Why does it seem like there is an overflow of negativity now a days? I just know that good people still exist and good things are happening around us everyday. But why are we are missing it? Why have we lost our focus on the good in things, and instead, are driven by “chisme,”. Why are we giving more attention to the ugly stuff than to the things that are really making a difference in our world?

With the influence of social media and the bombardment of negativity, we as a society have changed; we have become more outspoken, direct, and outright rude at times. On social media, people leave negative comments on someone’s page about their “crooked nose,” “their weight,” or “their broken Spanish”—just dumb stuff! I understand if you want to express your opinion about something that you’re passionate about, but there is no need to be so negative. I’m tired of all this negativity! And I’m talking to myself!

With that in mind, I did some real soul searching and was thinking about ways that I could challenge myself, the Abuela’s Kitchen crew, and all of you, to think, act, and respond positively! We can all make a difference in the lives of those around us, one person at a time, beginning in our home and flowing out into our communities. In my reading time this morning, I read the following passage, it says:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh word stirs up anger. Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.”

As I read that I thought, “I want to be like spring water and not a leaky faucet.” Don’t you? Those darn leaky faucets don’t let me sleep. LOL!

In other words, in order to be like “Spring Water” we have to put into action our positive thoughts and words. So for the month of November, I am kicking off what I’m calling “Comida Del Corazon.” I will be picking two families who may need a little love and encouragement—and will be preparing a nice surprise for them. Sound interesting yet? Well, this is where you can also be like the “Spring Water,” by nominating a family who you think is in need of some love, encouragement, positivity, and a meal from the heart (Comida del Corazon).

The special person or family will receive a meal from us (the Abuela’s Kitchen crew), we will eat together or just hang out and share stories of life as we enjoy each other’s company.

Starting today, think of that special person or family who could use some cheering up and tell me why you nominate them to receive una Comida Del Corazon. Deadline for all nominations is October 21, 2016.

I’ll be looking forward to reading all of your nominations! Thank you guys for your love and support! Spread positivity not negativity, even with a warm cooked meal. J ❤

Two winners will be picked by the Abuela’s Kitchen crew by October 28, 2016.

How to enter:

There are two ways to enter.

1. Submit your nomination via our Facebook page (publicly). OR
2. Email your nomination to me at abuelaskitchentortillas@yahoo.com

Rules:

1. Nominee must live within the Southern California region.
2. You must submit the city and zip code of where the nominee lives.
3. You give us permission to post your entry along with pictures, if included.
4. You give us permission to announce the nominee’s location.

** Comida del Corazon meal will be for family of 5 and has no monetary value.

¿Por qué parece que hay un exceso de la negatividad hoy en día? Sé que todavía existen personas buenas y cosas buenas están ocurriendo a nuestro alrededor todos los días. Pero ¿por qué no lo notamos? ¿Por qué hemos perdido nuestro enfoque en lo bueno de las cosas, y en su lugar, somos impulsados por “el chisme”? ¿Por qué estamos prestando más atención a las cosas feas que a las cosas que realmente están haciendo una diferencia en nuestro mundo?

Con la influencia de los medios sociales y el bombardeo de negatividad,  como sociedad hemos cambiado; hemos llegado a ser más francos, directos y simplemente groseros a veces. En las redes sociales, las personas dejan comentarios negativos en las páginas de alguien acerca de su “nariz torcida,” “su peso” o “su español mocho”- ¡sólo cosas tontas! Yo entiendo que queremos expresar nuestra opinión sobre algo que nos apasiona, pero no hay necesidad de ser tan negativo. ¡Estoy cansada de toda esta negatividad! ¡Y me estoy hablando a mí misma!

Con esto en mente, he estado pensando en maneras que podía desafiarme a mí misma, al personal de Abuela’s Kitchen, y a todos ustedes, ¡a pensar, actuar y responder de manera positiva! Todos podemos hacer una diferencia en las vidas de los que nos rodean, una persona a la vez, empezando en nuestra casa y que fluya hacia nuestras comunidades. En mi tiempo de lectura de esta mañana, leí el siguiente pasaje que dice:

“La blanda respuesta quita la ira, pero la palabra áspera hace subir el furor. El conocimiento fluye como agua de manantial de los sabios; tontos son los grifos que gotean, goteando sin sentido “.

Cuando lo leí que pensé, “yo quiero ser como agua de manantial y no un grifo que gotea.” ¿Y tú? Esos grifos que gotean no me dejan dormir. LOL!

En otras palabras, para ser como “Agua de manantial” hay que poner en acción nuestros pensamientos y palabras en una manera positiva. Así que, para el mes de Noviembre, estoy dando inicio a lo que estoy llamando “Comida Del Corazón.” Voy a escoger dos familias que necesitan un poco de amor y aliento, y prepararemos una sorpresa agradable para ellos. ¿Suena interesante? Bueno, aquí es donde también ustedes pueden ser como el “agua de manantial”, nombre a una familia que piense que está necesitada de un poco de amor, ánimo, positividad y una comida del corazón.

