Blog

An International Food Xperience - The Authentic Flavor of the Venezuelan Empanadas

Senior Stinky Feet

Jun 11, 20243 min read

Venezuelan empanadas are a true culinary gem that you cannot miss during your visit to Venezuela. If you go to Venezuela and you haven't tried one of these, you haven't experienced one of the most vaunted dishes by Venezuelans.

This popular dish has become a symbol of Venezuelan gastronomy, and for good reason: they are simply delicious!

Why are they so delicious?

Variety of Fillings for All Tastes

The wonderful thing about Venezuelan empanadas is the variety of fillings available. From the classic shredded beef or chicken empanadas, to more creative options such as Guiana cheese or Venezuelan pavilion, there is an empanada to satisfy all palates. Also, we cannot forget the sweet empanadas filled with hand cheese, perfect for those who prefer a sweet touch.

Crispy Texture on the Outside, Juicy Filling on the Inside

One of the most outstanding characteristics of Venezuelan empanadas is their perfect texture. On the outside, they are crispy and golden, thanks to the dough that is fried to perfection. Inside, the filling is juicy, tasty and full of flavor, creating an irresistible combination that will leave you wanting more.

Perfect for Any Time of the Day

Whether for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner, Venezuelan empanadas are always an excellent option. They are practical and easy to eat, ideal to take with you while exploring the streets of Venezuela or to enjoy at home with friends and family.

Local Opinions

Venezuelans are proud of their food, and empanadas are no exception. For many, they are a reminder of childhood and moments shared with loved ones. Reviews often include words like “delicious,” “tasty,” and “addictive,” highlighting the quality and unique flavor of this traditional dish.

In addition to their delicious flavor and irresistible texture, an essential part of the experience of enjoying Venezuelan empanadas is combining them with the country's traditional sauces, such as guasacaca. This sauce, made with avocado, cilantro, garlic, onion, and a touch of lemon, provides a freshness and vibrant flavor that perfectly complements the filling of the empanadas. Its creaminess and slight spiciness enhance the flavors and make each bite even more memorable.

On the other hand, we cannot forget the traditional Venezuelan malt, a refreshing drink that completes this gastronomic feast. Malt is a non-alcoholic carbonated drink with a sweet and slightly bitter taste, which is made from barley and other grains. Its unique and refreshing flavor is the ideal companion for Venezuelan empanadas, balancing its flavor with softness and adding a touch of authenticity to the culinary experience.

Combine your Venezuelan empanadas with the freshness of guasacaca, a Venezuelan Avocado Salsa type Mayonnaise, and refreshing malt to enjoy a complete experience that will transport you to the flavors and traditions of Venezuela. Get ready for a feast of flavors and an unforgettable gastronomic experience that will leave you wanting more!

For the empanada dough:

2 1/2 cups of water

2 cups precooked cornmeal

1 teaspoon.

Salt

1 teaspoon. Sugar

For the filling:

300 g. chicken breast

1 leek

chicken broth

red pepper

onion

Extra virgin olive oil

Salt (to the taste of each house)

Sunflower oil or mild olive oil for frying

Preparation of Venezuelan empanada dough

In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients to make the dough, pre-cooked cornmeal, salt and sugar Add the water little by little and stir the mixture until it has a consistency and knead until it is a soft, smooth and uniform dough We take balls of that dough that will be the portions for the empanadas Put the dough in the shade of a plastic dish and flatten it into a circular shape.

Then we put what will be the content in the center and then with the plastic wrap we join the ends and with a round bowl we cut the leftover, once the empanada is ready, we proceed to fry in plenty of oil It is necessary to fry on both sides and wait for them to be golden brown on both sides

Conclusion

In short, Venezuelan empanadas are a culinary experience that you cannot miss during your visit to Venezuela. With their variety of fillings, perfect texture and unmatched flavor, these delicacies are the perfect example of the country's gastronomic wealth.

Move Your Feet Travel Blog is where you become an active part of your Xperience and create lasting memories of a life time for your family and friends. Please visit MoveYourFeetTravel.com and use the website to explore and create your own customized personal Xperience by using the Xperience Lookup System. We are also happy to create a personal Travel Xperience for you!

A Baseball Xperience - Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Senior Stinky Feet

Jun 9, 20244 min read

Updated: Jun 11, 2024

Getting to the Ballpark

It is Friday June 7th, 2024, and tonight will be a night I will probably remember for the rest of my life. When I learned that the baseball team in Oakland would be leaving after this year and I would be in the Oakland area, I decided to buy some tickets to a game. I chose a Friday Night game because it not only fit my itinerary but also happened to be fireworks night. We left the place we were renting in San Francisco around 5:20 pm and came across rush hour traffic which made a typical 30 minute drive over an hour. It was a typical cold windy day in Oakland. Even though the temperatures were in the low 60s or High 50s the wind makes it feel much colder. As we enter the parking area, I was reminded of the time I went to a game here back in 1999. That day was a nice sunny Wednesday Afternoon. I went up to the gate that day and asked for the best seats they had and they replied we have some tickets behind home plate for $30. Ironically the tickets we got in section 214 Row 12 this time around were about the same price. I found them online at the teams website under specials. They had 4 tickets for a family that included parking. Here is a tip. Look at teams websites first for specials like these before trying to go to a 3rd party ticket seller. Sometimes we will find a hidden deal.

