Semana Santa
February 27, 2009
During Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Mexico processions and passion plays take place all through the country, though different areas celebrate in different ways and certain communities have more elaborate celebrations. Those areas in Mexico where Holy Week is celebrated en grande include: Taxco, Pátzcuaro, Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas.
The celebrations that take [...]
My son in law and daughter’s thirty-something apartment
February 27, 2009
You may have wondered why I have posted pictures of my stepdaughter, Marissa, and her husband Manu Bastien’s (whose photos grace many of these pages because of his generosity in sharing his vision) apartment. I’ve discovered that many assimilated Mexican-American teens and young adults are proudly proclaiming their roots in their dress, home, music and [...]
Zarela helps put a New Face on Peanuts
February 25, 2009
On March 4, 2009, Zarela will participate in an event with the National Peanut Board to unveil its new slogan at a reception for media, the PR industry and VIPs at NYC’s Astor Center.
With the help of Michael and Ariane Batterberry, Zarela, alongside a handful of well-known New York City chefs will each give [...]
Nopales
February 18, 2009
Nopal is a general name for several kinds of cactus with edible paddles and fruit. Various species of the Opuntia genus grow wild in different regions, especially central Mexico. There are also cultivated nopales. The mild-flavored cactus paddles or pencas (the youngest, tenderest, fleshy “leaves”) are commonly used as a vegetable. They are covered [...]
The Seafood of Veracruz
February 18, 2009
The Seafood of Veracruz
By Zarela Martinez
Los Angeles Times
October 21, 1998 in print edition H-1
For the first 12 years of my life, the only fish I ever ate were frozen haddock filets at Luby’s Cafeteria in El Paso, Texas. They were fried in a thick crust and I ate them with a quarter cup of tartar [...]
Corn for Masa, Tamales and other masa products.
February 15, 2009
It constantly amazes me just how many people are into tamales these days. My how-to video Tamales 1-2-3 has had over 26,600 viewers, the recipes with the most hits in my new recipe section are for tamales and there are more questions about corn and how to nixtamalize them (treat it with calcium hydoxide) to [...]
Menu para Enamorados (Valentine’s Weekend Menu)
February 13, 2009
MENU PARA ENAMORADOS
Bisque de Langosta
Lobster chipotle broth with puréed roasted tomato and
chunks of fresh Lobster
$11.00
Tamal de Mora
Blackberry -corn masa with blackberries stuffed with chicken and almonds and steamed in a corn husk
$9.50
Chile Relleno de Ensalada de Mariscos
Anaheim stuffed with octopus, shrimp, squid and crabmeat
salad with jalapeño, cilantro dressing
$11.50
Crepas de Huitlacoche
Corn crepes filled with sautéed corn [...]
Epazote
February 7, 2009
Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) is an aromatic perennial herb with an assertive, somewhat bitter taste. It grows wild in many parts of the United States – even Central Park, New York – and has various English names of which my favorite is “stinkweed.” I think epazote is perhaps the characteristic Mexican herb. It is especially used [...]
Carnaval in Mazatlan, Campeche and Veracruz
February 6, 2009
I’ve never been to a Carnaval. The thought of crowds, loud music, and boisterous fun never appealed to me because I ‘ve always had it right at home. But this year is different. With unrelenting subzero weather and the uncertain financial climate in New York, the warm weather of coastal Mexico beckons and I could [...]
A Splash of Magic
February 5, 2009
“A Splash of Magic”
In France, a sauce is just an entrée’s sidekick. But a rich, complex sauce is the very heart of the Mexican meal.
By Zarela Martinez
Special to the Times
Los Angeles Times- Wednesday, March 4th, 1998
When I was pregnant with my twin boys, the only thing that brought on morning sickness was the smell of [...]
