2013 is almost over, and that means it’s time to throw a party to welcome in the New Year! A New Year’s Eve bash isn’t complete without an array of tantalizing appetizer recipes, so here you have some Ideas of  what they serve on New Year’s Eve. Get the year off to a delicious start with these  appetizers that will keep the party going past midnight.

Stuffed avocado recipe

Ingredients

• 4-5 firm ripe avocados
• 1 lb medium sized cooked shrimp
• ½ medium red onion, diced finely
• 2 radishes, diced finely
• ½ red bell pepper, diced finely
• 2 celery stalks, diced finely
• 2 hardboiled eggs, diced
• 5 tbs cilantro aioli or regular mayonnaise with chopped cilantro
• Lime juice from 1 lime
• Salt/pepper to taste
Optional garnishes:
• Chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes and chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Chop the cooked shrimp in half, if desired keep a few whole to garnish.
2. Combine diced onions, radishes, bell pepper, celery, eggs, shrimp, ½ of the lime juice and aioli or mayonnaise in a bowl, mix well. Can be kept refrigerated until ready to use.
3. Taste and salt/pepper if necessary.
4. Cut avocados in half, remove seed and peel carefully.
5. Drizzle remaining lime juice over avocados, this help keep them from darkening too quickly.
6. Use a spoon to stuff avocados with shrimp salad filling.
7. Add any garnishes and serve immediately.

Notes

Serve with aji or hot sauce if you want to spice it up. Also, if you’re serving it as a salad and have any extra cilantro aioli you can serve this on the side as additional salad dressing.

this one is stuffed with a shrimp salad made with red onion, radish, bell pepper, celery and cilantro aioli. The first time I had a shrimp stuffed avocado was at the beach in Punta Carnero (Ecuador). It was so simple, yet delicious and refreshing,  I’m sure the shrimp were fished that same morning. There is nothing better than fresh seafood, unless you pair it avocado (of course). I was about 8 or 9 at the time, so I don’t remember every single ingredient in it, but I figure I can experiment until I achieve the perfect shrimp stuffed avocado. Nico’s improvement suggestion was to make it spicier, but since I have a two year old testing the recipe as well I served the aji or hot sauce on the side. This can be served alone as an appetizer, or with lettuce and tomatoes as a salad. The shrimp salad filling can be prepared ahead; however, the avocados should be cut and peeled right before serving to avoid darkening. The shrimp salad is also excellent on its own and also makes a great filling for sandwiches.

Recipe Of The Day! Shrimp stuffed avocado

2013 is almost over, and that means it’s time to throw a party to welcome in the New Year! A New Year’s Eve bash isn’t complete without an array of tantalizing appetizer recipes, so here are some Ideas of what to serve on New Year’s Eve. Get the year off to a delicious start with these festive appetizers that will keep the party going past midnight.

Shrimp stuffed avocado

Ingredients

• 4-5 firm ripe avocados
• 1 lb medium sized cooked shrimp
• ½ medium red onion, diced finely
• 2 radishes, diced finely
• ½ red bell pepper, diced finely
• 2 celery stalks, diced finely
• 2 hardboiled eggs, diced
• 5 tbs cilantro aioli or regular mayonnaise with chopped cilantro
• Lime juice from 1 lime
• Salt/pepper to taste
Optional garnishes:
• Chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes and chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Chop the cooked shrimp in half, if desired keep a few whole to garnish.
2. Combine diced onions, radishes, bell pepper, celery, eggs, shrimp, ½ of the lime juice and aioli or mayonnaise in a bowl, mix well. Can be kept refrigerated until ready to use.
3. Taste and salt/pepper if necessary.
4. Cut avocados in half, remove seed and peel carefully.
5. Drizzle remaining lime juice over avocados, this help keep them from darkening too quickly.
6. Use a spoon to stuff avocados with shrimp salad filling.
7. Add any garnishes and serve immediately.

Notes

Serve with aji or hot sauce if you want to spice it up. Also, if you’re serving it as a salad and have any extra cilantro aioli you can serve this on the side as additional salad dressing.

 

You Can Find All the Ingredients Here At Jimmy T's

 

Visit Us tomorrow For another delicious Recipe for new year's Appetizer!

