Dinner with the Queen of Sheba

I celebrated my birthday with the Queen of Sheba.  Okay, she wasn't really there.  But I've peaked your curiosity.

I had a lovely stay in Guatemala but knew I had to move on or I'd never make it  "Around the World in 80 Days."  Global travel, never leaving Oklahoma, is far less stressful than traditional travel without the airline delays or cramped seating.  I can hop from country to country within a 24 hour period never having jet-lag.

It may seem unusual to choose Ethiopian food for your birthday dinner if you're not from Ethiopia, but in our family ethnic food has become a tradition.  We've prepared Indian food on Christmas eve, tacos for birthdays and Chinese over Thanksgiving.  Food is our source of travel when we can't leave home.

During football season we would eat on campus corner. While the majority of fans were drinking beer and eating burgers on tailgates or in pubs, we ate Chicken Korma, Beef Vindaloo or the occasional Moo Shu Pork.

We would leave the heat of the stadium, walk the few blocks to the Masala Indian Restaurant and find our way into the cool dark setting.  Seated among sequined pillows, colorful hand-painted frames on mirrors and lanterns hanging over the tables gave me the feeling of being transported to an exotic land.  While waiting on our food, we drank tea with lemon and rosewater breathing in the thick fragrant smell of curry and cumin.

This year for my birthday I wanted to add another memory to the collection of many.  A birthday steeped in color, texture, and taste. And because I love Africa, The Queen of Sheba had everything.

This is the Queen of Sheba Messob.  A plate of lamb, chicken, beef, salad, green beans, lentils and corn.  The seasonings are unique and unlike other cuisines.

My favorite foods are eaten by hand without utensils sharing one large plate.
It's more intimate and engaging as you take turns pinching up food with injera bread.

A spongy crepe-like bread made with teff flour.

The pace in Africa is slow and restful.   The people, warm and generous.  This is reminiscent of The Queen of Sheba.  A cool and quiet retreat from the hot summer.

Thanks Dad for the birthday dinner and another fond memory!

Betam amesegënallô,
The Lucky Nomad

Rugs from Guatemala

I took this image while visiting a market in Guatemala in 2009.  I love the colors and textures.  I'll try to post more images from this trip later.

Octopus Tentacles

These jars labeled "Pacaya" look a bit like they contain octopus tentacles. 

Okay, they may not  look like that to you. . . but unless you're from Guatemala I'm sure you didn't guess Date Palm Blossoms.  I would have considered guessing tripe long before blossoms.

I find myself intrigued by what's on the shelves in foreign markets.   Yet anxiety, over the thought that I may be wasting not only money but an entire evening over a dinner that would eventually be thrown out, keeps me from buying anything.  Had I not inquired about these exotic creatures, I would've eaten them right out of the jar like pickles, brine water and all. 

This might have ruined any chance I had for developing a taste for Pacaya.

So to broaden my horizons and my dinner menu at home, I asked Jeremy how to prepare them.  He took me to the kitchen to meet Consuelo...

where she gave me a demonstration.

Take the blossoms out of the jar and rinse to remove the brine water.  Dip them in a batter of egg and flour.  Now fry.  If I remember correctly, they serve a chili sauce on the side.  I would smother them in Green Mole Sauce.

The fried blossom is the one on the right and on the left is a chile relleno.  

 I don't have to be anxious anymore.  I know how to prepare Pacaya and an octopus doesn't have tentacles . . . it has arms.

Adios Amigos,

La Nomade Afortunado

Green Mole-Olé

I would like to introduce you to Señor Fasta Cifuentes and his son Jeremy.  Okay . . .  this isn't really them.  But they are a lovely father and son from Guatemala and this is the rest of their family.

We met this family a little over a year ago in Guatemala and they asked to come home with us,  They are a very quiet family, but friendly and content.  We get along quite nicely with them.

I'm reconsidering my excursion, "Around the World in 80 Days".  It's hot, I'm tired and already overwhelmed by the amount of options I'm finding in this city alone.  The truth is...I love Guatemala and I want to stay.

Here are some of the many reasons:

Chicken in Green Mole Sauce

Hand-made tortillas dipped in Green Mole Sauce

Green Mole Sauce over rice

...and really anything to which you might want to add

Green Mole Sauce.

It's the best I've ever eaten!  

Actually, I'm not sure that I've ever had Green Mole Sauce.  If I have, it wasn't tasty enough to remember.  

I'll be back manaña to share more about my visit with Senor Cifuentes and his son Jeremy. The owners of Tiende Guatemala.

Olé 

La Nomade Afortunado

Curiosidades Guatemala...Tienda Guatemala

I arrived in Guatemala about 3:30.  The heat is dreadful today, so I'll be taking things a little slower while traveling through Central America.

I found a small store carrying a variety of foods and curios, "Curiosidades Guatemala" or "Tienda Guatemala",  which translates  "Guatemalan Store". This seemed the perfect place to try the cuisine and learn a little more about the country.

At the back of the shop there is a restaurant.  I met the owner, Senor Fasto.  I asked if it would be okay for me to return tomorrow, try the food for lunch and take photos of his place.  He agreed.  So tomorrow between 9-11am I'll go back for a tour of the store and a taste of Guatemala.

Upon leaving, I  wandered down an aisle filled with jars of various pickled fruits and vegetables.  One jar looked as though it contained the tentacles of an octopus.   It was something from a palm tree in brine.  After looking over the selections of unusual canned goods,  I opted for "Jocote", Spanish plums.  I bought a jar.

The plums remind me of the spiced peaches my father buys at Thanksgiving, only without the taste of clove and nutmeg.  We had an unspoken rule at our holiday meals that everyone had to have one peach.   I wasn't crazy about them but I would plunk one on my plate and eat it with my turkey.  This seemed like the polite thing to do.  Now I can't imagine a holiday without them.  I bet to someone in Guatemala, these "Jocote" are just as special.

Adios Amigos,
La Nomade Afortunado

First Stop....Guatemala!

Why Guatemala you ask? Good question. It's close and doesn't require me to travel too far in one day... in this ridiculous heat.
I'll post an update after I've arrived and settled in for the evening!

Buen Viaje,
La Nomade Afortunado

(It took me thirty minutes with my language converter to write these last two lines. I don't speak Spanish so I don't
know if my gender is correct)

Around the World in 80 Days...begins Today!

My bags are packed and I'm headed out!

For the next 80 days I will travel the world never leaving Oklahoma.

If you have suggestions or ideas and want to follow along, by all means let me know. I will be experiencing other countries through food, religion, art, film, music, transportation, people and past travels. Check this blog for photos and stories of my journey.
It will be quite an adventure I'm sure!

Bon Voyage!
Jennifer

Italy

I've been back from Italy two weeks and after two weddings and all computers tied up I am finally getting the chance to look
at my photos from Venice and Tuscany. I plan to share some of them with you soon, but first must take care of
my customers and shop for pumpkins. Check back with me soon!