DRIVEN TO COOKING... How TicoFUSION(tm) flourished

I always loved to cook. And I have a discerning palette. And, because I have traveled around the globe many times, I have experienced the best that world cuisine has to offer. And, I get bored easily with many things including the meals I eat.

Here we are in the middle of a Costa Rican Jungle, in a quiet town by the Sea. There are a few restaurants, and only a handful of good ones. So, out of desperation and combined with my love for cooking, and my general creativity in all that I do...I have created such delightful and curiously interesting recipes. They are so yummy good I would like to share it with all! Buen provecho.

RECIPE: coconut sherbet

I googled "recipe for coconut sherbet from a fresh coconut". This was the one I chose because it uses fresh coconuts, rather than canned ingredients!

Fresh Coconut & Cachaça Sorbet

http://ceramiccanvas.com/2009/05/fresh-coconut-cachaca-sorbet/
The sorbet is light, refreshing and not too sweet. No one will be able to name the hit of cachaça – they’ll just notice something different that they can’t quite put their finger on.
2 coconuts (apprx. 2 lbs each – see yield notes below)
1 cup water
1 gelatin pack
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup syrup
1.5 oz Cachaça
½ tsp lime juice

Carefully carve out the flesh in chunks. Using a coarse grater, shred the flesh of one coconut (should yield about 2 cups in shredded coconut). Set shredded coconut aside.

Mix milk, water, gelatin in med saucepan and let stand until gelatin has dissolved (about 5 minutes). Add sugar, syrup and ¾ cup of the shredded coconut. Bring mixture to a boil just to dissolve the sugar. Stir, take off heat and let coconut steep, covered, for 25 minutes.

Stir in Cachaça and lime juice. After the mixture has completely cooled, freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instruction.

Meanwhile, dry toast the remaining cup of shredded coconut in a nonstick pan over medium heat, stirring periodically until the flakes are golden brown (about 7 minutes).

Yield Notes: One 2 lb coconut yields about 1cup liquid & 2 cups shredded coconut

"what is Cachaça?":
http://cocktails.about.com/od/spirits/p/cachaca_profile.htm
Cachaça (pronounced kah-SHAH-sah) is a distilled spirit from Brazil that is in a class of it's own but it is often associated with rum. The difference is that cachaça is made from sugar cane juice where rum uses molasses.

"are Cachaca and cacique the same?" "difference between Cachaca and cacique?"
http://www.ehow.com/info_8608377_liquors-made-sugar-cane.html

Cachaca: It is a clear liquor, distilled from sugar cane juice

Guaro: Guaro is a Costa Rican cane spirit. It is also distilled from sugar cane juice rather than molasses. Its flavor is very neutral, and in practical terms it is more a cane-based vodka than a rum. 

==================
A more general google search gave me these but they use canned ingredients:

Ming's Perfectly Simple Coconut Sorbet

needs an ice cream maker which I don't have...not so simple after all.
http://www.food.com/recipe/mings-perfectly-simple-coconut-sorbet-170147

Pineapple Coconut Sherbet

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/pineapple-coconut-sherbet-687740/

• Ming's Perfectly Simple Coconut Sorbet

  2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
• 1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. 1
   In a medium saucepan, combine the ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved.
2. 2
   Remove from heat, cool, then refrigerate until fully chilled.
3. 3
   Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/mings-perfectly-simple-coconut-sorbet-170147#ixzz1i7kz494E

Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Burger in the Jungle

I started with this recipe for "Waikiki 'ahi (Tuna Steak) Sandwich":
http://www.instructables.com/id/Waikiki-ahi-Tuna-Steak-Sandwich/?ALLSTEPS

The sauce/dressing was what I was mostly looking for ideas for.
1/8 ONION, sliced, halved 
1 teaspoon SOY SAUCE (SHOYU) 
2 heaped teaspoon MAYONNAISE 
WASABI to taste (see Note [2]) 
We didn't have lettuce, so I needed to substitute w/ finely shredded Cabbage. NOTE: Lettuce is not in season at this time...we don't see very many, and what we see is wilted. The high-end supermercados do sell them at 3 times the normal price of the farmer's market. 


2. Combine the wasabi and mayonnaise in a small dish, set aside. 
4. Cook onions on flat plate with 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce (shoyu). When almost ready (soft), add further 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce (shoyu).
5. Whilst onions are cooking, place bun halves face down on BBQ until toasted. ...I cooked Italian / french bread in olive oil. Or substitute with a tortilla and make a wrap!


