Sopes

It’s Friday and we began the weekend! Which also calls for amazing food, doesn’t it? Well today I will teach you guys how to make sopes. When making sopes there is many alternatives as what you want to fill them with, for example: papas con chorizo (chorizo with fries), Chicharron, smashed beans, etc. The ingredients for this recipe are easy to obtain and so are the steps, so let’s get started. To make the sopes you will need corn flour (the most known brand is called Maseca), water, baking powder, lettuce, your choice of filling, queso fresco, sour cream and some type of spicy sauce; remember that all of this is of your choice. To begin, in a bowl add your corn flour, and baking powder, after that start kneading the dough and add the water little by little until you see that the dry ingredients are well incorporated. We call this masa, once you see that the masa has a good consistency stop. Now all you have to do is get a medium portion of dough and make it into a little ball. Once you have this, with your fingers make like an opening in the middle of the ball. The opening is where your filling will go when the sope has been fried. Repeat the same process until all your masa is done. In a sauce pan all enough oil to fry your sopes, the more oil you have in the pan the less oil the sopes will observe. Once all your sopes have been fried add you filling, lettuce, queso fresco, sour cream and any other thing that you decide to add. Now you have some wonderful and delicious sopes that you can cook anytime. Enjoy

Atole de Guayaba

Winter is right around the corner and with that it comes all types of warm beverages. In my family we love making alotes or any type of tea that will keep up warm. Remember that it doesn’t necessarily have to be winder in order to make the alote, you can make this type of drink any time of the year. Let’s get started. For this drink or as we know it, atole, you will need very few ingredients and these are ingredients that you will most likely already have at home. You will need: milk, guava, maizena or corn starch, water, cinnamon (the stick one not the powder one) and last but not least sugar or any type of sweetener that will provide this atole with sweet flavor. The first thing you have to do is get a sauce. Once you have the sauce pan you will need to add the water with the cinnamon sticks and the guavas (for this you will need approximately two to three guavas and two cups or three of water.) While you have the guavas in the sauce pan, you will need a little bit of water in a cup and then dissolve the maizena in the water. By now the guavas should be done, get them out of the pot and put them in the blender with a little bit of water but without the cinnamon, blend the guavas until you get a pudding consistency. After that put the milk in a pause pan, add the guava pudding, the sugar and steer until you get the consistency that you desire. After all of this is done you have you atole de guayaba ready. Enjoy.

Morelia Michoacan

Mexico has different places to visit and a lot of tourism. There are many places to visit and for the most part they have a historical background but there are others that don’t. The place that I will talking about today is called Morelia, which is the capital of Michoacán. Morelia is a place of extraordinary tourism for many reasons. One of those reasons is the cathedral, such a beautiful place full of peace and art. Many tourist travel there to see the cathedral in Morelia. Another reason tourist travel to Morelia is to see the house (now museum) where one of our most known historic figures, Jose Maria Morelos Y Pavon used to live. This house still remains the same as he left it with all of his belonging remaining there. When you go here, there is a guy who is dressed up as Jose Maria Morelos Y Pavon, who narrates his life and who he was. In Morelia there is also a fountain that has a very unique statue, there are three woman topless, on their knees holding a big antique basket that is fill of groceries but mainly avocado. The avocado is very meaningful in this basket because it represents what that city and the ones around it produces the most; many tourist go there to appreciate the artistic form of this fountain. Of course we could not forget the wonderful food that Morelia has to offer. The main reason why tourist enjoy visiting Morelia is because of their variety of food as well as the wonderful place to visit there. If you ever get a chance, visit Morelia, El Alma de Mexico (The Soul of Mexico).

