Mexican

Dining Outside the Home: China Poblano at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada

Dining Outside the Home: China Poblano at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada! Who says noodles and tacos don’t mix? Take a voyage where East meets West at the same table. Mixing traditions creates a balance of ancient spice and modern flavor at China Poblano. Fresh corn tortillas are filled with braised meats, house-made sauces, and mellow herbs. Twenty-Vegetable Fried Rice is a culinary adventure that changes with every season. Believe it or not, it works. Whatever you choose, do not go away without ordering the signature Salt Air Margarita. Words simply cannot express its pizzazz. 

Dining Outside the Home: El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant in Richmond, Indiana 

Dining Outside the Home: El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant in Richmond, Indiana! One foot in the door and it is apparent a celebration of Mexican heritage, culture, and pride exists on Cinco de Mayo. Between the lively mariachi music and the clink of margarita glasses as big as fishbowls, the atmosphere is hypnotic. Spicy aromas envelope the crowd in south-of-the-border savory dishes. Hardworking employees pass by with sizzling hot plates carefully stacked all the way up their arms without missing a beat. Lively conversation bubbles in our midst as we make our way to a treasured vantage point of activity, celebration, feasting, and of course the classic jumbo margarita. Olé! 

Dining Outside the Home: Plaza Azteca in Williamsburg, Virginia 

Dining Outside the Home: Plaza Azteca in Williamsburg, Virginia! Rich flavors originating in Jalisco, Mexico came across the U.S. to the East Coast over twenty years ago. Now customers come to Plaza Azteca expecting table side guacamole prepared fresh before their eyes. If you’re looking for ordinary, forget it. The grill is working overtime serving up everything from stuffed pineapple to sizzling fajitas. The biggest challenge is breaking away from the usual choices to sample something truly new and amazing. 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai. As the sun dips slowly behind the shadowy mountain range, the view of Kalipaki Bay from this open-air restaurant is picture perfect. Window boxes and hanging baskets border the ledge with a color wheel of annuals. The sound of sizzling fajitas and acoustic guitar envelope the night as conversation becomes relaxed and margaritas flow. Age old recipes from all over Mexico plus family tradition combine to offer a diverse menu with authentic specialties. Olé!

Dining Outside the Home: Monico’s Taqueria in Wailua, Kauai 

Freshly squeezed lime juice margaritas practically greet you at the door. To the right the chef, Monico Martinez, and his kitchen staff are hard at work grilling up piping hot pork carnitas, fresh fish tacos, stuffed burritos, cheesy enchiladas, and towering nachos. Every dish is served with flair, like an art form on a plate. Before that first bite, the aroma of herbs and spices tempt the palate. The quality is high, the staff is friendly, and the portions are generous. With reviews like that, word gets around. 

Dining Outside the Home: Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego, California 

Dining Outside the Home: Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego, California! Nestled in the heart of the city, at the site of the oldest settlement in San Diego, you can stand on the street corner and inhale the spicy aromas. Turn one way and you’ll be lured by mariachi music. Turn the other, and you’ll catch a glimpse of smiling señoritas making handmade tortillas from scratch sold warm to those passing by. Our table on the open patio at the Café Coyote afforded us the advantage of an authentic Mexican meal with a view that entertained. After all, this was the “Day of the Dead! (Dia de Los Muertos).

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter M

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen?  Mexican Spiced Brownies!  Olé!  If you’re as crazy about adding a “kick” to your palate, look no further. (And if you’re not, the recipe can be modified.)  The wild ride adrenaline rush you get from chili peppers can be addictive.  I like the fact that your immune system can get a boost.  The color of red chili peppers signals its high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A. Combine the chili with dark chocolate and there you have it…..permission to eat brownies!

MEXICAN SPICED BROWNIES
Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or a smidgen of cayenne pepper)
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt the butter and add to the sugar.  Stir until blended.  Add the eggs, vanilla, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon powder to the sugar mixture. Mix well. Slowly add the flour and cocoa powder.  Stir until smooth.  Pour into a greased 9 x 9 pan.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
***For regular brownies, omit crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. 
Chocolate Icing:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons butter, softened 
1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract
2 tablespoons warm milk
Gently mix butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder until smooth.  Stir in vanilla extract and milk until frosting is of spreading consistency. Spread evenly on cooled brownies. Sprinkle top with semi-sweet mini chocolate morsels.