Thursday, September 16, 2010

Mexican Night Out

Breakfast this morning was inspired by one of my favourite kinds of Lara Bar - Cocoa Coconut Chew.  The ingredient list on this bar is a mere 5 ingredients (dates, almonds, walnuts, cocoa powder, and dried coconut).


Cocoa Coconut Oats

- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup light coconut milk
- 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze
- 1/2 tsp coconut
- 1/2 tsp mini choc. chips

Bring liquid to a boil.  Stir in oats for 1 minute.  Remove and cover for 3 minutes.  Stir and top with toppings.

I have been waking up with a bit of a sniffle lately, so I loaded up on the chicken soup and produce for lunch today.  I had a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, a peach, some peppers, and some cukes:


I had to pack my new water bottle too!  I love pirates.  And by pirates, I mean Johnny Depp.  


My hubby and I were excited to go to a local restaurant tonight called for a traditional four-course Mexican meal, cooked by a new friend named Mariana.  Mariana is from Tiujana, and has been living in my city for a while as a personal chef.  She is now headed back to Mexico, and so this evening was a good-bye party for her, and a celebration for Mexican Independence Day.

The meal was healthy, fresh, and absolutely fabulous.  We enjoyed every bite.  This food was authentic, and traditional, and the exact type of meal that I love.

Appetizer (sopes): 


Soup (tortilla):


Main Course (chicken with pumpkin seed sauce, rice and beans):

 

The hubby had a stuffed pepper with rice and beans:


Dessert (bread pudding - the best I have ever tasted):


I had the wine pairings with my courses, and it was a prix fixe menu, which I really like.  

Have you ever had traditional Mexican food?  
Have you made it?  Have you had it in Mexico?  
What is your favourite Mexican dish?

Don't forget to enter my $40 CSN Store Giveaway!

16 comments:

Amy said...

So jealous!! *drool*

Simply Life said...

I love rice, beans and salsa and could happily eat that for a meal!

Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman said...

The only time I had traditional Mexican food was when I was in California. Around where I live it's Americanized, which means it's also crazy unhealthy. (Still good, though!)

And that bread pudding looks great. It's my favorite type of dessert.

Morgan said...

mexican is probably my favorite type of ethnic food. I usually get fajitas or bean tacos. those are always my favorites. oh, and tons of guacamole

Anonymous said...

chocolate and coconut are a great combo.

i do like mexican food but doubt that what i've eaten has been truly authentic. the coffee shop at my undergrad college had mexican hot chocolate that was outstanding. it was a mix of chocolate, cinnamon, and chile powder. yummmmmmmmmm!

Anonymous said...

I had traditional Mexican tapas once....they were amazing!

Kat said...

Heck yes for Johnny Depp. Cant wait for that new pirates nexxt year!! I LOVE mexican food, but I am pretty sure it is not traditional. Just the enchiladas and things I get from any mexican restaurant. I went to mexico on a cruise when I was young, but we never ate off the ship, so I didnt get to try the local food :(

Kelsey Ann said...

hehe the pineapple skewer on the dessert is CUTE :P
it was a fiesta night!!! always a good choice to choose mexican food :P

xoxo

Madeline - Greens and Jeans said...

Here in Arizona we get VERY traditional Mexican food. John and I actually spent some time today at this huge Mexican market/grocery store/restaurant and I had some insanely good chicken tacos

Jessica @ The Process of Healing said...

So jealous of that dinner! I've never had truly authentic mexican food like that!

eatmovelove said...

Oh man...you should have entered the Next Blog Star by the way :)

I've never had Authenic Mexican, no,...but uh now I want to!

Kacy said...

The town where I grew up had about 45% Mexican population so I've had a LOT of delicious traditional Mexican food. My favorite is traditional tamales. YUM!

sophia said...

I live in LA. I'm pretty sure I've had real, traditional Mexican food! I'm in love with that pumpkin seed sauce though! It sounds really good!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Cocoa Coconut Oats = NICE

pirates...CUTE reusable bottle!! omg I love it! I have a few tshirts and shoes actually with pirates and skulls on them. sounds so harsh but in a girly way, they can be cute :)

mexican? i live 10 miles from the border. Most of san diego IS mexican. More ppl speak spanish here than english. I walk out my door and there are 17 mexican restaurants on my block :) as well as thai, indian, asian, ethiopian, persian, morroccan, and sushi to beat the band. Melting pot that i love!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Yum. That meal looks ah-mazing. I haven't really had an authentic Mexican meal in a restaurant, but there is a little burrito/taco shop a couple of blocks from where I work that has very traditional/Mexican food. It is ran by people from Mexico, and they speak in spanish to you, so it's def an 'authentic' experience. I go there for their tacos and a mexican coke (has real sugar) a couple of times a month. I like their tacos because they are so simple and delicious. I mean, love American style tacos w/ the cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, etc... But I also love the tacos at this place because they are just meat with a garnish of cilantro & chopped onions. So good!

So my fave Mexican dish is probably tacos. Or tortilla soup. Mmmm...

Anonymous said...

OMG. From that vegetarian dinner to this mexican meal I am amazed at how many HOMECOOKED foodie friends you have!! I need to stop eating out with my foodie friends and start having some cook ins!! The only "traditional" mexican food I have had is when I go home but it's all tex mex stuff and not deep down in Mexico food!!! And I'm excited for your sister's wedding as well!