-
You say “Pigskin”, I think “Chicharrón” – A Quick and Delicious Snack for the #BigGame
Very close to el Día de la Candelaria, when Mexicans celebrate the end of the Christmas season with tamales, a party of a very different ‘religion’ takes place: the Super Bowl.
The already amalgamated celebration of Día de la Candelaria, fuses the pre-Columbian tradition of making food and other offerings to several deities, along with the presentation of Christ at the temple. According to Jewish law, it was customary to bring a baby to the temple after forty days had passed from the day of the infant’s birth. Jesus would have been taken to the temple on February 2nd, which is when this festivity takes place.
Around the same time, and adding a layer of complexity to my world, I was quickly evangelized on the celebration of the Superbowl, which could very easily be considered a holiday. Intriguing as the game is, though, I have always been more fascinated by the soap-opera worthy plots, the off-the top commercials, and of course, the food.
Food was my easy way in, and when I was first asked to bring a dish to the party I thought it would be clever to bring chicharrón… I thought, this is really “pig skin” after all.
For a quick and easy to make a snack, serve chicharrón in a molcajete with avocado, salsa and warm tortillas.
-
CHICAGO SE PREPARA PARA LA FIESTA DEL MEZCAL
Uno de las bebidas más emblemáticas de México es el mezcal. Este producto será el protagonista del festival Agave Fest 2018, el cual se llevará a cabo en el mes de agosto en Chicago.
POR MARICHUY GARDUÑO/ FOTOS: BERTHA HERRERA
Si eres amante del mezcal y lo disfrutas como nadie, te gustará saber que del 10 al 12 de agosto, se realizará el Agave Fest 2018, en La Vinata Liquors Center Cermack & Kedzie, en Chicago. En este evento se reunirán productores, importadores, distribuidores y representantes de tiendas establecidas en la ciudad, para demostrar las virtudes y cualidades de este destilado.
Sergio Inurrigarro, director del programa Master Mezcalier para Estados Unidos y Canadá, explica que el objetivo de esta muestra es dar a conocer las diferencias entre los agaves de los estados de la República Mexicana, ya que no es lo mismo beber uno que procede de un cupreata que el de un durangensis, ya que los sabores varían considerablemente.
“Otro de los objetivos es impulsar la reforestación del agave y mostrar las bondades que posee e impulsar las ventas del mezcal”, explica Iñurrigarro.
Además, de la presentación de grandes variedades de mezcal, dice Iñurrigarro, habrá gastronomía mexicana, talleres, catas, música y productos adicionales.
El especialista en destilados agrega que esta edición del Agave Fest en Chicago es la primera que se presenta en esta parte del mundo, por lo que espera una buena asistencia de visitantes.
Resaltó que es importante reconocer que el mezcal no es un destilado fácil de beber, por lo tanto, hay que aprender a degustarlo y entenderlo, por lo que en este tipo de festivales facilitan el contacto con los productores, quienes pueden compartir los secretos del destilado.
De esta manera, los amantes de los destilados de agave podrán disfrutar probando la gran variedad de sabores, aromas y texturas que puede proveer el mezcal.
MOLE, POZOLE Y MEZCAL
Inurrigarro también anuncia que en el mes de mayo se presentará en Chicago otro evento de gran magnitud culinaria: el Festival del Mole, Pozole y Mezcal. La sede será en Chicago Sports Complex y espera reunir 10 mil personas.
“La idea de establecernos en Chicago es abrir una puerta adicional e innovar la difusión de la venta del mezcal a través de eventos y festivales”, puntualiza Sergio Inurrigarro, quien es un arduo promotor de las bondades del mezcal a nivel nacional e internacional.
LO QUE DEBES SABER
En 1995, el mezcal obtuvo la Denominación de Origen registrada ante la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (OMPI) con sede en Ginebra, Suiza.
Actualmente, bajo el estricto cumplimiento de la Norma Oficial Mexicana nom-070, han quedado registrados como territorio protegido y productores exclusivos de mezcal los estados de Durango, Guerrero, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Puebla.
