December 8 2008 Page 2

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Lo de Marcos Playa

Not a Matter of Size:

Mexican Key Limes

By Tara Spears

                                                            Top: ripe Mexican Key Lime, bottom: Persian limes

Bigger is not always better when it come to fruit. Ever notice how limes (in Spanish, limon) are everywhere in this country? What is the reason for this love affair with limes? From savoring a tangy Margarita to sipping a cola, there are numerous beverages that are served with lime.  Most local restaurants serve bowls of quartered limes with all meals, and of course, the ubiquitous agua limon is sold on the streets.   In a culture whose cuisine is spicy hot, hot, hot, the chemical composition of the lime Citrus aurantifolia, tones down the fiery effect on the palate.  As with many condiments, seasoning with lime can also be an acquired taste.

Study the photo at left. These are ripe Mexican Key limes. Because this type of lime is light yellow in color, they are mistakenly thought to be baby lemons- a totally different citrus species. Note the small size: even the largest is about the size of a golf ball. Limes are aromatic and very juicy, with a higher sugar and citric acid content that have a stronger and more complex flavor than lemons. It is because of the high vitamin C content that sailors were given limes on sea voyages (beginning in the 1400s) to prevent scurvy, hence the term ‘limey’ for sailors. I like the appearance of the Key lime trees – a tropical evergreen-that do not exceed 7 feet (2 meters) in height, making it an ideal container plant for small, sunny patios. Very adaptable to a variety of soils, the key lime tree, however, will not tolerate flooded conditions: it doesn’t like its roots in standing water. Its medium brown bark is smooth and crooked, but the branches are thorny with shiny green leaves and small clusters of 3-5 flowers that turn into fruit. The Key lime is fairly thin skinned and has a lot of seeds. Besides the heavenly fragrance of the blooms, it is so convenient to pick fresh limes as needed from the diminutive tree, making the Key lime a terrific home garden plant. 

The large, smooth, deep green, seedless, limes found in local markets are the Persian or Tahiti Lime (Citrus latifolia), a hybrid that was developed in the early 20th century. The fruit is larger, 2.5 inches diameter (5-8 cm), than the Key Lime. This version was created to be more resistant to disease and pests, and has a thicker rind. They are picked slightly immature while they are still deep green in color (they turn a lighter yellow-green when fully ripe.) Although larger, the Persian lime has less juice content that the tiny key limes.

The photo at right is a clear comparison of the two lime species.  As you can see, the inside of the fruit is a similar greenish-yellow, although they have a different taste.  Like all citrus, they only continue ripening while on the tree.  The Mexican lime ripens to full yellow and loses weight rapidly at normal room temperature in warm climates. In the home, the fruits can be held fresh for 2 or 3 weeks if kept in water in a closed jar. They are prone to cold injury under refrigeration at 44.6º F (7º C). Frozen juice keeps for 2-3 months.

When purchasing Key limes, the skin should be light yellow and fine grained, like leather. Avoid any signs of decay, mold or blotchy, brown spots. This summer the La Penita markets had a lot of citrus canker infected limes-do not eat the warty stuff!  Don't buy limes if the skin is turning hard or shriveled.
 

Limons, Key limes, are especially delicious in beverages, sorbets, and jams. They are excellent in marinades for fish (ceviche) or meats and chicken, and used in fish and meat stews, but my favorite is Key Lime Pie.  Being from Florida originally, I learned the history of this awesome confection, as well as amassing about a dozen different recipes for this dish. The recipe that follows is the easiest, foolproof delicious version adapted for Mexican ingredients.  Enjoy!

