Vegan for a meal!

As a Dancing Chef, It’s always important to keep up with food and health trends that are happening around the world. Recently there has been a huge vegan and vegetarian population that continues to grow.

Eating healthy and exercising daily has always been a integral part of my life. Recently I have been researching the benefits of a vegan diet. Although there is still a lot of controversy, there is still no doubt, health benefits come from eating a vegan meal!

I have personally been experimenting with a lot more vegan recipes lately, which I will share one of my latest and favorite meals.

I made this recipe because I love Nopal and wanted to use the the cooked white corn and cooked wheat pasta I had leftover in my fridge 🙂

Nopal is the Mexican word for cactus. Yes, you can eat cactus! You can actually eat cactus ,’or nopal’, either raw or cooked. There are plenty of Mexican dishes with nopal, including salsas, salads, and taco recipes to name a few!

Gather your ingredients: 2 nopales chopped, 3/4 cup of wheat pasta, 1/2 cup of cooked white corn and 1 small avocado diced, salt, pepper, turmeric powder and coconut oil.

I seasoned the pasta, nopales, and corn with salt, pepper, and ground turmeric powder. Turmeric is spice commonly used in indian and asian cuisines. It looks very similar and is a relative to the ginger plant. There are many health benefits to the turmeric spice. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, natural painkiller, antioxidant along with other studies that show it assists in treating depression, and improvement in brain function.

In a pan, drizzle coconut oil and place the heat on low/med. Next add in the chopped nopales, wheat pasta, avocado and corn. Sauté the ingredients for about 2 minutes.

Serve on a plate, and voila! You have your vegan meal ready to eat! Hope you enjoy! Please look forward for more vegan and vegetarian meals from your favorite Dancing Chef Melissa!

Caribbean Cure by Dancing Chef Karla

Hi everyone!

Dancing Chef Karla here from Salsa and Salsa Cozumel!

I have been watching the weather channel and seeing how cold is it in most places right now. Meanwhile here in the Caribbean, we are enjoying the perfect weather!

Aren’t you jealous? I know that’s kind of mean to ask, but the cold weather kept me thinking about what I could do to make others feel like they are in the Caribbean. At least for a moment, I got it, what a better way to feel warm as if you were in the Caribbean, than a delicious Margarita!

These tropical flavors will make you feel like you are on vacation or in the worst case scenario, that you need a vacation!

I hope you try and make this at home and enjoy it as much as I do.

Some would say, this Margarita is the perfect Caribbean cure, Enjoy! 🙂

PINEAPPLE MINT MARGARITAS

You will need

(Serves 6)

4 cups of fresh diced Pineapple (frozen is better)
2 pinches of fresh mint leaves
Juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup of orange liqueur
1/2 cup of tequila of your choice
2 cups of ice
Sugar to rim glasses (optional) *If you like sweeter margaritas add 1 or 2 tbsp of agave syrup.

Directions

Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth.

Rim the glasses with sugar, add a slice of lime to garnish the glass, then fill with the frozen margarita blend.

Salud!

February 12, 2018 0

Did someone say DRUNK RUDOLF?

One of my favorite things about the holiday season are the endless holiday inspired activities, food, and drinks!

WHO CAN RELATE 🙂

I have always enjoyed experimenting with different recipes and creating something that showed some of my personality and something that others would enjoy!

This drink was made during one December when I was playing bartender at a family friend’s winter gathering. Someone had asked for a Cosmopolitan but I wanted to give it a little twist so that it was new, fun and festive!

Hope you like it 🙂

I call it the: DRUNK RUDOLF

First you want to make sure you have a cobbler shaker and a muddler on hand. Also you want to pre-freeze a handful of blueberries and cranberries. (Which by the way frozen blueberries and cranberries are a delightful and healthy snack on their own, that I highly recommend at anytime during the day)

Ingredients

1 oz Vodka of your choice(I like to use Kettle One)
.5 oz of Ginger Ale
.5 oz of Cranberry juice
a small handful of frozen berries
Rosemary for garnish
Ice

Instructions:

Place a few frozen berries into the cobbler shaker. Gently muddle. Now add a couple of ice cubes, the vodka, ginger ale and cranberry juice. Place the strainer and cap on the shaker, then give it a nice shake. Pour over a nice glass with ice, and enjoy!