Marichuy Garduño
Periodista gastronómica con 25 años de experiencia. Ha trabajado en los suplementos culinarios de los diarios más importantes de México como Buena Mesa, Reforma; Menú impreso y Online, de El Universal. Actualmente es editora de Pimienta, Excélsior.
A lo largo de su carrera, Marichuy ha entrevistado a varias personalidades del medio gastronómico, de la política y la literatura, entre los que destacan Enrique Olvera, Ricardo Muñoz Zurita, Alicia Gironella, Massimo Bottura, Gastón Acurio, Alex Atala, Robert Mondavi, Carlos Monsiváis, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, Elena Poniatowska y Jacobo Zabludovsky entre otros.
Comunicóloga de profesión, fotógrafa por convicción. Chilanga de nacimiento, oaxaqueña de corazón. Adicta a capturar imágenes, a resaltar las texturas de las cosas y de las personas. A lo largo de 23 años ha retratado grandes personajes vinculados con la gastronomía, la arquitectura, la moda, el diseño, la cultura, se ha especializado en la fotografía gastronómica, tomando cursos de food styling en en el Culinary de Nueva York.
Ha trabajado en dos de los periódicos más importantes de México como son El Reforma y El Universal, y ha colaborado para revistas relacionadas con estilos de vida, como El Gourmet, Chilango, In Style, Ha sido testigo de la transformación que ha habido dentro de la gastronomía mexicana. Para su lente han posado iconos de la cocina mexicana como Carmen Ramírez Degollado, Patricia Quintana, Alicia Gironella, Giorgio D´ Angeli, Mónica Patiño y grandes cocineras tradicionales como Abigail Mendoza, Deyanira Aquino, Benedicta Alejo. También destacados chefs como Ferran Adrià, René Redzepi , Joan Roca, Massimo Botura Juan Mari Arzac, e infinidad de personajes famosos del mundo del espectáculo, la moda, la arquitectura, la cultura.
Como dice la canción “veinte años no es nada”, pero para ella han sido un cúmulo de experiencia en el ha conocido y viajado. Bertha ha hecho la fotografía para tres libros relacionados con la gastronomía. El libro acerca del chile es el que más emoción le ha causado.
-
Enchiladas Suizas – Prueba Esta Deliciosa Receta de la Chef Priscilla Curiel
Hace unos días, la chef Priscilla Curiel, del restaurante Talavera Azul, en San Diego, nos habló sobre su pasión por la comida mexicana, y de sus platillos favoritos: las enchiladas suizas.
Una de las historias que más me gustan sobre el origen de este plato, se remonta a la época de la caída del imperio austro-húngaro, en la que un miembro del servicio de Maximiliano de Habsburgo huyó a Coahuila y posteriormente a la Ciudad de México con las recetas que se servían a los emperadores. Armado con conocimientos y técnicas europeas, decidió abrir un café al que llamó “Café Imperio”. Aquí, se dice que las enchiladas se hicieron de fama para después integrarse por clamor popular al menú de un afamado restaurante ¨de sociedad¨ y, posteriormente, a otros mucho más accesible, como el que ahora sabemos ligado a una famosa empresa de telefonía celular.
Pero para que no se queden con las ganas de probar esta verdadera delicia independientemente de sí están en México (o en San Diego), o no, aquí está la receta para que la preparen en casa.
Enchiladas Suizas (Rinde para 5 personas)
Ingredientes
- 2 pechugas de pollo
- 10 tortillas de maíz
- 8 tomatillos
- 1 cebolla
- 2 dientes de ajo
- 2 ramas de cilantro
- 1 taza de crema mexicana o queso crema
- 1 taza de queso oaxaca o de manchego ( al gusto)
- sal (al gusto)
- pimienta (al gusto)
- 1 taza de aceite vegetal
Proceso:
- Pon los 8 tomatillos y los 2 chiles serranos (sin semillas) en una cacerloa con agua suficiente que cubra los ingredientes. Deja que el agua hierva con una flama alta.
- Deja que los ingredientes hiervan por unos 10 minutos sin que el tomatillo se pase, por que se vuelve amargo. Después pon los ingredientes de la cacerola en una licuadora. Agrega una media cebolla, los dientes de ajo y las ramas de cilantro con ¼ de crema mexicana o del queso crema.
