The Travel Advisors

Our good friend, Chef Melissa de Leon, paid us a visit in Austin this September. She graciously offered to conduct a cooking class at the Whole Foods Market Culinary Center, “A Taste of the Tropics”. The class was well attended by 17 students eager to learn about Panamanian cuisine.

 

Each item on the menu was simply delicious. Chef Melissa taught the group how to prepare plantains using a wooden tool she brought from Panamá. There are two tools, the one she demonstrated makes little patacone baskets. (We have some for sale on our web site). The baskets were stuffed with Salsa Chimichurri. The little fried baskets are versatile; ceviche would also be a good filling choice for them.

I learned an invaluable tip during this demo: it is NOT necessary to strip cilantro off the stems. The entire stalk, leaves and stems, may be used. (I’ve actually had this on-going debate for years with my girlfriends….to strip or not to strip?….well, that’s as far as I’ll go with that topic for now!). Parsley follows another rule: strip parsley leaves off the stems or the result will be bitter.

The staff of Whole Foods Market Culinary Center served us sparkling and still wine from

Argentina to pair with the food. The main course was savory Tropical Crab Cakes with Tomato Chutney and Mango Salsa followed by a desert of Flan de Coco y Chocolate served with Panamanian Coffee. My good friend Cindy said she is never able to eat tomatoes (an aversion to their texture and flavor), yet was absolutely devouring the Tomato Chutney!

 

In honor of Cindy:

Melissa de Leon’s TOMATO AND SPICES CHUTNEY

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 lb tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Heat the oil and add the seeds. When they start to crackle add the chopped tomatoes.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook until the tomato is reduced to half. Cool and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Our desert hour was graced with special appearance by members of “Folklore y Ritmo de Panamá” dance troupe. This lively and colorful band of friends and family displayed their intricate costumes and explained the tradition of their dance. The group will be performing their dances at an event entitled: “RECUERDOS DE MI PANAMA?”

The date is November 3, 2007 and the venue is the Akins High School Theatre in Austin, Texas. For more information call (512) 331-1764 or (512) 576-2668 in Austin and (210) 656-6130 Sra Ruby (210) 655-3964 Sra Jilma in

San Antonio.The question on everyone’s mind at the end of the evening: how do we get more?! The answer? Join Melissa De Leon and Panamá Boutique on the inaugural Panamá Gourmet Cooking Tour: February 17 – 24, 2008.

 

This entry was posted on Friday, October 19th, 2007 at 2:25 pm and is filed under Recipes, Food. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.