Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Bûche de Noël


Having lived in France for as long as we did it seems like a lot of the Christmas must do's are of the French variety.

Being that, in the Caribbean, we don't have a patisserie on every single corner (or island in most cases) going out and buying a Buche Noel is simply not an option so making your own is the order of the day because Christmas is simply not Christmas without one!

Luckily Baker's Banter comes to the rescue!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A proper waffle iron...


Since we were speaking of waffles...

I've been looking for a decent stove top waffle iron for ages! It's crazy that these days an electric waffle maker costs less than a proper hold over the fire waffle iron but then I guess that's progress.

GSI who makes some great backpacking cookery gear has just the thing. Even better the handles come off so it makes stowing it away on  space challenged boats just that little bit easier.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Eggnog pancakes... Joy the baker scores!


One of the reasons I like living in the Caribbean is that Egg Nog is available all year long...

So what better way to combine a love of egg nog and pancakes (or dare I say WAFFLE?) with a dish that combines both?

Joy the Baker (one of our favorite reads) did just that and the resulting recipe really rocks!

Monday, November 30, 2009

You have to admire these guys... Tactical Nuclear Penguin!

Where beers are concerned I do like stout...


Tactical Nuclear Penguin from BrewDog on Vimeo.
Does this rock or what?

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Popeye would be all over this dish... Creamed Spinach!


I've always loved spinach... Maybe it was that early impression of Popeye the sailor or maybe it was just the fact that it was something of a staple at home while I was growing up but I can't think of a time that spinach was not a favorite...

Smitten Kitchen does the Creamed Spinach thing and she does it just right...

Friday, November 20, 2009

Soup and wonderfullness...


Most Americans don't have much of an interest in seafood soups with the exception of your basic clam chowder (and the ongoing argument of red or white...). Which is a pity really as seafood in general becomes some serious kind of wonderful when done up in a soup!

I've always felt that the best seafood soup comes from the Med...

Lobstersquad has just such a soup... Ugly, thrifty, wonderful fish soup!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

All sorts of buttermilk goodness...


Like Smitten Kitchen I have  a real interest in Southern food and deserts...

I can't wait to try the current SK recipe "Sweet Potato Buttermilk PIE"!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Yowza... Pomegranate Pulled Pork!



Coconut & Lime is downright scary as I have yet to find a recipe that did not make all kinds of sense in the "food you can fall in love" with vein... The current Pomegranate Pulled Pork recipe raises what is already a very high bar even higher!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Meat Loaf well suited for the day...

I've always loved meat loaf... Even that highly suspect meatloaf that they served at my high school cafeteria with the equally suspicious brown gravy!

Over the years, most of the people I've come across who  make meat loaf take a lot of care and it is more a work of art rather than just baked ground beef. Getting it just right is no easy trick and when it all comes together it is some kind of wonderful! Sadly, with the cost of ground beef getting silly (or if not expensive, then some kind of scary take your chances sort of thing) meat loaf is now more a special occasion sort of meal than a means of cutting costs... How things change!




For a neat take on a special occasion meat loaf check, out Not Martha for some Halloween perfection!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

The big question...

Why can't anyone in the Caribbean make a decent burger? You won't find anything that looks like this down here...


Dream Burger is a blog that does some awesome reviews of burgers and burger eateries and they have an awesome rating system... Sadly I doubt that there is a burger in the Caribbean that would surpass a "3"!

Why?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

A link of note... Blue Ocean Institute

Blue Ocean Institute s a link that anyone who eats seafood should have bookmarked.

'Nuff' said!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Real news and less BS please... Food and candy edition


Two news stories that really caught my attention this week is the outlawing of my favorite holiday in Bobtown PA and the report about the ten most dangerous foods in America. Both instill fear and for most people seem quite reasonable and crank up that bunker mentality yet another notch. Too bad that both stories are really more the stuff of urban legends and simply bad statistics.

Everyone has heard the urban legends of kids on Halloween eating apples with razor blades, chocolates laced with strychnine  or LSD... Fact is it has NEVER happened anywhere in the USA... EVER! So the Bobtown politicos outlawing Halloween to keep the kids safe is hardly a needful law but it most certainly deprives kids of something special. No doubt we will be seeing more of this stupidity in the near future....

