My Culinary Adventures in Ensenada

My friend and fellow blogger, Sugar Jones, moved to Ensenada for a year with her kids and husband. Her home is an amazing 3-level beach house steps away from the water. I mean, how awesome is that? Have you ever driven Highway 1 in California? Ensenada and its pristine coastline is just like that: truly breathtaking! Can’t blame me for heading south of the border and doing some taste testing in such a remarkable place.

Mariscos El Guero
This seafood stand has their own set up to prepare and order food. If you want a tostada, you have to stand behind a certain man. If you want a seafood cocktail, you stand behind another man. This seafood cocktail was made of shrimp, octopus, fish, clams, oysters, cucumbers, tomato sauce, onions, cilantro, lime juice. Add a few splashes of chili and YUM!

Seafood Market
If you get squeeeeemish seeing fish eyes, don’t go to this seafood market! The fish were still wiggling, caught just that morning, floor slippery, and the air was pungent and wonderfully fishy. Fresh fish tastes saltier and 3000 times better than frozen fish.

Ensenada Beach
Sugar and I walked along this beach for a few miles, stopping only to enjoy the view or to grab a snack. Palapas for beach picnics and palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze. Sand dollars and mini shells on a long expansive, untampered beach. I’m really quite simple to please. Stick me on a beach and feed me, and I’m happy. 🙂

Almejas Gratinadas
They open the clam and remove the meat. The clam meat is then chopped. Add shrimp, minced onions, lime juice, chili, cilantro and topped with cheese. They close the clam back up and wrap it in foil. It is placed in an old school wood oven. This was the BEST thing I had in Ensenada. I am salivating as I write, remembering this salty and cheese goodness.

Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp, tomato sauce, chili, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, and lime juice. I don’t think I will ever be able to eat frozen seafood again. What a difference! The young boy who waited on us was incredibly delightful. He had no idea that I am a food writer and restaurant critic. He didn’t know who Sugar was, and he treated us and everyone with the same hospitality. That’s something I noticed everywhere we went: genuine kindness and warmth.

Walmart
Now you’re thinking: Walmart, really? That’s exactly my point! This Walmart has a Mexican bakery, Mexican products. Mexican fruits and veggies are more vibrant in Mexico than they are in the US because they are fresher.