SMA Shorts

Good Morning San Miguel!

Chilaquiles: Lavanda v. Moxi, Hotel Matilda

Both are about the same price...under 100 pesos. Lavanda tops theirs with a fried egg and Moxi sprinkles on esquites.

I tried them both in red and green sauce.

The winner? 

Both are delicious and a fairly inexpensive late breakfast dish.

The price of Tequila:

What Is a biased opinion? When you know the price of Casa Dragones before you taste it.

You never want to hide Casa Dragones in a mixer but do hide it from your friends!

The Old Standard: The Restaurant

Pineapple Margarita, Duck Egg Rolls + Caramel Bread Pudding = Birthday Lunch.

Consistently GREAT food is one of the many reasons I picked the Restaurant for this special occasion and consistency is the key. I never risk a new restaurant choice when I'm celebrating so stick with your old standards.

This appetizer, which was $9, is pricey but considering it's my lunch and I was full when I finished, it's a deal.

Each component adds about $100 pesos to the bill but considering the quality of the food, I don't mind spending that for a special event.

The usual charming Gracie did not appreciate the birthday celebration as much as we did.

Thanks:

March 31, 2014, 10:49 AM

I just wanted to thank you so much for the message and beautiful photos.

I'm thinking of going to Oaxaca, maybe the end of next week, but, so far, have no idea the best way to get there and where to stay.

I have been checking the internet, but if you can give me any tips, I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you.

I get lots of emails and people stop me to ask questions about both food and travel. I'm always happy to answer them. You can reach me at the email address listed in the contact section of this blog.

Thanks so much for following!

Don't travel or get married on Tuesday the 13th...

Off to a rough start? Blame it on Martes 13.

In Spanish-speaking countries, you can live with Friday the 13th but Tuesday the 13th gets blamed for all sorts of disasters from earthquakes to a bad hair day.

My new indulgence:

Camino Silvesre's (Correo 43) Chai Ice Cream by Ambrosia.

Creamy and flavorful, this dish should be outlawed for consumption. Why? 

I can never stop at just one bowl.

Tacos Al Pastor...

Andy’s Tacos on Insurgentes #85 is just down the street from the Biblioteca. This popular street food cart shows up at sunset and is open until 3 AM.

I've never been there at 3 AM so if you see me you'll know I'm sleep walking...especially if I'm in my fuzzy blue PJ's.

The Tacos Al Pastor are some of the best I've had in SMA. Just ask those who are on the regular circuit and feast there every week.

Expect to eat standing.

Notice the giddy up in my step?

It's the year of the HORSE.

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings with Sweet Asian Hot Wing Sauce

I saved this recipe for months and made it when I was in Ft Lauderdale.

Here in Mexico, one not so little explosion made me hesitant to turn my oven up to 450.

The recipe called for baking soda to be sprinkled on the wings. I know it's a tenderizer but I didn't notice a huge difference in the results.

The sauce however was delicious and can be used on any type of grilled chicken.

Sweet Asian Hot Wing Sauce

For 30 wings

2/3 cup hot sauce such as Texas Pete or Frank’s

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1-2 cloves garlic, smashed

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Discard garlic when ready to serve.

Sister Cities: San Miguel de Allende and West Palm Beach, Fl.

On March 18, San Miguel de Allende became the Sister City of the Florida’s West Palm Beach, Florida.

I just came back from West Palm Beach and experienced their hospitality first-hand. So happy there will always be a connection between the two cities.

Look for a post on their Farmer's Market. It was one of the best.

Homemade Juice:

I use this juice to mix refreshing drinks when the weather is really hot. Just add a shot or two of rum depending on how juiced you want to get.

Homemade Orange-Pineapple Juice

Makes about Four Cups

Juice of 1/2 grapefruit - about 1/2 cup

2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice - about 5 to 6 oranges

2 cups freshly chopped pineapple

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and blend on high.

Strain into a pitcher or airtight container. Serve immediately, or chilled.

Speaking of juice...

I love fresh pineapple juice and recently I had three fantastic drinks - at different restaurants- made with the fresh squeezed juice. I also have a cup every week atTuesday market.

I know all of the ingredients but the proportions? Your guess is as good as mine but wouldn't it be fun trying to figure them out?

Rocco's Tacos at 1313 E Las Olas Blvd in Ft Lauderdale has mastered the Frozen Mexican Colada. I thought this drink would be sweet but it wasn't and tasted a bit like a creamsicle.

Just mix Herradura Silver Tequila with Kahlua, Patron Citron Orange liqueur, pineapple juice and coconut cream.

Cumpano at Correo 29 makes the most delicious Conga which is a refreshing, non-alcoholic drink to which you can also add liquor.

It's a combination of pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine and grapefruit juice.

My new favorite Margarita is from The Restaurant  and combines Jimador Represado, pineapple juice, Controy, lemon juice and crystallized ginger.

Your perfect drink for a summer party.

Missing:

Opening of Green City Market on the Chicago lakefront

Pho 

Mama Su at Saigon Sisters in Chicago's French Market

Great fish (eg: Ft Lauderdale)

Infused Honey Nut Cheerios.

Yes, this General Mills cereal is not just for breakfast. The combination of rum, honey, lemon and frangelico is heavenly!

Celebs at this years Polar Plunge in Chicago

Top 10 Mexican Restaurants:

Congrats to Chef Rick Bayless who was recently in San Miguel.

One of his restaurants, Topolobampo (445 N. Clark Street) was named one of the top 10 Mexican Restaurants in the US.

Making Hard Boiled Eggs just in time for Easter...

Put eggs in a muffin tray, set the oven to 325 and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Yaruke

Hernandez Macias 93

Yolanda Varela is one of the nicest shop owners in San Miguel. The quality and price of her treasures are worth a look. I always find unusual gifts like this necklace from Oaxaca.

Semana Santa...

The dates of Semana Santa vary from year to year and this year it began with an all-night procession from Atotonilco to San Miguel.

We switched to daylight savings time and the procession was suppose to come down Independencia at 6:00 AM.

I hit the rooftop at 6 AM and listened to a children's choir from the church and watched the sunrise. I then headed down the street to San Antonio Abad as the procession was coming up the hill to the San Juan de Dios Church.

It was a beautiful morning and the sun was up by the time the procession even began.

When the jacaranda trees are blooming my favorite color is purple.

Buen Apetito!