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- 1/4 cup fresh blackberries
- 4 large basil leaves, cut in long thins strips (chiffonade)
- 1 1/2 ounces creme de cassis
- 1 1/2 ounce Manatawny Still Works Batch 4 Aged Rum
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 small clementine, juiced
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- With a muddler, mash the blackberries with the basil and creme de cassis and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Place blackberry mix into a cocktail shaker and add the remaining ingredients and shake well. Add crushed iced to a 6-ounce glass and serve. Garnish with a blackblerry.
- 1 cup coarse bulgur
- 2 cups boiling water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley, tightly packed
- ½ cup finely chopped mint, tightly packed
- 20 fresh sweet cherries, pitted and diced
- 2 nectarines, pitted and diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Place bulgur in a large glass bowl.
- Add salt and cover with the boiling water and let sit for 20 until bulgur is tender and has absorbed most of the water.
- Transfer bulgur to a strainer and press out excess water.
- Dry glass bowl and pour the bulgur, parsley, mint and cherries, and nectarines in a large bowl and toss.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil and add to bulgur mixture.
- Refrigerate before dinner or serve immediately.
- Great with grilled fish or chicken.
- Ajiaco-Soup made with potatoes, meat and eggs
- Tallarines con porotos- Beans and noodles with lots of flavor made also with added squash. My grandmother made this often.
- Pancutras- A meat stew with noodles. Comfort food at its best
Caribbean Eats at a Reggae Fest + Giveaway
July 19th, 2016Enjoy Caribbean eats at your local Bahama Breeze and be transported with all the delicious food and drink choices. From now until August 13th, Reggae Fest will be another experience with musical performers, unique menu selections and amazing sweepstakes.
Disclosure: We were treated to a VIP experience thanks to Bahama Breeze. While it was our first time enjoying the venue and all opinions and reviews are unbiased and are based on our experience.
Since moving to the East Coast we have quickly learned that summers are spent on the beach. We have only been able to go twice to Cape May since moving to Pennsylvania but we are looking at enjoying a WHOLE week in Delaware next week. When it comes to enjoying a Caribbean beach, neither my husband nor I have enjoyed the pleasure of relaxing at a resort but I think we came close to that experience last night as we visited Bahama Breeze. Even though we have lived in the area for 5 years, we had never checked out the restaurant until last night!
As we arrived, we immediately felt welcomed and almost expected a lei but instead we heard wonderful live music in the center of the restaurant. If anyone knows me, I love going to places with live music. I would drag my hubby to live jazz at local coffee shops in Houston when we were dating, and it is something I miss terribly. Music and dining just makes the perfect evening in my books.
Reggae Fest
Parker was our great server last night, explaining all the delicious options we had to drink and eat. We specifically were introduced to all that was involved within the Reggae Fest. Since July 1st, Bahama Breeze started out celebrating on International Reggae Fest. Every Saturday, there is a party with live bands that can be heard throughout the restaurant. Select cocktails, food and other beverages are available to celebrate the special season along with giveaways, pop up rum punch bars and more.
While we were not able to experience the party, we hope to the beginning of August after we are back from the beach. We were able to experience the food and the great ambiance and all in all it we had a relaxing time. Not only were we able to enjoy delicious food from the Caribbean for the first time, but my husband and I have great conversation because, dining with kids is a challenge. I know many of you know that!
Drinks and Appetizers
While we waited for our starters we were greeted with One Love drinks a special during Reggae Fest. It consists of Malibu Banana rum, pineapple, orange and guava juice shaken together and topped with an Appleton rum floater. It definitely was flavorful and was refreshing after coming in from the heat.
We started with the Taste of Jamaica which is a taste of Jamaican favorites like pulled pork, jerk chicken, beef empanada, callaloo, sweet plantains, yellow rice and black beans. We also had the Curry Goat which was a new dish for both of us. The spices in this dish were definitely made the dish very flavorful and even though curry is not a favorite of ours it was savory. The goat was tender with a mix of tender greens and rice. It is considered one of the Reggae Fest Chef Special.
I also wanted to take some Breeze Cheese Bites because crisp fried yuca stuffed with melted cheese and cilantro-crema dipping sauce sound amazing don’t they? They were super crispy and hot when they arrived and almost tasted like potato but as they got cooler you could tell the difference in texture. Yucca is also served in Cuba and over mojo a garlic and oil sauce on top. I liked this appetizer especially the dip.
Main Meal and Drinks
While we ordered our meals, we received another set of drinks that made for a lovelier evening. I have never been to a place that offered a margarita flight. I thought of ordering a Tamarind Margarita but the Hibiscus Margarita was calling my name so I ordered the flight that consisted of the two mentioned and a Grilled Pineapple Margarita. The presentation was amazing but my ultimate favorite was the Tamarind Margarita with the Hibiscus coming in at a close second. The Tamarind Margarita was slightly sweet but tangy with a great blend of tequila. I would totally order it next time especially since it is so unique!
