Travel Wish: San Miguel de Allende

I love Mexico and its cuisine, so it is no wonder I am hoping to take a class at Hotel Casa Sierra Nevada's Sazon Cooking School, in San Miguel de Allende, which is one of Mexico's beloved colonial cities.  This boutique hotel offers cooking classes in its state-of-the-art kitchen complete with TV monitors and overhead mirrors.  After a stroll through the city market, students can learn from well-known Mexican chefs, visiting star chefs (like Rick Bayless!) and traditional home cooks with their tried-and-true recipes.

Besides offering cooking classes, this 37-room boutique hotel is within walking distance of San Miguel de Allende's highlights--El Jardin, the main town square and social hub; the Gothic, pink-colored Parroquia cathedral; and its various boutiques, restaurants and art galleries.  The hotel features multiple courtyards with jacaranda trees and bougainvilleas.  The rooms are individually decorated with stucco walls, copper sinks, Talavera-tile bathrooms, fireplaces and terraces.  Yes, please!!!

image/itmco.com

Travel Wish: A Second Visit to Costa Rica

One of my most memorable trips ever was to Costa Rica, about 10 ten years ago. It is truly a magnificent country blessed with several national parks, active volcanoes and cloud forests and two coastlines. I went with two friends just as adventurous as I am. We white-water rafted, hiked through a rainforest where we spotted monkeys, frogs and lizards, zip-lined between the treetops, hiked to an active volcano, and visited the jungle-backed beach at Manuel Antonio National Park (pictured below). In short, it was a fabulous trip. I had always hoped I would return.

And when I do go back, I plan to stay in this property: the Costa Rica Tree House, a hotel located in the country’s Caribbean coast. Its tree-house suite is a bi-level structure with two bedrooms and a kitchen that’s sits in the branches of a giant sangrillo tree. Its décor comprises of hammocks, beds draped in netting, wicker furnishings, and open walls. Puportedly, the resort’s beach is beautiful and secluded and botanical garden is massive. Definitely right up my alley!



image/costa rica tree house

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs

One of the items on my travel wish-list is to travel to a spa destination for a weekend of relaxation. When I get this chance, the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is where I will be. This resort is located about one hour north of Santa Fe and offers a gorgeous setting (it is nestled in the New Mexico hills), inspiring adobe architecture, rejuvenating yoga classes, calorie-burning hikes, relaxing spa treatments, and of course, hot-spring pools, which contain different types of mineral water--iron soda, lithia and arsenic. The pools were also considered sacred by the early Pueblo inhabitants of the plateau above the resort. This place sounds like bliss!

image/Sunset Magazine

Tre Kronor

On my wish-list: to travel to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, and other Scandinavian destinations. Until that is possible, I at least have Tre Kronor close to me. It is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant that serves authentic and delicious Scandinavian meals with a lovely outdoor seating. Perfection.

Thai Sweet Sticky Rice With Mango (Khao Neeo Mamuang)

I'm dying to visit the magical country of Thailand and take advantage of the variety of experiences it offers--fabulous beaches, mystical mountains, delicious cuisine, and of course, the lively and exciting city of Bangkok. In honor of this must-see destination, I make this delicious dessert at home.

Recipe from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon tapioca starch
3 mangos, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:Combine the rice and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.While the rice cooks, mix together 1 1/2 cups coconut milk, 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil; remove from heat and set aside. Stir the cooked rice into the coconut milk mixture; cover. Allow to cool for 1 hour.Make a sauce by mixing together 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the tapioca starch in a saucepan; bring to a boil.Place the sticky rice on a serving dish. Arrange the mangos on top of the rice. Pour the sauce over the mangos and rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.