Church reappeared in Chiapas

A few days ago, I shared a story and some facts of a church that got covered in rocks due to a volcano Paritutin, erupting. Today I will talk to you guys about a church but a different church. In mostly every town in Mexico, there is a catholic church. This church is located in Quechula Chiapa Mexico. Quechula Chiapas was a really small town, this town was formed by several houses which were located next to a lake, which back then was only firm land. In this firm lad the church was constructed. Since in Mexico it tends to rain constantly and very hard; the land in which this church was contrasted started getting weaker and weaker and somehow this land turned into a lake. Due to the storms in Chiapas, as time went on the Quechula church was completely covered in water due to the rain. In this church Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, one of Mexico’s heroes of the Mexican War of Independence, gave his first mass there that is why this church is very much appreciated throughout the years. Many people still remember how the church used to be when it wasn’t covered in water. Not that long ago, due to drought in Mexico the water went down and the people from that town were witnesses of the repatriation of the church. Even though the church didn’t look like it used to, it remains its form. The native people from there were very shocked to see the church again since it has been under water for a while now. The citizens decided to have mass in the church were they used to go.

Homemade quesadillas

Let me teach you guys today how to make handmade quesadillas.  For this recipe you will need ingredients that can be found in Mexican markets.) You will need: a tortilla press (This can be found in a Mexican market and we know it as a “tortilladora”.), baking powder, water, flower, oil, a pan, mozzarella cheese (or whatever cheese you usually make your quesadillas with) and a bowl. First put some flower on you bowl, add a teaspoon or so of baking power (you don’t want to add too much) and start adding your water little by little, once you add your water start kneading the dough (if you see your dough dry just keep adding water little by little until the consistency of the dough it’s not soggy not too tough.) Once your dough it’s done you make a little ball and once you have you little ball of dough you put it in between the tortilla press (the tortilla press should have some type cover so we the dough won’t stick to the tortilla press directly.) By this time you should have your pan with oil at low medium heat. Once you have your tortilla done put your cheese in it and fold the tortilla like making a regular quesadilla. After you have your tortilla done put it in the oil and let it cook, you will know it’s cooked when the quesadilla it’s golden brown. After this process is done repeat the same process for all the quesadillas that you’re making. After you’re done with your quesadillas you can eat them like the Mexicans do, add lettuce, tomamto, sour cream, and homemade sauce. Once you’re done with this, you have a plate of quesadillas. Enjoy J

Today I will be teaching you guys how to make something that I love eating, especially during the cold weather and that is arroz con leche. Arroz con leche is a dessert that is very easy to make and can be eaten at any time, even for breakfast. Here are the ingredients you’ll need are: white rice, milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, water (for every cup of rice you need three cups of water), cinnamon (the stick one), granulated cinnamon and vanilla extract if you would like (this adds a good flavor to it’s not necessary). The first thing you have to do is get a deep enough pan set it at medium heat, add your water, the cinnamon (the stick one), and rice when you add these ingredient lower your heat to low. Now let the rice cook until is well done, but be careful don’t let it burn. You will know your rice is done when there is no more water and there are little wholes in in the rice. After your rice is cooked now it’s time to add the milk, the condensed milk and the evaporated milk. At this step you have to be very careful, you con not leave the rice without steering because it will stick to the pan and burn. Steer the rice until you get the consistency that you like, also don’t forget that if you want vanilla extract you have to add it at these step and if you don’t then skip the step. Once you get the consistency that you desire, your rice is ready. All you have to do now it’s serve it and add the granulated cinnamon on top. EnjoyJ

Dia de los Muertos

            Today is officially el Dia de los Muertos, celebrating our loved ones who will come back to make a special visit to us. Today, a lot of people go to the cemeteries to decorate the tombstones of their loved ones who have passed away and are in a better place right now. They decorate their tombstone with cempasuchil flowers, bread and the food they loved eating while they were alive. Of course we couldn’t forget the candles that light up everything. The candles for us represent the light that the souls of our loved ones will follow in order to cross and be at peace. The candles also represent the light that the souls will follow to guide them to our homes because we just want our loved ones to come in our homes and feel welcomed while they are visiting us one more time. Today is the day the families gather together to eat the typical Mexican dishes they preparer to celebrate el Dia de Muertos and so that the souls who come back from the death enjoy them as well. On this day the families also gather together to make prayers for all the lives that are gone but that will forever be remembered. Today some people also go out to see the altars that are created around the city or community they live in. They go to appreciate the artistic ways of making them and to see the variety of altars that are made. Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