La persona o familia especial recibirán una comida de parte de nosotros (el personal de Abuela’s Kitchen), comeremos juntos o simplemente pasaremos el rato y compartiremos historias de la vida y disfrutaremos de la compañía mutua.

A partir de hoy, piense en esa persona especial o familia que podría utilizar un poco de ánimo y díganos porqué los nombra para recibir Una Comida Del Corazón. La fecha límite para todas las nominaciones es el 21 de Octubre del 2016.

¡Voy a estar al tanto todas sus nominaciones! ¡Gracias a todos por su amor y apoyo! Hay que difundir positividad no negatividad, incluso con una comida caliente. ☺ ❤

El equipo de Abuela’s Kitchen escogerá dos ganadores para el 28 de octubre del 2016.

Cómo participar:
Hay dos maneras para participar.
1. Envíe su nominación a través de nuestra página de Facebook (públicamente). O
2. Envíe su nominación a nuestro correo electrónico abuelaskitchentortillas@yahoo.com

Reglas:
1. El candidato debe vivir dentro de la región sur de California.
2. Debe presentar la ciudad y el código postal donde vive el candidato.
3. Usted nos da permiso para publicar su nominación junto con imágenes, si se incluyen.
4. Usted nos da permiso para anunciar la ciudad del candidato.

** La Comida del Corazón será una comida para una familia de 5 y no tiene valor monetario.
 

Hey guys. The picture below shows an area that I shared with you all in my Part 6 of my Purepero, Michoacan trip.  It is very special to me on many levels.  If you know the reason why it’s so special to me, leave me a comment here.

Hola chicos. La siguiente imagen muestra un área que he compartido con todos ustedes en mi parte 6 de mi viaje Purépero, Michoacán. Es muy especial para mí en muchos niveles. Si conoce la razón por qué es tan especial a mí me deja un comentario aquí.

If you guess the right answer, you will be entered to win the items in the picture shown (My last Abuela’s Kitchen Loteria shirt.).  Thank you for participating and good luck!!!  Contest closes Friday May 27th, 2016 at 11pm (PST).

Si adivina la respuesta correcta, se le inscribirá para ganar los elementos de la imagen que se muestra. Gracias por participar y buena suerte !!! Concurso cierra viernes 27 de mayo de, 2016 a 23:00 (PST).

Times have definitely changed with the business of life, but one tradition I still enjoy is a family-morning breakfast on the  weekends. As I make my breakfast today, I can recall my own weekend breakfasts as a kid… The sound of the clanging pans, the rustling through the pantry, the popping of the frying egg, the sizzle of the tomato sauce and the sounds of #traditionalmexicanmusic #lasrancheritas playing in the background. It was all soothing… Then the smell reached my nostrils… Softly, sweetly waking me up. #Mexican #mexicanamerican #chicana #latina #desayunomexicano #cafecito 

We are currently having a healthy month at Abuela’s Kitchen.  If you haven’t seen our last video on making your own Hummus, make sure you click on the link below.

So here is the recipe for the Honey-Lemon dressing my mom made for the wrap.

Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 Tbsp of Honey
2 Tbsp of Lemon
1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
A dash of pepper
A dash of salt. (Go easy on the salt because you used honey.)

Mix everything well and that’s it!

Link to the Hummus video:  https://youtu.be/ksBDCmIxUoA

Ingredientes Para el aderezo de limon con miel
1 Cucharada de miel
2 Cucharadas de limon
1 Cucharada de Aceita de Oliva
1 Pisca de Pimienta
Poquita sal porque estamos usando miel.

Mezclar todo y listo!

Being Mexian American I get the best of both worlds. I get double candies, double pastries, I get a birthday and a “Dia De Mi Santo”, I get to enjoy 2 cultures and I get to celebrate Mother’s Day AND “Dia De Las Madres” every May 10th.

Every May 10th, I’m sure to hear Abuela recite a well known poem from Mexico.  It’s a Mother’s Day poem.  Matter of fact, she recites this poem all the time. LOL! This morning all the ladies from the family will head out to have some breakfast and I’m sure I’ll hear it.  Can’t wait!  Feliz Dia De Las Madres a todas las madrecitas del mundo en especial a las de mi familia!  Bendiciones hoy y siempre! ❤

Poem

Politics has always been part of my life.   Not that I have any politicians in the family, but my dad has always been really passionate about politics, especially Mexican politics.  Although he lived in the USA since the Bracero Program, he has always kept the people of Mexico in his heart.  The corrupt government has always caused him anger.  Because of that, I know about El Pri, El Pan and his favorite, El PRD (Mexican political parties).  I have known since I was a kid,  that the people in the border towns of Mexico to the USA have fear.  It’s not a recent thing.  Corruption in Mexico has existed for a very long time.  Along with fear, the people of Mexico have also lived in some sort of oppression in which the rich get richer and the poor stay poor (Not always the case but it’s common.).

