Calabaza en Tacha: Dulce Tradición
Foto: Manuel Rivera Si ustedes como nosotros alguna vez se han preguntado cómo es que la calabaza en tacha ha merecido tan peculiar nombre, el chef Aldo Saavedra nos saca de la duda al contarnos que en los ingenios azucareros de principios de la colonia, la calabaza era introducida en un cesto cónico o cilíndrico fabricado con hojas de palma conocido como “tompeate” ( del náhuatl “tompiatli” ), mismo que posteriormente era confitado en dos calderas de un horno muy grande en el que se hacía el azúcar, y en las que se juntaba un jugo muy concentrado al que hoy conocemos como piloncillo. Una de las calderas se conocía como la “melera” y la otra como la “tacha”. De aquí el nombre de este tradicional postre.
Y aunque las fiestas típicas del otoño en estas latitudes ya culminaron, y la calabaza en todas sus formas (desde el café de moda hasta el pie) abruptamente cede lugar a los sabores propios de invierno, la calabaza en tacha es un postre delicioso que puede disfrutarse siempre y cuando la calabaza fresca esté disponible.
INGREDIENTES
- 2 lbs (1 kg) de calabaza de Castilla
- 2 lbs (1 kg) de piloncillo
- 8 tazas de agua
- 1 raja de canela de 3 in. (10 cm)
- 1 naranja ( ralladura )
- 6 pimientas gordas enteras
- 4 anís estrella
- 3 rebanadas de jengibre
PROCESO
- Lava la calabaza y las naranjas.
- Parte la calabaza en trozos pequeños
- Pon el agua, el piloncillo, la canela, la naranja, la pimienta, el anís y el jengibre en una cacerola. Cocina a fuego lento hasta que se deshaga el piloncillo.
- Agrega la calabaza y cocina durante 5 horas a fuego medio. Mueve periódicamente.
- Confirma la sazón y asegúrate de que la calabaza esté cocida.
- Retira del fuego y deja enfriar.
- Acompaña con un vaso de leche o sírvela en un plato con leche.
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.
Méx-O-Logy – Receta para Hacer Mezcalina de Pepino
Ya se acercan las fiestas decembrinas, y si estás pensando agasajar a tus invitados con una bebida original y deliciosa, hoy te tenemos una con mucho sabor a México.
Sirve: 12
- 6 caballitos de mezcal
- 1 pepino pelado
- 1 manzana verde pelada
- 3 limones verdes (el jugo)
- 6 caballitos de miel de manzana o de licor de manzana
- 1 refresco de toronja
- 1 botella agua mineral
- Sal de gusano de maguey
- Hielo
PROCEDIMIENTO
- Licúa el mezcal, el pepino, la miel o el licor de manzana, y el jugo de limón.
- Sirve en un vaso en las rocas con refresco y agua mineral.
- Escarcha el vaso con limón, y sal de gusano de maguey.
¡Salud!
Según la receta de la chef Atzimba Pérez, reproducida con el permiso de la autora. Para más información sobre Atzimba, visíta su página de Facebook haciendo click aquí.
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.
Recipe: Frijoles Borrachos (Drunken Beans)
Photo courtesy of Red Stag Hardcore Cider Jonathan Zaragoza found his way into his destiny babysitting for his parents while they worked. “I saw how my mother and grandmother cooked at home and I had to quickly learn so that I could prepare meals for my siblings,” said Zaragoza. At the age of 12, he learned from his dad how to make birria tatemada, a Jalisco staple served at his family’s restaurant, and even how to butcher whole animals.
Now a rising star with several accolades under his belt, Jonathan Zaragoza says when asked about his career, “I was not looking for the kitchen. The kitchen found me.”
Appointed Executive Chef at Logan Square’s Masa Azul since 2012, the Chicago native taps into his Jalisco roots to bring to life Mexican-inspired dishes with a creative twist. To a nostalgic transplant like me, his dishes come across as a loving interpretation of a Mexican mother’s cookbook through the lens of a young Chicago urbanite- respectful, yet bold and accurately original.