Variations:
(1) THAI SWEET CHILLI SAUCE instead of wasabi in the mayonnaise.
(2) Place a slice of TASTY CHEESE on tuna after the first turn.
(3) Add sliced TOMATO along with the lettuce.
(4) Pre-marinate tuna in GINGER-SOY or TERYAKI marinade.
(5) Add a PINEAPPLE ring (grilled also, if preferred). 

RECIPE: Double French Toast con Pina

Cook 2 slices of bread as you would normally do for French Toast. I prefer to slice a French bread.
On one slice, spread softened cream cheese.
On the other slice, spread Pineapple Jam to make it TicoFUSION.
Put slices together with cream cheese & Pineapple Jam on the inside.
Sprinkle confectioner sugar on top.
Bake at 300 for 15 minutes or until the cream cheese melts inside.
Serve with Maple syrup. I like to use the one from my friend's farm in Vermont :-)
Eat with TicoFUSION coffee (that's another post for another day!)

MENU: Tamarind Pork Roast, baked Platanos, sauteed Chayote garlic, brown rice

Tamarind Pork Roast

• Marinate roast in tamarind sauce for 24 hours (see other recipe, and I added ginger & garlic)
• Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

baked Platanos

sauteed Chayote garlic

brown rice

MENU: Romaine salad with Tostadas and melted cheese

TICOfusion is about substituting ingredients when the required ingredient is hard to find, and/or you get an exquisite local alternative for an interesting taste-experience.

Romaine salad w/ Caesar dressing, olives, red onions, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese

Substitute the croutons with:
Milpa Real Tostadas (fried or bakes whole corn tortillas), grated white tipico cheese, baked until cheese is slightly browned.

ENJOY!

MENU: Masaman Curry w/ Chicken, brown rice, salad w/ Ginger Lemongrass dressing

Thai-inspired
Masaman Curry w/ Chicken

• Aroy-D Masaman Curry Paste
• Carrots, potatoes, yellow onion
• Tamarind juice, coconut milk, fish sauce

Brown rice

Salad w/ Ginger Lemongrass dressing

• Ginger/lemongrass/sugar w/ olive oil & balsamic vinegar
• Green lettuce, cucumber, red onion, tomato

Iced darjeeling tea

MEAL: Grouper Parmesan, Parmesan Pesto Pasta, Salad w/ basil, Carrot cake w/ cream cheese toppingg

RECIPE: Tortilla Bruschette

Combine then set aside:
Diced garlic
tomato
Fresh basil thinly cut
1 TB olive oil

Bake the following on 325 until browned on top:
Monteverde White Cheese Tipo, grated and on top of
Flour Tortilla

Right before eating, put tomato garlic basil mixture on top of tortilla w/ melted cheese.

ENJOY!

RECIPES for guanabana

I googled "recipes for guanabana"

Shake: http://www.meals.com/Recipes/Guanbana-Shake.aspx?recipeid=122273

Margarita: http://www.examiner.com/tequila-in-national/guan-bana-passion-cocktail-recipe-the-jumex-healthy-margarita

Mojito: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=220143

MENU Tom Kha Gai

Use the packet I vought in Ranch 99, San Francisco
Add:

• Use 1.5 cups each: chicken broth and coconut milk
• Boil in broth first: FRESH! Lemongrass, cut 1-inch long so that you don't accidently eat it, big enough to spot and take out easily
• Then add coconut milk and bring to a boil
• Whole canned mushrooms but in halves for bite-size
• Diced yellow onions
• Sliced carrots
• Several slivers of chili dulce

Add cilantro right before serving

MEAL: ThaiRica ...4-ANT DIfficulty-level

• Chicken Satay w/ Peanut Sauce
• Tom Kha Gai Soup
• Rice noodles in shrimp seasoning and fish sauce, add cabbage & red onion in the last few minutes of cooking, then topped with cilantro.
• Iced green-tea

This is a 4-ANT Difficulty-level because there's prep ahead of time, an a lot of chopping, stirring to make sure it doesn't get burned.

JUICE PAIRING

Cas + Guacamole & Chips: Cas is limy

RESTAURANT REVIEW: El Avion, Manuel Antonio

3-Toucans
www.elavion.net
506-2777-3378

Really nice view for a happy hour drink to watch the suncent

RECIPE: Grouper with Pecan Mustard crunch

RECIPE: Adobo Pork with garlic and oil

A Filipino favorite cooked with a bit of Tico flavor

MEAL: BBQ Chicken + baked potato + Brownie

RECIPE: Caldillo de Congrio

We had Congrio for the first time at the Tabacon restaurant.


