Tag: 30 minutes or less

Healthy Body, Healthy Family

Jugo Verde: Mexican Green Juice

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My sister and I recently went to the City of Oaxaca, and it is always affirming for me to go to Mexico, but Oaxaca is just pure magic. Everything is so beautiful there — the textiles, the architecture, the pride of place, the colors, and of course, the food. We ate magnificently well there, from the 4 star Casa Oaxaca to the unpretentious La Florecita at El Mercado de la Merced. (Have you had squash blossom quesadillas? Amazing!)

We took a fabulous cooking class from La Maestra Reyna Mendoza in Teotitlan Del Valle. We learned how to make Mole Rojo in a beautiful outdoor kitchen. We grinded the chiles and spices on a metate! And then we got to eat everything!  

Everything we did was fantastic — one of the best vacations I have ever taken.  Being with my sister is such a joyful experience! I feel so blessed to be able play and work with her. It’s so much fun to eat with her because she can tell you what’s in the food while you’re eating it, just by taste. Let us not forget that she is La Madrina en La Cocina! She has developed and tested each and every one of our recipes! With the help of the fabulous Malena Perdomo, a certified nutritionist and diabetes educator, we bring you the healthiest food that our test kitchens have to offer.  

This edición is about making small but important healthy changes. We’re with you on your journey to a healthier life. We all know that eating more veggies and fruit are the cornerstone of healthy eating. We are constantly adding more delicious ways to add more plant-based foods to our day.

At De Las Mías, we recommend 3 cups of veggies and 2 fruits every day but the new USDA Dietary Guidelines are recommending that we go above and beyond.  There is no harm in eating more vegetables!

But how do we do that? One way to add more healthy fruits and veggies to your day is to add them to breakfast. Add a bell pepper and some spinach to your huevos, and some berries to your avena! OR….Have yourself a Jugo Verde!

 

 

On our last day in Oaxaca, as we were walking down Hidalgo Street, I was snagged by a beautiful display of bicicletas, in all colors, adorned with handmade wooden baskets at the lovely hotel, Casa de la Sierra Azul. We walked into the courtyard and heard the angels sing! We couldn’t resist the inviting patio restaurant and promptly sat down to peruse the menu and order breakfast.

The Jugo Verde caught my eye and I ordered it. It was the most refreshing and delicious juice I had ever tasted. Lori and I were trying to figure out what it had in it. It was psychedelic green! Not the green goop that you sometimes get from Odwalla in the States, but the most beautiful, vibrant green I’ve ever seen!

We knew it had spinach in it, and I could taste the pineapple but we couldn’t figure out the rest. We asked the waiter and he said it had fresh nopales and yerba santa.  

We struck up a conversation with the waiter and we told him about De Las Mías. He went on to tell us all about the magical properties of Jugo Verde, a time-honored Mexican tradition that promises to bring you good health, happiness, and beautiful skin.  

We vowed to get back to the states, do some additional research and start testing out some Jugos Verdes of our own.

We haven’t tried Jugo Verde with nopales, yet, and yerba santa is not that easy to find in Portland or Santa Fe, but here are 3 Jugos Verdes that I have been indulging in and I feel better already!

Starting off my day with a refreshing Jugo Verde just feels right! It sets the intention for your day, como dicen las del New Age. To feel more grounded I follow it with a strong cup of coffee and avocado toast. Add a handful of almonds for protein, ¡y párale de contar! You’re set!

Jugo Verde is a great way to include veggies and fruits with breakfast. These jugos are simple, don’t require any special equipment except a run-of-the-mill blender, and are packed with at least 2 servings of veggies and one serving of fruit! And that is just to get you going in the morning!  

I also find that Jugo Verde is very energizing for the mid-afternoon slump when all I want to do is plop down to watch depressing news! So slam down some Jugo Verde, put on your tenis, and take your dog for a walk instead! SOOO much better for you than more screen time!

Try these Mexican green juices!

 

 

La Diosa Verde.

This one is my favorite. I feel righteous and strong after this one!

  • A handful of fresh spinach
  • 4 2-inch chunks of fresh pineapple
  • ½ a peeled cucumber
  • ½ a peeled apple
  • 1 cup of water
  • One or two squeezes of fresh lime
  • 1 teaspoon jalapeño juice
  • Ice cubes if you like ice in your jugo

Blend it on high until it turns into juice.  (Optional: Since I like sweet, I even add a ½ teaspoon of Stevia, but that’s just me.)

 

Amor al Kiwi.

