Kitchen Adventures

My new friend.
After eating dinner, I realized that I spent my whole day around food. Not that I think its a bad thing :)

I went to the grocery store with my mom to start my food day, which is probably one of my favorite things to do with her. We picked up summer sausage, cheese and naan to make for lunch before I started my kitchen marathon!

I managed to whip up some sangria for my mom (white- totally convinced her that sangria was not just red and heavy!) from this recipe from the Food Network/ Cooking Channel. It was really simple, but the time was used in chopping up the fruits! My recommendation is to only use 1 apple instead of 2 because there was so much fruit in this recipe!

Then, for a snack later in the afternoon, I made some chocolate pudding. But not just any pudding, from-scratch, delicious basic pudding from Eclectic Recipes. It was so good, but I can't wait to make it again with cinnamon or nutmeg to spice it up! It is a perfect blank canvas, so let me know when you try it. Because you should!

I am missing Ecuador so much, so I made some Basil-Lime sorbet from Gimme Some Oven. Basil and lime are two of the HUGE ingredients in Ecuadorian cooking (as well as Latin America, I assume) and I miss them already in American food.

If you don't mind sorbet that looks like something Shrek would eat, blanch the basil to keep the green color. If not, you'll probably end up with a pretty sorbet like Ali's. I didn't blanch my basil, but I think the fact that my simple syrup was completely cooled when I mixed the ingredients. No pictures today because it is getting the right texture in the freezer, but I HAD to sneak a bite earlier and it was perfect! Not super sweet, a little savory, but perfect if you love basil and lime!

Here is the basil I used- some sweet basil and some of my mom's new purple basil:

Last but not least, I made dinner for my family. I wanted to recreate an awesome meal that I made two summers ago from Coastal Living. The recipe is called Shrimp and Sirloin Sizzle. The only problem was that I forgot to buy shrimp this morning, so I just doubled the amount of steak and it turned out delicious. Don't double the marinade- its really potent as it is! But we all loved it again. Definitely an easy family meal.

And now, I am just enjoying watching American TV and watching the new show on Food Network, Cupcake Wars, and its just entertaining to watch the judges. But waiting for Chopped! By far, my favorite food shows are competitions. Probably because they make me drool, but I love spending my whole day with food. Mmm...

Charleston Adventures

It is so great to be home! But I am on the move constantly again and I love it!

But I am pretty proud of my world traveling TOMS... I wore a hole through the left toe area and almost have a real hole on the right shoe. A prerequisite to having a great South American adventure! I promise I will share more about my trip, but it is all swimming around in my head right now!

This morning, I headed downtown into Charleston while my boyfriend was in class (taking advantage of his parking pass before it expires!) It was such a nice homecoming! Its great to walk around a city and not feel like I am in danger or need to walk with lots of other people!

Of course I had to stop in Artist and Craftman Supply.... and I couldn't keep focused at all!

But I ended up with 2 8x10 canvases, some ATC paper, and some Sculpy clay molds. 

Then, I decided to walk along Calhoun and then on Meeting to make my way to City Lights Coffee. But I found a new shop! Well, its not new but I've never been in before because I normally only drive on Meeting :) So I just had to stop in.  Xchange Factor is a vintage and consignment store and there is just so much stuff! 

If you're interested in checking it out (*hint hint* you definitely should) its reasonably priced and is located at 283 Meeting St. in Charleston.

I walked out with a pair of turquoise silk Nine West kitten heels (pics soon!) and an owl necklace. So cute that I couldn't resist it!

And then I finally made my way over to City Lights Coffee for lunch. I've been meaning to try it for a while.

It was good, but a little on the expensive side for the drinks. So I stuck with a pomegranate Italian soda because it was tooooo hot for coffee and a croissant.

 It is just adorable inside though. Its small, so be prepared to take it to-go if you go during the morning or on the weekends!

And after a little more window-shopping, I got a call from the BF saying that he was done with class and we met up. But I made him stop back in Caviar and Bananas with me to buy some herbs de provence. It is a must-stop in place when I go downtown, either for ingredients, coffee or food. So delicious! But it was a great day downtown today! A success!

And a final pic of my new friend from the art store today!

Airport

I am currently in the Guayaquil airport about to make my way onto a plane to Miami. I will be home this evening and back to updating my blog regularly! I have so many good food moments to share, recipes to try, and crafts to make! Stay tuned!

Lo Siento...

I am sorry about not keeping everyone updated on my trip! It has been ridiculously crazy here, between volunteering in the morning, going home for a big lunch, class in the afternoon and homework/ hanging out at night. I went to El Parque Historico on Sunday and I have so many pictures that I want to upload! I will choose a few and upload them tonight, but I wanted to let everyone know that I am doing great here and having a WONDERFUL time in Guayaquil! Happy Tuesday!

Day 8 (almost 9)

Sorry for leaving everyone hanging! It has been a crazy first week in Ecuador, but I am loving every moment (almost every moment). I have been able to visit Quito, Otavalo, La Mitad del Mundo, and have been on a city tour of Guayaquil. I have been in Guayaquil since Sunday and only have three more weeks! It is crazy! Here are some of my pictures!

Me encanta Guayaquil (I love Guayaquil)