Hospicio de Huerfanos San Jose

For our staff Christmas Party this year, instead of bringing heaps of liquor, we decided to have everybody bring a gift for a child in need. GREAT IDEA, HUH!?! By the end of our party, we had a pile of presents and we decided that we wanted to make it count this Christmas. There are many local causes in Jaco and Herradura, but we really wanted to focus on the kids this year so we decided on an Orphanage in San Jose. On Wednesday, December 25th, Stephanie (aka Jimmy's Bride-to-be) drove up to deliver our gifts to the Hospicio de Huerfanos de San Jose. Unfortunately, no one else from the crew was able to attend as we have had caterings all week, and they do not allow anyone to photograph the children for obvious reasons, so we don't have photos. But Stephanie said that the response was very special and she felt extremely happy and grateful to be able to help out in even the smallest way. Our presents brought smiles to many kids' faces on Christmas. So, a special thanks to everyone who made a contribution.

Stephanie also said that the Orphanage houses around 15 babies at this time. That means they go through a lot of diapers and milk. So if you are feeling like making a charitable contribution to some worthy organization this year please contact us for more information on how you can help. On Christmas, they were housing 92 kids. Of course, this changes all the time as kids are hopefully being placed with family members once their cases have been processed. And this particular Orphanage only houses children up until the age of 13, after which they are transferred to a home for older kids. As we all know, kids need a lot of love. The administrators of the Orphanage have said that we are more than welcome to come back and visit the kids and spend some quality time. We would love to organize a group of people to take to visit the kids. Maybe we could even make it a monthly trip.
 

Again, a special thanks to everyone who attended our Christmas Party and brought something for the kids. Let's continue to spread the love on into the next year and don't forget to care about the kids!

To see more, check out the Fundacion de Huerfanos de San Jose FACEBOOK PAGE!

Recipe of the Day: Breakfast Casserole

This dish is one of my favorite things about the Holidays. It's the kind of comfort food that mom always makes when you're a kid. There are literally dozens of variations to this recipe. But I always love to put my own stamp on these kind of things...

Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

1 package crescent rolls or white bread
1 lb mild sausage, browned and drained
6 eggs, beaten
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
(add potatoes/hashbrowns, spinach, mushrooms, basil, tomatoes if desired)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350.

Take a 9 x 13 inch pan and spray it with Pam or line with butter.

Take crescent rolls or pieces of bread and line the bottom of the pan for the crust layer.

Top with an even layer of browned and drained sausage.

(Here's where you'd add a layer of potatoes or hashrowns if you like.)

Pour beaten and seasoned eggs over top. (Remember to add any extra ingredients like spinach or basil to the eggs for a great flavor.)

Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


And there's a super quick and easy breakfast, perfect for the Holidays!

Recipe Of The Day

 Horseradish-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

 

Its a really easy and Delicious Recipe!

 

Luxurious beef tenderloin shines when treated to a simple horseradish-mustard rub and roasted for a nicely seared and flavorful crust. Add 5 to 10 minutes to the roasting time for well done.

 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 pounds trimmed beef tenderloin, preferably center-cut (see Note)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
• Creamy Horseradish Sauce (recipe follows)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Combine horseradish, oil and mustard in a small bowl. Rub tenderloin with salt and pepper; coat with the horseradish mixture. Tie with kitchen string in 3 places. Transfer to a small roasting pan.
3. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the tenderloin registers 140°F for medium-rare, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 5 minutes. Remove the string. Slice and serve with Creamy Horseradish Sauce.

Creamy Horseradish Sauce

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/3 cup prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preparation

1. Combine sour cream, horseradish, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Chill until ready to serve.

Tips & Notes

• Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: Kitchen string

• Note: You'll need 2 pounds of trimmed tenderloin for this recipe. Ask your butcher to remove the extra fat, silver skin and the chain (a lumpy, fat-covered piece of meat that runs along the tenderloin). If you buy untrimmed tenderloin, start with about 2 1/2 pounds, then use a sharp knife to trim the silver skin, fat and chain.

Recipe of the day: Watermelon Feta Salad

The best thing about living in Costa Rica definitely has to be the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. A lot of us probably have some type of fruit growing on a tree in our front yard and there's always something in season. This past week I sent my boyfriend on a produce run and he comes back a little later with (I swear) an 18lb watermelon. What am I going to do with an 8 kilo watermelon? So I started thinking about all the things that I could make: smoothies of course, sangria definitely.... but the one thing that really had me drooling was this recipe for a WATERMELON FETA SALAD that I had seen on Pinterest a couple months back. It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory with an amazing fresh quality!

