​I recently asked a large group of food lovers what was THE sauce they wanted to learn how to make and the overwhelming answer was Hollandaise sauce.

The people have spoken, let's talk about Hollandaise. 

It's a classic French sauce that's made with egg yolks and butter, and served on eggs Benedict, fish, vegetables or steak. But, it has a reputation for being fussy and time consuming to make. 

So for today's Dish I'm going to give you the simplest and easiest way to make this sauce in under two minutes.

Watch the video below for the fast, no-fuss method for making Hollandaise sauce.

​And then join me in the Travel & Feast Facebook group for more tips on how to cook food that's versatile and delicious: www.facebook.com/groups/travelandfeast

There are lots of myths about cast iron pans that make them sound like delicate flowers that you'd never want to actually use. 

But you may have also heard many cooks rave about them, and say they cook anything and everything in them. 

So what's really true? 

Are they nonstick? Are they a nightmare to clean? Will they rust overnight?

Check out the video below for the truth on cooking with cast iron pans.

​And then join me in the Travel & Feast Facebook group for more tips on how to cook food that's versatile and delicious: www.facebook.com/groups/travelandfeast

If you peruse any bar or cafeteria menu in Spain you’re bound to come across a bocadillo. If you were to ask someone “What’s a bocadillo?” they’ll probably tell you it’s a sandwich. And while that’s technically accurate, it really doesn’t do it justice.

You see, in Spain you’ll find both bocadillo and sandwich on the menu, but what will arrive at the table when you order one or the other will be slightly different.

A sandwich is just your run of the mill meat between two pieces of sliced bread, called pan de molde in Spanish. The bocadillo on the other hand is served on a single roll of chunky artisan bread. It’s a large sandwich that is usually served with meat, chorizo, omelet, tuna or cheese. Bocata is also another common name for the bocadillo sandwich.

They also differ from your typical American sub in that Spaniards don’t bother with all that produce. Just the meat please. Bocadillos are fairly simple, they usually contain the requisite meat, cheese or eggs, with a drizzle of olive oil or a tomato rubbed on the inside to moisten the bread.

But for what it lacks in ingredients the bocadillo makes up for in flavor. The meats used aren’t bland like lunch meat, they are savory and flavorful, with nutty, smoky and salty notes all mixed together. Combined with manchego cheese and freshly baked bread, this is a bocadillo, not a sandwich.

So now the other question, why do I want one? Well, I’m happy you asked.

• Bocadillos are quintessentially Spanish, you’ll find them served everywhere and eaten everywhere by the locals.
• The bocadillo is super inexpensive, I’m talking 5 euro or less.
• It’s a perfectly portable snack that you can take with you while you tour the city or set off on the road.
• Grabbing a bocadillo is quick, this is Spain’s version of fast food. Ideal for breakfast, road trips or a late night snack.
• Without mayonnaise or tons of produce, the bocadillo is less likely to make a mess or spoil in the heat.
• Every region of Spain offers its own variety based on local ingredients, so you’ll never be bored. You’ll find everything under the sun, including: veal (ternera), squid (calamares), bacon, cheese (queso), tortilla, ham (jamón) or cured loin (lomo).

Make your own bocadillos as home, it’s simple easy and yummy!
​
Jamón Serrano and Manchego Cheese Bocadillo

• 1 freshly baked baguette
• 8 ounces Jamón Serrano, thinly sliced
• 6 ounces Manchego cheese, thinly sliced
• 6-8 wood fire roasted piquillo peppers (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Slice the bread lengthwise and drizzle the interior with a light coat of olive oil. Arrange the slices of the Jamón Serrano on the bottom half of the bread and then top with the slices of Manchego cheese. Place the peppers on top of the cheese, if you’re adding them.
2. Cut into two pieces and enjoy!

One of the keys to my success is that I keep simple, versatile ingredients in my kitchen at all times.

Things like fats, acids, seasonings and spices.

Even when I have barely anything in my fridge or cupboard I know I can lean into these flavor-packed ingredients to create a delicious meal or treat (like magic)! 

To help me stay prepared for those moments, I always have these five simple things. 

​Watch the video so you're prepared when it's your turn to make magic happen.

And then join me in the Travel & Feast Facebook group for more tips on how to cook food that's versatile and delicious: www.facebook.com/groups/travelandfeast

You don’t have to win the lottery or even quit your job to be able to travel more. It can be as simple as packing up your laptop, cell phone and chargers, and hitting the road. Working remote, a.k.a. telecommuting, is one of the fastest growing trends in modern labor. During the last two decades, it’s grown in popularity by more than 25%!

And, for super good reason. A survey found working remote makes you 87% more likely to love your job compared to spending the day in an office. So I assume by now you’re thinking, “This sounds amazing, how do I get my boss to let me do this?”

No sweat, I’ve got the deets. And, it’s simpler than you might think. Here’s how to negotiate your way out of the office and into a great gig.

Consider the Timing
Determining the optimal time to have this conversation is vital. Aim to have this conversation when you have the upper hand. For instance, when you receive a job offer you’re in a great position to negotiate. Or, right after you’ve had a big win at work.

Another great time to bring this up is during peak season or busy times in the office. You can argue that working remote will help you focus and spend less time commuting. But, if you’re new on the job or working towards a promotion, it may not be the best time to ask for more days out of the office.

Anticipate Concerns
Your boss’ first inclination will be to keep things status quo, so they’ll be looking for red flags. It’s your job to make this arrangement work for them and the people they may need to convince.

