Cooking in Guatemala City

Since arriving in Guatemala City I have been exploring my culinary side. Jamie and Elvis have a beautiful home that they have kindly allowed me to move into (and by move into, I mean take over) for two whole weeks! The kitchen is calling my name.

Elvis and I went to the market the first day I was here. I could not believe that after being here for over a year that they had not been to the local farmer's market! Jamie "worries" that the veggies are no good because the water used for the crops is unclean. Seriously? All it took was a devious grin and a little nudge for me to convince Elvis to sneak off to the market for fresh veggies! For those of you who don't know Elvis, this is all it ever takes for me to convince him to do things. Like the time I convinced him that having a margarita and waxing party in my tiny kitchen in Denver was a GREAT idea.

Anyway, back to the cooking. I started small, with making some fantastic (if I do say so myself) asparagus to go with the rest of the left over meal. Tuesday morning I chopped and sliced fresh pina, manzanas, uvas, papayas, kiwis, and naranjas to mix with yogurt, miel, and granola for breakfast. Magically delicious. Then last night, fried plantains for dessert. Thank you Jamie for your assistance, sorry that you still haven't figured out that we are using market fruits and veggies. And tonight I'm kicking it up a notch. I am currently marinading salmon in a honey, lime, pineapple, and whiskey glaze that I made. We will have spinach and ayote with the salmon. Though I have to admit that Elena, our cleaning lady and fearless Guatemalan cultural leader, prepared the ayote. What can I say? I've never seen the gourd in my life before. But now I know how it's done. And with Elena's guidance Elvis and I will make papillon (I'm sure I've spelled this wrong, forgive me) this week as well. I can only assume that this will turn out other worldly.

Oh how I LOVE to eat!! Stay tuned for details of next week's Thanksgiving in Guatemala feast!!