We always had very plain food growing up. My mom is a great cook but my dad likes "good old fashioned American" food, which in my family meant a lot of roasts, baked chicken, pasta, meatloaf, etc - all delicious but very much the same flavor profiles. Also a factor is that I was born in 1980, and I believe that it is not until very recently that people have become so adventurous in the foods they cook at home - no one I knew growing up ate "exotic" foods like Indian, Thai, or Greek unless that was their culture.
Consequently I made it to the age of 23 before I ever had any sort of latin/hispanic cooking. My family (siblings/cousin/grandma) took a trip to Puerto Rico in late December, from the moment I stepped out of the airport I was in love. Instead of the frigid temperatures we'd left behind in NY the air was balmy and welcoming, even at 11 at night. We were all starving since the food on the plane had been....well, airline food and the first thing we did after arriving at the hotel was ask where we could find somewhere to eat.
Its now midnight and we've been seated at an outdoor cafe, margaritas have been served all around, and our plates have just arrived. I'd decided to be especially adventurous and ordered a pulled pork served with red beans and rice. I was a little wary but figured it couldn't be that bad. WOW I've never been so wrong - the first bite of pork, tender with a hint of sauce was delicious, next to try the beans - amazing - textures and flavors I never knew existed. My life as a foodie began at that moment, although at the time I didn't have a clue.
The entire week was a culinary adventure from traditional Puerto Rican conch ceviche, to an authentic Mexican Restaurant in a small trailer with only 6 tables I enjoyed everything.
Fastforward 4 years and the BF & I are planning a vacation - I insist on PR taking delight in the fact that he's never been, and hoping to track down my favorites. Somehow all three restaurants were exactly where I remembered them, and just as good (if not better) then my memories!
