RECIPE INSPIRATIONS

While we were at Rancho Santana resort in Las Salinas (southwestern coast), we ate a lot at their on-site restaurant, La Finca y El Mar (Surf and Turf).  It's a great restaurant which, according to their website, has a head chef who used to work at a Michelin star restaurant in the US.  Some of the stuff we ate which isn't featured on my blog was a lobster omelette with bacon and avocado with a side of fruit salad for $10 and a four meat omelette with a side of fruit salad for $8.  Click here to see their full menu which doesn't include a variety of specials each night.

Lately, I've been toying with some online ideas on how to feature my cooking skills and I've been playing with a lot of recipes.  The idea is that I want to try to make US comfort food and ethnic foods hard to find down here but with ingredients you CAN find here. Let's just say that the photos you've seen below have definitely been an inspiration for me.  By the way, subscribers, tell me what you think about that idea.  Is that something you'd like to follow?  Any requests or suggestions?  I'll be putting a sample video up on YouTube soon so you can watch it and let me know your thoughts.  Thanks for your interest!

Pina colada french toast.  The french toast batter has Nicaraguan Flor de Cana rum in it, the bread is thick and homemade, and it's topped with fresh coconut and local pineapple.  10 stars

My very health-conscious mother ordered this but I have to admit it was delish.  Natural yogurt with homemade granola, fresh fruit, and honey.

This was my breakfast one morning.  Breakfast bagel with cream cheese, a TON of avocado, onion, tomato, and cucumber.  It didn't come with bacon but I added it for a dollar more and it was soooo worth it.  Yum!

RANCHO SANTANA

Are you absolutely, positively sure you don't want to visit me?  ;)

 So I've been to quite a few beaches since I've stayed here and I've finally found the ultimate--Rancho Santana.  I've been to San Juan del Sur, Las Maderas, Las Penitas, Montelimar, and Popoyo, but Rancho Santana blows them all out of the water.  Mainly because they have EXCELLENT facilities mixed with activities and a great beach.  They're located practically in Las Salinas about two hours from Granada by car.  If you want more information, here is their website but in general I'll enumerate what makes them special:

• rentals anywhere from a small casita, a duplex, or a big secluded house on a cliff overlooking the ocean
• ocean AND pool
• clubhouse with great restaurant and bar
• 5 beaches making both swimming and surfing possible
• nature trails full of monkeys
• horseback riding
• exercise/pilates/dance classes
• grocery store on-site
• close to other hotels/restaurants
• spa

Clubhouse with bar. Right side opens out to dining and ocean. Behind me is billiards room.

We had some great meals here but the highlight was one night when we walked along the beach a bit until we encountered Buena Onda Hostal.  There, I had red snapper fish tacos for $8 and my parents had four lobster tails apiece for $10.  Soooo good.

My idea of vacation....sun, beach, and a good book!

I just have to make a side note here in ode to my friend Brenda.  When I think about our tropical adventure of beaches, tanning, and horseback riding, I think of her.  I've come away with so many good stories with her after inner tubing in Belize, rum-factory touring in Puerto Rico, and sunning ourselves in DR, I can only imagine the stories we'd have here in Nicaragua!  Are you listening, Brenda?  I'm waiting for you :)

Dining room.  Don't you love that ceiling?

Our rental

 This was our casita (for more pix and a more detailed description, click here).  We rented from a gentleman named Patrick Kearney.  He owns this casita but rents it out himself through VRBO.  What's the advantage in that?  $75!!  If you rent through Rancho Santana itself the casitas are the most economical option at $200/night but through VRBO you can the exact same rentals for $125/night.  When we first arrived, I thought we made a big mistake renting through VRBO because the concierge was telling us we couldn't book horseback riding or massages since we didn't book through Rancho Santana.  However, one quick call to Patrick and he ironed it all out for us.  Definitely 5 star.  Not just nice for Nicaragua, NICE.  If you'd like similar rentals on the same property, here's the VRBO link.

Bar with a view.  Can't you just see yourself with a  mojito, Nica Libre, or pina colada here gazing out at the ocean?!

These guys on the rocks were fishing with just wire and hook....no pole needed!  This was our view from our breakfast table every morning.

Horseback riding on the beach--how romantic!

Thursday morning we booked horseback riding at 10:30am for $25 per person per hour.  Definitely worth it!  The guides introduced us to all the horses and matched us up according to skill level.  I love horses, but during my ride I learned I need to do more inner thigh exercises.  Ouch!  I wasn't sure I'd ever walk right again and am grateful I don't want children because I'm fairly certain that would be an impossible option now.  It was great to see strong, well taken care of animals and we got to meet a fair share of babies too!  Definitely my favorite moment of the vacation.

Me and my steed Salasana.  When we rounded the road to come back to the stables a colt came running up to the fence neighing and my horse started to trot.  One of the stablehands explained that was my horse's baby and they were eager to see each other...how cute!