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Nuestra Vida

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  • By nc_coleman | Wed, 2006-03-15 05:00

    A couple of weeks ago there was a discussion of a "Nuestra Vida
    Project". What is the current status of this project? Is this
    something that is only found on the Nuestros Ranchos site?

    I am curious because I am actually looking for information on the
    preparation of Birria (a kind of goat stew, although I think I would
    prefer to use lamb). I had it a few times in my youth, but that was
    DECADES ago. I am also wondering about preparing lamb on the barbecue
    or in a smoker. Does anyone have any experience with this. Birria was
    one of my father's favorites, and I noticed on one of the Zacatecas
    links to municipalities/districts, that Birria is a specialty of the
    Valparaiso area (my father was born in the rural area part of
    Valparaiso district). That is the GENEALOGICAL link. Anyway, I was
    thinking of fixing it for Easter - so if you have any hints, I would
    very much appreciate them. Thanks, or as they say on Latino USA
    (NPR) - "gracias por su atencion" (pardon my spelling).
    Have a good day - take care.

    Natalie in VA
    PS - If you have any other suggestions for a Mexican-themed Easter
    menu, please share. -ncc

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    oldcar53

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    Nuestra Vida, Dichos or Folk Wisdom's of Mexico

    A few weeks ago when the Northern California Nueva Galicia group met in Sacramento, I presented a challenge to the group when I introduced a few books. One of those books was folk wisdoms of Mexico or in Español, Proverbios y dichos Mexicanos. I challenged all members to go out and find a book or books on folk wisdoms, customs or traditions of Mexico. Here in California it is probably easier to do than in other states. You can find them in art museums, gift shops, book stores and even at Target and Walmart.   I will share some of those dichos with you from this book by Jeff M Sellers with a foreward by Gary Soto. This is a small pocket size 78 page book.   1) Para tonto no se estudia. One needn't study to become a fool   2) El que nunca va a tu casa
    en la suya no te quiere.
    He who never goes to your house does not want you in his.   3) El que parte y comparte se queda con la mejor parte. He who divides and shares is left with the best share.   4) Hay que aprender a perder antes de saber jugar. One must learn how to lose before learning how to play.   Now let's see who can come up with some more dichos or sayings. Who can find a small book to share either on-line or at the next meeting.   Alicia Avelar Olmos de Carrillo San Jose, Ca

     

    margeval

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    In reply to Nuestra Vida, Dichos or Folk Wisdom's of Mexico by oldcar53

    Nuestra Vida, Dichos or Folk Wisdom's of Mexico

    My grandma used to say "El que comè y canta, loco se levanta" Marge:)
    On Mar 15, 2006, at 3:19 PM, Alicia Carrillo wrote:

    > A few weeks ago when the Northern California Nueva Galicia group met
    > in Sacramento, I presented a challenge to the group when I introduced
    > a few books. One of those books was folk wisdoms of Mexico or in
    > Español, Proverbios y dichos Mexicanos. I challenged all members to go
    > out and find a book or books on folk wisdoms, customs or traditions of
    > Mexico. Here in California it is probably easier to do than in other
    > states. You can find them in art museums, gift shops, book stores and
    > even at Target and Walmart.
    >  
    > I will share some of those dichos with you from this book by Jeff M
    > Sellers with a foreward by Gary Soto. This is a small pocket size 78
    > page book.
    >  
    > 1) Para tonto no se estudia.
    > One needn't study to become a fool
    >  
    > 2) El que nunca va a tu casa en la suya no te quiere.
    > He who never goes to your house does not want you in his.
    >  
    > 3) El que parte y comparte se queda con la mejor parte.
    > He who divides and shares is left with the best share.
    >  
    > 4) Hay que aprender a perder antes de saber jugar.
    > One must learn how to lose before learning how to play.
    >  
    > Now let's see who can come up with some more dichos or sayings. Who
    > can find a small book to share either on-line or at the next meeting.
    >  
    > Alicia Avelar Olmos de Carrillo
    > San Jose, Ca
    >
    >
    >  
    >
    >
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    > ▪  Visit your group "ranchos" on the web.
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    >  
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    > Service.
    >
    >

    Profile picture for user arturoramos

    arturoramos

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    In reply to Nuestra Vida, Dichos or Folk Wisdom's of Mexico by margeval

    Birria Recipe and Mexican Proverbs

    Natalie:

    Here is a birria recipe from MexGrocer.com... By the way since you are out here on the East Coast with me, with limited access to Mexican ingredients, the website is great... they even sell tortilla presses.

    http://www.mexgrocer.com/511-birria.html

    Also, adding to Marge's Mexican proverbs, my mother is a walking encyclopedia of them. We used to joke as kids that she could carry on an entire conversation (or scolding) speaking only in proverbs:

    El diablo es mas sabio por viejo que por diablo.
    The devil is wise moreso due to his age than to his post.

