Celebrations, Regional Cuisine

Pozole Rojo – A Christmas Favourite

by Irene1 Comment on Pozole Rojo – A Christmas Favourite
Pozole Rojo – A Christmas Favourite

Turkey and pork loin roasts are some of the most popular choices on the Christmas menu for many Mexican families, as well as more traditional dishes, such as revoltijo (a red mole-based stew), bacalao (a cod stew), tamales, and last, but not least, pozole (hominy soup).  I have shared recipes for pozole blanco (clear broth, "white" pozole), and for pozole verde (green pozole), but for Christmas time, nothing like a delicious pozole rojo (red pozole).   There are several recipes for red pozole, primarily form the states of Jalisco, Nuevo León, and other Northern states.  For this post, I have chosen a recipe from Jalisco, which uses the Mexican staple of hierbas de olor (bay leaf, marjoram and thyme), and only one kind of dry red pepper, either regional chilacate, or the more readily available guajillos ... click on title for more

Celebrations, Mexican Culture

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pandemic and Hope

by Irene6 Comments on The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pandemic and Hope
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pandemic and Hope

Year after year, uninterrupted since the 16th century, many devout people have visited the site of Our Lady of Guadalupe apparitions, coming from all corners of Mexico, Latin America, and the world, just to see the image of the Virgin, now inside the New Basilica. Last year, due to the COVID19 pandemic, the site had very limited access to the public; this year, it has been announced that the Sanctuary will again be open, to continue the centuries-old tradition ... click on title for more

Desserts, pan dulce

Polvorones – Sweet Bread

by Irene9 Comments on Polvorones – Sweet Bread
Polvorones – Sweet Bread

These polvorones are commonly produced in bakeries, and are considered a type of pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), starting with a versatile dough that may be then flavoured and shaped using different techniques. The oldest recipes always call for lard, but more contemporary ones may use vegetable shortening, butter, margarine, or mixes.  My recipe includes a half/half mixture of butter and non-hydrogenated margarine, and I chose two kinds of log slices for this post: orange flavoured circles, and tricoloured triangles ... click on title for more

Desserts

Polvorones de Nuez – Dusty Cookies with Nuts

by Irene13 Comments on Polvorones de Nuez – Dusty Cookies with Nuts
Polvorones de Nuez – Dusty Cookies with Nuts

Probably some of the best known Mexican cookies, these bite-size treats are similar to shortbread, with a generous amount of nuts inside. They are often called "Mexican Wedding Cookies", although giving them out as wedding favours is a tradition that mostly takes place in Northern Mexico and the Southern United States. In the rest of Mexico, they are known as polvorones de nuez - dusty cookies with nuts, an everyday treat, even sold in small packages at convenience stores and supermarkets; however, they may become extraordinary in the ordinary, when their dusty, snow-like tops, turn them into prodigious treats to share  during the Christmas season. ... click on title for more