Carne en su Jugo...

My friend, Lupita, wanted to show me how to make Carne en su Jugo which is a soup very specific to Guadalajara. Of course, I jumped right on the offer! This soup is so simple and easy and fills you up. One thing I've come to learn about Mexican cooking is how to keep it simple. Most recipes only take 5-6 ingredients yet taste like they must have a million things going on in

Mexicans Know a Good Bar-b-que...

My neighbors wanted to throw us a good-bye bar-b-que last week. I've been to quite a few bar-b-ques over this last year, and let me tell you...Mexicans know how to do it. Typically, they don't start until around 8pm (which is pretty much how everything rolls here), and they will go until the wee hours of the night. You know you're at a Mexican bar-b-que when there is meat, lots and lots of meat. There will also always be the usual stand-bys of baked potatoes, onions, chips, and beer. But really, its about the meat. This is so different than the US which is all about the sides and dessert. I think I like the Mexican way

Mexican Cooking 101...

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I love to cook. I'm gradually trying to overcome my fear of baking, but cooking is where my heart will always be and stay. As an expat, I've tried to broaden my recipe repertoire and use the spices and local ingredients available in my food. Since I am absolutely in love with Mexican food (not Tex-mex which I love too), I knew I had to overcome my fear of chilis, peppers, and the stovetop grill. So when my friend, Maria, offered to come over and make chili rellenos with me,

Thanksgiving in Mexico...

As any Expat will tell you, the hardest part of choosing to live in another country is being away from your family during the holidays. This year, I wanted to make Thanksgiving dinner and share my holiday with my friends and neighbors because they have been so gracious and inviting towards Seth and me. It was my way of saying, "Thanks" to them.

As all little parties go, it started out with just a few friends of maybe about 6-8 people. Then somehow, it turned into a much larger party of 15 adults and 3 children. I can't tell you how much I just loved having all those people in our home chit chatting and yumming down on the food. This will probably be most memorable Thanksgiving ever!

I made all the traditional foods of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie. I decided since it was

Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!...

When I walked into the grocery store and saw the huge pallet bins full of pumpkin (calabaza) I exclaimed with glee. I'm not kidding. I really did exclaim with glee. There was a Mexican woman staring at them, and all I could say was, "Calabaza! Calabaza! Yeah! Yeah!" The translation was not lost on her. I think she got the point. I was happy!

You see, its impossible to find pumpkin puree here in good 'ol Mexico. And I do mean absolutely impossible to find canned pumpkin. You'd think with this area having such a large expat community, I'd be able to find a stash in one of the four major grocery stores. Nope. Nada. Uh uh. Ain't no way. Not gonna happen. So when I saw all those pumpkins, I knew that my fall season in the tropics was not to be empty of wonderful pumpkin dishes after all. Nope, I was going to be able to make all my favorite recipes and find some new ones to add to the list! **This is when everyone cheers with joy like complete dorks**

Whatcha Been Up To?

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Since we've been back, Taelyn has been pretty much angel child. I don't know if she suddenly came into her own or what, but she's just happy, happy, happy all the time and so easy to entertain. The best part, is she's all about entertaining herself. This also means that Mommy has more time to pitter patter around and do all the things she likes to do, but never had time.

I don't know what it is, but maybe I got a little bit of the autumn buzz when I was in Oklahoma. The weather was just starting to transition itself into the next season. The leaves were starting to change colors. The wind was blowing a little bit cooler. Heaters were starting to be turned on. So once I got back, I just suddenly got on this baking kick. I know what your thinking. "But Kristen, you live in a tropical location where it is 87 degrees everyday and 100 trillion % humidity." Yes, you are correct, but that doesn't stop me. Once I get the cooking and baking bug in me, there's no point in trying to fight it. I'm sure you understand. Especially when you

Nicest Present Ever...

My property manager, Chris, just got back from a trip to his homeland, England. I had been complaining about how it was absolutely impossible to find malt vinegar in Mexico. Go figure, huh? You can find every other kind of vinegar under the sun; rice vinegar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, olive vinegar, wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, coconut vinegar...but alas, no malt vinegar. Crazy, I know! How's a person supposed to have some good fish and chips without malt vinegar. Of course, Seth thinks I'm dumb, and he believes that tartar sauce is the way to go. I ignore him and try not to be ashamed that I married someone who doesn't like malt vinegar. But, secretly, it is a little embarrassing. Shhhh!

Any who, I digress. So Mr. Wonderful Chris brought me back my very own bottle of malt vinegar! How nice is that? He said it was his favorite brand and was ridiculously cheap. I don't

Yeah Me!...

No, I'm not turning this into a cooking blog. I just had to share how proud I was of myself. I made my very first, honest to God, homemade pie crust! I know, I'm tickled too! Although I love to cook, baking has never been my forte. Certain