Dia de los Muertos, part 1

So what happens on el Dia de Muertos? On this day, us Mexicans, have a belief that the souls of our loved ones who have passed away and are in a better place, will come back and be with us so we can all celebrate as a community the day of the death. On this day we celebrate the death as a natural part of human existence; death for us represents the path that the death lived while they were alive: birth, childhood, and adolescence all the way to the day you die. This belief we obtain it from our ancestors because we have been doing this tradition for as long as I can remember and until this day it still remains present in Mexico. On the day of the death, some people dress up as calaveras (skeletons) , women wear mostly white dresses and will paint a skull on their face, they are known as “catrinas”; men normally wear a black and white suit and as well as women they paint a skull on their face to represent death and they are known as “catrines”. A day or two before the actual day of the day death, which is in November second, people gather together to put several stands in a plaza and each stand sells different things, such as: sugar skulls, the most known flower for el dia de los muetos: cempasuchil, and the most important factor of the night; a variety of foods like: tostadas, tortas, tacos ect. They put up this stands to make people get in the day of the death spirit and be able to bond as a community.

Pan de Muerto

              Some of the most known bread that is made for El Dia de Muerto is called pan de muerto and you may ask why is called pan the muerto? Well, it is called pan the muerto no just because it is made especially for El Dia de los Muertos, but also because when the bakers are making it, they make it seem like it’s a dead person. The pan de muerto bread is a delicious bread that has a flavor of orange and it is covered in sugar. People tend to buy this bread to put it on the altars when they create them, but people also buy this type of bread any other day. The reason people like putting this type of bread on their altars is because it is into a form of a dead person and since we celebrate the day of the death, it goes with the theme. The pan de muerto is not only made in the form of a dead person but is also made like a tombstone with a dead body on top. Just because this bread is made for the day of the death it doesn’t mean that the people who are alive can’t eat it, most of us do anyway. What is common to do is to make hot chocolate so the bread can be eaten with it. It is also important to know that the people who put this type of bread on their altar bake it themselves most of the time and don’t just buy it. If you ever decided to visit our beautiful Mexico during El Dia de los Muertos, don’t forget to eat a piece of this delicious bread.

Dia de los Muertos 1

Since the Day of the Death or as we call it, el Dia de los Muertos, is approaching Mexicans are starting to do what we traditionally do. First of all we start by setting an altar somewhere in the house, we make sure that is well decorated according to what every family likes.  We start off by buying the most commonly known, cempasúchil, which is a beautiful round like orange flower. This flower is the most known to use for El Dia de Muertos. Once we have the flowers and a place to set the altar, we begin to form the altar. What we first do is get the pedals from some of the flowers and once that is done we form a cross in the middle of the altar with the pedals (keep in mind that not everyone does the same thing with the cempasúchi). After those steps are done we get pictures of our loved ones that have passed away and set them somewhere on the altar. We also make sure to get all their favorite food or the food they used to eat when they were alive, put them in a beautiful plate and set it all over the altar. Of course we can’t forget to set fruit and several cups of water. We do this because we believe that since the death have been buried for a long period of time, they will come back hungry as well as thirsty. Also, we tend to put several of the traditional Mexican candy especially made for the day of the death like: sugar skulls, the most popular ones. Once we have set food and water form them, we light up several candles and set around the altar so the death can feel illuminated and loved. All of this is called ofrendas, ofrenda for offering, because we offer all of this food to the death. Lastly we can’t forget to put lots of flowers around the altar. One of the most important things when former an altar for El Dia de los Muertos is to get creative.

