First of all, let's talk about the fun part - my adventures! A few weeks ago, Paco and I spent a long weekend exploring Bocas del Toro, Panama as a reward at the end of a busy high season. We played with macaroni-and-cheese-colored starfish the size of our heads, splurged on fushion tapas and fancy lychee and passionfruit drinks, relaxed on the beach, and enjoyed a Caribbean nightlife. We even saw a fire show, stumbled upon the endemic red poison dart frog, danced to a live band in the street, and made some local friends. First vacation together = GREAT SUCCESS.
More adventures found my mom and I last week on her first visit to the Osa. Our journey began with a treacherous journey via rental car through the city of San Jose to Cartago, where we would spend the night before venturing to the highest active volcano in Costa Rica - Volcan Irazu. Unfortunately, the crater lake was dry, but the clouds periodically pouring over the majestic crater's edge almost made up for it.
Next, we stepped into a leg of the adventure that neither one of us was quite prepared for. We drove up high into the mountains and then down into the steep valleys in Parque National Los Quetzales (Quetzal National Park). We were searching for a glimpse of the famous and reclusive Resplendent Quetzal, and we were thrilled that our little cabin eco-lodge (Savegre Lodge) was deep in the heart of the cloudforest. What a pleasant surprise, even if it did take an accidental detour down a washed out road (and a quasi heart attack for mom) to get there! The gardens and surroundings were indescribably beautiful, and yes, we DID see the quetzal! In fact, we saw TWO different pairs of males/females right on the hotel property!!!
After our cloudforest hikes, high quality coffee tasting, and quetzal spotting, we headed down to the Osa Peninsula so Mom could see the quirky town of Puerto Jimenez where I have been living for the past few months. It just so happens that Paco's brothers were also in town, so Paco and I challenged them to a friendly game of beach volleyball....Paco and I won 4 of 4 games but still walked away with forearms that would be sore for the next 3 days.
Friday, Paco and his brothers joined my mom and I on one of my boat tours! We saw dolphins, snorkeled, explored Finca Saladero's primary rainforest trails and organic gardens, and planeboared - all in one tour! What a wonderful day with wonderful family and wonderful weather!
Dinner that night was served by the boys, who are all amazing chefs. The next day, Mom and I headed to my area of peaceful escape in the beaches, jungles, and platform tent of Matapalo. Unfortunately, the heavy soaking rains brought a swarm of termite queen want-to-bes, so we ended up not staying in my tent platform at Kapu, but we still enjoyed a couple days of relaxation, beautiful beaches, surfing, and exploring in Matapalo. Mom thought she felt an earthquake, but it turns out it was just a troop of mischevious white-faced monkeys jumping on the branches (and almost shimmying down Mom's hammock chair's strap). We then fed the eager but wary monkeys some mamones fruit to satisfy the little rascals.
Lastly, mom's trip ended with dinner at the famous pizza place in town, and guess what else....and earthquake. A real one this time, not monkeys. It was a 6.8 that hit off the coast of Panama, but we were able to feel a rolling, swaying quake here!
Unfortunately, I only have two weeks left here in Costa Rica (for this leg of my life-long adventure, at least), but I plan on living it up until then! I have applied to several jobs in the States, abroad, and one here in Costa Rica (CDS, the school where I interned). Cross your fingers that something comes along.
And now to the other point of this blog. Many of you have caught wind of my newfound knowledge of bean recipes. Below, I have typed Paco's recipe for slow cooker beans, as well as my favorite dish that uses those delicious beans - Gallo Pinto! Sorry that I have not included amounts of each ingredient - it really depends on how you like it. With more practice comes a more customized taste!
Eat healthy, and ENJOY!
Black Beans
Ingredients:
Black beans (or red beans)
Water
Bay Leaf(s)
Salt (sea salt if you have it)
Pepper (fresh-ground is best of course!)
Cumin
*If you're feelin' fancy, you can add roast garlic or vegetables, or slow cook beans with a left over ham hock or pork bone.
Combine beans and plenty of water in the slow cooker (I'd fill it up almost...). Add all other ingredients to taste and let cook on low for 12 hours or overnight. Freeze in single serving containers or enjoy for the next few days. :)
Gallo Pinto
Ingredients:Onion (diced)
Red Pepper (diced)
Garlic (diced)
Oil
Rice (already cooked, leftovers if you have it)
Beans (already cooked)
Salt
Pepper
Lizano Salsa (Tico sauce if you have it. If not, just make do without)
Cilantro (fresh!)
Water (maybe)
Serve with any combo of the follow:
Fried or scrambled eggs (these are a must for true Gallo Pinto)
Toast or tortillas
Avocado slices
Sour Cream
Hot Sauce
Fresh Fruit
Put a little oil in a pan. Sautee onion, pepper, and garlic as you normally would, on medium heat, until onions are translucent and peppers are flexible. Add a little more oil and rice. Continue to sautee, but on low, stirring often so rice doesn't stick to the bottom. After a couple minutes, add beans AND JUICE. The bean juice helps keep it from drying out. Cook on low for a few minutes, allowing rice and beans to mix nicely, but be careful that your pinto does not dry out. Add Lizano sauce if you have it, or a tiny bit of water if you have no bean juice/it's looking dry. While you are cooking on low, you can fry or scramble your eggs so that it's all ready at once! Garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve with eggs and sides of choice (as listed above). Pura Vida!
