Tag Archives: tradition

Apr8

Capirotada: Mexican Bread Pudding

Posted on by
Standard
Capirotada: Mexican Bread Pudding

Although I had been in Mexico for several years, the first time I ever tasted this amazing dessert was when I arrived in Aguascalientes back in 2019. A friend had a loncheria and this was on the menu when I stopped in one day.

Capirotada is popular during Lent, especially during Holy Week. It consists of layers of toasted bolillo, soaked in piloncillo syrup, cinnamon, cloves and aged cheese. Raisins, nuts and coconut are sprinkled on top. And to make it even more decadent, lechera may be poured over it.

This dish actually dates back to ancient Rome, Spain and Medieval Europe and didn’t originate in Mexico. The ingredients differed but I am going to focus on the Mexican version in this post.

The name “caripotada” comes from the word “capirote.” These refer to tall hoods worn during religious celebrations.

Each of the ingredients has a religious significance, which I just recently found out. The bread signifies the body of Christ. The syrup represents the blood of Christ. The cinnamon sticks are the cross. The cloves are the nails. And the cheese is the shroud.

For me, the symbolism now gives new meaning to the tradition of eating capirotada during Lent. And on that note, I hope to find some when I’m out on my walk later on today.

Dec24

A Christmas Memory

Posted on by
Standard
A Christmas Memory

I’ve spent Christmas with a variety of different people in numerous places in Mexico and the USA. But one of my favorite memories dates back to the 90s, when I lived in Canada and my kids were still young and living at home. And Koal was still with us too.

My friend Lesley had invited us over on Christmas Eve. When I had a thyroidectomy, my vocal folds were nicked during surgery. Lesley was my speech therapist who worked with me to get my voice back, and we became good friends as the months went by. My kids were delighted to meet other kids at this Christmas Eve gathering, and it was a most enjoyable evening.

On Christmas Day I prepared my usual bacon and eggs breakfast, and then took my coffee into the living room where we opened presents. Of course Koal got the most gifts. That dog was spoiled rotten by all of us, and was always given way too many treats, toys and t-shirts to add to his wardrobe.

A lazy afternoon included card games and siestas, although I did spend a fair amount of time in the kitchen preparing a traditional turkey dinner.

After dinner we watched Christmas Vacation and laughed ourselves silly at the antics of Chevy Chase. I also remember the first time we saw that movie. We were in Phoenix, Arizona.

The last time I had Christmas dinner with my kids was in 2009. And I often wonder if we’ll ever do it again. We live in different countries. With the world crazy with Covid, nothing is certain anymore.

Now, more than ever before, it’s important to practice mindfulness. If you are fortunate to have family and good friends, celebrate with them NOW. A year from now, we may not all be around to get together. Nothing is promised.

Merry Christmas to all my readers and followers. May you and your families enjoy great times together, in good health, over this holiday season.

Dec3

An Annual Tradition

Posted on by
Standard
An Annual Tradition

I have this annual tradition when I’m in Mexico over the winter. I head to Waldo’s and buy a small tree which I decorate and then leave behind when I head up north in the spring. And of course there is also the obligatory tin of butter cookies to nibble on while I adorn the tree.

Another annual tradition is spending Christmas in a different place with different people.

My first Christmas in Mexico was in Culiacan. I quickly learned that Christmas Eve is the big event and the menu was tamales and ponche.

Other holidays were in Tlaquepaque, Tototlan, Mazatlan, San Ciro de Acosta, Puerto Vallarta, Lake Chapala and Aguascalientes. Last year was really different. I was living in Wenatchee, Washington.

Christmas is only twenty-two days away and I haven’t finalized my plans yet. I’ve been busy with other plans involving traveling somewhere new to ring in 2022. But more about that in a future blog post.

Time to start focusing on Christmas.