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Receta Navideña: Buñuelos de Viento
Ingredientes:
- 2 huevos
- 1 cda agua
- 2 cda aceite
- 2 cdta vainilla
- 1 taza de leche
- 1 1/4 taza de harina trigo
- 1/2 cdta de sal
- 1/4 cdta polvo para hornear
- 1 1/2 cda azúcar
- aceite para freír
- azúcar para espolvorear
- 1 molde para buñuelos
Procedimiento:
1. En un recipiente hondo mezcla:
- harina
- azúcar
- sal
- polvo para hornear
- vainilla
- agua
- aceite
- huevo
2. Bate todo hasta que se disuelvan los grumos.
3. Integra la leche poco a poco para que no se quede ninguna parte de la masa sin revolver. Ya que todo se integra la masa, la consistencia será más ligera que la de un atole.
4. Calienta el aceite para freír.
5. Pon el molde para buñuelo en el aceite para que se caliente. Escurre un poco y mételo en la masa sin rebasar el borde.
6. Vuelve a llevarlo al aceite y suelta.
7. Retira el molde y voltea el buñuelo ( es un proceso muy rápido, como de 20 seg. aproximademente).
8. Saca el buñuelo y ponlo a escurrir.
9. Ya escurrido, espolvorea el buñuelo con azúcar.
Sirve y disfruta.
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. Encuentra más información sobre el chef Saavedra en su página de Facebook, Twitter o Instagram: Ruta Alma.
First published on December 8, 2013
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Cinco Facts You Need to Know About Cinco de Mayo
As a Mexican transplant in the US, the festivities around Cinco de Mayo don’t resonate with me. Although proud of the Mexican unlikely victory against the much better equipped (and considerably larger) French army in 1862, the connection between the Battle of Puebla and images of sombreros, cacti and mustaches continues to puzzle me.
I must admit I have become much more adept at keeping a blank face when people wish me a “happy Cinco de Mayo”. I still interchangeably try to deliver a history lesson or change the subject. This is no easy feat. How do you break the news that a party in honor of a Bacchus dressed in mariachi garb is not at all how Mexicans celebrate? Plus, and more importantly, this is not the point!
In fact, Mexicans don’t usually throw Cinco de Mayo parties. This holiday to us is more about parades and essay writing. We also sometimes get a day off (my favorite part). I worry that by exploiting this poorly-timed celebration of Mexican heritage, Mexicans themselves are just perpetuating this misconception. For example, I was horrified at the rendition of the Mexican national anthem during the recent Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight with this pretext. If this was not contrived, I do not know what is.
Don’t get me wrong, I recognize and appreciate the opportunity to celebrate, as long as it is clear that this festivity has nothing to do with Mexico’s Independence Day, and more importantly, that Mexico’s cultural contributions cannot be summed up in a few clichés. So, if you are going to throw a big Cinco de Mayo party, here are cinco things you need to know.
Now, if you ask, me, I’d rather get a day off.
- Cinco the Mayo commemorates the Mexican unlikely victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
- Puebla is the state in Mexico where you can find one of the finest mole such as mole poblano (Pueblan).
- In Puebla, you can also find cemitas, a brioche-like bread with sesame seeds.
- The Mexican victory was short lived. Napoleon regrouped, and two years after the Battle of Puebla, finally won. With this, Mexican gastronomy was transformed.
- Mexicans celebrate with a parade, a day off and representations of the battle. If you want to receive a puzzled look, wish a Mexican a ‘Happy Cinco de Mayo’.
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Nieve de Sabores (The Many Flavors of ‘Snow’ )
In Mexico, and especially in Oaxaca, the art of making nieve (Spanish for ‘snow’) is a tradition passed on from generation to generation. For centuries, nieve artisans or neveros have crafted this dessert by hand, using only fruit and no artificial coloring or flavoring. If you are in Oaxaca, you will easily be able to indulge in this festive edible art, which will lure you from wooden containers on streets and markets. A wide array of both usual and unexpected flavors is typically available wherever nieve is sold- chocolate, strawberry, corn, cheese, mezcal, rose, avocado and soursop, to name a few. There are also deliciously surprising combinations such as the popular beso de ángel, or ¨angel´s kiss¨, which typically combines cherries with almonds and other fruits, delivering a complex yet delicate texture and flavor. Although still widely available, today, artisan nieves face the overwhelming competiton of mass-produced ice cream.
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Margarita de Piña y Mezcal: La Receta
Para todo mal, mezcal, y para todo bien también, dice el dicho oaxaqueño. Del náhuatl “mezcalli” que significa “agave horneado”, esta bebida artesanal mucho menos famosa que el tequila, poco a poco ha ido conquistando paladares tanto mexicanos, como extranjeros. Esta semana y para darle la bienvenida a la primavera (aunque por estas latitudes no se deje) el chef Aldo Saavedra nos trae una receta para hacer una margarita de piña y mezcal.
