Full Plate Thursday – Page 13 – My Slice of Mexico

Old-Fashioned Party Food

December 29, 2023December 31, 2023by Irene5 Comments

New Year's Eve and Day celebrations are around the corner; many people host get-togethers, often cocktail-party style, or as a casual night with games, and finger foods are a great option to offer at these gatherings. After sharing a very traditional menu in my last post, I thought of these old-fashioned sandwiches and canapés, maybe not the most sophisticated choices, but which sure will bring tasty memories of past celebrations to many of us who grew up in Mexico City during the 20th Century ... click on title for more

Celebrations, Regional Cuisine

Guerrero Style “Stuffing” – Relleno

December 16, 2023January 9, 2024by Irene2 Comments

Although this preparation is called relleno (literally, stuffing), and is traditional during the Christmas season in the Mexican state of Guerrero, this delicious pork dish stands on its own as a main dish any time of the year. Guerrerenses often enjoy it on Sundays, after church, or while watching a sports game, popularly stuffed in a crusty bun (hence the name), topped with a piece of crispy skin from the pork, and pickled jalapeños ... click on title for more

Celebrations, Desserts

Alcohol-Free Fruitcake

December 8, 2023July 4, 2024by Irene5 Comments

The classic aged Christmas fruitcake is kept moist by brushing rum or brandy all around the baked cake every day, for about one month. Some people do not like the texture of this cake, others cannot tolerate alcohol, and forgetting to bake the cake soon enough for it to be ready for Christmas might be a problem, as well. This version is light both in colour and texture, and is completely alcohol-free, so there is no waiting time after baking ... click on title for more

main course, Regional Cuisine

Pork in Red Sauce – Asado Rojo

November 30, 2023December 15, 2023by Irene5 Comments

"Asado" translates from Spanish as "roasted"; this dish probably got that denomination from being cooked traditionally over an open wood fire. Now also cooked over the stove, it could receive a promotion to stew, with its generous chunks of pork, in a rich red sauce (as the name indicates, by rojo). Several of Mexico's Northern states have their own versions; this recipe is based on the state of Durango's seasonings, which include a variety of dried red peppers, spices, and an acidic accent, traditionally achieved by adding orange juice or vinegar ... click on title for more

History and Regional Cuisine, Ingredients

Discada – A Farmer’s Meal

November 20, 2023March 12, 2025by Irene10 Comments

Traditional discadas were cooked on a plow disc, and included a variety of meats, fresh or cured. Onions, tomatoes and hot peppers, particularly jalapeños, were brought from the fields for the disc. More contemporary recipes may be prepared on a propane bbq, or indoors, in an iron skillet or pan, and have added cold cuts, such as ham, and hotdog sausages, and other vegetables and aromatics. Pouring some beer in towards the end of the cooking process was probably introduced by a sassy cook who was drinking by the side of the disc, noticing the dish getting too dry, which works well and also helps to scrape all the good charred bits at the bottom of the pan ... click on title for more