More commonly found in United States cuisine, flour tortillas have become predominant in Tex-Mex cuisine, due to their sweeter flavor and pliability. On the other hand, many authentic Mexican restaurants prefer to use a corn tortilla recipe for their cooking, especially when it comes to taco dishes. A corn tortilla recipe will have a bold corn flavor, and can often be more robust for use in dishes moistened with a lot of sauce, such as enchiladas. Corn tortilla recipes are also gluten-free and possess more overall health benefits than their relative, the flour tortilla.

However, there is no right or wrong when it comes to eating tortillas. Corn and flour tortillas can be delicious in their own right when used in certain dishes. For example, many people prefer their quesadillas to be made from flour tortillas, while flautas would not be the same without a corn tortilla recipe.

The following article from Cooking Mexican Recipes provides a corn tortilla recipe that you can try at home and use to make your own authentic Mexican dishes.

Homemade Corn Tortilla Recipe
“You’ve Got To Try These”

Why buy tortillas from the store when you can make my delicious corn tortilla recipe right at home?

Sure the store bought ones are fast. But homemade ones have a flavor and aroma you can’t buy at the grocery store. And this corn tortilla recipe is amazingly quick. My last batch took less than 35 minutes from start to finish.

When someone mentions the word tortilla. most people think of flour tortillas. And while they are excellent let me make you aware that corn tortillas, especially homemade ones from scratch are just as good and even healthier.

Just in case you were wondering, here is some dietary information for our corn tortilla recipe. Keep in mind these numbers don’t take into consideration the 1 tsp. of shortening in my recipe.

There are about 60 calories in a 6 1/2 inch tortilla, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, 44 milligrams of calcium, and 1 gram of fat. They are also gluten free. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

Just wait till you taste them.

The Popular Tortilla

Did you know there is an association called the Tortilla Industry Association (TIA)? It was created in 1990 to promote the ever growing tortilla industry. Tortillas have become so popular that they outsell bagels, croissants, muffins, pita bread and all other ethnic breads combined. It’s amazing this traditional Mexican bread has become such a mainstay in the U.S. market.

So are you ready to give these a try? They are the perfect accompaniment to fajitas, enchiladas, chile verde or even eggs. In fact you can serve our corn tortilla recipe with just about any kind of meal. And you can stuff just about anything you can think of in a warm tortilla, and create your own special taco or burrito.

Homemade Corn Tortilla Recipe

Makes 10 to 12 tortillas (6 to 7 inch)

---

---

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Maseca Corn Masa Mix
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 1/4 cup hot water plus 2 to 3 tablespoons
• 1 tsp. shortening

---

---

Directions:

Mix the masa harina (corn flour, not to be confused with corn meal) and salt in a medium sized bowl. Measure 1 1/4 cups of boiling water and the shortening into a separate pan or bowl. Stir until the shortening is melted.

Pour this mixture into the bowl of corn flour and mix with a fork.

When the mixture is cool enough to touch (a couple of minutes) mix the dough with your hands. The dough will probably be a little dry. Add hot water one teaspoon at a time until the dough stays together and doesn’t crumble apart.

Knead the dough for one or two minutes. Play with the consistency by adding more water if needed. What you want is a dough that is moist enough to stay together but not too sticky.

A Tortilla Press Is A Wonderful Thing

Have you ever heard of a tortilla press? They are designed to help you create perfect corn tortillas fast.

This corn tortilla recipe can be made without one but they sure make tortilla making a snap. And they are fun to use. If you have kids, ask them to help you press tortillas. The’ll love it.

… If you don’t have a press yet, you can simply roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Just make sure you cover the dough with plastic, as per these directions.

Make Golf Balls

Pinch off some dough and roll into smooth round balls (golf ball size) with your hands. Masa for tortillas is not like pie dough so don’t worry about over handling it.

I would suggest covering the dough you’re not working with, with either plastic saran wrap or damp paper towels to keep the dough from drying out while you are making golf balls.

Flatten the ball a bit in the palm of your hand. Did I mention that you should be pre-heating a cast iron or comal pan over medium high to high heat? Now’s the time. And don’t put anything in the pan like shortening or Pam. You don’t need it.

Pressing The Dough

If you are using a tortilla press, first get yourself a Ziploc type bag. Sandwich size or gallon size will work. I like to use this type of plastic because it is thicker and easier to work with.

Cut it in half so you have two separate pieces. Lay one piece on the press and then place the slightly flattened dough on top, a little bit closer to the hinge of the lid like in the picture.

Cover the dough with the second piece of plastic and close the lid to flatten the tortilla.

…

Carefully peel the top piece of plastic from the tortilla. Lift the tortilla and the bottom piece of plastic from the press and place it in your hand, dough side down. Now carefully peel the bottom piece of plastic from the tortilla.

I did not have any problem with the dough sticking to the plastic. If you do, it probably means your dough is too wet. Try adding a sprinkle of corn flour and kneading the dough a bit more.

Cooking The Tortillas

Place your tortilla in the preheated cast iron pan or comal and cook for 45 seconds to a minute then turn over and cook for another 45 seconds or longer.

Place cooked tortillas in foil and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm. Store tortillas in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for several days.

Here are the results of our corn tortilla recipe. These are absolutely the best served with chicken fajitas.

Now that you know how to make this corn tortilla recipe, all that’s left to do is experiment with how to use them!

With a simple corn tortilla recipe, you can probably make just about any Mexican recipe that calls for tortillas. Although most Americans prefer their burritos to be made with flour tortillas, try this corn tortilla recipe the next time you make burritos at home for a fresh twist.

If making a corn tortilla recipe is something that you’d rather leave to the experts, then consider visiting one of our Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant locations in Andover, North Andover, or North Billerica, Massachusetts. We serve a variety of authentic Mexican food, made with both our homemade flour and corn tortilla recipes. View our online menu to learn more!