Ingredients

• 1 7-8 lb. seedless watermelon, chilled
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 limes, juiced
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup fresh chopped mint leaves
• 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese (goat or sheep milk feta is best)

Total Time: 20 Minutes

Servings: 8 servings

*Add arugula or cucumbers if desired.  

Directions

Cut rind from watermelon and chop into small chunks. Place chunks in a colander to drain. 

Dressing: mix together the olive oil, lime or lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. (I've seen recipes where they also add Tabasco if you like that extra tang!)

Place watermelon in a large bowl. Mix in dressing and chopped mint and lightly toss. 

Pour the crumbled feta into the bowl and mix gently. Best served fresh.

All ingredients can easily be found at Jimmy T's. 

Gluten Free is One Way to Be

Let's talk about Gluten. WHAT IS GLUTEN? Everybody is always talking about it. Some might even say people are obsessed with talking about gluten these days. It's probably one of society's biggest food trends right now; a gluten free diet. Turns out it may not just be trendy but something everyone should follow. Gluten is a substance that is present in cereal grains, especially wheat. It is a mixture of two different proteins: gliadin & glutenin... and it is responsible for the elastic texture of dough.

Many people do not have a problem eating food containing gluten, but for people with celiac disease ingesting gluten can make you very ill. Celiac disease is the most common form of gluten intolerance, affecting 1 in every 140 people in the US these days. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, it triggers an immune response that damages their intestines, preventing them from absorbing vital nutrients. And that's not all... more than 55 diseases have been linked to gluten. And 99% of people who have either celiac disease or gluten intolerance are never diagnosed. Now research reveals that proteins in wheat may be detrimental to all humans. As the gluten free diet has become more of a fad and people who don't necessarily have sensitivities to gluten are giving up bread, etc. there have been cases where they have eliminated other ailments. Google search provides millions of results for gluten-free websites with incredible testimonials of miraculous improvements following the adoption of a gluten-free diet in a wide range of medical issues including migraines, joint paint, skin disorders, epilepsy, depression, insomnia, and ADHD to list a few.

So what does it all mean? Being gluten free means that you cannot eat ANY bread, crackers, cookies, cakes, crusts, bagels, things breaded and fried, pancakes, waffles, brownies, even gravy in which they use a gluten based flour to thicken it... the list goes on and on. (Unless these things are made with a gluten free flour). Now, what happens to people who are gluten intolerant and still eat gluten? Well, a few symptoms may be gas, bloating, chronic fatigue, brain fog or feeling very tired after eating a meal containing gluten, migraine headaches, diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, swelling or pain in joints.

What CAN I eat, you may be asking yourself. Well, think about it this way... If your body were a car, would you put gas in it that you knew might be bad for your car? A gluten free diet consists of mainly of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains (that do not contain gluten), and meat (if you eat that stuff).

Working at Jimmy T's, I have realized that many days the average Costa Rican breakfast consists of white bread with cream cheese or some type of sweet bread, cake, or muffins. If only everyone woke up one morning and realized how damaging bread and therefore gluten can be for us all. Goodbye to the days of surviving solely off of bread.

At Jimmy T's we are working on having more gluten free options for people. As we all know, Costa Rica can be fairly limiting on specialty items, especially gluten free items so far. If you or someone you know suffers from celiac disease or gluten intolerance, feel free to contact Jimmy T's to see how we can make your life easier.

Thanks for reading.

December is here!

2013 is nearing it's end as we are rapidly approaching the Christmas countdown. Things are picking up around Jimmy T's and the Los Suenos Marina. We've had several caterings this week for some larger groups and some amazing meals have been had. Italian night was a great success! The menu was "molto delizioso" as we served a caprese salad, spaghetti and meatballs, beef tenderloin with onions, freshly caught mahi mahi baked with pesto and tomatoes. Also, on the menu for catering this week we had some homemade pizza, peanut satay chicken skewers, chicken sausages stuffed with spinach, coconut rice, the works! 

 Also, at Jimmy T's over the past few months you may have noticed some new faces... but don't worry, they're friendly! We pride ourselves on our intelligent, hard-working crew and we will always do our best to provide the best service for our customers. 

Having a party?

 

Jimmy T’s does

Event Planning

and

Catering.

 

 

Whatever the event, whatever the size, Jimmy can help make the party happen!

 

From gourmet food to beverages, chefs and serving staff, flowers and decorations, we take the hassle out of party planning.

