A few days before my birthday I invited my friends for tapas - i.e. bring small dishes and eat them and enjoy
On my birthday itself, I'd decided to make Rondon
A Caribbean coconut stew with a lot of vegetables
And usually some kind of fish on top, I chose halibut because it's my favourite fish
And then made rice'n'beans with coconut milk on the side
And ate it with my housemates, including Elise
The next day, I went to my parents and had a brilliant spinach and chickpea soup. And cider. And happiness.
I've been wanting to make that coconut stew since last year, but never got round to it until now. Rondon is very important to the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua traditionally, and has now become the meal that is served at any official gathering or ceremony. It used to be made with leftover food, trying to use the most of your fish, and now it has become a signature dish.
