Winter just started in this part of the world.A couple of days ago we went to collect some pine cones for the fireplace.Not only we found plenty of them but we were also very lucky and we found some wild mushrooms. I believe they are Pine Mushrooms, Hongos de Pino locals called them; they were right under at the bottom of a pine tree. I had them at home for a couple of days, Google them over and over, but I was afraid to eat them. What if I’m wrong and they are poisonous?Well…I guess they we... Read Full Story

I have not been good at blogging this past month.Actually I have not been good at anything.I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.This morning I woke up and it was kind of cold and cloudy. I made coffee, brought it back to bed, turn on my laptop and started catching up on Google Reader where I keep track of all my favorite blogs, I haven’t check them out in almost a month.To my surprise I wasn’t that behind. As I start reading I notice that I’m not the only onewithout energy or lack of inspiratio... Read Full Story

Why is it that we always want what we don't have?When I was in the US, I used to make a two hour drive trip to go to a small grocery store that carried Argentine food.I would come back home with tons of tapas de empanadas, masa de tarta and what ever goodies I could find.When I was in Argentina, I was searching through China Town all the oriental markets trying to find oyster sauce, fish sauce, red and green curry, sesame oil, etc...Now, in Brazil, I find myself searching for Mexican food... Read Full Story

Here in Brazil it is very common to have restaurants that sell food by the pound (kilo actually).It is a buffet, but instead of eating “All you can eat style”, you help your self to what ever you want and then they weight your plate. Yes, ½ a pound of mashed potatoes has the same price as ½ a pound of tenderloin. I’m sure it works because they are very popular.My favorite so far are two restaurants, one called Central and a Sushi bar called POKURO.Central has been in business for years. The ... Read Full Story

When I was a child, a few decades ago, there were some foods that really did not like.Some of them where my mom’s favorites and I so wanted to please her that I would eat them any way, swallow them whole not to taste them, and tell her I love them.Crazy!!!One of those foods where mushrooms. I remember summers by the beach and my mother running out after a rain storm to see if there were any wild mushrooms around.She could always find them and inevitably end up in an omelette.At some point in ... Read Full Story

I don’t even know what happened in December 08, in between traveling and holidays I’ve lost the entire month.Now things are back to normal ( well…my normal might not be that normal) and I’m happily catching up with life.I received the New Year in South America and I have to admit I really love the feeling of starting the year during summer time.What I liked the most was the way people wished you a happy new year; you feel that they really meant it. While they hold you they look at you in the... Read Full Story

I lived in the mountains away from the sea for way to many years.I do not love cold weather but I do enjoy skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing; my biggest complaint was the lack of fresh seafood. On top of that the little seafood we get is extremely expensive.Since I arrived to Brazil I can’t stop eating raw Oysters.They are so fresh and sweet. I like the smaller ones, not because of difference in taste but I think Oysters should be a one-bite affairWalking to a bar on the beach and enjoying... Read Full Story

Food, food, food. A few days ago I was chatting with my cousin on line and he asked me: “What are you doing?”“Not much” I answered, since I just woke up and I was enjoying my cup of super-strong coffee.“Come over” he replied.“Over to Brazil?”I asked, thinking maybe the coffee wasn’t as strong as I thought.“Yes” he said.“Ok” I answered. I finished my coffee, grabbed my little red bag, threw in 2 bikinis, a pair of flip flops, a couple of sun dresses and my camera; and left. Twenty six hours la... Read Full Story

I have been tagged...By Ilva from Lucullian Delight to tell six random things about me:· I am 42 years old and I still do not know what I would like to do when I grow up.· When the sun touches my face I get an instant smile.· My grandfather died when I was 5 years old, but in those few years he left me with enough happy memories for a life time· I have seen the movie Under the Tuscan Sun over 100 times and I never get tired of it.· I do not care much ... Read Full Story

Good friends, good food; can you think of a better combination?We had a fun Paella night and a mouthwatering barbecue.We traveled a little around the province.Drove through “El Trapiche”, such I nice community, I definitely want to go back and spend some time there.We stopped for lunch at El Hotel Potrero by a beautiful lake in “El Potrero de los Funes”great service and a very nice meal.Then continued our drive to “La Carolina” , a very small gold mining town with population 250. The end of o... Read Full Story