INGREDIENTES
- 1 piña chica
- 15 cubos de hielo
- 2 ramitas de menta
- 1 cda sal de gusano de maguey
- 1 vaso jugo de piña
- 3 caballitos de mezcal o al gusto
PROCESO
- Lava la piña y rebana únicamente la parte superior.
- Saca la pulpa de la piña, teniendo cuidado de no romper la cáscara, ya que se usará como vaso
- Lavar y desinfecta la menta, deshójala
- Muele en la licuadora, la mitad de la pulpa de la piña, las hojas de menta, la sal de gusano, el mezcal y el jugo de piña. (Muélela muy bien para que no la tengas que colar.)
- Vierte la mezcla en la piña hueca y decora con hojas de menta, un trozo de piña y un chile.
- ¡Salud!
El Chef Aldo Saavedra, dueño de Bonsanco Pasteleros en la Ciudad de México, 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 comparte con los lectores de La Vitamina T, su pasión por la cocina y por México. Encuentra más información sobre el chef Aldo Saavedra en su página en Facebook México de mis Sabores.
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The World Goes on a Culinary Journey and YOU are invited – Goût de France
France has invited the entire world to a savory journey: on March 19th, 2015, more than one thousand restaurants around the world will join in to celebrate France’s gastronomy.
Organized by world renowned Alain Ducasse and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Goût de France was inspired by the iconic Auguste Escoffier, who in 1912 launched “Dîners d’Épicure” (Epicurean Dinners) – featuring a menu which was aimed at being served the same day in as many cities as possible.
Eateries around the world, from haute-cuisine restaurants to bistros, were invited to apply to participate by proposing a menu that showcased France’s culinary traditions. Winners were selected by a committee lead by Ducass himself.
All winning menus render homage to a vibrant, open and innovative cuisine, while remaining true to its values of sharing, pleasure, respect for good food, and for the planet. There are 24 participating restaurants in the US, from LA to NY and 43 in Mexico.
Our dear José Bossuet is among these 43, with his Café Contento, being the only eatery participating in this event in San Miguel de Allende.
Bossuet has appointed La Vitamina T´s very own Aldo Saavedra to be part of the event. Here is the menu he will be serving.
Foie Gras and Cactus Terrin, Hibiscus Royal Kir
- Zucchini Blossom and Roquefort Quesadilla
- Provençale-Style Red Snapper, Cilantro Green Rice
- Beef Medallions, Watermelon Au Jus
- Local “Corazón de Plata” goat cheese
- Chocolate, fennel and grilled mango tart with coconut foam
If you are in Guanajuato, you are in luck and we are very jealous (we will be at an event in Miami where NO restaurants have won their entry to this worldwide event. Ahhhhh!)
All participating restaurants are now present on www.good-france.com website. You may book directly at the restaurant of your choice.
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Art and Heart: A Culinary Showcase by Ron Aleman at Sophie’s
Art.
This is the first thought that came to mind when my dish was served – a beautiful combination of colors and textures that made me take notice. The impeccable service and a thoughtfully curated space overlooking Michigan Avenue added to the experience. Comfort meets class here, and you can´t help but feel charmed when you visit. I was hooked.
And beyond beauty, substance. Heart. You are after all at Saks Fifth Avenue… a model walking by each table with the latest designer jacket can be a reminder of your targeted budget or caloric intake. Chef Ron Aleman’s food is so good though, that somehow you feel welcome, not intimidated.
As I kept coming back I realized that something resonated within me. Just like shorthand, food is a secret language that transports you to a particular time and place. I knew the author of my meal was undoubtedly an artist. But, why did I think that this American fare spoke Spanish to my soul?
Chef Ron Aleman grew up dreaming of pursuing a career in the arts, perhaps painting or drawing (when I heard this, the artistic plating made perfect sense). Instead, he took a detour and graduated with a degree in business. As a successful salesman, at the age of 30, (when many professionals have consecrated themselves to their craft) Aleman was starting over. In his new position, tending to the chores assigned to the most junior staff, he took over washing dishes and mopping with pride. “I knew this was the path I needed to follow, and there was nothing to be ashamed of”, he said.
If you have tried Chef Aleman’s food, you have looked at a snapshot of his heart: “Family is at the center of food. Food is love… cooking for others is an honor.” It is precisely his family where Chef draws a lot of his inspiration. Aleman found his Mexican mother-in-law’s asada salsa so irresistible, that he recreated her recipe in his kitchen. Growing up with tortillas as a staple of his family’s meals, his point of view is down-to-earth yet uniquely cosmopolitan. If you visit, try his coconut bread pudding, a dessert that in Mexico, we call capirotada.