Which dishes do you prefer to be made with a corn tortilla recipe, rather than flour tortillas?

The post Easy Corn Tortilla Recipe appeared first on casablanca.

A margarita bar party is one excellent way to host a Cinco de Mayo celebration without having to worry about satisfying your guests’ different drink preferences or having to prepare a lot of food. A margarita bar, like the one detailed below, will encompass all sorts of tastes, and encourage fun for all guests. A margarita bar puts the fun back in potlucks, because guests can play bartender and make all sorts of fun creations in their margarita glasses. The following article from Holidays Central offers great advice on how to create a margarita bar that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Set up a Cinco de Mayo Margarita Bar

Margaritas are pretty much an essential component of a Cinco de Mayo party, but these days it seems there are so many different margarita recipes, it’s hard to choose which to serve! After all, there are purists out there, and then there are people who like to get a little more funky with their flavors. A make-your-own (MYO) margarita bar provides the perfect solution! A MYO margarita bar not only provides your guests with the options they want, it also provides an interactive element to your party and can serve as a fun conversation piece. Set up the margarita bar with tequila, salt and tequila mixes. You can also set out recipe cards with your favorite margarita recipes on them for guests to enjoy.  Whether your friends are purists, or not so pure, here are some ideas to give them a well-rounded margarita bar.

Tequila and Liquors

Set out a variety of tequilas including blanco, reposado, andañejo tequila. If you like, you can spice it up with exciting chili and fruit infused tequilas. It’s Cinco de Mayo, why not go all out?!

Also set out liqueurs to add a bit of sweetness. Our favorite options are either Cointreau or Grand Marnier. For a sweeter margarita or if you’re on a budget, triple sec or similar citrus liqueurs will do.

*To add a hint of flavor to your margies, try a different liqueur such as elderberry or pear.

Salt

Set out a variety of different salts and seasonings so that guests can flavor their rims. You may want to provide salty, sweet and spicy rim options. Use a spice grinder if you have one to grind up different flavors to mix with the salt for the rim such as:

• dried jalapenos
• Old Bay seasoning
• dried ginger
• dried hibiscus flowers
• candied ginger
• sugar
• freeze-dried strawberries or other freeze-dried fruit (freeze-dried easily crushes into a powder)

*There are plenty of store-bought flavored salts if you want to go the no-fuss route

Mixes

You can provide a classic sour mix, however it is not too hard to make your own and well worth the small effort. Basically, just mix together in a pitcher:

Homemade sour mix

–This is approximate and can be tweaked to your own liking. Use fresh squeezed juice for best flavor.

• 30% lemon juice
• 25% lime juice
• 10% simple syrup (50/50 hot water and sugar, mix until sugar is dissolved)
• 10% orange juice
• 25% water

If you have the means to make different berry purees (in blender or juicer), then these will make delicious additions to a classic margarita: raspberry, strawberry, acai or blueberry.

Juice may also be used such as: pomegranate, pear, mango or orange.

Put the juice and/or purees in convenient squeeze bottles or small pitchers.

Also provide plenty of seltzer water for guests to make skinny margaritas

Set Up

Set a few pint glasses out at the beginning of your bar for guests to mix all their ingredients in. Then set out: ice bucket, tequila, liqueur, sour mix, purees and juices, and a cocktail shaker. The guests can then shake their own cocktail.

Next, have your margarita glasses lined up with rimming dishes, rimming ingredients and limes. Guests can then rim their margarita glass and pour in their delicious concoction.

Side Note:

A fun adult game to play in preparation for your margarita bar is an adult piñata. Instead of using candy to fill a piñata, use little bottles of flavored tequila and flavored liqueur. At stores like Bevmo, they have all sorts of little bottles like this for relatively cheap. Of course only use ones that are in plastic. After breaking the piñata, guests can use the little bottles they collect to flavor their margaritas in flavors they may not have thought of or tried before.

If you are looking to create a budget-friendly margarita bar, consider asking friends to bring the tequila while you provide the mixers, or vice versa. You could also invite each of your guests to bring a different type of tequila, and conduct a tequila tasting. Whatever way you choose to build your margarita bar, asking guests to pitch in is always a good way to maintain a low budget for the party.

Another great way to save on party expenses is to stop by your local dollar store. Dollar stores often carry a variety of drink glasses, so you can purchase a margarita glass for each guest to take home, and it will only cost you $1 per person! Consider hand-painting each margarita glass with the guests’ names for a more festive twist. Dollar stores also carry a lot of fun decorations that could add to the Cinco de Mayo theme.

A margarita bar is a great way to engage your party guests. Since an adequate amount of tequila is typically consumed at a margarita bar party, it is a good idea to set out a bowl to hold drivers’ keys until they are sober enough to drive. It is always important to ensure the safety of your guests and those on the road.

To make your margarita bar party even more fun and festive, consider serving some traditional Mexican food to go with the drinks. Tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole will pair well with the salt in the margaritas. Or, if you are interested in going full-out, consider having your margarita bar party catered by an authentic Mexican Restaurant. Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant sometimes offers catering upon request, so please contact us to learn more about ordering fresh, authentic Mexican food for your next margarita bar party.

Will you be trying out this margarita bar party idea for your next Cinco de Mayo gathering, or do you prefer to eat at a local restaurant on this holiday?

The post How to Create a Margarita Bar for Your Next Party appeared first on casablanca.

When one gets creative, beautiful food innovations can occur. What makes a food trend so fun is that there are so many different takes to be made on any type of cuisine. In current restaurant trends, normally fattening foods are being transformed with healthier ingredients, while various culture’s cuisines are becoming one.

