Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Mezcal: Not just for drinking BY DAVID HAMMOND September 18, 2012 9:29AM
Mezcal: Not just for drinking
BY DAVID HAMMOND September 18, 2012 9:29AM
Updated: September 18, 2012 1:40PM
Everyone knows tequila (some of us, too well). Less known is mezcal, which like tequila is made from agave, a desert succulent that looks like a giant aloe vera plant.
Mezcal: Not just for drinking
BY DAVID HAMMOND September 18, 2012 9:29AM
Tequila is made of blue agave, mezcal of green. The green agave “bud” of mezcal is cooked in a fire-pit before distillation, and this gives the beverage a deliciously smoky flavor. Chef Patricio Sandoval of Mercadito describes mezcal as offering “a balance of herbaceous, slightly peppery taste from the agave and smoke from the mesquite or oak used to cook the agave.”
In June, on the drive from Huatulco to Oaxaca de Juarez, I visited Matatlan, the self-proclaimed “Mezcal capital of Mexico.” Matatlan’s streets are lined with small mezcal producers. Unlike tequila, which is frequently produced by huge manufacturers with highly recognizable brands such as Jose Cuervo and Don Julio, mezcal seems largely the product of mom-and-pop distilleries, many along dusty roads in small towns in Oaxaca.
At Logan Square’s hip and happening Scofflaw, barman Danny Shapiro appreciates the “depth and character” he finds in “high-quality, single-village distillations.” Because mezcal is usually produced by smaller distilleries, there’s much pleasant variation among “brands.”
But mezcal is not just for drinking, and its full flavor potential is just starting to be realized as it moves from cocktail menu to dinner ingredient.
Brian Runge, formerly of Premise, pickles Serrano peppers in Mezcal; at Red Door, Troy Graves makes a mezcal-lime sorbet to top oysters on the half shell, and at Frontera Grill, Zachary Steen uses mezcal to flavor black barley on beef with black mole, telling us “the sweet smoke supports the sauce and brings Oaxaca alive.”
All this got us thinking how we could make mezcal a key ingredient in a main course.
So we wood-smoked lush Skuna Bay salmon and made a sauce of mezcal, mayonnaise, lime and hot sauce with maguey worms (which live in agave and are sometimes seen at the bottom of Mezcal bottles). Mezcal plays well with seafood and heat, and our cream sauce provided piquant acidity to slice through deliciously fatty fish, the smokiness of fish and sauce amplifying each other with wonderfully complementary flavors.
Mezcal. Not just for drinking. But you can do that, too.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Jeff Hubbard Boosts at Puerto Escondido SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
Jeff Hubbard Boosts at Puerto Escondido
Greg Long may have won the Wave of the Summer award, but Jeff Hubbard wins theAir of the Summer award.
Surfs Up
Musings from and about living in Mexico
Surfs Up
Since the Olympics ended you can count the number of times we have turned on the television on two hands and no toes. Television was foisted on us as part of the package with our 10 mb Internet connection.
We know little about television programing here in Mexico and even less about the programing in the U.S.
The impression we have from our very limited viewing is there are more commercials than programing within Mexican television. We are serious here. This is not just an exaggeration spawned from just too many commercials. This is a legitimate observation.
The last time we did view U.S. television it did still seem that the program time was greater than the commercials – albeit not by much. In Mexico it is obvious – way more commercial time than program time.
It is quite simply too hard to remember what you were watching and where it left off between commercial breaks on Mexican television – just not worth the effort.
In one of those very few going-through-the-channels events, Senora Calypso stumbled on an August, 2011 body surfing contest sporting event. The exciting part was it was filmed a few blocks from our casa in Puerto Escondido. Goofy-footed we grabbed the Canon to document the moment with some photos of the television.
We must admit it was kind of a thrill to see the waves that occur in our extended backyard at our home we have not been to for six months. It was a gloomy, rainy day here in Xico. So the sun and the waves and the bikini covered bodies just warmed us up, all of it making us homesick for the beach.
We are winding things down here in Xico, Veracruz. In a few weeks we will be back in Puerto to spend 6 months or more there.
On the Puerto Forum someone providing a link to the ten best giant waves – surfer ridden – in 2012 at Puerto. Have a look. Surfs Up so Stay Tuned!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Travel Tips » Travel Preparation & Accommodations » Air Travel » Airplanes » How to Send a Pet on an Airplane How to Send a Pet on an Airplane by Loletrazina Church, Demand Media
How to Send a Pet on an Airplane
by Loletrazina Church, Demand Media
When traveling by air, some airlines allow small pets on the plane.
Most commercial airlines offer pet travel for dogs, cats and birds. Each airline has certain legal restrictions and guidelines for pet air travel. Some airlines allow you to crate small pets and take them on board the plane with you. Larger pets, however, must stay in the cargo area. Individual airlines have different regulations for sending pets on an airplane. Most commercial airlines require pets to be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned. Contact your airline to review the requirements and procedures.
Shipping Your Pet is Safe and Easy Save 80% and Get $100 Cash Back!
www.uShip.comStep 1
Contact the airline to make pet travel reservations in advance. If the pet must travel in the cargo area, schedule a non-stop flight so the pet will not have to transfer planes.
Step 2
Schedule an appointment with your pet's veterinarian for a check-up and any required vaccinations. Be sure all vaccinations are up to date and obtain a health certificate from the veterinarian at least 10 days prior to the departure date.
Step 3
Secure your pet with a collar and ID tag, including destination information, in case your pet is lost or escapes. A microchip also is a source for pet identification, as it includes the owner's information, as well as vaccination records and any other necessary medical information.