If you like kiwi, you will love this Jugo Verde.

  • One peeled and ripe kiwi
  • A handful of spinach
  • 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
  • 1 stalk of celery
  • 1 cup of water
  • Ice cubes if you like ice in your jugo

Blend it until it turns into juice. (You can sprinkle Tajín on top for added punch!)

 

Sana Sana, Jugo de Manzana.

I choose a super sweet apple for this one.  Have you tried Opal Apples? They are so sweet and delicious. Pink Lady is another sweetheart.

  • 1 cored and peeled apple
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1 cup of water
  • A handful of spinach
  • Ice cubes if you like ice in your jugo.

¡Andale!  

 

A few notes on making Jugos Verdes in the blender: Basically, you can blend anything you like in your blender, so go nuts. You’ll need veggies, fruits and water for jugos. More on licuados and smoothies here. I sometimes add a bit of unsweetened juice, although water is really best. I also add a dash of salt, pepper, lime juice, lemon juice, jalapeño juice, or Tajín. You could even blend up a serrano in there if you dare! Just do what tastes good to you and makes you feel like the Righteous Green Goddess that you are!

I have recommended this little book to you before and I will do it here again: The Blender Girl by Tess Masters. I like her non-pretentious approach to eating more vegan meals and we could all stand to eat less meat and more veggies, fruits and plants of all kinds. Your body and Mother Earth will thank you.

Try these and let me know what you think! Keep it simple and delicious! Do you have a favorite Jugo Verde? Share your favorite with us and we’ll choose a few to feature on our Instagram feed!

 

¡Hola, Sabrosa!, English, Healthy Body, Healthy Mexican Food

Jugo Verde: Mexican Green Juice

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    My sister and I recently went to the City of Oaxaca, and it is always affirming for me to go to Mexico, but Oaxaca is just pure magic. Everything is so beautiful there — the textiles, the architecture, the pride of place, the colors, and of course, the food. We ate magnificently well there, from the 4 star Casa Oaxaca to the unpretentious La Florecita at El Mercado de la Merced. (Have you had squash blossom quesadillas? Amazing!) We took a fabulous cooking class from La Maestra Reyna Mendoza in Teotitlan Del Valle. We learned how to make Mole Rojo in a beautiful outdoor kitchen. We grinded the chiles and spices on a metate! And then we got to eat everything!   Everything we did was fantastic — one of the best vacations I have ever taken.  Being with my sister is such a joyful experience! I feel so blessed to be able play and work with her. It’s so much fun to eat with her because she can tell you what’s in the food while you’re eating it, just by taste. Let us not forget that she is La Madrina en La Cocina! She has developed and tested each and every one of our recipes! With the help of the fabulous Malena Perdomo, a certified nutritionist and diabetes educator, we bring you the healthiest food that our test kitchens have to offer.   This edición is about making small but important healthy changes. We’re with you on your journey to a healthier life. We all know that eating more veggies and fruit are the cornerstone of healthy eating. We are constantly adding more delicious ways to add more plant-based foods to our day. At De Las Mías, we recommend 3 cups of veggies and 2 fruits every day but the new USDA Dietary Guidelines are recommending that we go above and beyond.  There is no harm in eating more vegetables! But how do we do that? One way to add more healthy fruits and veggies to your day is to add them to breakfast. Add a bell pepper and some spinach to your huevos, and some berries to your avena! OR….Have yourself a Jugo Verde!     On our last day in Oaxaca, as we were walking down Hidalgo Street, I was snagged by a beautiful display of bicicletas, in all colors, adorned with handmade wooden baskets at the lovely hotel, Casa de la Sierra Azul. We walked into the courtyard and heard the angels sing! We couldn’t resist the inviting patio restaurant and promptly sat down to peruse the menu and order breakfast. The Jugo Verde caught my eye and I ordered it. It was the most refreshing and delicious juice I had ever tasted. Lori and I were trying to figure out what it had in it. It was psychedelic green! Not the green goop that you sometimes get from Odwalla in the States, but the most beautiful, vibrant green I’ve ever seen! We knew it had spinach in it, and I could taste the pineapple but we couldn’t figure out the rest. We asked the waiter and he said it had fresh nopales and yerba santa.   We struck up a conversation with the waiter and we told him about De Las Mías. He went on to tell us all about the magical properties of Jugo Verde, a time-honored Mexican tradition that promises to bring you good health, happiness, and beautiful skin.   We vowed to get back to the states, do some additional research and start testing out some Jugos Verdes of our own. We haven’t tried Jugo Verde with nopales, yet, and yerba santa is not that easy to find in Portland or Santa Fe, but here are 3 Jugos Verdes that I have been indulging in and I feel better already! Starting off my day with a refreshing Jugo Verde just feels right! It sets the intention for your day, como dicen las del New Age. To feel more grounded I follow it with a strong cup of coffee and avocado toast. Add a handful of almonds for protein, ¡y párale de contar! You’re set! Jugo Verde is a great way to include veggies and fruits with breakfast. These jugos are simple, don’t require any special equipment except a run-of-the-mill blender, and are packed with at least 2 servings of veggies and one serving of fruit! And that is just to get you going in the morning!   I also find that Jugo Verde is very energizing for the mid-afternoon slump when all I want to do is plop down to watch depressing news! So slam down some Jugo Verde, put on your tenis, and take your dog for a walk instead! SOOO much better for you than more screen time! Try these Mexican green juices!  

