In Honor of the Super Bowl...

...this post will be about FOOD.

I can't be sure, but I think I've subsisted these past few weeks on a diet of pasta and pasta. Ever since the friends headed back stateside, I've been unmotivated to do anything culinarily creative; chalk it up to missing their company, and their hands in the kitchen. (Also, there was the small incident of me taking more malaria medication than was necessary in a concentrated period of time, causing me to lose my appetite for a number of days - among other worrying side effects - but that's another story for another time. Soon, I promise.)

So, for two and a half weeks, I boiled water and bided my time.

And my kitchen was spotless.

Until, suddenly, my appetite returned full force (and demanded that I prepare and consume a tasty goat stew). And now my kitchen floor is sticky and gross.

Here is a recap of what has come out of my refrigerator/oven/stovetop/imagination, with the willing collaboration of friends and neighbors in most cases. I operate under the philosophy that the whole cooking-then-eating process works best and results in maximum satisfaction when carried out as a team effort.

WHAT WE MADE

(1) Chucula. This is a dee-licious drink made of boiled ripe plantains and milk.

Take some plantains.

Cut 'em up.

Boil 'em'n'mash'em'n'add'em to the milk. Milk that has been heated with some cloves or allspice gives it a little extra kick.

Blend it all together to the desired consistency, add a dash of vanilla, and voilà. In my opinion, it is best served thick and chilled, to be eaten with a spoon.

(2) Pizza. A throwback to the U-S-of-A. (Meh okay, Italy, too.)

Margherita yumminess. If you really want to impress your Ecuadorian friends, tell them you know how to make pizza, and then make it for them. Just don't put red pepper flakes on it; the Ecuadorian palate is generally averse to spicy foods.

(3) Mora cornbread muffins.

These are a home-constructed creation inspired by a lack of milk called for by the recipe and by Amanda's creative thinking.

Mora look like a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry. They have an indescribably sweet-tart taste that explodes on the tongue and makes one want to sing sweet praises to the high heavens.

We discovered they're quite tasty in baked goods, as long as you're okay with the fuchsia.

(4) Chicken sandwich.

Another States food...pretty boring to the average American, but believe me, I'm enthusiastic about this little guy.

Sandwiches like this just aren't found here. Not the kind with fresh lettuce and veg on 'em.

Lettuce.
Avocado.
Mozzarella.
Chicken.
Tomato.
More lettuce.
REAL mayo.
Wheat bread.
Done and done.

...and guess what? I haven't even shown you what we made for the real Super Bowl celebration. Hint: There were 5 of us Americans who prepared food, and every single dish we brought involved cheese. I can't type any more, it's time to roll myself to bed.

Lactose-Comatose Love,
Jordan