 

Ask inside for details or contact us on:

 

011 506 2637 8638 Shop

011 506 8879 1325 Cell

 

Croc, Macaws & Butterflies

         This past week I had the privilege of going on 2 awesome tours. Even living in Costa Rica you fall into your routine and sometimes tend to overlook the fun stuff. Having friends or family visit often gives you a great excuse to do something touristy.
       
          Costa Rican Quad Tours are so much fun! Not only do you get to zip up and down the mountains on some super nifty machines, but you get to experience the beauty of the rolling hills beyond the beaches. From Jaco, tours often go up to the neighboring community of Bijagual. With a population of around 600 people, you won't find much glamour, but you'll catch a glimpse of what real Tico life is about; dirt roads, men on horseback, fields of palms, and ponds of Tilapia. The Paz Del Campo Tilapia farm in Bijagual is owned by the family of one of our Chefs at Jimmy T's and is a perfectly serene setting for a delicious lunch. Many quad tours often stop there for lunch depending on the length of the tour. I had the opportunity to have lunch there this past Wednesday and let's just say it made me want to move the Bijagual. The typical Casado plate of Rice & Beans with salad, veggies & of course... Tilapia, was filled with flavor. Butterflies fluttered all around the garden as we sat and ate. I could have stayed all day.

On the way back to Jaco from Bijagual we saw two beautiful Scarlet Macaws sitting in a tree together about 3 meters off the ground. I had never seen these magnificent birds so close-up before and they really take your breath away. They even sat there for a while as we took some photos and listened to me tell them how pretty they are. I absolutely love these love birds. And remember when you see two together that they're mates for life! 

On Thursday, even though it was a bit rainy we went and checked out Jose's Crocodile tour on the Tarcoles River. Let me just say this was a fairly "National Geographic" experience. I'm not sure if these guys are real crocodile whisperers or just plain crazy but they did not disappoint. We saw dozens of crocodiles of all different sizes including Osama Bin Laden & Monica Lewinski. And we had all different varieties of birds following us looking for food. Any avid bird watchers would probably love this tour. And these guys have no problem jumping out of the boat to show you how their pet crocs can sit, stay and roll over. I know the croc whisperers have probably been doing that their whole lives, but they make it looks so easy. Those gigantic crocodiles look like well-trained dogs taking orders from their owner.  

Even though it's rainy season, remember there are always fun things to see and do. And if you need help booking any tours, come to Jimmy T's and we can help you out. 

Back in Action!

That's right folks! You've heard correctly... the main man, Jimmy T, is back in action and in great spirits I might add!! He returned early this past week and it was straight back into the swing of things with 2 catering jobs the night after his arrival. Chef Pablo took one dinner and, after a very long and windy road over to Punta Leona, finally was able to prepare dinner for the Harris group even though all the ice cream had melted by then. Jimmy T was the superstar chef for the second dinner serving Crabcakes, Empanadas, Strawberry Vinaigrette Salad, Mac & Cheese, Pork Tenderloin, Fresh Mahi Mahi & Lobster Tails. Pineapple & Banana Flambe for dessert left everybody happy! Welcome back, Jimmy T!!!

About Our Services...

Just a reminder to all that at Jimmy T's we offer the convenient service of vacuum sealing fish.. At only c2,000 (about $4) a kilo, for vacuum sealing or c3.500 (about $7) a kilo for vacuum sealing plus cleaning, this service is a quick and fairly inexpensive way to save and store fish after a successful fishing trip. We also have gels packs for sale and styrofoam coolers in store for one stop to package up fish to transport back home with you.

And if you're going out all day on a boat and you think you might get hungry come over to Jimmy T's and get some food before you go. We always have an array of salads ready made, but we can also have food prepared and ready to go in the morning for your boat trip. Just come in the day before and leave us your order. We open at 6:30am every morning except for Sunday (7:30am), so we're here bright and early for you to pick up. We can make anything to order including lasagna, fried rice, fried chicken, chicken wings, BBQ ribs, deli meats for sandwiches, and chicken parmesan to name a few favorites.

Also, if you're not lucky enough to be out on one of the fishing charters pulling in your own catch, we offer fresh fish in Jimmy T's daily. We don't always have it in the morning but if you come in the day before with your order, or even in the morning we can usually have fish for you by the afternoon... Tuna, Snapper, Seabass, Mahi Mahi, Grouper... whatever you need we can get it for you.

So remember, we're here to help!