 

 

La Diosa Verde.

This one is my favorite. I feel righteous and strong after this one!

  • A handful of fresh spinach
  • 4 2-inch chunks of fresh pineapple
  • ½ a peeled cucumber
  • ½ a peeled apple
  • 1 cup of water
  • One or two squeezes of fresh lime
  • 1 teaspoon jalapeño juice
  • Ice cubes if you like ice in your jugo

Blend it on high until it turns into juice.  (Optional: Since I like sweet, I even add a ½ teaspoon of Stevia, but that’s just me.)  

Amor al Kiwi.

If you like kiwi, you will love this Jugo Verde.

  • One peeled and ripe kiwi
  • A handful of spinach
  • 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
  • 1 stalk of celery
  • 1 cup of water
  • Ice cubes if you like ice in your jugo

Blend it until it turns into juice. (You can sprinkle Tajín on top for added punch!)  

Sana Sana, Jugo de Manzana.

I choose a super sweet apple for this one.  Have you tried Opal Apples? They are so sweet and delicious. Pink Lady is another sweetheart.

  • 1 cored and peeled apple
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1 cup of water
  • A handful of spinach
  • Ice cubes if you like ice in your jugo.

¡Andale!     A few notes on making Jugos Verdes in the blender: Basically, you can blend anything you like in your blender, so go nuts. You’ll need veggies, fruits and water for jugos. More on licuados and smoothies here. I sometimes add a bit of unsweetened juice, although water is really best. I also add a dash of salt, pepper, lime juice, lemon juice, jalapeño juice, or Tajín. You could even blend up a serrano in there if you dare! Just do what tastes good to you and makes you feel like the Righteous Green Goddess that you are! I have recommended this little book to you before and I will do it here again: The Blender Girl by Tess Masters. I like her non-pretentious approach to eating more vegan meals and we could all stand to eat less meat and more veggies, fruits and plants of all kinds. Your body and Mother Earth will thank you. Try these and let me know what you think! Keep it simple and delicious! Do you have a favorite Jugo Verde? Share your favorite with us and we’ll choose a few to feature on our Instagram feed!  

Healthy Mexican Food

Cucumber and Jícama Salad

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Cucumber and Jícama Salad: A Delicious Way to Eat Your Veggies

At De Las Mías, we pride ourselves in bringing you the most delicious and simple ways of preparing and serving healthy Mexican foods! If you’ve been to Mexico, no doubt you came across the food carretas selling sliced jícama with lime and chilito. And have you seen the cucumber served on a stick like a popsicle with what else but ¡chilito! a dash of salt and juicy lime. Almost anywhere you go in Mexico, you will see merchants selling fruits and vegetables. Yet, many of us have gotten away from these delicias. In the USA, we just don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables! Find cucumber and jícama at your local market.  Buy jícama already peeled and chopped if you want a short cut!

Jícama is rich in fiber

The jícama is known in some circles as the Mexican Potato. Who knew? And because the jícama is so rich in fiber, it is a very healthy carb! For that reason, this combination of green refreshing cucumber with the crunchy sensation of the jícama is simply an irresistible combo. Simple salads, or chunky salsas like this one are a great way to get into the habit of eating more veggies! Refreshing, quick and easy-to-make, this dish goes well with everything. Use it to top your taquitos and tostadas, or as a side dish. Pair it with carnitas, roasted chicken or fish. It also makes a great mid-afternoon snack. Add as much chilito as your heart desires, or go easy on it for the kiddos. Enjoy this tasty, spicy, crunchy treat and satisfy yourself on a culinary and cultural level ¡Provecho, Comadres!

