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Monday, May 4, 2009

Did I hear someone say fiesta?

Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody! (surely everyone is in bed by now, so you'll read this on the right day) I don't know what the heck it is except it's another excuse to party. Since I just posted my requested Derby recipes, I thought I'd share a couple favorites we'll be having tomorrow.
Every Cinco de Mayo we have a Mexican dinner and a pinata for the kids and whatever neighbors we can round up. The kids were reminding me about it today. That makes me happy. Right when I think we're a loser family without any traditions, they start popping up. I love it.
I can't take any credit for these two recipes. They're from my friend that's a real Mexican. So they're really yummy and good authentic. Not scare the crap out of you authentic. You know what I mean, men picking the meat off of a head with a fork in an open window down the streets of Tijuana. I can still hear myself saying, "I did not just see that!" Oh and can I also mention, that above the head pricking window read, Taco Bell. I have got to find that picture!
Anyway...back to those yummy Mexican recipes.
Homemade Tortillas
8 c flour
1 c vegetable shortening (crisco)
2 tsp salt
3 pinches baking powder
3 c very hot water (not boiling)
In large bowl, mix the first four ingredients well. Now add the very hot water a little at a time and start gathering the dough (almost as if you were making pie crust), until you have one large ball of dough. Knead the ball until it reaches an elastic consistency.
Form smaller balls of dough and let sit for about 10 minutes or so. Roll out with a rolling pin, and cook over your cast iron or Teflon pan.
The trick to making the tortillas is the following; when you lay the tortilla on the pan you must watch very closely and barely cook. Turn it on the second side, and this time cook thoroughly. Turn it a final time and watch it puff up! This means you've been successful!
It will take a couple of hours, but it makes enough for a few meals. And they're amazing. They really are worth the effort. Try them warm with butter.
Salsa
1 large can whole tomatoes
2-3 pickled jalapenos with some of the juice
half a bunch of green onions sliced
one bunch of cilantro chopped
garlic salt to taste
Throw it in the blender and pulse.
Throw a party. Cook up some yummy Mexican. Whack a pinata. Sing La Bamba. Start a tradition.

5 comments:

Amy said...

what a wonderful idea. We will do it!

BTW I love that song that comes on when your blog starts.

Amy said...

Yummy! Our favorite is corn tortillas made with masa. Mmmm-mmmm.

Erika said...

Yummy, yummy....thanks!

Lynn said...

You can make that for me anytime.

Jill said...

We made your salsa on Sunday. The boys and I really like it. I am going to make it again for a "mother's lunch" that my friends and I will be having later this week. Thanks!