Recently, Jim Beam tapped into Zaragoza’s talent to create an incredible menu crafted to introduce their new flavor-infused bourbon, Red Stag by Jim Beam® Hardcore Cider. Luckily for us at La Vitamina T, we were treated to a phenomenal dinner featuring small plates and pairings, of which we have secured the recipes. If you don’t like or have never tried bourbon before, you might just become a fan. Below is the first one of a magnificent series. Enjoy!
Frijoles Borrachos
- 4 cups dried pinto beans
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 8oz applewood smoked bacon, sliced
- 6 oz chorizo, chopped
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 serrano chiles, seeded and minced
- 5 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
- 12 quarts of water
- 1 can of Mexican beer
- ½ cup Jim Beam Hardcore Cider
- Salt to taste
- In a large pot, combine beans, water, beer and Jim Beam Hardcore Cider and cook over medium heat until all the beans are tender (about 2 hours).
- In a separate pan, combine the oil, bacon and chorizo and cook meats until crispy. Remove the meat from the pan leaving the rendered fat.
- Add the onion, garlic and serrano chiles into the pan and cook until slightly caramelized (about 12 mins).
- Once the beans are tender, fold in the crispy meat, caramelized vegetables, and the tomatoes and cilantro, and cook for 10 mins so the flavors can marry.
- Finally, season with salt.
Receta: Pastel de Elote
Foto: Chef Atzimba Pérez Hace unas semanas tuve el privilegio de conocer a la chef Atzimba Pérez, orgullosa embajadora de la comida mexicana en Chicago. Para esta extraordinaria michoacana, (cuyo nombre significa “princesa de agua” en Purépecha), la gastronomía ha sido una constante en su vida.
Parte destino, parte camino, Atzimba nos cuenta que su mamá preparaba la comida para celebrar las fiestas patronales, mientras ella ayudaba y observaba cómo se les daba vida a los platillos típicos de su pueblo. Atzimba nos dice: “Yo tenía mucha inquietud por descubrir nuevos sabores, y probar formas diferentes de hacer las cosas. Desde chica yo coleccionaba mis recetarios y mis libros de cocina.” Más tarde, Atzimba abrió una lonchería para pagarse la carrera en gastronomía: “La comida era mi sustento físico y mi sustento económico. En la escuela vendía pies de queso para poder costear mis prácticas semanales.”
Su comida es tan hermosa como su nombre, y plato a plato, Atzimba ha conseguido un lugar como representante de la cocina mexicana en Chicago, donde recientemente estableció su propia compañía de banquetes.
Hoy, para celebrar lo que queda del mes patrio, les comparto con mucha emoción la receta de la chef Atzimba Pérez para preparar pastel de elote.
Ingredientes
- 3 tazas de elote tierno
- 5 huevos
- 1 lata de leche condensada
- 1/2 barrita de mantequilla
- 1/4 de taza de aceite de maíz
- 1 cucharadita de vainilla
- 1 taza de harina
- 1 1/2 cucharadita de polvo para hornear
Procedimiento
- Cierne la harina y el polvo para hornear.
- Derrite la mantequilla y licúala con el resto de los ingredientes
- Mezcla con la harina y el polvo para hornear
- Engrasa y enharina 1 molde refractario rectangular mediano ó 2 moldes pequeños.
- Vacía la mezcla y pónla a hornear a 320° durante 45 minutos hasta que obtenga un color miel.
Disfrútalo con un vaso de leche fría.
Según la receta de la chef Atzimba Pérez, reproducida con el permiso de la autora. Para más información sobre Atzimba, visíta su página de Facebook haciendo click aquí.
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.
Recipe: Beat the Heat with Mezcal and Sesame Seed Ice Cream – Nuestra Mesa
Photo: Manuel Rivera To beat this summer heat with a unique Mexican version of ice cream, our friend and contributor chef Aldo Saavedra, shared with us a recipe to make a delicious mezcal and sesame seed treat.
