31 Alimentos que México dio al mundo : 31 foods that Mexico gave to the World
Mexico (and the Americas in general) has given much to the worlds food larder. We are familiar with many of these foods even though we might not know where exactly the came from (1). We can thank the Americas for staple foods such as corn, potatoes, tomatoes, beans (2), squashes, chiles, avocados, the turkey, vanilla and cacao (3) as well as the highly nutritious seeds … Continue reading 31 Alimentos que México dio al mundo : 31 foods that Mexico gave to the World
Aztec Gods or States of Consciousness? Another Observation.
Cover Image : ‘Vocho Teotihuacano’ : Héctor Garnelo Navarro etal The tendency of Christianity (regardless of which form you wish to discuss it in) is to destroy that which does not fit within the confines of its dogma. If it cannot destroy then, much like the Romans (1) it will appropriate and absorb. This appropriation is problematic as although they are appearing to take something … Continue reading Aztec Gods or States of Consciousness? Another Observation.
Tianquiztli
Cover Image : Bas relief of Itzcoatl at the Jardin de la Triple Alianza (Garden of the Triple Alliance) in México city. Find the garden at Calle de Filomeno Mata, corner of Tacuba, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc, 06000 CDMX. I have been drawn to the quelites of México ever since I was exposed to the word “papaloquelite” in a book by Josefina Howard. This curiosity was … Continue reading Tianquiztli
Porophyllums : Medicinal Utility : A Recap
The infusions of some species of Porophyllum are used in traditional medicine because of activity against cramps and venereal diseases, as well as for their antispasmodic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and insecticide properties. The terpenoid compounds of the Porophyllum genus have been of great interest due to the large number of biological activities they present. In vitro and in vivo studies performed with the purified extracts … Continue reading Porophyllums : Medicinal Utility : A Recap
Porophyllum leucospermum
P.leucospermum is considered to be a synonym for Porophyllum gracile (1) which is also known as “slender poreleaf”. See Post Porophyllum gracile : Deer Weed for further information on P.gracile. Other synonyms for P.gracile include Porophyllum caesium Greene Porophyllum cedrense Rose & Standl. ex Rydb. Porophyllum confertum Greene Porophyllum confertum var. ochroleucum (Rydb.) I.M. Johnst. Porophyllum junciforme Greene Porophyllum leucospermum Greene Porophyllum nodosum M. E. … Continue reading Porophyllum leucospermum
Flor de Jamaica : The C-Bomb
I came across this recipe for a flor de jamaica jam (1) which made me giggle a little. You see, where I come from, C bomb is a most heinous swear word. This however was not the original authors purpose (I hope). The C Bomb being referred to is a large dose of vitamin C as provided by the calyxes of the hibiscus flower known … Continue reading Flor de Jamaica : The C-Bomb
Xochipilli : Is it a Dahlia?
I think we may be overlooking the obvious. In my continuing quest to understand Xochipilli, both in spirit and in form, I am drawn to the floral imagery portrayed on the idol. I am unconvinced of the current paradigm which would have me believe that all of these plants are intoxicants designated for shamanic usage. Wasson, to fit a theory, has perhaps projected his own … Continue reading Xochipilli : Is it a Dahlia?
Recipe : Mole Cookies (1)
In Australia we call them biscuits I have previously waxed lyrical on the subject of mole (1) and even queried the legitimacy of pre-made mole (2). One thing I have not done however is use mole in a sweet dish. I do make a chocolate, cherry and ancho chile biscotti which tends to be well received so it wasn’t a stretch to use mole instead. … Continue reading Recipe : Mole Cookies (1)
Chamoy
My first introduction to chamoy was through FOMEX (1). It was a sweltering Australian summers day and I was attending a taquiza (2) for FOMEX members and their family and friends. I joined FOMEX after visiting Mexico because I wanted to expose myself to the cooking of a culture as it appears in its home kitchens. I also wanted to test my cooking on the … Continue reading Chamoy
Horchata
The drink horchata is another example of Moorish influences in the cuisines of México. The drink as it it was historically known dates back to ancient Rome where it was a medicinal drink made from barley. Etymologically this is where the word horchata was born; from the roman “hordeum” (barley) and “hordeata” (drink made from/with barley). As the drink travelled the world, borne aloft by … Continue reading Horchata
Masa Americana 