Reconciling Life at Sea Level with Life at 9,000-feet

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absinthe in ecuador, altitude of quito, araza, Bob Ramsak, chocho, eugenia stipitata, jama ecuador, lupine, quinoa, steve swartzman

Bus Ride to Quito – ZZZZZZZZ – dawn awakens!

Last month a large landslide blocked the normal route between Quito and the hub city of Santo Domingo.  The bus detour adds about three hours to the ‘normal’ 7-hour ride between Quito and Jama where I live.   After an overnight stop in Santo Domingo, I reached the Pacific Coast late yesterday and happily checked in to Hostal Ciragan.  I all but collapsed with ‘bus fatigue.’

The Crazy Hubbub of Santo Domingo de los Colorados

The Jama streets held puddles (lagoons?) of water at every corner, and I was pleased to know that I did not have to race home to water a thirsty garden.  Tapping into a healthy internet system was a second bonus for spending the evening in town.   I remembered what my Colorado friends had mentioned; its nice to get caught in a rain shower and not get cold!   After a few hours’ rest, I tipped out on the almost-deserted streets and enjoyed a quiet visit with my friends at Palo Santo Cafe.  No, I did not get cold; in fact, I jogged there and back and did not get sweaty either!  (My cough is much better!)

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Alphabet Challenge Q – With Sylvana’s Help!

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Frizztext Story Challeng Q, queso fresco manabi ecuador, quichua, quinoa, Restaurant Exclusivo Jama Ecuador, Spanish words that start with Q, Tagged Q, tinasca wordpress silvana

Does anyone speak quichua? (Ecuador) Riobamba-Cuenca Drive

Jama Ecuador –

My multi-talented friend Silvana touches my life in many ways.  She is often found at her family’s Exclusivo Restaurant, where she takes extra care in serving me MSG-free food and natural juices ‘sin azucar’- without sugar.    She added her own magic touches to the evolving bodega floor here at the Riverhouse, and she has also started dabbling with a WordPress blog!  Read her loving story about her family and their restaurant HERE:TRABAJO FAMILIAR.  She is a highly-intelligent young woman who has studied abroad and returned to her roots to teach others about organic gardening and being a good steward of the earth.

Lovely Multi-talented Silvana

This week she helped brainstorm for words TAGGED Q for Frizztext’s Alphabet Challenge, and I am grateful for her suggestions! There are several words here that were new to me, so thanks Silvana for these in particular:

D is for Desayuno

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Bolones, breakfast in ecuador, Chifles, desayuno, desayuno in ecuador, encebollado, Frizztext story challenge d, grilled tuna, quinoa

Good Morning, World! (Breakfast art by Hank Groff) Photo by Marie Groff

Emerging from a ‘painting fog,’ I am groping for clarity of mind to pull this post together! Painting and conversation don’t mix well, even if my conversation is with the keyboard!  Attempting to catch up with Frizztext’s story alphabet, I present to you a wide variety of breakfast items from Ecuador.   Desayuno by any other name would still equal breakfast!

“Q” is for a Quinoa Farm!

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Cayambe, Ecuador, Frizztext Story Challenge Q, Hacienda Guachala, Latitude 0, llamas, quinoa, Quinoa in fields, rose production

Trekking across quinoa fields near Cayambe Ecuador

While staying at Hacienda Guachala near latitude 0 in Ecuador’s Andes, Hank & Marie Groff and I toured a rose production center as well as a quinoa farm a few mornings ago.   The pastoral landscape soothed our senses as we journeyed through the Andean countryside, far off the beaten path.

How can one have a bad day when views like this soothe the senses?

Who forgot to close the gate?!

Disconnect from your worries and go with us!  We need someone to help with the gates!

Q is for Quinoa!

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Ecuador Andes, Frizztext Story Challenge Q, quinoa, Quinoa Recipes

Quinoa Country in Ecuador’s Andes

Ah!  Quinoa!  This week my trail has taken me to Ecuador’s Andes, home of quinoa, one of the superfoods!