Cheers!

Dancing Chef Melissa

December 2, 2017 0

Did someone say DRUNK RUDOLF?

One of my favorite things about the holiday season are the endless holiday inspired activities, food, and drinks!

WHO CAN RELATE 🙂

I have always enjoyed experimenting with different recipes and creating something that showed some of my personality and of course something that others would enjoy!

This drink was made during one December when I was playing bartender at a family friend’s winter gathering. Someone had asked for a Cosmopolitan but I wanted to give it a little twist so that it was new, fun and festive!

Hope you like it 🙂

I call it the: DRUNK RUDOLF

First you want to make sure you have a cobbler shaker and a muddler on hand. Also you want to pre-freeze a handful of blueberries and cranberries. (By the way frozen blueberries and cranberries are a delightful and healthy snack on their own, that I highly recommend at anytime during the day)

Ingredients

1 oz Vodka of your choice(I like to use Kettle One)
.5 oz of Ginger Ale
.5 oz of Cranberry juice
a small handful of frozen berries(or Rudolf noses)
Rosemary for garnish
Ice

Instructions:

Place a few frozen berries into the cobbler shaker. Gently muddle. Now add a couple of ice cubes, the vodka, ginger ale and cranberry juice. Place the strainer and cap on the shaker, then give it a nice shake. Pour over a nice glass with ice and extra frozen berries, and enjoy!

Cheers!

Dancing Chef Melissa

December 2, 2017 0

The Vegan Bowl

One thing is for sure, a fresh approach to eating can change your life forever.
The secret to vegan sumptuous eating is the fact that anything goes.
A little bit of olive oil and a whole lot of gorgeous vegetables, nuts and grains make cooking an adventure while loaded with protein goodness.

I admit, my refrigerator used to have bits and pieces of chicken, marinated beef and all types of cheeses and butter from around the world. Milk and yogurt and fresh eggs.
Yes indeed! I was the original dairy maiden and loved it.

Cheese on or with everything, camembert with apples or a warm brie covered in walnuts, a couple of favorites. Bars of real butter for a traditional Christmas feast and incomplete without a chocolate pudding topped with fresh whip cream. My European ancestry insisted that I live true to my culture albeit I’m not French. But I am Dutch and love Gouda and another twenty cheeses with just about any fruit or better yet with just about anything. A butter and Gouda sandwich was always the go to snack. and …..

Wait, stop the press ! Stop this madness !

My article is meant to be about my vegan bowl. Not a French countryside picnic or the Dutch deli.
So, let’s move on, culinary memories of course are romantic notions from our past resting in a sea of conflicted humanity.
Our diets are like the tempestuous waters grasping for proof that what we are eating is good for us. Who knew ?
Marketing genius or a marketing madness ?
I’m not sure why I never thought about optimum health before.
But here we are with angels now dancing on my tongue.

Open the doors today and something quite pleasant and unexpected happens.
I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a summer garden, waiting for the sprinkler to pass so I can run in and yank another carrot out of the ground.
Heaps of spinach, which is a space hog by the way, surrounded with jars of nuts, raisins, oats and berries. The lettuce and avocado like old friends leaning into each other.
Cucumber water vying for a spot around the bowl with loads of papayas and pineapples, mangos and limes and apples. While the beans and rice wait for their place on a fresh cactus tortilla.
Mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli and yams nearby ready to steam and a garden of herbs patrolling the bins.
My refrigerator has become the happiest place on earth.The healthiest place on earth and my body loves it as does my mental health.
”Tis true what they say about a mind and body connection.
At least just think about it and time will tell how you feel about optimizing your life.
In the meantime be happy, life is short and only willing to give you what you sew into it.
Be generous and share your happiness with those around you.
Most of all be grateful because in our gratitude we find the richest treasure in ourselves spilling over into our vegan bowls.