As far as the ten most dangerous foods story... It was all the rage this week. All of a sudden I could not read the news without being assaulted by stories telling me that potatoes were unsafe, Tuna was a near death experience and eating ice cream was suicidal but the fact of the matter is NOT SO! Take a moment and read Casual Kitchen for the real story. Just as an aside, it's interesting this came out while the meat industry is getting nailed yet again with bad press over the sad story of  Stephanie Smith and its spin-offs... Just a coincidence?

We seem to be living in an age of fear  and the powers that be like it just fine. If we are all in terror of everything we are easy to control.

Eat spinach...

Take your kids trick or treating...

Rant over!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

mojito madness...


I really like  Lobstersquad, a great blog, always entertaining and the artwork always brings a smile...

Check out the current post for a world class mojito recipe!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Now I suppose we have to add a reefer to needful equipment....

The galley on "So It Goes" is, for want of a better word, spartan. It's a galley that any French Chef would feel comfortable in but provides very little in the way of  "hip" or "faddish" items that seem to take up so much room and never actually get used variety...

For instance, one thing we do not have is a freezer (reefer in nautical speak) and while the idea of a reefer has been on the "might get around to thinking about one of these days" list, it has pretty much stayed in the background as no real compelling reason existed... Well until now!

Friends of mine know that if there is one area of kitsch appeal that always gets my attention, it is things of a TIKI nature.



Seriously, how can you live without an ice cube tray that makes Tiki ice cubes?

Friday, October 9, 2009

$30 a week...

Some time ago a friend pointed me to a blog called Running With Tweezers as they were in the process of doing a series on no small political import... Namely eating a diet that related to what a too large portion of the USA lives on (the average for people on public assistance spend between $21 and $24 a week on food)... Hence the Eat on $30 project.

It was a good series  and Running With Tweezers is doing it again, read about it!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Cocoa and pork chops...


For those of us who are serious about chili we already know that Cocoa is a needful thing in the mix...

Which is why I'm surprised that other than Chile and doing a Mole that Cocoa in the galley does not get all that much use. Coconut & Lime as always  does her thing and rocks my world yet again with her Cocoa-Chile rubbed Pork chops.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Great blog and cookbook warning...


One of our favorite blogs Steamy Kitchen just got published!

I love cookbooks... For me they are not about recipes but more a thing of connections and ideas (I mean who needs another recipe for meatloaf?) and Steamy Kitchen has always been one of those places I go for just those ideas and connections...

What more can I say?

Get the book!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Why not crumpets?


Living on a boat and liking bread is sometimes just a little problematic. Ovens on boats tend to be small and seldom big enough to make two  decent sized loafs so you wind up using fuel and heating up the cabin and when all is said and done on Thursday you still don't have bread to make a sandwich with...

Which is why I tend to favor breads like Pita as they are much easier to make in an ongoing basis and are quick so don't use a lot of fuel or heat up the cabin while doing it.

So why not Crumpets? Not any harder to make then pancakes, able to be sliced for a sandwich and for breakfast they simply rock!

Which is why you should boogie on over to Bakers Banter who has the definitive "How to" on making crumpets!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Lobscouse and spotted dog... Yummy!


Everyone on a boat seems to go through a Patrick O'Brien phase and to be honest some of us never get out of it, which is why I got so excited when I came across the book "Lobscouse and Spotted Dog: Which It's a Gastronomic Companion to the Aubrey/Maturin Novels".

Being a boat buff and history fiend, the various novels in the series were easy but even though I am a serious "foodie", period English fare was something of a mystery and more than once I found myself distracted from the story because I was wondering just what they were
eating... Now with "Lobcourse and Spotted Dog" I can put that right and I think it is more than time to reread the series from start to finish!

For those interested in more insight to the O'Brien world of Aubrey and Maturin (for those really clueless Master and Commander is out in DVD) there is also a really good book that delves into the world and politics of the period ..."A Sea of Words" which is really a must read to understand the period.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Catching rays... Solar ovens



The idea of being able to harness the ample sunshine we have in the tropics and use it for cooking has always made all sorts of sense. Though sadly most of the various solar cooking solutions have been somewhat not quite boat friendly so it is one of those must haves that has crept to the back of the ever present list...

