As things slowly return to some kind of normality after Hurricane Dean tore it’s way through Mexico I received an email from an acquaintance I met in Bacalar. We only spent a brief time in each others company but we had quite a lot in common and talked non stop, mainly about our one main love . . . food.
Bob a.k.a ‘the barefoot chef’ is whipping up quite a reputation in the Bacalar region where he resides. He provides meals for hotels in the area catering for the tourist palate, especially those on the South Beach diet.
Luckily Bob and his homestead survived the raging winds and it appears that Casita Carolina, the little hotel next door, where we rented one of the palapa cabanas in the grounds, came off a little better than was first expected.

Bob writes:

Sorry that I have not written sooner. We have been a little busy as you can imagine and the internet service is still limited, which is why I am bundling this Email….
As you probably know by now, everyone surrvived…..That´s the good news. The not good news is that about 1000 families lost their homes ( mostly in the barrios across the hiway )
Caroline´s hotel made it through with only the loss of 3 palapa roofs and the little palapa in Frank´s side was pretty much leveled when a couple of palm trees came down on it….Almost all of the trees on her property were destroyed…..
Things are just now starting to get back to normal. The electric and water came back on a few days ago, cell phones are working again and most of the stores have re opened….The huge clean up continues.
Hats off to the Mexican authorities. They were mobilized within 3 hours of the storm passing.Crews of electric workers and crews with chain saws to open the main streets and roads. Water trucks and helicopters with food arrived shortly after
SPEAKING OF FOOD……….
After a couple of days without electricity my fridge of course started to unthaw and I had to use up the stuff….So a new recipe was born.

BOB´S HURRICANE SOUP

INGREDIENTS:
The contents of 1 slightly thawed fridge
( include meats, veggies, and the unmarked container
that is either stewed tomatoes or maybe spaghetti sauce)

Water

Your choice of whatever herbs, spices and condiments surrvived

METHOD:
Slice, dice, chop or julienne all the stuff
( Be creative with this step )
Place all the stuff in a big pot. Add water to just cover stuff
Add salt, pepper and what ever else that that seems like a good idea.
Simmer untill done.
Adjust seasonings and serve

TO SERVE:
Ladle into bowls, clean plastic yogurt containers or whatever else you can find
Serve to hungry people passing by…

Love ya all,
Be in touch
The Barefoot Chef