| ||||||||
|
|
| Monday, January 28, 2006 Online Edition 4 | ||
| Think culture to create culture By Ruth Winkler Mujeres en las Artes Leticia de Oyuela (Women in the Arts) is a non-profit educational association, based in Tegucigalpa, which aims to promote artistic and cultural production, management and investigation in Honduras. Founded in 1995, the creators recognized the need to acknowledge and give more visibility to women's contributions to the artistic and cultural scenes of Honduras. The project's vision is to contribute to the cultural and artistic development of the country, giving special importance to the opening of alternative working spaces from which to provide training and opportunities. Women in the Arts has evolved from its inception as a cultural center, to now moving towards being a more art and technology focused arena. Key to its development over its 10 year existence has been the participation of cultural, educational, artistic and professional organizations in differing fields. Although originally focused at developing women's access to the arts field, the services of Women in the Arts are open to all marginalized sectors of society who are commonly excluded from culture and artistic production. "Much of the work is now focused towards the development of young people and children," stated América Mejía, executive director and co-founder of Women in the Arts. The promotion of artists from all fields and disciplines remains key to the work and aims of Women in the Arts who endeavor to operate not only at a national level but also at a Central American level. "We want artists to get to be known," explains Mejía. As such, MUA is a Honduran member of the Network of Cultural Promoters of Latin America and the Caribbean, the network of NGO's of Africa, Asia and Latin America, member of the Committee of Cultural Centers of Tegucigalpa and of the Historical cities and places of Central America. There are 6 members of staff at Women in the Arts, as well as some volunteers who lend their services to the project, helping in every sector, from promotion to taking classes. As well as running various workshops and inviting artists to participate, the association currently collaborates with schools and universities to provide workshops that run in conjunction with their studies. Three rooms are available for classes in the center, one equipped with computers where a three day graphic design and technology course was taking place, recommended for students of CEDAC University, Tegucigalpa. "It has helped in the process of brainstorming ideas and collaborating with each other, it should make our presentations better," said student, Roberto García. The association is also currently working on a street theatre production to take place in Tegucigalpa at the end of February, called Formas y Transformas. For the future Mejía hopes to continue to develop more spaces in which to expand art in Honduras and to continue to "work outside of the traditional spheres" she said. Women in the Arts wishes to continue to be a space from which to create, discuss and reflect on art and culture. For more information: www.muaartes.org.hn
Day after day,
day after day, -- Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, S.Taylor Coleridge
Joshua Slocum was born in the Bay of Fundy, Annapolis County in Nova Scotia-by all accounts, a seafaring community-on February 20, 1844. Throughout his life he felt the calling of the ocean and during his adolescence made repeated attempts to run away to the sea, until he succeeded at the age of 16. Despite inroads made by the steam engine at the end of the 19th century, Slocum's soul belonged to the sail. In 1895, at the age of 51, he slipped out of Boston Harbor alone, aboard Spray, a 37-foot sailboat. 46,000 miles later, he returned to the same pile mooring in the same dock he had left three years, two months and a couple of days before. Robin Lee Graham began his solo circumnavigation from San Pedro, California, in 1965. It was well documented by National Geographic Magazine. Although he took his time to conclude the trip, about 5 years, what is remarkable-in my view-is that he was just 16 when he began and that he sailed in a miniscule 24-foot sloop, called Dove. Along his 33,000-mile trek throughout the world's oceans he braved a storm that tossed him overboard one night, two toppled masts, and a near collision with a commercial steamer. He also managed to get married and have a child, after having completed a rite of passage that few of us would ever dare attempt. Sir Francis Chichester was 65 years old when he embarked on his voyage around the world. Alone, on his 53-foot ketch Gypsy Moth IV, he completed the trip in 262 days. Starting from Plymouth Harbor in England he headed south, logging-in a 14,000-mile nonstop passage to Sydney, Australia. Certainly a stalwart fellow with equally admirable wit: To the question, "When were your spirits at their lowest ebb?" put to him during a press conference in Sydney, he replied, "When the gin gave out." Despite pleas from family and friends not to continue on, Chichester persisted undaunted. He came very close to losing his craft in a near capsize caused by a freak wave in the Tasman Sea soon after leaving Sydney. He then ran before those same seas and winds that are famous for having challenged the clippers of the golden age of sail, despite a full crew aboard: the Roaring Forties and the Screaming Fifties. He rounded the Horn on March 21st, continuing on to reach Plymouth late in the day on May 28th, 1967. A remarkable achievement by any standard, not taking into account the man's ripe age and a bum leg that just wouldn't quit bothering him throughout the voyage. Slocum was last reported heading for the West Indies in 1909 when he was lost at sea-some say in the Bermuda Triangle. Lee Graham lives happily on, in the United States with his family. Chichester was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of England; tapped on the shoulder by the same sword that his namesake, Sir Francis Drake was presented with by Elizabeth I in 1581. He passed away in 1972, but his example is as enduring as the spirit and courage he displayed throughout his voyage.
|
One of the most exciting experiences for a professional chef is when you are given the responsbility to prepare a meal for an official head of state visit. This weekend will be one of the busiest weekends in the history of Honduras as presidents, prime ministers and dignitaries from all over the world descend on Honduras for the presidential inauguration. Given the opportunity to showcase their culinary talents, local chefs have spent weeks creating new and exciting menus utilizing indigenious and locally produced ingredients to introduce a modern Honduran cuisine. Once a menu is created, the chef must be prepared to offer multiple tastings of up to seven courses to a panel of goverment meeting planners. The tasting process includes refining each of the different menu items and their respective presentations, and selecting the appropriate wine pairing for each course. Upon completion, plates and presentations are digitaly photographed and reproduced on project boards with the sequence of service. The chef must program the entire event to an off-premise location such as the Casa Presidencial with limited work space and tpyically little to no kitchen facilities. I wish to offer
my sincerest congratualtions to the many teams of chefs and their
respective staffs for honoring Honduras with their culinary talents
and expertise during this exciting weekend. I am sharing with you an abbreviated and kitchen friendly version of this dish. In reality the sauce alone takes over 16 hours to prepare. The secret to the dish is to make a coffee flavored rub, a combination of ground coffee with select herbs and spices that are rubbed into the whole tenderloin about one hour before cooking. I prefer to use green coffee beans and roast them to a golden tan, not brown, allow to cool and then grind fine in a food processor. If you do not have access to green coffee beans, you can substitute instant coffee, but reduce the amount of coffee in the recipe by 1/2. The tenderloin is roasted whole over a wood burning grill to a medium rare and served with a coffee flavored demi-glace sauce. In the interest of practicality, it is acceptable for home use to buy a prepared demi-glace or brown sauce and season the sauce with Kahlua, Tia Maria or other coffee flavored liquer. If you do not want to use alcohol, you can substitute some instant coffee crystals and acheive a similar result. COFFEE ENCRUSTED Procedure: trim
tenderloin of fat and silverskin, tie off tail section to the middle
so the entire tenderloin is of similar thickness and will cook evenly.