Bahama Breeze has an extensive menu and it took a while to decide what to order but since most of the special items consisted of seafood we stuck to the theme and ordered a Jumbo Stuffed Crab Shells and I ordered the Yellowtail Snapper Veracruz so we could taste from each other’s plates. The portions are plentiful and come with fresh sides either with yellow rice, black beans and sweet plantains or a veggie.
We loved how flavorful and fresh everything tasted. The snapper was grilled beautiful and combined well with the green olive and tomato garnish that came on top. My husband’s stuffed crab shells were my favorite while he favored my dish so it was good that we were able to experience each other’s choices. We were glad to start our week with a delightful dining experience and we will for sure be returning back. I think our girls would love the music as well. I also foresee a Ladies Night Out because the drinks are amazing!
Think of checking Bahama Breeze? If you are in the Philly area, check out the location at King of Prussia.
Sweepstakes
To continue the celebration, Bahama Breeze is giving away a cruise for one righteous winner and a friend to the JamRock 5-night cruise to Jamaica. This Reggae Cruise line features live music lineups daily including Sean Paul, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Stephen “Regga” Marley, Toots and the Maytals. Starting July 1, guests can snap their best selfie at #ReggaeFest and upload their picture on social media using #ReggaeFest and #Sweepstakes. Guests can also register at SummerReggaeFest.com for a chance to win.
For more information about Reggae Fest, visit www.BahamaBreeze.com/Reggae.
Giveaway
What to experience your own Reggae Fest at home? Enter below to win media mailer kit to make have your very own reggae party at home!
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Blackberry Basil Rum Smash
July 13th, 2016
This Blackberry Basil Rum Smash is made with an aged rum produced at a local distillery in Pottstown, PA called Manatawny Still Works. Tomorrow, July 14th, they are releasing and selling a limited quantity of their fourth batch of aged rum. Once it is gone, it is gone, so make sure you get your own bottle.
One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of berries available. My girls consume them so fast that it is hard to keep up with restocking the fridge. It is hard to choose from blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries but usually we purchase what is in abundance at the time.
We love eating them plain or over cereal in the morning or evening with fresh whipped cream for dessert. Another way I like enjoying berries is in mixed drinks muddled in a little sweetener with fresh herbs for added depth. When I received a bottle of aged rum to try, I knew I wanted to make a cocktail with blackberries, basil, and creme de cassis.
Located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania and only 20 minutes from my home is the distillery called Manatawny Still Works It is pretty cool that there are so many distilleries and breweries in our area because it makes it exciting supporting local businesses providing such exciting products. The environment at Manatawny is very inviting especially with the tasting room at the entrance, waiting to serve their customers with monthly specials featuring their spirits.
When I opened the aged rum I loved the smell. It is a Caribbean-style rum that is finished in 59 gallon Gandona Winery Cabernet Sauvignon French Oak Barrels. The finished product is truly unique and flavorful rum with the sweetness of red wine and the richness of molasses especially since the aged rum is fermented from 100% baker’s grade molasses with a heavy rum yeast.
The rum is smooth goes down the throat with an oak finish and a buttery richness and is recommended to be enjoyed on its own or in a simple cocktail which is what I did decided to do. Batch FOUR is 105 proof and is $42.99 a bottle. Make sure you support local businesses by going to try your own bottle!
Hope you enjoy this simple Blackberry Basil Rum Smash which is made from mashed blackberries muddled in chopped basil and creme de cassis. There is also an addition of citrus juices to make this an ideal drink for a brunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
Disclosure: I received a bottle for review. All comments and reviews are my own as are my recipes.
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Natalia Lafourcade: Summer Series at Longwood Gardens
July 7th, 2016Disclosure: We received tickets in exchange for the show. Opinions and photos are my own.
Summer Series at Longwood Gardens
Summer is not complete without a few outdoor concerts and even more so when they are held at one the world’s greatest gardens, Longwood Gardens. My family and I love visiting the gardens on a regular basis to see special exhibits or even during the holidays but I have to say that I have never attended one of their concerts especially during the summer. One of the reasons I wanted to go now is that Natalia Lafourcade, an award-winning Mexican indie pop artist, was coming through Philadelphia featuring songs from her album, Hasta La Raíz.
Ladies Night Out
As a mother of three I always have the challenge of finding other moms to enjoy an evening out but thankfully I was able to gather a group of three to come out for a nice evening of grown-up time. We met at Two Stones Pub in Kennet Square for a few appetizers and beers and then headed out to gardens for the concert.