 Altars

 sugar skulls

   cempasúchi

Las Rocas de San Juan

The people that used to live near the volcano left and created a new town called San Juan Nuevo (Nuevo for new) since the town they used to in live was called San Juan they just decided to add the Nuevo because it was a new place for them. Remember the church that I mention before? Well that church is now called Las Rocas De San Juan because when the volcano erupted lots of rocks where flying everywhere and half the church was completely covered in them. For the same reason that the church is covered in rocks is why it’s called Las Rocas de San Juan (rocas meaning rocks). When you go there you have to be very careful because you have to walk on rocks in order to get to where the church is at. The first time I went there, I didn’t see why so many people visited this place or why it was completely covered in rocks, but as my grandfather told me the story behind it I fell in love with Las Rocas de San Juan and the volcano Parícutin. My grandfather told me the story behind the volcano Parícutin and I thought it was interesting. He said that when the volcano started forming it was forming in a piece of land that belonged to a man, when the man saw what was happening he went and told the priest. The priest and the man were going to look at the volcano they were scared because they didn’t know what it was yet. If you ever go to Mexico, visit these two amazing places I promise they’ll take your breath away.

Volcan Paricutin part 1

Have you guys ever visited a volcano? No? Well if you ever travel to Mexico and desire to visit one, go to Michoacán and visit the youngest volcano, El Paricutin.  The volcano Paricutin is one of the youngest volcanoes is Mexico,and is located in Angahuan Michoacán, near Uruapan Michoacán.  Most people don’t know the town where is located but if you tell them the name of the volcano, they will guide you immediately because everyone there knows where it’s at. Luckily enough, I got the chance to visit this volcano once and it was the best experience ever. At first I thought it was going to explode again because as you travel up and get where the whole is at, you’re allowed to go in, you can feel its warmth still. It was such a beautiful view from up there, you would have to experience it yourself to understand what I’m talking about. As I was claiming up there I would remember all the stores my grandpa used to tell my cousins and I, how the first time the volcano erupted a whole bunch of rocks were flying everywhere. He recalled that he was scared because he would see the rocks landing everywhere and destroying homes. As you get to the place where the volcano is you see stands of people selling handmade food, which is delicious. There are also horses that you can rent and they’ll take you for a tour so you can see everything there is there. As I was recalling the stories my grandfather told me, he mention that there used to be a small town there near the volcano, but once the volcano erupted the town that was there was complete covered with rocks and everyone went their different ways and that’s how all the little towns formed. Like every small town in Mexico there was a church made of rocks like the old churches used to be made.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSevliR92So---- WATCH :)

My favorite place to visit in Mexico.

Growing up in a state that is surrounded by nature you learned to love and appreciate every single gesture that Mother Nature contributes with. Today I’m sharing with you the place I love to visit the most when I go to Mexico. You may ask why this place is one of my favorite places to visit, well there are several reasons why I like to visit the Nation Park in Uruapan Michoacán. Michoacán is the state where I grew up and I was always surrendered by nature that is the main reason why I love siting this place every time I have a chance to go to Mexico. This place is full of nature, beautiful flowers, with beautiful trees and also small little fishes swimming all over the water. When you enter the gates there are many ways you can go. On either way you will see trees all over the place and fresh water running through trails. There is a big water fall where all the trails meet, it is the most beautiful of them all. Of course it is Mexico and like always food could not be forgotten. There are a few stands of food in the park, every stand that is there sells handmade Mexican food.  You can see with your own eyes how they prepare your food and all the ingredients that are in it; I am truly amazed of how fast those cooks prepare a delicious meal. There are also food stands where they sell the delicious “gaspachos”, gaspachos are a combination of diced fruit accompanied with chile, orange juice, salt and lemon; they are truly amazing! The food stands are not the only stands there, there are also stands where you can buy crats made by hand. If you ever travel to Michoacán, visit the National Park in Uruapan Michoacán.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIG9jJbPQb4----- Watch :)

Halloween turned into Noche the Brujas?