English, Healthy Mexican Food

¡Gazpacho! The Original Chilled Soup

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Gazpacho is the original chilled soup, dating back to the 800s!  

Most people probably don’t know the origin of gazpacho and probably don’t care as long as it tastes good, but at De Las Mías we do care because it makes us proud of our rich and diverse heritage.

Gazpacho has ancient origins dating back to the Moorish occupation of Spain starting in the 800s and ending in the mid 1400s. It started off as a simple soup made of ground garlic, stale bread, olive oil and water and evolved into the most famous version which is the gazpacho clásico we are all most familiar with.  This one has all the classic ingredients, including tomatoes from the Andes! What a rich history we Latinas have–going all the way back to the Moors, to Latin America and back again!

Gazpacho is still a staple in Southern Spain, but you can find it in almost any tapas bar in Spain in the summertime. I had my first bowl in Madrid in August when I was young and poor, and boy was I glad it was cheap and chilled. (Aficionados say it should be cold and not chilled, but mine gave me brain freeze and I loved it!) Have it your own way, Comadres! No matter how you slice it, or blend it, gazpacho is delicious, refreshing and nutritious!

This fantastic concoction has a rich history dating back to the Romans. Like many other Spanish, Latin American and Mexican American foods, gazpacho has evolved and continues to evolve here in the U.S.  

There are many different kinds of gazpacho:  green, melon, and my personal favorite, watermelon gazpacho. With so much variety there’s so much to choose from! We love this article on 11 variations of gazpacho.

De Las Mías Test Kitchen Chef, Lori, and our fabulous nutritionist, Malena Perdomo, put together this traditional recipe especially for you! It’s easy and quick and makes about 4 cups. (You can find it in De Las Mías app in La Cocina!)

Lori’s Gazpacho

Ingredients:

  • 3 large beefsteak tomatoes (about 1.5 pounds)
  • ½ large green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • ½ red or yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 slice wheat bread cut in small pieces (1 ounce)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground sea salt
  • Ground black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup peeled, diced cucumber

Directions:

  1. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a rapid boil.
  2. Place the tomatoes in the boiling water and boil until the skin begins to peel.
  3. Remove the tomatoes from the water and let cool. Peel and remove the stem. Slice into quarters and remove some of the seeds.
  4. Add the tomatoes, half the chopped green peppers and half the chopped red peppers, the minced garlic and the chopped onion to a blender. Blend lightly.
  5. Add the bread, olive oil, sherry vinegar, salt and pepper to the blender.
  6. Blend well for 30-40 seconds.
  7. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.
  8. Serve cold and sprinkle the diced cucumber and the remaining chopped red and green bell peppers over each serving.

So, don’t be shy, Comadres! Dive into the deliciousness of gazpacho. A great way to love your veggies and your body.

¡Buen provecho!

Healthy Mexican Food

Corn Salsa

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Corn salsa with nectarines?  Really?  Yes, and it is delicious.  I have made this salsa for pot lucks and also made it the night before of an overbooked day, because there is nothing like getting home hungry and tired and finding something healthy and delicious.  At De Las Mías we are all about adopting new and healthy habits. One of the ways we can add healthy habits is to change our environment.  When I came across an article on stacking up those healthy habits, I chose getting to those 3 veggies a day. As a result, I went on a mission to keep ready-to-eat veggies in the refri.  If I come home tired after a busy afternoon, and I see deliciousness waiting for me, I feel like a Super Mujer.  That is one less handful of fritos, doritos or chicharrones!  Roasting the corn ahead of time gives it a nice charred flavor and I highly recommend that you do that, but if you want to opt for a short cut, just sauté some frozen corn and try it that way.  Also, if you haven’t tried canned chipotle, go now and get yourself some.  This smoky jalapeño knows how to kick it up a notch.  Use sparingly until you can’t live without it.  (Hint:  I put it into the olive oil I drizzle on my popcorn!) This corn salsa is particularly tasty on a hot summer evening.  I must admit that I triple or quadruple the recipe because it goes fast.  I love it with a tall glass of my favorite jugo verde – La  Diosa Verde –  one of the green juices you can find at De Las Mías. It also goes super great with Tacos and it is just lovely as a topping for black bean tostadas.  Try it on Meatless Monday!

Healthy Mexican Food

Watermelon Salad with Almonds, Tangy and Delicious

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There is nothing like fresh watermelon to liven up your salad!  This quick and refreshing watermelon and almond salad is great by itself as a late afternoon snack, or paired with chicken, beef or pork. The tangy lime and chilito dressing gives it a nice satisfying punch. Keep it in mind for Meatless Mondays and serve it with a cheese quesadilla or black bean tostadas.

