A lovely day in Bahia

5 September 2007

In Salvador, Bahia, just met up with my buddy Captain Ron (yes, he is really named Capt. Ron – LOL). Ron has a slight problem. He is stuck in Salvador. Does not speak the language. Has a beautiful Catamaran that he needs to deliver to South Africa. But he has to wait for at least two more weeks for another mate to arrive and a part. What do we do?

Let’s take a trip.

1^st thing – go shopping. Need to buy supplies. We strike a deal with my buddy – Ron! He sails. We buy the stock and chip in for any gas. In addition, I COOK. He has already tasted my cooking and is keen on having some REAL food instead of eating out every night and suffering to order (in Portuguese).

So I am off – Shopping in Perini (www.perini.com.br) Great place. Looking for what will go well on a boat for a day or two trip. Get some breads, cheeses, cold cuts (a must Mortadella). What do you know they actually have something from back home – BACON, I mean real bacon must buy! Get some fresh Seafood (fish - Dorado / Mahi Mahi and Tuna, plus shrimps!). Load up on fresh herbs, I find rosemary, garlic chives, basil, cilantro and dill. Need eggs and just other stuff - filler –rice, pasta, polenta. Plus don’t forget the must haves for the morning while traveling with anyone an assortment of salgados (empanadas, tortas, etc.) and pastries.

Don’t forget liquor, beer, juice, water and ice! Take everything to the boat pack the coolers. Take out a Picanha (Rump Roast) set it to marinate in garlic, beer and a little Guarana (Brazilian 7-up). That will be tomorrow night’s dinner. The beer is in the cooler on ice. We are all set ready to travel tomorrow.

Let’s get going.

It is now tomorrow morning. Leave the apartment early. Pick up some more ice and get ready to sail. One problem! It is raining. Are we going to sail in the rain? So there is an immediate remedy – old fashion American Breakfast with a twist – cooking for 8 Hungry persons.

Bloody Mary

-

I told you – we got Vodka – In Brasil – Smirnoff is some of the best priced Alcohol you can buy.

- Everything should be made to taste. My guests are seasoned partiers and getting ready to enjoy a couple of days on this lovely boat.

- Liter of Vodka

- Tomato Juice

- Ground Pepper (hard to find in Brazil, not really used).

- Salt

- Scallions.

- Worcestershire Sauce.

- Tabasco Sauce.

- Celery.

o I use a 3 – 2 ratio for mixing. 3 Parts Tomato Juice to 2 parts Vodka. Over Ice in a pitcher. Stir add in salt (should not need a lot), pepper, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and chopped scallions and celery (finely chopped).

- Pour for your guest while they are waiting on breakfast. Got to keep them happy.

Wally’s Hash Browns

- Dice your potatoes and place them in a large non-stick skillet. With Olive Oil, salt and pepper.

- Now dice an onion and bell pepper.

- Finely chop Leeks (if you can find them – we did)

- In addition, a roasted mild pepper – I found a Poblano-like pepper already roasted. Chopped it fine.

- Place all ingredients in a pan to sauté separate from the potatoes.

- Now in concert – the potatoes should be browning and the other ingredients should be ready to combine. Does not really matter which pan to which.

- I like to take the onions, etc to the potatoes.

- Now that they are together add Bay Leaf, one cup of water and cover. Let simmer for 15-30 minutes on low heat –constantly stirring.

- You want the texture to be almost close to mash. Let the water dissipate. Now add a dash of olive oil. Uncover and let the bottom brown (I like almost burnt). Now these are Wally’s Hash Browns.

Spicy Scrambled Eggs with Cheese and Chives.

- Easy

- Of course we are serving these with Bacon and Bread

o Place the Bacon in non-stick pan to cook. Make sure you regulate the heat. At least 2 – 3 strips per person.

o Place the bread – we had loafs in the oven on low heat to warm.

- Crack Eggs (2 – 3 per person) beat until thoroughly mixed. I like it to be almost like a batter. If you have a processor, not a bad usage for a lot of eggs – but I am old fashion – we did not even have a whisk – used a fork.

- Add salt, pepper, and dry seasonings (had garlic powder and Italian seasoning). Also a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce (I can never say that word).