Mix the remaining ingredients in bowl, rub ½ of mixture into
the whole tenderloin of beef and allow to stand in refrigerator for
one hour. The combination of coffee, herbs and spices will create a crust around the meat, locking in all of the juices. When preparing the rub, I only cook the coffee beans about half way before grinding, because the time on the grill will continue to roast the ground beans and infuse a more delicate flavor than the dark roast beans. Once the tenderloin is seared on all sides, move to the warmer side of the grill and continue to roast to a medium rare temperature. Remove from heat and allow to rest about ten minutes before cutting into individual portions. I will typically serve three 1-1/2 inch wide slices per portion, with the coffee infused demi-glace sauce underneath the meat. Garnish with fresh vegetables and enjoy with a glass of hearty Cabernet Sauvignon. Questions or comments?
|
|
|
||
| CULTURAL EVENTS ART WOMEN IN THE ARTS - MUJERES EN LAS ARTES ONE OF THE STRONGEST ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS IN TEGUCIGALPA. MUJERES EN LA ARTES LETICIA DE OYUELA CONSTANTLY SPONSORS WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, CONFERENCES, ART SHOWS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE CITY. FOR THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE, LOG ON TO WWW.MUUARTES.ORG.HN OR CONTACT VERONICA ROMERO AT 222 3015. 15TH COMPETITION OF CHILDREN’S PAINTING. TOPIC: DESERT AND DESERTIFICATION. SPONSORED BY THE UNITED NATIONS PROGRAM FOR ENVIRONMENT (PNUMA) CONTACT HTTP://WWW.PNUMA.ORG.CONCPINT/ORGANIZADORES FOR MORE DETAILS AND REGULATION OF THE CONTEST. ALL THE PAINTINGS HAVE TO BE AT REGIONAL OFFICES OF PNUMA BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 2006 WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP. THE FAMOUS WATERCOLORIST ROSE EDIN WILL BE THE INSTRUCTOR. JOSE CECILIO DEL VALLE UNIVERSITY. FROM JANUARY 30 THRU FEBRUARY 3. 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. COST: US$125 UPDATED GALLERY IMAGES. PROYECTO GRITÓN. THE EVENTS OF THE SECOND SEMESTER 2005 AND THE FIRST EVENT OF 2006: LAND, LEGACY AND DRUMS ARE INCLUDED. TERCO CULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. CONTACT THEM, THEY ARE ALWAYS ON CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. E-MAIL: TERCOPRODUCCIONES@GMAIL.COM CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. CAFE PARADISO (DOWNTOWN) IS ALWAYS PERFORMING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. CONTACT PARADISO@CABLECOLOR.HN INFORMATION ABOUT CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. CONTACT CONTACTO@RDS.ORG.HN TRAVELLING POSTER EXPOSITION: CULTURE, ALTERNATIVES,DIVERSITY AND RIGHTS. JANUARY 11 - 22 AT CULTURAL CENTER IN SAN PEDRO SULA. AND FROM JANUARY 31 THRU FEBRUARY 15 AT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM IN COMAYAGUA.THIRTY TWO GRAPHIC DESIGNERS FROM LATIN AMERICA AND SPAIN ARE PRESENTING THEIR WORK. MUSIC & DANCE PERCUSSION WORKSHOP. AT WOMEN IN THE ARTS LOCATION. FROM JANUARY 30 THRU FEBRUARY 20, MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS, 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. COST: LPS 1,500.00, ASK FOR PAYMENT CONDITIONS. CONTACT INFO@MUAARTES.ORG.HN SECOND CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESENTATION OF EMERGENT ART. THE CONTEMPORARY ART AND DESIGN MUSEUM OF SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA INVITES CENTRAL AMERICANS AND FOREIGN RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AMERICA TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE CULTURAL OFFICE OF THE SPAIN EMBASSY, COL. PALMIRA, COLOMBIA ST. TEGUCIGALPA. TEL: 232-2019; OR VISIT WWW.MADC.AC.CR THEATRE, DANCE, MUSIC (CHORUS, PIANO, VIOLIN), ENGLISH CLASSES. SAN PEDRO SULA’S ART CENTER OFFERS THIS SERVICE. LPS. 100 IS THE COST OF THE INSCRIPTION AND LPS 150 THE MONTHLY PAYMENT. KHAOTIC GROUP IN CONCERT. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY FIRST, AT THE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF HONDURAS (UTH) 8:00 P.M. THEY’LL SING SOME NEW SONGS OF LAST CD. THE TREASURE THAT YOU HAVE: EL TESORO QUE TENES. IT’S THE NEW CD OF GUILLERMO ANDERSON. IT HAS BEEN PRODUCED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE RIO PLATANO BIOSPHERE PROJECT AND THE GERMAN COOPERATION AGENCY (GTZ). THE MISQUITO ARTIST JUAN COOPER IS THE HONOR GUEST. FOR INFORMATION CONTACT 550-3105 SABOR CUBANO.- COME AND ENJOY THE BEST LATIN RHYTHMS: SALSA, MERENGUE, AND RUMBA. EVERY FRIDAY AT RESTAURANT-BAR: “SABOR CUBANO” ¡LEARN HOW TO DANCE WITH THE BEST DANCERS IN TOWN AND ENJOY THE ORIGINAL “MOJITO CUBANO”! COLONIA PALMIRA, NO. 1933, HALF A BLOCK FROM TACO TACO. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 235-9947. ART AND CULTURE IN HONDURAS: “CASITA DEL PUEBLO” . ENJOY THE BAND OF THE HOUSE AND LIVE SHOWS, HONDURAN TRADITIONAL FOOD AND BEVERAGES, ART CRAFTS AND MORE. NOW IN VALLE DE ANGELES IN FRONT OF THE CENTRAL PARK, NEXT TO THE HOUSE OF CULTURE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 238-0110, 776-2907 OR EMAIL US AT: CASITADELPUEBLOHN@YAHOO.COM THE BEST KARAOKE BAR NAPOC.- COME AND SING ALONG IN THE BEST KARAOKE BAR IN TEGUCIGALPA! ENJOY IN BAR NAPOC, HOTEL MARRIOTT, THE BEST VARIETY OF MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. 70’S NIGHT IN CAFE SAVANT.- COME AND LIVE THE 70’S EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AT CAFE SAVANT IN THEIR NEW LOCATION IN FRONT OF THE SUSHI BAR AND PAN Y MAS, BY THE MANGO TREE IN COL. PALMIRA. EXCELLENT LIVE MUSIC. FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS AT RESTAURANT EL CORRAL, COL. ALAMEDA. MEATS ARE THEIR SPECIALTY DRAWING, PAINTING AND ENGRAVING EXPOSITION. CAFÉ PARADISO IN BARRIO LA PLAZUELA, TEGUCIGALPA. IT WILL BE OPEN UNTIL MARCH 9. FREE ENTRANCE THEATRE LOS DERECHOS DEL HOMBRE (HUMAN RIGHTS). THEATRE PLAY AT JOSÉ FRANCISCO SAYBE THEATRE IN SAN PEDRO SULA. THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. SAYASO@SAYBECONSUL.HN LAUNCHING AN ANNIVERSARY CD. THE BAMBU THEATRE GROUP WILL BE LAUNCHING THEIR XV ANNIVERSARY CD. THEY OFTEN PERFORM CULTURAL ACTIVITIES. E-MAIL: TEATROBAMBU@YAHOO.COM THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
BY LA FRAGUA, THEATRE COMPANY IN EL PROGRESO, YORO. FILM INDEPENDENT FILMS - EVERY TUESDAY - CAFÉ PARADISO IN BARRIO LA PLAZUELA, TEGUCIGALPA, OFFERS INDEPENDENT FILMS EVERY TUESDAY AT 7 P.M. THE FILMS ARE SELECTED BY CINE OLAY. ENTRANCE IS FREE. CALL CAFÉ PARADISO AT 237-0337 FOR MORE INFORMATION. FOOD SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE HONDURAN ARAB CLUB IN SAN PEDRO SULA- ENJOY A FINE SELECTION OF ITALIAN CUISINE IN THE MOST EXCLUSIVE ATMOSPHERE IN SAN PEDRO SULA. EVERY SUNDAY AT 11:30 AM. CLUB HONDUREÑO-ARABE. VARIOUS PRICE. WINE, CHEESE AND JAZZ NIGHTS. EVERY WEDNESDAY AT BAR NAPOC, MARRIOT HOTEL. WINE SPEECHES 7:00 - 7:30 P.M. LIVE JAZZ-NOVA MUSIC 7:30 - 9:30 P.M. TEL. 232-0202 XPRESS LUNCH IN BAR NAPOC.- HOTEL MARRIOTT. A NEW CONCEPT AND A PLEASANT PLACE TO HAVE LUNCH. OPEN FROM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, FROM 11:30 AM TO 3:00 PM. PRICES RANGE FROM L. 89.00 TO L. 129.00. LUNCHES INCLUDE STARTER, SOUP, DESSERT AND SOFT DRINK OR TEA WITH REFILL. COCINA LATINA
RESTAURANT.- IN THE MARRIOTT HOTEL, TEGUCIGALPA, OFFERS A DIFFERENT
BUFFET EACH DAY AT THE EXCELLENT PRICE OF L. 219.00 PER PERSON. INCLUDES
VISITS AT THE BEST SALAD BAR IN THE CITY...OVER 30 INGREDIENTS. MINIATURE AIRPLANE SHOW- SUNDAYS- THE MEMBERS OF THE AEROMODELING CLUB IN TEGUCIGALPA INVITE THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY THEIR VALUABLE COLLECTION OF MINIATURE REAL FLYING AIRCRAFTS. SMALL IN SIZE BUT GREAT IN ENTERTAINMENT. AT THE SEGUNDO BATALLON DE INFANTERIA, TAMARA VALLEY, CARRETERA DEL NORTE, A HALF HOUR FROM TEGUCIGALPA ON THE ROAD TO SAN PEDRO SULA. BEGINNING AT 10:00 A.M. ENTRANCE IS FREE. HONDURAN AIR MUSEUM TONCONTIN AIRPORT, BEHIND THE OFFICERS CLUB AT THE AIR FORCE OF TEGUCIGALPA. TEL 233-4623-233-4692 EXT 2108 ON WEEKDAYS GROUPS ARE RECEIVED UPON APPOINTMENT. 18 AIRPLANES AMONGST THEM THE NORTH AMERICAN NA-16 LEFT IN THE WORLD. . F4U5 CORSAIR, P-63,AT-11,T-28,F-86,DC-6 AND OTHERS. ENTRANCE ADULTS LPS 10.00 CHILDREN AND ELDERLY LPS 5.00 NON RESIDENTS US$ 10.00. OPEN SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. SPORTS CANOPY TOUR - WEEKENDS - CANOPY TOURS ARE AVAILABLE EVERY WEEKEND IN VALLE DE ANGELES, 45 MINUTES OUTSIDE TEGUCIGALPA, BEFORE 5 P.M. EACH TOUR COSTS LPS. 375.00. GO TO THE LAST BUS STOP IN THE TOWN. AT THE CORNER OF THE MAIN STREET ON THE RIGHT, THERE IS A BIG WHITE BUILDING SELLING ARTISAN CRAFTS. ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION HERE. MOUNTAIN CYCLISM.- IF YOU WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL, ON YOUR BIKE, AND ENJOY THE MOUNTAIN VIEW CALL HONDUBIKES NOW:239-219. OPEN ALL WEEK KICK BOXING. COSTA RICA VRS. HONDURAS. AT NATIONAL ENGINEERING COLISEUM. DECEMBER 3, CONTACT JORGE GUZMÁNTRIANA. PHONE: (504) 992-2012 DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CONTACT EVENT HOSTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. THE MAYA CALENDAR
IS A PUBLIC SERVICE FOR OUR READERS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE
AN EVENT, PLEASE SEND THE INFORMATION TO: CALENDAR EDITOR, HONDURAS
THIS WEEK, APDO. POSTAL 1323, TEGUCIGALPA, M.D.C. OR FAX 232-2300.
