So I made Kebabs the other day, Middle Eastern style with hummus and pita bread. As I'm putting the food out on the table, my MIL somehow mysteriously added a dish of frijoles, salsa and corn tortillas to the mix. I say mysteriously because I really don't remember seeing her cooking and more importantly since when did salsa go with hummus? The first time she did this I have to say I was a offended. I had made Indian, Chicken Tikka Masala with Naan and lentils and suddenly there was a dish of frijoles, corn tortillas and salsa on the table. My MIL proceeded to top her chicken masala with salsa and scoop it up with a tortilla. I had to ask myself, what did I do wrong? I know i'm not the best cook in the world (ok that's not even close) I know I'm not a good cook, (that's better) but still did it taste that bad? I stewed about it for a few weeks until my husband made sushi and chicken fried rice one night for dinner. Suddenly as we are sitting down to eat out comes the corn tortillas, frijoles and salsa. Ahhhhh... I started to see a pattern. Dinner, no matter what you are having, is not complete without frijoles, tortillas and salsa.
I'm not sure if this is really true for all of Mexico or all Mexicans but food in Mexico seems to be fairly homogeneous. Aside from the occasional hamburger, pizza and of course Chinese (those Chinese have really found a place in world in terms of food. Even in the smallest of towns there is always a Chinese restaurant) Mexicans generally seem to eat a fairly homogeneous diet of Mexican food. I went to college in LA and am used to a variety of different foods. But I suppose just like language food isn't stagnant either. There is a Mexican Sushi restaurant in Tucson. The wife is Mexican and the husband Japanese. You can order tacos followed by chicken tempura and green tea fried ice cream. Or another fusion favorite of mine was in Azusa. There was a Thai Taco stand. You could order a Pad Thai or a Burrito from the same small take out restaurant.
So maybe my MIL is onto something, creating new flavors and cuisines. Or more likely dinner just isn't dinner without frijoles, salsa and tortillas!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
On 10 de Mayo or Mother's Day
Mother's day in Mexico is the 10th of May. I rather prefer the second Sunday in May idea, Sundays are a good day for family, but either works. In fact it just occurred to me, I think I should celebrate both. I'm declaring Mother's day for our house be today and tomorrow :)
I want to dedicate this blog to my mother-in-law. Why not to my mother, you might ask? Well this is supposed to be about becoming Mexican and my mom is definitely not Mexican. She is however my best friend and I will be lucky to be even half as good of a mother as she is.
But onto my Mother-in-law. I am blessed. I realize that typically mother-in-laws or suegras and daughter-in-laws or nueras don't usually get along. There's even been a movie "Monster-in-law" to dramatize this usually estranged relationship. But as I said I am blessed.
I have known my suegra for 18 years now. I met her long before my husband and I were even thinking of each other. But it's been within the last year that I've really gotten to know her. There are several words that come to mind when I think of my suegra, Ma de Rosario Viesca Davila Gallegos.
Strong- along with being a recent breast cancer survivor she has to be one of the strongest women I've ever met. When she went into labor with my husband she walked herself to the hospital. She didn't complain at all through the delivery of my cuanda (sister-in-law) and when asked by others in the hospital, she simple said "Why? It's not going to change anything?".
Gracious- I have watched her over the years deal with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. She is kind and gracious to everyone. On trips to Mexico if families weren't able to host some of the youth she would simply pull out more sleeping bags and take everyone. Then she would get up in the morning and start cooking pancakas (pancakes- another Spanglish word).
Hard working- she never stops. I had to tell her yesterday that she was not allowed to cook, clean, wash, or launder anything today. That today was Mother's day and it was her day to rest. When my son came suddenly 2 and half months early this last August she was on a plane the very next day. She swept into our house and for two months while we dealt with the difficulties of having our son in the NICU she cooked, cleaned, laundered and even made my bed. I couldn't have asked for more.
A Domestic Goddess- is there anything this woman can't do? She cuts my hair for Pete's sake!
A Respected Voice- While my father-in-law is the Pastor, his ministry would not have been complete without my suegra. When she gives advice to families, they listen. When they are in need, she helps. She's been the glue that has held congregations together.
Finally, as most of you know, she's a Top Chef. My cunada and I were shopping together the other day and I went to buy a can of soup. She looked at it and said "I've never had soup from a can." Everything my suegra makes is homemade and seriously delicious. She can make lentil soup tasty.
So, although this is all in English and my cuanda is going to have to translate if for her, Rosario you are loved and appreciated. Happy Mother's Day.
I want to dedicate this blog to my mother-in-law. Why not to my mother, you might ask? Well this is supposed to be about becoming Mexican and my mom is definitely not Mexican. She is however my best friend and I will be lucky to be even half as good of a mother as she is.
But onto my Mother-in-law. I am blessed. I realize that typically mother-in-laws or suegras and daughter-in-laws or nueras don't usually get along. There's even been a movie "Monster-in-law" to dramatize this usually estranged relationship. But as I said I am blessed.
I have known my suegra for 18 years now. I met her long before my husband and I were even thinking of each other. But it's been within the last year that I've really gotten to know her. There are several words that come to mind when I think of my suegra, Ma de Rosario Viesca Davila Gallegos.
