CupCakes and CrabLegs: SMA Shorts

How To Tell When It's Done?

Did you know that professionals use touch to gauge doneness?

Touch your index finger to your cheek. When the meat feels this way, the steak is rare.

Touch the tip of your nose. That firmness equates to medium.

Your forehead is well done.

Bon Appetit to whosever nose you are using!

Geek and Coffee

In addition to great coffees and waters, Geek and Coffee has baked goods and even offers a blanket so you can picnic in their own back yard.

One thing I can say about this place: Tranquil and peaceful. It's a great space to write.

Just walk through the red gate at Aurora. It's magic...even the ducks swimming by think so.

The Geeks are on hand to fix your computer, iPad or solve any of your technical problems. Hourly charge is just $250 pesos.

Monday - Wednesday you get a free AM Newspaper with a purchase. AM's office is on the far side of the property.

The Road to Oaxaca:

I took the bus just once - a grueling 7 hour trip - from Mexico City to Oaxaca to experience the hairpin turns and breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

So glad I did but next time: Interjet!

Getting around Oaxaca:

It's true. I have a very poor sense of direction but this handwritten map from my hotel helped me through the first few days.

As always, I walked everywhere. Oaxaca is a great city for walking.

Home Away From Home...

Casa Colonial

Calle Miguel Negrete 105

Just six blocks from downtown and a few blocks from Insurgentes -one of the main streets- this Bed and Breakfast boasts a good AM meal to get you started, no locks on the doors except for the outside door, a great staff and a family of frequent guests. Most are return visitors.

There was an impromptu concert Sunday with hot dogs and hamburgers, Margaritas and a medley of Beatle songs.

I discovered some classic Mexican Folk Art in the beautifully decorated library.

Every room opened up to the lush garden.

Best part of all? $40 US a day.

Mas Mezcal

My favorite Mezcal bar in Oaxaca was Los Amantes at Allende 107.

It's a very tiny bar that does not have tables but rather long benches, miniature chairs and an old wood bar to belly up to.

100-150 pesos a shot.

Serendipity:

My favorite word?

Serendipity...making fortunate discoveries totally by accident.

It also happens to be the way I find most of my favorite restaurants.

Crunch...

Insects are on the menus at many of Mexico's most celebrated restaurants.

Me? I prefer food that won't crawl off my plate.

La Sirena Gorda

Barranca 78

This bar is one of the oldest and most popular bars in San Miguel.

Get cozy because it's really small. I like small.

Don't forget to try a Ginger Margarita. It's one of the best in SMA.

A bargain at 65 pesos.

Camino Silvestre

Barranca 78

Want to grow some fresh herbs?

This little greenhouse is yours if you happen to have an extra 2000 pesos laying around.

Homemade Brine

Here is a brine recipe that can be used to wet or dry brine. I’ve tried it both ways and the results are magnificent.

2 Cups Sea Salt

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Cup White Sugar

2 Tbsp. Lemon Peel

2 Bay Leaves

Dash Cane Sugar

2 Tbsp Orange Peel

2 Tbsp Thyme

2 Tbsp Sage

2 Tbsp Rosemary

2 Tbsp Pink, Green and Black Peppercorns

Combine 3 cups of boiling water to the mixture above. When sugar is dissolved add this to 3 gallons of cold tap water.

Place meat in brine mixture. Refrigerate and brine meat for at least 12 hours.

Do you know: What has more protein than an egg? Dried Pumpkin Seeds

Too Many Carnitas?

You may not like the taste of this drink, but the people who have tried it swear it has helped them lose all those extra pounds. Let me know if you find lemons. Sources are scarce.

1 tbsp apple juice

1 tbsp ground chili pepper

Lemon juice and lemon zest (use 1 lemon)

Peel the lemon, and cover the lemon peel with 8 oz ( 240 milliliters ) of hot water.

After 10 minutes, add some lemon juice, apple juice and ground chili pepper. Stir well before every sip, and consume this drink after every meal.

Korean Tacos

This Taco recipe is from Cooking Light. It's so delicious and easy- a winning combination as far as I'm concerned.

It's been awhile since I've loved a recipe from Cooking Light. Seems like they are back on track as I've tried several in the past week and they were all really good.

This is a great alternative to your traditional Mexican taco. I used flour tortillas instead of corn.

1/3 cup sugar

5 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons chile paste (such as sambal oelek)

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

12 ounces flank steak, sliced against the grain into thin strips (Arrachera)

1/8 teaspoon salt

Cooking spray

8 (6-inch) corn tortillas

Quick Pickled Cabbage

3 tablespoons sliced green onions

Combine first 6 ingredients in a shallow dish. Add steak to dish; cover. Marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour, turning after 30 minutes.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Remove steak from marinade, and discard marinade. Thread steak onto 8 (8-inch) skewers; sprinkle with salt. Place skewers on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 2 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Grill tortillas 30 seconds on each side or until lightly charred; keep warm. Place 2 tortillas on each of 4 plates, and divide steak evenly among tortillas.

Divide the Quick Pickled Cabbage evenly among tacos; sprinkle with onions.

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