Blogging about our visits to the Southwest of the United States made me hungry for guacamole and tortilla chips. I reached for the best source of Mexican cuisine I could think of - Pati Jinich, host of Pati's Mexican Table on PBS. OK...I'll admit to having a crush on her too...her zest for life and love of food just sends me. This version has a special twist - roasted veggies to give it a smoky flavor. Pretty much all of the ingredients should have "or more to taste" after them - so I encourage you to experiment with the quantities.

After spending so much time in Spain, we are hooked on "tapas". One of our favorites is "Gambas al Ajillo" (Shrimp with Garlic).

​We like this recipe (adapted from the Boston Globe) that serves the shrimp on a bed of wilted spinach. The key to this is to avoid over-cooking: garlic can quickly turn bitter and shrimp can lose their crunch when cooked too much.

​When done right the shrimp has just the right texture and garlicky oil is irresistible - so have plenty of crusty bread on hand.

While we were in Spain one of our favorite Tapas was a steaming, salty plate of "Pimientos de Padrón". We would often stop into green grocers and check to see if they had any in stock and made them for ourselves as a quick and easy snack or tasty appetizer.

Like Shishito Peppers - which are a perfect alternative and easier to find in the USA - every now and then you will get a hot one. The waiter at a sidewalk restaurant in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria joked, "If you get a hot one I have to charge you double!"