Since we've been social distancing, the Matthews' home has been a hub for learning, not only our school lessons but far more than that. From creative courses like drawing and storytelling, business courses, virtual outdoor classes, etc., as a mom to two boys, I have amped up my life skills training, honing in on cleaning and lots of cooking. Before the pandemic, I was planning something similar for all of my subscribers to indulge but since we can't do that right now, I still want to do my part in taking our kids around the world - only this time, I won't be leaving my kitchen. I hope you will join us! Our first stop on this virtual trip is Mexico, my favorite! With Cinco de Mayo coming, maybe you can plan a special themed meal with your kids.
I'm from California, and I love tacos!!! I was raised and lived in Los Angeles for most of my life. Luckily, Mexico is only a hop, skip, and a jump from L.A., literally with Tijuana, a border city in Mexico being just south of California and only about a two and a half-hour drive. Honestly, I only took that trip a few times in my adulthood, but the great thing about it being located so close is that Los Angeles has a highly dense Mexican population, making it easy to get authentic Mexican cuisine any time you want it.
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My favorite sides are refried or black beans, and corn, but there are many options like rice, salad, or even tortilla chips. If you decide to use tortilla chips as a side item, I am sharing my quick and easy recipes for guacamole and pico de gallo. I use both of them for dipping, and also for topping my tacos.
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This fresh and super easy guacamole recipe is one that the whole family can help create and enjoy! It only takes 20-30 minutes to make and it's healthy and delicious.
Fresh & Easy Guacamole
Ingredients
2-3 average-sized avocadoes (pending how much you want to make)
one medium tomato (preferably Roma because it's more firm)
half a lime
teaspoon of cumin
pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste (OR you can use garlic salt. I use Nature's Seasons as it has them all in there.)
packet of Guacamole seasoning mix (optional in lieu of cumin and salt)
onion (small piece diced up optional, for added flavor)
Steps
1. Cut the avocado all the way around the center, starting at the stem and circling until you reach the stem on the other side. Then, twist softly and pry apart.
2. Remove the pit and slice the avocado. Then scoop it out and into a bowl.
3. Add the diced tomato, seasoning and fresh juice from half a lime.
4. Mash the ingredients together, grab your favorite tortilla chips and dig in!
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Pico de Gallo (PEE-koh day GUY-yoh) is a classic Mexican tomato dip (or sauce) that adds a fresh, healthy, low-calorie boost of flavor to just about any Mexican meal. I love eating it on my beef or ground turkey tacos, or just with chips. Yum!!! If you've never had Pico de Gallo, or if you just thought it was salsa, it has the same basic ingredients, but the preparation is different.
Classic Pico de Gallo
Ingredients
1-2 ripe red tomatoes, preferably Roma since they are firmer and less watery
One medium onion
One lime
Cilantro
Jalapeno (optional)
Salt, to taste
*NOTE: Chop your ingredients very finely because it gives you more flavor. The extra effort is worth it!
Steps
- Chop your onions and cilantro (and jalapeno, if you desire a spicier sauce)
- Add salt and lime and let marinate during step 3.
- Core your tomatoes and remove the seeds before chopping. Use every bit of the red tomato flesh inside. Now chop your tomatoes and cilantro.
- Let your pico sit in the for 15 minutes before serving, in the refrigerator or out pending whether you like it cold or room temperature. Sitting gives the flavors time to mingle and condenses their flavor.
- Serve with a slotted spoon or fork so you’re not transferring a lot of moisture with your pico.
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Macaroni Kid College Park East Point Morrow is a free hyper-local weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and activities for kids in College Park, East Point, Morrow, Union City, South Fulton, Forest Park, Hapeville, Jonesboro, Riverdale, and the surrounding areas. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides, and more. We are your go-to-guide for kids activities in South Fulton County and some of Clayton County. For more articles like this delivered to your inbox once per week, please subscribe. If you have an extraordinary event that you would like to share in our community, you can submit it for free here.
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