Happy New Year

OK so this should probably be a photo of festive food or a recipe for canapes or something, but alas, it's an awesome video of how Sydney rang in the new year with the most amazing fireworks display think I have ever witnessed.  Have a great New Year and thanks for visiting this year I have great plans for a bigger better dot com site launching (fingers crossed) this spring.  Stayed tuned!

Dee's Coffee Company: Best Coffee and Baked Goods in Puerto Vallarta

At Dee's Coffee Company the coffee is organic, they don't do brewed just Americano and espresso drinks and all the baked goods are made in the back.  The sweets have an old fashioned baked goods feel that remind me of growing up in Canada, walnut cranberry loaf, dates squares and awesome brownies.  They also do several variations of all day breakfast, my favorite was a multi grain bagel with eggs, cheese and tomato, thought they could do with some more readily available salt and pepper, which always seems elusive to me, but that's a small problem given the immense amount of joy this place gave me while I was there.  Oh and don't forget to get the password for the free wifi!

 Yummy!

 The kitchen at the back of the shop where all the magic happens.

Mercado Del Mar

Yesterday I just threw these pictures up as I was leaving to catch my plane, so now I am finally settled back home and wanted to give you the dirt on this great mercato in Puerto Vallarta which is where the best chefs in town get their seafood.  Located in Centro or the 5 de Dicembre neighborhood it is a good walk from the hills about Los Muertos beach, but easily reached by taking the Tunnel bus and getting off at the cemetery or it's a nice 30 minute or so walk.  The key is to get here early.  By noon the best stuff if gone.

The market is on San Salvador street on the corner of Brasilia and is worth going even if all you want to do is look as there is much more here then just fish as you will see in the pictures below.

This is probably the best most authentic and diverse market in Puerto Vallarta and a must visit for anyone interested in cooking.

This blue carp reminded me of a fish I saw in Bangkok at Chatachuk market, which was for sale alive there as a very attractive addition to a goldfish pond.  This was the first time I have seen a blue carp since then, the amazing thing about it when it was still swimming (the one in Bangkok) not only was it this insane color of blue but the scales were tipped with a metallic gold, it was so beautiful it made you want to have a goldfish pond just so you could buy it.  The one pictured above was a one off and not selling very well.   My guess it was by catch and so they gutted it and were trying to sell it....which is too bad as they are so stunning swimming about it's a shame to lose such a beauty.

Home made pork rinds.

In addition to fish and produce there were several places to eat and a good butcher or two.

Secret Recipe

This recipe for Coconut Shrimp and Mango Sauce is on the menu at Fredy's Ocho Tostadas.

When I get back home I will try and decipher it in more precise measurements.  Until then it looks like a great dish for New Years and could easily be down with Monk Fish or other white meaty fish (even chicken).

Double click to embiggen:

Occupy Wall Street Farmers March

This is s a very moving video of the occupy wall street farmers march that took place December 4th was made by the folks at Food Democracy Now.  The footage of the farmers and supporters giving speeches (with a microphone) is at La Plaza Cultural where Neil and I have out community garden plot.

Fredy's Ocho Tostadas

This is my favorite new restaurant in Puerto Vallarta a 40 minute walk from old town, behind the Municipal Stadium.  They are not open for dinner, hours are 11-7 and they are closed on Tuesday.
Fredy's:  413 Ecuador street at Rio Guayaquil.

The food is seafood with an italian twist done from a Mexican perspective: Awesome!

 I'm not sure how taco chips came in to being, but here and elsewhere the tosado rules (which makes sense her given the name of the place).

 Love the open kitchen and the very open inside outside space that is the restaurant.

 This white fish ceviche was made transcendent by the addition of sweet potato which when mixed with the chili infused lime vinaigrette was amazing.  A real revelation.  The corn used was also not like sweet corn we know it was chewy and almost nutty.

 The story goes that long ago there where three brothers who owned one restaurant - now there are three restaurants all with similar names, they had some sort of family fight, but from what I can tell this is the place to eat, one of the others is further a field in the Marina - word on the street is that it is OK with really great ceviches but lack luster mains.  I can't confirm that as I have not been...if you decided to do a sampling of all three let me know!

Neil looking very happy after  his perfectly seared local yellow fin tuna.

 

My super yummy seafood pasta.

Me looking equally happy and very full after my lunch.

 

And yes Fredy is spelt with one "d" it's not just my bad typing! 

Happy Holidays from Puerto Vallarta

Happy Holidays, thanks for reading looking.  Have a happy, healthy, holiday.  My plans for the 25th this year include having breakfast on the beach, Seafood for dinner and to be sipping a frozen Margarita by the pool in the evening while I watch the fireworks across the bay.  I've had enough Turkey for one life time and have to admit as I get older I don't miss the cold one bit (though the last few days in NYC have been very warm with highs of near 60F ?).  Enjoy your holidays where ever you are and however you may celebrate them.

From The Farmers Mouth

I saw this video on Facebook, it is part of Perennial Plates' video competition.  This is the one I voted for:

KevinTV - From The Farmer's Mouth from Kevin Kossowan on Vimeo.

Saturday Markets Old Town Puerta Vallarta

These flowers are suspended in jello and made by injecting milk solids that are flavored with a needle.  I bought one and will get back to you on this mysterious art (I thought they were paper weights).

 

 Lots of baked goods...

And art...

 Off the street and into the school yard.

 The entertainment.