Since Halloween is approaching I will share with you guys something interesting about the Mexican culture. The Mexican culture has adopted many days celebrated by other cultures that were never celebrated within the Mexican culture. One of the days we never used to celebrate is Halloween. We were not used to celebrating this kind of event, instead we celebrate El Dia de los Muertos; at least that was the tradition. Now, since there is a lot of Mexican American families living in the United States that travel to Mexico, the tradition of Halloween has spread all around Mexico.  At first, when Halloween wasn’t recognized nor celebrated in Mexico nobody would talk about it. This was a very pointless topic to Mexicans since we didn’t tend to celebrate it. Not that long ago some families decided to start celebrating it and instead of calling it by its original name, Halloween they call it “Noche de Brujas.” Since the tradition has spread around Mexico, many teenagers, families etc. now celebrate this day by doing what originally most American families started doing: dressing up as a sort of animal, super hero etc. having a small party or a get-together with family and friends. Since Mexicans started celebrating thing this day in Mexico they also buy costumes, dress up and have a get together with their family and friends; the only difference between the Halloween celebrated by Americans and Noche de Brujas celebrated by Mexicans is that Mexicans don’t go trunk or treating like Americans tend to do. I just thought I’d shared this with you guys so you can evaluate how the American culture has influenced the Mexican culture.

How to make white rice

Since I love cooking so much today I will be showing you guys another recipe. This recipe is not really meant to be eaten by itself but you can. Today we will be making white rice or as Mexicans call it arroz blanco. I know this is a simple recipe and many people might know how to make white rice but for those who don’t here’s the recipe. The ingredients you will need are: rice, salt, butter, water, a measuring cup or any cup and sauce pan. The first thing you have to do is measure your rice, remember that for every cup or of rice you have to use the double of water and just a bit more (measure your water with the same cup you measured your rice). When I took cooking classes in High School, my professor told me that for every cup of rice you had to use double the water, but by the time the rice was done it was burnt from the bottom and that’s one thing you don’t want. Once you have your rice and water measure, get your sauce pan set it at medium-low heat, add your water and a tablespoon of butter and wait until the water starts boiling. Once the water is boiling add your rice, salt and turn the heat to low. At this point it’s important that you don’t touch tour rice just leave it there until there is no water left in the sauce pan. When you see that there’s no more water turn off your heat and let the rice sit there and cool down. Now your rice is all ready to be served, enjoy !

Pambazos

Today I will teach you guys how to make another delicious Mexican dish, we will be making pambazos. Pambazos are like tortas but not quite the same. The pambazos unlike the tortas don’t have ham or meat. The pambazos are composed of stew that most Mexicans know as papas con chorizo, in other words potatoes with chorizo. The ingredients you will need are: pambazo bread (not the same as torta bread but you can use torta bread if you are not able to get pambazo bread), potatoes, chorizo, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, salt, oil, water, chile de arbol (found in Mexican markets), a clove of garlic and a little piece of onion. The first thing you have to do if boil the chiles de arbol, the clove of garlic and the piece of onion, let them boil until they are soft. You also have to boil the potatoes until they are soft. When the chiles, the clove of garlic and the piece of onion are done boiling put them in the blender, add a little bit of water and a pinch of salt. Blend everything until it’s well incorporated and once everything is well incorporated put the chile sauce in a bowl. By now, the potatoes should be soft and ready to peel, get them out of the boiling water and peel them. Now put a pan with a little drop of oil and put your chorizo right there, leave the chorizo there until you see it change color and once it’s done incorporate the potatoes with the chorizo. Now that you have your stew of papas with chorizo, it’s time to get your chile and your pambazo bread. Put a pan with a little bit of oil at low-medium heat once your pan is hot, dip the pambazo bread in the chile and put the bread in the pan just until the bread gets a little bit crispy. Once you’re done with that add your papas with chorizo to you panbazo bread, also add the lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. You’re all done, enjoy your pambazo!