The pub is an ideal spot for a ladies night out because it is 6 minutes from Longwood Gardens. We ordered and it seemed like the food hardly took any time to come out. We were out within 75 minutes with time to park and walk to the open air theater. We enjoyed Nachos with chorizo, crab dip with pretzels, and some Kettle Chip Nachos with great drinks. Thanks Two Pubs!
Open Air Theater
While it was a MUGGY evening, we thought the breeze would come in to cool us but we did have the consolation of the dusk to give us a break from the heat. The open air theater was set up nicely with rows numbered and waiting for us to receive the artist. It was an intimate environment especially with great company. With insect repellent and essential oils to prevent bugs from bothering us we were ready for a performance.
Truth be told I had never heard of Ms. Lafourcade. While I am constantly on Spotify discovering new artists I had not heard of her but once I started listening to her music a few weeks back, I knew I would enjoy the show. When I found out that a related artist in her niche was Julieta Venegas, also a Mexican singer and songwriter, I was set!
Natalia Lafourcade – singer and songwriter
Ms. Lafourcade is definitely up and coming since starting at the age of 14. After 15 years, she is one of the most popular and successful singer and songwriters. She swept the awards at the Latin Grammys this year! My cousins in Mexico were a little jealous I was getting a chance to see her live so I was sure to send them snaps on Snapchat so they could get to watch a little of her. Why not?
When Ms. Lafourcade came out to perform, I was surprised at how petite she was. She came out in a cute striped tube top and in her broken English she told her audience how unbelievably hot it was in Philadelphia. Her band consisted of a 5 band members but her pianist was missing due to not receiving a Visa to come to the US so Ms. Lafourcade played the keyboard when necessary and I believe she did really great!
She has an amazing crisp voice and very charismatic. She loves dancing in between songs and seems very passionate about her songs. She was able to share a few things about her songs especially one that was written about a girl who stole her boyfriend. She was happy to reminisce and then joke about it. If you like pop, her sounds will keep your feet moving and if you like eclectic then it is also for you as well.
Audience
I think Ms. Lafourcade was received well by the mixed crowd. I know that Kennett Square has a higher Hispanic community so I was happy that there was a great crowd. I know I can say this since I feel like I live in an area with hardly any Hispanics. HA! They were very enthusiastic and great fans of Ms. Lafourcade and rightly so.
I look forward going to my next concert because it is the IDEAL spot to enjoy great music. Go with a loved one or have a ladies night out and see what Longwood Gardens Summer Series is all about!
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Nectarine and Cherry Tabbouleh Salad
July 6th, 2016
Summer is not complete without a dose of ripe nectarines and cherries. This nectarine and cherry tabbouleh salad is a refreshing side to go with grilled fish or chicken and is well-consumed by all toddlers and babies in our home. What a great way to use fresh produce from your local farmer’s markets.
I hope everyone had a lovely Fourth of July weekend! It is nice to have a three-day weekend because a break from work is always welcome. We enjoyed a mild summer day with friends on two different days with at least a day filled with a round of fireworks.
I feel like after a full week and a half of being back from Texas that we are all back to our rhythm. While we love traveling and going places, it always throws our schedules and pace out a bit and it is just challenging to get back to normal. All I felt like doing was lounging and sleeping to make up for the high paced days. The high pace is ALWAYS there in our home with three girls under the age of 5 but it is just a bit different.
Summer meals
Summer is meant to be calm and refreshing but somehow it gets just as busy but even so we like to take the time to make home-cooked meals and grilling so we have been making light and quick meals that would be enjoyed by the whole family. When I discussed what side to make with the planned pan-fried hake (fish), mu husband suggested bulgur. I would not think of bulgur outside of Mediterranean food but that is because that is the only time I have consumed it.
What is bulgur?
What is bulgur, you might be asking? It is a dried cracked wheat and after reading more about it, I did find out that it is more common in European, Middle Eastern and Indian Cuisine. It is VERY quick to prepare since it is partially pre-cooked. I purchased the bag at my local Indian store or international grocery store and re-hydrate 1 cup of bulgur with 2 cups of boiling water. I made about 3 cups of ready-to-use bulgur wheat.
Nectarine and Cherry Tabbouleh Salad
Everyone in my family knows that I am a big fan of cherries. If I could put them in everything during the summer season, then I would. Add some fresh ripe nectarines and I am in fruit heaven. Fruit does not have to be for breakfast alone, but it is great in salads, especially this tabbouleh recipe that normally would call for tomatoes. I put a twist on my normal tabbouleh and make it sweet and savory.
I used seasonal ingredients to make a quick salad to go with our dinner. I used fresh nectarines, cherries and mint to make a fruit tabbouleh salad. It was consumed by our 11-month old daughter and our toddlers enjoyed it even more because they were eating some of their favorite fruits in a salad! Serve it with grilled or fried fish and enjoy a fresh quick dinner this summer.
How would you enjoy this salad?
