Where to go | What to do in - Riviera Maya

Recently a few of my co-workers are flying down to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico and have asked me to give them a few pointers of where to go and what to do when they do down there... Since I was raised in Chetumal, the capital of the State of Quintana Roo (where the city of Cancun is), I do know of a few places in the area that people should have on their to-do & to-go list... And since I`m a natural born foodie with a taste and liking for the best... Restaurant recommendations will always be in any of my lists of any of the places I've visited.

Here's the list I've put together for them:

Tulum Ruins: Tulum is a resort town on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, around 130 km south of Cancun. The 13th-century, walled Mayan archaeological site at Tulum National Park overlooks the sea. It incorporates the clifftop Castillo, built as a watchtower, and the Templo de las Pinturas, with a partially restored mural. Inland, the Cobá archaeological site has pyramid-shaped temples with views over the surrounding jungle.

Once in Tulum, you could check out The Hartwood restaurant. It’s all about the food, local market, local grown fusion style of restaurant that has gotten rave reviews...

Cetli restaurant. It's a Mexican food restaurant... Be ready to be blown away by the exquisite Mexican cuisine that the real Mexico has to offer (No Hard Shell Tacos OR Taco Tuesday)

You could also take the time to travel down to Playa deal Carmen, do some walking along the Main Street and do some shopping. There's lots of options for shopping little nick-nacks and souvenirs. 

Silver will always be a great thing to buy in Mexico as it is the number 1 metal to be found in Mexican mines.

Once you're done shopping and worked out an appetite, head down to explore the restaurants...

La Cueva Del Chango (monkey's cave) or Alux for some delicious Mexican food.

If the time and the day allows you, head out to Cozumel Island. They have boats making hourly trips back and forth from Playa to Cozumel. They do have an early start and a late finish, make sure you check the times for the last boat back to Playa if you're making the trip.

If you go up to Cancun, you have to go Party at Coco Bongo... But you also have to check El Cambalache, it's an Argentinian Style Steakhouse located in Plaza Coco Bongo (Hard Rock Cafe Plaza) and you definitely have to try Los Almendros for authentic Yucatecan Style food... Don't trust the hot peppers. Hot peppers in Mexico are actually HOT. (Not very white people friendly) Remember, you're in Mexico, you're by the sea. Try the seafood! It's fresh and delicious.

You have to try and check out Xel-Ha or Xcaret. They're ecotourism attractions. They are awesome and you should try to check out at least one of them. This time of the year (Winter) the majestic Whale Sharks swim south to warmer waters, see if you can find a local tour that gets you out with them for a swim... They're harmless, think of them as a ginormous dolphin.

Also, check out the ancient Mayan Ruins of Chichen-Itza. There's lots of Mayan/Mexican history in that part of the country. 

Fair Warning. No matter what the slogan says or what your friends have said in college, Not Everything Is Legal in Mexico. We do have laws and we ask tourist not to behave as an 'American Idiot'. Have fun, be safe and have a great time.

Carlos Cuevas. #TravellingCanExican

Jugo Juice's New Summer Menu Items!

At work I've had the pleasure to meet lots of people and lots of clients. I'm currently working with the guys at Jugo Juice and I tried some of their new summer menu items yesterday during their big launch.

The flavours to look for are:

1.       Kale Berry Crush - Veggie Smoothie
 

This berry/veggie blend is new to the Veggie category, and is a great anti-oxidant combination that once again features their love for kale.

2.       Giant Peach Protein - Protein Smoothie

This great tasting smoothie is made with low-glycemic fruit, and offers a protein punch!
 
3.       Coco Beach - Bliss Smoothie

This is a spin-off of their original Copa Banana but they've created a better-for-you tropical treat with only natural sugars.

4.       Pb Protein - Protein Smoothie

Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana - How can you go wrong with this?! This popular protein smoothie flavor combination provides a great pick me up after a workout with 32.5g of muscle building protein.

5.       Kale Nut - Veggie Smoothie

Their Green Smoothie success marches on with this great new GREEN addition. Just 160 calories for a 24 oz smoothie, this less sweet option is for anyone looking to add a clean eating element to your day!

6.       Kale-Aid - Fresh Pressed Juice

They just introduced a new, GREEN option for the ones that are super clean, and like to be filled with nutrients. Not only does it taste delicious, but it has 2 lbs of fresh veggies and fruit and contains ingredients known for their cleansing and detoxifying properties.