Dinners & Wedding Bells

We've had several Catering events this past week. Thursday night we cooked for the Gutierrez clan, 13 people. They had gone fishing the previous day and had us cook up two different types of fish from their catch along with some mac & cheese, mixed veggies, coconut rice, greek salad, and a pineapple custard with ice cream for dessert. The group loved every bit of it!

Last night we catered to a group of 40 for a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner. The menu was incredible... starting off with crab cakes, coconut shrimp, and mini caprese skewers for appetizers. We then moved on to bigger and better things with Alaska King Crab, fish, chicken, and beef, mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables to choose from. Topped off with brownies and ice cream for dessert, the entire party was stuffed to the gills.

 

          

    

I have to say that despite the delectable cuisine, the coolest thing about last night's Rehearsal Dinner was definitely the fashion. Mostly everyone arrived in traditional Nigerian apparel, with a different fabric for each family. The Bride explained to us that because she and the Groom both have parents from Nigeria they wanted to do something different and cool to celebrate their roots for their special day. This particular group was some of the nicest most laid-back and also appreciative people we have served. We feel very lucky to have been a part of the festivities. Congratulations Tim & Jenn.... we'll be thinking of you guys today at 4:00 while you're tying the knot!

 

Case of the Mondays

There might be a case or two of the Mondays over here at Jimmy T's, but the crew is hard at work getting some provisioning orders together for the Carol Libby and the lovely sailboat Josefina. Carol Libby will be departing tomorrow, July 30th, for Mexico and Josefina plans to embark on the 31st. We've definitely enjoyed working with both boats and their great crew over the past couple weeks and we'll look forward to their return. Bon voyage everyone!

Gone Fishing

Finally! After half a year of working at the Los Sueños Marina, I got to go fishing! Now I see what all the fuss is about. These guys, who wake up at the butt-crack of dawn, slather on their sunscreen, and race to their fishing boats may be onto something! Deep sea fishing was seriously a blast! I was lucky enough to have my dad in town and he invited to take his kids out fishing for an experience that far too few get to enjoy. And as we cruised on our boat, the Dreammaker, out of the Los Sueños Marina with the "On a Boat" song playing full blast, and the crew giggled while us silly gringos got "jiggy with it", we were on top of the world!

We cruised for about an hour until we had finally reached our first fishing spot. Some of the family was a little nervous about the waves and the speed of light at which we cruised for what felt like forever. But once we dropped our lines and got two bites first thing, nobody thought twice about the bumps. The girls were up and our first catch of the day was a yellowfin ready to be eaten. One of the guys on the crew got to work right away expertly slicing up the tuna and displayed it beautifully on a plate with some spicy soy sauce for us to try. Freshest sushi ever!!! That was very cool!

Quickly after that, the girls caught two Wahoo. I am proud to say that the girls were the only ones who caught fish for eating on the trip! Later on, the boys almost caught two Marlin and my youngest brother pulled in a sailfish. They pulled him up close to take some photos and what a beautiful creature! The crew said he was one of the biggest sailfish of the season. We also had the privilege of meeting up with two different groups of dolphins that day: Bottlenose and Spinner Dolphins. Both groups were fairly large; over a hundred beautiful sea mammals swimming together, and they seemed happy to see us. The dolphins were definitely something special to see.

Later on in the day we stumbled across a turtle caught up in an old rope and some fishing line. Lucky for him we came along and set him free. He was one happy turtle as he waved goodbye and splashed overboard. We had seen some small sharks circling the turtle when we pulled him out. He surely would have been shark food.

I have to say, the simple experience of being out on the ocean and the spectacle of so many amazing creatures was a totally fulfilling experience. The gentle rocking of the boat left me in a near catatonic state after hours and hours out at sea and we all felt fairly demolished the next day from all the excitement. But, being able to come home and cook the food you caught that day is so completely satisfying, not to mention delicious! I would definitely recommend a fishing trip to anyone who has never been. Costa Rica Dreams can make your dreams come true! And if you're too tired to come home and cook, Jimmy T's Provisions will cook it for you!

Catering last night was another success thanks to Chef Pablo Picado. The dinner was a beautiful spread of Beef Tenderloin, filet of Mahi Mahi with a mango/ginger salsa & Lobster tails, along with a Caesar Salad, Mixed Vegetables, and stuffed Baked Potatoes. Our gracious hosts were pleased as always. And we got to enjoy the beautiful sunset from the breathtaking view at Casa Catara. Many thanks to Marc Stanley for being such an awesome client!

