Totally Mexican Tequila Highball

It's interesting, in our lives, we are introduced to many flavors, tastes, experiences, and sights, yet sometimes, at first, we reject some of these because we think we don't like them, or they do not fit into our lifestyle. Then, at some point, we are reintroduced to these experiences and more and we have a different reaction, we like them.

I say this regarding Tamarind. When I first tasted Tamarindo juice, I thought it was a bit sour. But, in one of my grocery trips, I bought some Tamarindo juice concentrate to keep in stock for others.

I have had that Tamarindo juice for a long time. I gave away half of it and kept the rest. So, as I was cleaning the kitchen, I found the container of remaining Tamarindo juice sitting on top of a cabinet. I thought, let's get rid of this. But, before I made the decision, I decided to taste it again. Hmmm, unique flavor, a bit sweet. Commercial Tamarindo juice is pre-sweetened.

Anyway, I fly to the internet and search for Tamarindo juice recipes. Along the way, I learned a lot about Tamarind, the plant and the seeds. The tree is lovely. The seed pods fascinating and beautiful in their own way. Plus, Tamarind seeds are used in a variety of ways and often as a medicinal.

 

In Mexico, one of the things I love is that, if possible, almost every home has a garden with various fruit trees, and some have chickens. For me, that is heaven. As you walk through various colonias, besides all the trees and flowers, you can tell by some of the fallen fruit or seeds what type of fruit trees people have in their garden. Some have Tamarind trees.

As I continued my search, I found this cocktail using Tequilla and Tamarindo juice. Of course, I did not have all the ingredients listed, so I adapted the recipe and made a totally Mexican Tequilla Cocktail.

 

Totally Mexican Tequila Highball

(Adapted from: https://www.thespruceeats.com/tamarind-and-tequila-recipe-760787)

 

 

Ingredients:

 

Highball glass

Ice cubes

1 1/2 - 2 oz of Tequila reposando

1 oz Tamarindo juice concentrate

1 oz Water (optional)

A Dollop of Yucatán honey or sugar

2-3 oz Carbonated water or Ginger Ale

 

 

Process:

 

Add ice cubes to cocktail glass.

Add Tequilla.

Add Tamarindo juice concentrate.

Add water if desired.

Add honey or sugar.

Add Carbonated water or Ginger Ale

Stir to mix well.

Note: honey does not mix well but does give the cocktail a sweet flavor.

References:

Tequilla

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tequila

Tamarind

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarind

 

 

Tamarindo (Drink)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarindo_(drink)

 

Cathy's Kitchen Restaurant & Diner

Cathy's Kitchen Restaurant & Diner

 

 

From the ashes of the Ferguson, MO protests, Cathy Jenkins has found multiple ways to keep Cathy's Kitchen open and growing. In the midst of protests and a pandemic, Cathy has adapted. She also provides free meals during the pandemic, offers carryout and food delivery services.

"Her eclectic menu has now been served through protests, riots and a global pandemic." --Sauce Magazine

According to @CathysKitchens, Cathy Jenkins was inspired to open a restaurant after she took a two-month road trip around 2012.

 

Her menu is influenced by African-American recipe ideas.

 

 

Resources:

http://www.cathyskitchen.net  @CathysKitchens

https://www.saucemagazine.com/a/58855/cathys-kitchen-owner-cathy-jenkins-on-feeding-ferguson-throu

 

https://www.yellowpages.com/saint-louis-mo/mip/cathys-kitchen-475548665

 

  https://www.facebook.com/CathysKitchenrestaurant

 

Simple Turkey RollUp

After Thanksgiving, I had plenty of store bought, sliced turkey lunchmeat in the freezer. I like turkey.

 

It took a day or two to figure out that making a Turkey RollUp would be a great way to use the slices of turkey lunchmeat. I had some basic ingredients: Italian lettuce, cream cheese, shredded mixed cheese and some salsa.

 

When I like something I eat a lot of it. So, for about 3 days, I ate several Turkey RollUps and I was happy. Plus, I had to use that lettuce, quickly.

As I started to write this post, I wondered what is the difference between a RollUp and a Wrap? A quick internet search did not answer the question. But, in my mind, the ingredients in a RollUp are less than a Wrap, a Wrap is bulkier than a RollUp. Plus, with some Rollups, once you've made a RollUp, you can slice it vertically and make Pinwheel appetizers.

 

 

Simple Turkey RollUp

 

Ingredients:

 

1 Flour Tortilla

1 TBspn Cream Cheese

Add Ground black pepper, to taste

1 TBspn Mixed cheese, grated

1 Slice of Lunchmeat

1 Palmful of Italian lettuce or other greenery, shredded

1 Tspn of Canned salsa

 

 

Process:

 

Place tortilla on a plate.

Spread the cream cheese over the whole tortilla.

Sprinkle with ground black pepper.

Sprinkle on grated cheese.

Add lunchmeat.

Add lettuce.

Sprinkle salsa over the lettuce.

Pick an edge of the tortilla and roll it tightly towards the other edge.

Resource:

In my internet search regarding RollUps and Wraps, I found this recipe on one of my favorite recipe websites, SpruceEats:

Low Calorie Ham and Turkey Wrap

https://www.thespruceeats.com/low-calorie-ham-and-turkey-wrap-2246291

Faux Cottage Cheese

The cottage cheese here is a bit different from what I am used to. It’s a bit watery and the cheese seems like bits of cheese rather than curds.