While authentic Mexican food has years of tradition behind it, Mexican food also has to the potential to be tweaked in accordance with your favorite food trend. Taco nights are becoming a great way to host informal dinner parties for friends. Fresh takes on typical taco and margarita pairings are available below. By following one of these recipes, your friends will be blown away at your innovative hosting abilities.

The following article from Los Angeles Times describes five ways to pair your favorite Mexican foods with stylish cocktails. Learn how to transform regular tacos and margaritas into the latest food trends and host a party that is sure to be a hit.

Mexican food pairings inspired by today’s hot flavor trends

…

You can use today’s most popular food trends from skinny indulgence to dude food to create taco and margarita pairings that will leave all your guests wanting more. The secret is to create dishes that are flavorful and forward-thinking, but use familiar products, like Old El Paso salsa, that you can find at your local grocery store.

If you love the zest of Mexican cuisine and want to serve party fare everyone will remember, try these five new taco and margarita pairing ideas from the culinary experts at the Betty Crocker Kitchens inspired by some of today’s hottest food trends:

Food trend 1: Skinny indulgence

The idea behind the skinny indulgence food trend is being able to enjoy fresh foods that are packed with flavor but not with calories. To incorporate this trend into your next party menu, try serving skinny citrus shrimp tacos. Fill tacos with warm citrus-flavored shrimp, fresh cucumber salsa and Greek yogurt crema for a smart and delicious indulgence. Pair with a light cocktail like a cucumber lime ‘spa’garita – a traditional margarita enhanced with fresh cucumber and orange.

Food trend 2: Dude food

Dude food is a trend that takes traditional foods that guys love to the next level, so that any foodie, man or woman, can enjoy the rich flavors. For this trend, try pairing spicy ‘beer’bacoa tacos with a ‘man’garita. Simply stuff tacos with beer-braised beef barbacoa, spicy chipotle salsa and queso fresco. Wash down with a ‘man’garita – a shot of aged tequila served with an ice cold bottle of Mexican beer.

Food trend 3: Global flavors

Blending authentic flavors in new and exciting ways is a huge food trend right now. It’s fun to think outside the box and see where this crossover flavor adventure takes you. For example, try faux pho chicken tacos for your main dish. This fresh and flavorful chicken taco is inspired by pho – a popular Vietnamese soup. The ‘faux pho’ toppings – Thai basil, fresh chilies and crunchy ramen noodles – are the key to these unique tacos. Pair with a Thai basil ‘mojit’arita that infuses the flavor of basil and agave nectar into a traditional margarita.

Food trend 4: Street food

When you travel, some of the best foods you encounter are made by street vendors. Additionally, food trucks have recently boomed in popularity in the United States, serving delicious food conveniently to patrons. You can bring this food trend to your next party by serving beef bulgogi Korean tacos. Simply load up a soft tortilla with Korean barbecue beef, cilantro-lettuce slaw and fiery Sriracha salsa. Pair with a Fizzy Lime ‘soda’rita by mixing a traditional Mexican lime soda with blanco tequila and orange-flavored liqueur.

Food trend 5: Veggie love

Eating your vegetables is always healthy, but now it’s trendy too. This food movement goes beyond carrot and celery sticks to create dishes that utilize fresh flavors in modern ways. Take cauliflower power tacos for example. Veggie lovers will devour this new take on a vegetarian taco filled with roasted cauliflower, crispy chickpeas and flavorful cilantro pesto. As a bonus it is gluten-free. Pair with frozen mango ‘coco’ritas made with fresh mango and coconut water.

All complete taco and margarita pairing recipes can be found athttp://www.bettycrocker.com/cinco.

The melding of different food trends and exotic cuisines is something that America has always been known for, but currently this food trend is growing. Now that you are equipped with the inspiration to create your own take on food trends, you can enhance a typical taco night with friends.

If a more traditional route is what you’re looking for when it comes to Mexican food, consider a visit to one of our three Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant locations in Andover, North Andover, and North Billerica, Massachusetts. Our food is made with fresh ingredients, and there’s a little something for everyone, no matter their favorite food trend.

What are some ways that you have tweaked traditional Mexican cuisine to make it match your favorite food trend?

The post Mexican Cuisine Takes on Popular Food Trends appeared first on casablanca.

When harvesting your cilantro, snip the outer leaves – only about one-third of the plant at a time — so that the new leaves can continue sprouting from the center. Due to the plant’s short life, growing cilantro in an area where it can reseed will save you some time and energy.

Since cilantro doesn’t dry well, growing cilantro yourself is a great way to have continuous access. You can store your fresh leaves by freezing them in cubes of water for the cold season.

Growing cilantro from seed is said to be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Read on for some tips for growing cilantro as explained in this article by Gardening Know How.

Tips for Growing Cilantro

By Heather Rhoades

Cilantro is used in a great many different dishes, particularly Mexican and Asian dishes, but despite the growing popularity for this dish in cooking, you do not see cilantro growing in the home garden as much as you do other popular herbs. This may be due to the fact that many people think that growing cilantro is difficult. This is not the case at all. If you follow these few tips for growing cilantro, you will find that you will be successfully growing cilantro in no time at all.

Cilantro Seeds

In cooking, cilantro seeds are called coriander. The “seeds” are actually two cilantro seeds encased in a husk. The husk is hard, round and is light brown or grey in color. Before you plant them in the ground, you need to prepare the cilantro seeds to increase the chances that they will germinate. Gently crush the seed husk holding the two seeds together. Soak the cilantro seeds in water for 24 – 48 hours. Remove from the water and allow to dry.

How to Plant Cilantro

Once you have prepared the cilantro seeds, you need to plant the seeds. You can either start cilantro indoors or outdoors. If you are starting the seeds indoors, you will be transplanting cilantro to the outdoors later on.

