La Cocina Que Canta

My job here at the Ranch is to teach 3 hands on cooking classes, while enjoying everything else that is offered—what’s not to love? Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening, and Thursday evening I teach at the cooking school, La Cocina Que Canta (The Kitchen that Sings) 

Gabriella giving instructions (she rocks!)

Salvador (It's HIS garden), Gaby, and Juan

All ready for dinner!

The Courtyard

Stations set up

Mise en place

Picking chives for our saute

The absolutely ridiculous and ugly border fence---the only thing it keeps out are indigenous animals

Picking Kale

Strawberries

It’s a joy to take the students into Rancho Tres Estrellas (3 Star Ranch) to meet Salvador and to see his passion for the garden, and the ranch.  That is a recurring theme here, the employees and the guests have an affinity for this place, and many employees work here for decades.  The visitors are mostly returnees; it’s that special. 
 Tomorrow I'll post photos from our other classes.

Another World

 

40 miles south of San Diego, lies the city of Tecate, in Baja California.  A sleepy border town with a brewery, shops, auto repair businesses, and one of the largest employers, Rancho La Puerta.  Founded in 1940’s by Professor Edmond Szekely and his wife Deborah, Professor Szekely declaring that Tecate had the most perfect climate in the world.  Over the years, the ranch has evolved, and into a place of rest and refreshment for thousands of happy guests from around the world, offering mind, body and spirit fitness.

You could fill your days here with an activity every hour, or you could choose to be selective and decide what you want your week to be. I’ll be here from Monday through Friday and teaching 3 cooking classes, so I have elected the rest and relaxation track, with stretching in the morning, and swimming, to limber up my tight right shoulder that I broke last December.  

Around every winding path, there is a glimpse of beauty, from the beautiful sculptures, water flowing, flowers blooming, quail rushing through the underbrush, lizards lying in the sun and the vistas of the surrounding mountains, the beauty here, is breathtaking, and each walk leads you down a different path.  

There are art classes, and cooking classes, as well as all the exercise related classes.  The best part is the people you will meet; last time I was here, I met people from San Diego, but also met friends from Singapore, New York, and Canada.  Last night at dinner, I was seated with one woman from Switzerland, two from the Bay Area, and two from New York City; the two friends from NYC have known each other since they were 12 years old and they have come here for many years.  What a gift!  And the staff, many of whom have worked here for over 20 years, and their dedication to the ranch and its mission is remarkable.  

I am blessed to be here!

 

The Nights the Lights Went Out in Baja

 

Another day of over 100 degree temperatures sent guests at Rancho La Puerta to the pools, or the indoor gyms.  I spent the day at the pool, reading, and playing with my camera.  Just before leaving at 4 p.m. on the shuttle bus to La Cocina Que Canta, the power in our casita went out.  Unaware that the entire Southwestern region had lost power, the students and I trundled over the wash board road to the cooking school.  The driver had said he thought that the school had power, but in my mind, I was already juggling the menu around in my head to figure out how we would cook the fish, and roast the vegetables. 

When we arrived at the school, there wasn't any power, and no gas for the ovens and stoves......but, no problem!  There is always a way to get food on the table, and we used the wood fired grill for the cooking portions, and the rest was done as "raw" food.....with such amazing produce from the garden, it's simple to prepare the recipes without cooking.  Here are a few snaps of our time in the gardens with Salvador and the our meal which was superb....a bunch of great cooks got on the bus to ride back to the ranch after power was restored.

  Salvador in his element; this man has a love affair with this garden, and it's no wonder the produce is so amazing. 

 Dinner served; fish packets with heirloom tomato salsa

 Originally a corn and zucchini saute with basil, we turned this one into a salad with a bit of white wine vinegar

 Freckles lettuce in the garden

 White gazpacho with avocado corn relish

 Freckles, magenta, and baby lettuces, orange balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh figs

Harvesting onions

Harvesting corn

As I leave this place I am more inspired than ever to search out local farmers' markets, organic, sustainable produce and to cook with a love for the ingredients.  If you have not been to Rancho La Puerta I'd rate it as a bucket list item---even if you just come and enjoy the grounds, and the relaxation. 
Until next week, I wish you buenos tardes from Rancho La Puerta.

La Cocina Que Canta (the Kitchen that sings)

So I arrived here on Saturday and was dying to see the 7 acre organic garden and the cooking school, and finally got my chance today as I was able to teach and pick produce for our class.   

 Rancho La Puerta is a magical place, and the cooking school is no exception; I teach in a lot of places and this one ranks at the top---although all the places I teach are pretty special, and the students are awesome, too.  

  My assistant today was Gabriella, best friend of one of my favorite assistants ever at Great News, and she reminds me of her as well---feeling at home in a strange kitchen is really what it’s all about and Gabriella did that for me, along with Eugenia, Alejandro, Celia, and Marisella.  Their names all sound like music when spoken! 

Outside the cooking school is the jewel of Rancho la Puerta; the 7 acres  of organic garden (Rancho Tres Estrellas) with fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers---it is nothing short of spectacular!   

 

Salvador is the head gardener and his love for this garden and this place on earth makes the garden tour a highlight when you come here.  Our students got to pick lettuce, and strawberries for our meal.  

 

The days here at the Ranch could overwhelm you with all the activities that are offered there are so many options.  They tell you to choose what kind of week you want at the Ranch, and although I am working three days that I’m here, I’ve chosen to relax, and do things that will benefit my body, and mind, without making me exhausted

Walking around here is a such a pleasure, there is something new around every corner, whether it’s a family of quail scurrying into the chaparral, or the view down a winding path, each twist of the path leads you to something beautiful. 

So, there have been bird walks, back strengthening classes, photography workshops, massages, swimming, a labyrinth, and today teaching most of the day, which is a workout in itself! 

So, until tomorrow, wishing you a buenos noches from Rancho La Puerta y La Cocina Que Canta.