Just like tequila, mezcal is made from agave. This smokey-flavored artisanal drink is slowly becoming popular as another Mexican contribution to gastronomy worldwide.
Ingredients:
Ice Cream Base
This is the foundation for any ice cream, and it can be used to create any other flavor. The sky is the limit! It is all up to your imagination.
- 2/3 cup of sugar
- 10 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups of whole milk
Mezcal and Sesame Seed
- 7 tbsp of your favorite mezcal
- 2 cups of toasted sesame seeds
- 2 cups of semisweet chocolate (in chunks)
Process:
- Boil the milk along with the cream and mezcal in a pot.
- In a separate container, whip the egg yolks with the sugar until fluffy.
- Once your milk mixture has reached the boiling point, add half of the volume to the whipped egg yolks, and continue to whip until the yolks and the mix are incorporated.
- Add the whipped egg yolks to the pot on the stove and stir with a wooden spoon on low heat until the mix thickens.
5. You will know it is time to remove your mix from the stove, once you are able to draw a finger on the wooden spoon without it dripping. Remove and let the mix cool over ice.
6. Once cold, put the mix in a blender with the sesame seed and blend. Strain.
7. Transfer the strained mixture into a container and place in the freezer. Stir about every 10 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
8. Add the chocolate and mix.You can store your ice cream in plastic containers in the freezer. Enjoy!
Mexican Chef Aldo Saavedra regularly shares with La Vitamina T’s readers his passion for his country and for Mexican cuisine as a cultural expression. Chef Saavedra has been part of the team in charge of delighting guests at a variety of reputable establishments, including Hotel Condesa D.F. He has also partnered in projects with global brands such as Larousse and Danone.Chef Paco´s New Rebozo – Oh My God!
Cochinita pibil tacos await you at New Rebozo in Chicago’s Gold Coast. If you visit New Rebozo, chances are that aside from a remarkable meal, you will be delighted by owner Chef Paco’s warm and exuberant personality. After more than 20 years of success at his Oak Park location, where Chef Paco (A.K.A. Francisco López) is already a fixture, this Mexico City native decided to bring his creativity and passion for authentic Mexican food to Chicago’s Gold Coast.
Holy mole! Chef Paco delights his guests with his complex, yet surprisingly down-to-earth mole Poblano, at New Rebozo. Chef Paco equates food to the dynamics of everyday life: “Life can be sweet and sour… even salty, add love to it and you will strike a balance.” His philosophy spills into every corner of his restaurant. There is definitely love in New Rebozo, named after a shawl Mexican women wear. From the cozy fireplace to the thoughtfully picked art, the dining room and patio embrace you like welcoming Mexican embassies. Do not expect to find cultural clichés here. New Rebozo is the real deal both in form and content. “My work is about making people happy,” said Paco. “That’s my ultimate goal.”
Full of flavor, depth and whimsy, it is so fitting that mole is one of Chef Paco´s specialties. Very few words say fiesta and Mexico as loud and clear as mole does, particularly in the countryside, where this traditional dish is served during important celebrations such as weddings and christenings. Chef Paco´s mole Poblano is so good, I have no doubt that my Pueblan grandma, who was often charged with making the mole for her village’s fiestas patronales*, would have approved.
Watermelon mojitos: Oh my God! If you visit New Rebozo, do not miss the cochinita pibil tacos, a delicacy straight from Yucatán. There is a piece of Mexican heaven in every perfectly flavorful bite and they are surprisingly not greasy. The watermelon mojitos are also quite memorable- one sip of those glorious cocktails had my entire table exclaiming in unison: “Oh my God!”
*In Mexico, fiestas patronales are a village’s most important celebration, and are typically dedicated to the patron saint the village is named after.
New Rebozo Chicago
46 E. Superior
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-9141
Open Mon-Sun 12-10 pm
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.
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