Put the seeds in the soil and then cover them with about a 1/4 inch layer of soil. Leave the cilantro growing until it is at least 2 inches tall. At this time, thin the cilantro to be about 3-4 inches apart. You want to be growing cilantro in crowded conditions because the leaves will shade the roots and help to keep the plant from bolting in hot weather.

If you are transplanting cilantro into your garden, dig holes 3-4 inches apart and place the plants in them. Water thoroughly after transplanting.

Cilantro Growing Conditions

The most important thing to remember when growing cilantro is that it does not like hot weather. Cilantro growing in soil that reaches 75F will bolt and go to seed. This means that the ideal cilantro growing conditions are cool but sunny. You should be growing cilantro where it will get early morning or late afternoon sun, but be shaded during the hottest part of the day.

Additional Tips for Growing Cilantro

Even with ideal cilantro growing conditions, this is a short lived herb. Taking the time to prune cilantro frequently will help delay bolting and prolong your harvest time but no matter how much you prune cilantro it will still eventually bolt. Plant new seeds about every 6 weeks to keep a steady supply throughout the growing season.

Cilantro will also reseed in many zones. Once the cilantro plant bolts, let it go to seed and it will grow again for you next year. Or collect the cilantro seeds and use them as coriander in your cooking.

So as you can see, with just a few tips for growing cilantro you can have a steady supply of this tasty herb growing in your garden.

In addition, when growing cilantro, be sure to keep a steady water supply in order to keep the soil moist, but not soaked, and plant in a deep container to properly house the root system. Because cilantro is a quickly maturing plant, it’s a good idea to continue growing cilantro throughout the season by planting a new crop every 3-4 weeks. Snipping the soft top stems regularly is a good habit to get into and will help prolong the harvest. Even so, cilantro has a short life span of only a few months.

To enjoy eating cilantro without the challenge of actually growing cilantro, visit us at any of our 3 Casa Blanca locations in Massachusetts. We use the herb in many of our authentic Mexican dishes, including the complimentary salsa that we serve as an appetizer with homemade tortilla chips. Or better yet, do both. Grow cilantro at home to enjoy any time, and visit us to enjoy cilantro without having to cook. We’re here for you 7 days a week.

Have you ever faced the challenge of growing your own cilantro? How did it work out for you? Do you have any tips of your own to share with our readers who will be growing cilantro in the upcoming season?

The post Growing Cilantro in Your Home Garden appeared first on casablanca.

Tequila connoisseurs who are accustomed to margaritas, tequila sunrises, and other drinks that add additional liquors to the blend will be happy to get a glimpse at these money-saving, yet delicious recipes by bita ehsanipour.

5 Simple, Tequila-Only Cocktail Recipes

by Bita Ehsanipour

Picture this, you’ve invited a few friends over for a little soirée, get-together, celebration, pre-game, what have you… and you only have room in the budget for one selection of alcohol. Well? Make that one bottle work for you! These simple cocktail recipes require only one alcoholic ingredient: Tequila. And don’t worry, a few affordable filler ingredients – We’re not talking straight tequila shots here (But common, paired with a fresh lime wedge and salt, tequila shots are pretty delicious too!) Check out these simple recipes to find how you can whip up a variety of tasty, easy to make cocktails that are also budget-friendly:

1. Cinco Herradura

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 oz. tequila (Tequila Herradura Silver recommended)
• 2 oz. pineapple juice
• 2 oz. cranberry juice
• Splash of lemon-lime soda
• Splash lime juice
• Sugar for rimming and lime wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions: Fill tall glass or mixing glass with ice. Stir in tequila, fruit juices and soda. Add a splash of lime juice and stir again. Rim glass with sugar, and garnish with fresh lime wedge. Pour the drink into the rimmed glass and serve.

Adapted from www.cocktailtimes.com.

2. Horny Bull

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. tequila
• Orange juice

Directions: Fill tall glass with ice and pour in tequila. Stir 2-3 times. Top off with OJ and serve.

Adapted from www.fineartbartending.ca.

3.  Juan Collins

Ingredients:

• 4.5 oz. tequila (Hornitos Plata Tequila recommended)
• 1.5 oz. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 9 oz. club soda
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Directions: Fill tall glass with ice. Add all ingredients, and stir. Garnish with lemon and serve. (Yup, it’s THAT easy!)

Adapted from www.barnonedrinks.com.

4. Paloma

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. tequila (blanco or reposado recommended)
• 6 oz. grapefruit juice
• Splash of club soda
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• Salt or sugar for rimming (optional)
• Lime wedge and maraschino cherry, or grapefruit wedge for garnish (optional)

Directions: Rim glass with salt or sugar. Fill glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice, and stir. Top off with grapefruit juice and soda. Stir again. Garnish and serve.

Adapted from cocktails.about.com

5.  Salty Chihuahua (with Lemonade)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. tequila
• 5 oz. lemonade
• Splash of lime juice
• Lime wedge, and coarse salt or sugar for garnish (optional)

Directions: Rim glass with salt or sugar. Fill glass with ice. Pour in tequila and lemonade. Squeeze and drop in lime wedge for a splash of lime juice. Stir and serve.

Adapted from allrecipes.com.

You will undoubtedly please your guests when using any of these 5 different fruit juice and club soda bases to support the fine Mexican flavors of tequila. And, since many of these juices are typically on hand in most households, it’s easy to have an  refreshing tequila drink at home, any time the mood strikes you. (It’s always 5:00 somewhere!)

At Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurants, we offer a wide variety of authentic Mexican food and drink, that of course includes tequila. Stop by any of our 3 locations to experience our flavorful dishes, refreshing cocktails, and prompt and friendly service. We welcome you.

Are you a tequila drinker? If so, what is your favorite tequila drink? If not, are you tempted to try one of the recipes listed above?

