Thursday, June 23, 2011

Aguas Frescas

This and other similar fruit drinks, which translate literally as "fresh water," are served all over Mexico and they're a cinch to make at home. The key is to strain the pulpy fruit to make a clearer liquid. You can use strawberries, pineapple, or mango -- any fruit that is soft enough to puree. Basically its lemonade but made with other fruits. Simple & refreshing!

Aguas Frescas
3 cups of Fruit Puree or Juice
1 1/2 cups water
2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
2 to 3 limes, juiced

Puree fruit and pour through a fine sieve to eliminate pulp. In a pitcher, mix strained fruit puree with water and season with sugar and lime juice. All ingredients can be adjusted to taste. Serve in a Jara or large punch bowl with slices of fruit.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Father's Day Memory Box

Last year I sent the following email out to my family to make a memory box for my Dad. It was very fun to sit around with the family at our annual Father's Day BBQ to read, reminisce and laugh with one another on all of our memories. Most importantly it was a gift from the entire family showing my father how important he is to all of us. Best of all everyone could participate no matter what age or income level.


ITEMS NEEDED:
Wooden or Sturdy Box
Colored or Textured Paper
Pens & Pencils or Computer & Printer

SAMPLE EMAIL:
I am going to make a memory box for Father's Day for Dad/Grandpa. So I would like each of you to write down your memories of Dad now and growing up. Use these three opening line to make simple sentences thanking Dad, Papi, Grandpa for memories he has given us. You can print the sentences up yourselves or I will print, cut them and place in the box if you email it to me by the Friday before Father's Day. I will have a box to put everything in. Also, if you have little items to symbolize stuff that you can get from the dollar store that would be good. See examples below.

Answer these questions:

Thanks for .........

I remember when .........

I love it when ...........

EXAMPLES
Thanks for teaching me your secret Guacamole recipe

I remember when you drove up with a trailer on the corner lot and my first horse came walking out. (Toy Horse)

Thanks for teaching me how to drive even though I rolled 3 cars (Mini Bug)

I remember when I would fill my bed with pillows and you would pretend to try wake me up, then act surprised when I popped from behind the bed.

I love it when you make huevos rancheros on a weekday morning for no reason at all


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MEMORY TRIGGERS
Five Senses - See, Hear, Taste, Touch & Smell

See - The perfectly manicure lawn, christmas tree lights,

Hear - Flamenco Music and Paso Doble bullfighter song

Taste - Guacamole, Huevos Rancheros, Mexican Coffees

Touch - Hacking down the tree and building stuff

Smell - fresh cut grass, BBQ on the grill,