Tara’s Mexican Key Lime Pie 

9’ Cookie Crust:                                             (Spanish)

20 Maria’s cookies, chunky crushed      (orange label Maria’s gamesas)

1 stick melted butter                              (mantequilla)

½ cup (120 ml) sugar                              (azucar)

1 teas. (5 ml) cinnamon                           (canela)

1 teas. (5 ml) nutmeg and allspice   (nuez moscada,  pimienta de Jamaica) 

½ cup (120 ml) finely chopped pecans   (nuez de pacanas) 

Mix all ingredients together.  Pat into pie pan. Microwave 2-3 minutes or bake in oven 8-10 minutes to brown.  Cool before adding filling.

No-bake Lime custard:    

½ cup (120 ml) fresh squeezed lime juice- about 8-10 key limes

3 beaten egg yolks       -use the egg whites in another recipe

1 can of sweetened condensed milk    (La Lechera condensa azucarda)

Beat the lime juice into the canned milk with a mixer; whip in the yolks until the mixture is creamy. Pour into crust.  Refrigerate several hours.

Whipped Topping:

Before serving, prepare the whipped cream.  Chill the bowl and beaters before beating ingredients until stiff for best results. 

1 carton of whipping cream        (Lyncott Crema para Batir*)

1-2 tablespoons (15 ml) powdered sugar    (azucar glas)

½ teas. (2.5 ml) vanilla                             (extracto de vainilla)

*this is a refrigerated cream.  Do not use the on-the-shelf crema para batir- doesn’t taste the same. Whipped cream can be frozen, but not the pre-whipped cream.

Best Buy Opens First Store in Mexico
Associated Press
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Mexico City – Best Buy Co. arrived in Mexico on Friday with the opening of its second-largest store worldwide.

The event came weeks after Best Buy cut its 2009 revenue outlook, following a sharp drop in global sales.

The retailer now projects between $43.7 billion to $45.5 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2009, down from the $47 billion it projected earlier. It says annual same-store sales could fall up to 8 percent next year.

Best Buy attributed slow international sales to the strong U.S. dollar and weakening local currencies abroad.

Still, the electronics chain is faring better than its major competitor, Circuit City, which declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 10.

"While these are no doubt difficult times, this is also a time for great opportunity," said Bob Willet, chief executive officer of Best Buy International.

He said he believes Mexico is a safe bet for the future.

Best Buy plans to build more stores in various cities throughout central Mexico, although it did not specify how many or when.

Richard Hastings, a consumer strategist with Global Hunter Securities, said despite slower sales, Best Buy will continue to spread its reach around the world.

"The company's basic strategy is to expand into places where the middle class is expanding, and in Mexico City and central Mexico, that's especially the case," he said.

President Felipe Calderon said the store puts Mexico on the right path to increase foreign investment. He said Best Buy's initial investment in Mexico will total $45 million, including the costs to build the store and create 450 jobs.

Mexicans' spending power has been on the rise in recent years as annual per-capita salaries rose from US$4,000 to US$9,000, he said.

Hastings said improved infrastructure as well as job and population growth in central Mexico make the region a good fit for the retail chain.
 

to view the following photographs by Larry Baron in larger format double click on them.

Alan puts on a feast for friends last Wednesday

Canadian Politics 101

Bill Bell writes a political column the following is his most recent

Try to explain to anyone south of the 49^th parallel what is happening with our political system in Ottawa over the past week and you might as well be trying to explain Einstein’s theory of relativity to a class of 10 year olds. Most Americans would not be able to tell you the name of our current Prime Minister never mind our system of government.

They just don’t understand the Canadian parliamentary political system and how we as a country have allowed ourselves to get into this current situation. Come to think of it, I’m having a bit of problem understanding it myself. 

My American friend (Let’s call him Tom) asked me the other day why our Prime Minister was being “impeached.”  “Was there a Monica (Lewinsky)?” Tom asked with a smile on his face.

“No,” I assured him, “there was no illegal or immoral act on behalf of the Prime Minister nor was there an impeachment.”

“In Canada the Prime Minister has to have the confidence of the majority of Members of Parliament which means he has to have at least 155 MPs,” I said adding that the Conservative government only had 143. “And if all the other MP’s get together and defeat the government in what is called a confidence motion, then the Governor General has to decide whether those MPs who defeated the government can form a viable government or to call another election.”

