La Comida
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| "You have to taste a culture to understand it." - Deborah Cater |
Many people have asked if we have changed how we eat here. Well, on weeknights, we mostly eat at home and stick to the regulars that we would make when we were in Minnesota: lasagne, chicken parmesan, fajitas, tacos, hamburgers...although things that have guacamole and corn tortillas have nudged their way in more often. Fridays we continue to do pizza and a movie like we have always done. We love to eat out, but with a family the size of ours you have to be careful because the "eating out budget" can quickly get left in the dust. When we do venture out, we like to try new things. I've been impressed with the kids and their willingness to take a taste of things like octopus or shark tostadas. They also have come to learn about new foods from what their classmates eat at school. They have really expanded their horizons and their tolerance of spicy foods. 🔥🔥🔥
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| Shark Tostada |
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| A beach picnic of tortas (see Greta's), chips and guacamole |
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| Saborines - a popscicle in a bag - the kids found these at the cafeteria at school. |
I've asked each person to write about some of their favorites.
Tricia:
I have had a deep love for Mexican food ever since I first studied in Mexico City through my college in 1990.
Tacos - Solvei talks about these below. But for me - any taco, any day...with a fresh corn tortilla. What more do you need?
Mole poblano - This is a sauce that is often served with chicken or on enchiladas. It is dark and rich and thick and spicy and has chocolate in it. I love it best served with fresh corn tortillas.
Jamaica - This is a drink made from the pedals of the hibiscus plant. They are steeped in boiling water, drained, mixed with sugar and so sweet and refreshing! It reminds me of the taste of cranberry juice.
Hot Nuts - Now these are a bit of an obsession of mine at the moment. They are crunchy, nutty, tart (because of the lime) and spicy (with the chili). When I leave to get groceries, I tell my family "I will not buy Hot Nuts, I will not buy Hot Nuts". They are so, very hard to resist!
Esquites: I wrote about these on a social media post earlier but they are worth mentioning a second time. This is street food. Cooked corn kernels in a juicy mix with chiles, topped with mayo, crumbly cheese, salt, chile powder and lime. YUM!
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| Esquites |
Kevin:
I'm going to take a bit of a different slant here. Not so much my favorite Mexican foods (though I will say I LOVE all of the things that my family has listed), but my favorite foods in Mexico. Is there no difference? I think there is.
So, I have been learning how to live as a Type I Diabetic since 3 weeks before we arrived here. There are foods that I can eat by the boatload that require no insulin, and I quite enjoy them:
(1). Jicama. Not Jamaica (the drink); Jicama the vegetable. Pachyrhizus erosus; The Mexican Turnip. The taste is like a bland radish, but together w/ cucumbers and humus, you have a snack that brings with it no carbs and lots of yum.
(2). The Avocado. No introduction necessary. Straight up or in guacamole (with jicama instead of tortilla chips), I heart thee.
(3). The Mango. Good gracious! So, this is my indulgence--a 3 unit of insulin bowl of heaven: 1 c of mango (the yield of a fist sized fruit, skinned and sliced well)--25 g. of carbs; 2 Tbsp of granola--20 g. of carbs, in a generous serving of sugar-free yogurt. Lord, have mercy! DELICIOUS!!!
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| Mangos - often served sliced, with chile and lime. |
Solvei:
First of all I have to mention that the food here is the best food I've ever had. I would easily choose authentic Mexican food over any other food I've had before.
1. Tacos. The authentic tacos here are hard to beat. Unlike normal American tacos, these are made with freshly made corn tortillas and fresh meat right off the spit. Topped with some guacamole and your choice of pico de gallo ranging from mild to extra picante (spicy) you can easily devour these in almost no time.
2. Enchiladas. Mexican enchiladas are something that catch my eye every time I get a menu. Similar to Chilaquiles which will be mentioned later, you have the option of green or red enchiladas. There is sometimes an option of mole poblano, but I save those for my mom as I don't particularly enjoy them.
3. Liquados. There is almost nothing that helps with the insane heat of August more than liquados. These gigantic smoothies filled with fresh fruit of your choice cool you down in no time. For less than two dollars, these liter size cups always hit the spot.
Greta:
I'm not a fan of taco foods, but I learned in Mexico that there are many more delicious options.
2. Marquesitas- They are kind of like crepes. A heated sweet batter that's flattened in something that looks like a waffle maker. Except flat. You can put strawberries, bananas, nutella, and/or cream cheese. I like all of that on mine. We have to go out downtown to get them, where people have stands.
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| Marquesita - YUM! |
3. I love Jamaica, but that's already on mom's.
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| Greta and Tricia enjoying a refreshing glass of agua de jamaica after the beach |
Soren:
I like chilaquiles. This is tortilla chips mixed with sauce, cream, beans and cheese. You can choose chicken or eggs. You can also choose your sauce: red or green. I like red sauce (my dad likes the green).
For drinks, I like Coca Cola. I also like to drink limonada mineral (fizzy) and sometimes jamaica.
For dessert I really like marquesitas. My favorite kind are with nutella and banana.
Odin:
My favorite foods in Mexico are interesting so listen up. Chilaquiles: Chilaquiles are a masterpiece made out of chips, cream, red/green sauce and if you want to, you can add an egg or chicken.
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| Marquesitas |
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| Chilaquiles |
Horchata: It is a good rice drink with cinnamon. Goodbye for now :]
So, there you have our favorites....SO FAR! (Growth Mindset) We still have A LOT of food AND culture to taste!
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