Luella Vee

October 14, 2017 0

All Aboard!

Making the most of your cruise and the money you spend can be challenging if it’s your first cruise. Once you figure out a few of the puzzles onboard, cruising will be the most memorable and fantastic way to see the world.

My favorite thing about cruising is that I can see the world. I can check out a place & decide if I want to go back and spend more time. There are places I would never return to, so cruising makes for an easy inspection. After numerous cruises through the Caribbean, I thought it would be great to spend more time there. So I rented a house on St. John, flew to St. Thomas caught the ferry over and spent a glorious month diving, snorkeling and just soaking up the beauty the Caribbean has to offer.

Young happy woman relaxing wit yellow beach

Not having to unpack and worry about where to eat or what to see are truly some of the best benefits cruising has to offer lazy people like me. The Shorex onboard and their teams are a wealth of information. Some days I just don’t want to do anything when I cruise, they make that so easy for me 🙂

We all work hard and slowing down takes time which is why I always look for a ten to twelve day cruise verses the 7 day. One week just doesn’t give me those extra couple of days I need to really unwind.

One of my favorite tips is choosing the size of the dining room table and the time for dinner. I always say go for the table of 8 at the 8pm seating because chances are those people enjoy the company of other people and will have lots of fun stories to tell. If you get a table of 4 and dislike the other couple, well to bad because you will see them everyday, every meal LOL.

Also meeting new people gives you a chance to connect for a car rental or maybe some other activity where you can share the cost. When booking my cabin I always go for the mid ship and upper level. If the ship sails into high seas, then mid ship is more stable and there is less of a rocking effect. If you book the lowest level you may feel a slight vibration on the floor of your cabin. Of course this depends on which ship and the size of the ship. Generally if you stay mid ship and then mid level you’ll never go wrong.

Having just returned from the Baltic I checked off the Hermitage Museum, I will say that learning a few lines in Russian helped ease the divide I felt in St. Petersburg. I believe when I go to different places a few lines or even just a few words help make the difference of the experience. People are warm and friendly when they see me try and this bridges the gap of that awkward moment on foreign soil.

Whether visiting an island nation, cruising the Panama Canal or taking a helicopter ride over the glaciers, cruising is the best way to feel secure and free at the same time.

Remember, we are all guests of the ships and the ports we visit. Always be ready to share your stories,spread your joy and respect those around the world.

Life is to short !

Happy Sailing! Luella Vee

June 30, 2017 0

Meet Dancing Chef Stephanie

NAME: Stephanie

NICKNAME: Fanny / Steph- When I was a baby our neighbor’s kid couldn’t say my name and he started calling me Fanny and I have been stocked with this nickname ever since. People that got to know me after my childhood calls me Steph.

CITY YOU WERE BORN:

Mazatlan, Sinaloa, MEXICO

CITIES YOU HAVE LIVED IN:

Mazatlan, Sinaloa

Carnation, WA

Cozumel, Quintana Roo

YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE TO MAKE:

Albondigas (meatball chipotle soup), ceviche and barley salsa

YOUR FAVORITE MEAL TO EAT:

Ceviche: shrimp, tuna and scallops

FAVORITE SNACKS:

Doritos with hot sauce

HOW SPICY DO YOU ENJOY YOUR SALSA:

Medium hot, habanero is a little bit much to handle…

FAVORITE COCKTAIL:

Michelada! This is like a bloody Mary, except for vodka you use beer, and of course the beer must be Pacifico (brewed in my hometown)

FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK:

Cucumber and Cantaloupe water

PETS: Dogs

Bella a mini white french poodle 14 years old

Cielo a black and white french poodle mut 1 year old. Her name means heaven in spanish

KIDS: No kids as of right now. I do have several nieces and nephews, as well as a couple of godchildren. I enjoy spending time with them and watching Disney movies.

2017 GOALS: start new projects to bring laughter and teaching Mexican culture to more people.

HOBBIES: watch movies, cooking, see plays and musicals, go to the park with my dog.

