Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Las Mariposas (The Butterflies)

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Las Mariposas (The Butterflies): Again I find myself reading one of my all time favorite books, In Time of The Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez. This is the story of the four M...

Las Mariposas (The Butterflies)

Again I find myself reading one of my all time favorite books, In Time of The Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez.

This is the story of the four Mirabal sisters during the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic (yes my homeland). The sister make a conscious decision to become part of the underground movement and overthrow the Trujillo regime, and the book presents the perspective of each sister, including that of Dede, the only surviving sister.

When I was a child (7yrs - 9yrs) I had the honor of meeting Dede during our customary school field trip to the Mirabal Sister's house; back then I was not interested in what she had to say, all I care along with my classmates was the "day-off" we got from the nuns at school, in retrospect, I wish I told her how proud I was of not only been a woman, but a Cibaeña woman at that (the region where they are from in D.R.) I want to thank her for her and her family sacrifice to our country. And also tell her how thankful I am for sharing the story of "Las Mariposas" as they became to be known during the underground movement to overthrow "El Jefe" whom had the killed on a side road buy sugar cane fields when returning from their monthly visits to their incarcerated husbands.

I do recommend you read/buy/devour this book, or rent "Code name: Butterflies" a documentary by Chilean filmmaker Cecilia Domeyko, which I believe is the only one (if not so the best one) that details the true events and lives of the Mirabal Sisters, including interviews with Dede Mirabal. Both will give a new light as to how you think of that beautiful island known for its beaches, music, and laughter.

If you want something a little more mainstream, go ahead and rent out Tropico De Sangre (with English subtitles) is more of a indie film, but non the least it captures the true story of the sister, in a more traditional film setting, it was co-produced by actress Michelle Rodriguez. Dede participated in the developing of the film as well.

The Butterflies death angered everyone, that the underground movement member who had not dared to act with violence before decided to move ahead and ambushed  El Jefe and assassinate him while his driver and him where en route to an outlying part of the city. 

Patria,  Maria Teresa, Minerva

Recent picture of Dede Mirabal 

The UN General Assembly designated November 25th  as the"International Day of Non-Violence Against Women". Did you know this day was chosen in commemoration of the the sisters because this is the anniversary of their assassination?

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Memorable places... Unforgetable experiences

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Memorable places... Unforgetable experiences: From all the places I've traveled to, some I can never return, others I cannot wait until my next trip. Don't get me wrong, all have had bee...

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Dinner, Margaritas & Tequila!

Food, Travels, and Everything in Between: Dinner, Margaritas & Tequila!: There's not many tings I enjoy best than a dinner with the girls; and this occasion was for a dear friend's BDay celebration. The location y...

Dinner, Margaritas & Tequila!

There's not many tings I enjoy best than a dinner with the girls; and this occasion was for a dear friend's BDay celebration. The location you ask? Toloache on 50th st. Now I know there are 100's of so called Mexican restaurants, which in reality are nothing but the Americanized version of what Mexican food should be. Not Toalache, Yes, their food has a French presentation, but the flavors, ingredients, and Tequila are straight out of a real Mexican household with noise level and all!
Be ready to see, and enjoy traditional plates such as chiles rellenos (stuffed poblano chiles with ground corn, cheese, tomatoes, pork), tacos de chapulines (dried grasshoppers), and a varietal of ceviches. Their margaritas are also great, and it can be cause is not a cheap tequila used. We enjoyed the night special flavors of pomegranate, mango, and watermelon one that I swear taste just like those watermelon shape lollipops from the 90's.
And to finish off our night, we had a nice shot of Riazul Tequila with a side order of red velvet tres leches.. yes, tres leches cake made out of red velvet... How can you go wrong?!

It was a bit pricey; however I think that had more to do with our choice of drinks and tequila shots (we love love love tequila) than with the food itself. Pay a visit, and you will not be sorry!



Our Riazul Tequila shots, tres leches red velvet cake and our amazing Margaritas!



With the BDay girl :o)

 I now wonder where our next girls night out dinner date will be. Until then, I hope you take the leap and visit Toloache.