Rumor Has It

You've probably heard the rumors, and YES they are true! Jimmy T & Stephanie are engaged! They officially posted the news Thursday evening. He popped the question at the Epcot Center of Disney World in Norway. The two lovebirds are currently still in Florida continuing their adventures.

In other news for Jimmy T's Provisions, all is well on the storefront. Business continues as usual and we have a catering event this weekend for one of our favorite clients. Be well everyone!

wwwwww.adventuresofjimmyt.blogspot.com

El Jefe, Jimmy T, and his lovely leading lady will be departing for a trip to the States tomorrow, July 14th. But don't cry for them, Costa Rica... you can follow their travels and shenanigans on their new blog: WWW.ADVENTURESOFJIMMYT.BLOGSPOT.COM

Jimmy T's Provisions will still be open and operational, leaving the incredible Jimmy T's crew to help you with anything you might need. Come talk to Jonathan, Pablo, Diego, Emily, Shirley, Heidy and Manuel for any of your provisioning questions or concerns. We are here to help!!!

Sincerely, The Crew at Jimmy T's

Using Papaya Leaves to Cure Dengue

Rainy season this year has brought on the war against Mosquitoes. Cases of Dengue have increased by 400% this year. In Costa Rica we have already exceeded 12,000 cases in 2013. This is no small detail. We are only in the beginning of the rainy season and the period of greatest proliferation of the carrier mosquitoes, and we still have more or less 6 months of rain to go.

There is no wide-known cure for dengue. Usually when someone contracts the virus they are told to get plenty of rest, drinks lots of fluids and take some kind of pain killers. But sometimes this may not be enough. There is a natural way to fight dengue fever. Papaya trees grow abundantly in Costa Rica, and the leaves of the papaya tree are said to be a known cure for dengue fever.

Recently, a friend of my family was very sick with dengue. He said he felt like he was dying and was too sick to fly back to the States. My family took him in and cared for him with natural remedies like the papaya leaf smoothie and essential oils. In two days he was feeling 80% better.

Recipe: Simply take 3 papaya leaves, cut off hard stems, and blend with water to create a smoothie. No need to wash leaves before blending. It is said that once leaves are washed or rinsed they may lose some potency. If too bitter, add honey or natural sweetener for a better taste. Drink two to three times daily until symptoms are gone.

Researchers looking into whether or not papaya leaves cure dengue have found that it can not only cure the virus but improve the health of a patient by increasing the body's blood platelet count. The leaves of papaya fruit are high in complex vitamins that may help bone marrow to rapidly increase platelet production. The dengue virus' main effect is on platelet production. Normally, our bodies platelets usually last 5 to 10 days and the body replenishes them when required. The virus reduces the body's capacity to produce new platelets during the time that the virus is effective.

Also, taking measure to makes sure there is no standing water on your property or surrounding areas is a great step towards the fight against dengue. Inform your family and friends. Be informed, don't get sick!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July to all of our viewers from the good 'ol U.S. of A.! The festivities are far and wide today from picnics and fundraisers in Grecia and Alajuela to a flag raising ceremony today at 11:00am at the American Embassy. If you are in the Los Sueños area, stop by and check out the Firework Show and festivities tonight starting at 8:00pm.

PRESS RELEASE 

Los Sueños Marina, June 30, 2013 – Jimmy T’s Provisions is a Gourmet Grocery Store in the Los Sueños Resort which offers hard-to-find foreign products, importation of in demand goods, catering, and an in-store deli for your epicurean delight. Living in Costa Rica, is there a favorite product that you are constantly missing; something you always find yourself having to live without? If so, then Jimmy T’s just might have the answers you’ve been waiting for.

Former Mega Yacht Chef and owner of Jimmy T’s Provisions, James Tancrell, is providing a sense of “home” for many ex-pats and foreigners living in Costa Rica. From the catering menu to the contents of his store, good food and full bellies makes for happy customers. For many of the local community members, Jimmy T’s has become the go-to place for all their specialty shopping. Also, with years of experience in the yachting industry, Jimmy has created a one-stop-shop for all yachting provisions in the Los Sueños Marina. With boats coming in from all over the world it can be as simple as sending an email with a shopping list and within a few days if not several hours, everything is stocked and ready to go.

As a wildly valuable asset to the populace, the slogan for the store is “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!” which proudly boasts their promise to carry everything one might desire. Sometimes they may not have exactly what you’re looking for, but the motto is clear… if you want it and you’re willing to pay for it, Jimmy T’s Provisions can get it for you.

