Tambaqui is a large freshwater fish that can be found in the Amazon basin.  It is considered the best fish you can eat in Manaus. 

The traditional way of preparing it is grilled, and the choice cut are the ribs (costelhas de tambaqui grelhado).  It is served in metal rods similar to those used in Brazilian churrascarias. 

Around 10% of the tambaqui's weight is fat, which gives it a wonderful flavor, similar to that of sea bass.  I had this dish at a restaurant called Canto da Peixada: a non-pretentious restaurant in a nondescript neighborhood, considered to be the best seafood restaurant in Manaus. 

Squeeze some lemon on top of it, and pour some freshly made spicy sauce (molho apimentado) and enjoy it with an ice cold beer.

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Heat one onion (finely diced) and eight garlic cloves (sliced thin) in extra virgin olive oil over medium heat for 15 minutes.  At the same time start boiling whole wheat pasta.  Cut 25-30 white asparagus (they come in 12oz jars and don't need cooking) in one inch pieces and throw in with the onion and garlic.  Slice thin roasted red pimientos (one small can) and add to the mix.  Pour a splash of white wine over the mix and stir with a wooden spoon, scraping the bottom of the pan to release the flavors.  After a minute or two, pour four or five tablespoons of water from the pasta over the mix and correct the seasoning.  Pour some pasta over a large pan and mix with a tablespoon of butter.  Add the mix, add abundant Parmesan cheese and stir well.  Serve immediately.  The sauce should be enough for three servings (add pasta to the sauce little by little, to make sure that each serving has enough sauce).

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Buenos Aires, Argentina.  One thing I like about Argentina is the coffee culture.  Most of the time, when you order an espresso, it will come with a biscotti, a small pastry or a piece of chocolate, plus a small shot glass of iced water.  Perfect.

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Chirimoya is a delicious fruit found in Peru.  They can be the size of a small melon.  I found this orange-sized chirimoyas at my local grocery store selling for a whopping $7 a piece!  I wonder what my friends in Peru would think about this...

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Serious_steak_tag_travel_food.zip (1718 KB)

Walking in Sao Paulo I stumbled upon a steakhouse called Dinho's, and couldn't help but take these pictures of their huge dry-aged ribeye steaks.  I must admit that I didn't have the courage of eating one of those (I stuck to the usual picanha cuts, which were excellent).  On my way out I decided to compliment an older gentleman who seemed to be the owner, since he was walking all over the place making sure that everything was running smoothly.  His name is Fuad Zegaib and I learned that he's been the owner of the place for more than 50 years.  The guy could possibly retire comfortably, but he was there, on a Sunday afternoon, greeting patrons, making conversation and making sure that everything was top notch.  One more example of how passion, commitment and hard work are the most reliable paths to success.

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Cook one large onion (diced) and a tablespoon of minced garlic in four tablespoons of olive oil until golden.  Add a can of tomatoes and cook in high after most of the water has evaporated.  Add two liters (8 cups) of fish or shrimp bouillon and bring to a boil.  Add 1/2 cup of rice and cook until rice is done.  Under medium heat, add 1 can of sweet peas, 1 can of corn, and 2 cans of potatoes, and cook for two minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add four eggs (scrambled) and two pounds of peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for three minutes.  Finally, add 1 pound of white cheese (queso blanco) cut in small squares, and one cup of evaporated milk.  Season with two tablespoons of oregano, and salt to taste.  Serve immediately.

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If you drive South from Miami toward Homestead, and then head west on SW 248th Street, you will find The Fairchild Fams, where you can sample a wide variety of locally grown tropical fruit like mangoes, papaya, jackfruit, tamarind and starfruit, among others.  Keep driving on 248th Street and you will also find Knaus Berry Farm, where hundreds of patrons regularly line up to buy their famed baked products.  A different side of Miami that not many people know, only about 45 minutes away...

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Chasing_the_Latin_Burger_and_T.zip (1722 KB)

Following the latest mobile restaurant trend fueled by social media sites like Twitter, Latin Burger and Taco's black and pink truck moves about Miami, stopping at pre-selected locations for a few hours at a time.  You can find out where the truck is by following @latinburger on Twitter. 

The menu is simple: a burger with spicy mayo, avocado sauce, caramelized onions and Oaxaca cheese, and a trio of tacos: chicken tomatillo, pulled pork and chicken with mole. 

My wife and I met the truck at 27 Ave and US1 today.  My burger was very good, although they forgot to put in the sauce and it could have used more caramelized onions.  My wife's tacos were excellent.  Don't expect fast service, though: the truck's kitchen is small and there is usually a large crowd (it took us 5 minutes to place our order and other 20' to get our food). Bring cash, since they don't take credit cards.

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Some treats from Salvador, including bolinho de bacalhau, small fry, acaraje, sugar cane juice, cravinho (a mix of cachaca with wine and spices) and of course, caipirinha.

           

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Treats_Bahianos_tags_travel_Br.zip (3401 KB)

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