Flock to the Shepherd -The Charismatic Taco al Pastor #NationalTacoDay
Photo courtesy of: El Califa, Mexico City 
RUTA MEXICANA
Whenever I visit Mexico, there is an additional ‘layover’ between the airport and my parents’ home in a suburb of Mexico City. Stopping for tacos al pastor or ‘shepherd-style’ tacos has become somewhat of an unspoken ritual. Luckily, no matter the time or day of the year, my sister is always prepared with a roster of recommendations that she has carefully curated in my absence. Count on her to rattle off an impressive selection that includes taquerías open on Christmas Day.
Despite the fact that taco stands abound, not all tacos are made equal. Ask any local. Finding the perfect taquería is almost a rite of passage for defeños*, one that speaks to the way we connect with our city and beyond- a Mexican’s relationship with their pastor is emotional… personal.
Photo courtesy of: El Califa. Mexico City, Mexico When Enrico came with me to Mexico for the first time, he joined me in our recently established ritual. We visited a corner taquería where my family knew Chucho*, the taquero. Enrico was a little nervous as he eyed the cilantro and the onion piling over the tender marinated pork meat and pineapple. As a tourist who visits Mexico for the first time, Enrico asked me if the food was safe to eat. Trying to leverage whatever I could think of to reassure him, I said, “You will be fine. The taquero’s name is Jesus!”
He was an instant convert.
I have yet to find a perfect spot in Chicago to have tacos al pastor. Recently, I was crushed to find that some places serve them with cubed meat. I am on a mission to find a place I can recommend!
In the meantime, if you have the good fortune to be in Mexico City, you must check out El Califa. Aside from their outstanding customer service, they are famous for the way they serve the meat and for their freshly-made tortillas.
You will see why I think that this taco is king.
* Defeño is a Citizen of Mexico City (D.F.)
**In Mexico, Chucho is short for Jesús, which is a fairly common name
Estampas de Mi Ciudad – When in Monterrey, Do as Regios Do
Photo: Ilya Samko – Monterrey, México I have always said that like its people, Mexican food is mestizo- an amalgam of ingredients transformed by fire and knife into colorful, flavorful, complex creations. Dishes are particularly hyperlocal. They vary quite a bit even within one state, and incorporate anything from vegetables and cacti to meats and insects.
In Monterrey, Mexico’s most important city to the north, the mix of European, indigenous and Middle Eastern cultures have blended into rustic delicacies such as their famous Cabrito Asado (roasted baby goat). Usually served with tacos and salsa, the meat is braised over wood or coals, and basted with a mixture of lime juice, garlic, onion, sugar and even beer.
A must try if you visit Monterrey, you should have no problem finding it- here, large skewers with cabritos leaning against windows are quite a common sight.
Portable Party Staple : The Phenomenal Pastor
Photo: Enrico Bellomo – Mexico City, Mexico Tacos: El Tizoncito Anything is possible in Mexico. Think for example, about bringing tacos al pastor to your party with two-days notice. How about a giant piñata to go along? You got it. I giggled with joy when I saw the piñata of my dreams being quickly attached with string to my father´s very compact, city-appropriate car for transportation. My dad, trying to please me, nervously nodded when I excitedly mentioned the delivery truck was unavailable, but we could get a discount if we drove it ourselves…
Car and piñata made it safely.
My husband Enrico´s cultural shock, reminded me that this is not something he has experienced before. This is how I suddenly arrived at the conclusion that growing up in Mexico, where making things happen is a matter of “how” and not “if”, must be what turned me into such an optimist. After all, ¨when there’s a will, there’s a way.”
I had the good fortune to spend my birthday with my family in Mexico over the holidays. Overnight, my mother, sister and father organized a party complete with a mariachi band and over thirty guests. On a variety of levels, Mexico is a country with a solid, effective and reliable party infrastructure.
The issue of food was solved in an instant. No hesitation. Anyone who loves me knows that tacos al pastor had to be the choice. Luckily, pastor happens to be an incredibly portable and popular party staple. The taqueros arrived, set up and conjured these bundles of joy with impeccably choreographed movements. This was a birthday present in and of itself.
Pastor, piñata and pastel scored to mariachi music. This was to me, perfection. What else can a Mexican girl ask for?
Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday to me! Nuestra Mesa – Recetas Típicas Navideñas: Pierna Navideña
Foto: Manuel Rivera – Ciudad de México, México Esta es la segunda receta de nuestra deliciosa serie. La preparación de este platillo requiere dos días.