Jarabe Tapatio

Let’s talk about one of the most folkloric dances of the Mexican culture, called Jarabe Tapatio, also known as “The Mexican Hat Dance.” The jarabe tapatio is a popular dance that has symbolized Mexico. This dance consists of two dancers, a men and a woman like most typical dances but there is something that distinguishes this dance from the rest, and is the fact that that dancers don’t touch each other. This dance has become one of the most traditional dances in the Mexican culture. When practicing this dance, the dancers wear apparel not worn on an everyday basis. For this particular dance men wear a charro suit that is decorated with silver or gold buttons and they also wear a charro hat. Men also wear special silky boots that are either black of white. This type of apparel is the one that the maricahis wear. Women tend to wear a two piece dress called china poblana. This apparel consists of a white blouse, which is typically embroidered with roses or any other type of flower. These flowers tend to be really colorful which attracts the attention of the people. Women also wear a skirt that is embroidered with different figures but each and one of figures are colorful. They also wear satin shoes that are typically black. Women also have to have their hair braided, either one braid on each side of the head or one braid made into a bun. When both of the dancers are dancing they go in apposite direction and move their feet in such a way that their shoes make a wonderful noise when they hit the ground. When dancing to this folkloric dance, the dancers dance to the sound of a mariachi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= -- Watch a video of this amazing dance!

Enchiladas Suizas

I know last time I showed shared a recipe of enchiladas but those were the red enchiladas. Today I will share a recipe of how to make Enchiladas Suizas or green enchiladas. For this recipe you will need similar ingredients as the recipe for the red enchiladas. For this recipe you will need: corn tortillas, green tomatoes (known as tomatillos in Spanish), green chiles, some type of filling for you enchiladas (remember that it can be whatever you desire) sour cream, water, cheese, a glove of garlic, oil and a little piece of onion. The first thing you have to do is boil your green tomatoes with the clove of garlic, the green chiles and the piece of onion, leave them there until you see that the green tomatoes are changing to a darker green color. Once they’re done boiling, put them in a blender and blend everything together, don’t forget to add a pinch of salt. Meanwhile, get your tortillas and in a pan at low medium heat put the oil, make sure the oil in hot and once it’s hot put your tortilla in the pan and then flip it; the point of this is for the tortilla to soften up a little bit. Once you’re done with all of the tortillas put your stuffing on the tortilla and roll them as they were tacos; repeat the same process with every single tortilla. After you’re done putting the stuffing in and rolling the tortillas place some rolled tortillas in a plate and cover them with green sauce, put some cheese on top and then put them in the microwave until the cheese is completely melted then get them out and put some sour cream on top. Now you have some enchiladas suizas ready for you to eat. Enjoy!

  Chiles verdes Tomatillos

 Enchiladas Suizas

Handmade torrtillas

In various parts of Mexico many of the traditions still remain present until this day. One of those traditions is the making of tortillas by hand. You can make flour tortillas or corn tortillas. This traditions mainly remains present in small towns. Today I will explain to you the easiest way to make corn tortillas. There are different ways to make to them but this is the way I learned. For this recipie you will only need three main ingredients which are: masa harina or the so called Maseca (Maseca is a special corn flour. This ingredient can be found in Mexican markets.), a tortilla press (This can be found in a Mexican market.), baking powder, water, a comal or something you can cook the tortillas on and a bowl. The first thing you have to do is add a cup to two cups of Maseca then you add a table spoon of baking powder and mix the dry ingredients. The next thing you have to do it add water, start with a cup of water and mix the dry ingredients with the water, make sure they are well incorporated. If you see that there are still a little bit of the dry ingredients around there add just a little bit more of water but not too much because then the dough won’t hold its shape. Work the dough until everything is very well incorporated, remember this dough has to hold its shape in order for it to get pressed. After you have your dough done, get your tortilla press (remember the tortilla press is supposed to have some type of cover in order for the dough to not stick on the tortilla press). Now, get a little piece of the dough and make it into a little ball, once you’ve done that put the little ball in between the tortilla press and press down. By now your comal should have been preheated, now just put the torilla on there and wait at least a minute to a minute and a half to flip it to the other side and lastly flip it one more time to the first side and repeat the process until your dough is all gone. Congratulations! Now you have a handmade tortilla and I can assure you these taste way better than the ones you buy at the market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bifOd78JNWs