Like CliffsNotes on Chicago, Chef Ron Aleman’s dishes are a synopsis of the character of the city- elevated yet approachable; informally sophisticated; worldy American with just the perfect touch of heat.
Follow Chef Aleman on Instagram: @Ronaleman27
(312) 525-3400
700 North Michigan Ave. 7th Floor
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AlXimia: The Art and Science of Extraordinary Wine
Under a sky that only a handful of locations in the world can offer (Ensenada’s observatory is the second most important in Latin America), AlXimia’s large, intricate dome-like structure, is a vision out of a sci-fi movie. As we drove by, I was transfixed. I could not help but intermittently think about a mothership and “The Jetsons”.
“Mad scientists,” joked Pasión Biba’s Abel Bibayoff, as we parked right next to the futuristic dome. I can hardly contain my excitement- “We saw this from the road last night!”
Dubbed by the locals “The flying saucer that landed in Valle of Guadalupe” or “The Cathedral of Wine”, the building is an architectural exercise in ingenuity and efficiency. Thought out to showcase water and energy conservation while highlighting the wine-making process, it is clear from our vantage point within this unique circular building, that we have found ourselves in the midst of something quite extraordinary.
At the fulcrum point of art and science, AlXimia really lives up to its name. Backed up by a a group that under one cellar (and immediate family) gathers astronomers, educators, winemakers and even Ivy League mathematicians, it is no wonder why this A-team produces award-winning wine. In fact, Spain’s most reputable and comprehensive wine guide, Guía Peñín, has recently given AlXimia’s Aqua 93 points, the highest score for a Mexican wine, positioning it as “excellent” within the 90-94 point range.
I was particularly fascinated by the concept “Elemental Wine” or “Vino Elemental” explained by Alximia’s winemaker Álvaro Álvarez- a nod to the four elements in nature: air, water, earth and fire. According to the philosophy of the winery, the combination of these four speaks to balance, sustainability, and, maybe more importantly, to the little piece of Valle de Guadalupe that is included in every bottle of AlXimia. Beyond the beauty of the concept, pragmatism- consumers can guide themselves with the elements represented in each wine for pairing purposes. For example, water and fish; air and poultry, and so on and so forth. Brilliant.
While AlXimia’s operation is smart, and innovative, it is also firmly grounded in family, work ethic, and a profound respect for nature. I find it so poetic that the family’s patriarch is an astronomer… these Mexican entrepreneurs are undeniably, stars.
Where to buy: Visit the winery´s online store.
How to get there: Click here to find a map.
Do not miss: La Terrasse San Román by chef Martín San Román, located in the winery’s terrace.
Prior articles in the series:
<¡´Biba´México! The Zeal Behind Mexico´s Pasión Biba
< World Class: Mexican Wine and the Hands who Make it (Introduction to a Series)
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¡’Biba’ México! The Zeal Behind Mexico’s Pasión Biba (The First in a Series)
From the Series “World Class: Mexican Wine and the Hands who Make it”
Photos: Enrico Bellomo/Brenda Storch
I became fascinated by Valle de Guadalupe’s cuisine while following the recent opening of Lozhka Bistrot, a partnership between Pasión Biba’s Abel Bibayoff and celebrated chef José Bossuet. It was not until I spoke with Chef that I realized this prosperous little town, barely two hours south of San Diego, had been colonized by a group of Eastern European immigrants known as Molokans. In the early 1900s, fifty Molokan families fleeing from the Russian Orthodox Church sought refuge in this idyllic town. Serendipitously, while the Mexican government granted the colonizers permission to establish themselves and to own land, the story of Mexican wine found a way to not “die on the vine.”
Gratefully.
Aside from tending to grapes and making wine, the new settlers introduced commodities that included geese, beehives, grains, cooking and farming techniques. Molokans forever changed the phenotype of Valle de Guadalupe, including its gastronomy.
Lozhka Bistrot is a brilliant, almost poetic summary of what this town is about- a contemporary, singular take on double the fusion (novo-Hispanic cuisine with Russian influences) where dual identities abound. Visitors of Valle de Guadalupe will be equally delighted with airy Molokan bread, and pan dulce.
At Lozhka, for example, I had the most memorable duck enmoladas. Bossuet explained the protein is a nod to the use of geese favored by Molokan settlers, replacing the more traditional use of chicken in this dish. If you visit Lozhka, Chef recommends pairing this glorious plate with Pasión Biba’s Zinfandel 2010.
