Eating in and out in Sayulita, Mexico

I went on a vacation.  A vacation from rain, schedules, and this blog.  A big thanks to my soon to be sister-in-law for having us along to celebrate the big 30!

I don't know about you but whenever I travel somewhere I read all the forums to find the best food, accommodations, and activities.  Having been to Sayulita (a hippie surfing town 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta) a number of times I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite eats.



Going out

Great drinks on the beach.  My virgin pina colada was sublime (painfully non-alcoholic but sublime).

Burrito Revolucion The first time we ate here was because it was the equivalent of the "cool kids" lunch table.  But the burritos are amazing, especially when doused in one of their three spicy sauces.

This place is amazing.  Watch an Italian couple make your pasta before it arrives on your plate.  The pizzas are thin crusted goodness baked in a clay oven.  Oh, and if you have forgotten what a real tomato tastes like the caprese is a must.

The Churro man.  I heart him.  But he is elusive, there one night and then gone the next.  He sets up shop in the back of his truck as close to the town square as he can find a parking spot.  Crispy on the outside and molten goodness on the inside.  Help me.

Oh, and I would be remiss not to mention Panino's Bakery.  I had breakfast here almost every morning.  Chocolate croissants, cinnamon rolls, chewy bagels and most amazing fruit tarts.  Most baked goods in Mexico are beautiful to look at but are made with lard, which I find leaves an unpleasant film on my tongue but Panino's uses butter and it is oh, so delicious.  Also, if you like Baja style fish tacos you have to go to Sayulita Fish Taco we usually eat there several times during the week.



Staying in.

If you have kitchen I recommend staying in a couple nights and taking advantage of all the great produce Mexico has to offer.  I usually bring some recipes that use ingredients that aren't as readily available at home.  I came up with this recipe trying to remake the mangodillas served at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Seattle.

MANGODILLAS
(Inspired by Agua Verde in Seattle)

Flour tortillas
two chicken breasts
onion
one poblano pepper
 jar of Salsa verde
unaged Manchego cheese (Latin market) or use Jack or mozzarella
cilantro
mango

serves 4 main course or 8 as appetizers

To cook chicken I brown in olive oil on both sides, add some water to the pan, put a lid on and steam until done about 10-15 min.

Put them on a plate in the fridge until they are cool enough to shred with your hands.

To roast a poblano you can set it right on the flame until all sides are blackened or you can put it under the broiler in your oven.  Put the pepper in a paper bag, rolling it closed so the steam can't get out.  Wait until the pepper is cool enough to touch, peel off the skin (this will be easier now that the trapped steam has loosened the skin) and dice the pepper.

Heat olive oil in a pan and saute a chopped onion.  Add the chicken, diced peppers, and salsa verde.  I cook this on medium heat for about 5 minutes until all the flavors are incorporated.

To put your mangodilla together layer the chicken, cheeses, cilantro and mango between two tortillas.  Fry them up over medium high heat, making sure the cheeses has melted before you flip (or you will have a big mess).

I served my mangodillas with guacamole, salsa, chips and fresh fruit.

Sayulita is beautiful little town that happens to have amazing food.  I recommend you at least visit if you are staying in Puerto Vallarta.  The bus will set you back $2.50.

An easy project with a big payoff. I am all about the glory.

I would by no means consider myself a "crafter", my relationship with my sewing machine is tenuous and glue and glitter often make me swear.  I am however, always down for an easy project with a big payoff.  Yes folks, I am all about the glory...just kidding...kind of.  Because it turned out to be useful for a lot of things, I am not quite sure what to call it.  What it is, is a Case Logic reversable laptop sleeve all dressed up with fabric and vintage buttons. 

Looks cute as a clutch.

Makes a $12 laptop case look...less like a $12 case.

My purpose for this project was to create a traveling chef's kit for a good friend who loves to travel and cook.  With the popularity of home exchanges and vacation home rentals it makes sense to have a go-to bag with things that you can't live without in the kitchen.   I used the laptop case as bag to hold cooking tools I purchased from Crate and Barrel.  The squishiness of the case protects the tools and you can print recipes, slide them in, fold up the bottom and tuck it in, creating a compact case. 

Travel Guide: Puglia, Italy

Have you heard of Puglia?  I believe that it is the most undiscovered region of Italy and I love it so much just the way it is that I struggle with letting the cat out of the bag.  But generosity overcomes me, you have to go!

For six years I was a nanny for these two amazing kids.

In 2006 one of my bosses made a fabulous Independent film called Expiration Date and one of the many film festivals it played at was the Salento Interantional Film Festival 

Using this road trip guide from Cookies magazine we went on the most amazing adventure through a region of Italy I had never given a second thought to. Literally everything we did was unforgettable; the flavors, smells, and storybook vignettes are and will forever be ingrained in me.

Even though this itinerary comes from a parenting magazine it would equally as enjoyable for an adult only trip, yes it is that good!

Here are some highlights from our two weeks in the heel of the boot.

5QDBPPGEAMA2

Too much information? Probably.

Because life is more about the journey

Born February 17th, 1981 in Sidney, Australia, whilst my parents where circumnavigating the globe on their sailboat "Southern Cross". Named Camiguin after a beautiful island in the Philippines and Piper after the marina where our boat was moored.

On my way to visit the Komodo Dragons, which begs me to question whether watching giant lizards rip into a fresh goat constituted as desensitization in 1981.

 "One of these these things is not like the others..." Hanging out with my friends in TY Court, Bangkok, Thailand.  My parents taught at Bangkok International School for two years.

 

Have passport, will travel. Begrudgingly.

 

 Checking out the catch of the day.  Yes, the cute chubby one is my brother, but hey let's stay focused here.  This relationship could also be illustrated by a picture that fortunately never was taken.  It involves a baby in a crib, an urge to go #2 and a very jealous and nimble big sister.

Because someone had to address the effects of salt water on Grandpa's hair.

 
My 3rd birthday just off the coast of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean.  My mother set the bar pretty high with homemade party hats and a German chocolate cake from scratch.

 
I spent most of adolescence with my nose in a book, which hopefully explains what you see here in terms of personal grooming...

...and the rest of my time in a ballet studio or on stage.

 
In college, I honed my culinary skills and sense of humor.  Additionally, I managed to walk away with a degree in creative writing with the encouraging words of a professor, "there is no job called writer" ringing in my ears.

 
 Met my dream guy and married him despite concerns that he seemed a little too perfect.  "Are you sure he is not a serial killer?"

Yes, I am sure.

January 31st, 2008 our precious Pearl is born.  I promptly place her in a clam shell and take her picture, savoring the symbolism.  My husband looks on wondering if his mere presence can implicate him in this abusive act.

 

 

But as it turns out she has no problem with the spotlight.

This blog is my reminder to live each day grateful for what I have and to look to each new day as an opportunity for discovery.