"The Adventures of Sailing Vessel Macha" recently added a solar cooker to their galley arsenal and it got me thinking. More than a good time to dust off my solar cooking links and see what was about these days.

The best place to begin on any solar cooking quest is the Solar Cooking Archive which is a solar cooking hub and if its not there ...well it is not anywhere! You'll find everything from recipes to cookers (and plans for cookers) as well as a country by country supplier linkage... Very cool!

One of the new additions that has BOAT written all over it is the Molly Baker Solar Oven which really does seem to cancel out all of my various issues with the various solar cooking hardware that is out there.

The buzz is that the cookbook that just about everyone really likes is "Solar Cooking for Home and Camp" and as long as I'm getting that what better time to get "The Solar Food Dryer" as the idea of making Tuna and Mahi Mahi Jerky makes all kind of sense on a boat of a limited size...

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Peanut butter and bacon...

You really have to go over and see what Joy the Baker has up her sleeve...

Trust me it is very worth your time!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Key Lime Pie...

I've always wondered about the birthright of Key Lime Pie as over the years I have heard many and conflicting tales regarding both the origin and proper way of making it... Seems like everyone has their story and they are sticking to it!

Bakers' Banter is no different and I detect a certain ring of truth and plausibility on the origin which is comforting to know, but lets face it the real deal is whether or not the pie tastes good! Check it out!

It most certainly works for me!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Aebleskiver obsessed....


Some time back Guilty Carnivore ran a piece on Aebleskiver which has had me thinking about making Sunday morning Aebleskiver ever since...

Of course, not quite everyone's idea of a proper Tropical breakfast, but then again I could always fill them with a bit of mango or papaya... Ya think?

I'm pretty sure my obsession for Aebleskiver stems from my not being able to find a decent stove top waffle iron, but as time goes on I keep thinking about just how the Aebleskiver pan would lend itself to all sorts of non-breakfast treats and thoughts of chili and cheese stuffed cornbread Aebleskiver makes me all sorts of seriously hungry!

Being Mr Cheapseats, I just don't feel comfortable spending silly money on any pan but I came across a reasonable one on Amazon which looks like just the thing...

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Spicy fish finest kind...

Simply Spicy is a wonderful food blog and I have yet to find a single recipe here that does not just cry out and beg to be made and enjoyed...

So if you are tired of the same old same fish... Take a look at the Spiced Masala Fish!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Personal drug of choice...



Seriously, I don't know how we'd get along on "So It Goes" without coffee...

Not surprising then, that when preparing for a longish trip the first thing on the check list is coffee and related products.

Being in the French Islands, decent coffee is easy to find and affordable, but I really do wish we could get the Moose Drool blend. Although silly expensive, I really do need to stock up on what is easily my favorite coffee (and while I am at it a few cases of Moose Drool beer would be no bad thing!).

We have a couple of coffee makers on board: a French Press and an Espresso maker but the Espresso maker bears the brunt of the load...

I've also been wondering about a new espresso maker as the current stovetop one we have is not quite as nice as it could be, and the over-sized silicone handle is just plain funky.

Over all, we have had great luck through the years with the Bialetti espresso makers and I have my eye on their Mukka Express Cappuccino model which looks just the thing...


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Hurricane comfort food...


Since we have Hurricane Bill in the neighborhood, today's menu is all about comfort food with a capital "C"!

Offhand, I can't think of much more comforting than BBQ ribs, corn and baked potatoes, add some beer to the ingredient list and we are getting somewhere...

Luckily Accidental Hedonist has a great recipe for Slow cooked brown ale ribs which I find done in a pressure cooker makes for a great ersatz BBQ (like I'm going to be hanging out on the deck grilling with a Class four Hurricane out and about). I think we need more beer...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Mai Tai Madness...


Why did no one tell me about this? A little lead time and I would have been all over this, I could have been a contender...

More info over at Beach Bum Berry's... Sounds like a LOT of FUN!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Shark... It's what's for dinner!


One of the nice things about being on a French island in the Caribbean is they have a very healthy view of what to do with fish of all sorts!

Most folk in the states have eaten shark and ray at one time or another but almost always masquerading as something else.

Sadly with the current decline of the shark population worldwide sooner rather than later there won't be any sharks and it is a shame as shark is not just good eating but a very important part of the food chain and when they go a host of other fish species will as well.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ceviche...


Way Upstream has a great recipe and how to on just the sort of ceviche that makes one want to go fishing...TODAY!

This seriously rocks...

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Chocolate cake with a difference...

Joy the Baker is one of our daily reads and I always look forward to whatever she has in store...

In this case it is a Chocolate cake that I really can't wait to try out and in fact I'm thinking through the process to convert the recipe to a pressure cooking steamed version as I think it would work just fine.

Now you may have noticed the green Avocado frosting but there is more as one of the main ingredients of the cake itself!

This is just the sort of recipe and cooking article I live for... I mean who wants yet another same old same recipe you can dig out of "The Joy of Cooking" (not to knock one of the GREAT cookbooks of all time) but less of the old and more of the creative and interesting! Joy The Baker gets it just right!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Perfect cockpit munchie...


Food to go along with cockpit entertaining is something of an art form and I am always on the lookout stuff exactly like this...

Caponata with bread grilled on the BBQ is perfect for solving the problems of the world while relaxing in the cockpit and watching the sun go down!

For the recipe check out Bakers Banter which is just an amazing resource...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Conch Fritters...

On the other hand...

Monday, July 6, 2009

Crab cakes...

Getting the boat ready to head towards points north and with the madness of last minute projects, repairs and provisioning I have to keep my mind focused on the benefits of sailing north...

Like Crab Cakes!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Tiki 4th of July...


The 4th of July for me has always meant beach, surfboards and Tiki drinks...

When I was a kid, the whole Tiki bar thing was quite the rage and seriously hip. In these modern times the whole Tiki fad is looked down on by many as a pinnacle of kitsch but it was a LOT of fun, and I'll go on record as saying we could always use a whole lot more FUN!

Plus let's get real... What better place to have your very own movable Tiki Bar than an ocean-going sail boat?

Of course to do it right you need LOTS of RUM! Lucky for us that down here in the Caribbean you can buy a good rum for less than $4 a liter (and you'd be dumb-as-nails to use anything better for Tiki drinks) various fruit juices and some serious Tiki mugs...

I mean you really do need the Tiki mugs as they strike just the right note and the whole point of the excercise is striking the right note! Of course you can always use coconuts and hollowed out pineapples but for me Tiki mugs are the serious stuff (and who wants to waste good drinking time hollowing out a pineapple?).

Of course you need the recipes because, while most things on boats are not rocket science, mixology of the Tiki variety IS and before you are ready to come up with your own special signature Tiki/Boat drink it is best to spend a bit of time learning from the masters and working on the classics!

"Sipping Safari" is a great place to start but any of the Beachbum Berry books will do...

I would be remiss in not mentioning that for a proper on-board Tiki party that the old T-shirt is something of a faux pas and that at the least a real Aloha shirt is the minmum for Tiki chic (leis however are considered to be something of an over kill)!

Have a happy 4th...

Friday, July 3, 2009

A potato salad of note...


One of the nice things about living on a boat is that it is a very BBQ friendly environment and where there is BBQ there is also the side dishes that make it all come together.

Potato salad for someone with a pressure cooker is so easy that its pretty common on the menu and I am always looking for new ideas for doing potato salad and keeping it "fresh" and mixing it up a bit.

A recent post by Smitten Kitchen for Horseradish Potato Salad, which is some kind of perfect for a July 4th BBQ... I love Horseradish and any excuse to bring it out is welcome. It rocks!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A different shrimp dish...


Homesick Texan
as usual hits it out of the park...

I love shrimp just about any way you can serve them but I am always on the lookout for new ways to cook the critters.

These "Pickled shrimp with lime"are just the thing...

Monday, June 22, 2009

Not so guilty "Poke"...


Guilty Carnivore is my kinda person...

What a great recipe!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Caribbean style pork loin...


One of our favorite cats chartering in the USVI/BVI is Maralonga... We have known them for ages and a highlight of any visit to the VI's is being invited over for a meal! Gus and Marcella always make something wonderful and we really envy the folks lucky enough to charter them for a whole week... Certainly not a charter where anyone will lose weight!

We will be seeing them next week and apparently pork loin is on the menu...