The post 5 Quick, Easy, and Inexpensive Tequila Drink Recipes appeared first on casablanca.

The first step to making healthy Mexican food is utilizing the power of avocados. Substituting toppers such as cheese and sour cream for guacamole is a healthy Mexican way to enjoy bursting flavors of Mexico. Guacamole is made from a healthy fat that doesn’t rack up too many calories. Don’t underestimate the fibers in beans and vegetables when deciding to eat a healthy Mexican meal. These beneficial foods can be used as substitutes in a variety of delicious dishes to create a healthier Mexican dish. For instance, a bean burrito is a healthy Mexican substitution for a beef and cheese burrito. The following article from About explains ways to transform a calorie-loaded dish into healthy Mexican cuisine.

Make Healthy Choices at Mexican Restaurants

Mexican restaurants get a bad rap thanks to ever-present chips, cheese and high-calorie drinks being on offer, but the fact is, Mexican food can be a “do” when you’re dieting! By learning a few simple rules, you’ll always know what to say si to and make healthy choices at Mexican restaurants.

• Crunch Some Calories

When in doubt, choose an item that includes soft tortillas. Soft tortillas are baked while crunchy shells are fried. Choosing soft tortillas over crunchy ones can easily save a few hundred calories.

• Soft with Salsa

A friend of mine swears by ordering soft tortillas to swap for chips. She spreads them with salsa, folds them up, and eats them like a taquito. (Yes, it can get messy.) She says these roll-ups quell her chips ‘n’ salsa craving in nada time flat!

• The Best Beans

Black beans are an excellent choice for most any dieter. They are low in fat, high in protein and provide plenty of fiber. (Avoid black beans and rice if you’re a low-carb dieter and order the beans by themselves.)

Refried beans may sound like a good choice, but they are often prepared with lard, Mexican cheese blends, and even bacon, which quickly ups the fat and calorie content of what could be a healthy side.

Bonus Tip: Order pinto beans instead and you’ll get a similar flavor without the extra fat.

• Dips are a “Don’t”

Con queso dips and nacho cheese are tempting toppers for chips, but they’re both extremely rich and high in fat and calories. Same goes for sour cream. Guacamole is made with avocado which is a healthy fat, but a little bit of it can quickly add up your fat and calorie intake, so keep an eye on portion sizes.

Bonus Tip: Always select salsa as a starter, topping, garnish or side and you’ll know you’re making the right choice.

• Smart Switches

Switch to bean burritos instead of beef or cheese burritos and you’ll be saying adios to lots of extra calories and get in plenty of fiber to boot. Ask for corn tortillas to be used instead of flour and you’ll be doing even better!

• “Do” and “Don’t” Dishes

Some popular dishes to avoid include: Nachos, chimichangas, chalupas, taquitos, chile relleno, (all of which are deep-fried) and “double decker” burritos.

Some better choices are: Chicken fajitas, bean burritos, a grilled chicken dish with peppers and onions (hold the cheese!), or a soft taco.

You may also be able to order low-fat cheese, brown rice, whole-wheat tortillas or a side of marinated vegetables.

Some Mexican restaurants will replace the sides that come with meals with a salad if you ask them to. Top your salad with salsa and you’ll have a yummy, low-fat side. If you really missing dressing creaminess, ask for some reduced-fat ranch dressing and blend it in with your salsa until it’s got a more dressing-like texture.

If you order a taco salad, be sure to request it be served on a plate rather than the deep-fried, bowl-shaped tortilla … who wouldn’t be tempted to munch on that?

Bonus Tip: Eat all the salsa you want! It’s fat-free, low-calorie and is a good source of lycopene.

Eating healthy Mexican food is easier than you think when you substitute the wrongs with the rights. Even when you do substitute healthy Mexican alternatives, the food still tastes great! Flavors from avocados, peppers, and onions are common healthy Mexican ingredients that burst with flavor. Don’t let the misconception of calorie-loaded Mexican food get in your way of eating a healthy Mexican meal at a Mexican restaurant.

When trying to eat a healthy Mexican meal, portion control also comes into the picture. Having cheeses, fried foods, chips, and sour cream is okay – in moderation. Asking for minimal toppings is a creative way to create a healthy Mexican dish. Nachos, chimichangas and chile relleno can be healthy Mexican foods in smaller proportions.

At Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurants, we not only offer authentic Mexican cuisine, but we also offer vegetarian Mexican cuisine. Vegetarian eating is also an alternative option when eating healthy Mexican cuisine. Our vegetarian dishes such as Casa Veggie Fiesta, Veggie Quesadilla, Veggie Enchiladas, Veggie Green Burrito, and Veggie Fajitas are loaded with fresh vegetables. Even if you are not a vegetarian, these dishes are a delicious way to enjoy a healthy Mexican meal.

To try the healthy Mexican cuisine offered at Casa Blanca, please visit us at any of our 3 Massachusetts locations! We are always ready to assist with the healthiest of substitutions and look forward to serving you.

What ways have you found for eating Mexican food while retaining your healthy diet? We’d love to hear your advice!

The post Ways to Eat Healthy Mexican Food appeared first on casablanca.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.

History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla

In 1861 the liberal Mexican Benito Juárez (1806-1872) became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III (1808-1873), decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat.

Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez (1814-1892) set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a rag-tag force of 2,000 loyal men—many of them either indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry—and sent them to Puebla. Led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza (1829-1862), the vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and led an assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash.

Although not a major strategic win in the overall war against the French, Zaragoza’s success at Puebla represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement. Six years later—thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War—France withdrew. The same year, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who had been installed as emperor of Mexico by Napoleon in 1864, was captured and executed by Juárez’s forces. Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed for General Zaragoza, who died of typhoid fever months after his historic triumph there.

