Only way to chill in 48 C (118.4 f) weather - Whip up a Greek Frappe

I knew it was going to be hot as hell when we set out to sail the Ionian Islands in Greece during the months of June and July of this year. Little did I know that translates to over 40 C almost every day, and often, a heck of a lot warmer. I think the highest the temperature climbed to was a balmy, and stroke inducing, 48.5 C (119f). YIKES

The only way to keep somewhat sane on those days, other than to guzzle a bucket full of ice cold beer, washed down with a gigantic Greek margarita, (made them with ouzo - try it, they are pretty damn good), was to whip up the ubiquitious Greek frappe. Even the the old guys playing a roaring game of backgammon at the local bar, were sipping on it. Heck if they weren't drinking ouzo over ice, maybe they knew something I didn't.

Traditionally made with Nescafe, yep, I said Nescafe. Although, they claim that the European Nescafe has an oilier and more delightful texture than what we serve, or don't, in North America. Not only was it a lifesaver, it is delicious and ridiculously easy to make. 

Greek Frappe

• 2 teaspoons high quality instant coffee (I use espresso)
• 2 teaspoons sugar (if desired)
•  4 ounces Cold water
•  Ice cubes
• 3 ounces regular milk (frothed with a hand milk-frother if desired)

Instructions

Place the coffee, sugar, and 2 tablespoons cold water in a cocktails shaker or blender. Shake or mix well until mix becomes a thick brown foam. 

Place ice cubes in a tall cocktail glass. Slowly pour in the brown foam. Slowly pour in remaining water and top with frothed milk if desired. Serve with a recyclable straw to stir, a small sweet treat, and enjoy!

Only way to chill in 48 C  (118.4 f) weather - Whip up a Greek Frappe

Meteora, Greece

A magical day spent In Meteora, Greece, 

A UNESCO site featuring stunning monasteries built on the tip top of monolithic stone pillars, some as tall as 1200 ft. Only six remain, one still using wooden carts on rope to pull the visiting priest up the cliffs. Yikes
P.s. if you were a Roger Moore fan they filmed “For your Eyes” only. 
The video we took does not do it justice but you get the idea :)

https://youtu.be/vgYM50hahag

A Whimsical day in the Countryside - Nekromanteio, Greece

First off the Temple of Nekromantelon - A eerie temple that is devoted to Hades and Persephone. Nekromantelon means “Oracle of Dead” The believers came here to talk to their dead ancestors about the past and the future. It was a tricky undertaking as the dead were a spiteful and pissy lot. Before they could pose their questions, believers had to undergo a crazy ritual involving 39 days of eating broad beans, pork, barley, oysters and a type of hallucinogen before sacrificing black sheep. Once the 39 days were up they posed the questions to the “oracle” who the dead would use as a vessel for their answers (this involved a lot of chanting, speaking in tongue and flying about using theatrical cranes).

We topped this off with a swim in the River Acheron(Sixt) - FREEZING COLD- Greek mythology states that the newly dead would be ferried across the Acheron in order to enter the Underworld

Click pic to scroll through the images

Greece

Ionnina - Greece

What a day - serious find. Ionnina, Greece. The first indications of human existence in Ioannina basin are dated back to the Paleolithic period (20,000 years ago) as testified by findings in the cavern of Kastritsa. Much later - Ali Pasha lorded over the land, living in riches beyond belief (hence the term Pasha) Eventually getting decapitated and buried in the town. I think there is also a story of his son's lover who he also wanted to bed. When she denied him, the bastard stuffed her in a bag and threw her in the lake that the town surrounds.....

Who needs Amazon anyway??

Island of Sedcro, Croatia

Shopping Fix

I’m seriously addicted to online shopping. Give me my pajamas, or not, a computer, preferably with a high speed connection, a steaming cup of java… credit card, with some room for movement, and all is good.  Don't even think about calling me at 11:00 am when the daily deals start rolling in! If I never step foot in a store again alls OK in the World. Well, maybe Costco.

So, when we set out on this sailing adventure I figured I would have a few withdrawal pangs. I know Amazon is taking over the world but I still figured those drones wouldn’t have a hope in hell of finding us.

Forget the drones, it’s all about Phiip Kordic…. He might not work for Amazon but he still found us.

