing that we ordered was guanabana (pronounved gwa-NAH-veh-nah) juice. It's a funky big green fruit that is sweet but round, kind of like ripe pineapple. It was very tasty.

oddly refreshing guanabana juice

As for the main course, what option did I have, really? Of course I got the Med platter and I was very glad I did. Everything was just the perfect texture and taste. I thought to myself that it was quite odd to be eating perhaps the best falafel I've ever had in Costa Rica, but I wasn't about to argue. I was too busy eating.

look at the cute little pita patties

Here are come random pictures from other restaurants we went to.

the coolest iced tea, ever. look at that lime! the flesh was an amber color I've never seen before.

flauta

fajitas

Then, for our one year anniversary (!), we went to the nicest/most expensive/most American restaurant in town, Don Rufino. Why did we do it? We read very good reviews, it was open late and had wine. Mostly the the latter two.

mmm... the wine was a lovely white blend from Chile.

some sort of steak, but I have to admit the potato piles looked like teeny turds.

The seafood plate was so much food. it was buttery and garlicky, but not overly so.

The obligatory anniversary dessert.

check out that tea timer!

Arenal may not have been the food mecca of Costa Rica, but I think more than anything, we chose the wrong places to go (barring the two restaurants I mentioned). Better food was to be had, and we were determined to find it.

sizzle fizzle in arenal

Can you see it??!

Arenal Volcano. From our hotel room. Like a real, live, oozing, exploding, melting, torching, amazing volcano with lava and all. We had a great view from our balcony at Casa Luna Lodge in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Costa Rica in July is smack dab in the middle of rainy season, so we saw a whole bunch of just that... rain. Not to fret, it did manage to clear just enough to almost see the peak of the currently active and erupting volcano. It was quite the amazing sight from our very nice and reasonable hotel room.

The open air hotel lobby

Arenal was the very first stop in our 3 city tour of Costa Rica. It was hard to plan a vacation in a country I didn't know, with hotels I've never heard of, in towns that I had no clue as to where they were. I am lucky enough to work with a few people who all seemed to agree that a three city trip was best to see the country in a short amount of time. Arenal (volcano), Monteverde (cloud forest), and Manuel Antonio (beach and jungle). So I took their advice and cross referenced my Lonely Planet Guidebook with TripAdvisor reviews and took the plunge. Veni, Vini, Vici.

Casa Luna Lodge was not my first choice. The Arenal Observatory was my first choice but it was completely booked. Because of their view of the volcano, Bran and I decided to take the drive (probably 20km, but about an hour of driving on craptastic CR roads) to the Observatory to check out all the fuss. It was definitely worth it.


There were views of the lake:


Hikes through the jungle:


A nifty suspension bridge:


Cute critters:


It was definitely worth the drive. And then some.

The next day (and our 1 year anniversary!), we took a trip to La Fortuna Catarata (waterfall). It was too beautiful to even capture in a picture, but I'll do my best.


and this was the other one that only shows up with lots of rain:


So yes, Arenal! It was definitely worth a stay! As for the food - I'll save that for tomorrow.

Heaven...

*peeks in*

Guess I'm not eating tonight

¡Hola mi preciosos amigos! ¿Hablas español? I don't (well, yo habla un poco español)*! It's definitely an asset when traveling in any Spanish speaking country, including Costa Rica. ...smooth transition... Speaking of Costa Rica, guess where I've been hiding out the past little while? That's right, Brandon and I went to CR to celebrate our 1st anniversary (In related news, he got me a small camera to keep in my purse and true lens for my Nikon to boot, so I will be taking muy pictures from now on! Also, I'm an ass. We said that the trip was our gift to each other. I didn't get him anything but a sweet card and the news that I'll officially be adding his name to mine, shocking everyone, expecially Bran. It is the paper anniversary you know!).

I have so many cool things to share about my far too short trip through this ridiculously amazing and fascinating country - some food related, some note, all fairly awesome if I do say so myself. Stay tuned!

