Odeliza Jacoba Recipes

Mahalo Chicos,

Most produce in Uruguay is organically grown, but most of the farmers can not afford the costs of an organically grown proof of certificate. So when a produce has the label ‘natural organico’ it is just common knowledge that said produce is organically grown.

With that in mind I purchased some natural organic purple potatoes at the Martes Ferria -Tuesday farmers’ market- this week and I thought maybe it would be interesting to make my baked mashed potatoes with the purple ones.

This would be a colorful addition to your meal. There are so many ways to prepare this purple potato that I have not even begun. Not to mention purple potatoes are wonderfully healthier than the white potato. So I read somewhere.

Serves: Up to four people or two with left overs.

Prep time: About ten minutes

Cook time: About sixty minutes

What you’ll need and do:

1. 8 purple potatoes, peeled and cut in half

2. Salt and pepper

3. 1 large ripe tomato

4. A few slices of mozzarella cheese or real cheddar cheese if it’s available in your country.

5. Plain bread crumbs

6. Dried oregano - just a few pinches- 

7. Heat a deep pot with water and salt. Once boiling turn to medium high, place the potatoes.

8. Turn the oven on 200 degrees celsius. Grease a small square baking dish or any baking dish you have in hand that would fit the potato mixture. Set aside.

9. Once the purple potatoes are soft, turn off stove, remove most of the water, leaving just a bit to help keep the potatoes moist and puree it.

10. After you’ve pureed the potatoes, add a pinch or so of salt, pepper, and dried oregano, fold well into the mashed potatoes. Place the mixture onto the baking dish.

11. Layer the sliced tomato on top of the mixture. Layer the cheese, and spread the bread crumbs to cover. Place in oven covered with foil for 40 minutes, then remove the foil long enough to have the cheese browned. Remove and allow to cool before serving. This side can be made ahead of time and than reheated just before serving.

Enjoy.

www.odefusion.com  

Mahalo Chicos,

It’s really wonderful in Montevideo, Uruguay on a nice warm spring day just when the weather is ready to turn to the beautiful heat of summer.

This is the best time, in my opinion to be in Uruguay. The people are more happy, the days are lazy and the nights are cool and dangerous. I love being here when the fire works go off for the new year and Christmas. I especially love the ferrias -farmer’s market- on a nice hot morning. Just when the early birds -like myself- catch the perfact produce.

I haven’t stopped by the ferria in a while, but today, the guys I regularly buy from were smiles and hellos and it was nice. Even more pleasant are the wonderful fully bloomed fruits and vegetables.

This is the best time to visit Uruguay, from the end of November all the way through March. So if you are in town, there is always a ferria in your area, stop by and see what you find.

Ciao,

www.odefusion.com

Mahalo Chicos,

Recently I had the opportunity to order take out from the cafe Namaste in Montevideo, Uruguay.  We had a vegetarian sandwich, fries, tofu and rice, and spring rolls. Of these items the spring rolls were the only ones that came out well. The fries were oily and under cooked, sandwich was creative but tasted poorly, the tofu was okay but had no added spices and the rice was under cooked. One can’t go wrong with spring rolls -I suppose-, so my other half and I enjoyed them and plan on ordering the rolls from Namaste again.

Give it a try and see how you feel about it.

Ciao,

www.odefusion.com

Mahalo Chicos,

Semi soft baby bell cheese in Uruguay, so far Disco Supermercado located at the Punta Caretas Mall has a few choices and have just added a new addition, semi soft mild cheddar cheese. I could not resist so I purchase four small bags, each bag has 6 (I think) small round cheese wrapped in wax.

I was so happy to see that a supermercado here actually caries real cheddar cheese. So if you are in the mood Disco at Punta Caretas Mall offers Baby Bell mild cheddar cheese.

Ciao,

www.odefusion.com

Mahalo Chicos,

I love vegetables especially ones with a good amount of antioxidants that have a great flavor without taking away the natural tastes of the vegetables. Sauteed bell peppers, celery, and carrots combined together make a great side dish for either an Asian or European inspired entree. I like to pair this dish particularly with grilled extra firm tofu, some rice pilaf, simple salad.

Serves: Up to 2 people with left overs

Prep time: Less than five minutes

Cook time: Less than ten minutes

What you’ll need and do:

1. Already washed bell peppers -green, yellow, or red, or combo.- and cut length wise about two inches.

2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3. Soy Sauce

4. Balsamic Vinegar

5. Dried chili flakes

6. Freshly ground sea salt and black pepper corns

7. Heat a medium sized pan with the oil.

8. Pour the already prepped vegetables and stir until slightly tender, yet crisp.

9. Add a dash or so of the vinegar and soy.

10. Add a few pinches of flakes.

11. Saute until thoroughly incorporated.

12. Turn off heat, remove, plate, and add the salt and peppers, serve warm or room temperature.

Enjoy!

Ciao,

www.odefusion.com

Mahalo Chicos,

Chivto is a local dish served in Uruguay. It consist of a sandwich of thin meat, bacon, cheese, one whole cooked egg, tomato, lettuce, mayo., and ketchup. You can add peppers, onions, mustard as well.

I like to make my own chivto but Vegetarian style of course.

Serves: 2 people

Prep Time: Less than five minutes

Cook Time: Less than five minutes

What you’ll need and what you’ll do:

1. 2 hamburger buns toasted

2. ready made omelet for two people (if you have twice bake tofu and vege bacon even better)

3. 2 Slices Mozzarella cheese

4. Fresh beef steak or large tomato cut circular about 1 inch thick

5. Grilled bell pepper (red or green) already cut into thin strips

6. 2 lettuce leaves

7. Take the bottom bun, add the lettuce, tomato, cut omelet, cheese, and grilled bell pepper cover with top bun repeat with other bun.

Enjoy!

Ciao,

www.odefusion.com

Mahalo Chicos,

There are always new businesses popping up in Uruguay. From clothing stores to Eateries. Some last during their trail periods and others hang on for twenty years or more. So, when a vegetarian inspired eatery comes along, I try to support it. Well, if their food is acceptable of course.

Namaste, located on Br. Artigas 1176 esq. Canelones, tel. 709.55.44 serves vegetarian; lacto ovo, tofu, seitan, and-vegan already prepared foods. My other half along with our dog Midori took a stroll on Arigas to check it out. I went inside and it was a bit confusing, what I mean by that is that I could not decide if I was at a yoga workshop or if I was at the actual cafe, the ambiance is not that clear. I suppose they are trying something new.

It would be awkward to eat there because there only two tables which looked to me as employee break room tables. When I walked a bit deeper in the house, yes I said house allot of restaurants and the like redo old houses in Uruguay for business, I saw cushions and low tables and a couple being served some salad.

I got a menu and I plan on ordering some food today and will report on my experience after.

Ciao,

www.odefusion.com