Red Hibiscus and Quinoa “Quinouli”  See Recipe HERE.

Several posts in the archives feature quinoa.  There are quinoa crisps and quinoa frittatas and quinouli…

Mmmmmm – Delicious!

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Achojcha, Almuerzo, biche, Bolones, Chifles, Culinary Specialties of Manabi Ecuador, encebollado, Food of Manabi, Jake's Sunday Post Delicious, Lobster, popcorn soup, pureed carrot soup, quinoa, quinoa crisps, Quinouli, Shrimp Harvest, torta de pescado, Viche

Colorful, Healthy and Delicious – Potatoes, Carrots, Lemons, Peppers, Naranjillas, Achojcha, Tomatoes, Camote, Garlic, Onions, Tomate Arbol, Broccoli

MANABI, ECUADOR –  While recently fighting a three-week perpetual cough, I lost my normally-healthy appetite.  The past few days have found my strength returning, and my taste buds are suddenly screaming for attention!  Jake’s Sunday Post has given me a great opportunity to tease my appetite back to normal!

Viche – Not to be confused with Ceviche!

The province of Manabi Ecuador is known for its culinary specialties.  Viche, sometimes spelled, Biche, soothes the palate with a pureed peanut based fish and lemon juice stock.  Packed with fresh in-season vegetables, shrimp and/or fish, viche also comes with green-plantain ”balls” that patiently wait to be discovered at the bottom of the bowl!   The customary garnish of cilantro adds color and flavor!  Almost always, fresh lemon juice and aji (hot sauce) are served on the side.

FOOD – I’m Ravenous! What’s Cooking?

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cooking with hibiscus, Cooking with Starfruit Carambola, green papaya salad, Pitalla Dragonfruit, quinoa, Skillet Brownies, Where's my backpack: Food

Ten dollars = lot of potential for creative cooking!

Having two days’ vacation from the Museo Portoviejo Exhibition, I have enjoyed exploring the possibilities for this week’s photo challenges.   Where’s My Backpack  presented one that triggered a grand creative impulse:  Food!  In Latin America,  just-picked fruits and vegetables all but quarrel with one another to star in the special of the day!  Here’s an eclectic assortment of “What’s Cooking” in Z’s kitchen for this week’s challenge of “FOOD.”

“Quinouli” (Keen-oo-lee) Fritatta

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Breakfast Ideas, Brunch recipes, Hibiscus Tea, Hibiscus tea from fresh flowers, quinoa, Quinoa Fritatta, Quinouli, Tabouli

Quinouli Fritatta - Bipolar presentation to show top and bottom of fritatta!

The “Quinoa-Tabouli” post gleaned a great new name:  Quinouli!  Thanks LT!

This morning-after experiment with quinouli leftovers was a success!  I should switch back to painting soon, or I’m going to gain weight!

Let’s go to the kitchen!   Z

Achojcha, Where Have You Been All My Life?!

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Achojcha, Caigua, Cyclanthera pedata, Ecuador cuisine, mango camote salad, quinoa, Stuffing Cucumber

After finishing a painting session today, I prepared a chicken for the crock pot, then took a long leisurely walk to Playamart.  I needed to restock my supply of beach rocks!

Returning home,  I washed the latest Playamart treasures then painted a handful of new rocks.  I returned to the kitchen to prepare stuffed achojcha.  How could I have spent so much time in this country and be just now discovering this incredible vegetable?! (This past week, achojchas cost ten cents each at the local market.)

ACHOJCHA CON POLLO, QUINOA Y MOZZARELLA  

What’s Cooking?

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cooking with hibiscus, dragonfruit, green papaya salad, herbal teas, quinoa

This gallery contains 27 photos.

Carambola, maracuya, pitalla, cacao, mani, hibiscus, quinoa, achocha…  When I need a break from painting, I often switch hats and …

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