Cooking Like a Local

On June 15, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn morocco, Photo Challenge2 Comments

Not only are there a lot of different styles and tastes of food around the world, but there are also a wide variety of cooking styles. It isn’t always easy to find the proper cooking utensils or replicate the cooking techniques, but we try our best. We also look for opportunities to buy local cookware while we are traveling, if possible. When we were in Morocco, we looked for and found a tajine in the markets. There were definitely plenty to choose from and it is as decorative as it is functional. We would have loved to have purchased a set of dishes while we were there as well, but it is hard to bring that much home with you on such a long trip. On that same trip, we had a day layover in Zurich, Switzerland, and went out for an authentic fondue meal and came close to buying a fondue pot from the restaurant since they sold them, but decided that we could get that at home. This week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge is Dishes, Pots, Pans, Silverware, so here are a couple of photos from the market in Morocco.

Finally, here is a photo from our dinner in Zurich.

Old Bay Deviled Eggs

On March 23, 2016March 24, 2016 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Recipes6 Comments

Deviled eggs are always a favorite appetizer when we have a party and no matter how many we seem to make, they are always gone before the night is over. Especially this time of year, using boiled eggs to make deviled eggs or egg salad is always a good idea and this recipe takes a slightly different twist on the classic. Old Bay Seasoning is something that is quite common on the east coast, but usually for seafood, so using it with deviled eggs added a unique and unusual flavor. The same recipe can easily be altered to make egg salad sandwiches, simply by chopping the eggs up and mixing in all of the other ingredients.

Ingredients

6 Large Eggs – hard boiled and cooled
2 tbsp Mayonnaise
1/2 Celery Stalk – finely chopped
1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 tsp Spicy Brown Mustard
2 to 3 tbsp Milk
Ground Pepper to taste

Instructions

Peel the eggs and cut them lengthwise. Spoon out the yolks and place them in a bowl. Mash the yolks with the backside of a fork and add the mayonnaise, celery, Old Bay, and mustard. Continue to mash the yolks with the ingredients, slowly adding the milk, until it is smooth and creamy. Season the mixture with pepper. With a spoon, fill the yolk cavity in the egg white with about a tablespoon of the yolk mixture. Top with a celery leaf or sprinkle with a tiny bit of Old Bay prior to serving.

Tequila Lime Chicken

On November 4, 2015 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Recipes2 Comments

Perhaps because we’re about to leave for Mexico in a couple of days, we’ve had tequila on the mind. We originally found this recipe from Ina Garten, but we’ve modified it slightly over time. The original recipe calls for boneless chicken breast with the skin on, but we chose to do bone in chicken thighs this time. We’ve also used this recipe on pork tenderloin as well, since it is very versatile and definitely quite tasty. The key is letting the chicken marinate overnight and letting the chicken soak up all of the flavor. Jalapeño corn bread is a great accompaniment or a corn salad goes really nice as well. We hope that you enjoy it.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Tequila (silver or gold)
3/4 cup Lime Juice – fresh squeezed
1/3 cup Orange Juice – fresh squeezed
3/4 tbsp Chili Powder
3/4 tbsp Jalapeño Pepper – freshly minced (seeded if you prefer less heat)
3/4 tbsp Garlic – freshly minced (about 2 cloves)
1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
3/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
4 Chicken Thighs – skin on

Instructions

In a large bowl or measuring cup, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, garlic, jalapeño pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients together. Place the chicken thighs into a shallow pan or baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken so that it covers the chicken thighs. Cover and place in a refrigerator overnight (turning the chicken thighs over occasionally). Heat a grill pan or grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill the chicken thighs, skin side down, until golden brown, approximately 10 – 15 minutes. Flip the thighs, reduce the heat to medium, and continue to grill until cooked through, approximately 10 – 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest at least 5 minutes before serving.