Picadillo [pikaˈðiʎo], means “mince” in Spanish and it is a traditional Latin dish, also popular in the Philippines. Recently, my Filipino friend Marc cooked this delicious dish for us and was kind to share his mom’s recipe, which he modified to create a healthier version. Continue reading “Mom’s Picadillo, only healthier”
One of my most favorite things to eat growing up (and now) is Romanian roasted or grilled eggplant spread. Similar to baba ganoush, we call it “salata de vinete” (“salata” means salad and “vinete” means eggplants). There are many versions of this recipe – some using mayo, some adding chopped onions, but I really prefer it simple. In Romania, we use sunflower oil but I go for a light olive oil instead. If you want to play with the taste some more, use a flavored olive oil (I get mine at Tree and Vine in Knoxville), such as Persian Lime or Rosemary. Continue reading “Salata de Vinete – Grilled Eggplant Spread”
September 22, 2017
Our last few hours before leaving Hydra were spent delightfully. We greeted the day from the rooftop while savoring Greek orange marmalade and a strong cup of coffee, enjoying our resident kitty cat’s soft mews.
September 21, 2017
We greeted our last full day on Hydra island at sunrise from the rooftop. The resident cat came by to visit, while not far away a lady was painting her rooftop terrace by hand.
September 20, 2017
Our third day on the island was a day of total relaxation. It finally hit us that we were on vacation and we used the hottest part of the day to take a long nap. For lunch, we savored a home-made simple and fresh meal: a cucumber, bib lettuce, tomato salad with yogurt, dill, and lemon from the tree in our yard.
In the evening, we walked to the other side of the port and witnessed an enchanting sunset, the perfect background to the opera music playing at the museum on the square. Dinner was fresh fish at Piato. Continue reading “Hydra, Greece (Part 3)”