We love the almonds for a nice crunch, and a dash of plant-based protein, but if you don’t have almonds in your pantry, it works very well without the nuts.  I didn’t have almonds the other day for my book group potluck, and it was still delicious!  I kept it to 3 ingredients: the watermelon, the cilantro and the queso fresco.  The dressing with the lime, olive oil, a little salt and chilito was a huge hit.

This beautiful red, green and white salad is a great way to feed your daily fruit and veggie habit!

Comadre Gracie packs it for lunch and keeps it chilled in the office fridge.  Just make sure you put a post-it on it with your name or else it might disappear!

Makes 6 cups. 1 serving = 1 cup.

Healthy Mexican Food

Tropical Infusion Smoothie

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This Tropical Infusion Smoothie is a delicious treat, and a great way to get your fruit in for the day. At De Las Mías, we love our licuados and batidos! Smoothies have a long-standing tradition for Super Mujeres on-the-go all over Mexico and Latin America and now they are gaining ground in the USA.  And why not?  What could be more delicious, healthy and quick than loading up your blender with fruits and veggies, watch it whirl, and enjoy?  No need for fancy equipment here!  This colorful Infusion will take you to the tropics!  What’s there not to like about mangoes, pineapple, papaya and strawberries?  This one calls for coconut water, but you can just add water, or a little bit of juice, or even yogurt!  Whatever combo works for you works!

My own preference is to blend the heck out of it with ice on a hot summer day.  I even infuse it with a shot of jalapeño juice, because, for me, everything goes better with chilito!

Our mera mera nutritionist Malena recommends that you pair it with protein.  So how about a piece of whole grain toast with avocado to go with it?  Or a handful of cashews or almonds to give it a protein punch?

 

 

Healthy Mexican Food

Tropical Infusion Smoothie

shared

This Tropical Infusion Smoothie is a delicious treat, and a great way to get your fruit in for the day. At De Las Mías, we love our licuados and batidos! Smoothies have a long-standing tradition for Super Mujeres on-the-go all over Mexico and Latin America and now they are gaining ground in the USA.  And why not?  What could be more delicious, healthy and quick than loading up your blender with fruits and veggies, watch it whirl, and enjoy?  No need for fancy equipment here!  This colorful Infusion will take you to the tropics!  What’s there not to like about mangoes, pineapple, papaya and strawberries?  This one calls for coconut water, but you can just add water, or a little bit of juice, or even yogurt!  Whatever combo works for you works!

My own preference is to blend the heck out of it with ice on a hot summer day.  I even infuse it with a shot of jalapeño juice, because, for me, everything goes better with chilito!

Our mera mera nutritionist Malena recommends that you pair it with protein.  So how about a piece of whole grain toast with avocado to go with it?  Or a handful of cashews or almonds to give it a protein punch?

 

 

Healthy Mexican Food

Agua Fresca de Cucumber

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When I think of Agua Fresca I think of Mexican markets on hot days, of walking in from the street to a cool Mercado to find a fruit stand with rows of enormous glass jars filled with bright-colored refrescos – white for horchata – dark rich brown for Tamarindo – purple for Jamaica… and then there are the aguas made with fresh fruits and veggies, with less sugar but every bit as “quenchy” and delicious.

Here is a healthy recipe for Agua Fresca de Cucumber.

Agua Fresca de Cucumber is a refreshing way to get some veggies into your day and stay hydrated. Most of us don’t drink enough water every day.  If one of your healthy habit goals is to drink more water, this is a great way of doing it.  The added benefits to this agua de pepino is the pepino!  Cucumber is rich in vitamins C, K, and B, and also according to WebMD, rich in minerals like copper, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. It’s hard to drink the 6 glasses of water a day and pepino is 95% water!  This one has celery which adds even more vitamins and minerals, and lest we neglect our chilito, this one also has jalapeño!

This recipe for agua fresca does not call for straining the drink, but some agua fresca aficionados like to strain their aguas.  You can strain or not strain.  Up to you. We like to blend it and not strain it because the pulp contains fiber. But if you like your aguas to be more like the a traditional agua fresca that you would get in a Mexican market, strain away!

We encourage you to get creative and use other fruits such as watermelon and melon to make aguas.  You can add a little sugar or stevia if you like them sweet. Make ahead, strain and leave in the refri for later.

Happy Healthy Drinking – ¡Salud!