This Year the celebration of The Day of the Dead has a whole different meaning for me.
As some of you know, my dear mother Ruth Vazquez Onate died in March-29- of 2010 and I wanted to create this "Virtual Altar" in her memory.
If I were asked to describe my Mother in one word it would be "An altruist" which she was, not only to her family but people in general, simply sai., She would always help who ever needed it, if it was within her possibilities. She was also a leader, a tough cookie, a stern parent and a very happy and lively person. That was my mother and I feel proud and blessed for having her as my nurturer, my parent and my friend. I love you and miss you dearly mami querida.
Remembering her.
Being around her was always a lot of fun, kind and loving. Mom was always against having pets at home and yet she allowed me to have chicks, bearded lizards, harry my falcon and finally Rocky my pit bull friend, I think that was one of her ways of showing her love to me. She was great specially when it came to cooking, She had all the sings of a great cook, she was passionate, direct and assertive, after making cake. I was not allowed to lick the spatula or the bowl if the mold was not well greased or the prep table wasn`t clean or something, she probably said to herself. I`ll make this kid do the dirty job and he will love it and she was right. before helping her in the kitchen my bed had to be made and my room organized I needed to do a chore before having fun and those are things that I treasure and keep very close to me.
I was always playing music in the living room and she would dance to it in the kitchen or sing.
Her favourite music was: musica romantica specially Agustin Lara, los panchos and libertad lamarque to mention a few
Favourite thing to do: Take care of her family
Toughest thing to do: Being a housewife and a mother (This were her answers when she joined the center for patients with Alzheimer disease)
Her favourite movie: Lo que el viento se llevo (gone with the wind)
Favourite food: Food was one of her pleasures specially hearty home cooking, simple but full of flavor. Food had to be really hot (Temperature) otherwise she would not enjoy it. Here is what I consider to be her favourite soup.
SOPA AGUADA CON ACELGAS
3/4 pound tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
1/2 small white onion, roughly chopped
A small chile serrano
vegetable oil
7 cups well-seasoned chicken stock
1/2 pound Swiss chard, washed, stems removed, roughly chopped
salt to taste
2 large eggs, separated
3 ounces fine vermicelli
3 tablespoons finely grated queso anejo
Put tomatoes, garlic, onion and serrano in a blender jar and blend until smooth. Heat the oil in a soup pot, add the blended ingredients and fry, stirring from time to time and scraping the bottom of the pan, until reduced and thickened, add the broth and bring to a boil. add Swiss chard and simmer for 10 minutes.
meanwhile, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. beat in the yolks one at a time with a pinch of salt. When the yolks are well incorporated, crumble the uncooked vermicelli into the beaten eggs and add the optional cheese. Stir until the vermicelli is well coated with the egg
Heat oil about 1/4 inch deep in a frying pan and when hot add large spoonfuls of the vermicelli mixture. When they are pale golden brown on the underside , turn them over and fry on the other side. Drain on paper towel. Add these tortas to the broth and simmer for 15 minutes.
