Rocio’s Moles de los Dióses – Chilaquiles

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How many times have you seen chilaquiles on a Mexican menu, and wondered what it was? Here’s what Wikipedia says:

Chilaquiles (Spanish pronunciation: [tʃila’kiles]) from the Nahuatl word chīlāquilitl [t͡ʃiːlaː’kilit͡ɬ] is a traditional Mexican dish. Typically, corn tortillas cut in quarters and lightly fried are the basis of the dish.[1] Green or red salsa or mole is poured over the crisp tortilla triangles, called totopos. The mixture is simmered until the tortilla starts softening. Eggs (scrambled or fried) and pulled chicken are sometimes added to the mix. The dish is topped with cheese (typically queso fresco) and/or sweet Mexican cream (crema), and it is served with refried beans. As with many Mexican dishes, regional and familial variation is quite common.

In central Mexico it is common for the tortilla chips to remain crisp. To achieve this, all ingredients except the salsa are placed on a plate and the salsa is poured at the last moment, seconds before serving. It is commonly garnished with cream, shredded queso fresco, raw onion rings and avocado slices.
Usually, chilaquiles are eaten at breakfast or brunch. This makes them a popular recipe to use leftover tortillas and salsas.
Chilaquiles are frequently confused with the Tex-Mex Migas, as each is a dish that uses tortilla chips/strips served primarily in the morning. In Guadalajara, cazuelas are kept simmering filled with chilaquiles that become thick in texture similar to polenta.

Grupo Limite – Solo Contigo

The first time I heard this group, it was on the radio as I was pulling into the parking lot at the dry cleaner. I dashed into the store and begged a nice Mexican woman to come out and tell me who was singing.

Ever since then, I have been a huge fan of this Norteño/Tejano (according to Wikipedia) band from northern Mexico. The music is always light and cheerful, and I adore Alicia Villareal’s sweet vocal style. The band broke up a few years ago, when Alicia went on to a solo career… More to come on that subject.

Popocatéptl Frighteningly Active

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The famous volcano near Mexico City and Puebla has been increasingly active for several months, including throwing massive amounts of ash into the air. Mexico City airport – 40 kilometers away, was shut down briefly earlier this week because of ash. The alert level is just one step short of calling for evacuation. Here’s the link to El Universal newspaper.
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/2013/emitio-popocatepetl-39-exhalaciones-ultimas-24-horas-935175.html

Controversy Over Lighting National Monuments

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There’s a controversy over whether national monuments in Mexico City should be illuminated at night. Click on the link to the newspaper El Universal… I quite like the way they lit the Monument to the Revolution. It’s where I took the cover picture for this blog.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/cultura/2013/monumentos-iluminados-entre-la-crtica-y-la-belleza–934817.html

La Capilla de la Concepción Cuepopan – Mexico City

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A great photo of the chapel in the 1970s. From the Facebook page “Ciudad ed México en el tiempo”

La Capilla de la Concepción Cuepopan vista desde el Templo de la Concepción a inicios de los años setenta. Un espacio que no deben dejar de visitar. Belisario Domínguez entre Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas y Allende.El sitio en Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/Sso4e
Información actual de la Plaza: http://www.eluniversaldf.mx/home/nota20747.html
Crédito imagen: INBA