I googled "recipes for congrio"

• Chilean Recipe: http://chileanrecipe.com/fish-with-tomatoes-and-onions-congrio-en-fuente-de-barro/
• foodnetwork: http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Main/Eggs-Dairy/recipe.html?dishid=4696

RECIPE Greek Salad

I googled "Greek Salad"

• allrecipes.com: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/greek-salad-i/detail.aspx

RECIPE: Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce & Cucumber salad

I googled "Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce"

• foodnetwork.com: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/chicken-satay-with-peanut-sauce-recipe/index.html
• allrecipes.com: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/satay-sauce/detail.aspx

I googled "Thai cucumber onion sauce for satay"

• waitrose.com: http://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/c/chicken_satay_with_thai_cucumber_salad.html

DRINK: Guaro, Costa Rica's National Drink

Guaro-based mixed drinks usually consist of pouring a shot or two into a glass of Fresca and ice. That’s how most Costa Ricans prefer it. It also mixes well with other tangy soft drinks like Coke and fruit juices. I like it in a Mojito. Similar to other Central American versions. Limes are chopped up with sugar; guaro is added and the concoction is than poured over ice.




I googled "recipe for guaro"

• guaroliquor: http://www.guaroliquor.com/recipes/index.php
• explorecostarica: http://www.explorecostarica.com/newsmanager/publish/Costa_Rica_s_National_Drink_Guaro.shtml

TicoFUSION brand of foods is born!

TicoFUSION foods:
Which is better?
OPTION 1: Interestingly delightful foods for the discerning palette.
OPTION 2: Curiously delightful foods for the discerning palette.

HEALTH: Health benefits of Papaya - Papaya Sweet Answer to our Well Being and Health

I googled "health benefits of papaya"

• healthblogtips: http://www.healthblogtips.com/infamous-papaya-health-benefits
• dietary fiber
• vitamins and minerals. It is high in carotenes, antioxidants, flavonoids, and low in sodium. It’s also great for weight control because it is very low in calories; only about 39 calories in a 3.5 ounce serving.
• traditionaloven.com - Papaya Sweet Answer to our Well Being and Health: http://www.traditionaloven.com/articles/124/papaya-sweet-pawpaw-answer-to-well-being-and-health
• Papaya fruit is and excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, C and E. 
• It also contains small amount of calcium, iron, riboflavin, thiamine and niacine.
• It is also very rich in antioxidant nutrients flavonoids and carotenes, very high in vitamin C plus A, and low in calories and sodium.

RECIPE: Marinated chicken on pasta

• Marinate skinless, boneless with 1 packet of Knorr seasoning Completo with cebolla & chili dulce, 5 TB extra virgin olive oil
• Boil pasta before it's too cooked then set aside
• Fry chicken with oil it was marinated in, diced garlic & canned mushrooms
• Put in butter & mushroom soup
• Put in pasta & a bit of white wine
• Serve with Parmesan cheese
• Chayote on the side

I googled "Marinated chicken on pasta"

• AllRecipes: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/marinated-chicken-and-pasta-salad/detail.aspx
• AllRecipes Pesto: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/pesto-pasta-with-chicken/detail.aspx
• Cooks.com: http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,chicken_marinade_pasta,FF.html

Lots of recipes...I didn't use any...I got bored looking. A confused mind does not buy ;-)

MEAL: Roast Chicken, Broccoli

• Roast Chicken - Mom-sy taught me this
• Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/parmesan-roasted-broccoli-recipe/index.html I did it a bit differently where I use 1/4 cup olive oil mixed with the garlic, salt & pepper, and that's what I tossed over the broccoli
• Rice and or salad

I did not realize broccoli is America's healthiest vegetable?!?

REFLECTIONS: TICOfusion is evolving into fusing world cuisine

When TICOfusion was born, I had it in my mind to take popular Tico dishes and modify them to include dishes I've had in the US or while travelling the world. Tico dishes are quite simple, and I was missing the varied dining experiences I had so easily in San Francisco.

Almost a year later, I've ran out of Tico dishes to fuse and I am getting bored! So, TICOfusion has evolved into fusing world cuisine. Now you will see recipes & meal suggestions with a lot of influence from my Filipino and Spanish upbringing. You will also get a peak into some of the dining experiences we've had as we traveled around the globe sans Tico food.