“The Deli is awesome!” says a regular of Jimmy T’s who hails from the East Coast, U.S. “It’s just like back home.” The store Deli produces an assortment of fresh salads daily including potato, pasta and tuna salads, along with hot lunch specials like lasagna, fried chicken, and prime rib. The specials are posted every day on their Facebook page, listed as Jimmy T’s Provisions. Like them on Facebook to get the daily scoop.

Also, don’t forget about the catering services that Jimmy T’s provides. Families and groups staying in Los Sueños can select a menu from a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A private chef will then come to wherever necessary, be it a boat, house, or condominium to prepare your meal, serve and clean up afterwards. It’s an easy and relaxed option after a long day of adventuring.

So be sure and check out the store if you are on your way to Manuel Antonio passing through Jaco. They’re just one hour from San Jose. For more information check out Jimmy T’s Provisions on Tripadvisor, and if you have something to say leave them a review.

Contact:

Jimmy Tancrell

Dockside at Marina Los Sueños

Email- jimmytsprovision@live.com

Phone- (506) 2637-8636

Website- www.jimmytsprovisions.com

By: Emily Easton

The ASPEN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL 2013 was a great success! Good times were to be had by all including the Boss Man, Jimmy T! He got to party down with Celebrity Chefs such as

Mario Batali, Andrew Zimmern,
Kristin Kish, Richard Blais, John Besh, & Jacques Pepin. Those in attendance got to participate in cooking demos, mouthwatering food and wine tastings, and were able to enjoy the wit and wisdom of several guest speakers including Marcus Samuelsson and Gail Simmons.

The food appeared to be out of this world, with recipes to take home such as Oyster Ice Cream, Oyster Catsup, Delice de Bourgogne Tortellini with Radish and Apricot, Crepinette with Heirloom Tomatoes and Anchovy and Aioli. I mean, if that doesn't give you a sense of the mind blowing flavors that make up the Food & Wine Festival then I don't know what will! And all of this was going on 7,800 ft above sea level with the backdrop of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. Sigh!

Jimmy T will be continuing his travels in July when he will be driving through the states, starting south and working his way up to his hometown in Boston, Massachusetts. He'll be stopping off to visit many friends along the way including fellow chefs and restaurateurs. And he'll be blogging about his adventures! More info coming soon!

It's a tranquilo Tuesday over at Jimmy T's Provisions. We are anxiously awaiting the return of our beloved Jimmy T! We all can't wait to hear about his adventures at the Aspen Wine & Food Festival 2013. I'm sure he will be bursting with new recipes and ideas. Stay tuned!

Last night we said "Adios" to the awesome family from New Mexico that we had catered to for the past week. I honestly think they wanted to pack our Chef, Pablo, in their suitcase and take him back to the desert with them, they loved the food so much.

The menu Sunday night consisted of some amazing BBQ ribs, steaks grilled to perfection, baked potatoes stuffed with cheese & bacon, roasted corn on the cob smothered in honey, and a cucumber & carrot salad with a lime cilantro dressing. The group couldn't have been happier as they said their goodbyes. We have such amazing clients, the Jimmy T's crew felt almost like part of the family by the time we left. There is nothing better than seeing your clients satisfied at the end of the day! We hope everyone has a safe trip back to the Land of Enchantment. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Right now in Jimmy T's we have an abundance of BRAGGS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Currently we are
the only store in the area carrying this product. Why is this such a big deal, you may ask? Because Braggs raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is an amazing products for many many reasons. Here are a few:

