Welcome to our new feature, Around the Kitchen Table! This series of fun and informative articles will feature a different country and culture each week and will offer families culturally diverse recipes and crafts to prepare and create together around their kitchen table, as well as a history and information on the culture that is being featured. We hope you enjoy this 4 part series and that your family will enjoy learning about other cultures and spending time together in a new and creative way!
The United Mexican States or Mexico, is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the North Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of Mexico. Mexico is comprised of thirty-one states and the capital is Mexico City, whose metropolitan area is one of the world’s most populous.
Covering almost 2 million square kilometers, Mexico is the fifth-largest country in the Americas by total area and the 14th largest independent nation in the world. With an estimated population of 109 million, it is the 11th most populous country and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.
Our Mexican Recipe
Quesadillas are one of the mainstays of Mexico’s street-side stands, and are considered quintessential Mexican. It turns out that they are hybrid creations, half indigenous and half Spanish. The corn tortilla on which quesadillas are based is Native-American; the cheese, as well as the pork, chicken, and/or beef that may accompany the cheese, is Spanish. The hot-sauce made with chili pepper is indigenous, but the shredded lettuce is Spanish. Crema Mexicana (similar to sour cream) is also added as a finishing touch.
Spicy Pork Quesadillas
1/2 pound lean ground pork
1/4 cup diced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 jalapeno chile, minced*
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
1/4 cup grated Cheddar or jack cheese
1. In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook pork with onion and garlic until browned; drain off any drippings and remove to large bowl.
2. Stir cumin, oregano, jalapeno and cilantro into pork mixture.
3. Wipe out skillet with paper towel and heat over medium-high heat. Place one tortilla in skillet; top with half of the pork mixture, spreading evenly, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of cheese. Top with another tortilla and cook on one side until nicely browned (about 2 to 3 minutes), pressing down occasionally on top tortilla. Turn and brown the other side, remove to cutting board and cut into 8 wedges. Repeat process to make 8 more quesadilla wedges. Serve with salsa, if desired. Serves 4.
*Wear rubber gloves when handling hot chiles.
Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Pork, The Other White Meat
Our Craft of the Week – Paper Plate Maracas
One of the most recognizable of the percussion instruments is the maracas, a pair of rattles made from gourds. Maracas are essential to Latin and South American orchestras and bands, and other musical forms that have adopted the rhythm of the maracas.
Maracas are used as musical instruments, and they are usually oval or egg-shaped. Maracas originate from Central and South America where legend tells of a goddess wrapping white stones in a calabash gourd (the dried fruit of a calabash tree) to make the first maraca. As well as gourds, today they are made out plastic, metal, woven baskets or wood. Anything from dried peas, to rice or corn will do to make the shaking sound.
Supplies needed:
• One or two paper plates
• Dried beans, rice, or popcorn
• Stapler
• Paint, markers, or crayons
• Optional: crepe paper streamers
• Popsicle or craft stick
• Tape
Instructions:
• Tape craft stick to the inside of one of the paper plates
• Put a handful or 2 of the dried beans, rice or corn in the paper plate with the craft stick
• Optional: Cut streamers and lay them out on the inner rim of the paper plate
• Place the paper plates together with the insides facing each other
• Staple around the edges of the paper plates
• Decorate the outside of the maracas with glitter, markers, crayons, paint, etc.
Our Book of the Week
Off We Go To Mexico (from Barefoot Books) – Available in English and Spanish
Readers explore the richness of Mexican culture, visiting el mercado, and dancing to la musica of the mariachis. This book also teaches over 40 simple Spanish words and phrases.
“On each spread, artwork inspired by the festive colors and distinctive iconography of Mexican folk crafts pairs with Krebs’ singsong verse about a place or experience.” - Booklist
“There’s a lot we like about Off We Go to Mexico! An Adventure in the Sun, especially the authentic Mexican look and tone. Vibrant art, rhyming text, detailed cultural descriptions - plus Spanish language - it’s a great tote-bag accessory to pack for down-time at the beach.”
- Nick Jr. Family Magazine
And now we say Hasta Luego for the present time! We hope you have enjoyed your brief tour of the Mexican culture, all from the comfy confines of your kitchen table. Look for part 2 of our series focusing on the Chinese culture next week. See you soon.
