Finding kitchens to cook in around the world. https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:15:01 GMT World Nomads Adventures Just me! https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/photos/52984/USA/Profile-Pic Travel USA skyleejane https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/photos/52984/USA/Profile-Pic#comments https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/photos/52984/USA/Profile-Pic Tue, 3 Mar 2015 05:34:00 GMT 0 Over the summer I visited Bocas del Toro in Panama. I stayed on Isla Cristobal near Dolphin Bay, so named because of the mammals that would play within its protected waters. I stayed in a tiny house perched above the waters of the Caribbean. Because of the island surrounding us, the waters below it were placid and felt like bathwater. I took a hike on our island and walked through a virtual grocery store hanging above us in the trees: limes, coconuts, breadfruit, bananas, passion fruit, and even cacao pods. Back at our little island hut, I was acquainted with my open-air bedroom above the rustic kitchen. My hosts gathered a number of different ingredients during our time together, and on my last morning I put some ingredients together into the oven, pan, or blender to create a meal as my way of thanking them. The meal was like any other meal I prepare at home: it was made with local ingredients and love. We sat together and shared a meal, marveling in the freshness of every bite and the warmth surrounding us. That meal was special because of that place. During my time at Bocas we had just entered a new moon cycle. The nights were darker since we did not have the moon’s spotlight. I took a paddle board into the Bay and would paddle for hours, looking up at the night sky illuminated by billions of stars. I would then look down at the water as I paddled through it and would watch bio-luminescent plankton and algae stir around my vessel. I would jump into the dark water and would feel like I was swimming within the stars overhead. I would lay on my back, watching the Milky Way slowly forge a path across the night sky and losing count of the shooting stars whizzing past. During those moments I felt that this incredible life we have is an amazing one. I felt so fortunate to be able to live on that board, on that sea, in that country, and in this life for even that one moment. I knew that I would not take any day—or any night—for granted ever again. And I haven’t since. Even if you aren't on an island in Panama, you can recreate your own savory breakfast hash and sweet smoothie. For the hash: 3 plantains (green for savory; yellow if you would prefer sweet) 1 lb chorizo 1 medium sweet yellow onion 1 bell pepper or jalapeno (to taste) 1-2 cloves garlic (to taste) 2 tbs coconut oil 1 tsp cumin 1 lime Salt & Pepper (to taste) (optional) 2 eggs prepared as desired For the smoothie: 1/8 breadfruit (trimmed, steamed, and cooled in advance) 1/4 watermelon 1 passion fruit 1/3 cup Coconut milk or coconut water Ice For the hash: Preheat oven to 375˚. Peel plantains and slice approx. ½” to 1” thick. Spread 1 tbs coconut oil on baking sheet, then add plantain slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning plantain slices about midway through. While plantains are baking, mince garlic and set aside. If chorizo is in sausage links, either remove from casing or slice chorizo sausage into ½” slices and set aside. Dice onion and pepper. Add 1 tbs coconut oil to skillet and cook onion and pepper on medium heat until translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Add chorizo and cumin and cook until sausage is cooked through, approx. 7 minutes. Remove cooked plantain slices from oven and add to sausage mixture while still hot. Stir together, and finish with freshly-squeezed lime and salt and pepper to taste. (Optional) Top with eggs and enjoy! For the smoothie: Place all ingredients into a blender; blend until smooth and enjoy! https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/photos/52983/Panama/Passport-and-Plate-Plantain-Chorizo-Hash-Panama-Fruit-Smoothie Travel Panama skyleejane https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/photos/52983/Panama/Passport-and-Plate-Plantain-Chorizo-Hash-Panama-Fruit-Smoothie#comments https://journals.worldnomads.com/skyleejane/photos/52983/Panama/Passport-and-Plate-Plantain-Chorizo-Hash-Panama-Fruit-Smoothie Tue, 3 Mar 2015 05:18:00 GMT 0