Cuban Ropa Veija Recipe (served over white rice)
When I think "comfort food" I think Cuban food. It's what I grew up eating, most of my favorite dishes are Cuban and with two little boys home from school requesting comfort food I knew exactly the dish to make them. Ropa Vieja is Spanish for "old clothes". It is a simple dish that is quite delectable.
I use a pressure cooker to make this recipe and have always done so. I imagine you could make this in a crock pot or on the stove but you'd have to make allowances for time. If you do, try this recipe in a crock pot or on the stove please come back and let me know how it all turned out for you.Ingredients:
- 2 lbs Flank Steak
- Water
- 1 whole medium onion peeled- I like the yellow or "sweet" variety.
- 3 bay leafs
- Salt 1 pinch
- Red wine suitable for drinking 2 tablespoons
- 1/4 - 1/2 of a red or green pepper chopped
- 2-3 T olive oil
- 3 cloves chopped garlic
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp cocktail sauce
- Spanish olives
- 2 T Sazon completa* (store bought or make your own - recipe to follow.)
Optional additions:
- 1 potato
- 1 carrot
Step one:
- Fill your pressure cooker with water half way to the top.
- Place the Flank steak in the water with the whole onion on top. To easily peel the onion cut off both ends and remove first or second layer of skin.
- Add a pinch of salt to the water along with the bay leaf and wine. Cover the pan and cook over medium/low heat for about one hour to an hour and a half.
- Remove from heat and allow pressure to return to normal.
- Open lit and remove onion and set aside.
- Place steak on a large plate and set aside
- Reserve liquid in separate container
- "shred" meat by separating it with fork. I basically take a fork in each hand and separate the meat.
Step two: Prepare the "sofrito"
- Cut up onion (careful it will be hot) you can also place into a food processor
- Add oil to the pressure cooker. Turn heat on to low.
- Add in onion, chopped garlic, and pepper
- Add meat and brown for a few moments.
- Add in tomato sauce and cocktail sauce and olives and simmer until warm.
Serve over white rice.Easy white rice recipe in rice cooker
- 2 cups rice
- 2 3/4 cups water
- pinch of salt
- 2 Tbs olive oil
Sazon Completa recipe: Makes 1 1/4 cup.
- 4 T of kosher salt
- 6 T of granulated garlic
- 2 T oregano
- 4 T onion powder
- 2 T cumin
- 2 T black pepper
- 3 T dried lime zest
- 2 T dried parsley
Olive Tree of Vouves - Ancient Olive Tree - Crete
The Olive tree of Vouves is an a gorgeous tree I had the pleasure of visiting when in Crete. It's located in the village of Ano Vouves in the Chania region. It is one of the oldest olive trees in the world, and it still bears fruit. The true age of the tree can't be determined but tree ring analysis ages it to at least 2,000 years old, however locals claim it's between 4,000 - 5,000 years. Either way it's a gorgeous and worth the trip if you're interested in going out and exploring rural Crete. The tree has a girth of about 41 feet and a diameter of 15 feet.Besides the tree there's a museum in a quaint 19th century edifice, you can visit that houses traditional olive making tools, the courtyard the tree is housed in is surrounded by other olive making tools or presses and random stuff.
The most impressive is the tree itself. Crete has been inhabited since forever, and olives have been a staple food product for ages. Having the opportunity to sit for a few moments with a living piece of antiquity is something to behold.
The peaceful surroundings and landscape is an ideal place to sit and ponder the history this tree has "seen".
Falassarna Beach, Crete - Off Season, a (mostly) deserted paradise.
A while back...May 2014, I had the pleasure of taking a "girls trip" or "Mommy Get-Away" with some friends. My husband was recently returned home from a sixth month deployment and I was overdue for a little "girl time". We set off from the Venice Treviso airport on Mother's Day for a short flight into the Chania region (Chania International Airport) of Crete. Renting a car was easy, though slow going. We stayed in Kastelli, Kissamos, in a picturesque apartment/resort, where each night the Mediterranean sea sung us it's perfect lullaby. Although May is the off season, I thought it was a great time of year to visit this Grecian Island, because it afforded us more time with locals who were very welcoming and kind and lots of wide open space.We arrived in late in the afternoon, and enjoyed our first sunset. It was spectacular.Being the book nerd I am, I couldn't help but think of King Minos, his Minotaur and those many tributes from Athens, and though I found no labyrinth, I had a new appreciation and understanding as to why King Minos demanded tributes...
My first meal, a mojito and Greek Salad. On Our first full day, we set off to explore some of the beaches of Kissamos.Falassarna is a popular beach for tourists and locals during the summer months and because of the wind, it's a great place to wind surf.When we finally made it down we discovered it was deserted. (Another perk of the off season).While my friends worked on their tans, I sat beneath an umbrella, where I had my pick of umbrella and chair for €10,00.It was a windy day, which is not uncommon for this beach.After working up an appetite, we dined at Taverna Mouraki. Where we enjoyed this amazing view, and a free desert.We closed out our first full day, back at our resort with this sunset.Tomorrow I'll share, a tale about a 5,000 year old olive tree.