Enchiladas

I know I shared with you guys a recipe of a Mexican dish the other day and today I will share another. Today, I will teach you guys how to make enchiladas. Remember there are many recipes for enchiladas but I will show you the way my family and I make them. Here are the ingredients you will need: corn tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes, chile de arbol (main ingredient for the sauce of the enchiladas. Found where they sell Mexican products), pepper (make sure you use the whole pepper not the ground one. The whole pepper look like little balls.), queso fresco, sour cream, salt, a clove of garlic, a little piece of onion, oil, some type of spicy sauce and water. The first step you have to do is boil the tomatoes with the chile de arbol for at least 5-7 minutes or wait for them to soften up. While these two ingredients are being boiled you can start chopping the lettuce into little thin strips and tomato into little dice (make sure the lettuce and tomatoes have been washed). By the time you’re done chopping the lettuce and the tomato the ingredients that were boiling must be done, take them away from the heat. In your blender blend the boiled chiles and tomatoes, add a pinch of salt, the piece of garlic, two whole peppers and the piece or onion and add just a little bit of water (I didn’t give specific measures because everything is according to your taste). While blending these ingredients, which will be the red sauce for the enchiladas, in a pan add enough oil but not a lot and make sure the pan is a medium-low heat. Once the chile for the enchiladas is ready, your oil is hot and you have your corn tortillas, dip one of the tortillas into the red sauce for the enchiladas and right away put the tortilla in the oil. You will notice the enchilada is done when the tortilla is soft. Keep repeating the process until you’re done with the tortillas. Now place however many enchiladas you’re going to eat on a plate and add the chopped lettuce and tomatoes, add the queso fresco, sour cream and the spicy sauce. Now you’re done with your enchiladas and it’s time to eat, Bon appétit!

Tacos dorados

Since I have been talking about traditions and typical Mexican dishes. Today I will show you how to make tacos but not like the ones they sell at the taco truck, these are called tacos dorados or as most people know them flautas, okay let’s begin. First of all let’s go over the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious plate. You will need: corn tortillas, oil, some type of filling like potatoes, chicken, beef or just cheese, you’ll need lettuce, tomatos, sour cream, salt, avocado (if you desire), some type of spicy sauce and queso fresco ( you’ll find it at any store). I usually make the flautas with a potato filling, therefore I will teach you how make them like that. The first thing you have to do is boil the potatoes until they are soft, while doing that preheat your tortillas that way when you roll them they won’t break. Once you’re done preheating the tortillas, cut all the vegetables. The tomatoes should be sliced in little dice and the lettuce should be cut into little strings, once you’re done put the vegetables aside. By now the potatoes should be done, get them out of the water and let them cool for a little bit. After they have cool down start peeling them once they are peeled put them in a plate and smash them, don’t forget to add a pinch of salt. After this step, place a pan at low medium heat and add the oil but don’t add too much, it should be just enough so you can fry your rolled tacos. Now, get your preheated tortillas and add the smashed potato, add just enough that way it won’t come out when you’re frying the tacos. Once you’re done putting the filling in the tortillas, roll them; now it’s time to fry the tacos. Fry them until they are golden brown and seem crunchy enough. When you’re done frying all of your tacos set them on a plate, add the lettuce and the tomato. Finally, add the sour cream and queso fresco, add a slice of avocado and forget the spicy sauce. Now you have a delicious plate of tacos dorados, enjoy!