Caribbean style pork tenderloin

2 pork tenderloin (about 2 pounds)
1 can coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
1 small package raisins
1 handful coconut flakes (like for cakes) or as much as you want to add
salt, pepper, hot sauce, ( brown sugar and rum – if you like)

Prepare the pork tenderloin some hours or a day before: soaking in a mix of little bit oil with some spritzer of hot sauce
In a pan heat light oil or butter (I take butter, the meat gets a nice brown crust)
then add the tenderloin and fry it slowly, turn it on all sides - brown crust outside inside pink
add the coconut milk, raisins and coconut flakes and let the meat some time simmer in it, it depends how you like it done (medium or well done)
turn it from time to time so it doesn’t stick on the pan
add salt, pepper, hot sauce and maybe a little bit sugar – and if you like add some rum

Cut the meat in medallions, decorate it on a plate and sprinkle the sauce on it, the left over sauce place in a saucier at the table .

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Mussels...


Coconut and Lime gets it just right...
Mussels with Fennel and Chorizo


One of the few problems with living in the Caribbean is that Mussels are not really local and most of the Mussels available are from France or New Zealand.

Makes me want to point the boat towards France!

Photo from Coconut and Lime...

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Squid done right...

One of our favorite blogs Casco Bay Boaters hipped us to this "How to" from the Harbor Fish Market on cleaning squid...



Now that you know how to clean the critters... Here's a no fail recipe for squid that you will enjoy, from Accidental Hedonist who have a wonderful Squid Stir Fry recipe...

Is not life grand?

Monday, June 1, 2009

Do the right thing...

Fewer than 1,200 monk seals remain, making them the most endangered species in U.S. waters. Sign the petition... Do the right thing!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

What's for dinner on this boat...


Most people get it wrong about the whole cooking on boats thing. So let me just say this...

It's not CAMPING!

Seriously boat folk eat real food just like real people eat (well those who actually cook as opposed to those sorry folk whose kitchens are mainly a place they keep "Take out" menus).

Case in point, since I got my BBQ gas refilled and having been cooped up in the boatyard for a couple of weeks and doing... WORK on the boat I wanted to do something in the serious comfort food zone and as it happens "Accidental Hedonist" had just the thing in today's blog post!

So I'm off to the store to pick up some buttermilk and give Buttermilk-Brined Chicken a spin which is what we are having for dinner on this boat!

Monday, May 18, 2009

With apologies to Jimmy Buffet...


If there is one thing lacking in the Caribbean it is the real "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and the fact is while just about every eatery offers some form of their take on a "Cheeseburger", none even come close... Though they all charge like it was something special. Seriously, if nothing else, they might all want to just get past the stale buns and funky hamburger patties. Let alone the surly service...

So, just so they can no longer plead ignorance... Take a look at what a paradisical hamburger might actually look and taste like. A big thanks to Guilty Carnivore for the heads up on his visit to Umami Burger in L.A.!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Lobster Paella...


Fortuna, one of the more interesting sailboats in the charter fleet, sails under the Spanish flag and some of the best things from their galley do as well.

Arantxa Aranda Cisneros (the Chef) shares her Lobster Paella recipe ...

Ingredients-Serves 4

1 medium Lobster of about ½ kg or ¾ kg
150 gr. fresh calamari cut in small pieces
2 medium onions thinly sliced
½ green pepper quartered, cored and seeded
300 gr. fresh tomatoes, skinned and finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove of garlic, coarsely chopped
3 ½ cups of fish stock
pinch of saffron

1 ½ cups rice (short grain rice preferred)
about a teaspoon of salt



Process

1. With a sharp knife cut the Lobster in pieces.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and fry the pieces of calamari over 15 seconds

3. In another pan, heat a bit of olive oil and sauté the onions and green pepper until soft.

4. Add the onions & pepper mixture to the large pan with the calamari, stirring it and cook it for about
1 minute.

6. Over low heat, add the coarsely chopped garlic and cook for about 3 minutes.

7. Add the fish stock and increase heat to a boil. Sprinkle in the saffron and then the salt.

8. Add the rice, distributing evenly. Cook on high for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

9. Add the lobster pieces and reduce heat to simmer. At this point, if the mixture appears too dry, add a little water. Shake the handle of the pan rather than stir so as not to upset the pattern. Continue to cook on low heat for another 10 minutes and liquid is absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat and leave it until sets.

