Ever since I was 14 (the age I believe my taste buds matured), I have insisted that on my birthday we dine at a Mexican restaurant. The first notable restaurant I remember visiting was El Mariachi, in Rockville Center. The inside was adobe style, with curved thresholds; walls decorated with Mayan calendars and serape blankets.Continue reading “Seeds Grow in New Places Too”
Tag Archives: Mexican Food
Mexican Food Explained
Gustavo Arellano’s Taco USA was a great way to familiarize yourself with Mexican food literature and history. He brings a proactive and vivid account of the impact of Mexican food on American Culture. With a journalistic background, Arellano’s inherent persuasiveness allow the reader to develop a respect for the pioneers of Mexican food. In otherContinue reading “Mexican Food Explained”
Wrong Title, Negative Effect
So, I was researching, look for articles on Taqueria Coatzingo, and I stumbled upon a very odd titled website post by the Gothamist called: “Ethnic Eating Adventures: Taqueria Coatzingo In Jackson Heights.” I would understand if it was called “Eating Adventures:…” but the “ethnic” part is quite alarming. I looked up ethnic, and it means,Continue reading “Wrong Title, Negative Effect”
Good or Bad?
“I want the people going on the trips to have a better understanding not just of the culture[…] because you can’t cook the food without understanding the people” (Arellano 102). Marylin Tausend, said it best– one cannot cook (professionally) without understanding the people. This rings true especially if someone is not a native of theContinue reading “Good or Bad?”
Madness on Wheels
What’s on wheels, serves food, and satisfies hunger? A food truck! I think food trucks are the gateway for small restaurant owners to make their living affordably and smart. It is such a huge trend amongst millennials because it is quick and easy– you get your food and go. The first time I experienced theContinue reading “Madness on Wheels”
Appropriation, Again!
In my first post, “Cultural Appropriation,” I mentioned Taco Bell and Chipotle as commercialized Mexican food. Even though there is nowhere on their websites that explicitly state that they offer “clean Mexican food,” it is well understood to be just that. With the changing of times, companies have learned that putting their bias out thereContinue reading “Appropriation, Again!”
Taco Awareness
It’s Common Hour in the D’Angelo Center of St. John’s University. Classes have ceased for an hour and a half, and students are hungry. Amongst the eating options is no other than Taco Bell, well known fast-food Mexican chain which has ruled America for decades. The line leading up the register is long and winding.Continue reading “Taco Awareness”
New Ingredients
The Spanish Inquisition changed the future livelihood of the Aztecs forever. Imagine being fully dependent on vegetation since the beginning of time. All you have known is that the gods grant good growing seasons, and your job is to constantly tend to the land. Once the Spanish colonists arrived, they introduced livestock like chicken, beef,Continue reading “New Ingredients”
Real Chocolate
When we think of chocolate, we think Snickers, M&M’s, Twix, and maybe even Godiva. We taste the sugar and satisfy our cravings, and make cake frosting out of it– delicious. But what we tend to forget is that chocolate is one, a plant, and two, very bitter.
Tortillas, Down to a Science
A waiter comes toward with steaming hot tortillas and puts it before you on a beautiful Talavera plate. And you assume that because they seem so simple, that it is just grilled dough. Wrong. Tortilla making is a science, literally– a lot like titration, and distillation (for tequila), nixtamalization is the process of adding theContinue reading “Tortillas, Down to a Science”
Authentic Taqueria Only 