*I apologize for most likely butchering most of that. Why, oh why, did I take 5 years of Latin?

salted rosemary and olive focaccia

Do you remember that scene from Clueless where Cher plops that big piece of doughie substance on to a baking sheet before stumbling into some "bad lighting" while trying, fruitlessly, to seduce the "Oscar Wilde reading, Streisand ticket holding friend of Dorothy" Christian? Cher was really on to something. There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread when you walk through the door. Whether it's to show your love or in anticipation of some lovin', bread is always a wonderful, homie, satisying smell to unexpectedly wander in to.

This focaccia recipe is one from my vegetarian stage (though I still eat very minimal meat- only fish and fowl). The recipe is one from The Greatest Ever Vegetarian Cookbook (no, that's really it's name) on the very last page. The first time I tested it, I was a junior in college. It was at the very start of my getting extremely interested in cooking AND when I started dating Bran. Ahhhhh memories. Anyway, it always turns out well. Just make it, mmkay?

*Salted Rosemary and Olive Focaccia*
2 cups bread flour, sifted
1/2 tsp salt
1/a oz sachet rapid rise dried yeast
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves removed and chopped
10 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil

for the topping:
6 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp rock salt (or pink salt if you have it)
1 sprig of rosemary, leaves removed

Mix toghether the flour, salt yeast, garlic, rosemary and olives in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add the olive oil and 2/3 cup warm water. Mix thoroughly to form a soft dough.

Turn out the dough on to a floured work surface and knead for 10-15 minutes. Put the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with oiled plastic wrap or a dish towel. Leave to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, until the dough has doubled in bulk.

Turn out the dough and knead lightly again. Roll out to an oval shape, about 1/2 inch thick.

Place the dough on a greased baking sheet, cover loosly with oiled plastic wrap of a dish towel and leave in a warm place for 25-30 minutes to rise again.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Make indentations with your fingertips all over the top of the bread. Drizzle 2/3's of the olive oil over the top, then sprinkle with the salt and rosemary.

Bake for 25 minutes until golden. The bread should sound hollow when tapped underneath. Transfer to a wire rack and spoon the remaining olive oil over the top.

cherry pickin' fun and infused vodkas

The trees

Riddle me this: Is it fun? Is it free (or close to it)? Is it outdoors? If an activity meets all three of these criteria, then Brandon and I are probably doing it, have done it, plan to do it, or want to plan to do it on the weekend. Cherry picking is a fun Saturday activity that definitely fits the bill. It's cheap, tons of fun, and beautiful!

We went to Riley's Mile High Ranch all the way out in Yucaipa because, after a few minutes of research on the Internet, we knew they still had a good crop left. It was quite the trek, but well worth it. Walk up to the giant barn and they will give you a bucket for $10. You can pick to your heart's content - or as much as you can fit in the bucket. The cherries are perfect right now, so get your patooties out there and start picking!

Lugging my haul... heavy!

I got home with two giant bags of cherries and no real idea what to do with them. One can only eat so many plain cherries in the matter or a week. So, to start off, I figured I'd deal with them in the best way I knew how... in booze!

*Cherry Vodka*
Crap ton of cherries
Crap ton of vodka

Mix together. Let sit for a few days. Mix in cocktails or drink straight!

And since I bought two handles of Absolut Vodka (I almost always use Absolut or Smirnoff because they are perfectly suitable here) and had plenty of extra, I made a batch of my famous...

*Pineapple Lime Vodka*
1 Pineapple
5-6 limes, zested

Mix together. Let sit for a few days. You can add pineapple juice and lime juice if you need it to 'mature' faster. Serve over ice.
mmm...

I love to keep these vodka concoctions in the freezer during the summer... they are absolutely fabulous and always a crowd pleaser. Bonus: These make cute gifts if you bottle them in mason jars and tie a ribbon around the top.

breakfast for dinner

Starkweather Lake

TGIF! It seems like this week just started. Time flies when your having fun and eating well.

Capping off this week of camping food is a meal that I often make at home- breakfast for dinner! I know, a bit repetitive being that yesterday I couldn't so much as think of anything besides bacon, but you can't have too much breakfast food. Breakfast for dinner is wonderful because there aren't as many ingredients to lug around with you and you definitely don't need a recipe to whip together something tasty.