During my stay, I heard the story of a lady who makes tamales out of Varenyky dough. I could not confirm whether or not this is just an urban legend, but after all, this is Mexico. Here, anything is possible.
Among a host of delicacies that words will only fall short to describe, I was treated to the most unforgettable compote made with yellow watermelons and freshly-picked tomatoes.
Farm-to-table is Valle de Guadalupe’s bread and butter. Many of the vineyard owners have partnered with well-renowned chefs to offer a complete culinary experience. Thanks to this effort, the collection of elevated eateries in this area is a true gem.
Past and future juxtapose in every detail- Lozhka means ‘spoon’ in Russian and the name of the restaurant is an homage to Abel Bibayoff’s grandfather Alexei, one of the Molokan founders of this town. In the halls of the family’s small museum, where handmade ‘loshkas‘ lie close to a few samovars, we see the next generation of Bibayoffs happily sleeping in a baby carriage.
It is very clear that tradition is a lifestyle for the Bibayoff family- it is tangible matter. It is alive. Viva.
After having the good fortune to be guided (by none other than Abel Bibayoff himself) through the process in which vines are coaxed into grapes and then turned into wine, the name of his label, “Pasión Biba” resonates. This play on words, which phonetically means “live passion”, says it all.
There are years of character, generational zeal and know-how in his wine. Each drop is nurtured, loved, intimately known. If it were possible, each would have a name that over and over again, would translate into ‘passion’. In every drop, Pasión Biba.
¡Biba México!
Lozhka Bistrot is open Wednesdays – Mondays 1o:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Learn more about Pasión Biba< Prior Article in the Series: World Class: Mexican Wine and the Hands who Make It
>Next Article in the Series: AlXimia: The Art and Science of Extraordinary Wine
How to get there:
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World Class: Mexican Wine and the Hands who Make It (Introduction to a Series)
Mexico has been producing wine since the 16th century. Legend tells of Hernán Cortés demanding that grapevines be brought to the Nueva España to be grown after the Spanish wine supply was depleted during the celebration of the defeat of the Mexica empire. In an interesting turn of events, Mexican wine happened to be so good, that the Spanish Crown banned its production other than for liturgical use.
In 1843 Dominican priests from the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Norte mission, discovered that superior quality grapes faired well in the valley’s mediterranean microclimate. Today, 90% of all Mexican wine is produced in this area. Sadly, not many Mexicans drink it.
We are back from a visit to what is known today as Valle de Guadalupe, México’s wine country. We were drawn by Lozhka Bistrot, the most recent project by beloved Mexican gastronome Chef José Bossuet, and Pasión Biba’s Abel Bibayoff. Our gracious hosts delighted us with a tour featuring a variety of wineries where the production ranges from artisanal to massive.
The time we spent with the winemakers left a lasting impression- a shapshot of the Mexico only a few have a chance to palate. From mathematicians, to astronomers, enologists, plastic artists and restaurateurs, the people behind the wine that is produced in Valle de Guadalupe explains why this wine is so extraordinary. Here, passion runs deep, as does a profound, almost spiritual commitment to making the best wine. Every time.
In the upcoming weeks we will be writing a series based on our experience at each winery: Pasión Biba/Bibayoff, Alximia, Torres Alegre and Las Nubes. This is our humble tribute to remarkable wine and to the hands who make it.
Next articles in the series:
> ¡´Biba´México! The Zeal Behind Mexico´s Pasión Biba
>AlXimia: The Art and Science of Extraordinary Wine
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Aldo Saavedra: One of Three Chefs Representing Mexico in Romania
La Vitamina T congratulates its very own friend and contributor Chef Aldo Saavedra, for his upcoming participation in the World Congress of Culinary traditions, an initiative to promote cuisine and culture, organized by the Romanian National Authority for Tourism, the Cultural Association Euro East Alternative and the World Association of Chefs Societies.
Saavedra, along with celebrated chefs José Bossuet and Paola Ramírez Campero, are part of the select group representing Mexico at the event to be held in Bucharest, Romania, March 13-17.
Bossuet held the position of Executive Chef for former Mexican President Vicente Fox, while Ramírez Campero has an impressive list of 5-star hotels under her belt, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons.
Each participating country will present a dissertation of its culinary traditions and will make a starter, main course and a dessert. The dishes will be included in the first edition of the “Encyclopedia of World Culinary Traditions” to be published later this year in Luxembourg according to the event´s site.
The group won´t be traveling light- During a recent interview, Saavedra shared that the team has decided to cook a very traditional menu, for which folk tools are needed, including stone metates and molcajetes.
We will closely follow the event and will report on the work of these talented representatives of Mexico through the most delightful of its cultural treasures: its cuisine.