Memorable places... Unforgetable experiences

From all the places I've traveled to, some I can never return, others I cannot wait until my next trip. Don't get me wrong, all have had been memorable, but there are a select few which are unforgettable. It does not matter is is a 1 day or 20 day trip, there will always be that one (or few) places which you can't wait to go back. The reasons we are attracted to discover new and exciting places could be the history, the locals, the food, or that it is "in fashion" to go. Whatever the reason may be, one thing is always true; no matter where, why, or whom you go with you can rest assure it will change and/or shape your life from the moment you set food on that far away place. There are places that can and will hold your heart hostage, will make you feel like you belong; some of us are lucky to go there at least once in our lifetime, to me, that place is Firenze. As soon as I stepped foot on the ancient cobble stoned streets, I felt as if I belonged - like I had arrived home. For some strange reason I was able to navigate the narrow streets, find myself where I needed to go or be. Both myself and the hubby said Florence is a place we must return ASAP to immerse ourselves in their daily living. I'm in the look out for a rental (vacation for now) place in which we can go and spend at least 10 days. We want to be able to live and breath  like the locals. Go to the Mercato Centrale, and create a meal from the daily products brought in by the farmers in the Tuscan Hills. be able to drive our rental up the winding roads in between enchanting villages to Montepulciano or Montalcino and buy some of the most amazing wines you can ever taste. BUT of course I am dealing with a workaholic, and if trying to get 3 days days our of him for a quick getaway is difficult, imagine 10. But I am certain we will go soon, I refuse to believe it would be another year before I return "home"

Costa Rica, a short trip to visit one of my bff's. 4 days full of adrenaline & relaxation all in one



Morocco, A land of great people, spices & amazing history



Florence; I would return to eat, learn & live

Roma, where past & present meet everyday



Venezia; a piece of living art

 

 

My homeland, a land  like no other





Grandma's palce, where I feel the most grounded



There are many places which are yet awaiting our visit, but for the mean time the above pictures are so far my favorite places in this earth.

So tell me, what is that place in which you feel at home?



"Sunday Dinners"

Yes I married a chef... No; he's not the one cooking every single (if any) meal. It is the perception that a chef; who's passionate about his craft does spend his free time whipping some delicious meals at home right? well you are WRONG! lol

I do 99.9% of the cooking at home, and at first DH (dear hubby) excuse was that our kitchen was not up to par with what he's used to, and once we renovated and got a new stove it would be different. OK, let's get one point clear in here; as much love as I have for food, and I've been told I can cook a mean meal I am not a kitchen lover. I only started cooking once I left the comforts of my mommas house and do it cause my DH does not like to eat what he cooks. Back to the story LOL, so I caved in and decided to not only update the kitchen, but to provide him not only with the stove/hood he wanted but the fridge / dishwasher / etc he had chosen as well. By the way we did everything (with the exception of gas conversion) ourselves :o)



The before (during construction)





The after



If you think DH kept his promised, let me tell you he did so; BUT only for a month or two. I had to re-learn how to time my rice so it didn't burn; how to cook at a faster BTU (which I now love, love, love) and at the same time hear him preach about having to clean "his lady" (the stove) quick so the oil wouldn't stick to it.

So I came up with a plan, let's do "Sunday Dinner" we usually invite a coupled friend(s) over mostly my cuz Jenn and her DH Oscar (who happens to be one of my bff since 7th  grade) and my adorable god-daughter Zani. Arvin (DH) then comes up with simple & delicious master pieces for early dinner that leaves us always wanting more, more, more! There are some Sundays in which I become the chef and whip some Dominican staples. BUT I am happy to say that most Sunday dinners are by DH :o)

Below are a few pics of both of our creations during Sunday dinners:



Aged steak with a coffee rub, garlic and olive oil
tossed pasta with goat cheese and garden picked zucchini



Aged steak quesadillas with homemade salsa

Chimis: (Dominican style burger) with picked cabbage,
homemade beef patty. Passion fruit juice

Vegetarian delight: veggie dumplings with a soy-ginger broth
and enoki mushrooms

A true Dominican meal: white rice, fried chicken with picked onions on top, beans, avocado, and yuca fritters

Dominican style deep fried whole fish

Pasta tossed with Porcini mushroom, in a garlic-red pepper sauce 

Tomatoes from our back yard with shaved Parmesan, olive oil, sea salt.