The Spices of Life

Hi guys, Chef Scott Alan for Costa Rica Cooking here in La Fortuna by the Volcano Arenal!  I'm here again on a very “rainforesty” day in the tropics of Costa Rica, which is a fun way of saying it's raining cats and dogs!! Oh well what can a person expect when Costa Rica is where you call home. If that sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not, I wake up grateful every day!

I was reflecting on why I love Costa Rica so much and I have to say that one of the reasons is the close and practically year-round availability of fresh ingredients, both well-known and more rare and exotic fruits and vegetables. The reason I like cooking with fresh ingredients is that you rarely need more than salt and or pepper to add to your cooking. It's amazing really, I used to think being a good cook was having a great spice rack with everything in it. Of course, I'm not saying you have to throw away your spices  (though have you checked them lately, they somehow seem to stick around for years) but I am recommending using fresh everything in your cooking and you won't need your spices, therefore creating room for another cool kitchen utensil or appliance, now how's that for motivation??

My point is these days, in a lot of places, we have more access to fresh spices like garlic, basil, coriander, rosemary and so many more along with produce departments offering everything from around the world in terms of exotic fruits and veggies.  Here in Costa Rica I cook with a lot of fresh fruits, as I love to spice up a dish with flavor rather than spicy-hot. Exotic fruits are a great accompaniment with grilled meats and baked rice dishes, though we tend to think of them for breakfast and lunch only. Check out some of my videos and see how I use the fresh ingredients I'm finding here.   See you in the jungle!!

Pura Vida, Scott

http://www.CostaRicaCooking.com

http://www.StreetDogsCostaRica.com

Chicken Bones for the Soul

Pura Vida to everyone out there! Especially everyone who rescues and rehabilitates street dogs. I said to friend when I wanted to start the "food and dog blog" that it's not about dog food, its a food and dog blog,  2 things separately that are constants in my life that I want to talk with people about in order to exchange ideas. Of course I'm addicted to delicious food like everyone else out there, and so food will always permeate the topic at hand. That being said, the blog today IS about dog food!
Actually it’s about chicken bones and should we feed them to the dogs? Is this an urban myth? I always argued to never feed your dog chicken bones, in my restaurant we sell spicy chicken wings and so there are always lots of leftover bones as it's a popular dish. Anyway, my friend Charles, a Costa Rican guy   (and no it's not Carlos) challenged my theory and against better judgment I gave some to the street dogs around the restaurant and they of course loved them and I've been doing it ever since without a single problem!
So is this an urban myth or what ?

You might say there just street dogs and chicken bones are better than no bones, but I'd really like to know if there is any real studies or facts behind this idea that chicken bones are dangerous for dogs. Being that there are a lot of both of these animals here in Costa Rica it would be great to know.  Send me your thoughts and I'll let everyone know what I find out. Until then, Keep on cookin'...

Pura Vida, Scott