Cinco de Mayo in Mexico

Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where Zaragoza’s unlikely triumph occurred, although other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.

Cinco de Mayo in the United States

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations. Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous Mexicans over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. Today, revelers mark the occasion with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano. Some of the largest festivals are held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.

Confusion with Mexican Independence Day

Many people outside Mexico mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. That event is commemorated on September 16, the anniversary of the revolutionary priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla’s famous “Grito de Dolores” (“Cry of Dolores”), a call to arms that amounted to a declaration of war against the Spanish colonial government in 1810.

Cinco de Mayo has had an American makeover thanks to the Mexican American communities. The once celebration of a winning battle has transformed into an American holiday to celebrate the Mexican culture. Cinco de Mayo is one of those holidays that everyone looks forward to and everyone takes part in to celebrate one of the many cultures that makes our country great.

Cinco de Mayo is similar to St. Patrick’s Day, or the 4^th of July in the sense that the holiday celebrates various cultures. Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture, St. Patrick’s Day celebrates Irish culture, and the 4^th of July celebrates our American culture.

It is customary on Cinco de Mayo to celebrate the Mexican culture, often with Mexican drinks. Please join us at any of our 3 Casa Blanca locations in Massachusetts on Cinco de Mayo or on any other day as we celebrate our roots as a Mexican restaurant.

The post Mexican Culture: What is Cinco de Mayo? appeared first on casablanca.

Origin of Vanilla

The Totonac people of the Vera Cruz region in Mexico were the first to cultivate the divine vanilla crop. The Aztec monarch, Itzcoatl, conquered the Totonacos in 1427 and immediately came to love the flavor and aroma of the Totonaco’s vanilla. The Aztecs called the prized spice “tlilxochitl “black flower”. They used it to flavor their famous chocolate drink, cacahuatl (chocolate water), made from cocoa beans, ground corn, ground vanilla beans, and honey. The Aztecs required that the Totonac people grow vanilla as a tribute to the Aztec king, Montezuma.

When Cortés came to Mexico from Spain, in 1519, he travelled through Vera Cruz where he became intrigued by vanilla. When Cortés arrived in Mexico City, he was graciously greeted by Montezuma who thought Cortés was “Quetzalcóatl” a fair skinned god. Moctezuma served Cortés chocolatll in a golden goblet. Impressed with Moctezuma’s gold and riches, Cortés and his men later conspired to kill the Aztec king.

The Spanish named the exotic spice “vainilla” meaning “little scabbard” and took it back with them to Spain. Vanilla slowly became popular throughout all of Europe. The French took a particular liking to the flavour and began using it as an ingredient in pastries, cakes and beverages.

The French wanted to grow vanilla in their colonies where the climate was similar to that of Vera Cruz. They were able to grow healthy plants that blossomed, but were never able to get a bean from the plant. When the Totonacos heard this, they called it the “curse of Moctezuma”.

For 300 years Mexico maintained its monopoly of vanilla production despite constant efforts of Europeans to induce vanilla vines to bear beans elsewhere. As the flavour of the exotic beans became popular, collectors brought vanilla plants back for the Botanical Gardens of Europe. You can still see vanilla vines growing at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

It wasn’t until 1836 that Charles Morren, a French botanist, finally discovered the secret of growing vanilla. His careful examination of the anatomy of the flower led to his discovery of the difficulty of pollination. Pollination was then performed by hand. Knowledge of the artificial pollination spread to European nations who had colonized tropical regions with climates suitable for growing orchids. These areas began planting vanilla especially the French on the Island of Bourbon (Reunion) and the Dutch in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).

Today, vanilla is grown commercially in Madagascar, Indonesia, India, Uganda with some production in Mexico, Tonga, French Polynesia, Tahiti, Fiji, Costa Rica, and China.

Although vanilla isn’t primarily grown in Mexico today, we have them to thank for discovering the vanilla plant that has gained global admiration. Although vanilla is used in many dishes, it reigns prominent in a wide array of desserts. Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurants in Massachusetts have an assortment of delicious Mexican desserts, just waiting for you try. Mexican desserts made with vanilla is a flavor too good to pass up! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your desserts at Casa Blanca!

The post The History of Vanilla appeared first on casablanca.

Christmas is an example of a festive holiday in Mexican culture that is highly involved. Their celebrations are spread out over a period of two months, honoring pivotal moments with baby Jesus. In Mexican culture, children wake to find presents on January 6^th, Three Kings Day, rather than December 25^th. Christmas in Mexican culture reflects the “reason for the season” more than others. The article below from Aracnets.net shows all of the holidays celebrated in Mexican culture and what they represent to the Mexican people.

Mexican Holidays

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS /HANAL PIXAN/ HALLOWEEN

The Day of the Dead, is a celebration that represents the unity between life and death.  It emphasizes death as part of the cycle of life and was borne from the merging of the Catholic feast of All Soul’s Day (a day to remember the dead with prayer) and with Indian rituals of death.

The celebration of Día de Muertos (Hanal Pixán in Mayan language) coincides with indigenous celebrations and the catholic celebrations of All Saints Day (Nov 1st) and All Souls Day (Nov 2nd ).  On October 31st relatives clean and decorate the altars (at the Grave Site) in anticipation of the honoured guests: deceased family’s souls.  This festivity mark a very special occasion when the living have an opportunity to show respect for their departed loved ones, whose spirits are expected to return to their homes.

Families also decorate an altar at the house.  With the deceased’s photograph, favourite food, alcoholic beverage, cigarettes, chocolate and other goods. For  deceased children, simple toys are included so the child’s spirit has fun while he/she visits the family.

LAS POSADAS

The beginning of the Christmas festivities is marked with Las Posadas, nine consecutive days of  candlelight processions and lively parties starting December 16th.

