|
|
|
|
November Issue of More Magazine
Making Mole at Seasons of My Heart
|
 Today is market day in Etla, and the Mexican village is abuzz with
activity. At the market entrance, the chili-red and banana-yellow mini
taxis are lined up in careful rows. The air is fragrant with mesquite
charcoal and ancho chilis. The community north of Oaxaca City comes to
life every Wednesday morning as local food purveyors hawk their
farm-fresh produce and the artisans display their pottery and weaving.
I'm here to meet up with a class from chef Susana Trilling's Seasons of My Heart Cooking School. Read more...
|
| Spotlight on Our Staff |
 Jesus Cruz Martinéz is an extremely talented young man who started as a
gardener and is now training as a maitre'd, learning all aspects of the
kitchen and taking care of all the little details that make the classes
unique. |
Mole Negro
Día de Muertos
to make the most celebrated dish of all --
Mole Negro Oaxaqueño. A dish of mole is placed on the family altar to
entice the departed loved ones to come back and join in the celebration. Days before the actual event, women's hands
are busy cleaning chiles, cracking nuts, peeling cacao beans and gathering
herbs to make up the twenty-odd ingredients used in this fascinating
concoction. Once the components are
assembled, the fires are lit and each ingredient is toasted, roasted, or fried
to coax out the most essential flavors of each.
For big fiestas, you need enough mole
to serve the whole village, so the process can take days. Often there are three generations of women
working on the same mole together,
each one knowing her part in the long, complicated process.
Write to Peg for the recipe. |
Sunset at Rancho Aurora, home of our cooking school
|
|
Seasons of My Heart Cooking School
|
|
Rancho Aurora
Apdo#42 admon. 3
Oaxaca, 68101
8:00AM-5:00PM
|
|
|
Seasons of My Heart News
Seasons Greetings
|
December 2008 |
Greetings!
Saludos from sunny Oaxaca!
The winter solstice celebration started in the evening with a bonfire and music with friends and continued into the morning when Peg and I walked to the crest of the Cerro del Fortin which overlooks the city of Oaxaca. It's an amazing 360 degree view of the whole city and the different arms of the central valley spiraling outward. Whenever we are up there it's easy to imagine what the valley was like in pre-hispanic times. What glorious days they must have been but we delight in the early morning light and the sky with its gorgeous winter blue that we love so much here in southern Mexico.
 How inspired I feel! The changes we see on the horizon are exciting though challenging. I am optimistic that we will get through this rough time by working together and developing saner systems. I also feel so lucky to be living in Oaxaca at Christmas, with all the posadas, good food, and fireworks every night. People know how to share gentle good vibes, energy and fun which is even more important during difficult times.
I want to wish you the best of health, happiness, love, great food and libations this winter season and the rest of the year. I raise a toast with our mezcal and say, "Salud! May your celebration be filled with love, peace, and contentment!"
Un abrazo caloroso,
Susana
|
|
Winter Adventures
Follow the sun...Follow your heart...
It's not too late for a Mexican adventure this winter. The dollar is up over 13 pesos making shopping here a bargain.
Sign up for either of these two offerings before January 15th and receive a 10% discount.
Yucatan Peninsula Carnival TourFebruary 15th to 26th
Explore the culture, art, cuisine and nature of the three states that encompass the Yucatan, home of the Maya. Island visits, deep sea fishing, swimming in the Caribbean and crystal clear cenotes, visits to the great ancient cities of Chichen Itza and Uxmal and the modern: Merida, Valladolid. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for tasting and cooking as we learn about the cuisine of this region: salbutes, papadzules, skil pak!
Escape the Winter Blues and Explore the Culinary Magic of Oaxaca
March 5th to 11th
Though we love exploring other areas of Mexico, no place delights us more than the great valley of Oaxaca, home of our cooking school and the birthplace of maize. Let us show you why Oaxacan food, art and culture is second to none.
Read more about these tours on our website and write to Peg for more information...
|
Tabasco, The Cacoa Fiesta, and Chiapas
May 9th to 19th
This is a special tour with Susana to visit Tabasco and
Chiapas, Mexico. We will start in Villahermosa where we will learn
about the Tabasqueña cuisine and dine in restaurants around this
lively, interesting city. We will then proceed to Comalcalco, Tabasco
to visit a cacao plantation, tour the ruins and to do some cooking. The
Cacao Fiesta San Isidro de Labrador is an all night affair and will be
a chocolate lover's delight. After another day in Villahermosa touring
the Mercado we will move on to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas and an
exciting boat ride in the Cañon del Sumidero. San Cristobal de las Casas
will be our base for several days in southern Chiapas where we will
enjoy this beautiful colonial city and visit several indigenous
villages in the surrounding hill country and cook with the locals. We
will then proceed north through central Chiapas with a stop in
Ocosingo, known as Los Quesos, to learn about the artisanal cheeses produced there and to visit the Maya ruins of Tonina. We finish up in
Palenque, one of the largest and most well known Maya ruins where you
will have the option to visit other ruins deep in the jungle along the
Guatemala border.
All meals, hotels, transportation upon arrival and activities are included in the price.
Sign up now! |
Cooking Class & Market Tour
An introduction to the rich Oaxacan Culinary Culture
 Learn while having fun in our hands-on cooking classes which are offered throughout the year. $75.00 US includes transportation from Oaxaca to the market, the market tour with a late breakfast, the class and the wonderful dinner. Families are welcome! Sign up now for our 'Cooking Class + Market Tour' package. Read more about the market tour and class |
|
|
|
|