You have nothing but options: french toast, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos... the possibilities are endless. We had french toast, scrambled eggs and turkey sausage (Jennie O is my favorite, and I've tried them all!).

Your fellow campers won't be disappointed, I promise you. And for sticking with me all week long (and for tolerating my weaseling out of posting pics and recipes for this meal), here are some pictures of Mammoth Lakes, Ca and my trip.

Peace

My renaissance man

Mom and Sis fishing

Jack and me playing fetch

The stream right next to camp

I love camping ♥

need i say more?

For today, suffice it to say:


+

+

=

Happiness.

chicken strips and fries

This one is too pretty, too easy, too tasty to not cook while camping. Sure, you have to stand over the stove and fry, but it is so worth it. I know what you're thinking - "it's only chicken and french fries!" Seriously, I know, but there is something about this recipe that is just ridiculously good!

The best part of this meal just may be the chef - my pops. You see, growing up, if my dad had the day off, you pretty much knew you were getting the one thing that he knew how to cook: scrambled eggs, toast, OJ. It is literally the only time I can remember my dad making a meal. So imagine my shock when my family came back from camping last year (I was unable to make the trip) and everyone went on and on about Dad's chicken and french fries meal. I said exactly what you're saying right now - "it's only chicken and french fries!" - but everyone assured me that they would live up to the hype.

He made me laugh. This is my dad. My mom is fishing in the stream in the background. He wanted to make absolutely sure I got documentation that he was prepping dinner.

So when it came time for the meal, my expectations were high. My dad sat down on the old picnic bench, picked up his knife and went about his potato slicing. He was in the zone. If there is one thing my dad is, it's thorough. He is a masterful woodworker, mechanic, painter, handyman. You name it - if my dad does it - he does it well. The same is true for slicing potatoes. He slices those puppies up like a champ! No thick cut steak fries for his diners, these were pomme frites!

*chicken strips and fries*
1 cup Bisquick
1 cup flour
2 tbsp seasoned salt
chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 cup milk
3 eggs

potatoes, slice thinly into fries
onions, sliced into rings
salt
lots of veg oil

*equipment*
pot for frying fries
pot for frying chicken
2 large plastic baggies
tongs

Put the milk and eggs into the plastic baggy. Mix it together and put in your chicken. Let it sit while you prep everything else.

Bread your chicken in the flour/salt/Bisquick combo. Fry to deep golden brown on each side. Fry your fries and onions at the same time.

Serve immediately.

Yes, *that* good.

nectarines, glazed and grilled - it's a picnic!

We grilled this one on the George, which is why it's lacking those purty grill marks. Still tasted delish!

I'm taking a break today from my camping posts to participate in a virtual picnic! Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations has organized this fun little get together to scarf down great recipes from some mega talented and interesting ladies and gents in the blogging community. What a treat!

I'm going to a picnic and bringing nectarines!

My favorite kinds of picnic foods are fresh tasting and quick to prepare. There is basically no prep work involved in this dish besides cutting and pitting the nectarines. Just pop them on the grill (there may even be a BBQ at the picnic location, so you can do it there!), baste them with a little spiced honey, and top with whipped cream, ice cream, or creme fraiche. There isn't even a recipe! Simple, simple, simple!

*Nectarines - Glazed and Grilled*
Nectarines
A Bit of Butter
Honey
Cinnamon
Whipped Cream, Ice Cream, or Creme Fraiche

Halve you nectarines. Brush them with butter and put them flesh side down on the grill. Once they get a bit of a char, turn them over and brush them with some honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. When they are warmed through, they're done!

Top with the cream of your choice. I like mine plain.

Dig in! It won't fill you up too much to enjoy ultimate frisbee and a three legged race afterward. :)

Now that I think about it, this would be a perfect camping dessert! I'll remember this for my next trip in September. I can't wait to see what everyone else brings!

More camping dinners tomorrow morning :)

japanese curry

It's risky cooking for my dad. He's yin, always choosing meat and potatoes over all other conceivable option. He'd rather eat in and watch the game on TV.

Me: "Dad, what do you want for your father's day dinner?"
Him: "Hamburgers."
Me: "Aw, I want to make you something special! If you could pick anything in the world, what would it be?"
Him: "Pizza."

