Batidos - yet another way to love a shake!

I recently returned from a trip to Panama.

We stayed at Tranquillo Bay," an eco adventure lodge," on an island on the Caribbean side of the country off of Bocas Del Toro. Two American families built and own the place and take care of you every second of the day. They have intelligent, friendly and very enjoyable guides (biologists doing something with their time in the turtle off season) that take you on excursions to explore the surroundings. I have included some pics so that you can get a feel for my time in the jungle!

The food that we had at the resort was for the most part familiar, Salads, curry and chicken rice, salsa and chips, doritos, cookies etc... We were busy in the sun all day and only ate when breakfast lunch or dinner was served. Because of this every meal felt very fortifying. I really felt like I was eating because I needed to it refuel, replenish. We did have a few things that really gave a nod to where we were. We had an appetizer made of plantains, cuban rum and one night we had fish that was from the pacific side of the country. We learned from our host that this is because the Panamanian fishermen on the Caribbean side don't ice their fish but the fishermen on the Pacific side do.

The best thing for me was the Batidos! I had one every morning that I was there. Basically it is a fruit shake (so, no surprise that it was my favorite thing). Fresh fruit is blended with ice, milk, and a sprinkle of sugar and that's it! I had watermelon on most days but they also had cantaloupe, pineapple and banana to choose from. This could be done with any fruits - Mangos, papayas, strawberries. Anything.

I am pretty sure that I have never looked forward to watermelon season more than right now.
The summer of Batidos? Time will tell...

Tinto de Verano

When in Spain I enjoyed doing as the Spanish do. This translates to large lunches, naps, late dinners, tostadas and cafe con leche, tapas, and Tinto de Verano (red wine of summer) or Tinto y Blanco to drink at many meals and bars.

As contradictory as this sounds, it was cold red wine with either lemon soda or fizzy water. These go down easy and are refreshing at almost any juncture in the day.

We ate at a typical cheap restaurant with a 5 Euro lunch of traditional Spanish foods. They didn’t take drink orders, just brought glasses of ice. On every table was a bottle of wine and soda and you just mixed your own drink. There is a funny picture of my sister at the table and you can see the bottles.

Sure, anyone is embarrassed to actually order a wine spritzer, but wait till summer, make them at home, drink them all day, all season long, and enjoy it (it is so European of you!)!