PIERNA NAVIDEÑA
Según la receta de la señora Lilia Gómez Rojas, Ciudad de México, México
(20 Personas)
Ingredientes
- 1 Pierna de cerdo de 5 kg
- 300 ml de vino blanco
- 6 dientes de ajo
- Sal y pimienta al gusto
- 250 gr de chile ancho
- 1 cebolla
- 1 bolillo
- 5 tortillas
- 1 rajita de canela
- 2 zanahorias
- 8 hojas espinaca
- 15 ciruelas pasas
- 20 nueces
- 20 almendras
- 200 gr de jamón en trozos grandes
- 1 lt de refresco de cola
Preparación
Un día antes:
1. Inyecta la pierna con el vino blanco, por distintas zonas.
2. Mecha la pierna haciendo incisiones con un cuchillo,e introduce el tocino, la zanahoria, la almendra, la nuez, el jamón, la ciruela pasa y la espinaca.
3. Muele el ajo, mézclalo con sal y pimienta y unta la pierna con esta mezcla.
4. Deja reposar toda la noche .
Para el adobo
1. Desvena y asa el chile ancho. Pónlo a remojar en agua hirviendo por 10 minutos
2. Mientras, pon a freír la canela. Muélela con el chile y su agua de remojo, las tortillas, la cebolla, sal y pimienta.
3. Unta la pierna con la mitad del adobo y báñala con 250 ml de refresco de cola
4. Mete la pierna al horno precalentado a 200° (hornea 1 hora por cada kilo)
5. Baña la pierna cada 45 minutos con el adobo y el refresco restantes.
6. Cuando ya esté cocinada déjala reposar antes de partirla para que no pierda sus jugos
Encuentra más recetas navideñas haciendo click aquí
El chef Aldo Saavedra ha cocinado para huéspedes de establecimientos como el conocido Hotel Condesa D.F. y ha contribuído con sus recetas en proyectos con marcas de la talla de Larousse y Danone. En Nuestra Mesa, el chef Saavedra comparte con los lectores de La Vitamina T, su pasión por la cocina y por México.A Party to Die For: Negra Modelo Celebrates Día de Muertos with Rick Bayless
- In Mexico, ordering a ´dead´Negra Modelo, means you are looking for a really cold one. Photo: Neal Agustin
Undoubtedly, one of my favorite rituals of el Día de Muertos, is cooking with the family, along with setting up the ofrenda (literally, “offering”) in honor of those who have departed. Ofrendas are created to remember, invoke and delight our deceased relatives, and are the centerpiece of this symbolicaly-rich celebration.
My maternal grandmother took this festivity very seriously, and since her unexpected departure a few years ago, my uncle and my mother make a yearly pilgrimage to my grandma’s native Puebla, to continue on this three-thousand-year old tradition.
- Ofrenda in honor of my grandma Julia.
I did not make it to Mexico this time around, but luckily for me, Mexico came to Chicago. I had the privilege to be invited to celebrate el Día de Muertos with one of my favorite Mexican imports, Negra Modelo. Negra Modelo drafted no other than Chef Rick Bayless to delight us with a walkthrough of this fantastic Mexican celebration through a few dishes.
During the event, I had the privilege to chat with Bayless, and hear his point of view on Mexican food and its execution outside of Mexico. An anthropologist at heart, this celebrated ambassador of Mexican cuisine, understands the cultural forces that have shaped Mexican food across the US.After the mariachi serenaded guests, (what a perfect touch!) Bayless delivered a cooking demonstration from a stage designed to look just like an ofrenda.
- Photo: Neal Agustin
- Photo: Neal Agustin
Guests were later delighted with a variety of fantastic Mexican dishes from this presentation. We are very excited to share one of these recipes with you so that you can bring it to life in your own kitchen.
Sugar skulls are a ubiquitous element of el Día de Muertos. They serve as a reminder that death awaits us at any corner. Negra Modelo invited local artists to create personalized handcrafts for guests to take home.
I was already a fan of the creamy, malty flavor of Negra Modelo, and after this party, I have no doubt I will continue to like it in the afterlife.
Disclosure: I am a blogger sponsored by Negra Modelo. All opinions are my own.La Vitamina T Celebrates el Día de Muertos with Negra Modelo and Rick Bayless!
It is virtually impossible to stumble upon any particular element of Mexico´s, Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) that does not have a deliberate purpose or meaning. From the bread that symbolizes the circle of life and communion with the body of the dead, to the flowers that make a nod to the ephemeral nature of life, this ritual, especially in rural Mexico, is rich in both form and content.
