Cuban Flavour – FRESH!
October 3, 2010
On my Life from Scratch journey Mexico was rest. Belize, recreation. And Cuba? Rebellion? Revolution? Nope. Resolution. Resolved to find
On my Life from Scratch journey Mexico was rest. Belize, recreation. And Cuba? Rebellion? Revolution? Nope. Resolution. Resolved to find
Chef in Profile: Executive Chef, Silvano Cruz – Sol Cayo Largo, Cuba
On the shores of Cuba’s Cayo Largo de Sur – a tiny island in the Caribbean off the south west coast of Cuba – stretch miles of sandy white beaches. A haven to tourists; I was warned, “if you‘re offended by nudity, this is not a place for you”.
The sun is thin, rising behind the mountains to the east that are the ridgeback of Roatan, a 40 mile stretch of land surrounded by reefs. The home beach – West Bay Beach is a sunset beach, shaded by the mountain in the early morning, it makes it a cool walk, swim or… run. It has been my practice for the last two weeks to go to the beach as the sun comes up and… move.
A trip to Belize is not a short jaunt from Canada no matter which side of the country you live on. Despite being just south of Mexico, flight fares are steep and options are few. Until one day a well traveled friend suggested looking at this trip from a different direction. Pick up a cheap flight into Cancun and then book a regional flight from Cancun into Belize City. Genius.
Tourists lounge by the pool. Taut nubile bodies in high-cut bottoms and slack pale bodies with no right to “Speedo”. Bless Brazilian women. Bless European men. He strides by with the same confidence as she – her naked, round rear half exposed in the sun… him… flashing as he walks.
It smells good. No, strike that, it does not smell good, it smells fantastic. With a kitchen this creative and ingredients this pure, the Wooden Monkey thrills the senses from the moment you walk through the door.
The cafe bustles, three tables seem to overwhelm the staff and proprietor. Content, I wait and ponder the couple across the aisle. She smiles at him like a lover. He looks at her like a meal ticket.
It’s hammock time. Swinging in the breeze, on the atolls off Belize in the heat of midday, a rhythm finds me.
Living on Mexico time. To be honest, I’m more than comfortable with ‘relaxed’. The heat and humidity fill me, wandering, completely without purpose, soaking in small town Mexico on the Mayan Riviera. It’s easy to be enchanted by Puerto Morelos.
I once had a house… a big red house. Something simple… ten bedrooms… twelve bathrooms. Perfect… for well, just little ol’ me.
Hi, I’m Cori.
Nice to meet you!
Food professional and former innkeeper, this is where I play with food. I believe food (and LIFE) doesn’t have to be complicated, to be good.
Pro shortcuts, and easy, delicious recipes that help to save you time and money. Plus a few juicy life bits to make your world go ’round.
Live your DELICIOUS life.