- Licúa todos los ingredientes y vuelve a poner la salsa en una cacerola para que se termine de cocer. Un buen tip es agregar el cilantro en crudo hasta el final para que la clorofila le agregue más color verde a nuestra salsa.
- Deja unos 10 minutos más a fuego medio y agrega la sal y pimienta al gusto.
Tortillas
- En una sartén, pon una taza de aceite vegetal a calentar a fuego medio o alto.
- Toma una tortilla con pinzas y ponlas en el aceite por cada lado durante 7 segundos. No dejes que se frían de más por que quedan duras como tostada y no nos sirven para nuestras ricas enchiladas. Las tortillas deben quedar ligeramente fritas.
- Recuerda colocar las tortillas en unas servilletas para ese exceso de grasa.
El gratinado
- Calienta el horno a 250F. En una charola honda, pon las tortillas rellenas con el pollo deshebrado en rollitos y cúbrelas con la salsa.
- Pon rebanadas delgadas con queso rallado Oaxaca o Manchego sobre las enchiladas.
- Déjalas en el horno aproximadamente durante 10 minutos o hasta que el queso se derrita.
- Para finalizar esta receta puedes pon más crema encima de las enchiladas. D ecora con rodajas de cebolla.
La chef Priscilla Curiel lleva la pasión gastronómica en las venas. De linaje restaurantero, esta joven chef, banquetera y estilista gastronómica, deleita a sus comensales con platillos nostálgicos y auténticos como los chilaquiles y las enchiladas suizas. Visita a la chef Curiel en su restaurante “Talavera Azul” en Chula Vista, California.
This post was first published in LaVitaminaT.com on 9-27-2015
-
Priest, Peasant, Pop Icon: Pulque
Pulque Coconut Curado. Photo: Victoria del ÁngelWhen trying to talk about pulque, it is only possible to scratch the surface. An ancient fermented drink made with nectar from 12-year old agave plants, this milky alcoholic substance has a soap opera-worthy history. Once a prominent sacred potion, and esteemed secular remedy to which aphrodisiac and extraordinary nutritious properties were attributed, pulque has also gone from being anything from the stigma of the demons of a caste, to the protagonist of the movement of Mexican independence.
500 years later, and after enduring both the rejection and nationalistic embrace of its own people, this drink continues to be a relevant part of Mexican life and popular folklore. In the early 1900s, more than one thousand pulquerías peppered the streets of Mexico City, with catchy, tongue-in-cheek names reflecting the innate humor of Defeño* social dynamics- “The Other Church”, “A Lady’s Belch”, “Better Here than There” (for an establishment across from a cemetery). Also, many of them are hosts to quite a collection of Mexican art.
Although today pulque is consumed primarily in rural areas where its complex drinking and serving etiquette lives on, there seems to be a movement of resurgence in Mexico City. Tasting tours are now also available.
Because the drink is fermented, selling it in cans is impractical, but may still be found. The best pulque is freshly fermented, and it is usually enjoyed by itself or mixed with fruits, in which case it is called curado. I have not stumbled upon pulque breweries in Chicago, but then again, I have not purposefully looked for them either yet, although I have read about people who brew their own for personal consumption. If you are outside of Mexico and know where to find pulque, here is chef Victoria del Ángel’s recipe to make your own coconut curado:
Curado de Coco
• 4 cups of fresh pulque
• 1 cup of shredded coconut
• 1 can of creme of coconut
• Sugar to tasteDirections:
- Mix all the ingredients in a blender slowly incorporating the pulque.
- Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Serve.
*Defeños are citizens of Mexico City
Chef Victoria del Ángel discovered her passion for cooking at the age of three. Fascinated by Mexican cuisine, she obtained a degree in gastronomy by the Escuela Superior de Gastronomía in Mexico and a graduate degree by the Culinary Institute of Switzerland. Currently, Victoria is the owner of a chocolate boutique, Xocolat del Ángel, in Jilotepec, México.