So, I thought, I could probably make a similar DIY cottage cheese.

 

I concocted a recipe and it worked.

Faux Cottage Cheese
(Inspired by: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cottage-Cheese)

 

Ingredients:

Queso panela or a soft, light cheese, diced
Milk, lactose-free

1/4 - 1/2 Tsp Salt

White Vinegar

 

 

Process: 

 

In a small covered frig container, add diced / sliced bits of the cheese.

Add a dollop of milk, enough so the cheese bits are swimming in the milk.

Next, add salt and and a dollop of white vinegar.
Stir mixture thoroughly and refrigerate,

 

Faux Martini Mocktail

In my internet search on uses for leftover olive juice, I found this recipe for a Faux Martini and couldn't resist!

Faux Martini Mocktail

(Adapted from: https://www.thespruceeats.com/paleo-martini-4040395)

Pre-Prepration:

Put cocktail glass in freezer for a few minutes.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

Cold Carbonated water (or sparkling mineral water)

3 Tbspns Olive juice (manzanilla)

3 Olives (manzanilla)

 

 

Process:

 

Fill chilled cocktail glass with carbonated water. Save room for olive Juice and olives.

Add Olive juice.

Add Olives.

Enjoy.

 

An Invitation to a Virtual Book Tour Hosted by Between the Lines Bookstore

An Invitation to a Virtual Book Tour
Hosted by Between The Lines Bookstore

Yucatán Writers Association
is holding a Virtual Book Tour,
as part of their 30-Day Blog Tour.

On Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Starting at:
11:00am CT
On Zoom

Here’s the Zoom meeting link:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/5181271083?pwd=b0lJZU95d2I4WDJ1Z1R5dS9ENmU4Zz09

Meeting ID: 518 127 1083
Passcode: 9qMXxA

 

Between The Lines Bookstore
Calle 62 x 53 y 51
Open: Wed. - Sun. 10am - 4pm.
999 242 3528

 

Between the Lines / More Than a Bookstore, Mérida, Yucatán, México

Between the Lines / More Than a Bookstore

Juanita Stein had been dreaming and planning to own a bookstore / stationery boutique for more than seven years.

 

"Juanita grew up reading and writing, encouraged by her mother who was a true bibliophile. As a child in Huntington Beach, CA, she went to the local public library every Saturday for Children's Story Hour. And she hasn't stopped reading since. 

 

She feels that in today's digital world, we all need to disconnect and go back to basics... everyone remembers what it feels like to hold a book in your hands and put pen to paper." -- from BTL online bio.

 

As former editor of Yucatan Today, Juanita is familiar with Mérida’s colonias; cultural events and venues; businesses, and more.

She had her spot chosen for years, then in 2019, she was able to rent the space at the corner of the building now known as Plaza Carmesí, beautifully restored by the team Reyes - Larraín, one of Mérida’s well-known architectural studios.

She opened Between the Lines (BTL) on Calle 62 at the corner of 53 on March 4, 2020.

BTL is stylish and packed with a wide variety of books in English, games, stationery, and, surprisingly, lots wrapping paper, gift bags, greeting cards, and other gift items.

 

As you explore the store, look high and low, and you will find treasures like Mayan masks, gorgeous coffee table picture books, and more.

 

For expats or English-speaking tourists starved for books in English, you can find a variety of books, in paperback or hardback, including: mysteries by John Grisham; biographies like Michelle Obama's book, Becoming; action-adventure stories by Janet Evanovich; and works by Alice Munro, Terry McMillian, and Malala Yousafzai; local cuisine cookbooks; and books by local authors.

 

Any bookaphile would love the assortment of beautiful journals, notepads, pens, and bookmarks.

One important section in any bookstore is a children’s section. The secret is adults love children’s books, too.

 

Between the Lines has a healthy selection of books and games for children of all ages.

 

Also, during this pandemic, Juanita. created an online catalog where you can browse her selections and place orders (for local delivery or pickup).

For a fee, Juanita will personally deliver your items within Mérida and Progreso.

 

At this time, Between the Lines is open: Wed. - Sun. 10 am - 4 pm. Only four customers allowed into the store at one time. Face masks are required. To ensure you will be able to come and browse, call and make an appointment.

 

 To get Between the Lines' latest newsletter regarding new arrivals and events, add your name to the mailing list using the online form on the BTL website.

BTL is next to Volta Café that has indoor and outdoor seating and an enormous selection of items for Desayunos, Almerzo, and Cena, including cocktails.
 

It's a great place to sit and enjoy your new purchases with a cup of café.

Between The Lines location, hours, contact information,

website, catalog, and social media:

 

Juanita Stein, owner
Between the Lines / More Than a Bookstore
Calle 62 No. 450 x 53 y 51, Local 4, Centro
Merida 97000, Yucatan, Mexico

 

Hours:

Wed. - Sun. 10 am - 4 pm.

 

Contact Information:

Email: Info@Between-the-Lines.com.mx
Cell / WhatsApp: +52 999 242 3528

 

Between the Lines website:

https://www.between-the-lines.com.mx/

 

BTL Catalog:

https://www.between-the-lines.com.mx/new-arrivals 

BTL Social Media:
Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/betweenthelinesmerida/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/BetweenTheLinesMerida/