Some of our memorable dining experiences:

• Court of 2 sisters, New Orleans before Katrina hit (we've been back after Katrina & it was somehow different...perhaps we felt the sadness that still lingers).
• Some restaurant in a moder building with a view of the Eiffel Tower, Paris
• Another restaurant in the Latin Quarter, Paris - looking for the name.
• Highlands Inn, Carmel - the Tapas were great
• The Boulevard, San Francisco
• Prime Rib at the Hilton at SFO - sorry it's now gone after they expanded the International terminal
• Lena's in Bora Bora
• More coming on this list

Bon Appetit! http://www.bonappetit.com/
world cuisine recipes: http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/world-cuisine/main.aspx

MEAL: Tamarind Chicken & Pancit

Tamarind Chicken
Filipino Pancit

-Coffee-

MEAL: Tamarind Pork, Chayote, Beans, Rice

Tamarind Pork inspired by the Indonesian Restaurant in San Rafael CA

Chayote sauted in olive oil & garlic

Black Beans

Brown Rice

Freezing Cheeses

I have yet to find a grocery store here that sells fresh Gorgonzola cheese. We found it in a Jaco Supermarket catering to tourists, but the cheese was so ripe. There are limited choices to fresh cheese in the Jungle, and it is also very expensive.

Our solution is to buy a lot in Panama, and freeze some to enjoy for many weeks after the trip.

BEST PRACTICE: Before freezing cheese, first try it on a little bit to see if it freezes well, and does not compromise the texture after it is thawed.

• Gruyère passes the freeze/thaw/texture test
• Cheddar is okay to freeze but becomes crumbly when thawed making it hard to shred. So, shred what you want before freezing.
• Swiss - still frozen and in the middle of testing
• Feta TBD
• Edam - still frozen and in the middle of testing

Sauce Packets are a great solution to lack of choices

Living in the Jungle has some limitations. There is a limited number of good ethnic restaurants, or just fine dining. There are also a limited choices of products one can buy in a Supermercado. Large Supermercados that offer products one is used to finding in a Safeway or Whole Foods / Molly Stones are far away, and they are expensive. This is why I started cooking my own meals - from scratch!

Well, not everything is from scratch. I try to use Sauce Packets for an easy way to get some familiar menus. For example, I like to use:

• McCormick Chili powder
• Simple Asia, Sesame Teriyaki marinade

I do have to buy these in the US. I am now looking for more pre-made sauce packets I can add to the shopping list for trips back to the US!

RECIPE: Mexican Straw Hat with Chili Seasoning Mix

This a a variation of a very easy dish.

• Cook spaghetti sauce from scratch. Ragu or other bottled sauces are three times as expensive than the US, the choices are limited, and why not use really yummy fresh and cheap tomatoes (when they are in season, which is not during the very wet months of September - October).
• McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix: you'll need to buy this in the US, Panama, or some grocery store that caters to Americans.
• Cheddar Cheese
• Sabemas "Hojuelas de Maiz, Sabor a Barbacoa" instead of Fritos Corn Chips. Barbacoa is BBQ flavor and it works well.

McCormick: http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes.aspx

How to Stay HYDRATED, put a bit of lime in your water

I hear that if you drink too much water, it washes away some good stuff in your body, like the Vitamins you drank...I know this sounds really technical, but I'm going off memory and hearsay.
I learned a trick to stay hydrated without having to drink too much water, when I was public speaking it was hard to go to the toilet a lot due to too much water.

Put a bit of lime in your water to stay hydrated and not have to drink too much.

I googled "How to Stay HYDRATED" and found this good site:
plasticsinfo.org:
http://www.plasticsinfo.org/Main-Menu/Healthy-Lifestyle/How-to-Stay-Hydrated.html

I googled "public speaking best practices" and found this good site:
lifehacker.com:
http://lifehacker.com/161531/public-speaking-dos-and-donts

A bit of history and a CELEBRATION!

My Grandmother Abuelita passed this weekend. I remember the Sunday feasts that Abuelita would cook for us. She loved to cook, and cook delicious meals she did. This is the perfect weekend to start this TICOfusion Blog to celebrate Abuelita!

I am also celebrating Abuelita's daughter, Mom-sy. Mom-sy loves to cook, and cook delicious meals she does. She taught me a lot great cooking techniques, and you will see that reflected in some of my creations. Mom-sy's passion for cooking has inspired me to cook.

My passion for cooking & eating healthy creative meals is the inspiration for TICOfusion!

ENJOY...Buen Provecho.