Jimbaran Bay, Seafood, Bali

Jimbaran Bay on Bali is known for its vast stretch of beach and its great assortment of fresh seafood restaurants on the sand. On a short recent trip to Bali we were escorted to the Teba Cafe by the owner and his wife who I have gotten to know quite well over the past few years. All of the seafood offered lay fresh out front either live or on ice. As we walked to our table we picked out of few of the offerings up front. Once selected all of the items get cleaned and grilled in a basket over a hot coconut husk fire. I was surprised how hot the fire was and the smoke of the coconut was a great addition to the seafood. All offerings are served along with Balinese staples such as vegetables and rice along with various curries and sambal. Jimbaran Bay is a perfect place to hit up right upon arrival in Bali or right before you leave. Be sure to arrive well before sunset. It is near to the airport and the views and ambiance are never a disappointment.

Panko Halibut with Coconut Curry Sauce

Panko Crusted Halibut with Coconut Curry Sauce

3 Lbs California Halibut filets skin off

One Can Coconut Milk

2tbs red curry paste

2 Tbs Sugar

juice of 4 limes

2 tsp fish sauce

pinch of saffron if you have it

these ingredients get cooked down and whisked together in a med sauce pan

Halibut fillets get a salt and pepper rubdown and a dip in an egg wash. Then a dip in Panko bread crumbs and then briefly dropped in a hot skillet with an inch of vegetable oil. Take out after one min and set aside. Drain oil from skillet and put the fish back into the skillet and into a 350degree oven for 20 min. When fish is firm and panko is golden remove from the oven. Drizzle with the warm Curry sauce and garnish with chopped cilantro and serve over Jasmin rice. Will work for Sea Bass Halibut Salmon or and mild firm ocean fish. Anyone can do this, fast and easy from and local grocery store. Get out and cook!!!!!!!

Eat more international flavors, Vietnamese Lunch

Living in the melting pot we do, whatever state you live in there are international flavors right under your nose. You owe it to yourself and your stomach to quit driving by that market that you always wonder about, and check it out. What ever culture you have around you be it Persian, Indian, Mexican or Vietnamese ect. These hard working folks have really good meats, spices, and produce. There is generally a very good restaurant near by of the same culture, try it out! A lot of cultures have a rich broad French background in there cuisine. Vietnam for instance is famous for baked goods. To get a perfect crusty piping hot French Baguette I have to go to a near by Vietnamese market. Today I took my wife to a Vietnamese restaurant recommended to us by a friend (roundeyereview.com) We are always on the prowl for a new PHO (pronounced fuh)place. My wife had Pho with rare beef noodle soup and I had a killer Asian inspired beef stew on Bahn mi sandwich. It was clean, fresh and delicious food and we walked out for around $12.00.

Venice Italy, Inspirational Photo Notes

Like the rest of this wonderful country, Venice is beautiful and inspiring. Spending a short afternoon wandering the canals left me wanting more.

Olbia, Sardinia

Sardinia is an Italian island in the Med about 35min by airplane from Rome. Olbia is a city we come to often when over in this part of the world. Sardinia is Italian but they have blissfully chosen to to keep their Island a bit removed from the fast pace the world is currently in. The people are amazing and will help a perfect stranger anytime. This morning the only person running the hotel opened the restaurant for me just to pull an espresso. Compare that to the jackass at Starbucks who won't open the door 30seconds early so you can get on the freeway! The locally sourced food is top notch. Most of the local dishes are prepared very simply with land and seafood farmed nearby. The white sand, rock strewn beaches rival some I have seen in the South Pacific or The Caribbean I will post some pictures of the beaches later this week. Last night I was taken to a local spot for some local fare by my good friend Giorgio. We had a really nice mixed Bruschetta and mixed seafood salad to start. Giorgio talked me into trying a mixed grill of meat one of which was Cavallo(horse). Just to be clear I'm not a fan, although it is very popular here and very expensive. Sardinia is on the top of my list of favorite travel destinations. It's easy to get here from Rome and you may not want to leave.