#141_Food Finds: Tamales

Authentic homemade Mexican tamales.

I put an emphasis on the word Mexican to differentiate
it from the Philippines' tamales.

Made with whole beans, and by that,
I mean not the canned refried beans but real whole red beans.

#138_Food Finds: Pastel de Tres Leches

For Kimberlee's graduation dinner, we went to her favorite restaurant called

Paloma Blanca, an authentic Mexican restaurant
in downtown San Antonio.

As soon as I opened the menu,

I saw the Tres Leches cake listed on the dessert list,
I knew I want a slice of it!
I have a recipe of this cake that I've always wanted
to try but it doesn't have a picture.
From the ingredients I can tell that it is a very rich cake,
but I am kind of reluctant to make it as I didn't have any idea
what it should look like or should taste like.
Now that I tried an authentic one,
I have something to base mine on.

Authentic Pastel de Tres Leches

I told the server that I want a slice with my meal
because I didn't want my curiosity to kill me
and to make sure I have room for the whole slice.

I was kind of disappointed though that the cake was soaked
with the milk sauce which made the cake soggy,
but the server said that is how this cake is supposed to be.
She even poured some more of the sauce on the cake
before she brought it to me.

I think the strawberry was just for garnish, but
it actually balanced out the sweetness of the milk sauce.
Without that piece of strawberry,
this dessert was cloyingly sweet.

If I were to make this dessert,
I will top it with lots of sliced strawberries
and make it as part of the cake.
It was really good with strawberries.

All gone!!

Despite the sogginess of the cake and overly sweet-tasting milk sauce,
it was good and I actually like it.
I didn't realized until later though that the leches are milk... too late!!
because I had to suffer the rest of the day from
lactose intolerance!!!!

#84_Fiesta Dip

Fiesta Dip or 7-Layer Dip

I learned how to make this DIP from our daughter, Amy. It is always a favorite dip in the Johnson family get-together dinners. Aside from being so presentable, it is so full of flavor too and it goes really well with tortilla chips.

Here's the stuff you need to make this dip:

1 can of refried beans

1 packet of taco seasoning

3 small avocados

1 packet Guacamole Mix ( they come in MILD or HOT)

1 8 oz. tub of sour cream

1/3 cup picante sauce or tomato salsa

1 medium tomato, diced

1 can olives, sliced

1/2 lb. shredded cheddar cheese

PREP THE INGREDIENTS
1) REFRIED BEANS: In a saucepan, heat up a can of refried beans and the taco seasoning together over medium heat, stirring well. Set aside.

2) GUACAMOLE: Peel and mash the avocados in a bowl and stir in the Guacamole Mix. Stir to blend well. Set aside

3) Wash and dice the tomato. Set aside.

4) Drain the olives and slice them up. Set aside.

LAYERING:

1st layer: heated up REFRIED BEANS

2nd layer: GUACAMOLE

3rd layer: SOUR CREAM

4th layer:DICED TOMATOES

5th layer: PICANTE SAUCE or TOMATO SALSA

6th layer: SLICED OLIVES

7th layer: SHREDDED CHEESE

Optional: thinly sliced green onions

Enjoy with tortilla chips!!