Ingredients
Instructions
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Discovering Chile through its Cuisine
June 29th, 2016
One of the things that I promised I would do when I arrived in Chile was to discover as much as a I could about Chilean cuisine. Before I left, I tried to do a little research, but there was so much going on in our lives that I discovered a lot of foodie treasures while I was in Santiago. Discovering Chile through its cuisine has definitely been a dream of mine and it finally came true.
As I looked through Trip Advisor, I searched for cooking classes and food tours and narrowed down to doing a food tour. With that in mind, I knew I had to find one that would be ideal for a mom traveling with a baby. I wanted to make sure that there would be some flexibility in case the baby required some attention. I searched through Trip Advisor and found a few tours that looked intriguing especially the ones that included the markets. Many friends and family warned me about theft in Santiago so I knew I would feel comfortable being with a tour guide as opposed to being by myself.
I discovered Foody Chile who is led by Colin, an American who has been living in Chile for 12 years and has made his home in Santiago. What I did not realize is that I was getting a tour by an English speaker and truth be told, I wanted a tour with a native Chilean. I should have been more specific and inquiring of the tour because when I met Colin, he thought he was giving the tour in English and I preferred in Spanish, so I think I threw him off. Either way, I made the best of the situation and we had a nice 3-hour tour of the different markets along with some food samples.
We started at Plaza de Armas and went along a main street to get to Mercado Central, La Vega Central, and La Vega Chica. We meandered through several markets that sold everything from flower arrangements, fish, meat, fruits, veggies to even pickled veggies. The colors were amazing and watching the people buy and sell was fun too.
Our first stop was at a stand that served Mote con Huesillo, which is pretty much cooked barley or grains in stewed apricot juice. It is served cold and with a spoon. I did not know whether to ask for a straw or simply eat the grain but either way, it was a tasty treat I could see enjoying during the mid day.
We stopped in a gallery where the guide talked about Chileans version of fast food. There were places where people could purchase hearty sandwiches and eat standing up or there were establishments advertising their local specials with samples by the window. It was basically window shopping for food. I was aghast at how huge Chilean sandwiches were. There were layers of thinly sliced meat called churrasco and layered with either fresh green beans, tomatoes or other toppings of choice. It could easily serve more than 2 people.
Lunch is really dinner for Chileans, where the main meal is mostly enjoyed in the middle of the day. My landlord at the bed and breakfast told me that la once , or elevensies, is usually enjoyed around 5pm, which is a light meal that is enjoyed. A dinner could later take place but usually the evening was kept for lighter refreshments. I know that my grandparents practiced this but I never knew it had a name.
Back to the tour. I LOVED the time at the market because I was able to spot different types of produce I had not seen, like the varieties of avocados. Avocados, or palta as the Chileans say, are everywhere! I really did not realize that they are served on a lot of dishes! It is like the ketchup on fries. Can I say that? My dad told me to try a completo which is a hot dog on steroids. It is served with avocado, fresh tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a huge amount of mayonnaise. It was astounded by how popular this hot dog is. I was not completely sold on it but I know it made my dad happy.
Another stop on our tour was at a restaurant in the market where I had three different soups. A side of bread and pebre, which is a Chilean condiment that almost looks like pico de gallo. I was so surprised by how different it looked than the one my grandmother prepared. Actually there are several different types and I enjoyed them all on different level. The soups we had were all very hearty and flavorful.
One of our stops was going to include empanadas but since I was familiar with that dish I asked for something different. Our last two stops consisted of seafood empanadas with white wine and some cola de mono, which is a coffee cocktail I have shared before. I felt like I got a great taste of Chile while walking through the markets. I definitely felt safe with my guide even though I did accidentally drop about 10 dollars that no one gave back to me. Oh well. If you are an English speaker and looking to get a taste of Chile, I would definitely recommend Colin of Foody Chile.
One more thing that I definitely knew I wanted to have before I left Chile was a pisco sour. I had heard so much about the drink that I mapped the place I was going to enjoy my first drink. Even though wine is produced in Chile, it is not the most popular beverage. Pisco is definitely enjoyed a lot more. It is produced in Chile and Peru and many drinks are made with it along with the cola de mono I mentioned before.
Chipe Libre also known as Independent Republic of Pisco, is known for their pisco varieties from Chile and Peru. They serve food from the pisco region of Chile and also food from Peru but I really knew I was not going the be able to dine so I went in the evening quickly while the baby was napping in the stroller. I was able to chat with the bartender to ask him about the varieties and what I would most enjoy on my first try. I loved the whole experience and the flavor of the pisco sour. I wish I had time for another at a more leisurely pace.
All in all, I am happy with what I was able to do on such a tight schedule and alone with a baby. I came home with a load of cookbooks with Chilean recipes and look forward sharing many of those to you in the coming months.