Entering the Ballpark

I could tell right away that sadly this stadium had not been updated during the 25 year period since the last time I was here. We waited in long security lines before entering the ballpark. We immediately entered the team shop so I could get my baseball book stamped and get a little gift of my experience here. As we walked around the stadium to our seats I was surprised by the number of fans that were at the game. We got some nachos to help keep us warm but it didn't really work.

The Game

By the time we got to our seats it was the 4th inning and the game was still scoreless as both starting pitchers were throwing a good game. They were helped tremendously by the cold wind blowing and the ball not carrying very well tonight. The stadium definitely had a weathered old concrete structure feel to it with very little warmth or excitement.

I noticed at first the crowd was not into the game. There was a lot on their mind. Many of them were carrying green banners that simply had the word "SELL". Instead of cheering for the team, when the time came the whole audience would chant "Sell the Team" "Sell the Team"... They were all still holding out hope that somehow the current owner of the team could sell the team and someone locally would buy the team from him and allow the team to stay. I took a photo of the fans cheering and the sun setting at the same time. It felt symbolic at the moment. It reminded me of the situation back in 1995 When the football team in Cleveland decided to move to Baltimore. The emotion in the city back then was both of sadness, anger, and desperation to do anything to keep their team. The game in Oakland kept going with no score until later in the game when both teams scored a run apiece. Then something unusual happened. The top of the ninth the closer for the home team was being introduced with loud music and fire showing on all the scoreboards and all of a sudden the crowd got on their feet and starting cheering very loudly. The whole atmosphere changed in an instant. The closer seem to gather that energy and overpowered everyone he faced that inning. The crowd roared as he finished striking them out. The bottom of the ninth was about to begin; the first batter steps to the plate and the very first pitch he swings hard and sends the ball over the right field fence to win the game. For at least one evening the fans in Oakland got to cheer and celebrate their team.

A Special Moment

A few minutes after the celebration the announcer at the stadium announced something I had never heard before. The fans were invited to come down on the field to watch the fireworks. At first I thought I heard the announcement wrong then about five minutes later it was announced again and slowly the fans start to come down to the field and then they came in hundreds at a time. We went down to the first level seating. and watched; the people of Oakland had a special night to remember and cherish. It was emotional to watch. Sports allow people to forget the issues of life for a few hours and celebrate something fun together. Then a song with the words.. "When the lights go down in the city... by the bay"... the crowd roared. That song was written about their community. The lights went out and everyone looked up and the music started playing and the fireworks began. To view and witness that moment is hard to put in words. It has been stated there is no crying in baseball. You were not human that night if you didn't have a few tears in your eyes. It was bittersweet to see the fans celebrate their team this one last night.

An International Food Xperience - Bolon de Verde - Ecuador

Skinny Feet

May 29, 20243 min read

Updated: Jun 11, 2024

There is no dish that fully identifies the coastal food of Ecuador than the famous bolón de verde, whose star ingredient is the green plantain, it is generally considered an ideal dish for breakfast, but it can also be served as an appetizer or accompaniment and is one of the most sought after and desired by local people or foreigners visiting our country. to the point that various businesses have been generated around its preparation.

The bolones de verde are prepared with green plantains or plantains, which are cooked and crushed until they form a kind of dough, which is filled with cheese or pork rinds or chorizo. On the coast there is no richer breakfast than a delicious bolón de verde accompanied by a fried egg, chili, and a cup of cafecito. The classic bolón de verde comes with cheese only. But from then on, you can add any toppings you want. Cheese ball: only has cheese. Bolón de chicharrón: it only has pork rinds. Bolón mixto: A mix of cheese and pork rinds.

Green bananas can be difficult to peel. The best way to peel a green banana is to make a longitudinal cut at one of the edges or edges of the rind. The cut must be made carefully so that only the rind penetrates, without touching the flesh of the banana, then use the knife to raise the rind and then finish by peeling the banana with your hands. The greener the bananas, the harder they are to peel, in which case you can use the knife directly to remove the rind. The liquid from green bananas can stain utensils and hands, to avoid this I recommend peeling them in a bowl with cold water. Enjoy the recipe for bolón de verde con queso, a typical breakfast dish on the Ecuadorian coast.

Green Bolon Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3 green bananas, peeled and cut into chunks

1 cup shredded queso criollo or mozzarella cheese

3 – 4 tbsp butter or lard

1 tsp cumin powder

1 tsp chili powder optional Salt to taste

STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS

Once the greens are peeled, cut them into medium-sized pieces.
Now you need to cook the banana pieces in a pot with water and salt. Do this for about half an hour at medium-low temperature. When the pieces are a little soft, remove them and put them in a bowl to mash them.
DO NOT throw away the water where they were cooked, reserve some for later use. With the help of a mortar and pestle, or the bottom of a glass, crush the banana pieces until they form a homogeneous dough.
While mashing, add the butter (or lard), cumin and chili pepper. If you see that it's a little dry, add some of the water where the greens were cooked. Then, add the shredded cheese (or any other toppings you like).
Finally, grab a piece of the dough and shape it into a rounded shape. NOTES This is the classic green bolon recipe. However, there are those who add one more step and that is that they fry it before serving it. That is, once you have the ball of green, put them in a frying pan over high heat and fry them until you get a crispy coating. This last recipe is very commonly found in the province of Manabi / Ecuador. Remember: Anyone can eat bolón, but only royalty eat bolón de verde Ecuatoriano :)