Do your best to anticipate and reduce possible concerns. Prepare responses for questions about your productivity or IT security issues. Think about what your boss’ questions or hang-ups might be, and be prepared with solutions. You could suggest using a VPN to maintain security, or scheduled project check-ins.

By doing your research, you’ll show that you’ve thought through every facet of the arrangement.

Make it a Conversation
Now for the real moment, actually talking to your boss. Schedule time to talk with your supervisor and present your request. Keep in mind that they may not approve it right away, especially if these types of arrangements are uncommon at your company.

But all isn’t lost! Show that you’re willing to be flexible and committed to the job. You can also offer to discuss the proposals with other managers that might need to sign off on this.

Ask for a Trial Run
If your boss is skeptical about having you work remote, start with baby steps. Try to ease into it with a trial run. Remember, this is your opportunity to sell the idea and close the deal. Make sure to show you can be productive and accountable outside the office. Be communicative and transparent about the hours you will work and your availability. Once the trial run is successful, look to negotiate more flexible hours or remote days.

People are doing as much as they can from home right now, including work and school. In this environment it can be difficult to set clear boundaries. Boundaries between work and homelife. Boundaries between when you’re on and tuning out. Boundaries between yourself and those you love.

But boundaries are like healthcare workers, they’re essential. So let’s break down how to create boundaries so you can stay sane and happy while being homebound.

What Creates the Lack of Boundaries
When we work from home our work tends to bleed beyond the usual 9 to 5 hours. You may be checking emails as soon as you roll out of bed or getting text messages about work late into the evening. As a result it’s like we have an obligation to always be on. And, those hours before and after work when you’re supposed to have rest and solace — those have evaporated.

That blurry line about when you’re on the clock and when you’re not is due to a lack of clear boundaries. The boundary may not be there for various reasons. You don’t know how to approach setting one or you may have tried and had people push right on past the line you set. This is where you learn you must not only create a boundary, but more important, enforce it.

But setting boundaries and enforcing them isn’t easy and may push you outside your comfort zone. And at a time like this you may feel guilty about your need for space and time. You might say to yourself: “I’m lucky enough to be working still and working from home, I can’t complain.” In turn you may think that taking time for yourself is self-sabotaging when it comes to job security.
The place that was once your sanctuary away from the world, is now your office, school, gym, and restaurant. It’s everything. It feels like there’s nowhere to get away to. And you may feel it’s impossible to compartmentalize the different parts of your life.

Why it Matters for Your Happiness and Well-Being
You’re spending most of your time at home and balancing that with your responsibilities. If you’re struggling, you aren’t alone. Working long hours, homeschooling kids AND dealing with the stress of living through a pandemic — even one of those is a lot.

That compounded stress makes us feel depleted. I’ve seen a lot of people suffering right now. And, they take it out on their families or themselves. That might look like you snapping at your kids or losing your temper with your partner. It could also show up in negative self-talk or binge eating or drinking. I know I’ve eaten a few (read: WAY) too many cookies after a day of work, taking care of an infant and living through corona.

The nonstop work makes you feel burnt out. And, without clear boundaries people will continue to steal your time and energy. You’ll continue being overworked and unhappy.

Neuroscience shows that our bodies need downtime to restore. Without rest, the neural connections that produce calm and peaceful feelings become weaker. It’s then more difficult to shift into less-stressed states. Meaning you can’t relax, you can’t sleep or you’re feeling anxious even when you’re trying to decompress.

Moreover, overworking yourself has diminishing returns for your productivity and creativity. When you’re burnt out and your brain is fatigued it’s harder to get things done and come up with new ideas. In contrast, when you take a break your brain can recharge, concentrate and create.

Have you ever noticed that when you daydream you start coming up with new ideas? Or when you’re in the shower, you finally figure out the solution to a problem you have? That’s because when your mind is at rest it can create novel neural connections in the background. The kind of connections that lead to brilliant ideas.

What You Can Do About It
The only way to recharge physiologically, is to take a break. Yes, even when you’re home 24/7 you need to take a vacation. The stress of a global crisis and altered schedules makes taking a break crucial for your health.

What I recommend for people is to make taking that break easy. You don’t have to plan a week long getaway. Nor should you feel like a vacation is out of reach because you can’t hop on a plane to a faraway destination.

Even a day off here and there can help. Start by disconnecting from reading or watching the news. Then do activities or projects you thoroughly enjoy. Sleep in. Take a nap in the middle of the day. Have a beer or glass of wine. Take a walk when you would be working or schooling. Don’t answer your phone unless it’s someone you genuinely want to talk to.

And a day off at home can feel like a real vacation by turning it into a staycation.

Imagine tasting fresh beignets or a spiced tajine…smelling the scent of the sea or spices in the air… seeing grand architecture or beautiful dancers.

Imagine feeling the hot sun on your skin or soaking in a steamy bath… hearing new languages on a magical getaway that transports you to a new place, all while still being home.

If you’re struggling with feeling burnt out, bored or unhappy with your quarantine routine, a staycation may be what you need.
I help people make taking time for themself easy with staycations. I know what it has done for me. I feel more like myself. I’m having fun, I get to feel connected to my husband and laugh and have new adventures. And, I stopped feeling like I am trapped in my house or living in the movie Groundhog’s Day.

If that’s an experience of life that you’d like to have, I’d love to support you. Leave a comment, join me on Facebook or send me an email: natasha@thewelltraveledpalate.com