We had just finished our clumsy grab for a buoy in the Bay of Mostir on the Island of Sedcro, which is kind of out in the middle of nowhere in the Adriatic Sea off the Western Coast of Croatia. The setting was utterly ridiculous -  Crazy blue water dotted with diamonds, old fishing boats tied up at the dock , cats lazying around in the sun waiting for the leftovers. I swear one beaten up old boat, loaded down with nets and painted an aqua marine blue was manned by the old man in the Sea - Tanned weather beaten face, graying hair peeking out from a Greek Sailors cap and a Black curly que pipe firmly clamped in his teeth. Maybe too much sun?

After we cut the engine we plunged in. The water was icy cold and ridiculously clear. Perfect. As we were sun drying a little boat put putted towards us manned by Philip Kordic.Yep, he is the son of the fisherman we had seen earlier, who is also happens to be the owner of the family run restaurant- Taverna of Pavao, which we ate at later that evening. He had been heading out to sea to catch the evenings special. 

Philip, quickly lined up his offerings on the deck of our boat, handed us some glasses and offered us a tasting - How could you resist - Walnut, tangerine, lemon and hazelnut liquers, white and red wine, grappa, olive oils, fancy soaps, marmelade and honeys. He makes them all himself.  WC Fields in a bathing suit, he even offered up a magical elixir which he claims cures everything from from sun burn to depression (It has St. John Wort in it). After sampling many, hey we were already moored, we bought several and made arrangements for an early morning delivery of strudel and wood baked baguette - Is this for real? Although, now I would have to get my lazy ass up by 8:00 am….

Later that evening we made our way to the Kordic restaurant, the deal was, you grab one of their buoys you eat at the restaurant. Not a bad deal. The family roots on the Island trace back several hundreds of years. They are the only family that lives on the Island almost all the year round. 

As we meandered our way to the restaurant we passed the amazingly preserved ruins of a Dominican monastery built in the 11 th - 15 th century. Apparently, the Dominican monks deserted the monastery at about the end of the 18 th century due to frequent raids on the islands by pirates. Johnny Depp really???? Come on!!!

On the outer wall of a little house, in the vicinity of the sea, you can still see a stone archway that was used as an alter by the seamen who anchored their boats in the bay. Praying that the sea would be kind to them that day. 

On the menu - the big white fish caught by his father that afternoon. He was lucky that day and so were we. My dining companion the woeful eyed dog of the village. Pretty sure he had practiced his look down to perfection. The only other diners - were the other lucky boaters who had entered the Bay. Delicious Local cheeses including the salty Pag Island cheese and a oil stored goats cheese, smoky lean Dalmatian prosciutto, Coatian olive oil and wood baked bread were the starters.  Washed down with a crisp white wine made by Philip, of course. For the main, what else but the spectacular fish just plucked from the sea a few hours before. Beautifully grilled, just kissed with olive and lemon….. It was enough to break your heart.  No amount of twisting could get us to try the dessert- chocolate stuffed pancakes….. Next time.

After making our way back to the boat and settling into a food and boat rocking coma the next thing I heard was the put put of Philips outboard …….Warm baguettes, slathered in tangerine marmelade, flaky golden studded studded with tart green apples- 8:00 right on time.    Who needs Amazon………..

How about a big fat stogie with that dessert?

I admit I've puffed on a few in my lifetime. Always felt, and smelled like crap the next day. Not sure if it was the Stogie or the humongous amount of booze that usually went along with it.  

I've given up the habit, or almost. When I stopped in a "Tempio del Gusto" in Spoleto I just had to order the Cigar smoked Tiramisu. I figured I was either going to be handed a stogie to suck on in between bites of the creamy coffee flavored treat or an old Italian dude would be blowing smoke in my face. Either way I was hooked.

As the waiter poured us a glass of Vin Santo, my dessert showed up covered in a glass lid. The old Italian guy must have already gone back to his smoke. As the waiter set it down he lifted the lid and up wafted a cloud of cigar smoke. It was friggin amazing. I swear, it was like I was smoking and eating and drinking all at the same time. Can't get much better than that. 

I was able to sneak back into the kitchen thank you Chef Eros, yes, that really is his name. He showed me the tiny little machine that burns cigar smoke and pumps it around your dessert before they capture it with a lid. Crazy fun and I can just imagine the possibilities, cheese, drinks, nuts.... endless.

Not sure what contraption they are using but I recommend

PolyScience The Smoking Gun Handheld Food Smoker with Wood Chips

Harold Import Company