Salsa, Rice, and Beans, Oh My!
Homemade, that is. I love being Mexican American for so many reasons, but perhaps the #1 reason is because of the food. Good homemade Mexican food makes me proud! I have tried hard to single out my favorite dish but can’t seem to do so. I love it all: arroz con pollo, carne guisada, enchiladas…the list goes on! Unfortunately, the art of cooking homemade traditional Mexican meals is a dying art. For so many reasons this makes me sad.
Not only are the flavors of Mexican and Latin foods my absolute favorite, but the tradition and preparation process of these foods are what make me crave it. Meal time in my family growing up was family time. Over a spread of rice, beans, tortillas, carne guisada, and salsa we would discuss our days, politics, religion, etc. We would sit together as one family and talk. Now that I have moved away from home and started a family of my own, meal time isn’t the same. Actually, it doesn’t even compare. IF I cook dinner it is a fast meal that requires just one or two steps and sometimes just one pot. I don’t use comino or cilantro in my foods. I don’t own a molcajete. I don’t even have a bag of beans in my pantry. For so many reasons this makes me sad AND nostalgic.
Whether it be lack of time or lack of technical skill, my generation of 30 somethings doesn’t seem to know how to cook like our mothers and grandmothers do. I’ve seen and lived the trend. So I ask myself this “Do I deserve to be proud of homemade Mexican food if I can’t cook any of it?”.
The answer to that question will temporarily remain unanswered. For now, I am on a search for true, authentic, Mexican food recipes. Do you have a recipe from your mama, abuelita, or tia you would like to share with me? With your recipe, I promise I will make a serious effort to learn to turn “meal time” into “family time” in my house…and I invite you to do the same.
-Victoria
Tags: cooking, family, Mexican food, recipes, tradition
January 28th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Hey Victoria, I totally know what you mean!! I mean the rich smell of Caldo de rez can bring me back to my childhood. I have been trying to follow in the footsteps of my mother who is such an amazing cook of traditional mexican food(I’m definitely ten footsteps behind). My daughter Trinity who is now 5yrs old loves making homeade tortillas, and tamales with her abuela. Buenas Suerte!
February 6th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Throw some beans, salt, garlic in a crockpot fill with water and cook on low all day! you will walk into a wonderful smelling house and a happy husband. all you need is an avocado, and HEB tortilla’s! Panza feliz!