mOOners in Mexico

by Kris

Before we were seriously distracted by Ken's heart situation, I was mid-stream in a re-cap of 2008's pleasures of tastes. These are highlights of the year, not daily dining experiences. The cheesey, dairy drenched, often fat laden plates accompanying this blogging are not indicative of our normal dietary intake. And many of the delicious looking plates are those of amigos. Unlike Ken, I have semi high blood pressure and higher than I'd like cholesterol (but a good ratio with my HDL level) so we are cognizant of what we consume on a regular basis. We generally eat with three food thoughts in mind; "The Zone" (balancing fats/carbs/proteins), "Eat Right for Your (Blood) Type" (we're both O's), and eating smaller portions and/or sharing a meal. This is healthy but not exciting enough for a highlights segment of foodie delights. Yum, half a tuna sandwich on whole grain (not wheat..bad for O's) bread....

With this in mind let's rewind and continue our tasteful journey of the year past beginning with one special evening in Maruata on the Pacific coast-line of the Mexican state of Michoacán.

The day's catch of langosta in two photos to more perfectly capture the meal - on the grill

and on the beachfront table...

We invited our Maruata family for a comida de spaghetti and Wendy enjoyed slurping pasta like every other kid I've known. Can I be sued for saying Coke is the worst thing that ever happened to Mexico?

Yuck, drinking fresh from the coco must've led to the creation of rum...

Our beach buddies, Steve y Danielle, treated us to an anniversary dinner of palapa pizza. Same beach side table, same condiments...salsa picante de Chapala, y tomates, y aguacates y cervesa.

Two weeks later we're home in wonderfully springy (a continuation of our winter weather :-) Northern California. Our kids surprised us with a welcome home party and the fun and great food continued. It was soo good to see all my girls.....

We had the most incredible six months at home with our family and friends. Ken and Russen were celebrated on "Father's Day" with brunch on the front patio of the Bird Farm....our newest family hang-out. Mimosa cheers all around.

If we have wine questions at home, we know who to ask...our fabulous daughter-in-law, Shannon.

What's summer without birthday parties?? Our youngest grandbaby, Jackson, turned two in July.

When I was a kid, the summer ended much too soon. The older I get they zip by even faster. Bummer! But hey, we don't have to go back to school...and we get to go back to Mexico!

A November reunion with our Guadalajara Gals began with a trip to Tlaquepaque, a shopper's haven and a memorable dining experience at "El Patio". Guadalupe has a watchful eye on the camarero serving the tortas ahogadas. She still has our vote for the best of these "drowned sandiches."

We have discovered a favorite dish in a favorite restaurant - can't wait to mention it to our amigos at our other favorite eatery, La Placita, when we return to Orangevale. Chiles en Nogada is a classic dish of celebration for Mexican Independence Day. The colorful presentation of green poblano chile, white walnut sauce, and red pomegranite seeds represent the Mexican flag. Absolutely delicious.  Agostín's interpretation in his San Juan Cosalá restaurant, Tia Lupita, is true to the taste and heritage of the dish. ¡Viva Mexico!

From my earliest visits to Mexico in the late 60's I have had a love for many things Mexican but perhaps none so much as my fondness for muebles de Equipale - the rustic furniture made of wood and pigskin. Our little patio in Roca Azul is just the right spot for a table and chairs and nuestro amigo and landlords, Oscar y Ana, graciously offered to house them during our six month absence. We ordered our set from the "Casa Laguna" factory in Zocualco, the home of Equipale. Sitting in these chairs is being hugged and welcomed to a table of good food, good drink, and always good company.

To celebrate the Equipale, our neighbors Sonia and Dave, put together a sampling of breakfast treats from their British Columbia bed and breakfast. The gathering was our usual congenial group of Canadians, Mexicanos, and us. ¡Que rico!

The main course...

The outstanding frittata..

Sonia, you are the wonderwoman de la cocina....we're all still talking about this meal and hoping for a repeat!

Another great chef in the making is Oscar's bride of nine months, Ana. We've had the pleasure of dining in their home and the hospitality is matched only by the delicious meals. For a newlywed she is way beyond boiling water....if you could taste this casserole and these potatoes, you'd agree.

 Our Roca Azul Christmas Eve fiesta was a potluck of exceptional tastes. How is it that there is always the right combination of veggies and salads and desserts to compliment the main dish when everyone contributes?

Fruitcake, not the joke variety, but really delicious melt in your mouth morsels of holiday goodness. Seasonal tunes on the Bose (Thanks Casey & Russen!) were international...even a little salsa...if not dancing at Christmas, when?

Just like this plate, the year is all gone...terminado...

We've reached the end of another great year; on the plate and off.

Now I'm ready for my breakfast of spelt cereal with fruit and soy milk. Ooooh, and freshly squeezed orange juice...

Hold the camera.

mOOners