Fortuna is available for charter in the Caribbean and Med through Paradise Connections.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Spam Jam...


The Tasty Island
is all over the 2009 Waikiki Spam Jam...

I know that I have made reference to SPAM on Boat Bits in the past but you have to love it when people get creative with anything and all in aid of a good cause!

Check it out.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Pacific Wave Terrine Recipe...

One of the nice things being in the Caribbean at the moment is that we get to sample a lot of neat food from time to time as food is what drives tourism down here. I know everyone thinks of white sand beaches and beautiful yachts at anchor but when all is said and done ... It's the food.

The charter industry is especially competitive on the food front and most yacht clients seldom eat ashore as the food provided so far surpasses anything ashore.

Case in point a new yacht in charter "Pacific Wave" dropped anchor behind us not too long ago to show us around the boat and get a feel for their menus... Of course I scored a recipe!



Pacific Wave's Grilled Chilled Vegetable Terrine

This is an excellent lunch or dinner starter which can be prepared the evening before. Served chilled with fresh Basil leaves and a light dressing.

Ingredients - Serves 6

2 large Red Peppers - quartered, cored and seeded
2 large Yellow Peppers - quartered, cored and seeded
2 large Courgettes - sliced lengthways
1 large Aubergine - sliced lengthways
1 large Red Onion - thinly sliced
75g Raisins
6 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
1 tablespoon Tomato Puree
400ml Tomato Juice
1 sachet powered Gelatine
Fresh basil leaves - to garnish

For the dressing

6 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
Salt & Ground Black Pepper
  • Place the prepared peppers skin side up under a hot grill and cook until the skins are blackened. Transfer to a bowl and cover with a plate. Leave to cool.
  • Arrange the aubergine and courgette slices on separate baking sheets. Brush them with a little oil and cook under the grill, turning occasionally, until they are tender and golden.
  • Heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan, and add the sliced onion, raisins, tomato puree and red wine vinegar. Cook gently until the mixture is soft and syrupy. Set aside and leave to cool in the frying pan.
  • Lightly oil a 1.75 lt (3 pint) terrine, and then line with clear film leaving a little hanging over the sides.
  • Pour half the tomato juice into a saucepan, and sprinkle with the gelatine. Dissolve gently over a low heat, stirring to prevent any lumps from forming.
  • Place a layer of red peppers in the base of the terrine, and pour in enough of the tomato juice with gelatine to cover.
  • Continue layering the vegetables, pouring tomato juice with gelatine over each layer. Finishing with a layer of red peppers.
  • Add the remaining tomato juice to the pan and pour into the terrine. Give it a short tap, to disperse the juice. Cover and chill until set.
  • To make the dressing, whisk together the oil and vinegar, and season.
  • Turn out the terrine and remove the clear film.
  • Serve in thick slices, drizzled with dressing and garnished with basil leaves.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Peanut Butter cookies...


While certainly not tropical or island food, I would be doing everyone a huge disservice by not pointing out that "Joy The Baker" ( always a great read) has a wonderful recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Beer in Paradise...


Sailing and living in a tropical paradise has it's downside on a few fronts and one of them is BEER! If you are someone who from time to time likes a good beer... Sure we have all the light beers of the Coors/Bud/Caribe/Presidente/Heineken/Red Stripe sort but other than stouts (Guinness/Mackeson) there is not much for people who like beer with a bit more body.

On some of the French Islands you'll find the odd bottle of Belgian beer and a less than adequate selection of French beers of the artisanal sort and when they do arrive they zip off the shelves Hey Presto!

So next time you are saying what a lucky guy down there sailing around all those pristine beaches keep in mind that the words "Micro Brewery" are an unknown language down here and wonderful beers like Moose Drool are only available in dreams....

Come visit... Bring a couple of six packs!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A Tasty Island indeed...


One of our favorite Food Blogs is The Tasty Island... and it is not just because "So It Goes" hailing port is Hilo, Hawaii! Tasty Island is my kind of foodie covering all sorts of food and food related subjects with a real people/real food bent. Certainly a something for everyone blog!

Check out Oven-Roasted Kalua Pig & Cabbage to get you started!