How To Make a Terrarium or Fairy Garden
A few years back, I visited a home of a friend of my mother's during the winter in New England and she had a lovely indoor garden made up mostly of terrariums I completely fell in love with. I asked her how to make a terrarium also known as a fairy garden; and discovered not only were they easy to make, they were super simple to care for. 
The best part about terrariums is that you can make them as big as you like or as small as you need. The only thing terrariums really require is a light spritzing of water and indirect sunlight. Uncovered terrariums will need a bit more work because you'll have to water them more than the covered type. Open or closed, you will need to keep in mind the type of plants you're using. Sun loving plants like cacti require have different soil requirements than say succulents, so doing a little research before hand will ensure you're terrarium will thrive.
Supplies You'll Need To Build Your Terrarium
- Clean, glass or plastic containers with a large enough opening to fit plants inside (unless you use long tweezers or spoons etc, you may be able to make a narrower container work.)
- Small stones is the usual fair, but gravel, pebbles, sea glass, pieces of pottery, mosaic tiles, would all work.
- Activated charcoal (not the kind you barbecue with). If creating a container with a closed lid - as it helps to keep the soil fresh.
- Sand
- Soil
- Plants - The size depends on how big your terrarium will be. Using plants of various sizes makes for a visually appealing terrarium.
- Moss to fill in any areas where soil is visible.
- Decorative stones, figurines, or small plastic items.
- Funnel if your using a container with a narrow opening.
- Long Tweezers, or ice tea spoons (for digging) etc. You can also purchase tools specifically made for terrarium building - like this one I found on Amazon.
Steps To Build Your Terrarium or Fairy Garden:
Because you're using a container with no holes for drainage, you'll need to create a space for excess water to collect. At the bottom of your container gently place a layer of stones or glass etc. Follow with a thin layer of charcoal if your container will be closed. 
Next lay a layer of sand, and then charcoal followed by soil. Pay close attention to how the layers appear from the outside of your container.
Gently remove the plant from the container and brush off an excess soil. 
Place your plants in a staggered pattern, being careful not to over plant. Gently pack the soil, then cover any open spaces with moss. Add in any decorative or whimsical items of your choosing. Spritz with water and you're done!
How to Care for A Terrarium
- Closed terrariums require very little water. In the beginning water once or twice a week with a light spritzing of water. If condensation collects on the sizes of the container you're over watering. Open the lid for a while to allow for some evaporation. When watering if you've added in moss, try to avoid getting it wet. Open terrariums, will require more frequent watering, your goal being to have it slightly damp and never totally dry.
- Trim dead leaves and collect any foliage that over grows or leaves that die and fall.
- Terrariums do best in natural, indirect light. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight so as to not burn your plants as the glass acts as a magnifier to the sun's rays.
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Living in Italy - A Few of My Favorite Things: Part 1.
It's hard to believe nearly three years have come and gone since my family and I moved to Italy. We've just over a year left and though I'm excited for our next adventure there is a very big part of me that will be sad to say "Arrivaderci" when the time comes. Over the next year, I will be sharing all the little things I love about living in Italy (and perhaps some of the things I don't.) because living in a foreign country as opposed to visiting one on vacation allows one a rather unique perspective.In years to come, when I think of Italy, I'll think of their amazing coffee. It truly is a major part of the makeup of this land. Coffee bars, cafes, and even vending machines can all provide a delicious cup of caffeinated dreaminess.
The quintessential cappuccino, sprinkled generously with unsweetened chocolate or as it's often referred to "cacao" Is one of my most favorite things about Italy. I don't think I've traveled, or toured, or simply experienced any place more aware of art. Everywhere you go, even in the most humble of places there is some form of art, or at the very least a beautiful natural landscape. Italians enjoy beauty, and even when they don't mean to, they make things beautiful. From the way they package gifts you buy, or box sweets from a bakery, or go for a picnic. Which isn't how you or I would. No, these can be large affairs full of multiple course meals, and of course wine and things to beautify a picnic table...
I encountered this simple flower bouquet at a park one summer afternoon, a previous visitor, had left it to be enjoyed by the next person to dine. I'd be remiss if I were mentioning coffee, to not remark about gelato. Gelato is delightful any time of year, but especially in the summer months. When I visit my local gelateria, I may, take home one of these other - non "ice cream" deserts. My favorite - the meregata. If you've ever the chance to try this desert. Go for it! It's meringue, whipped cream, and a fruit, usually a berry. Yum!
Italian deserts, aren't they pretty?All of these photos were shared on my Instagram- follow me!
Postonjna Cave & Predjama Castle
. The first portion of the tour takes place via the world's only double track railway system within a cave. This railway carries you in part of the way. The guided walking tour takes up much of your time, and allows for and up close view of some of the most beautiful formations. Please keep in mind that you shouldn't touch any of the rocks. The path is paved, but the cement can be slippery at times, as the climate inside the cave is damp and humid. The path consists of various inclines, some at times can be steep. Your tour guide will explain part of the history of the cave, and it's hard to imagine that humans were able to enjoy this cave, and even build a bridge (pictured below).The tours are offered in a variety of languages. Be prepared to wait in lines to purchase tickets and upon entering the cave for the tour.