Pineapple tamales

A sweet variation, the corn masa is flavored with real pineapple juice and filled with the same fruit. For those with the sweet tooth!

The origins of chocolate..

Cocoa - Theobroma cacao - is native to Mexico and Central America and records show it has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years!
Aztecs ground and processed these seeds to make a paste, diluting it with hot water and working up thick froth; it was served to Aztec royals in court and also used in religious rituals and medicine.

They called it xocolàtl - meaning "bitter water"; as it had a strong bitter taste, it was the Spaniards who added sugar after they brought it to Spain, where it became a favourite drink with royalty.

Chocolate is the main ingredient in champurrado, a delicious corn-based variation of the original chocolate drink.. see following post.

Hot chocolate drink

Champurrado is a traditional corn-based drink, made with corn masa, water or milk, anise, cinnamon, piloncillo - unrefined sugar - and the basic ingredient, Mexican chocolate.
It is traditionally served with tamales, and a very popular drink sold by street vendors, especially on cold days!

Tasty poblano pepper

This tamal is filled with a stew of the mild poblano pepper, corn, onions and a bit of fresh cheese.
A flavorful vegetarian option.

Sweet tamales

These sweet tamales are flavored with sugar, cinnamon, a hint of anise and filled with raisins and almonds.
I am sure every Mexican person has fond memories of "tamales de dulce", as children are always given these in alternative to the spicier tamales.

Traditional hot drink

ATOLE, from the nahuatl word atolli = "watered down" - is a pre-hispanic origin hot drink; it consists of corn masa that is diluted with water and sweetened with piloncillo or unrefined sugar, it has a very smooth texture and it's quite invigorating.

There are infinite variations such as adding milk, flavoring with fruits, and sweetening with honey or syrups. Among the classic flavors: Cinnamon, vanilla, strawberry, guava, pecan, rice, prune, and in this case blackberries.

A great caffeine-free option to warm up in cold weather!

Happy New Year!

During the month of December, as the year comes to an end, street stands in Oaxaca serve "buñuelos" - fried fritters the size of a medium-sized plate and soaked in piloncillo and cinnamon syrup - the tradition says that when you are finished eating, you have to smash the plate against the floor as you make a wish for the new year.

I took this picture on Christmas eve; it is quite a unique experience to walk around the streets and every now and then hear and see plates being smashed all over the place!