Bahama Mama

Spring Break on Paradise Island! (Well, Mark got a gig there so of course we tagged along). Dining out in the Bahamas is crazy expensive! We did have some great meals, some of which included the local specialty, conch. Shown are conch fritters and conch salad.

One night we tried Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill. The interior was really beautiful and the food was good, but very pricey. 

Our appetizers: smoked chicken and black bean quesadilla with avocado and toasted garlic creme fraiche, and shrimp and roasted garlic corn tamale with cilantro sauce.

                                                                     

                                                                                                                                

Paella for Papa

"Food is our most common ground, a universal experience"- James Beard

We invited my dad up to celebrate his birthday with us. He loves Spain and has traveled there numerous times, so I thought I'd go with a spanish theme and attempt Paella.

I looked at a lot of different recipes but I mostly followed Tyler Florence's recipe.

It turned out really well! Of course I don't have a paella pan but I made it in my big pasta pot. We found big yummy shrimp with the heads still attached. Next time instead of a whole cut up chicken I will use just drumsticks and thighs. There's something for everyone in there so even all of the kids liked it. There's lots of room for improvising too. I'm already thinking of vegetable additions for next time. Then my dad put together a beautiful salad, my brother Rob picked up some lovely spanish wine and we had ourselves a feast.

 We topped it off with a birthday cheesecake with fresh berries.