Burgers and Airplanes

Today I got reacquainted with an old friend. She is from 1942 and was built to teach young men how to fly for the war effort. We had not been together for quite some time but flying her again was like coming home after a long trip. After my reconnection with the 1942 Boeing Stearman my dad and a long time airport friend went to the new airport cafe in Corona California, Bobby A's. The burgers were fantastic and the menu far surpassed any airport cafe I have ever been to. Sometimes an old friend and a good burger is all you need to get into rhythm.

Santiago Dominican Republic

What a great trip into Santiago to meet up with my newly engaged buddy Mike. We were treated to an insiders tour through the world famous Matasa cigar factory by none other than Manuel Quesada and his two amazing daughters Raquel and Patricia, whose hospitality and charm resonated through the factory. After a wonderful lunch, several espressos and several more cigars it was time to let them get back to work. We then went up high in the hills to a great hotel and restaurant named Camp David. Owned by one of the others at the factory introduced to me only as Blondie it is a must visit for lunch, dinner or a quick overnight. We had a fantastic dinner on the porch overlooking Santiago and the tobacco fields. I am looking quite forward to my next visit as it felt like leaving family behind.

Ahi Tuna Three ways

My wife came across a beautiful piece of Ahi Tuna and brought it home tonight. We steamed some rice and started to cut up some fish. I cut about 1/4 lb of the Tuna into small cubes and mixed with Avocado, Hawaiian Salt, Sesame oil, Soy Sauce, sliced Onion, chopped Cilantro and some Red Chili Flake to make a simple Hawaiian Poke. The rest of the fish was seasoned with a simple rub of Cajun seasonings and the other piece rubbed with Greek seasonings and seared quickly in a cast iron skillet. Real simple real good and real fast!

Mahi Mahi with Citrus-Shallot Jam and Saffron Rice

Living in Southern California we tend to be spoiled with the abundance of fresh vegetables and seafood. Today after a nice long needed run I thought something healthy and light should be on the menu for dinner. I went to my local Asian seafood and farmers market for dinner ingredients. I found Mahi Mahi steaked up for $3.99lb and some baby bok choy for $1.39lb. The Mahi was trimmed into fillets and pan roasted with salt and pepper. My youngest daughter and I made an Orange/Shallot jam and Baby Bok Choy sauted with Garlic and Olive Oil. I also dug into the pantry for some Egyptian Saffron to get the rice happy. Total for the meal was $16.00 for the four of us, and cook plus prep time was 35 min. We can all do this type of meal once in a while to cut out the fat in our diet and the dent on our bank account. Cheers!

Warm Bahama Days

As I write this I am sitting in my hotel room in Minneapolis feeling the freezing wind come through the window paine. Looking out the window at the 23 degree overcast day I am quickly reminded that all destinations are not created equal. For some reason thoughts of the Bahamas started running through my head. Attached are a few photos of a recent trip to the Bahamas that will hopfully inspire warm thoughts and get you out of these winter duldrums if not only but for a few minutes.

The Coffee Shack

High up on a hillside in the middle of the Kona Coffee belt is a fantastic breakfast spot. Overlooking Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii is The Coffee Shack. I was first taken there by some local friends and every time I pass through Kona, the Coffee Shack is a must. Depending on the local catch I always get the Ono or Mahi Eggs Benedict. This trip they had Ono, a delicious firm white meat fish caught right off Kona. Small Gekos come right up to you and beg like dogs for Guava and Mango jelly on your table. Fresh estate grown Kona Coffee is served from the 5 acre farm below the restaurant. It is a twenty minute drive from the Heart of Kona town and a must if you are visiting the Big Island. Call for directions 808-328-9555

Dubai Saffron Hunting

Dubai is a city known for having available anything you can imagine. If you feel like Snow Skiing in the middle of the dessert you can go to the Mall of the Emirates, ski all day and bet on a Camel race later that afternoon. You can find any cuisine imaginable within a ten minute drive or stay at a 7 star hotel. I set out on a mission this morning to see Dubai from a different perspective, one past all the glitz, glamour and sixteen year olds driving Ferraris. What I found were truly friendly, working class people from all over the earth ready to befriend a stranger. I jumped in a cab in search of a spice souk (market) to find some Saffron for a friend back home who shares my passion for food. As my driver navigated the busy streets I drove with the windows down listening to religious chants over giant loud speakers located throughout the city. As I listened to the chanting I was reminded without a doubt that I was in the Middle East. We got to a Souk near the Harbor were small Freighters were loading and unloading everything from Spices to Refrigerators. As I walked through the endless shops full of sacks loaded with every spice imaginable, the culinary part of my brain went into sensory overload. What I would do with this. What could I do with that? Smelling and tasting several saffron’s I finally settled on one from Iran and after a quick haggling session I was on my way. As we made our way back to the hotel for a fantastic Middle Eastern lunch buffet, I watched two old men playing cards and smoking their hookah pipes. I watched kids in the street playing soccer and am reminded how very small this world is and how we can only benefit from tolerance.