Dia del Nino

On April 30^th we have a tradition, “El Dia del Nino.” In a few parts or towns in Mexico it is still celebrated.  Not many parts of Mexico celebrates this day because to them it’s pointless, but for us it’s not. This day consist of celebrating all the kids in a household or typically if it’s a small town have a little get together with all of the kids. In this day if you are still considered a kid your parents will wake up to tell you “Feliz Dia del Nino” and that was something every kid wanted to hear coming from their parents. When I was in Mexico my dad will always make a barbecue for my cousins and I. Him and my aunts will make cook foods that we loved as kids like: tostadas, posole, tacos etc. They would also buy us a cake and would give us little bags full of all types of candy called “aguinaldos.” Those aguinaldos mainly consisted of candy that we typically liked. We would also have games and at night we would make a bonfire with all of our friends and family. That day we would also make sure that no kid was left behind and we would donate toys, candy, and some food for the needy. We wanted to make sure that every kid felt the love and affection on that special day. We loved making this act of kindness because we knew that every kid wanted to be celebrated since it was a very special day.

"Dia de los Reyes Magos"

Another tradition we celebrate is, “El Dia de los Reyes Magos” on January 6^th. For the most part this is for little kids. As Catholics that most of us are, we celebrate this day because we remember the day the three wise men followed the star that took them to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. That day is when they arrived with their most treasured gifts. One of them took gold, the other one took frankincense and the last one took myrrh. On January 5^th, at night, before going to bed most of the children write a letter to “Los Reyes Magos” telling them what kind of presents they would like to receive. Every year, On January 6^th, we buy a “rosca” (bread that is in a circle shape. Decorated with fruits) and we cut it. Every rosca has three small dolls that represent baby Jesus inside of them and whoever gets one of them has to make a traditional Mexican dish. Also, an event takes place in every town or city to celebrate this special day that every kid waits for anxiously. People set up tables with all kinds of foods like: tostadas, tortas, tacos etc. and “aguinaldos” (little bags full of a variety of candy) so the kids can eat and have candy after. The place is decorated with colorful balloons, piñatas, and cute little stickers. This event consists of games, jokes and stories about baby Jesus and the Reyes Magos. Towards the end of the event, the people that perform the event dress up as the Reyes Magos and take the kids to the table that is full with toys and have them pick a toy if their choice. When the kids attend this event they take the letters they wrote the night before and tie them to a balloon. Once the event is over, all of the kids go outside with their balloons and their letter attached to them, and let them fly up, to the sky carrying all their wishes with them.

(Los Reyes Magos)

 (Rosca de Reyes)

On September 16, there is a march in the Zocalo to celebrate the Mexican War of Independence. The president and the Mexican troops like the Army, the Navy, the Air Force etc. march with the Mexican flag. Once the president shows up they start the event by singing the national anthem and once the orchestra starts playing then the march begins . While the march is going on each troop is holding a flag that represents Mexico and also their troop. this march goes on for about an hour or so. The troops also fired-up fireworks that illustrate the colors of the Mexican flag which are green, white and red. People like to join the event as well  and they gather around the zocalo to see the troops march. Every school in Mexico also marches through the streets of their town with the Mexican flag and an orchestra. Of course as the Mexicans that we are, we could not forget about our delicious foods we tend to make to celebrate the Mexican War of Independence. For this event, we make the traditional Mexican food like: posole, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, chiles reyenos, menudo, tostadas, ponche (traditional Mexican drink etc .Families tend to get together to eat the amazing foods we make. They also get together to watch the march and go along with the festival that takes place. As the true Mexicans that we are we could not forget about the beautiful that enlightens our soul. Typically, we listen to the most Mexican songs and we dance to celebrate another year of Mexico’s independence and how we celebrate "El 16 de Septiembre."

 (chiles reyenos)

 (Enchiladas)

 (march)