BEAUTY 
HAIR: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a great rinse for your hair to add health, body, and shine. Especially at the beach where your hair can go through so much trauma from the sun and saltwater, using ACV is a great trick to help your hair get back to it's natural beauty. Just mix 1/2 tablespoon of ACV with 1 cup of cold water. Pour through your hair several times a week after shampooing.
SKIN: Apple Cider Vinegar can regulate the pH of your skin. Simply dilute ACV with two parts water and use as a toner for your face. You can also dab straight AVC directly onto age spots and leave overnight to lighten their color, or directly onto pimples and watch the disappear.
TEETH: Apple Cider Vinegar can also be used to remove stains from teeth. Rub your teeth directly with ACV and rinse out.
SUNBURN: If you are suffering from a bad sunburn, add 1 cup of ACV to your bath and enjoy a soak.
HANDS & FEET: You can rub Apple Cider Vinegar on your hands and feet when they are swollen to help improve circulation and relieve swelling.
HEALTH
WEIGHT LOSS & DETOX: To maintain your body's pH balance and to help with weight loss, take a tablespoon shot of ACV in the morning or add it to a glass of water if the taste is too strong. You can also add it to water to drink throughout the day as a cleanse.
HOME
CLEANING: Add 1/2 cup of ACV to 1 cup water and use as a disinfectant to clean your kitchen, bathroom, windows, mirrors, microwaves, etc.
PETS
FIGHTING FLEAS: To repel fleas, you can rub ACV on your pets skin , add it to their drinking water, or add to a bottle with water and spray your pet's bed and other furniture.
PLANTS
MOLD, BUGS, ETC: ACV can be used as a fertilizer for your plants. If they seem to be losing life or luster, add a tablespoon to a spray bottle of water and spray your plants to bring them back to life. ACV can also fight mold growing on plants and can help keep bugs away.

So if you have not already tried using Apple Cider Vinegar for one of these savvy DIY household tricks, you should definitely check it out. You can also use it to make fabulous salad dressings and whatever else you can think of!

Lost in Los Suenos

As many people know, and maybe some don't, Jimmy T's is located on the waterfront of the marina in Los Suenos. To many guests of Los Suenos, Jimmy T's Provisions is a valuable resource while on vacation or visiting the area. I can't tell you how many times people come into the store and gasp and say, "Too bad we didn't find this place a week ago! We're leaving tomorrow." When you come for a day to go out fishing or boating or whatever the case may be, don't forget to come by and order some food to take with you. Our deli case is always filled with fresh greek, pasta, chicken, tuna, and potato salads. We also offer delicious dishes to order, all we ask is that you place your order the day before, and we'll have whatever you need bright and early in the morning. If the family is hungry and tired after a long day of adventuring, don't forget about our catering services. We offer a wide variety of options for meals to be prepared wherever is needed. Our exceptional chefs bring everything right to your door with excellent service, and leave you with a sparkling clean kitchen afterwards. So when you are in Los Suenos, don't overlook Jimmy T's. We just may be the salvation your vacation needs. Stay cool everyone!

It's a hot and rainy day over at Jimmy T's. We had a catering breakfast this morning for the lovely group from New Mexico. The family enjoyed some banana pancakes, french toast, cheesy eggs, bacon & sausage, and some fresh tropical fruits prepared by Chef Pablo Picado. 

Tonight the menu consists of some delicious pork & mango wantons and chicken & veggie empanadas to start, followed by a tender pork loin with apple glaze, grilled fish with mango ginger sauce, grilled vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, a strawberry balsamic salad with goat cheese... and for dessert a delectable apple crisp topped off with vanilla ice cream. A feast for sure!!! 

Enjoy the rainy day, everyone!

Master chef, Jimmy T, has flown the coop today.... heading off to Aspen for the FOOD & WINE CLASSIC. He's off to share some "pura vida" with the people of Colorado and participate in some cooking demos, taste some great wines, and mingle with the stars. He'll also be promoting the Jimmy T's Signature Hot Sauce, and our famous Coffee Rub for the BBQ fans and meat lovers. But don't worry everyone, he'll be back in a week! 

We're catering to a lovely family from New Mexico this week. The menu for tonight is Italian.... caprese skewers, prosciutto wrapped melon, chicken parmesan, pasta with pesto & shrimp, and a tropical fruit flambe for dessert. Makes you hungry just thinking about it. And I guess that wraps up another day in paradise.  

It's a beautiful Sunday over in Los Suenos! The sun in shining and it looks like the rain will hold off until later  this evening. It appears that the waves have finally calmed down after several days of extremely rowdy surf and treacherous currents. A reminder to all to be safe when you swim, wherever you are.

Today we said goodbye to a group of gentlemen that we had catered to after 3 days of delicious meals including prime rib, grilled fish topped with mango salsa, and our gourmet hamburgers. The final dinner last night was a beautiful seafood paella by Pablo.

We also bid adieu to the beautiful yacht, Champagne Cher, today. It's always nice to have new visitors from different ports of call. We hope to see them again soon.

Don't forget to stop by Jimmy T's when you are passing through Herradura. You never know what treasures you might find.

June 4

Today was another great day as more boats rolled in...
Look forward to helping through their time in Costa Rica!