Families gather to re-enact the holy family’s quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession is headed by a small plaster Virgin Mary and San José.  They are followed by other children portraying angels, the Three kings and pastores (shepherds).  The breaking of a piñata is a rigorous part of this celebration.

NOCHE BUENA

Noche Buena is the culmination of the Holiday festivities with the celebration of a midnight mass (Misa de Gallo).  Afterwards, families head home for a traditional Christmas supper, which may feature  regional dishes.  Depending on the economic status of the family, the feast might include bacalao a la vizcaína (Biscayan cod) and romeritos (wild greens in mole sauce).  Roast turkey, ham or suckling pig are other popular menu items.  The evening is rounded out with the opening of gifts and for the children, piñatas and luces de Belén (sparklers).  These happy family gatherings generally last until dusk and for this reason December 25th is set aside as a day to rest and enjoy leftovers.

LOS TRES REYES MAGOS/ THREE KINGS DAY

Epiphany, which is called Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) portrays the arrival in Bethlehem of the Wise Men carrying gifts for the baby Jesus.  Children all over Mexico, anxiously await waking up January 6th to find toys and gifts.

A special treat served on this day is the Rosca de Reyes (a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits)  Tiny plastic figures of babies are hidden in the dough before baking.  There is much excitement as each partaker cuts his or her own slice, for whoever gets a piece containing a baby is obligated to host another party on or before Candlemas, February 2, when Mexico’s holiday season finally comes to an end.

SEMANA SANTA

Semana Santa is Mexico’s second most important holiday season of the year, behind only Christmas, and runs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. In addition to attending Mass on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, many Mexicans will also take advantage of the holiday to go on vacation. If you’re planning to visit Mexico during Semana Santa, make sure you checked on availability in advance.

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, celebrates the Christian holiday of Easter. Mexico is nearly 90 percent Catholic, so this religious holiday takes on a special meaning that the entire community shares and participates in. Live representations of the Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion take place in many little towns.  It is like a live play where people from the town assume the roles of Jesus, Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. John and many other characters.

5 DE MAYO

The origination for Cinco De Mayo, The Fifth Of May, commemorates the defeat of the French army by the Mexicans at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S. Cities with a significant Mexican population.

The battle at Puebla in 1862 happened at a violent and chaotic time in Mexico’s history. Mexico had finally gained independence from Spain in 1810, and a number of internal political takeovers and wars, including the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Civil War of 1858, had completely wiped out the national economy.  The victory of the battle at Puebla gave the people pride on their Country and the spirit of freedom.

CARNAVAL

Carnaval  is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration of the libido before the Catholic lent. Beginning the weekend before Lent, Carnaval is celebrated exuberantly with parades, floats, costumes, music and dancing in the streets.

The festival of Carnaval is celebrated as a last indulgence of carnal pleasures that Catholics must give up for 40 days of fasting during Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. In fact, the word Carnaval is derived from Latin, meaning take away or goodbye to flesh, and strict Catholics will give up meat eating during Lent.

Carnaval is officially celebrated for 5 days, leading up to Ash Wednesday, with the most vigorous celebration taking place over the one weekend in Mexico. The wearing of masks during Carnaval is said to be a pagan practice as protection from evil spirits, but most likely evolved as a way to participate fully in the celebration with some anonymity.

DIA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA

Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. It commemorates the beginning of Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain, which began on the 16th of September in 1810. Known as Dieciseis de Septiembre, it’s often confused by Americans with Cinco de Mayo (which celebrates the victory at the Battle of Puebla).  In every town, small and large, el día de Independencia is celebrated with “El Grito de Independencia” (Independence shout) in which many Mexicans gather in the main square of the town at midnight to shout many “Viva México” to commemorate the shout made by Miguel Hidalgo on the original Independence Day.

VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE

In 1531 a “Lady from Heaven” appeared to a poor Indian at Tepeyac, a hill northwest of Mexico City; she identified herself as the Mother of the True God, instructed him to have the bishop build a temple on the site and left an image of herself imprinted miraculously on his tilma, a poor quality cactus-cloth, which should have deteriorated in 20 years but shows no sign of decay 469 years later and still defies all scientific explanations of its origin.

Her message of love and compassion, and her universal promise of help and protection to all mankind, have been a very important part of all Mexican’s lives.  She is the patron of all Catholics in México who worship her truly.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12th  with a mass celebrated with a Mariachi band.

Every country celebrates holidays for religious or historical reasons. However, in Mexican culture, holidays are very significant and meaningful. Within Mexican culture the value of family, religion, and tradition is extremely important. The holidays in Mexican culture are a time to celebrate and gather with family, honoring the importance of the occasion. Preserving the purpose of the holiday in Mexican culture is crucial; this is why tradition is essential to celebrating. Each Mexican holiday has a significant meaning in Mexican culture; honoring a religious or historical moment special to the culture. From decorations, to food, to music, holidays are lively, spiritual, and joyous time to be with friends and family in Mexican culture.

Our Casa Blanca restaurants value the importance of Mexican culture. Celebrating the holidays in Mexican culture is a way to respect Mexican roots. At Casa Blanca, we try to incorporate the authenticity of Mexican culture, including the Mexican holidays celebrated. If you are interested in learning more about Mexican culture, or want to see some of the traditions yourself, stop by any of our locations! We’d be more than glad to share our Mexican culture with you!

The post Mexican Culture: Celebrate the Mexican Holidays appeared first on casablanca.

A delicious method to eating healthier and improving your general lifestyle is by learning to love beans — and understanding the health benefits of beans.

The health benefits of beans are often overlooked. Beans can help give meals a healthy kick and leave your taste buds satisfied. Beans are a great way to get necessary proteins, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and maintain good colon health. The health benefits of beans have also been linked to the decreased risk of certain cancers.

