A 3000 Year Old Celebration Of Friends & Family
(Scroll down to "The Playlist" and hit play before reading... works better that way!)
Dia de los muertos is a Mexican holiday that focuses on family gatherings to pray for and remember friends and family members that have passed. Similar to the Catholic church's "All Saints" day, it is truly a time of fellowship and remembrance. Also, a time to catch up with old friends and have a true Mexican feast and celebration. Tons of food, drink and music.
We lost a family patriarch this year, my father-in-law. Larger than life, a man of God and willing to help those in need without hesitation or discussion; he was a man's man who truly loved life, his family and friends. And... no one put on a feast bigger or better than Gerald Wilkins.
So let the Fiesta begin! This one's for you big man.
The Pots are on...
The Plate...
Corn & Poblano Lasagna
Ok, I must confess... I love, love Mexican and Italian food (as if you couldn't tell from my previous post). In fact, a friend of mine and I discussed the possible opening of a restaurant with a fusion of the two and call it Antonio Lopez. You know, you could have Italian sausage tacos, Nacho pasta, or hey... Corn & Poblano Lasagna. Sounds good to me.
What you need...
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh kernel corn
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion
4 poblano chiles (charred peeled, stemmed and seeded)
1 large zucchini thinly sliced lengthwise
Twelve 7 by 3 inch no-boil lasagna sheets
2 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
What you do...
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Melt 2 tbls butter in a medium saucepan
Add 2/3 of the garlic and the corn, saute for 5 minutes.
Stir in cream
Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes
Turn off the heat and let cool slightly
Transfer to a blender and season with the thyme and some salt and pepper
Puree until smooth
Heat the remaining 2 tbls of butter in a small skillet over medium heat
Add the onions and saute (about 5 min)
Add the remaining garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute
Mix in the poblano strips and zucchini
Cook for 5 minutes
Season with salt and pepper
Turn off heat
Spread about 1/4 of the corn mixture over the bottom of an 11 by 8 inch baking dish
cover with a layer of 3 lasagna sheets
Spread 1/4 of the cheese over the pasta
Repeat the layering 3 more times
Cover with foil
Bake until the pasta is cooked and tender (about 50 min)
Remove the foil and turn up the temp. to boil
Boil until golden brown (8-10 min)
Let stand for 10 minutes, then dig in
The Playlist...
Dia De Los Muertos
What can I say... I love this music. Something a little different for your fiesta. Remember we want to pay our respect, but come on man... it's a celebration of their life. Love the old school classics; Tequila, Cielito Lindo, and La Bamba (does anyone do a better version than Los Lobos?). And... If you don't party with the Los Lonely Boys... well, you should (check out their cover of "Evil Ways"). So, here's to all that went before us. Party on!
("The Playlist" runs on Spotify. Don't have Spotify?... Click here it's free )
The Bar...
Devil's Water / Habanero Infused Tequila
A little prep...
One Habanero chili
750 ml Tequila
Quarter the habanero removing the seeds.
Place the pepper
slices in your tequila of choice and infuse for 1-7 days.
Once the tequila has reached the desired temp (the longer
it stays the hotter it gets), strain to remove peppers.
Now you're ready!!!
Ultimate Margarita...
2 oz cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 Tbls sugar
1 oz Grand Marnier
1 oz Triple Sec
2 oz Habanero Tequila
Ice
Combine all ingredients in shaker. Shake and pour into
glass rimmed with salt. Garnish with lime.
Vaya Con Dios Mi Amigos
Please... Day Drink Responsibly
&
Keep On Cookin!
Dedicated to Gerald Wilkins
We were blessed to have you in our lives
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