Step 4
Purchase a shipping crate that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is large enough for your pet to sit, stand and walk around in comfortably. Find an approved shipping crate at a local pet supply store or airline.
Step 5
Use a permanent marker and write the words "LIVE ANIMAL" in letters 1 to 2 inches tall to be sure the writing is visible on the crate. Write your name, address and telephone number and also indicate the pet's destination point on top of the crate. Close the door securely without locking it in case airline personnel needs to open the crate in the event of an emergency.
Step 6
Line the crate with shredded paper or towels to absorb accidents. Put some type of bedding in the bottom of the crate for your pet's comfort.
Step 7
Affix or mark arrows on the crate to indicate the upright position. Put a current photo of your pet on top of the crate for identification and carry a photo of your pet as well.
Step 8
Tape a small pouch of dried pet food on the outside of the crate so airline personnel can feed your pet while traveling on long-distance flights or in the event of a layover.
Step 9
Freeze a tray of water to prevent spills during loading and put in the crate with your pet. The water will have melted by the time your pet is thirsty.
Step 10
Let airline personnel know that you have a pet in the cargo area and occasionally ask personnel to check on your pet.
Mexico City customs brokers (For Pets?)
http://www.expatforum.com/expats/mexico-expat-forum-expats-living-mexico/125725-mexico-city-customs-brokers.html
Thanks for the help, but that doesn't exactly answer my question. We've already booked our flights and need to find a customs broker in Mexico City to deal with the paperwork for our dog.
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 Mexico City customs brokers |
Originally from usa. 
Expat in mexico.
Hi there,
My wife and I are moving to Oaxaca with our dog and cats in October and we've been told we need to hire a customs broker to deal with the dog in Mexico City. The airline gave us a list of brokers, but none of them -- not a single one -- has worked out. Some neither pick up the phone nor have voicemail, others fail to respond to repeated voice and email messages. We're flummoxed.
Could someone refer us to an affordable, reliable customs broker in DF who actually is reachable? Thanks for your help.
My wife and I are moving to Oaxaca with our dog and cats in October and we've been told we need to hire a customs broker to deal with the dog in Mexico City. The airline gave us a list of brokers, but none of them -- not a single one -- has worked out. Some neither pick up the phone nor have voicemail, others fail to respond to repeated voice and email messages. We're flummoxed.
Could someone refer us to an affordable, reliable customs broker in DF who actually is reachable? Thanks for your help.
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| Bringing pets into Mexico |
Originally Posted by oaxacaone
Dogs must have had a rabies shot within the past year or else the vet a the airport will give them one for a small fee. I went through your dilemma years ago bringing my dog to Oaxaca. I offered to buy him a first class seat but he weighed over 20 pounds and had to be checked into luggage. So, I drove to Mexico.
However, a friend brought his dog to Mexico a couple of years ago. He heard all kinds of stories about fees which weren't true. At that time, you could bring two dogs in with no problem. Since the dog was too big to ride with him, I urged him to fly direct from NYC to Mexico City. That way his dog would be in the luggage compartment the shortest time possible. Of course, the dog should be given something to make him sleep during the flight-- your vet can advise you. At Mexico City, we were able to let the dog out to run around a bit before boarding a bus to Puebla. The bus leaves from the international arrivals at Terminal 2, the new airport terminal, and takes only 2 hours. At Puebla, we let the dog out for a run again before continuing the journey to Oaxaca in my friend's SUV. This last leg of the trip would be four hours. You can easily take the second bus from Puebla to Oaxaca as there are frequent departures. The idea is to break up the 6 hours in the bus luggage area into smaller segments. Friends were discussing this problem recently and someone said the US airlines try to shaft you on the pet transportation fees. AeroMexico was the best choice but use a direct flight. You don't want your pets waiting too long in the luggage room or on the tarmac. I know your concerns. I often see pets at the airport in Mexico City so this is nothing new. I wish you luck. Please write if I can further help you |
Thanks for the help, but that doesn't exactly answer my question. We've already booked our flights and need to find a customs broker in Mexico City to deal with the paperwork for our dog.
 Today, 05:26 PM | |||
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From what I understand the broker is only needed if the dog is not on the same flight as you. If the dog comes in with you on the same flight there is no requirement of a broker.
It seems that Continental is telling people that they need a broker when, in fact, they don't if they are on the same flight as their pet. Are you flying Continental? Here is a link to the regulations in English for bringing a pet into Mexico from the US or Canada: Pet Travel Tips & Adoption Information It doesn't mention a broker. I would certainly defer to someone who has first hand experience with bringing a pet into Mexico via air but based on what I have read I think the airline is making your life way more complicated that it needs to be. |
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From what I understand the broker is only needed if the dog is not on the same flight as you. If the dog comes in with you on the same flight there is no requirement of a broker.
It seems that Continental is telling people that they need a broker when, in fact, they don't if they are on the same flight as their pet. Are you flying Continental? Here is a link to the regulations in English for bringing a pet into Mexico from the US or Canada: Pet Travel Tips & Adoption Information It doesn't mention a broker. I would certainly defer to someone who has first hand experience with bringing a pet into Mexico via air but based on what I have read I think the airline is making your life way more complicated that it needs to be. |
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True. YOu would only need a broker if shpping a pet seperately, or if you had more than two pets per person.
There is a lot of erroneous information available from airlines, border agents, bloggers and folks on web boards. So, never believe the first thing you hear, or read and dig a little deeper. Continental is good at losing luggage, so maybe they are playing CYA, in case they lose your dog and have to ship it to you, along with lost luggage, and they don't want to pay the brokerage if that happens. The world isn't fair and is also getting dumbed down. |
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