Along with pan de muerto (literally, “bread of dead”) and cempasúchil flowers, sugar skulls are staples of this festivity. Like any other Mexican celebration, food is at the center of this celebration.
Undoubtedly, one of my favorite parts of el Día de Muertos, is cooking with the family, and setting up the ofrendas (literally, “offerings”). My grandma Julia took this ritual very seriously, and since her unexpected departure a few years ago, my uncle and my mother have taken on the tradition.
I cannot always make it to Mexico, so this time around, I am honored to celebrate this ancient tradition with another one of my favorite Mexican imports: Negra Modelo. Who will be cooking? No other than Chef Rick Bayless, who will share with us authentic Mexican recipes that promise to delight (as the tradition requires it) both, dead and alive. Stay tuned next week for details, check out our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. We will be tweeting live information to #NegraModelo.
This will be a party to die for. I can´t wait to tell you all about it!
Disclosure: I am a blogger sponsored by Negra Modelo. All opinions are my own.
Carnitas Uruapan – The Best of Michoacán in Pilsen
Pride and Joy: Inocencio and Marcos Carbajal personally host patrons at their famous Pilsen restaurant Carnitas Uruapan. Inocencio Carbajal becomes emotional as he shares a very personal story. In the late 70s, as a recent transplant from Uruapan, Michoacán, he had to make the decision to let go of his most precious possession- a medal of the Virgin of Guadalupe. “I asked Her to bless my choice,” says Inocencio, his eyes tearing up. “We bought our first piece of equipment with that money.”
Fast-forward four decades later, and Inocencio’s hardship has paid off. As we arrived at the Pilsen eatery, a long line of patrons had already assembled. Marcos Carbajal, Inocencio’s son, kindly invited us to tour the kitchen while we found a spot to talk.
The state of Michoacán in southwestern Mexico, is famous for its carnitas, one of Mexico’s favorite folk dishes. Usually cooked in large copper containers brought in from a specific neighboring town, it is not uncommon to find this treat also being prepared in large stainless steel pots. “In many villages, eating carnitas is a Sunday morning ritual,” said Marcos, who periodically visits family in Uruapan, his father’s birthplace. “People know to arrive early, as typically only one pig is prepared, and they gather to eat after church. Many of our customers still follow this custom, but we cook a fresh batch every two hours.”
Although he kept in his heart the desire to go back to Michoacán at some point, Inocencio’s family and his growing business kept him in Pilsen. “All of a sudden, Marcos was ready to go to college, and I was happy that he had the opportunity,” said Inocencio. For Marcos, the word “pigskin” is not merely a seasonal one- with a degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, and thinking of helping his dad, Marcos left his corporate job to work in the restaurant full time, while also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from Northwestern University.
Although Inocencio has not returned to Uruapan, he has brought Uruapan to Chicago with him. The path he chose was not easy but, he says smiling, “I would do it all over again”.
His eatery’s menu is perfectly simple, with many well-achieved crowd pleasers. From mouthwatering pork carnitas, to menudo, chicharrón en salsa de tomate ( chicharrón in tomato sauce, of which I took a big container home), cacti salad and even quesadillas de sesos (brain-stuffed quesadillas), this place is the real deal. In fact, the cueritos I tried here are the best I have ever had in both, texture and flavor.
Carnitas Uruapan did not disappoint. My stomach was full and happy, and after talking to Inocencio and Marcos, my heart was too.
¡Viva México!
1725 W 18th St Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 226-2654
Claim your free carnitas taco with your to go order and and free order of chicharrón if you check-in on Facebook.
Nuestra Mesa – Tinga Vegetariana
Foto: Manuel Rivera Generalmente hecha con carne deshebrada, la tinga es un delicioso platillo típico mexicano, proveniente del estado de Puebla. Usualmente servida como guarnición o en tostadas y tacos, la tinga es invitada favorita de fiestas y taquizas.
Hoy, el chef Aldo Saavedra nos trae a Nuestra Mesa, una versión vegetariana de este rico plato. Esta receta, además de diferente, es fácil de hacer y muy sana. ¡Qué la disfruten!
Tinga de Zanahoria
Ingredientes:
- ½ kg cebolla
- ½ kg jitomate
- 1 kg zanahoria
- 3 chiles chipotles en escabeche
- 5 hojas de laurel
- 4 cdta aceite girasol
- sal y pimienta negra
Proceso
- Lava las cebollas, los jitomates y las zanahorias.
- Corta las cebollas por la mitad y después en medias lunas muy delgadas. Reservar.
