Cassava cake on Thursday, I want to visit Tortola, and food art with “the f word.”

Cassava cake, a Filipino dessert.

Tomorrow, I’ll be spending quality time with my aunt and niece beginning at 8:30am sharp.

This means I’ll have plenty of time to convince my aunt to cook one of my favorite desserts, cassava cake, while I film, photograph, and document the entire process for your viewing pleasure and envy! 🙂

Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, I’ve been receiving these e-letters from Jetsetter, an exclusive site that offers great deals to exotic locales and resorts for its private members. If only I had the ka-ching to visit one of these spots, especially Tortola! (See below)

Image courtesy of Jetsetter.

A Three-Bedroom Villa in the BVI

Frenchmans Paradise – Tortola

[from Jetsetter:

Lounging at the infinity pool of Frenchmans Paradise, a hillside aerie in Tortola, you’d swear you can see all of the Virgin Islands, tossed like dice into the sparkling waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Indeed, this three-bedroom villa was designed to maximize Caribbean views (even from the master bathroom’s sensuous indoor-outdoor shower). There literally isn’t a bad seat in the house, especially when the setting sun triggers a laser show across the calm, lapping water.]

If you’re already a member of Jetsetter’s online community, don’t forget to bag one of these trips beginning Monday, 1/17, at 3pm Eastern Time. Tortola is located in the British Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean. For that reason, I’m going to be partial to this island of luxury.

 

A piece from Angela Marklew’s “the f word” collection.

Angela Marklew is a wondrously skilled photographer…need I say more?

Peaches HotHouse owners know their chicken.

Are you a spicy chicken aficionado?

Daily News staff writer, Jacob E. Osterhout wrote in his latest article, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the restaurant. Bed-Stuy Southern food joint Peaches HotHouse boasts the spiciest fried chicken in New York City.”

Osterhout’s story really caught my attention when he quoted Peaches HotHouse co-owner Craig Samuel saying, “People come in all the time and want the extra-hot chicken. They say they can handle it because they are from Jamaica or Africa or Haiti or wherever. But I don’t care where you are from. It’s hot.”

Craig Samuel and Ben Grossman courtesy of Rosier/News.

No wonder, part of their recipe is the inclusion of the world’s hottest pepper – “the ghost chili,” which is also remembered as the Naga Viper. Freakish monikers. Still, I’m crazy enough to try it. That’s coming from a kid that drank Tabasco sauce from a baby bottle at the age of 3.

Yup. And I’m sure I will suffer.

Find out more about Grossman and Samuel’s unbearably hot chicken here.

Papaya Tree.

About a year ago, my cousin Janice planted a young papaya tree out in the front. Here’s a picture of that same tree bearing fruit. Hope you like this Ja!

Janice Doncillo's papaya tree.

Making Atis.

Breakfast in October.

This tasted great.

There’s always plenty of fruit and fried eggs in the morning. I like the “steak-striped” toast and extra crispy bacon, cucumber sandwiches.

Watermelon everyday. Can’t beat that.

Spent most of the day trying to upload videos and pictures. I’m still far behind. Hope to catch up today. Oh yeah…

…this looked fun.

The Goods.

 

A delightful assortment of goodies.

From one island to another. Filipino baked goodies in the Grenadines. If you’re nearby or simply want to inquire about the products here at the bakery, feel free to contact the owners, Randy and Jhoanape Kennedy through the following methods.

Phone: 1-784-457-2377

Email: vincentbakery@gmail.com

Fax: 1-784-457-9566

You can also contact Randy’s Super Market as well. I’ll have the addresses posted soon. Just remember, both locations are on the main island in Kingstown.

Phone: 1-784-456-2994

Email: randyssupermarket@yahoo.com

Fax: 1-784-457-9566

Happy Hunting!

Sugared ensaymada.

Atis cluster.

Rolls of German choco.

Mini-cinnamon rolls.

Golden brown.

A delightful assortment of goodies.

Star pastries.

Squash bread (coated and plain).

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Vincentian Independence.

Photograph courtesy of Searchlight Newspaper.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines! The Vincentian Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, spoke to the nation via television at Victoria Park promising $200 [EC] allowances for every student and millions set aside to promote nursing, education, and other incentives.

But before I make this post purely about politics, I’ll promise you this – a recipe (or two) is in order.

Funstuff, eh? Expect one in the next few days.

Baked.

Glorious.

Busier than Ever.

The bakery was insanely busy. This just confirms what has been said since I first stepped foot into the building: another oven is desperately needed.

Speaking from first hand experience, this bread is superb compared to the store-bought Wonder wannabe-brands back at home in the states. Heh, heh, the “States”. I like how that rolls off my tongue.

The bread is like butter, hot out of the oven. No joke.

A Dozen Dolphins.

Did I mention that I saw a pod of dolphins swimming in the ocean yesterday? There must have been a dozen of them tossing around. Too bad I didn’t pull out my camera in time. Reminded plenty of a Blerp discussion that I posted not too long ago about the dolphin massacre in Japan.

Now that I’ve killed your appetite…
🙂

Brunch.

Juice.

Welcome to Bequia.

Beautiful island is an understatement. We took the ferry to Bequia this morning; the trip was 45 minutes each way and so worth it. Bequia was everything you’ve seen on those sexy travel ads, commercials, and magazines tempting customers with solitary beaches, palm trees, and leisurely yacht activities.

Here’s a preview of the scenery. You can find the rest of the collection back here.

Bequia 04.

Bequia 03.

Bequia 02.

Bequia 01.