Buttermilk Sky (The CoastWatcher: Caribbean West)
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
05 March 2001
By Pierre Renaldo, The Coastwatcher©

The other evening, while I was waiting for some water to boil I glanced out over one of my favorite views anywhere. The Caribbean was flat and the sky was a series of little puffy clouds that were tinged with a soft yellow and creamy white. You could see through them but they still had substance, and were picking up some color from the sun declining toward the western horizon.

It reminded me of the little globs of yellow butter floating in the remains of the cream my grandmother had just finished churning by hand. She did this chore often and when I begged to have a turn at it, I was almost instantly sorry I had been so insistent. That was a lot of work.

I guess that's where Hoagie Carmichael got the idea for the song. It was one of his few hits, and he would probably have been unknown if it hadn't been for 'Stardust' one of the all time favorites back in the war years.

I though I'd mention an evening sky for the benefit of you late risers. I'm always going about how magnificent the sky is here in the mornings, and at sunrise, but maybe some of you "B" people would like to know what it looks like during a more civilized time of day, like sundown.

Buttermilk! It was what some people call a buttermilk sky.

Regardless of which time of day you like best, or whether you are an "A" person or a "B" person I am going to share a secret with you. It is my formula for a new fruit drink. A few weeks ago I mentioned the "Roatan Rouser", my invention (a very brilliant idea really) for a morning eye opener. Something to get your taste buds tingling, and to jolt the old frame into consciousness. I suggest that you take it without the last two ingredients of the recipe, if you are drinking it in the morning, but then if the party from last night is still in progress, well have at it! Who am I to put the dampers on a good celebration?

You can substitute many fruit beverages depending on the flavors you like best and what may or may not be available at the moment you decide to go for it.

Pierre's ROATAN ROUSER "TROPICAL 1-2* PUNCH".

Into a very large cocktail shaker (26 oz. or larger) place the following ingredients:

4 oz. pink grapefruit juice.
6 oz. Mango juice
2 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. fresh lime juice
*2 oz. Bacardi white rum (optional)
*4 oz. Myers dark rum 151 proof (optional)
ice

Stir thoroughly (do not shake) and pour into large tumblers filled with ice cubes.
Garnish each drink with a slice of lime and a large wedge of fresh pineapple.

Then, holding the tumbler in the hand of your choice, sip slowly while watching the sunrise or sunset, gazing at the Caribbean from your favorite vantage point on Roatan. Guaranteed to make you feel happy to be here.

Repeat as necessary.

Isn't that simple? Now one other innovation if you are doing this seriously at sunset, with all the Tropical 1-2 Punch ingredients. A little side snack of shrimp. But it's the dipping sauce I'm going to clue you in about. Something I like it for a change of pace, but it is certainly no big secret.

If you are going to do this on Roatan then bring some of your own favorite horseradish. I like the Silver Springs brand that you find in the cooler around where they keep butter and cheese in your hometown supermarket. That's the really fresh tangy stuff. They don't have it here but all the other essentials are readily available on Roatan.

The dip is the thing.

LOUIE SWIMP DIP de ROATAN

In a chilled bowl mix the following ice cold ingredients:

½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup ketchup
1 oz. fresh lime juice
Two heaping teaspoons of fresh Silver Springs Horseradish

Blend all ingredients together and place bowl in the center of larger iced bowl containing 2 pounds of ice cold peeled and cleaned shrimp. Pick up one at a time (okay Bobby, you can take two at a time) and dip it in the Louie Swimp Dip, and then wrap your lips around it and wow! It is guaranteed to clear you sinuses instantly.
Smack yo' lips and say "I love dem swimps!"
Serves several people having fun watching a sunset or any other scene on Roatan.

If you're going to be looking for property, or building your dream at home or abroad then be sure to see the March issue of Roatan Insights either at www.eroatan.com or www.roatanet.com for some useful hints on selecting that perfect spot.

If you have any questions about our paradise I will do my best to answer. Just drop me an e-mail at:

elouis@globalnet.hn

Ciao, Pierre

By Pierre Renaldo, Mountain Coastal S.A,. General Contractors, Construction Management and Construction Consultants.