I remember the weekends as a teen were always filled with us attending rallies and protests.  My dad would draw his political “cartolinas” (posters) the entire week.  When the weekend arrived, he would throw us all in his van and we would head on over to Downtown L.A. or Tijuana.  Eventually my mom got tired of it.  I recall she would say, “Otra vez con tu Cardenismo!”  The founder of PRD was Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, hence the word “CARDENISMO” which she came up with (LOL).  The PRD was formed after the 1988 electoral fraud which sparked a movement away from the authoritarian rule of the PRI.  My dad found it fitting to back up the PRD, a Socialist Democratic Party.

Growing up, I never really had the need to express my political views, I just went along with my dad and absorbed everything.  But I remember when I started college, people everywhere had a political point of view and were passionate about it. During that time, all the knowledge I had gained as a kid came back out just as I had heard my dad.  My Mexican juices began to flow in and out defending what I thought in my own mind was correct.  The Mexican Political background I had, began to draw me to specific groups.  I went through several phases.  At one point, I was almost militant, participating in rallies, wearing Brown Berets (Not even being part of the Brown Berets) and hating the word “Latino”.  I was almost a Socialist Separatist (Well, that’s how I see it now.  Not even sure if that’s a term.)  I even went to meetings for the Black Panther Party and for Native Americans.  I wanted to take back the land that was once Mexico’s!  I wasn’t even born in Mexico!!! LOL

I went from being in MEChA to trying to get into a “Latino” based fraternity.  Man, college can do a number on us if we don’t know our stuff.  Being political is hard and sometimes even sharing our viewpoint about politics is even harder.  There is always somebody on the opposing side.  You get caught up between what is right for the people or even what is morally right.  It’s hard to find a balance and sometimes even impossible.  (Now I put my faith in God.)

So the trend this year is #reclaimcinco.  Honestly, to me it’s not a trend.  I have always known that Cinco De Mayo IS NOT  “Mexican Independence Day”.  Most people use it as an excuse to have Margaritas, party and dress up like a “Mexican”… I don’t normally wear a huge sombrero, huaraches and a huge mustache… Well, maybe the “stache” LOL.

I get it, our culture loves to have a good time.  I LOOOOVE to have a good time… I love Cinco de Mayo and embrace the opportunity of sharing my Mexican roots. But don’t make it just a DRINKO DE MAYO!  We are better than that and capable of showing the world that our “celebrations” are more than just a drink fest with “Mexican costumes”.  We are a rich culture full of so much creativity and knowledge.  Let’s not waste the opportunity we have been given on “5 De Mayo” to really show those around us what we are made of…

Here is the recipe for Abuela’s current favorite salsa.  Who ever is around at the time she is done making it, is sure to get a batch of this salsa.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

1.   1 pound of tomatillos.
2.   2 Chiles California
3.   5-10 Chile Japones (Depends how spicy you want it).
4.   Salt

Instructions

1. Roast all the chiles.
2. Remove the seeds from the Chile California.
3. Place chiles in blender with water for about 5 minutes so they can soften.
4. Roast the tomatillo or boil them.
5. After the tomatillo has cooled down, place in the blender and blend with the chiles.
6. Pour in a bowl.
7. Add cilantro, onion slices and salt (personal preference).

Aqui les dejo la receta de la salsa favorita de mi Abuela.  Si por pura casualidad estas cuando acaba de hacer la salsa, es por seguro que te va dar salsa para llevar.

Ingredientes

1. 1 libra de tomatillo
2. 2 Chiles California
3. 5-10 Chiles Japoneses (Depende que tan enchiloso lo quieran).
4. Sal al gusto.

Instrucciones

1.  Tostar los chiles
2. Quitar semilla de los Chiles California.
3. Poner chiles en la liquadora con poquita agua para que se ablanden.
4. Mientras los chiles se ablandan, pueden hervir los tomatillos o azarlos.
5. Despues que se enfrien los tomatillos, pongan los tomatillos en la liquadora.
6. Poner en un recipiente.
7. Añidir cilantro, cebolla picada y sal al gusto.

I truly enjoy cooking for my little family.  I love hearing them comment about my cooking while they eat.  I delight in the sounds of enjoyment they make even more.  I know they love my cooking and so I just assume other people will too. Whether that’s the case or not, I just share LOL!  Point is, I like sharing it with who ever cares to listen or in my case, watch.  I’m somewhat of a Snapchat freak and am constantly sharing what I cook.  I love when you guys screen shoot my food and I get a little high when you ask me for the recipe.

