Passport Control: Mexico

Ooooh, Mexico.  You're so warm and beachy.  And your resort towns are so depressingly mediocre.  Eight days is not enough time to get off the beaten path, and in my experience those trips are more fulfilling than relaxing.  We needed relaxing.  And we got it, mostly.  As long as you don't mind paying $17 for sunblock.

Honestly, I didn't love Mexico.  It makes me sad to even say that but it's true.  Our mistake was choosing resort towns - and Mexico does a resort town like nowhere else.  Every ten steps it's, "Hey lady, buy my stuff, hey lady, take a picture with the monkey, hey lady, Cuban cigars?"  I understand the social implications of this but frankly it's exhausting.  And ignoring them makes me feel mean.

We did lots of great things, of course.  We snorkeled the reefs and in two cenotes (underground caves), enjoyed the sun and waves and danced under the stars.  We had our most fun time... at Margaritaville.  You know I'm not kidding!  (Since we don't have chains in SF, it's actually kinda fun for us.  How lame!)

Playa del Carmen and Cancun are more expensive than America.  The beaches are gorgeous and the water is crystal blue, so maybe it's worth more money.  But the Mexican food is terribly average - how is that possible?!  I dreamed of Taqueria Cancun at 19th & Mission the whole time.  Sad panda.  The list goes on, but who cares.  We made the vacation fun, got tan and enjoyed ourselves.  But next time it's Hawaii.

Feed Me: Adventures in Curry

Everyone should date a chef.  Simple dinners turn into fantastic treats that don't require leaving the house!  Last night I made yellow curry (with bottled sauce!), which I thought was pretty good.  Justin was less impressed, and made a different, more creative and infinitely better version tonight.  I would pout, but I'm too full.

Justin's Yellow Curry (no rice necessary)

• yellow curry powder (preferably bulk, not jar)
• water
• tofu
• onion
• potato
• peas
• garlic
  

There's no measuring!  He just estimates the amounts as he goes along.  It's like science without the math.

• Cut up all your ingredients
• Make fairly small (1 inch square) pieces of potato, as they take the longest to cook
• Heat a frying pan, then heat a little olive oil in the pan
• Saute the ingredients for about 10 minutes, till hot
• In second, larger/deeper pan, heat approx 1 cup of water
• (You can use milk or cream, but this gets pretty thick with just the potatoes)
  
• Add yellow curry paste to water, to taste
• Add sauted ingredients to curry mixture
• Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer
• Simmer approximately 25 minutes
• Stir occassionally, and don't get your ingredients stick to the pan
• As liquid in pan absorbs, add some water to keep simmer going
• Test potatoes - fork should go through very easily
• Plate & serve, delicious with naan!

I ate it all before I thought to take a picture.  It's too much pressure anyway!  Just taste it all along.  I suggest watching Food Network's 'Worst Cooks in America' while you cook - you could never be this bad.  You'll be inspired by your own greatness, as you sit down to some really impressive curry.

brand new same old you

Happy New Year! We had a fun, low key night and were home at 11:50 PM.  That's what the old folks do!  Haha, we had a really good time and I'm starting the year feeling great.  Plus the Winter Classic is on, so I'm watching them play outdoor hockey at Fenway Park.

I had a really good 2009, so I'm a little sad to see it go!  I also accomplished many of my resolutions - getting my finances in order, starting Spanish class, hitting the gym, wearing my hair curly - that I'm having trouble coming up with any for this year! A few have come to mind:

1) Visit Hawaii - Only people from the West Coast go to Hawaii.  If I ever leave, I will have missed my chance.  So I'm putting it on the list.

2) Practice Spanish - Turns out I've forgotten how to do homework.  Maybe I can get an internship ordering in every Mexican restaurant in the Mission.

3) Wear all my clothes - If I don't wear something, give it away.  What is some of this stuff?!

4) Visit home more often - Too bad my parents don't live in Hawaii!  But we are meeting in Florida, that counds.

5) Plan a big trip - I don't have to take the trip this year, but I want to decide on my next destination and get the plan in action.