Strong- along with being a recent breast cancer survivor she has to be one of the strongest women I've ever met. When she went into labor with my husband she walked herself to the hospital. She didn't complain at all through the delivery of my cuanda (sister-in-law) and when asked by others in the hospital, she simple said "Why? It's not going to change anything?".
Gracious- I have watched her over the years deal with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. She is kind and gracious to everyone. On trips to Mexico if families weren't able to host some of the youth she would simply pull out more sleeping bags and take everyone. Then she would get up in the morning and start cooking pancakas (pancakes- another Spanglish word).
Hard working- she never stops. I had to tell her yesterday that she was not allowed to cook, clean, wash, or launder anything today. That today was Mother's day and it was her day to rest. When my son came suddenly 2 and half months early this last August she was on a plane the very next day. She swept into our house and for two months while we dealt with the difficulties of having our son in the NICU she cooked, cleaned, laundered and even made my bed. I couldn't have asked for more.
A Domestic Goddess- is there anything this woman can't do? She cuts my hair for Pete's sake!
A Respected Voice- While my father-in-law is the Pastor, his ministry would not have been complete without my suegra. When she gives advice to families, they listen. When they are in need, she helps. She's been the glue that has held congregations together.
Finally, as most of you know, she's a Top Chef. My cunada and I were shopping together the other day and I went to buy a can of soup. She looked at it and said "I've never had soup from a can." Everything my suegra makes is homemade and seriously delicious. She can make lentil soup tasty.
So, although this is all in English and my cuanda is going to have to translate if for her, Rosario you are loved and appreciated. Happy Mother's Day.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
On Cinco de Mayo
I have a theory, there aren't any American drinking holidays between New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July. President's day, MLK day and Easter just don't lend themselves to wild college parties. So Americans had to go out and find some. St. Patrick's day seemed a good fit, a chance to drink green beer in March. But it was too long of a stretch between March 17 and July 4. Hum... what to do?... Good thing Mexicans have an obscure holiday in May. Cinco de Mayo fit the criteria perfectly. A holiday that seemed worthy of a party, but not a holiday that anyone knew anything about, much like St. Patricks day. So although most of the people packing the Mexican restaurants tomorrow won't really know what they are celebrating, there is one thing they know for sure, bottoms up!
To set the record straight, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence day and it isn't really celebrated in Mexico. Kids get the day off school, that's about it. No drink specials, no crazy parties, no parades, no fairs, no dance concerts. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of a battle between a small Mexican army that defeated a larger more powerful french army in their advance toward the capital in 1862. Mexico had just gained Independence from Spain in 1821 after a long struggle. Mexico was in debt and it only got worse during the Yankee Invasion (Mexicans name for the Mexican-American war) and a civil war. After Mexico stopped paying their debt to France, they decided that they would just takeover. France sent an army, the Mexicans defeated them on Cinco de Mayo and Mexico reveled in it's victory for about a year. Then France sent more troops and they eventually lost the war and France occupied Mexico for a few years. Eventually Mexico did oust the French but not on Cinco de Mayo.
Mexican Independence day is September 16. It marks the start of the fight for independence in Mexico. There are fantastic celebrations all over Mexico starting on September 15 as the Grito de Independencia (Cry of Independence) is announced by the president at the Zocalo at 11PM, just as Hidalgo did from the little church in 1810. Followed by the response of the people, VIVA MEXICO!
So, although Cinco de Mayo really isn't that big of a holiday, let's celebrate anyway. Let's celebrate and appreciate everything Mexican. With everything going on surrounding immigration, let's remember and appreciate our neighbors to the south and our neighbors next door. VIVA MEXICO!
To set the record straight, Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence day and it isn't really celebrated in Mexico. Kids get the day off school, that's about it. No drink specials, no crazy parties, no parades, no fairs, no dance concerts. Cinco de Mayo is the celebration of a battle between a small Mexican army that defeated a larger more powerful french army in their advance toward the capital in 1862. Mexico had just gained Independence from Spain in 1821 after a long struggle. Mexico was in debt and it only got worse during the Yankee Invasion (Mexicans name for the Mexican-American war) and a civil war. After Mexico stopped paying their debt to France, they decided that they would just takeover. France sent an army, the Mexicans defeated them on Cinco de Mayo and Mexico reveled in it's victory for about a year. Then France sent more troops and they eventually lost the war and France occupied Mexico for a few years. Eventually Mexico did oust the French but not on Cinco de Mayo.
Mexican Independence day is September 16. It marks the start of the fight for independence in Mexico. There are fantastic celebrations all over Mexico starting on September 15 as the Grito de Independencia (Cry of Independence) is announced by the president at the Zocalo at 11PM, just as Hidalgo did from the little church in 1810. Followed by the response of the people, VIVA MEXICO!
So, although Cinco de Mayo really isn't that big of a holiday, let's celebrate anyway. Let's celebrate and appreciate everything Mexican. With everything going on surrounding immigration, let's remember and appreciate our neighbors to the south and our neighbors next door. VIVA MEXICO!
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