OR E-MAIL US AT
|
MUSEUMS
& GARDENS TEGUCIGALPA MUSEO DE HISTORIA
REPUBLICANA The
Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building
in Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries.
It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features
portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past presidents.
Admission is Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10
for Hondurans and Central Americans.
For more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468. CENTRAL BANK MUSEUM The
Central Bank of Honduras located at the Comayaguela annex building
is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. It has a permanent coin and painting
exhibit. For special
presentations, call the Emision y Tesoreria department at 237-2270
(-78), ext. 2117 (-2120). [CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.] NATIONAL ART GALLERY The
Galeria Nacional de Arte features rock art, pre-Columbian ceramics,
colonial paintings, religious art and a wide selection of 20th century
Honduran painters. The
gallery is located at the Plaza de la Merced in downtown Tegucigalpa. It is open Tuesday through Saturday
from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10-2 p.m. Admission is Lps. 10 for adults,
Lps. 5 for senior citizens, Lps. 3 for students and Lps. 1 for children
accompanied by adults. IGUANA FARM The
Biosfera Ecocentro Iguana Farm in Colonia La Joya invites the public
to come and learn everything about iguanas. Admission is Lps. 5 for adults,
Lps. 3 for children. The
facility is open every day (except Wednesday) from 9 to 5. For more information, call 230-6346. COMAYAGUA, COMAYAGUA COMAYAGUA MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY Located in the city of Comayagua, two hours north of Tegucigalpa,
the Comayagua Museum of Archaeology is in the building that served
as the seat of government in the 19th century. Exhibits include prehistoric fossils,
cave art, ceramics, and objects used by indigenous cultures during
the pre-Colombian era. The
museum, which also has a small library, is open to the public Tuesdays
through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. COMAYAGUA RELIGIOUS
MUSEUM Located in the Casa Cural
in front of Comayagua's cathedral, this museum features religious
paintings and objects dating back to the 16th century. Hours are 8-12 and 2-4 p.m., Mondays
through Fridays. For
more information, contact Leonardo Letona at 772-0348. LA PAZ, LA PAZ LA
PAZ HOUSE OF CULTURE The
La Paz Casa de la Cultura
is located in downtown La Paz.
It features an attractive exhibit of the Lenca handicrafts
and culture. It is open
Mondays through Sundays. SAN PEDRO SULA, CORTES SPS MUSEUM OF
ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY The
Museo de Antropologia e Historia de San Pedro Sula features exhibits
on the development of Sula Valley, from 1500 B.C. to the middle of
this century. The museum
is open 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Admission
is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for students and children under 12,
and Lps. 2 for senior citizens.
For more information, call 557-1496/557-1798 or fax 557-1874. MUSEUM OF NATURE
OF SAN PEDRO SULA Sponsored and managed by the Fundacion Ecologista H.R. Pastor Fasquelle,
this new museum was inaugurated last December in its current location
at the Biocentro on 3 Avenida and 9 Calle Noroeste. It has 24 exhibits on the environment,
natural resources and biology of Honduras. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Admission is Lps 5 for students from public schools and Lps.
10.00 for everyone else. YUSCARAN, EL PARAISO YUSCARAN HOUSE OF CULTURE Yuscaran's Casa de la Cultura is located at the former Casa Fortin in downtown Yuscaran, El Paraiso department, just 45 km from Tegucigalpa on the road to Danli. It is open Mondays through Saturdays. OLANCHO PECH CULTURAL
CENTER The
Pech have built a small house in El Carbon, Olancho to display their
modern handicrafts. An
exhibit of archaeological finds in the area is planned. You can ask to see the collection
and/or get a tour of a Post Classic era fortified site. The Pech Cultural Center also offers
medicinal plant tours, nature hikes, Pech dinners, etc. There is no admission fee to the
cultural center. Hours:
If you ask, they will open it. COPAN COPAN ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Located in the village of Copan Ruinas, Copan department, the museum
exhibits a splendid assortment of Mayan pieces that have been found
in the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park just 1 km away. LA
PUENTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM Featuring a sizeable collection of Mayan handicrafts and photographs
as well as a room with Japanese antique ceramics, this museum is located
at the El Puente Archaeological Site, about an hour's drive from Copan
Ruinas. MAYAN SEPULTURAS
MUSEUM Inaugurated in 1996, this is the premier Mayan museum in the Mundo
Maya, featuring the finest examples of Copan's tombs, sculptures and
architecture. Located
at the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park, the museum is open Monday
through Sunday. TELA, ATLANTIDA LANCETILLA BOTANICAL
GARDENS Located 2 kilometers from Tela on the Atlantic coast highway, the gardens feature one of the largest collections of tropical and subtropical plants, shrubs and trees in all Latin America. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Sundays. There is an admission charge. LA CEIBA, ATLANTIDA TROPICAL BUTTERFLY
FARM The
Tropical Butterfly Farm & Gardens of La Ceiba is open to the public
Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The farm is located at The Lodge
at Pico Bonito in the village of El Pino, about 25 minutes west of
La Ceiba. Admission is
Lps. 30 for adults, Lps. 15 for children and $6 for international
visitors. BUTTERFLY AND
INSECT MUSEUM Thousands of butterflies and insects from Honduras and 18 other countries
are on display in La Ceiba' private Butterfly and Insect Museum.
It is located in Colonia El Sauce, 2nd etapa, casa G-12. Visiting hours are 8-12 and 2-5,
Monday through Saturday. The
museum is closed Wednesday afternoon. Fees are Lps. 15 for adults and
Lps. 10 for students. Tel.
442-2874, e-mail: rlehman@ns.gbm.hn TRUJILLO TRUJILLO RUFINO
GALAN MUSEUM A
private museum which has a memorabilia section, old chairs, anchors,
silverware, beds of famous people locally. There is an industrial archaeology
section on how lights, axes, stoves, sewing machines, typewriters
have changed over time. They
have a good collection of Garifuna handicrafts and the best collection
of NE Honduras archaeological pieces -- all unmarked. A written guide to the museum is
available at the Trujillo Tourism Office in English and Spanish. The museum is open 8 to 4, closing
for lunch. Adults Lps.