    Para cada pie cojo hay un calcetin roto.
    For every broken foot there is a rotten stocking.

    El que compra barato compra a cada rato.
    He who buys cheaply buys often.

    nc_coleman

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    In reply to Nuestra Vida, Dichos or Folk Wisdom's of Mexico by oldcar53

    Nuestra Vida, Dichos or Folk Wisdom's of Mexico

    Alicia,
    The book of sayings that I have is:
    "Mexican Sayings: The Treasure of a People"
    by Octavio A. Ballesteros and Maria del Carmen Ballesteros

    Publ. by Eakin Press, 1992
    ISBN 0-89015-810-X

    It is 78 pages, and has 427 dichos, with English translation, plus an
    interpretation of the saying.
    I have had this book for over 10 yrs (but only get around to looking
    at it once in a while; moreso now with the interest in Ranchos).

    ncc

    xxxevilla33 (not verified)

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    Nuestra Vida

    NATALIE: CHILES RELLENOS always sounds good....Specially if you prepare them POBLABO style..chiles rellenos enogados huummmmmmricos...

    Natalie <nc_coleman@yahoo.com> wrote:

    A couple of weeks ago there was a discussion of a "Nuestra Vida
    Project". What is the current status of this project? Is this
    something that is only found on the Nuestros Ranchos site?

    I am curious because I am actually looking for information on the
    preparation of Birria (a kind of goat stew, although I think I would
    prefer to use lamb). I had it a few times in my youth, but that was
    DECADES ago. I am also wondering about preparing lamb on the barbecue
    or in a smoker. Does anyone have any experience with this. Birria was
    one of my father's favorites, and I noticed on one of the Zacatecas
    links to municipalities/districts,
    that Birria is a specialty of the
    Valparaiso area (my father was born in the rural area part of
    Valparaiso district). That is the GENEALOGICAL link. Anyway, I was
    thinking of fixing it for Easter - so if you have any hints, I would
    very much appreciate them. Thanks, or as they say on Latino USA
    (NPR) - "gracias por su atencion" (pardon my spelling).
    Have a good day - take care.

    Natalie in VA
    PS - If you have any other suggestions for a Mexican-themed Easter
    menu, please share.   -ncc





    Brings words and photos together (easily) with

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    campezina

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    In reply to Nuestra Vida by xxxevilla33 (not verified)

    Nuestra Vida

    BIRRIA

    Serves 6 to 8. You can substitute lamb.

    1 baby goat, about 15 pounds dressed weight, cut into large pieces

    2 lbs (1,800 grams) of corn masa

    16 pepper corns

    8 oz. (225 grs.) of chile mora

    6 cloves of garlic

    5 cloves of allspice

    Salt

    1 stick of cinnamon

    1/2 teaspoon of cumin

    Vinegar as necessary

    1 pan, large (any large roasting pan works well)

    The following are as needed to use as the sauce. While the meat is cooking
    prepare the sauce and garnishing, consisting of

    Tomatoes

    Chiles

    Onions, minced

    Oregano to taste

    Salt

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. The meat needs to be cooked slowly.

    Cut the meat in large pieces, stab with a knife and then put it in a pan
    (charola). Put it in the oven. Toast the chiles lightly, then submerge them into
    hot water for a few minutes to loosen the skins, peel. In a mortar or a
    molcajete* mash the garlic and all the spices, add vinegar to form a sauce that
    is neither too watery nor too dry, add salt and cover. Allow it to rest for 24
    hours. After it has rested, cover the pan with a layer of paper towels. Add
    another layer using the masa until the meat is completely covered. The purpose
    is to make sure it can hold the steam (el vapor) that will cook the meat. Cook
    in the oven for 3 hours. Break the seal in the pan and check the meat; it should
    be very tender. If not, reseal it and cook longer. When you are going to serve
    it, uncover and pour  the leftover juice in a pan to cool. Skim the fat and
    add  to the sauce. This makes the birria. Serve hot.

    I like it in tacos with tortillas de maíz or pan blanco, served as a torta
    filling. French bread works great. Because it is greasy, make sure you have
    plenty of napkins.

    SAUCE:

    Cook tomatoes and chiles in enough water just to cover them, then mash and
    make the salsa. Add the meat juice left by the cooking of the meat (skim first
    if you like), salt, oregano, and minced (picada) onion. Serve with the meat.

    *A blender is not recommended because it destroys vitamins by introducing too
    much air into the mix and too much frothiness in the marinating sauce. Vitamins
    are light and air sensitive.