FAVORITE MUSIC TO DANCE TO:

Pop and Salsa

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.“

Eleanor Roosevelt

PERSONAL QUOTE:

My pets are my family and family is always first.

mexican wedding — My husband and I in front of the church we got married in 🙂

SHARE SOMETHING FUN ABOUT YOURSELF:

I often don’t plan what I am going to cook; I open the refrigerator and pull some stuff out that I feel go together and it just happens! Food always comes out great but the downside is I never make it exactly the same.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT SALSA AND SALSA:

Sharing my culture with people that are interested about our cuisine.

May 13, 2017 0

Meet Dancing Chef Linda!

Dancing Chef: Linda

Do you have a nickname? Moringa-linda. I make recipes with the little green leaves of the moringa oliefera tree 🙂

Which city were you born? Near Toronto, Ontario

What’s your favorite recipe to make? Red lentil coconut curry lemongrass veggie soup

Favorite meal to eat? Sushi

Favorite snacks? Raw carrots & hummus

How spicy do you like your salsa? 2 full chilies w all the seeds!

Any pets? 4 dogs

Hobbies? Gardening, gardening, & more gardening! Creating no-bake healthy recipes. Snorkeling and biking too!

Can you share something fun about yourself? I came to Cozumel on vacation Feb. 1998… And I’m still here, enjoying my new role as a Dancing Chef!!!

May 6, 2017 0

DIY: Piñata by Dancing Chef Melissa

There is something special about creating something on your own rather than going out and purchasing it. To make something like a Piñata, may sound a little insane, as it takes time and effort, yet the end result is meant to be destroyed. Oh, but definitely worth it 🙂 My little helper Bella and myself had a fantastic time making this together. This was our first attempt at making a piñata and it surprised both of us of how much fun and easy it was to do.

GET YOUR SUPPLY:

balloon(find the size and shape you would like to use. I went to the party store supply and found the big circle shaped balloon) newspaper(I would suggest using old newspapers or asking neighbors or local markets to donate some to you if you have none) streamers & tissue paper(colors of your choice) Elmer’s white glue (used to add decoration and color) scissors(to cut newspaper into strips/streamers and tissue paper into shapes needed) Paper mache paste: large bowl, whisk, water, flour & salt old hanger(for the hook to hang the darn thing!)

STEPS:

Cut the newspaper into strips so that they are ready to use. Next the paste. There are a variety of ways to make the paste, we opted for the non-heat paper mache paste. Add 1 cup flour and a couple pinches of salt into big plastic bowl. Slowly add water, mixing it with a whisk, until it becomes similar to a thin pancake consistency.

Once the glue is ready go start by dipping 1-2 strips completely drowned into the paste and place on the balloon. Use the tie as a mark, where the hook and candy filler will be on top center. You want to continue in a coordinated motion, so that it will fall equally covered entirely. Don’t be afraid to get dirty- that’s what makes it so much fun!

Once the first layer is finished place carefully to dry. Do not place it outside in the heat with direct sunlight. Somewhere dark and cool, where it can dry safely. Once dried, add second layer so that it is consistently covered, you want a piñata that is durable and fun to break.

Next: DECORATIONS! We chose to make a ‘Dragon ball Z’ piñata for the lucky 7 year old boy whose birthday theme was Dragon ball. You can choose whichever theme appropriate. Just make sure to purchase all the colors and supply you may need.

First glue and cover completely, with the color of choice you would like as a base. Once covered, you may want to use a pencil to make the marks you need, for different areas of colors or shapes you like. This way it will help keep the coordination come out the way you intend. Next we prepare the streamers, if you need to make cuts or shapes. We chose to cut them so that the consistency looks full. Start from the top in a circular motion, glueing the streamers as needed.

Once the decoration is finished, it’s time for the hook. We cut a small whole at the top where the tie is, carefully added the candy and fun surprises inside! For the hook, we used an old hanger, cut the bottom(see photo below) place inside the whole to hold the weight of piñata, using the hook to tie to rope.

Voila! You are ready to hang and destroy that wonderful craft in just minutes 🙂