20, children Lps. 10. Located
on Calle 18 de Mayo, next to the Crystales River and the famous "piscina"
or pool, about a 15-minute walk out of town. ROATAN, THE BAY ISLANDS CARAMBOLA BOTANICAL
GARDENS h
located in Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands. A wide variety of exotic plants
is featured here, including "Roatan's most extensive orchid collection." It is open daily from 7 a.m. to
5 p.m. For more information,
call 445-1117 and ask for Bill or Irma Brady. BAY ISLANDS MUSEUM A
private museum at Anthony's Key Resort, Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands,
it mostly includes archaeological pieces, but there is a small section
on the modern Bay Islanders.
Museum admission is included in the cost of the dolphin show
at Anthony Key's Institute of Marine Sciences.
Small buses or taxis will take you to Sandy Bay from most Roatan
towns. |
|
| Monday, January 23, 2006 Online Edition 3 | ||
| Honduran website has faith By Rosibel Pacheco Evan Hernández Torres is a 22 year old Honduran systems engineering university student. The necessity of finding a job to help pay for living expenses pushed him to start looking at options. "I felt extremely interested and curious about web design, and so I got a job at the Editorial Hablemos Claro, three years ago." His first task on the web was to maintain the editorial's site. "This awoke my interest in computers, in programs, and I wanted to get to know more and more." Today, Evans works independently and has developed a number of sites. He always works for the editorial that gave him his first break and is driving a project (amongst others) with Abriendo Brecha, a national television news agency, maintaining their site and consultant's office. This young university student of UNAH (National Autonomous University of Honduras) formed a team of 15 'guys' two years ago, who meet once a week in the university grounds, under a big tree. They share biblical teachings, put on plays, sing etc. "We have had up to 150 young people attend our reunions, we have detected a great spiritual need in the university community." On Wednesdays, these guys also devote their time to those in need, they visit hospitals, nursing homes and youth centers, bringing them food and clothes, all done with their own resources (selling of todopasa t-shirts) and also having the help of the Christian University Community and the Student Brigade who have provided materials and training. "We can't ask for the students to contribute much because their resources are limited, but neither as Christians can we continue only receiving, we have to give," expressed Evans with conviction. They thought about creating a website where people who wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ could interact. With this aim, Evans designed a web site called www.todopasas.com (“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away”, Mathew 24:35) and always counted on the help of his colleagues from Wednesdays. There they set up forums so that people with the same faith in Jesus Christ can find each other and communicate. The Arroba de Oro Awards, sponsored by La Tribuna newspaper, in the year 2005 had 200 nominations in various categories. One of these categories was titled as Religion. "I had no idea of the existence of this contest, I knew of it hardly a week before its closing," said Evans. "I was pleased to participate, the inscription cost 500 Lempiras, I paid and registered." Hernandez' website managed to come within the best 14 participants of the 200 initial entrants. "I saw that the competition was strong, but I had the conviction that we could compete and we gave it everything. " They were called to watch the vote at the carnival of votes in the car park of Bamboo nightclub where space was extremely limited. "We competed against participants from the Cervecería Hondureña, Banco Cuzcatalán, amongst others. Some groups promoted themselves with sexy women, regaetton, drinks etc., but we, on the other hand presented mime artists, singers, we managed to give a different message, giving out stickers. The voting did not interest us, what had an impact on us was meeting the people." They came out on top thanks to their presentation. Then a month passed until the awards ceremony. Evan´s site, that of a young man with hardly more than two years of experience, won the prize in its category, competing against teams of experienced and well-known designers. Evans explained his decision to continue maintaining the site www.todopasa.com. He wants to finish his university studies because he is convinced that knowledge is a powerful weapon. He wants to continue helping the Wednesday group in UNAH.
|
A bowl of Caribbean Coconut Conch Chowder. Traveling through Roatan and Guanaja this week, I set my sights on finding the best conch chowder in Honduras. Throughout the Caribbean I have encountered numerous versions of Conch Chowder. My earliest recollection of this Caribbean delight during one of my first consulting assignments as an undergraduate student at Florida International University. A small group of hospitality management students were given the opportunity to perform a five-day operational assessment of the Britannia Beach Resort and Casino at Paradise Island (what is now the Atlantis resort and Casino). At that time the resort catered to a predominately New York and northeastern US market offering multiple high end restaurants, but very little by way of traditional local cuisine. Since my charge in this assignment was food and beverage operations, I was determined to get a better understanding of the local culinary culture. My research was quickly rewarded with a visit to the legendary Poop Deck Restaurant. Upon meeting with
the owner I was escorted to the back of the kitchen where I heard
a constant and rhythmic pounding as workers were cracking the conch
over large stumps of wood. The conch or caracol is a saltwater, marine
snail known for its mild, sweet, clam-like meat. However, the meat
is very tough and must be tenderized by breaking the flesh. At the
Poop Deck, the tool of choice for this task was an empty Dom Perignon
bottle. They explained to me that rounded shape of the bottle was
important to break the skin without tearing it into pieces. They would
also crack the conch between sheets of plastic so that the splatter
would not get all over the work place. I insisted on trying and was
able to successfully tenderize about a dozen or so before my arm gave
out and my stomach gave in on an offer to join the owner for lunch.
I was served an amazing bowl of conch chowder loaded with tomatoes,
onions, peppers and a gentle touch of thyme. Since then, I have made
it a point to sample the conch in every Caribbean destination. CARIBBEAN COCONUT CONCH CHOWDER (serves 6) 1 lb conch cracked,
peeled and cut spoon size Procedure: Crack or tenderize the conch, peel the outside skin and cut into spoon size portions, season with limejuice and reserve. Preheat a saucepot over medium flame; add butter, onion, celery, green pepper, mutton pepper (optional), breadfruit and garlic. Sweat-sauté until onions are translucent, add cilantro, thyme, potatoes and chicken stock, bring to a boil and reduce temperature to a simmer, cook until potatoes are falling-apart-tender (about 10 minutes). Stir in the coconut milk, bring to a gentle simmer and cook for five minutes, stirring constantly. In this recipe the paper thin potato slices act as a thickening agent and will slightly thicken the liquid, add the cracked conch and bananas, gently simmer for 10 minutes or until the bananas are fork tender. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Serve hot and garnish with toasted shredded coconut, a fine julienne of red pepper and a sprig of cilantro. It is important not to let the soup come to a rapid boil once the coconut milk is added, keep the temperature at a gentle simmer. Questions or comments?
|
|
The
Todo Pasa.com group competing for the Arroba de Oro Awards.