- En una cacerola, pon a calentar el aceite. Sofríe la cebolla hasta que se vuelva transparente y haya reducido su tamaño a menos de la mitad.
- Pela y ralla la zanahoria, agrega a la cebolla y continúa moviendo.
- Muele el jitomate y viértelo en la cacerola junto con el laurel.
- Déjalo cocinar hasta que el jitomate se cueza y reduzca.
- Sazona con sal y pimienta y agrega los chiles o solo el caldo de la lata (depende del nivel de picante que le quieras dar ).
- Sírvela en tostadas. Si lo deseas, puedes agregarle crema , queso y frijoles.
El chef Aldo Saavedra ha cocinado para huéspedes de establecimientos como el conocido Hotel Condesa D.F. y ha contribuído con sus recetas en proyectos con marcas de la talla de Larousse y Danone. En Nuestra Mesa, el chef Saavedra comparte con los lectores de La Vitamina T, su pasión por la cocina y por México.Nuestra Mesa – Langostinos con Hierbas y Aceite de Oliva
Foto: Manuel Rivera ¿Listos para celebrar a papá? Esta semana, y justo para el Día del Padre. el chef Aldo Saavedra, nos trae a Nuestra Mesa un delicioso platillo de Ensenada, Baja California.
INGREDIENTES
- 1 kg langostinos
- 150 ml aceite olivo
- 8 hojas laurel fresco
- 1 rama romero fresco
- 2 dientes de ajo picados
- 10 ramas de tomillo fresco
- 10 pimientas negras enteras
- 6 chiles de árbol (opcional)
- 6 limones partidos por mitad
PREPARACIÓN
- Parte los langostinos por la mitad verticalmente y límpialos con agua. Déjalos sin pelar y con cabezas.
- Escurre los langostinos y pónlos en el refrigerador hasta el momento de usarlos.
- Pon el aceite de oliva a calentar en una sartén grande y un poco hondo.
- Ya que esté caliente el aceite, agrégale las hierbas, el ajo y la pimienta.
- Pon los langostinos a freiren el aceite con hierbas, ya que estén un poco fritas.
- Si te gusta el picante, agrégale los chiles de árbol secos, partidos en trozos pequeños.
- Agrega sal al gusto y sirve en un plato hondo.
- Se les puede acompañar con limón.
El chef Aldo Saavedra ha cocinado para huéspedes de establecimientos como el conocido Hotel Condesa D.F. y ha contribuído con sus recetas en proyectos con marcas de la talla de Larousse y Danone. En Nuestra Mesa, el chef Saavedra comparte con los lectores de La Vitamina T, su pasión por la cocina y por México.Estampas de mi Ciudad – Desayuno Chilango* (Breakfast in D.F.)
Tortas y Licuados Mexico City, Mexico Photo: Brenda Storch You may or may not be familiar with the term torta, the Mexican interpretation of a sandwich. Tortas are brought to life using bolillos, a type of bread with the perfect amount of crunch and yield to provide textural contrast. When it comes to this Mexican plate, there are no rules: budget and imagination are the only boundaries to what you can create.
Tortas are usually served for lunch, except when they are filled with a tamal, in which case they are called guajolotas or “female turkeys”. This is a popular breakfast meal. According to some food intellectuals, such peculiar name was given to tamal-stuffed tortas in the early 1900’s, due to the fact that back then, this plate was created with a low-quality bread called guajolote (turkey).
Licuados are close to the concept of a smoothie, with the exception that in Mexico, the fruit is usually mixed with milk and even cereal and raw egg yolks.
Here, licuados are a breakfast staple.
Just like sports have permeated the vernacular in the US, in Mexico, food has found its way into language in a rather ubiquitous way. For example, the expression, “se comió la torta antes del recreo” (having finished one´s torta before recess) means a couple is expecting a child before getting married.
This photo was taken at one of the handful of stands offering tortas and licuados in downtown Mexico City.
*Chilango” is a term to refer to someone from Mexico City.
El chef Aldo Saavedra ha cocinado para huéspedes de establecimientos como el conocido Hotel Condesa D.F. y ha contribuído con sus recetas en proyectos con marcas de la talla de Larousse y Danone. En Nuestra Mesa, el chef Saavedra comparte con los lectores de La Vitamina T, su pasión por la cocina y por 
El chef Aldo Saavedra ha cocinado para huéspedes de establecimientos como el conocido Hotel Condesa D.F. y ha contribuído con sus recetas en proyectos con marcas de la talla de Larousse y Danone. En Nuestra Mesa, el chef Saavedra comparte con los lectores de La Vitamina T, su pasión por la cocina y por 
