Category Archives: Travel Tales

Cuban Black Bean Soup, La Casa Restaurant Royal Isabela Puerto Rico

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From my cooking class with Executive Chef Jose Carlos Fabregas, the soup was served to hotel guests at dinner! We love cooking classes when we travel, gaining an insight to local cuisine and sharing cultural interactions with the chef. Jose, is barely 25, and besides Executive Chef duties, he is a champion golfer as well, multi-talented! The soup is one of the best Cuban black bean soups I’ve ever enjoyed! Private hands-on classes in the kitchen for you or family.

Sauté in olive oil until limp: 1 bay leaf, 1T cumin, 1T oregano, 4 oz celery, 1 diced large white onion, 1 red pepper diced, 1 green pepper diced, 6 cloves chopped garlic. This combination is known as Sofrito and is the base of many Latin stocks. We snipped oregano from the kitchen garden and added a hot red pepper for heat.

Add 1 pound black beans, 1 T sugar, 2 T tomato paste, 3 c chicken broth, 1/8 c white vinegar, salt and pepper and if you have Adobo spice, add to taste. Simmer until beans are tender. Puree soup in blender. Serve with a garnish of finely chopped red onion and sour cream. You can also add chopped boiled egg white as a garnish.

¡buen provecho!

 Black bean soup

Thoughts on Travel – Living The Dream

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What exactly are we looking for when we travel? What contributes to the joy of travel and what is the best method of achieving the perfect trip?

Ponder a few suggestions when you are sourcing through websites and brochures for your next enticing Journey. We ask many questions, trying to define interests and passions, your ‘must haves’ on each adventure. Share your preferences and dislikes. Added information will increase the depth of your experiences if we are aware of your passions. Do fill out the long client questionnaire!

Living the dream: Don’t wait until the last minute- exclusive locations, for example: hiking in Machu Picchu and Grand Canyon rafting, limited visitors are allowed; hiking passes are allocated in Machu Picchu – Grand Canyon park service also limits rafting passengers, buying out a boat is almost impossible; an early start can guarantee success.

Manage your expectations. Know what you would like to take away from an experience.

Do know timing is everything. Some experiences are only available at certain times of the year. The Palio in Sienna occurs twice in the summer, visiting Scotland is wonderful, and in September, the hills are purple with heather. No, is not in our vocabulary, however, the private window seats at the Palio are few!

Maintain a flexible schedule. Add a day to your itinerary or reserve a few hours each day for the unexpected. Major museums may close unexpectedly; a delightful bistro lunch may absorb an afternoon, leave time to wander in a newly discovered area.

Be respectful. Don’t take photos unless you ask, never take photos of military or police without permission.

Don’t just wing it. Travelers who do their homework are likely to enjoy a better experience. We send clients a book and a suggested reading list on an area the moment we begin to design a trip. Read, rent films, it will add layers to your experience. Learn a few phrases of the local language.

Don’t forget that in locations like Africa, life doesn’t operate as you are accustomed to at home. Pack your best face, your patience, your humor and an enormous sense of adventure.