| Monday, January 16, 2006 Online Edition 2 | ||
| Casa Zulema a sanctuary amid the trees By RUTH WINKLER Casa Zulema, an AIDS hospice located near Valle de Angeles is a small center that helps make a big difference to its residents. More than one third of the people living with HIV or AIDS in Central America live in Honduras. The nation has been unable to combat the spread of HIV inside its borders, with San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa becoming havens for the virus. At the end of 2003, the national HIV prevalence was estimated by UNAIDS at 1.8 per cent of the adult population (those aged 15-49), AIDS is the second highest cause of hospitalization and death overall in the country. Many sufferers not only have to contend with the difficulties of living with the virus but also have to face discrimination, social isolation and rejection from a society where the majority of the population lacks the education to understand and recognize the needs of those with AIDS. Founded nine years ago by the Spanish Priest and painter Ramón Martínez, Casa Zulema aims to return the warmth of a family atmosphere to those who society prefers not to recognize. Casa Zulema is where AIDS sufferers come to spend the final phase of their lives. The home provides occupational therapy to its residents as well as moral and spiritual guidance. The church provides support and doctors donate their time, the home not being affiliated with any organization or institution.
Casa Zulema takes its name from the first resident: a girl who was infected with the virus after her boyfriend failed to tell her he was a carrier. She became pregnant and on finding out she was HIV positive became depressed and suicidal. Hearing this story, Martínez raised money in Spain from the Catholic Church and donors to buy the house and land, nestled amongst the forest. There are three criteria for patients to enter the house: to be suffering from AIDS, living in poverty and to have been rejected by their family. There is no limit to the distance patients will cover to come to the home, with patients originating from every corner of Honduras, and a waiting list having been drawn up. The home has a capacity of 22 beds. At the time of the visit there were 17 patients, three deaths having occurred during December. Of the 17, three were young children orphaned by the AIDS virus, one having lost her mother only a week before. For Laura Sánchez, the sole full-time care provider who devotes her life to the home and its patients, Casa Zulema is as much her home as it is the home of the patients. She moved in after her husband left her through the fear that she would contract AIDS and pass it on to their son. The patients are now her family for the time they are there. "The first thing I tell someone on arrival is that God has given you a new family, everyone here is a member of it," she says. Sánchez describes the philosophy of Casa Zulema and the difference it makes to the final stages of someone's life, "this is not a hospital here. Everybody is called by name and cared for as an individual and a person." Although she admits the work she does is emotionally draining- on average there are three or four deaths every month and generally five coffins have to be kept in stock. Sánchez' faith allows her to continue the vocation she has found, "God is giving me the strength," she says, "I work for God and everyday I pray for the strength." Since its creation, over 400 residents of Casa Zulema have passed away there. A simple wooden cross in the chapel bears each name. On the walls of the social room are frames filled with photos of residents along with Padre Ramón. There, the residents of the home take part in activities like crafts, which can be therapeutic in themselves, helping the patients to forget their problems, as many have suffered disturbing events in the past. Casa Zulema relies on donations to be able to continue to care for its patients. At the moment graves in the nearby cemetery and that of Valle de Angeles have to be stacked in order to save space and medicine is hard to come by. It is preferred that potential donors visit Casa Zulema in order to see and understand the ethos and spirit of the home, and donations are only accepted through goodwill without personal ends. For more information contact Laura Sánchez at 504-766-2087.
By RUTH WINKLER January 6, the day of kings, the Hotel Marriott, Tegucigalpa, Continental Airlines, Copa Airlines, Pepsi and Banco del País united in the spirit of Christmas, along with the US Marines in order to bring a smile to the faces of 437 children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The event Toys for Tots is part of a program, organized by the infantry body of the US Marines, which has been taking place around the world for more than a decade. At the event held in Tegucigalpa, children from six orphanages came to celebrate at the specially decorated Hotel Marriott. There they were given a special lunch and enjoyed the party atmosphere provided through clowns, face painting and the ultimate receiving of presents.
Event Manager, Claudia Valerio, described the celebration as being "a unique, amazing and great experience." The Marriott took part in the event as part of its initiative, Spirit of Service to the Community, which aims to give education and development opportunities to Honduran children. Glenn Simon, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel, Tegucigalpa, explained, "the slogan of Toys for Tots is to offer a smile and give something to those who don't have, this is part of the philosophy of spirit of service of the Marriott." Also in attendance was the US Ambassador in Honduras, Charles A. Ford, who provided a speech for the occasion, in which he described it as giving him and his wife a "great satisfaction to see so many children with their innocent smiles, in anticipation of what the three kings have brought them." Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendriks, a reservist of the infantry body of the Marines, at the request of his wife Diane. She designed a doll and asked her husband to donate it to an organization that worked with disadvantaged children. On realizing that no such organization existed she asked him to found one, and this was the beginning of Toys for Tots, explained Ford. In its initial year, Major Hendriks and his colleagues gave out 5,000 presents to poor children in Los Angeles, and in 1948 the program was extended to a national level. Today, Toys for Tots is found in all parts of the world, where members of the infantry body of the US Marines are stationed. Since its creation,
the program has provided more than 332 million toys to more than
159 million children from around the world. This year's event in
Tegucigalpa was the second time it has been held here.
