Last week I attempted a blog post. I sat down at my computer on a porch overlooking the Carribean. I pecked out a sentence and looked out at the view above. Then I looked back at my computer screen. Then I looked again to the sea, and I thought "what the hell am I doing on the computer right now when I could be splashing about in that water?" Do you blame me dear readers?
Tulum, Mexico. It is where the Mayans would come to relax and heal, and it is where I decided to retreat to with my family and 8 close friends in celebration of my 30th birthday. Chef, as my gift rented this hideaway...Nah Uxibal "House of Good Energy." A house complete with a chef that cooked for us breakfast and dinner. Here is a taste of how we greeted each day sitting on an open porch with a vista of Del Caribe. Behold Yucatan style huevos rancheros.
We had Javier and Victoria, the caregivers of this little piece of paradise, who cleaned up our terrible toddler beach mess every day. We had hammocks on every porch swaying in the sea breeze, a coral reef at our fingertips, a literal super moon rise every night, and margaritas galore.
When I told people I was going to Mexico for a week they looked at me in horror. "Helloooo...Drug War? Are you crazy? Are you bringing your kids?" My mocking response, "The more drugs the better! And yes, I am bringing my kids!" We traveled to Tulum, a little European tourista hot spot on the Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo far away from the violence of the black market. Over 400 people were murdered in Chicago alone last year, and if I told you that I was going there for a weekend getaway to the windy city to dine at Charlie Trotter's would you look at me with the same shock? My guess is no. Mexico is a giant glorious country, and like gang violence in the US, it is limited to particular regions.
Enough soap boxing.
I heart Mexico. I love it's people, polite and hardworking. I love its food, bright and flavorful. I love its art and expert craftsmanship of ceramics and textiles. I love that it makes for inexpensive travel. We are lucky to have a nation so rich in culture as a neighbor, and such an affordable place to visit. Over the next few weeks I am going to share with you some vibrant morsels of our trip, with the hope that it inspires some of you dear readers to pay this fabulous country a visit.
Spring is officially here! What better way to kick it off than with a margarita recipe...the drink practically emanates sunshine! It was just my luck that one of my best gals from college married a producer/audio engineer and expert mixologist. Chris Barron, margarita guru extraordinaire, juiced 2 to 3 pounds of limes a day to provide the most delicious and authentic margaritas I have ever tasted, and margaritas are a favorite cocktail of mine. This recipe originates from his place of work, Ecco, an extraordinary seasonal eats restaurant that is a must dine when visiting Atlanta (one of Chef and my favs). This is the drink, nestled in the sand at happy hour.
The Ecco Margarita
Ingredients:
- 2 oz of Herra Durra Blanco Tequilla
- 0.75 oz of Agave Nectar or Simple Syrup (you can make your own or buy Habama Jarabe Natural)
- 1.5 oz of fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1 orange wedge (1/8 of orange) squeezed for juice
Directions:
- Add all the ingredients into a shaker
- Shake vigorously
- Strain and pour over glass of rocks
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment