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After sharing her story yesterday about how My Abuela's Table came to be, Daniella will be featuring recipes for different Mexican celebrations for the rest of the week, starting today with the Day of the Dead. Remember to leave a comment to go into the draw to win a copy of My Abuela's Table! - Jenny x
The most traditionally Mexican of celebrations that links both the Spanish and the Indigenous Mexican cultures. Dia de los Muertos celebrates the souls of the departed who are said to join family and friends in the land of the living on this day. It's a joyous time, without tears - which can make the return pathway slippery!
On the eve of November 2, there is great activity in Mexican kitchens. The local markets do a roaring trade with typical ingredients such as aromatic herbs, spices, nuts, fish and seafood, selling out by mid afternoon. Hours of preparation produce magnificent dishes like mole (chocolate-based spicy sauce chicken or turkey), empanadas de carne (meat empanadas), tacos fritos (fried tacos), and sweets like camotes (Pueba sweets) and cocadas (coconut fudge). The next day the food is carefully packed in canastas (straw baskets), and ollas (clay pots) and transported to the cemeteries. They are then arranged on top of the graves of loved ones, as an offering to celebrate their lives. The food is consumed on site and stories and memories of the departed are shared by all.
Pan de Muertos (Day of the Dead Bread)
Makes two loaves
7 g dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
3 cups plain flour
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
6 eggs, separated
1 tablespoon orange extract
2 tablespoons anise extract
125 g butter
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
extra sugar, for sprinkling
Beef Empanada
Makes 10 empanadas
For the filling:
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic clovesolive oil, for frying
4 bacon rashers (or 2 chorizo sausages), cubed
500 g shin beef, cubed
3 bay leaves
400 g tin tomatoes
50 g pine nuts
½ teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon tumeric
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon white vinegar
For the pastry:
5 sheets shortcrust pastry milk, for glazing
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
- Daniella x
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ooh! Day of the dead bread, love the name of it!
I have My Abuela’s Table and this recipe was one of the first I thought to try out. Very exciting for upcoming Day of the Dead! All the recipes look amazing so I highly recommend buying the book.
I have been desiring ‘My Abuela’s Table’. I am sold now I’ve seen the gorgeous illustrations accompanying the recipes.
OMG! Daniella has just made my morning!!!! the illustrations and the recipes have awakened so many memories… I am sure to try the recipe for Empanadas de Carne this week. Daniella, thank you for ‘My Abuela’s Table’.
My god these recipes both sound so good! Could you add some diced candied peel to the bread, I wonder?
Oh how exciting! Thank you for these! :)
This is my favourite type of cook book and not just because mexican is my absolute favourite type of food! When much loved family recipes are married with such gorgeous illustration, you just know it’s a resource you’ll use over and over again. I can’t wait to see more recipes and start planning my next fiesta!
Love it! Need this book!
Day of the dead!
Reminds me of the feat of I Santi e Morti in Italy and all those little bone biscuits!
I would love this book. I love mexican food and would love to try out new recipes.
What a beautiful cook book! Now I know what to get my sisters for Christmas. Thank you! xxx
I love your illustrations Daniella, congratulations on a fantastic book! I have great memories of Day of the Dead in Mexico a few years ago and I would love to be able to re-create this bread:)
Beautiful work! I love a yummy illustration ;-)
I’m sorry I don’t think I can wait to see if my luck is good this time, I’m off to buy this book NOW!
Just love mexican food so much! Its warm and nurturing and just yum! Will enjoysmaking thease recipies. Wish I had a mexican Abuelita too
A beautiful testament to the importance of family, food, tradition and talent!
Oh my! Daniella, I have to say I’m super inspired and jealous at the same time. I mean this is super great, I love it. And I’m super jealous because I would love to do this one day. I love cooking and drawing, so to be able to combine both into something so beautiful, I’m just blown away :)
Any advice on how to make a beautiful illustrated cook book?
badra.
What divine illustrations….I’ve never wanted to cook more!
thanks for sharing two gorgeous recipes! would absolutely love to have a copy of your beautiful cookbook :)
The recipes sound very yummy. Fantastic illustrations too!
Love the look of this book – gorgeous illustrations and looking forward to seeing some more of the recipes!
It looks like a wonderful book. I love mexican food and would love to try these recipes.
I would love to get my hands on a copy of this book! If I can tear myself away from my margarita, that is!
I would like to try the mole recipes in the book, to see if Ican recreate what enjoyed so much in my stay in Mexico