“Ragtag Daily Prompt” – Page 15

Celebrations, Mexican Cuisine, Mexican Culture

A Very Traditional Mexico City Holiday Menu

December 21, 2023by Irene19 Comments

In Mexico, the month of December is full of celebrations; it starts on December 12 with the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, followed by seven days of "las posadas". Christmas Eve usually features a late evening family meal, and Christmas Day, either a turkey lunch, or the delicious "recalentado" - reheated leftovers from the night before. In Central Mexico, especially in Mexico City, el recalentado is always welcome because the dishes are mainly soups or stews, so the flavours keep maturing and developing. The following is a good example of a traditional Mexico City Style Christmas Eve Menu ... click on title for more

Celebrations, International Topics

The Two Guadalupes

December 12, 2023December 12, 2023by Irene8 Comments

December 12 is observed as the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (of Mexico), in the Catholic calendar. There is another Lady of Guadalupe, in Extremadura, Spain ... 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

gardening

Flower of the Day – The Holiday Pepper

December 3, 2023by Irene3 Comments

I brought a few pots inside a few weeks ago, since we have had our first hard frost and snow fall of the season. This serrano pepper plant had some green peppers left, and a couple of days ago, I noticed they had turned bright red, just to announce the beginning of the Holiday season ... 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