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The Day of the Dead- Dia de los Muertos

Season Six, Autumn 2008

The Day of the Dead- Dia de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos in Spanish, is actually a time to celebrate life. Families and friends gather together to honor their loved ones who have passed away and prepare little altars with offerings of their favorite foods and drinks. The 1st of November is dedicated to children and youth, while the adults are honored on November 2nd. This week we made a Tamal de Cazuela recipe, or Tamale Casserole, which is a great dish to share at your own gatherings this Fall.

Cooking Show Video

This is a recipe for a Mexican Tamal de Cazuela, a casserole made of chicken, poblano peppers, and butternut squash nestled between a cornmeal dough. It is served with a raw Tomatillo Salsa. This is an easy dish to make and is great for taking to family gatherings and pot lucks. Most of these ingredients can be sourced locally, so be sure to check out your local farmers market before you make it.

October 30, 2008   |   1 comments
Tags: Entrees, Fall, Healthy, Latin America, Whole grain
Cooking Show Video

If you are not sure how to roast peppers, watch our quick video to learn. Roasting not only improves the flavor, but also takes away the gas-causing skin and seeds.

October 30, 2008   |   0 comments
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Recipe

If you cannot find Pan de Muerto, the traditional Mexican bread eaten on the 1st and 2nd of November, then you can make these little cookies. We made them with orange blossom water and anise seeds, the same seasonings used for the Pan de Muerto. Be sure to drink our Dark and Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate with these!

Cookie:
¾ cup organic cane sugar
1 egg yolk
1 cup butter
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. anise seeds
pinch of cinnamon
splash of orange blossom or rose water

Filling:
1 ½ cups pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
¼ cup milk, heated
3 T agave nectar

For the Cookies:
Cream butter and sugar together in a bowl. Beat in the egg yolk and splash of orange blossom water.
Sift together the flour and spices, and add to the sugar/butter mixture.
Use your hands to bring the dough together. Form 1-inch balls and place on a baking tray.
Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. When the cookies are done, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool.

For the Filling:
Make the filling by grinding the pepitas in a food processor until they break down and turn into a smooth paste, about 10 minutes. You will have to stop the machine every now and again to scrape down the sides.
Whisk the warm milk and agave nectar into the pumpkin seed butter.

Spread a dollop of filling onto the flat side of one cookie and then sandwich between another. Repeat.
Makes 12 cookies.

Celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead with these delicious cookies. The anise-flavored cookie sandwiches a yummy pepita (pumpkin seed) butter center.
October 30, 2008   |   0 comments
Tags: Cookies, Desserts, Fall, Latin America
Cooking Show Photo

Pan de Muerto is the traditional bread eaten on the Days of the Dead. It is a rich bread made with egg yolks and flavored with aniseeds and orange blossom water.

October 30, 2008   |   0 comments
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Cooking Show Photo

This is a photo taken of the Day of the Dead Altar set up by Mano a Mano at St. Mark's church in the East Village.

November 4, 2008   |   0 comments
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