-
Chile de Agua Rajas – A Recipe from Oaxacan Culinary Ambassador Pilar Cabrera
A food scientist turned chef and restaurateur, for over 20 years, Pilar Cabrera has delighted patrons at her La Olla restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico. Also a culinary educator and ambassador, Chef recently spoke with us about her book, Casa de los Sabores, a compilation of some tradional Oaxacan recipes, and the written culmination of her work as a docent: Casa de los Sabores is chef Cabrera´s cooking school.
In her food, Cabrera captures the soul of traditional Oaxacan cooking, from local ingredients, to utensils and secret family recipes.
If you are in Oaxaca, you are in luck, as you can stop by and indulge in her dishes. If you are not, buy her book, and in the meantime, Chef was very generous to share with us a piece of Oaxaca, so that you can bring it to life in your own kitchen. Here’s her recipe to make chile de agua rajas al orégano. Enjoy!
*Our heartfelt thanks to chef Aldo Saavedra for making this interview possible.
-
Follow Your Dreams. Literally. This is How Claudia Sandoval Won MASTERCHEF.
Claudia Sandoval, the first Latina to be crowned winner of home-cooking competition series MASTERCHEF, has a message that resonates universally- “follow your dreams”. But as a single mother living paycheck to paycheck, Claudia means this both, literally and figuratively.
First, she had to push herself to audition along with other tens of thousands of cooking enthusiasts. She said, “I put my dream off for a while. I was worried about not making any money, and about who would take care of my child. I wondered what would happen if I went away for potentially three months.” Finally, Sandoval, an events manager, decided to take a leap of faith one Wednesday. By Friday, she was cooking the signature dish that would secure her a spot on the show’s sixth season.
As this aspiring gourmand advanced through the rounds, she found that sticking to her instincts always gave her good results. For the “Mystery Box Challenge”, in which participants receive only one ingredient to prepare an elevated dish, she had to work with a single tomato. Claudia won with a savory tomato Napoleon.
“I had a dream about it the night before,” she said.
Raised by a single mother herself, Claudia was taught how to cook by the Mexican matriarchs in her family. Fittingly, for the final challenge, she created a three-course meal featuring flavors and ingredients representative of her roots: an appetizer of huitlacoche tamal with pork chicharrón, cactus salsa and avocado crème; a main course of grilled swordfish with chayote, chickpeas and Mexican squash; and a poached pear with key lime custard, candied lime and pepita cinnamon brittle.
“Claudia was a strong competitor from the beginning,” said the show’s host, executive producer and judge Gordon Ramsay. “Her passion and unique dishes were what impressed us the most, and we look forward to seeing where her new culinary career will lead her.”
In addition to earning the MASTERCHEF title, Claudia walked away with a cookbook deal and the $250,000 grand prize.
Said Claudia, “I can’t wait to move my daughter and myself out of our one-bedroom apartment and get started on sharing our family collection of authentic Mexican recipes in my cookbook!
Meanwhile, we can’t wait to hear what Claudia will dream of next.
Click here to see a clip of the series finale (Video Courtesy of FOX Broadcasting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbPsUqycf7Y&feature=youtu.be
-
La Vitamina T to Bring Baja Flavors to the World of Latino Cuisine!
La Vitamina T has joined forces with celebrity Chef José Bossuet Martínez to bring the flavors of Baja California to the east coast! Our team will be participating with a world-class culinary demo at the World of the Latino Cuisine Trade Show at the Latino Food Show. Chef Bossuet is the owner and chef de cuisine of famous Lozhka Bistrot de Cocina Local in Ensenada and Café Contento in Guanajuato, México. La Vitamina T will be showcasing its beloved San Felipe Salt, along with new exciting products, olive oil by Baja Olive and a few labels of Mexican wine from award-winning Monte Xanic winery! See you in New Jersey August 26-27!
-
Don Churro in Pilsen – Churros with a Soul
I was touched by the sight of the churros that welcomed us, as if they had somewhow been coaxed into perfectly spelling out “La Vitamina T.” We were asked to arrive early since, like it is the case with any kind of magic, at Don Churro, these delicious fried-dough desserts can only be conjured up in the dark.
