Fun with Friends

Well unfortunately the weather has still not been cooperating much these days. Intermittent rain during the day and raining most nights -all night. However, we have been still getting out and about with friends and enjoying our time away from the cold weather.
Shirley A. (Dave's wife) arrived on Saturday. She will be here to join us for one month. It will be great to have her here to experience everything with us. We missed her coming last year.

The strangest thing happened last week...Rick and I were down at the beach at our resort for the afternoon. We went a couple of times to go swim in the ocean (leaving our personal items at the cots) and when we went to go back to our apartment, his flip flops were missing. I think someone took them by mistake . The tricky part is that it has been raining so much that you really need a pair of rubber type shoes as the Birkenstocks do not hold up to the rain so well. We looked and looked, with nothing turning up.

So, off we went the next morning to Los Charimicos (a local area/community of Sosua) to buy some "Chinese" knock off sandals. Rick found a pair of "Tommy Hilfigee's" to wear - not to be confused with Tommy Hilfiger sandals. The pair didn't even make it to the beach and back - the bottom fell off. Of course this made me curious to see if I could exchange them and converse with the locals. So off we went the next morning with the sandals in hand. All I could say was "ottro por favor, cambio". Lucky for me the sandals really did all of the talking for me.. He clearly saw they were coming apart. Rick found another Tommy Hilfigee's and off we went to Mofongo King for our morning coffee. When we returned back to our resort, we walked down to the beach... and there they were.. his sandals sitting by the cots.. right where we left them.

We have been enjoying some time in the evening down by the pool to watch the sunset. Glass of wine in hand, we take Roxy down to the pool deck and enjoy the sound of the surf and watch the sunset.
We have been starting to plan our driving trip for the southern states for when we are in Phoenix in a couple of months.
It is great to have the time here together to do some road trip planning. We are planning to take Roxy with us so we want to make sure that we have an apartment or house to rent where we can leave her and she will be able to relax when left alone.

Now that Shirley has arrived we made another trip into Puerto Plata. It is never complete without another Dominican breakfast sandwich, visit to the Amber Museum, and shopping. This trip we headed over to the Macorix rum tour. This is a fairly new rum company here out of Puerto Plata. It is a short factory tour, but it has a fancier shop and "tour". They have flavoured rums - coconut, pineapple, apple, spiced rum and coconut water with rum infused; a nice addition to the rum family.

Shirley experienced the local "chicken bus" that day and had a wonderful experience. What a hoot. We were crammed in like sardines and laughed all the way home as our feet and legs went to sleep.
A person could go to Puerto Plata a number of times and never see the same thing twice.

Recipe of the Week: Week 3/4

Mofongo Recipe (Garlic-Flavored Mashed Plantains)
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins

Mofongo Recipe (Garlic-Flavored Mashed Plantains)
A very tasty dish with pork rind mixed in and strong umami flavor that will become a new favorite.

Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 659 kcal

Ingredients:

For the broth:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb beef bones [0.45 kg] any type would do
2 cloves garlic mashed
1 onion halved
4 cups water
1 sprig cilantro
1 sprig of cilantro
1/4 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp salt (or more, to taste)

For the mofongo:
1 cup oil for frying (corn, peanut or soy)
5 unripe plantains peeled, cut into ¾" [2 cm] slices
1 lb pork cracklings cut into 1? [2.5 cm] pieces
2 tbsp garlic mashed
1 1/2 tsp salt (or more, to taste)

Instructions:
How to make the broth.
In a deep pot heat the oil over medium heat. Brown the meat being careful that it does not burn. Add the garlic and onion and stir. Pour in water, and add cilantro, cilantro ancho, and oregano.
Simmer for an hour over low heat, topping off the water every once in a while to maintain the same level.
Season with salt to taste. Sieve and remove the solids.

How to make mofongo:
Heat oil over medium heat and fry the plantains till golden brown all over (3-5 mins).
Using a pilón (wooden mortar) mash the plantain, garlic, and cracklings together (You might have to do it in small batches and mix in the end).
Shape into 6 balls and place in small bowls.
Serve garnished with the beef stock. (Mofongo king serves with garlic butter on the side)

www.dominicancooking.com