Disclaimer:  Not really a Mexican Dish

Today, I will share one that was highly requested by some of my Snapchat family.  It’s a chicken bacon penne Alfredo.  I used Jalapeños for the added kick to my palette.

Ingredients

2 Chicken breasts
1/2 Onion
1 Garlic Clove
1 lb of Penne Pasta
1 jar of Alfredo Sauce
1/2 cup of Ranch Dressing
6-8 Bacon Slices
8 oz of Shredded Mozzarella
1 Small can of sliced Jalapeño (optional)

Instructions

1.  Cook chicken in a pot of water with 1/2 onion, 1 garlic clove and salt to taste.
2.  Cook pasta in water.
3.  Cook bacon and chop it up after it has cooled down.
4. In a bowl, mix together chicken, pasta, alfredo sauce, and ranch dressing.
5. Place in a pan.
6. Sprinkle bacon and cheese on top.
7. Add jalapeño slices on top as desired. (Can be also added after it’s cooked.)
8. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

A comer se a dicho!

Here is the recipe to the Chile De Arbol salsa from our Tortas Ahogadas video to spice up your life.

Ingredients

• Bag of Chile de Arbol
• Apple Vinegar
• Old Spice Pepper Corn
• Salt

Instructions

1. Boil Chile de Arbol without the stems until soft.
2. After they have boiled, place in blender.
3. Add 1/4 cup of Apple vinegar.
4. Add 5 Old Spice corns and salt (personal preference).
5. Blend.

6.  Strain.

Enjoy!

Bendiciones,
From Abuela’s Kitchen

Torta Ahogada Video

Sponsored by Lunchbox.  Opinions are my own.

Earlier this week I had a chance to visit Northgate Market in West Covina for a cooking class with Chef Martin Guerrero.  Since the store was an hour away from me, I decided to take mi amiga, Mayra for the ride, company and well… we just love food!   We were excited about learning new things, but most importantly about eating!  Peeling a Chile Relleno by scraping the skin with a plastic spoon was a real “Aha!” moment for us.  We also learned how to make a quick “Capirotada.”  At the end of our class, we received a certificate naming us “Chiles Rellenos and Capirotada Experts”!  Ya nos podremos casar!  So if you want to learn how to make Chiles Rellenos, receive a free apron and a cookbook, visit a Northgate store near you! Sign up online and join in on the fun! Northgatemarkets.com/Cuaresma.  We had such a great time hanging out, tasting food and meeting new people.  All the employees were super nice and friendly.

We were so pumped that we decided we would cook something up!  Well, I would cook, Mayra would eat. LOL  Since we were already at the market, we grabbed a few items and were on our way.  Many of you have been asking for Lent dishes so I will be making a delicious dish with one of my favorite ingredients, Knorr bouillon cubes.  Knorr adds that authentic Latin flavor to our Lent dishes.  There are so many flavors to chose from.  If you have never used Knorr bouillon cubes, you should give them a try!

The next day, I hit the kitchen to make Pescado Primavera.  Below is the recipe.  Make sure you tag me and hashtag #KnorrCelebrations if you make this delicious recipe.

INGREDIENTS

·       1 1/3 cups whole almonds, peeled
·       2 tablespoons Spread Country Crock®
·       4 fillets of cod (about 2 lbs.)
·       1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
·       3 cloves garlic, minced
·       2 tablespoons of tomato broth Knorr Chicken flavor
·       4 cups water
·       3/4 cup Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise or Best Foods®
·       2 tablespoons lemon juice
·       2 tablespoons roasted red peppers, sliced ​​(optional)
·       1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional) 

PREPARATION

1. Finely grind the almonds in a blender or food processor.

2.  Season fish with salt and ground black pepper to taste.

3.  Melt Country Crock® Spread in a nonstick 12-inch skillet over high medium heat and cold fish, turning once, until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.

4.  Fry onion and garlic in the same skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for two minutes.

5.  Mix water and Knorr Chicken flavor in a bowl or sauce pan.

5.  Add the tomato broth Knorr Chicken flavored water, mayonnaise, lemon juice and ground almonds to the onion and garlic. Lower the fire to medium heat and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6.  Return the fish to the pan and cook until fish flakes with a fork, about 5 minutes. If desired, serve with rice. Garnish with red pepper and parsley.

 Serves: 4

Preparation Time: 30 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

Prueba el sabor de Knorr at Northgate this Lent!

Little side note for you guys: Buy one Northgate private label cooking oil and get a free package of Knorr bouillon cubes (one 3.1 oz package, 8 cubes total)!  Can’t beat that!

Picutres Credit: Mayra Ariza  https://www.facebook.com/mayrarizaphoto/?fref=ts