“What’s a Governor General?  The head of the army?”  Tom asked.   I was now heading down the path of no return trying to explain the Queen’s representative’s role in the governing of our Country. I did the best I could but to most Yanks, the notion of the Queen’s representative deciding the fate of your elected government is more than a bit repugnant. However as I was attempting to explain Governor General Michaelle Jean’s role, I knew Larry’s next question was going to be even harder to explain.

I could see it coming and I knew that anyone who was not brought up in Canada would have a hard time with the concept of having a large number of Members of Parliament; the BLOC, who are dedicated to the creation of a separate country. (“If they don’t believe in Canada, why are they participating in its governance?” asks Tom.)  He had an even harder time understanding how those same separatist MPs could join  with Federalist MPs (Liberal and NDP)  to not only defeat a another Federalist (albeit Conservative) government, but to also support the Federalist Liberals in forming a new government. 

By the time I got to explain the New Democrat Party’s socialist’s views and how the Liberal’s showed great disdain for them in the last election,  Larry’s eyes were beginning to fog over and I could see I was losing him.  

“So what do you think should be done? “ Tom asked.

I’m rarely in agreement with the Globe and Mail’s editorial (something about their Toronto airs) but when it called for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to step down and be replaced by another Conservative; I thought they were on to something.

As much as I disagree with a coalition government and the agreement signed by all three opposition parties, I see no alternative, as long as Harper and his mean spirited bullying tactics are in play.  A dysfunctional coalition government is exactly what we are eventually going to have.  That is not what we need in a time of economic global uncertainty. We need strong, thoughtful and pragmatic governance.

Unfortunately Harper is to blame for this mess, and he shows no sign of what is needed most in this country; strength, leadership and most of all selflessness.  He appears to believe that leadership is winning at all costs, he insults all who oppose him and power is everything to him.

The irony of it all is that he seems to have forgotten the lesson Joe Clark learned in 1979 about the perils of leading a minority government as if you have a majority.  Harper needs to be replaced and the Conservatives should be given a second chance to govern.  Unfortunately for Canada, that does not appear to be possible.

And what does former Reform, Alliance MP Ted White think about this?  He thinks Harper is even more Machiavellian than I.

“No doubt you, like me, can't understand why Harper proposed the removal of the taxpayer subsidies for political parties.  That's like waving a red flag in front of a bull.  Any time you cut off somebody's income you are going to get a reaction,” White said.

“It is hard to believe that Harper and his advisors thought this one through as a strategy to force another election, but maybe they did. So, the big question is, was it done naively, or was it done to deliberately to provoke a reaction?  Time will tell.”

Yes time will tell. But in the meantime “Oh Canada” has taken on an entirely different meaning.

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together To Riviera Nayarit in Mexico
TravelVideo.tv
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Bird enthusiasts and travelers alike are able to view and experience insightful guided tours of this spectacular event during the much-anticipated Festival of Migratory Birds. The festival will take place from January 30 - February 1, 2009.

Over 250 species of the region's feathered friends will make the migration to the mangrove eco-region of San Blas, an already popular site throughout the year, to view Riviera Nayarit's nature offerings, including the Crocodile Reserve as well as a tour of the colonial history and fishing villages of San Blas.

However, nothing is quite like the once a year Festival of Migratory Birds in which, during this festival, special seminars on birds, bird watching, and environmental conservation are offered for the public. Special boat tours are also offered to highlight the Festival and ensure that visitors are able to see these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.

Birds that flock to San Blas are, to name a few, the black-bellied tree duck, great blue heron, roseate spoonbill, and endemic birds, including the bumblebee hummingbird and the Mexican woodnymph.

About Riviera Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit is Mexico's newest travel destination stretching along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta. Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic, colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay. The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches.

For more information, visit: RivieraNayarit.com