I think we all can agree that real, true, authentic Mexican Cuisine is some of the most simple and yet flavor filled food out there. Each region has its own personality and profile, so when I spent some time in Loreto, Baja Sur for a culinary adventure, I couldn’t wait to try the amazing food I knew was in store for us! On that list was time (both in and out of the kitchen) with Celebrity Chefs Penny Davidi and Tregaye Fraser at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto – a beautiful resort with something for everyone.
“We all love a good taco – I love the spice, I love the flavoring. I am always up for some good cumin, some good cilantro. I love the way Mexican cuisine is about flavor building. It is almost an experience – you can taste each ingredient one by one from the love that is put into the food.” – Chef Tragaye in her interview with LaLaScoop
Chef Tragaye nailed it on that one because Mexican cuisine is all about building the flavor. And I can try to give you all the pretty language when it comes to how amazing the food was but lesbehonest… pictures would be more fun right? So, here goes!
Mexico’s Baja Sur Flavors
One of the welcome drinks at Villa del Palmar is an amazing cucumber margarita (watch my friend Paul Zahn make this margarita) that sets the tone for your whole experience- cool, refreshing, and perfect.
Seaside towns always have the best fresh seafood and I am a sucker for good ceviche! Add fresh avocado and I am one happy girl! This was one of the first dishes we had in Loreto too, so I started off on a great note. If you go fishing like I did, they will even prepare your catch for you at one of the restaurants!
I am going to say this and it is going to sound melodramatic, but I promise it is true: THESE WERE THE BEST CHIPS AND TACOS I HAVE HAD IN A REALLY LONG TIME. They were what Tim would call “Gringo” tacos but they were still delicious. And the guac they brought them out with was divine.
I always thought that margaritas should only be made traditionally, without sweet or exotic flavors. I was wrong. So very very wrong. And I learned that on this trip when I had amazing margaritas. I had your traditional margarita at first and slowly explored other options like a banana margarita, tamarind margarita, and mango margarita. Growing up in Colombia, I remember eating tamarind candies so the alcoholic version in a fancy cup was a welcomed reminder of yesteryear.
Breakfast was amazing too! Latin America always has some of the best breakfasts that are filled with fresh fruit you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Don’t be scared of the green juice either! Made of apples, aloe, nopales, celery, and a bunch of other delicious green fruits and veggies it is the perfect fuel for a morning hike in the desert.
If you ever go to Loreto you need to check out the Giggling Dolphin! It looks exactly like what you would expect a Baja Sur resta-bar to look like filled with bright colors as half empty bottles line the bar. But in this bar you get to play bartender as you make your own sustainable margarita! Hope on the bike, peddle away, and then enjoy a really good margarita. You earned it after all!
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto has 3 amazing restaurants to chose from, each with a menu filled with passion and flair. One of my favorite dishes we had on the trip, a Roasted Tomato Salsa, was simple but flavorful and I love that it is super easy to make. It is perfect for gatherings and a huge hit at BBQ’s.
Roasted Tomato Salsa Recipe
- Tomato
- Onion
- Garlic
- Jalapeño chilli
- Salt and pepper
Just pop your veggies (skin-side-up) on a baking sheet in the oven for 20 minutes (250°) until they’re nice and blistered and blackened…then pop them into a blender or food processor add some salt and pepper and you are done! Put everything on a plate and add the final addition of fresh cilantro!
If you like a bargain like I do then check out this discount code for Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto. This promo ends on June 30, 2018!
- Click here to book your stay directly through the Villa del Palmar website.
- Select your dates and then your room option.
- Use the promo code CHEFW17 (the discount should automatically appear but if it doesn’t say CHEF WEEK, then manually enter this code)