Known as the premier Florida game fish and easily identified for it's distinctive lateral line along the body from gill to tail, the snook (also known as the line fish or robalo as it is called in Honduras) has long been considered one of the best eating fish in Florida. Snook was so popular it was almost fished into extinction. In 1957, Florida enacted legislation that banned the sale or purchase of snook, and today the fish is protected by numerous regulations including closed seasons, bag limit (1 per day) and size limit (minimum 26" and maximum 36"). One of our favorite fishing spots for snook was along the bridge between the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, in the evening during a tide change as the sun was setting. This is an appropriate strategy for snook fishing in Honduras, where along the north coast there are numerous streams and rivers that open to the sea. Live shrimp or pinfish are the preferred bait, and a long wire leader is strongly recommended as these fish have very sharp gill fins. Unfortunately, in Honduras there are no restrictions on the robalo and it is very common to stretch a gill net across the rivers and streams and capture every fish moving with the tide change. As a result, robalo are plentiful in the grocery markets and the mayoreos all year. I like to purchase fresh robalo at the mayoreo next to the national stadium in Tegucigalpa at a small fish market called the 3 B's. They will clean and fillet the fish for me and I will typically cook it the same day. Today I will share with you a recipe for fish tacos using robalo. If you cannot find robalo, you can substitute tuna or swordfish. For this recipe I will estimate approximately 4-5 ounces of fish fillet per person. The tacos are made from corn tortillas, and served with a seasoned cabbage, grated cheese (preferably quesillo), white taco sauce, and garnished with chopped tomatoes and fine julienne of jalapeno peppers. The hot fish and chilled seasoned cabbage wrapped in a warm corn tortilla with the white taco sauce are an amazing combination of flavors and textures. I will typically accompany the fish tacos with a leafy green salad, refried beans and plenty of vegetables encurtido. Fish Tacos (6 portions) White Taco Sauce
Combine ingredients in bowl, stir till smooth, season to taste with your favorite hot sauce, salt and pepper. Serve chilled. Ingredients
In a large bowl dissolve sugar in the vinegar, add the cilantro and cabbage, stir until the cabbage is coated in the vinegar; season with salt and pepper and chill. This is best if prepared in advance and allowed to chill for at least 1 hour. In a separate bowl add the corn meal, cumin and chili powder; season with salt and black pepper. The robalo will be lightly dredged in this mixture and immediately cooked to a golden brown. Cut the robalo fillet into ½" -3/4" thick slices, they should be no longer than the size of the tortilla. Pat dry and reserve. Pre-heat a non-stick skillet over medium flame, and melt enough whole butter to cover the bottom of the pan, lightly dredge the slices of fresh fish in the corn meal blend and place in the pre-heated skillet, cook for 3-4 minutes to a light golden and turn over with a spatula and repeat (add butter as necessary). Transfer the cooked fish to a cookie sheet or platter and keep warm in the oven. It is important to dredge just enough fish for one batch at a time. If you dredge all of the fish at the same time, the fish will quickly absorb the corn meal, become soggy and will stick together. It is important to have the warm tortillas ready before you start cooking the fish as everything comes together very quickly once the fish is cooked. To assemble the tacos, place some seasoned cabbage in the bottom of a folded warm tortilla, add the fish, top with grated cheese and white taco sauce, garnish with chopped tomato and jalapeno. Serve immediately. Questions or
comments?
|
Online Forum Established for Rotary Clubs By MARCO CACERES A new online forum called the Honduras Rotary Support Forum has been created within the projecthoduras.com network. It is designed to improve communication and coordination between the 23 Rotary Club chapters in Honduras and the dozens of Rotary Clubs in Europe, Latin America, and North America that are involved in social service activities to support the people of Honduras, everything from providing clean water systems and school supplies to organizing construction and healthcare missions. The forum will serve as a clearinghouse of information and contacts on past and present projects in Honduras supported by Rotary, as well as a place where people can go to request support for proposed projects. There are many worthy projects in Honduras that require sponsorship, and Rotarians are always looking for new ideas on how to help. The forum would meet both needs. The 23 Rotary chapters in Honduras include clubs in Choluteca, Comayagua, Copan Ruinas, Danli, El Progreso, Juticalpa, La Ceiba, Marcala, Olanchito, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa de Copan, Siguatepeque, Tela, Tocoa, and Yoro. There are also the Tegucigalpa, Tegucigalpa Kaputzihil, and Tegucigalpa Sur clubs, as well as three in the San Pedro Sula area-the San Pedro Sula, Usula, and Valle de Sula clubs. The 24th Rotary chapter in Honduras may well be located in Roatan. Plans are reportedly underway to begin the process of establishing a Rotary Club of Roatan within the next few months. Rotary Honduras is part of Rotary International's District 4250, which also includes clubs in Belize and Guatemala. To subscribe to the Honduras Rotary Support Forum, send a blank e-mail to: honduras-rotary-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or e-mail hondopost@yahoo.com.
Missions to Honduras Marco Caceres,
January 27-February
3, 2006 / Lizapa February 2006
/ El Renuevo February 3-18,
2006 / El Castillo February 4-12, 2006 / La Esperanza Christian Medical & Dental Associations (www.cmdahome.org) of Bristol, Tennessee, will sponsor a medical/dental mission to La Esperanza (Intibuca) during February 4-12, 2006. This team will consist of a primary medical and dental clinic using the Mobile Medical Unit located in Honduras. Pharmacists, nurses, optometrists, and helpers (logistics) are welcome. One or two days will be devoted to prison work. Estimated mission cost per team member is $1,600. Contact: William Sasser, MD, gho@cmdahome.org February 5-11,
2006 / Sulaco
|
|
Laura
Snnchez, the only full-time care provider at Casa Zulema, stands
on the balcony of the hospice.
A cross in the chapel bears the names of former residents.
A
Honduran child at Toys for Tots in the Marriott Hotel.
U.S.
Ambassador Charles Ford poses for photos with children that have
just received their gifts from Toys for Tots
Some
of my fondest childhood memories are of our family's summer vacations
to Captiva Island, Florida, a time long before the proliferation
of concrete and rampant development of condominiums that has forever
changed the look and feel of that quaint island community. My brothers
and I enjoyed the long summer days racing our 16´ Hobie catamaran
up and down the beach for hours on end, pausing occasionally to
chase the dolphins or offer rides to young ladies looking to escape
the boredom of their parent's watchful eyes. But it was the evenings
that hold a special memory for me, because the evenings were when
the elusive snook would bite. | Monday, January 9, 2006 Online Edition 1 | ||
| Bay Islands Brewery hopes to do big beer business By DON PEAT A new resident of Roatan is hoping to have a big impact in bars across the islands and on the mainland with his microbrewery. Jiri Maska left the Czech Republic in the early nineties looking for a place to start a business and build a life for his family. After travelling around the world, living in several other countries, he settled on the island of Roatan. The investment encouragement laws of Honduras, which allow for a business to operate tax and duty free for the first ten years of operation, helped Maska decide on Honduras as the place he wanted to go into business. Two years ago he opened the Bay Islands Brewery.
