Discover and re-discover Mexico’s cuisine, culture and history through the recipes, backyard stories and other interesting findings of an expatriate in Canada
Originally from Europe, nowadays irises are naturalized all over Europe and other countries around the world, found in many different colours and sizes. There is a lot of confusion about the name in different languages, and with the lily flower. In my backyard, there is only one type of iris, the bearded iris, in its very common purple shade; these irises, by any name, are the definite sign of the warm weather season in my area ... click on title for more
Continuing with Asian Heritage month, I decided to try making Taco Rice, a Tex-Mex-Okinawan fusion recipe originated in Japan. I mostly followed the model of the original Tex-Mex-Oki dish, but substituted some ingredients for a Mexican twist ... click on title for more
Octopus tacos and tortas (Mexican sandwiches) have always been very popular at seafood stands inside mercados (markets), as well as cantinas (bars). The traditional seasonings are either “en su tinta” – in their own ink, or cooked then sautéed with onions and peppers, similar to fajitas. In recent decades, Asian inspired flavours have also been favoured ... click on title for more
Asian heritage is considered the fourth root of Mexican heritage, along with its native, European, and African roots. Nowadays, there are important Asian communities in several Mexican states, which has influenced local cuisine. One ingredient that has entered Mexican kitchens in the last decades is soy sauce, used in stews and other dishes as a condiment for added umami (yummy flavour), but also as the main component of sauces ... click on title for more
Mother's Day is celebrated in Canada and many other countries today, on the second Sunday in May, for which we are again in lockdown here in Southern Ontario. A few years ago, I was writing my mom's biography, and realized I did not know a few basic facts about her favourite things. I made a short list and asked her; I am happy I got to learn these facts before her passing in November of 2019. Remembering her fondly today, here are her answers ... click on title for more
My Slice of Mexico 