I'm yang, preferring fresh tasting Cal Med fare or other interesting flavors. I adore eating out and consider myself a budding foodie (probably not apparent by these simplified meals, but I'll get to the good stuff soon!).

Him: "What's on your agenda tonight?"
Me: "Bran and I are going out to dinner at a place called Simon. The chef is Kerry Simon, Iron Chef America champion! He's creating a 4 course tuna tasting menu with wine pairing. I'm so excited!"
Him: "You had me until 'out to dinner.'"

My Funky Potato (would be an awesome band name, right?)

So you can see why he might be a bit apprehensive about this Japanese Curry business. Brandon did vouch for it- we have made it on other camping trips and he quite loves this meal- but it was very out of my dad's comfort zone. It didn't help that it's not the most visually appetizing meal in the world, though it smells divine! Dad, the trooper that he is, gave it a shot...

... and he liked it!

In fact, everyone liked it! It's quite a feat to successfully feed 14 hungry campers with a meal that only one had ever even tried before. Even the kids were fans. You'll like this. It's easy, warm, soul soothing. Perfect for camping. It will be an instant comfort food. I promise.

*Japanese Curry*
equal parts:
yukon gold potatoes, diced
carrots, diced
onions, diced
chicken, diced

oil for sauteing
water for boiling

1 (or more) box prepackaged Japanese curry*

white rice

*available in the Asian foods section of most big markets

*equipment*
1 high sided pot (such as a dutch oven)
something to make rice in
serving spoons

Saute your meat and onions in a big pot in a few tbsp of oil or butter. When the onions are soft and meat slightly browned, add in the rest of your diced veggies and add just enough water to cover the ingredients in the pot (about 3 cups). Cover and bring to a boil.

When the potatoes and carrots are just tender, add the broken up curry to the pot. Stir to mix. Let cook 5 more minutes.

Serve over rice.

tacos!

Camping in Devils Postpile (Mammoth Lakes, CA) was great fun and the food was simple yet fabulous! The weather was cold and cloudy for the most part, but the fishing was decent and the scenery is some of the most beautiful you can find anywhere in the world. There is something incredibly special about cooking while set amongst towering pine trees and a rushing river. Everything just tastes better.You can't beat this view.

Cooking successfully while in nature takes lots of forethought, especially if it's in a secluded location (like DP) and you have to pack in your ingredients AND your equipments. This means that planning is key! With just a little bit of work - and a very good checklist of items to take with you - you can be prepped to make meals simply and deliciously. I suggest making a list of meals that you'll make for each night, then thinking about every ingredient you'll need in making it. It's important to remember to pack simple things like salt, pepper, tongs, etc. or you'll regret it (says the chick who forgot oil a few years back).

So, to help you out, I'll be making a very detailed list of the items needed to pull off each of the next 5 meals. Each meal for my camping trip was planned for about 10 adults, and since it is camping, I'll just write an ingredient list rather than exact measurements. These meals are so simple that you will want to estimate how much you'll need for the number of campers in your party. Also, I'll jot down the equipment that you'll need.

These meals are not meant to be gourmet. It's just good, wholesome food that can be thrown together relatively quickly and with little prep time. And it tastes good.

*Simple Camping Tacos*
ground meat (turkey or beef)
garlic salt
salt
pepper
vegetable oil

cilantro
onions
grated cheddar cheese
jarred salsa
lime

corn tortillas

*Equipment*
cast iron skillet
large non stick pan
tongs

plates
napkins

For the meat: Brown the meat up in a couple tbsps of vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet. Season and set aside.

For the shells: Heat up 1/4 cup of oil in the non stick pant. To fry them, quickly put them in the oil on side A and leave in for just a sec. Quickly turn it over to side B and fold it in 1/2 until lightly browned. Flip it over to the other side of side B and brown on that side. As soon as they're cooked, put them on a paper towel lined plate and salt them! Seriously, this makes them great!
Assemble your tacos with whatever accoutrements you like. I like cilantro, salsa, cheese and a super quick squirt of lime, but feel free to bring anything else you like.

It will fill you up and satisfy you. Until s'mores, that is.