There is a wide array of different beans with individual flavors to satisfy just about anyone. The health benefits of beans extend to red, pinto, black, green, and other beans, each of them having a distinct taste and a specific effect on the body. Beans are a key factor in many food dishes and although they are good for the body, they are good on the taste buds as well.

For an in-depth look into the health benefits of beans, read this article from foods-healing-power to get the inside scoop on how you can take advantage of the many health benefits of beans and incorporate them into your daily nutrition intake.

Health Benefits of Beans
and Their Healing Power

Considering the health benefits of beans, they should be known as “healthy people’s meat” instead of “poor people’s meat”, as they’re often called. Beans (also known as legumes or pulses) belong to an extremely large category of vegetables, containing more than 13,000 species and are second only to grains in supplying calories and protein to the world’s population. Compared to grains, though, legumes supply about the same number of calories but usually two to four times as much proteins. Despite their small size, beans pack a surprisingly rich and varied array of substances that are vital for good health.

Proteins in Beans

Some people don’t enjoy the health benefits of beans as they should because they often consider them an ‘incomplete’ protein. This is because they don’t contain all the essential amino acids that we need in our diet, as opposed to ‘complete’ protein found in foods of animal origin, such as meat, fish, dairy products and eggs, which contain ample amounts of the essential amino acids. Although it’s important to get all the amino acids, both essential and non-essential, it’s not necessary to get them from meat. In fact, because of its high fat content – as well as the use of antibiotics and other chemicals in the raising of poultry and cattle – most of the animal protein should be eaten only in moderation. The best way to go about it is to combine partial-protein foods to make complementary protein. For instance, although beans and brown rice are both rich in protein, each lack one or more of the necessary amino acids. Some health practitioners suggest to combine them together to form a complete protein that is a high quality substitute for meat. To make a complete protein they advise to combine beans with one of the following:

• brown rice
• corn
• nuts
• seeds
• wheat

But others believe that to enjoy the health benefits of beans you don’t need to combine them with grains at each meal, as long as you eat them during the same day or 24-hour period. All soya products, such as tofu and soy milk, are complete proteins. They contain all the essential amino acids plus several other nutrients.

Health Benefits of Beans

Many legumes, especially soya beans, are demonstrating impressive health benefits. Diets rich in beans are being used to:

• lower cholesterol levels

• improve diabetics’ blood glucose control

• reduce risk of many cancers

• lower blood pressure

• regulate functions of the colon

• prevent and cure constipation

• prevent piles and other bowel problems

Also richly coloured dried beans offer a high degree of antioxidant protection. In fact, small red kidney beans rate even higher than blueberries. A lesser-known benefit of beans, though, is their high levels of isoflavones, compounds that are similar in structure to estrogen produced by your body (which is why they are also called phytoestrogens). These isoflavones may ease the symptoms of menopause, prevent some form of cancer, reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your bone and prostate health, among other benefits.

Beans, a Rich Source of Fibre

One of the reasons the health benefits of beans are so many is because they contain a lot of fibre(or fiber, according to the American spelling). Depending on the type of legumes, they vary between 5 and 8.6 grams of fibre per 100 g (30 ounces) serving. When you eat dried beans, they are not entirely digested, so the undigested material lies around in the colon, where bacteria attack it and start to feed on it. In the process, lots of chemicals are released, which tell your liver to cut down its production of cholesterol and your blood to speed up clearing out dangerous LDL cholesterol. Plus, fibre can actually mop up cholesterol from the intestine and whisk it out of the system.Also, chemicals that block formation of cancer cells are released. In fact, beans are concentrated carriers of protease inhibitors, enzymes that can counteract the activation of cancer-causing compounds in the colon.

Beans and Flatulence

Many people fail to enjoy the health benefits of beans because of the side effects experienced by some people. As we’ve seen, the fact that beans are not completely digested brings its own health benefits, but it can cause flatulence (wind) or intestinal discomfort to some people. This is caused by a type of fibre found in beans, called oligosaccharides, which is composed of three to five sugar molecules linked together in such a way that the body cannot digest or absorb them. So they pass into the intestines, where the bacteria break them down and gas is produced. Haricot and lima beans are generally the most offensive, while peanuts are the least offensive because of their lower levels of oligosaccharides. The amount of oligosaccharides in legumes can be significantly reduced by properly cooking or sprouting them and as a consequence, the flatulence can be reduced as well allowing you to enjoy the health benefits of beans without causing offense.

Some Serving Suggestions

How can you take advantage of the health benefits of beans?The nice thing about beans is how easily you can add them to any meal.

• Pour them into soups and salads or use them in spicy Mexican dishes.

• You also can’t go wrong with hummus, a mix of chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini paste and garlic, served with pitta bread or crackers, or as a dip for raw vegetable sticks.

• Or try substituting tofu for meat in some of your dishes.

I find it very practical to keep a few tins of various types of beans and add them to any dish where I want to include some proteins and fibre, such as pasta dishes, casseroles, stews, salads and anywhere else I can think of.

Now that you are pretty well versed in the health benefits of beans, you can start treating yourself — and your body — to the various types of beans. There are so many different bean dishes to try that you’ll not likely grow tired of them. Whether you want soup, salad, dips or a side dish with dinner, the many health benefits of beans make them a fantastic food to include in your meals.

Beans are a significant staple of Mexican cuisine. The health benefits of beans will not even enter your mind while you’re enjoying a tasty and nutritious Mexican meal. Mexican restaurants are growing in popularity and Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurants are no exception. Enjoy a Mexican night out with us at any of our 3 Massachusetts locations. We’ll serve you the best Mexican cuisine and will help you start incorporating some of those health benefits of beans into your diet.

The post Health Benefits of Beans appeared first on casablanca.