It was barely dawn when we got to the quaint Pilsen establishment, and the Molinas had been up all night. With no sleep and even in the the sweltering heat of the friers that have been going on for hours, the owners of Pilsen´s Don Churro, el Moro de Letrán (an homage to the iconic downtown Mexico City establishment) are extraordinary hosts.
María, the matriarch, speaks proudly and animatedly about how a mix of hard work and bravado landed her a business for which she had to fight every day to keep afloat. At first, she says, she would go out to sell churros on her bicycle. Fast-forward thirty years and Don Churro is making 5,000 pastries a day to keep up with a demand that spans beyond state lines, and has earned a spot as a community fixture.
Edwin Molina, one of María’s three children, gives us a quick glimpse at the struggle and sacrifice that have built both, the family business, and his character. Armed with a grateful attitude and a superhuman work ethic, Edwin works to find new opportunities to merchandise his product and to continue to innovate. This place is not called Don Churro in vain. Here, churros are serious business.
What makes Don Churro so special? These churros have a soul. And I am not just talking about the delicious guava, cream cheese, bavarian cream, strawberry or chocolate fillings that make these crispy and chewy bundles of goodness extra special.
These popular transplants have gone through fire to become who they are, and much like the Molina’s, they are a real success, and they will steal your heart.
Don Churro
Address: 1626 S Blue Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
Phone:(312) 733-3173
M-S 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
Get there early, churros are particularly tasty when hot.
-
La Vitamina T Joins Documentalist Crew in a Sampling of Mexico in Chicago
A few days ago, La Vitamina T was thrilled to participate in the project of Mexican documentalist crew, With a Smile Films. The group is working on an initiative that strongly resonated with our mission to harness the power of food to, among other goals, invoke memories, overcome distances and bridge cultures. La Vitamina T had the good fortune to spend a day with producer Alex Aguilar, director Danky Sáenz and tech wiz Santiago Casillas. The schedule, which was thoughtfully secured by our team, featured a tour of Chicago and included a few of the innumerable stops that highlight the pride, passion and talent of food experts and enthusiasts who bring a little bit of Mexico to our hearts and tables in Chicago.
It is a good thing we walked so much, because we were generously fed everywhere we went! Stay tuned for more information on this documentary as it’s being “baked”. It promises to be delicious!
-
Soraya Rendón’s Shaman: The Superpower of Will
Underneath the supernatural halo that surrounds the concept “Shaman”, you will find the fascinating meaning of a cross-culturally relevant word that some say can be traced back to Sanskrit: survivor.
Fittingly, Soraya Rendón, the owner of Chicago’s “Shaman” and “Chilam Balam” is that and more. Just like the concept, she has crossed countries and cultures. Beyond surviving, she has thrived. She has conquered.
Leaving her native Mexico in her teens, Soraya remembers how she was passed up for a job as a receptionist because she did not speak English. Unfazed, she told the hiring manager she would learn the language and then come back. A few months later, and faithful to her promise, she returned to land the job. Actually, Soraya negotiated a higher-paying position with a better title because, as she explained, she “was now bilingual.”
Consistently fearless, Soraya soon opened Chilam Balam, a Mexican restaurant focused on sustainable cuisine. “It survived, so we decided to open Shaman,” Soraya said about her second “child” as she calls each one of her establishments. “The name made perfect sense to me.”
True to form, Soraya would continue to challenge convention and predictability. Her BYOB eatery treats patrons to a dynamic menu featuring Mexican-inspired small plates. The dishes are a creative take on traditional recipes, and are thoughtfully brought to life by none other than chef Natalie Oswald, an Ohio-born chef who brace yourself, happens to cook fluently “in Spanish”.
But what is absolutely certain is that when you visit Shaman, you will be charmed by a fascinating out-of-country atmosphere that you could very well find in a restaurant in Coyoacán. The food is a reflection of the story behind it: bold, creative, passionate… Delightful.
What we loved: If you visit, try the porkbelly tacos. I was impressed by the balance of textures and flavors packed in a small bite. The tortillas, by the way, were perfect.
Shaman by Chilam Balam
1438 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 226-4175
BYOB
Hours: Tue-Thu: 5pm-10pm Fri-
Sat: 5pm-11pm.