Mexican Christmas Traditions

TASTE TEST: Trader Joe's Chunky Spicy Guacamole Auténtico and Cantina Corn Tortilla Chips

18 · Apr 4, 2013 · 1 Comment

I'm a supermarket skeptic and like to try the "Mexican" products sold in some mainstream markets because I know that not everybody has access to the kind of markets where I like to regularly shop. And I use quotes to say "Mexican" because sometimes I find that the product is really not worthy of the label. A lot of friends, family and longtime readers of The Other Side of The Tortilla are always asking me if I've tried certain products or if I can recommend replacement products for things not commonly sold where they live. So, I've decided to start writing about some of the products that I've taste-tested to share with you.

During my first few weeks living in LA, I was desperate to get my hands on certain foods but either didn't have the time or transportation to go looking very far for what I really wanted. I taste-tested a lot of products during that time, and Trader Joe's happened to be the most conveniently located store on my route to and from work. Good guacamole was one thing I was craving and I hadn't seen this Trader José's Chunky Spicy version before so I gave it a try.

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Wordless Wednesday: Store-bought Tepache

3 · Apr 3, 2013 · Leave a Comment

As I've been checking out as many Mexican grocers in Los Angeles as possible, I've noticed one product (made by a few different brands) that was not common to find in the Mexican supermarkets in Chicago: bottled tepache. I haven't tried any yet, but I think I will soon just because I'm seeing it everywhere and I'm getting more and more curious how it tastes compared to the homemade tepache I've had in Mexico and Chicago from taquerías and street stands.

The fermented pineapple drink has a hard cider quality and is originally from the state of Jalisco.

For a home-brewed recipe, check out this step-by-step tepache recipe and tutorial from my friend Pati Jinich from Pati's Mexican Table.

I used to frequently find tepache at an aguas frecas stand at the Maxwell Street Market (every Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free admission and most vendors only accept cash). For more places to find tepache in Chicago, check out this August 2012 article from the Chicago Tribune.

Have you had store-bought or bottled tepache? Is it any good and do you have a preferred brand I should try?

Alambre de la Patrona

25 · Mar 29, 2013 · 4 Comments

This taco de alambre recipe is a Mexico City-style taco made with thinly sliced pork, bacon, chile poblano, onion and cheese.

I haven't written much here about my favorite taquería in Chicago, La Lagartija, but have always widely recommended the place to anyone who asked me in person, on Facebook or Twitter about where to get an authentic Mexican meal in my hometown. I wasn't exactly trying to keep it a secret, but it's definitely a gem and I always appreciated the neighborhood charm and the way that the meseras and owners always remembered us and greeted us like family. I have so many photos of memorable meals we ate there, and it was the only place in Chicago where we'd regularly eat tacos al pastor.

RELATED RECIPE: Slow-cooker carnitas

But one of my favorite standby meals there, the alambre, is both succulent and super easy to recreate at home. This recipe is my own spin on one of their alambres. The owners are from Mexico City, and the dish on their menu is actually a version of a popular dish at one of our favorite taquerías in Mexico City, El Charco de las Ranas. This dish is also sometimes known as alambre de chuleta and is best served with warm tortillas, but you can skip the tortillas if you like and just eat it with a fork.

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My go-to dinner: Tostadas {featured on mom.me}

1 · Mar 28, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Thanks to the folks at mom.me for featuring our tips on why tostadas are a great go-to meal for moms with picky eaters this week! Check out the "My Go-To Dinner" gallery on mom.me for our recipe and others, including from some of our favorite food blogs such as Nibbles and Feasts, Everyday Maven and Gluten is My Bitch.

Tag your Instagram photos #mygotodinner for a chance to see your dinner featured on mom.me too!

To go directly to our post on how to make tostadas, click here.

Do you have a go-to Mexican meal? Let me know what it is in the comments!

Wordless Wednesday: Finding a good concha

3 · Mar 27, 2013 · 5 Comments

If you're a frequent reader, you know all about my deep love for pan dulce and all kinds of Mexican pastries and other baked goods. So, of course it was one of the first things I sought out during my first week living in Los Angeles. A good friend introduced me to this place and I can't seem to stay away!

This perfect concha is from La Monarca Bakery in Santa Monica (they have two more locations: Huntington Park and South Pasadena). I'm sure I'll be writing more about this place soon, as I like to stop by there whenever I can since it's not too far from where I work.

Is there a perfect piece of pan dulce in your neck of the woods? Let me know in the comments where you like to buy your pan dulce, wherever you live!