I am completely obsessed with the Essential New York Times Cookbook. Edited by the talented and funny Amanda Hesser, the book has over 1,000 recipes that Hesser found, tested, and updated from 150 years of Times archives. It's tempting to want to cook my way through it (a daunting task) but every single thing I've tried has been delicious. Usually I try to include a lot of vegetables with dinner but on a recent night when my boyfriend was really sick, I decided smoothies and homemade caramel popcorn was in order. So I made vegan chocolate cake batter smoothies (healthier than it sounds-includes oats, cashew butter, almond milk, carob powder & chocolate chips), and "To Sugar or Crystallize Pop-Corn" (otherwise known as caramel corn) from the Times cookbook. The recipe was originally printed in 1878 (!!) and is an addicting mix of sweet and salty. You can't tell in the photo that the caramel is on the popcorn but it is - the perfect light, sweet coating.

I will never make microwave popcorn again. It is way too easy to use a little bit of corn oil, popcorn kernels and a large pot on the stove.

"To Sugar or Crystallize Pop-Corn" from the Essential New York Times Cookbook

Corn Oil
1/2 cup popcorn
1T unsalted butter
3T water
3/4 cup sugar
Salt (optional - I think you definitely need it)

1. Cover the bottom of a large heavy pot with corn oil. Add the popcorn, stir to coat, cover, and place over medium-high heat. Cook, shaking frequently, until all the popcorn has popped. Remove from the heat and keep covered.

2. Combine the butter, water, and sugar in another large pot, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissoves and the mixture begins to caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour in the popcorn, and stir quickly to coat the kernels with the caramel--some will stick to the pot. Season with salt if desired, and scrape into a serving bowl.

Makes 4 quarts

My new ring

I spotted the ring I wanted and discovered it would be $120 on my credit card, but $50 if I paid American cash. Why? American dollars have a high black market value and are highly coveted by Argentines so BRING more dollars than you think you'll need. This article explains it well - apparently President Cristina (whom every single person I talked to HATED) has put some insane limits on foreign exchange, and the peso is the world's worst performing currency. I don't completely understand, but know I got my ring for a great deal!

After visiting the silversmith, continue on to La Bamba de Areco, one of my new favorite places in the world, an impeccably designed and beautiful estancia, or ranch. It's where I met this sweet dog!

This dog wandered around the shopBeautiful Courtyard at Draghi

We had one day free during Virtuoso (read the travel trends I discovered during the conference on my National Geographic blog here) in Buenos Aires and got to choose a daytime activity ranging from a city tour, to cooking classes, or sports tour. But I immediately knew which one I wanted to do - visit an estancia, or a large ranch-style estate, outside the city. The place we went, La Bamba de Areco, was truly a South American dream retreat. While others did horseback riding or a carriage ride, I chose to take one of their bikes and go for a ride. The roads were bumpy but I started following the path that made me feel happiest. With the autumn sun shining down and a slight breeze, this beautiful, sweet dog seemed to appear from nowhere. I could see nothing else except for horses and cows. He just wanted a lot of loving and I was happy to give it to him! After about 30 minutes, he had enough and ran away to play. It was a little bit of home so many thousands of miles away from my own dog.

Check it out here, if you want!

I'm down in Buenos Aires for the annual Virtuoso Symposium, the gathering of the top luxury travel advisors, tour operators, and hotels in the world, and they are putting on quite a show. Last night's dinner was hosted beneath the famous pink Presidential Palace, which is normally only used for heads of state and royal visits. Our first night was a tango, horse show, and barbecue. But the best part is meeting so many truly amazing people in travel. I am obsessed with this industry. My wonderful friend Kelly is flying down for the weekend, and we'll have extra nights to explore the city before flying to Brazil to relax on the beach.

I love living near Washington Square Park - a five-minute walk and I'm in the center of one of New York's greatest meeting spots. Snapped the above pic on the way to the dog park. We talk about spring starting in February and it has finally arrived.

I'm only home for a few days before my trip to Argentina and Brazil. I am grateful my kitchen is back in order after our apartment was painted and the painters left a disaster zone covered with a thick layer of dust and crap piled everywhere. Tonight, I made Brown Rice Elbow Pasta with TONS of roasted vegetables using this recipe (just changed out the angel hair for brown rice pasta) - one of my favorite simple, healthy, comfort food dinners. I'm also making lots of smoothies, breakfast cookies, eggs, shredded chicken...everything easy that I wish I could make on the road.

My thoughts are with the victims, families, first responders, law enforcement, FBI, and the entire city of Boston.

Things I Love About Boston

Urban Insider - Jerusalem from AnnieFitz on Vimeo.

While staying at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, I decided to do a short video to show what a typical Israeli breakfast looks like - HUGE! I also had the chance to see the room where President Obama stayed a couple of weeks ago. This hotel has hosted nearly every major head of state and diplomat in the world. The lobby was one of the best lobbies I've seen for people watching!

And here are a few more photos of Andy and I from the trip: with our guide (Meir More) in Jerusalem, overlooking Tel Aviv from old Jaffa, with Uri Buri, who owns a legendary namesake restaurant in Akko, and cuddling with goats at Mizpe Hayamim in the north.