7.       Green Glow - Veggie Smoothie

Another awesome addition to their veggie line-up featuring their favourite super green, kale! With healthy fat of avocado and smooth tropical fruit.

8.       Twisted Roots - Fresh Pressed Juice

This ruby red blend of great tasting and healthy root vegetables is brightened up by fresh apples and lemon.

So, Now you know what you're looking for at the Jugo Juice closest to you! Go out there, enjoy and be happy!

Nutella Banana Bread!!!

Two of the worlds best flavours met this morning at my place and I made them marry each other in a delicious recipe that I found online!

They say (I'm not sure who, but I'm sure someone has said it... Or I just made it up) that good kitchen creations start with a craving. I like to imagine flavours in my head before I put them together. Like last night I was wondering what would banana bread and Nutella would taste like together. Don't get me wrong, I've tried bananas and nutella mixed together, in a sandwich or just in a tortilla wrap (like a banana, nutella taco if you would - God, I'm so Mexican...) But, here's where imagination kicks in. Nutella, like any other thing out there, would change it's flavour once you add heat to it. Anything in it's 'raw' presentation tastes completely difference once you cook it.

Imagine a glass of rum or wine, once you add it to a dish and cook it you change the chemical balance in it and then change the flavour... It add a little hint of sweetness to it. It's no different with Nutella. It changes the flavour, but for the better... You're probably like "How can Nutella taste even better???" it can!!!

Give this recipe a try, remember that you can feel free to change up the portions or to add different elements that you think might work... Say Strawberry yogurt instead of milk... I'd imagine that it'll add a different layer of flavour to it. The only best way to find out, is to try it!

Remember that recipes are supposed to be used as a guide... Recipes are not a Mathematical formula that you should use each and every single time to get to that result. Use your imagination and feel free to play with flavours and ingredients. Imagine how one thing mixed with another would taste and then decide if that's something you would like to eat! Best of Luck and enjoy!

Nutella Banana Bread!

Ingredients:

 

- 2 cups flour

- ¾ teaspoon baking soda

- ½ teaspoon salt

- ¼ cup butter, softened and unsalted

- 1 cup sugar

- 2 large eggs

- 1¼ cup mashed ripe bananas

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

- ⅓ cup milk

- ¾ cup Nutella

 

Instructions

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Spray 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.

4 . In a separate large bowl, mix in low speed the softened butter, the sugar and butter together. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg is added. Add mashed bananas, milk and vanilla and beat until well combined. Add flour mixture, beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated (don’t over mix).

5. In a small microwave save bowl, add Nutella and heat for 15 seconds. Stir to evenly mix heated Nutella. Add 1 cup of the banana bread batter to the Nutella and stir until well mixed.

6. Spoon Nutella batter alternately with plain banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Swirl batters together with a knife. (don't over mix if you want to add that 2-tone bread)

7. Bake 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan for at least 15 minutes and then remove loaf from pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

 

 

"...This Shit is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!!!" - Gwen Stefani

Sidewalk Citizen has moved!!! :(

Our new station has been based out of the new building for over a year now. It was 1 year ago that we got a really nice 'Welcome to the Neighborhood' package from the guys at Sidewalk Citizen. I'm not going to lie, at first I was like 'meh, just another bakery'... Since that care package, I have to admit that I've eaten there more than I've eaten at my house for this past year. It has become my "Cheers". They actually do know me by name now. I had a moment, and they noticed, then I found out that they were moving their location close to our building to East Village. It was like knowing that your best friend is moving to a different city. It really was that hard to accept the fact that I wasn't going to be enjoying our quick witty conversations while waiting for my food, our jokes while the bakery didn't seem that busy and their delicious, warm, fluffy buns... LOVE THEM BUNS!

 

 

Oh, did I forget to mention? Every Friday the also had a Pizza special!!! I'm really going to miss them, the bakers, the smells, the flavours and the odd combinations that they came up with for their savory and sweet scones. They made Lunch time fun!

 
There's not one single pastry or bread or sandwich that I had over the last year that I honestly say I didn't like. That being said, I never had any of their vegetarian options... Simply because... I LOVE MEAT!!!

 

 

So, my request is... Please East Village, take care of them. They're like my extended family now. And Sidewalk Citizen... I promise I'll make a run as often as possible to East Village for a visit and to pick on those delicious buns of yours... And for lunch too ;)