Friday, June 11, 2021

Michael’s Mango Tomato Habanero Salsa

Michael’s Mango Tomato Habanero Salsa

3 Mangoes (if you are new to this, google how to slice a mango - trust me)
3 full sized tomatoes or a basket of cherry tomatoes
1 bell pepper (color of your choice)
1/2 a large red onion
Hot Carrots (from a restaurant or a can of them - I used about a half of a 14 oz can)
1 large habanero (you could substitute jalapeño or serrano, but habanero is my choice)
1 lime quartered and squeezed
1 lemon quartered and squeezed
3 - 4 garlic cloves
salt (himalayan or kosher) and pepper (fresh ground) to taste
cilantro (I used half a bunch - can use less)
Sprinkled cumin over the top before the final stir
Then let sit at least a half hour, I did two hours

Yucatan Style Fish Tacos

Yucatan Style Fish Tacos

2 lb fresh or frozen skinless cod or other white fish (I used fresh wild Alaskan Rock Cod - 3 pds because we had a crowd)
3 Tbsp orange juice
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
4 cloves garlic
2 packets Sazon coriander and annatto seasoning (1 Tbsp achiote paste could substitute)
I jalapeño
1tsp salt
1 tsp cumin or crushed cumin seeds
1 tsp mexican oregano or regular
Corn tortillas
Shredded cabbage
I increased everything by half for the larger amount of fish
Put fish in slow cooker, add ingredients to oregano (I pre-mixed them in a bowl), cook on low 3 hrs, shred for tacos when done
See mango salsa recipe and make guacamole

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Summer 2021 Road Trip

Narayan co-pilot

June 22) 12 hr drive: Dorrance, KA Minooka Park on Wilson Lake [reserved - paid]

June 23 - 24) 8 and 40 min hr drive: Elk Creek Camping in New Castle, CO [$20 a night - reserved, pay when we get there]
Hanging Lake Trail (no reservations - must for another time)
Glenwood Springs - Iron Mountain Hot Springs (reservation 9 - 11:30 am)
Rifle Falls State Park
Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail (Walk, jog or ride - along the Colorado River)
Marble Distilling Company (Carbondale, CO)
Riviera Scratch Kitchen (Need reservation - June 24th dinner?)
Nepal Restaurant 
Slope and Hatchu (Tapas, Tacos and Dogs - unique specialty stuff)
Glenwood Canyon Brewpub (High quality, generous, pub food and good beers)
Zheng Asian Bistro
Rocky Mountain Pizza Place
Tequilas Mexican
Grind (Burgers look amazing and very diverse tastes/offering - very reasonable prices. Excellent tap list.)

June 25 - 27) 3 1/2 hr drive: Moab, UT (Family gathering with Jim, Jen and Bob)

June 28 - 30) Salt Lake City, UT (Jim's and Jen's house)

July 1 - 2) 9 hrs: Wallowa Lake, OR - longshot, but if we are feeling up to it, stop at Shoshone Falls State Park on the way 
Hells Canyon Scenic Byway Map (Oregon Scenic Byways magazine page 10)
FCFS Campsites

July 3 - 5) 6 hrs, stop at Multnomah and Wahkeena Falls on the way: Aurora, OR (Tom and Lori - family gathering)

July 5: Silver Falls State Park

July 6 - 8) Oregon Coast HWY 101 - Seaside/Tillamook to Newport/Yachats to Florence/Coos Bay: Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

July 6) 1 hr and 44 mins: Seaside, OR
Paid reservation at Cape Lookout State Park (Cape Lookout Trail: 4.7 miles out-and-back to the 400 ft cliffs overlooking the ocean. Very muddy in spots so wear shoes you are not worried about, bring walking sticks, the views are supposed to be spectacular and worth it.)
Restaurants are overpriced because the popularity and proximity to Portland metro - Grill out?
Cannon Beach (Things to do: including Ecola State Park, Haystack Rock)
Bay Ocean Spit Loop Hike
Sitka Sedge State Natural Preserve (Near Pacific City - celebrated for its flora and fauna)
Three Capes Scenic Drive (Tillamook to Pacific City - 40 miles)
Old Growth Cedar Preserve (Rockaway Beach: short mile hike on a boardwalk that winds through huge cedars)
Werner Beef & Brew (Brewery that serves food - you wouldn't leave hungry)
North Coast Foodie Trail 
Tillamook Cremery (maybe on the way in)
Flavors on First (Tillamook: Food Trucks)
Lazy Susan Cafe (Cannon Beach: Breakfast - looks amazing)
Garibaldi Portside Bistro (Garibaldi, OR)
Pacific Oyster Company and Fish Peddler at Pacific Oyster (Bay City: fresh from the ocean)

July 7 - 8) Lagoon Campground south of Florence alongside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area [Reserved and paid]
Waterfront Depot (Looks like amazing food/drinks and reasonable prices)
Little Brown Hen Cafe (Breakfast)
Bridgewater (Seafood - looks good and reasonable)
The Hukilau (Pacific fusion that ranges across Sushi, Hawaiian dishes, seafood pastas and specialty tacos) 

Cape Perpetua (First come, first served) near Yachats (camping in a forest near the ocean) and Recreation.gov page

July 9 - 10) 4 hrs and 45 mins: Prineville, OR
Hike Smith Rock State Park
Bob's flight home

July 11 - 13) 9 1/2 hrs: Idaho Falls, ID (Narayan's family and outdoor adventures) - longshot, but if we are feeling up to it, stop at Shoshone Falls State Park on the way

July 14) 6 1/2 hrs: Saratoga Hot Springs, WY (Hobo Hot Springs and Saratoga Hot Springs)
Stay at Saratoga Lake Campground FCFS 10 dollars a night https://saratoga.govoffice2.com/index.asp
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wyoming/saratoga-hot-springs-hobo-pool-wy/ Make sure to pick up food to BBQ - restaurants are not looking too good online

July 15 - 17) 4 1/2 hrs: Colorado Springs, CO (Narayan's family and outdoor adventures)

July 18 - 19) Drive Home
July 18) 8 hrs: Clinton State Park, KS (15 dollars) https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/clinton-state-park/KS/519117/campsites [Reserved and Paid] 
July 19) Home: 9 1/2 hrs