    This is an old recipe I have had for about 30-35 years which I translated
    from an old cookbook by Bertha Zelarayan. She skips some of the instructions
    that a regular Mexican cook would automatically know, so I had to put them back
    in.

    Here’s another one, slightly different.

    BIRRIA

    Serves 6 to 8

    1 baby goat, about 15 pounds dressed weight, cut into serving pieces

    3 whole cloves

    3 whole allspice

    2 bay leaves, center spines removed

    2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves

    1 teaspoon cumin seeds

    1 tablespoon salt

    2 teaspoons black pepper corns

    flour and water for making a paste

    2 tablespoons lard or olive oil

    8 guajillo chilies

    1 tablespoon cumin seeds

    salt

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

    In a mortar with a pestle or in a spice grinder, grind together the cloves,
    allspice, bay leaves, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepperand rub the mixture into
    the meat. Put the meat on a rack over hot water. You can use any sort of pan or
    pot you want. The idea is to use a vessel that has a rack for holding the meat
    above the water, and has a lid. Make a paste of flour and water to the
    consistency of that gooey white glue that used to get all over your clothes in
    kindergarten. Arrange the meat on the rack, cover and use the paste to seal the
    lid. Place over medium-low heat and cook for 3 hours. Unseal the pan and test
    the meat; it should be very tender. If not, reseal it and cook longer.

    When the meat is ready, remove to a roasting pan or any pan large enough to
    hold it. Pour out the cooking juices into a bowl and let

    rest until the fat comes to the top. Skim off the fat and discard. Reserve l
    cup of the liquid. Prepare the chilies for the sauce while the meat is cooking.
    Heat the lard in a skillet until hot but not smoking. Dip in the chilies, one at
    a time, for a few seconds only. Remove the chilies from the fat and let cool.
    Wearing rubber gloves, stem and seed the chilies and put into a pot. Add the
    reserved 1 cup cooking liquid and simmer over medium-low heat about 10 minutes.
    Meanwhile, in a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast the cumin seeds until
    they "dance." In a mortar with a pestle, grind them to a thick paste with a
    little water. Toward the end of the cooking time for the chilies, stir in the
    cumin paste, and add salt to taste. Pour the chili mixture into a blender. Puree
    until smooth. Pour the puree the sauce and pour over the meat. Put it in the
    oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Serve hot.

    From the Recipe cottage at http://www.recipecottage.com/mexican/birria04.html

     

    ----- Original Message -----
    From:
    francisco
    sevilla

    To: ranchos@yahoogroups.com
    Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 2:21
    PM
    Subject: Re: [ranchos] Nuestra Vida


    NATALIE:
    CHILES RELLENOS always sounds good....Specially if you prepare them
    POBLABO style..chiles rellenos enogados huummmmmmricos...

    Natalie
    <nc_coleman@yahoo.com>
    wrote:

    A
    couple of weeks ago there was a discussion of a "Nuestra Vida
    Project".
    What is the current status of this project? Is this
    something that is
    only found on the Nuestros Ranchos site?

    I am curious because I am
    actually looking for information on the
    preparation of Birria (a kind of
    goat stew, although I think I would
    prefer to use lamb). I had it a few
    times in my youth, but that was
    DECADES ago. I am also wondering about
    preparing lamb on the barbecue
    or in a smoker. Does anyone have any
    experience with this. Birria was
    one of my father's favorites, and I
    noticed on one of the Zacatecas
    links to municipalities/districts, that
    Birria is a specialty of the
    Valparaiso area (my father was born in the
    rural area part of
    Valparaiso district). That is the GENEALOGICAL link.
    Anyway, I was
    thinking of fixing it for Easter - so if you have any
    hints, I would
    very much appreciate them. Thanks, or as they say on
    Latino USA
    (NPR) - "gracias por su atencion" (pardon my
    spelling).
    Have a good day - take care.

    Natalie in VA
    PS - If
    you have any other suggestions for a Mexican-themed Easter
    menu, please
    share.   -ncc




    Profile picture for user arturoramos

    arturoramos

    19 years 6 months ago

    Permalink

    Birria Recipe and Mexican Proverbs

    Natalie:

    Here is a birria recipe from MexGrocer.com... By the way since you are out here on the East Coast with me, with limited access to Mexican ingredients, the website is great... they even sell tortilla presses.

    http://www.mexgrocer.com/511-birria.html

    Also, adding to Marge's Mexican proverbs, my mother is a walking encyclopedia of them. We used to joke as kids that she could carry on an entire conversation (or scolding) speaking only in proverbs:

    El diablo es mas sabio por viejo que por diablo.
    The devil is wise moreso due to his age than to his post.

    Para cada pie cojo hay un calcetin roto.
    For every broken foot there is a rotten stocking.

    El que compra barato compra a cada rato.
    He who buys cheaply buys often.

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