After all of the pernil, paleta and pork by-products, it was time for lighter fare tonight: Grilled Flank Steak with chimmichuri and a salad of celery, tomato and avocado in a cilantro/honey/vinaigrette...
A Trip of a Lifetime - Italy 2003
- Synchronicity. It was just the right place to go, the right time in our lives, the right combination of every element involved. What a blessing to have the chance to spend 10 days with your father - as an adult - to speak of all kinds of things, to visit your roots, re-trace the steps of your grandfather (and his father) and encounter magic and wonder at every turn...
Another Trip of a Lifetime - Italy 2006
- Twice in a lifetime seems too much, but it was just as good the second time as the first. In many aspects, it was even better; closer with family than ever before. And flying back First Class because of an airline error wasn't bad either...
Butterfly World 07
- A Saturday morning trip to Butterfly World in Coral Springs, FL ends up surpassing our expectations in every way. It was like walking into a dream.
Butterfly World - Again!
- When Grandpa and Grandma came down to Florida at Christmastime 2007, we just had to show them how cool Butterfly World was.
Cape Cod 03
- Our first father/daughter trip together. We travelled up to Cape Cod to see grandparents and find Blueberries!!! And some seafood and ice cream and beach time and... unforgettable memories!
Cape Cod 06
- The second father/daughter trip to the place of my roots. Magical and peaceful memories for a lifetime.
Fishing Pictures
- When Andy's Diner opens one day, these will be some of the pictures on the wall...
Guest Chefs @ Andy's
- When the challengers come to Kitchen Stadium! One in particular keeps the pictures and the gastric juices FLOWING. Go Auntie! Go Auntie!
A Malbec Quest
- Two friends strive to sample every Malbec they can find. Their opinions are those of amateur vinophiles, but their thoroughness is the stuff of legend!
Andy's Humidor
- It's my favorite way to end a great meal... out in the Florida Room, watching a ballgame or just relaxing!
La Luna Cigars
- A boutique brand on Calle Ocho in Miami's Little Havana. Known by locals and "Luna-tics" the planet over.
Padron Cigars
- Their tag line says "...quality is a matter of family honor" and they couldn't have written anything more appropriate. My Saturday morning visit produced a deep respect for the Padron family, a heightened appreciation of their quality products and the happy expectation of many a Saturday morning to come visiting some new friends.
Tabacalera Perdomo
- It is hard to miss the determination and commitment of this cigar company. With over a dozen different brands, culminating in the legendary "Edicion de Silvio", the Perdomo family is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of their patriarch Silvio and the values he came to embody.
Deeply Delightful "Hondo"
- If you are a Cigar Aficionado and will be visiting Buenos Aires in the near future, then you MUST visit "Hondo" in the city's sparkling new Puerto Madero area. Hondo means "deep" in Spanish and my evening there was DEEPLY DELIGHTFUL!
Fairchild Tropical Garden
- Lucky enough to live very close to this jewel of a spot in Miami.
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February 2007
New Sticks in the Box...
Stopped by the Brick & Mortar today and picked up some new sticks I have yet to try: The new Torano 90, the new Perdomo Fresco and a new or re-banded Rocky Patel Connecticut. These are destined for post-tennis smoking on the weekend! ;)
Pernil's Big Brother...
A whole shoulder. Affectionately known locally as a "Paleta"... You have to get these at El Futuro Supermarket if you want to do the whole experience. I injected this with naranja agria, garlic, thyme and a little oil and vinegar... Do you KNOW how good those little pieces of skin up top are going to be??
Two Good Ones...
This weekend brought some nice surprises. One was a KILLER Rioja that combined oh-so-well with the Pseudo Paella... It was found at Publix with a $2.00 off tag which brought it under $15.00...
The other good one was a quick pasta made with fresh fettucine, sausage, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and Cinzano, fresh basil and chives.
Pernil Night!
This is a past photo (because my camera got left at the office) but it's the exact same one - a Boston Butt Pork Roast coated in rosemary, garlic, sea salt and olive oil, then slow roasted until it falls apart!
The Test is OVER...
One small step for Continuing Education... And I had a hankering for some Spanish food, so I did a "Pseudo Paella" - chicken, Spanish chorizo, shrimp, yellow rice, asparagus, artichoke hearts, olives, red bell peppers... the classic ONE pan meal.
Tick, Tick, Tick....
I've been studying for a licensing exam for the last two months. The course is supposed to take four to six months and I tried to do it in two... and balance a few other things in life.
I took my final exam this morning and it went well... Maybe now I can sleep? And cook some food? And smoke a cigar? And drink some wine? Hell yeah!
Soul Food - Part II
And so the theme continues...
Collard Greens cooked with smoked turkey wings. This was my favorite part of the whole meal! Doused in pepper vinegar at each person's discretion, of course.
Italian-style Mac & Cheese - made with Mozzarella and Parmesan and Italian breadcrumbs.
And a Purdue Oven Stuffer Roaster whole bird, stuffed with garlic, orange and rosemary. Now, who's bringing the sweet potato pie? Or are we all meeting down at "Bob the Chef's" in the South End of Boston for some? ;) Oh, those were the days...
"Soul" Food...
The mercury hit the 40's today in South Florida. Bone-chilling cold! I was in the mood for something soulful like smothered pork chops, but Italian-style... so I made them with a white bean & mushroom ragu with big pieces of country ham, plenty of sage and rosemary. It hit the spot!