"I can't live in a country without good beer," said Maska on why he decided to go into beer making on Roatan. He feels a smaller brewery can provide a beer for the discerning brew connoisseur who wants to avoid the high cost of imported beer. So far the brewery produces three types of beer in kegs, including Bay Islands Pilsner Light, Dark Ale, and Ginger Beer. Eventually they hope to produce bottled beer, rum, and even soft drinks. Maska, an artist by trade, brought a brewmaster from the Czech Republic to teach him how to brew the beer. Using 600-year-old recipes Maska brews beer the traditional way, with open fermentation methods perfected in Bohemia. Like the beer-making knowledge, the ingredients- malt and hops- are imported from Maska's homeland as well. The brewery itself harkens back to the past, it's a replica of a 15th century Spanish fortress. For the past two years Maska has built it himself, high on a hill in the east end of the island. The stone structure dominates the landscape and provides a picturesque view of the island's north and south coasts. Windmills and solar panels provide much of the power for the brewery. "I want the next generation to say, Grandpa built a good, strong building," said Maska proudly. If the view is not enough to draw visitors to the fortress, a tasting room, a must-see-stop on any brewery tour, provides another incentive. On top of the fortress a bell tower houses a bell from 1750. Maska hopes to add another antique bell and to ring them at noon and 6pm each day, echoing over the island. "When I was a child, growing up I remember hearing the town's bells ringing every day to signal the time," recalled Maska, "I want that to be a memory for children around the island as well." Currently, Maska's Bay Islands beer is available in several establishments in West Bay and in West End at Half Moon Bay Cabins, Sundowners, Argentinean Grille, Buccaneers, Henry Morgan, and the Last Resort. Maska continues to paint, the sales from his artwork help support his business ventures, and has painted many pictures inspired by his new home in the Bay Islands. To see his work visit www.maskaart.com.
TONIGHT'S TOAST:
When we think of getting eaten alive, most of us associate it with a tiger, a Tiger Shark or a memorable shag; but really--even for those who have lived through the experience-- rarely do sand flies ever come to mind. And this is interesting, in and of itself, because to be attacked by these little fiends is to become a main course. By the time you spot that first telltale red spot on your back or neck or legs, you are already part of the history books, under the heading "Entrees." You still have time to get back into the water-- and that'll stop the onslaught-- but it's actually too late; and it will tell for days. Skin-so-Soft by Avon is really the best precaution. I've tried just about all the other repellents and products that hype their effectiveness at combating the nefarious nanobeasts. Trust me, they do not work with Honduran sand flies, noseeums hodientes. These have a pedigree that goes back to 1868, and before. An endearing account of sandflies in my country-- the first as far as I am able to surmise-- comes from Charles Swett, of Warren County, Mississippi, who in that year wrote in his diary: " January 8th-- ...The wind entirely died away at 8 o'clock this evening, and before ten changed to the north-west, causing an invasion of our premises by such a force of sand flies as to render opposition futile, and we were punished to a degree that it is impossible for us to make known, but will ever be remembered... "Suffice it to say for the present day that, they gave no notice of their approach, came in immense force, and each individual armed with what seemed to us to be a red-hot needle." The next day, while licking his wounds, he states: "January 9th-- This morning the wind is blowing from the opposite direction, sand flies are all gone, and we will endeavor to forget the miseries of the past night." I think that his report while passing through these lands-- even if dated-- is accurate and eloquently couched. Later, in a description of local reptiles and insects, he continues: "We did not see, during our stay in Spanish Honduras, a single snake-though they are said to be numerous. There are some bottle-flies, but no so many as in British Honduras, and in certain localities sand flies are very numerous and annoying."
|
Bay Island Lobster
Quesadillas (serves 4) The lobster meat is removed from the shell and cut into a small ½ inch dice. I like to use culinary scissors to cut through the top of the shell and remove the tail whole. I will save the shells in the freezer and use them in the future to prepare a rich seafood stock for my next paella or seafood pasta dish. Once the ingredients are assembled, preheat a skillet over a medium low flame and melt the butter. When the butter is melted add the scallions, green pepper and garlic cloves, and sweat-sauté until the onions are translucent we want these vegetables slightly tender and cooked without color. Add the lobster meat, jalapeno and cilantro, sauté for 3-4 minutes and then add the white wine. Bring mixture to a boil and reduce to a gentle simmer, season the mixture and reduce the liquid by ¾ the volume, probably 8-10 minutes. Since we are cooking at a low heat, the lobster meat is infusing with the flavors of the scallion, cilantro and jalapeno into a wonderful reduction. Once our reduction is complete, remove pan from flame, divide into four equal portions and keep warm. In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, warm the flour tortillas. For all of us who have made New Year's resolutions to eat healthier this year: please note that when preparing the actual quesadillas we are cooking without butter or oil. Place a warmed tortilla in the skillet, add enough grated cheese to cover the tortilla, spoon the lobster reduction over the cheese, add another warm tortilla on top, lightly brown the tortilla by cooking for 2-3 minutes and flip over and lightly brown the other side. Remove from skillet and cut into 6 equal portions. I like to serve these with sour cream, sliced jalapeno peppers and a homemade salsa. Salsa Seasoning This homemade salsa is cooked and suitable for canning. The recipe is presented in proportions and can be prepared in various quantities. I have the best success measuring with a coffee cup and doubling this recipe. I like my salsa spicy and will include a combination of jalapeno and scotch bonnet peppers that have been roasted with the skin and seeds removed. Roasting the peppers in a hot oven or over an open flame will give the salsa a distinctive flavor. This is a healthy version of salsa and includes no oil or butter. Place the tomatoes, onions, green peppers, hot peppers, tomato juice, cilantro, vinegar, sugar, and garlic in a medium sauce pan, gently stir while bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce temperature to gentle simmer and cook for five minutes. Add the seasonings and adjust taste. Continue to simmer uncovered and reduce the volume by ½, adjust seasoning and allow to cool. Serve chilled Questions or comments?
E-mail Daniel O'Connor at
| |
The
Bay Islands Brewery on Roatan. The building is a replica of a 15th
Century Spanish fortress.
Jiri
Maska standing inside the production area of his brewery.
A
trip to Honduras' Bay Islands is not complete until you have had the
pleasure of tasting fresh shrimp and lobster. Harvested directly from
the sea and never frozen, these Bay Island shrimp and lobster are
true culinary treasures. We are in the peak lobster season in Honduras
and availability of warm-water, Caribbean lobster tails is plentiful
throughout the Bay Islands and the mainland. My preference is the
fresh harvested tails (never frozen, stored on ice), around six ounces
or slightly smaller. The lobster tail can be grilled over a wood flame,
broiled in the oven or sautéed in any combinations of dishes.
Today I would like to share with you a Bay Island Lobster Quesadilla
with homemade salsa recipe.