Stuck in Mexico

Well, ordinarily, being stuck in Mexico would be something to celebrate.  However, with a pile of work back home, this forced holiday is more stress than fun.  I am sure everyone has heard of the massive blizzard that hit the Midwest to welcome in the first few days of February.  Getting back to Chicago has become mission impossible.  So, to calm my nerves and my control issues that I clearly need help with, I am going to have a few more Margaritas and sizzle a bit under the Mexican sun.  Here are some pictures of this beautiful country with perfect weather, at least at this time of the year.

 Horses on the beach. A typical sight on the Mexican Riviera.

A typical street in San Pancho.  Cobbled, steep and quaint. 

 Beautiful flowers that dot the Mexican landscape.

 Not afraid of color in Sayulita.

 Steps to an art gallery in Sayulita.  The galleries line the streets of this cool little town.  Feeling right at home with the tattooed 20/30/40 somethings walking around with their bare footed kids, covered in sand and dreads in their hair.    

 Margaritas before dinner with friends.

A gorgeous pink table setting for our dinner! So cool!

A Carnival Mexican Style

Picture this; Lady Gaga and Kesha blasting from speakers the size of small houses, a guy yelling into those speakers, "chicas, chicas, chicas", a plethora of neon lights everywhere and women encased in tight clothing with high heels that would make stilts look like child's play. Where was I? I know the first thing that comes to mind is a child's carnival, no? Well, a child's carnival was indeed where I was and let me just say, they don't fool around with in your face fun. Having been in my fair share of dance clubs, the lights, music and people mixed with a million little kids running around was a little disconcerting.

So, after I got past my initial twilight zone confusion upon arrival at this extravaganza, I was able to focus on what I always focus on in any venue, food. I was absolutely fascinated by their snack carts piled high with caramelized bananas, fresh strawberries in tiered rows, enormous fluffy pancakes, hot dogs wrapped in fried soft dough, popcorn and cheese puffs inside bags that were big enough to hold a week's worth of laundry. Upon ordering, fruits and pancakes were doused in a sweetened cream sauce, more fruit was added on top of that, sprinkled with cinnamon and hit with a layer of chocolate. If you have never had a huge fluffy pancake with caramelized bananas on top and smothered in cream, chocolate and cinnamon, run out right now and get on it. It was a messy pile of excessively sweet fun that I could not get enough of. The fact that I was eating this while drinking beer made it a little weird but I like that they mix the morning after food with the night before drinks and make no apologies.

A fiesta loco and so much fun!

Lovely Panino's

This little café was always my absolute favorite place to get breakfast in Sayulita. Thankfully, they opened two more locations in Bucerias which is so close to my parents place that I can walk there on the beach.

To wake up in the morning, walk on the beach with the waves crashing in to get the most delectable egg/sharp white cheddar/bacon bagel with a spicy chipotle sauce and a cappuccino to boot, pinch me my darlings, just pinch me.

Yesterday, I took the little man with me and he was in heaven with the blueberry pastry pictured. He topped off his meal with hot chocolate that consisted of melted chocolate mixed with heavy cream, whip cream topping and chocolate syrup dribbled on top. Afterwards we walked back home and I got to watch my son skip on the beach, throw rocks in the ocean and stop periodically to make "sand angels". Life is beautiful. xoxo - AJ

Panino's Information

Sayulita store # 1

Delfín # 1 Centro
Sayulita, Nayarit
c.p. 63732
Open every day from 7am-6pm

Bucerias store # 2

Plaza Los Amores
Local # 1
Terralta, Bucerias
Nayarit c.p. 63732
Open Mo-Sa from 7:30am-8pm
Sunday from 730am-4pm

Bucerias store # 3

Ave. México corner_w/Josefa O. de Dominguez
Playas Pacifico, Bucerias
Nayarit c.p. 63732
Open every day from 8am-4pm
Store operates from Nov-May

Mom's Rockin' Guacamole

As my friends and family know, I have a tendency to talk down my Mom's cooking. I love my Mom to pieces but she would take her garden any day of the week over cooking. The beauty of her gardening obsession and her blasé attitude toward cooking is that she hides her disinterest so very well. Over the years, I have seen her host numerous dinner parties, family gatherings, impromptu visits from friends and of course, the dinner she made for my Dad, my Brother and me on a nightly basis. Throughout it all, I never saw her call a caterer, call in extra help, or buy a pre-made meal; she always did it all herself and it was always wonderful. So yes, she can cook but make no mistake, her heart is in her fabulous garden.

So, all of that said, my Mom has been spending her winters in Mexico for a few years now and she has amassed a treasure trove of Mexican friends who have guided her in making this guacamole; add a little of this, take out that, etc. So she has been coached and the result is some serious rockin' guac. Enjoy!

Rockin' Guacamole courtesy of my Rockin' Mom, Linda Jones.

Ingredients:

3 ripe Haas avocados
2 plum tomatoes, seeds and juice removed, diced
1/3 white onion diced
1 small lime
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Kosher salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon chile rellanos, seeds removed, chopped - to taste
1/2 teaspoon sauce/juice from chile rellanos - to taste

Method:

Dice the avocados and place in a large bowl. Squeeze the lime juice into the avocados and toss lightly. Add in the tomatoes, onion, cilantro, cumin, salt, pepper, chile rellanos and juice. Toss all together and taste for seasoning. Pile mixture high on tortilla chips and serve immediately.

México me encanta!

I think these pictures speak for themselves but a few notes.

The margaritas shown have to be the best I have ever tasted. Perhaps it was just the ultra-relaxed state I was in while drinking but they seemed pretty amazing.

We also had queso cilantro which is pictured and it was a fabulous combination of cheese, cilantro and a marsala like sauce. The combination of flavors seemed odd to me but they definitely worked because it was a creamy and soft explosion of flavor.

We also had flan which I now refuse to eat anywhere else but Mexico. I have tried it in a million places in the states and somehow, the caramel flavor does not come through like it does when I eat it here. How good is it? So good that I devoured it before I could even get my camera out to take a picture.

Finally, El Brujo, the restaurant I always insist on going to upon arrival. It sits on the ocean and the experience of eating incredible food while watching the sun set and listening to the waves crashing in is sublime.

Eventually, I will have to go back to Chicago but I think my Mother will have to shove me on the plane to get me out of here.

xoxo - AJ

Mexico Lovin

I just came back from Mexico and I had to post some pics since I believe it is truly one of the best places to vacation. My parents have a place in Bucerias, Mexico which is just outside of Puerto Vallerta. One of the towns outside of Bucerias is Sayulita and I absolutely love this little hideaway. Here are the reasons Sayulita holds such a special place in my heart; awesome surfing, beautiful beaches, perfect weather all the time, cute little restaurants with delicious food, a cool laid back atmosphere, art shops and clothing boutiques everywhere with finds I can never find anywhere else, boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts, low tourist count and a youngish crowd with a cool vibe (okay, that means my age range of upper 20's to upper 30's, the kids are mercifully back in Puerto Vallerta). Oh, one last reason that Sayulita rocks, the gorgeous surfer dudes who roam freely on the streets and beaches making all single girls swoon.