Neri's Tacos

Chicken Tacos

I had this blog post ready to post several days ago, but right before I hit the send button, our internet went down.  It has been on the blink for several days.  We stopped by their office yesterday and they said they were working on it and hope to have it fixed by day end.  It still was not working this morning and we stopped by their office again to get another report.  We were told the same thing again this morning but good news, we finally have our internet back up and working.  So I can finally post my blog post today.

We love eating street food and finding those hidden little places where the locals like to go eat.  So this week I wanted us to find Neri's Tacos.  I had heard about Neri's tacos and when I went to get a pedicure a few weeks ago, I asked Renada, the sweet young lady that did my pedicure where Neri's was located.  She told me that she and her boyfriend had breakfast there most mornings before they went off to work.  She gave me directions, so I knew it wasn't too far from our house. 

Monday I told Bill I had a new place to eat that I wanted to check out.   So a little after twelve we pedaled on past the airport and a few streets back to find Neri's Tacos, but they were closed.  They open at 5:30am and closed at 11:30am.  They didn't open back up until 5:00pm.  Determined to try Neri's tacos we decided to go back after five.

Not very busy at 8:30pm.

Ladies making all the food.

You place your order at the window.

Ham Fryjack with some "smoking hot" hot sauce.  These are just $3.50BZE ($1.75US)

We headed back to Neri's about 8:00pm and this time they were open.  The menu was short and sweet, and oh so cheap!  They do have a day and a night menu.  We ordered a few different things off the menu to try and in about 5 minutes they had it all ready.  We ordered 3 garnaches, 2 Enpanades and two bottles of water.  The grand total was $5.50BZ ($2.75US).  

They also serve all kinds of fresh juices.  It seems banana juice is one of the more popular ones.

We liked Neri's and the prices so much, we decided today to Sunday for a late breakfast, we still wanted to try the tacos, since they don't serve them on the night menu.  The tacos are 3 for $1.00BZ (.50US).  We got there about 10:30 Sunday morning and they were packed.  We pulled up on our bikes and there were people, golf carts and bikes everywhere.  It was the Sunday mid morning happening place.  Most were getting orders to go, I guess for lunch.

I just love all the little children here in Belize.  They are so cute.

Bill also received his official letter last week from the Belize Tourism Board on his entry into the QRP (Qualified Retirement Program of Belize).  He had to go down to the Social Security office here in San Pedro and have his picture made and he should have his card in about 2 weeks. 

Tropic Air Delivery and Dinner in San Pedro

Tropic Air Vegetable Delivery

Tropic Air, the Belize Airline.

My friend Emily told me about Sol Farms, a place located on the mainland that grows wonderful organic fruits and vegetables.  They post a list on their facebook page of each weeks harvest available, then you email them a list of what you would like to order.  So two days ago I emailed my list of the items I wanted.  My order showed up today, it was flown in on Tropic Air.  Once my order arrived, Tropic Air gave me a call and told me it had arrived.  Bill and I biked down to the cargo area of Tropic and picked up our order. They attached a copy of my bill with the amount I owed on the box.  Tomorrow I will go down to their bank and deposit the amount due into their bank account.  You gotta love this system.

My fresh salsa I made.

I also make frequent visits to Maria's fruit stand down the street, picking up the things I need to make fresh salsa.  I love salsa and have been making it almost every day.

Pupusas were fresh made right out front.

She was flipping the pupusas.

Pupusas

Tonight we went down to Middle Street and had dinner.  We decided on Pupuseria's.  The lady's stood right outside the door and made them up and then cooked the pupusas on the grill.  Our waitor recommended the mixed, so we had a pork, bean and cheese.  They were quite tasty.  Our entire meal, drinks and food was $23.50BZE.

“Simple and Cheap”

Rice and beans, simple and cheap usually go together when you think of Belizean food. The famous Belize Rice and Beans is cooked with red beans, black pepper and coconut milk. You can find this most famous of all Belizean cuisines on most restaurants’ daily menu.

I thought ‘beans and rice’ and rice and beans’ were the same thing. But to my surprise the Belizeans have gotten me straight on my beans and rice or do you prefer rice and beans? Guess what, there is a difference in Belize. When you refer to rice and beans, the dish is cooked together in coconut milk. When you refer to beans and rice, this dish is cooked separately and served separately. Now I know everyone is glad we have that straight. So here is a recipe I found for “Belizean rice and beans”.

Belizean Rice and Beans

1 pound of red beans

2 cloves garlic (crushed)

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon thyme

2 pounds rice

1 medium onion (chopped)

6-8 cups of water

Optional – 1 small pig's tail

Directions

Wash and soak beans for 4 hours in 6-8 cups of water. Cook beans until tender with garlic, onion and pig’s tail. Season beans with black pepper, thyme and salt. Add coconut milk. Cook until boiling.  Add rice, stir and cover and cook on low heat until the water is absorbed and rice is done.