- Beat it well. Let sit in the Refrigerator.

- Heat a non-stick pan (the largest you can find)

- Chop some Onions (I prefer Shallots, if I can find them, if not Red).

- Put them to sauté. Once translucent and soft, turn down the heat. Add some of the cheese (I found provolone and a white Brazilian cheese – queijo mineira - mild and creamy). Let it start to melt. I like to add a ¼ cup of milk. Make makes almost a cheese sauce at this point, lets’ add the eggs. Slowly stirring and folding the eggs, until creamy and soft now time to add the rest of the cheese (to your liking – I like CHEESY Eggs) and the chives (of course chopped).

- Your Eggs are ready to serve.

Sit everyone down! The sun is coming up. Almost time to Sail! Hope everyone likes it.

What a dreary day!!! - Good day to cook

Sitting at home. Working wondering why the hell am I going to start a crazy 3 weeks of travel. I needed to address a couple of things:

- BILLS - Paid what I could the rest will get done!
- WEIGHT - Fatso that I am got my but on the treadmill, ever since I moved to the Miami, I did not get the Sexy South Beach Look, I got the Fatso Beached Whale Look!!!!!!! Need to get my but moving. Got on the Treadmill. Did 45 minutes.

and now it's time to take care of my personal side - the SOUL! What is the best thing for the soul - FOOD - Actually cooking!!!! As many of my friends know and those of you that participate in EGTV (www.everydayguy.tv) will learn, I love to cook!

My favourite thing to do is "Clean out " the refrigerator - some of you may have the same issue I have, live with someone that buys vegetables and never cooks them (or over cooks them). So part of today's menu is just that! Let's see Mushrooms, Onions, Celery, Apples, Feta Cheese, Bacon, Chicken, Lettuce, Apple Juice, Garlic

What can I make?

- Soup
Take 4 stalks of Celery, half a onion (prefer spanish), one Apple, 2 strips of Bacon - Slice them thin. Put it in a soup pot with with Olive Oil, a pinch of salt, pepper to taste (I like it) and assorted herbs (use fresh if you have them, if not, dried) - used oregano, basil and sage. - plus a dash of nutmeg.

let them sautee in the pot for about 5-10 minutes on med-high heat don't let burn just soften, add 1/4 stick of butter and now the mushrooms sliced. Give it about another 5 minutes. Constantly stirring, add olive oil, if necessary so not to burn. If you have it, take a potato masher and mash everything together. Stir in 1/4 cup of flour (or I like arrowroot). It will look like a thick paste, dark roux!

Now add one bay leaf, and liquid - if you are chique and have a stock (beef, chicken or vegetable) add it to cover, should be ttwice the size of the rough, (I don't know - guestimate it!!!) cover, on low-medium heat for 30 minutes. When it comes to a boil, turn off the heat, stir in a half a cup of milk (or heavy cream is better but more fattening).

We are almost done. You can serve it like this or - I like to take my scoop and take out any remaining solids plus half the liquid put it in a blender and blend it.

Add it back to the remaining soup. You have a great soup for a chilly, dreary day. Note - if you have a little Truffle, Chive or Chili oil - it will go well on top.

Serve with croutons, toast or even your favorite grated cheese!

- Chicken Stuffed Mushrooms.

This is a pretty easy dish.

Heat a Non-Stick Pan that you can put in an Oven and cover. (Preheat oven to 375)

Take the Chicken (breast) and butterfly it (sliced). Season with salt, pepper, allspice (or nutmeg).
take the sliced mushroom, feta cheese chop coarsely together. Stuff breast. Close. take 3 - 4 strips of bacon and wrap.

Olive oil in pan. Place the breast in pan. Let them brown on each side. Let the bacon seal of the breast and get brown. Now add the Garlic and a cup of Apple Juice to the pan. Cover it. Put it in the oven. 15-30 minutes. You should be GOOD!

Take it out.

Remove from the liquid. Let sit.

Prepare plate with Lettuce, (great if you could slice some onions and tomatoes).

Slice breast on a diagonal. Serve on top of lettuce.

Now I feel better!!!!!!!!!!!