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An Embarrassment of Mangoes
An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude | Ann Vanderhoof
9 posts | 11 read | 12 to read
Under the Tuscan Sun meets the wide-open sea . . . An Embarrassment of Mangoes is a delicious chronicle of leaving the type-A lifestyle behind -- and discovering the seductive secrets of life in the Caribbean. Who hasnt fantasized about chucking the job, saying goodbye to the rat race, and escaping to some exotic destination in search of sun, sand, and a different way of life? Canadians Ann Vanderhoof and her husband, Steve did just that. In the mid 1990s, they were driven, forty-something professionals who were desperate for a break from their deadline-dominated, career-defined lives. So they quit their jobs, rented out their house, moved onto a 42-foot sailboat called Receta (recipe, in Spanish), and set sail for the Caribbean on a two-year voyage of culinary and cultural discovery. In lavish detail that will have you packing your swimsuit and dashing for the airport, Vanderhoof describes the sun-drenched landscapes, enchanting characters and mouthwatering tastes that season their new lifestyle. Come along for the ride and be seduced by Caribbean rhythms as she and Steve sip rum with their island neighbors, hike lush rain forests, pull their supper out of the sea, and adapt to life on island time. Exchanging business clothes for bare feet, they drop anchor in 16 countries -- 47 individual islands -- where they explore secluded beaches and shop lively local markets. Along the way, Ann records the delectable dishes they encounter -- from cracked conch in the Bahamas to curried lobster in Grenada, from Dominican papaya salsa to classic West Indian rum punch -- and incorporates these enticing recipes into the text so that readers can participate in the adventure. Almost as good as making the journey itself, An Embarrassment of Mangoes is an intimate account that conjures all the irresistible beauty and bounty from the Bahamas to Trinidad -- and just may compel you to make a rash decision that will land you in paradise. From the Hardcover edition.
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DebinHawaii
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#NewYearNewBooks

#ShipsOrSailing A favorite foodie travel book where a woman & her husband sail around the Caribbean. ⛵️🌴🥭

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So pretty ⛵️ 10mo
Eggs The Caribbean is so enchanting it‘s surreal🥰🩵☺️ 10mo
50 likes2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

A great read for #ReadingTheAmericas2023

I don‘t even eat seafood but the recipes in this book sounded amazing. Nothing deep here; just a light read that will make you want to go barefoot and drink rum.

Librarybelle Light reads are so good! And, perfect for the summer! 1y
62 likes1 comment
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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

Ann and her husband give up their busy lives in Toronto in the mid 90s to sail the Caribbean. This is just my kind of travel book; I love it when it‘s mainly about the wonderful people the travellers meet along the way. The book also contains many recipes too. (Their boat is called Receta)

The blurb says they visit 16 countries, but I don‘t think I spotted them all. Below is my list, some of which I‘m using and some I‘ve already read.

squirrelbrain I know there were others but some of the visits were *very* fleeting. 2y
Bookwormjillk Thanks for the review. I was just eyeing this one. 2y
See All 8 Comments
squirrelbrain @Bookwormjillk - go for it! It‘s a lovely read. 🏝️ 2y
BarbaraBB I had this one stacked already. I think I‘ll like it too! 2y
squirrelbrain I‘m sure you will! @BarbaraBB 2y
Librarybelle I also have this stacked already - it sounds like a fun read! 2y
Aimeesue I have friends who are actually doing this now. Their FB posts are amazing! 2y
71 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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For anyone interested in this book, I can confirm that her papaya salsa recipe is delicious! I paired it with tempura tofu.

rockpools Ooh, that looks good! 2y
5feet.of.fury Ooh sounds delish! 2y
43 likes3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

In the mid-90s, Ann and her husband decided to take 2 years off and head to and through the Caribbean on their sailboat. She tells the story of their trip here, including a fair amount of time in #Grenada. I really enjoyed this and I‘m planning to try out the papaya salsa, one of many recipes she includes.

#ReadingAmericas2023 (would also work for Bahamas, DR, Trinidad, St Vincent, or Dominica)

Librarybelle Stacking! 2y
Cinfhen Sooooo my jam!!! #Stacked 2y
BarbaraBB I am stacking too! This is my husband‘s dream 😀 2y
squirrelbrain Sounds great! 2y
52 likes5 stack adds4 comments
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Kelly326
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My April #bookspinbingo board. Several DNF‘s this month including Black Cake and Weather Girl. Just could not get into either of them. Maybe another time. Loved The Diamond Eye. Kate Quinn is amazing as usual. I recommend all her books on audio. Read 3 nonfictions, one ARC, and am still working my way through Don Quixote. April went by so fast!
#bookspin
#doublespin

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Fabulous month!! 3y
6 likes1 comment
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DebinHawaii
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#WanderingJune
Ann Vanderhoof & her husband took a very long #dreadlockholiday in the tagged book when they left Toronto & set sail on their 42-foot sailboat, The Receta. They spent 2 years traveling to 16 islands in the Caribbean. I enjoyed this foodie travelogue with recipes, but still have the follow up The Spice Necklace in my foodie #TBR stacks because ...📚📚📚😬📚📚📚📚📚all the books!

BarbaraBB I must get this book for my husband, it‘s his dream to sail the Caribbean! 5y
CafeMom I loved the Spice Necklace. I have tagged many of the recipes to make. 5y
DebinHawaii @BarbaraBB He will like this one then! 5y
DebinHawaii @CafeMom I really need to read it--and/or at least check out the recipes. There were some really good ones in this one. 5y
52 likes1 stack add4 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#LyricalApril #Sail How about foodie books set on boats/sailboats? Here are two that I read & enjoyed. An Embarrassment of Mangoes is set in the Caribbean where a woman & her husband spend 2-years traveling on a 42-ft sailboat (with recipes-I'll link the Papaya-Banana Muffin recipe below). Mediterranean Summer is about a young American chef cooking on the yacht of a wealthy Italian couple. Both are good foodie-travel fun. 🍴⛵️🛥📚👍

DebinHawaii Link to muffin recipe from An Embarrassment of Mangoes on my blog post: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2011/03/papaya-banana-muffins-with-pineapple.... 8y
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DebinHawaii @LeahBergen I have a copy and I keep meaning to but have not yet. So many books keep bumping it. 📚📚📚😬 8y
LeahBergen Oh, tell me about it!! 😬 8y
LauraBeth Would I last two years on a 42 ft sailboat with the husband? 🤔😬😀 (edited) 8y
DebinHawaii @LauraBeth But even more importantly would books and #Bitsy fit?! 🤔📚🐶❤️😆👍 8y
Cinfhen I've gotta try those muffins and this photo is gorgeous 💙🐳💙 8y
Cinfhen These cookbooks sound amazing @LeahBergen @DebinHawaii 8y
74 likes10 comments
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TheWordJar
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I don't usually #readandeat, but today's #septphotochallenge made me think of this book. It's about a couple who sailed from Toronto to Trinidad and back again over two years. Dreams! Each chapter features a few recipes, including my favorite for a delicious mango crisp. A fun travel/cooking combo read.

DebinHawaii I read this several years ago for a blogging virtual foodie book club I belong to and really enjoyed it. (I made the papaya banana muffins from it and they were really tasty!) 😀👍 8y
TheWordJar @DebinHawaii As I was thumbing through the book today, that's the recipe that caught my eye. Going to have to try them! Everyone in my house (except me) likes banana bread and muffins. I may make an exception for the papaya banana muffins! 8y
21 likes4 stack adds2 comments