Hello Lovelies,
So, first allow me to apologize that there is no story today. As it turns out, I've had the last few days off, so I've been more busy than ever, ironically. With my wife at work, it's been my responsibility to prepare for Dia de los Muertos. This has involved shopping, setting things up, and a LOT of cooking and cleaning. Lord only knows how much Pan de Muertos I've made, but it's enough for many of our friends and family to enjoy as well. This is not to mention the shredded tri-tip tacos for dinner that were cooking for nine hours. All in all, I've spent something like twenty hours in my kitchen over the course of the last two days.
So, instead of doing a rushed and half-assed chapter, I wanted to take a moment and wish you all a Happy Dia de los Muertos!
For those who do not celebrate or may not have heard of it, it's a holiday that is often described as Mexican Halloween. However, it really is so much more. It's a three day holiday (31st, 1st, 2nd) where the dead may visit the living. It's a time of remembrance that celebrates the wonderful lives and things left behind by those we love that have passed on. When we lose those we love, mourning is for us, but remembering is for them. For in remembering who they were and how they made us who we are, they live on forever no matter what lines separate us.
I hope you all have a wonderful evening and, if you do celebrate, you remember those you've lost with fondness, not regret. As for my own regrets, I promise you will have a chapter 16 tomorrow come hell or high water.
<3 Feliz Dia de los Muertos, everyone. Tenga buen noche. <3
May we all remember with fondness, and not regret.
ReplyDeleteFeliz Dia de los Muertos, Robert! I hope that all your hard work in the kitchen is well-appreciated and enjoyed by your family and friends! I'd love to have a husband who enjoys cooking. Mine can handle the occasional can of soup or a frozen pizza, but that's about it. Oh, I forgot the bowl of Cheerios! LOL I do remember those I've lost with fondness, but missing them is always there. Happy writing in November!
ReplyDeleteHi Robert - yes those 3 days should give us food for thought and remembrances ... not just candy and pumpkins ... I'd love to know more about the recipes you were creating ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSure, I found a recipe online but have modified it. Here it is.
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Bread:
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup milk
1/2 Cup water
5 1/2 - 6 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 1/2 Teaspoons Active Dry Yeast (Often 1 packet)
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 White Sugar
4 eggs, beaten
4 tsps orange zest
Glaze:
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp orange zest
1. Heat the milk, butter, and water together in a medium saucepan (until butter melts). Do not boil. Set aside momentarily.
2. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, the yeast, salt, and sugar. Beat in warm milk mixture and then add orange zest and eggs. Beat all until well combined.
3. Proceed to add 1 cup of flour, beating in until well combined. Repeat until all flour is added. NOTE: 5 - 6 cups may need to be done by hand.
4.Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough into a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (roughly 2 - 2 1/2 hours).
6. Slice dough into separate pieces. Dough will make 2 to 6 pieces of bread, depending on size of loaf. I recommend using for 4 - 6, otherwise you have a monstrous fisherman's bread sized loaf. Shape as desired, but common two are skull-shaped or round loaf with X's and/or bone designs.
7. Place dough loaves onto greased baking pan. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours/
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Prepare Glaze during the tail end of this.
9. GLAZE: In a small saucepan, combine the 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 2 tsp of orange zest. Stir until hot but not boiling and well combined.
10. Brush warm to hot bread loves with glaze to cover completely. Sprinkle glazed bread with a dash of white sugar and allow bread to cool.
I am familiar with that holiday! You have been a cooking slave preparing for it - may you be blessed for it.
ReplyDeleteA holiday I know from a movie haha great thoughts behind it too, think of all of those fondly we lost.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's better to anticipate a new chapter. No worries. And isn't that always the way--the more time you have off, the busier you get.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your recipe. I'll have to try making it next year.
ReplyDeleteYour alter looks super cool!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of it, such a great, colourful festival. It's good to remember fondly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely celebration! I like the idea of remembering those who have passed fondly instead of with sadness.
ReplyDeleteThose candles are throwing the right shadows.
ReplyDeleteFeliz! Dang... now I want tacos for dinner! :)
ReplyDeleteBelated Feliz Dia de los Muertos. It sounds like you did a lot of great cooking for the celebration.
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