Dec. 23, 2009
Ensalada de Arroz
Posted in Cultural notes
 This tasty rice salad can be served any time of the year, but makes frequent appearances at Christmas. It is simple to make, and can conveniently be made ahead of time because it is served chilled. This recipe hails from Andalucia, the southernmost province in Spain. (recipe from herdaily.com)
Ingredients
Method
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Dec. 21, 2009
El Turrσn
Posted in Cultural notes
 It isn't Christmas without sweets, right? A favorite in the Spanish-speaking world is turrón. This confection has been made for centuries, and is believed to be a varient of a recipe brought to Spain by the Moors. There are two kinds of turrón, one a soft nouget, and the other hard and brittle like peanut brittle.
There are recipes available online if you'd like to try to make it, such as this one. However, I plan to keep my eyes peeled for this to show up in stores again this year. Last year, my local Walmart carried it. You may also find it at places like Trader Joe's or World Market. So which is your favorite, the Alicante style (hard) or the Jijona style (soft)? |
Dec. 16, 2009
‘Mazapαn!
Posted in Cultural notes
 Mazapán, or marzipan, is a European treat that dates back to the Middle Ages. This versatile almond confection can be shaped in any way, and lends itself to the creativity of its maker. This treat can be enjoyed any time of the year, but comes out in full force in Spain during the Navidad season. According to a product description on Tienda.com: "At the battle of Navas de Tolosa in the year 1212, it is said that the nuns of the San Clemente convent took care of the wounded soldiers. According to tradition, they ground up their stores of almonds in mortars and pestles, and then kneaded them together with sugar to create emergency rations. This type of bread (pan) produced with a pestle (maza) is supposed to have given rise to the name mazapán in Spanish - marzipan in English." In a blog guaranteed to make you hungry, Ellie Barczak talks about buying mazapán in Toledo, Spain. Check out this mazapán bakery in Spain, where they turn out these lovely sweets en masse. They explain that their mazapán is made of crushed, peeled almonds, sugar, egg whites, and water. It is shaped, and then takes a trip through the oven. While being baked, it is sprayed with sugar water so that the tops brown. Once cooled, it is wrapped and ready to sold.  Look for marzipan in specialty stores, or give it a try at home! I got this recipe from www.recipelink.com:
3 cups whole almonds, blanched and ground 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 2 egg whites, lightly beaten 3-4 Tbsp. powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla In a saucepan, heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil. Let it boil steadily without stirring until the temperature reaches 230-234 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and beat until mixture turns slightly cloudy. Stir in ground almonds, egg whites, and vanilla. Cook over gentle heat for 2-3 minutes or until mixture pulls away from sides of pan. Turn mixture onto a surface that has been sprinkled with some of the powdered sugar. Knead the mixture until smooth, working in the rest of the powdered sugar. Pull off pieces and roll into balls or olive-shaped pieces. Wrap in foil or wax paper and store in airtight container. |
Dec. 15, 2009
The Belιn
Posted in Cultural notes
 Influenced by our global culture, you will see some Christmas trees and versions of Santa Claus in Spanish speaking countries. However, the primary and most important Christmas decoration in most homes is the Belén - the Nativity scene. These can become rather elaborate and large, looking almost as intricate and detailed as large train set. The humble manger is expanded upon as families collect figures, buildings, plants, and animals over the years. Many families start with a basic Belén, and add one figurine per year, and often figurines and scenes get passed down in families. Little Bethleham expands to include figures from Spanish folklore, and scenes that look more like rural Spain than Israel. It is customary for baby Jesus to be added to the Belén on Christmas Eve (la Nochebuena) or Christmas morning. In some countries, the Belén stays up until Three Kings Day (El Día de los Reyes), January 6th, at which point the three Wise Men are added.
Let's look at some beautiful Beléns I found on Navidad Digital. I was especially taken with this scene from a Belén that reflects Moorish style architecture found in southern Spain:  Look how elaborate and detailed this portion of one Belén is:
 This Belén is made even more beautiful with lights:
 This Belén takes up a corner of the room:
 Watch out baby Jesus, Herod's castle is just around the corner, and he's jealous of you!
 These charming pictures of Belén scenes from all over the Spanish-speaking world come from a fun site called Navidad Digital. View over 4,000 photos that people have uploaded to the site by clicking here!
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Dec. 12, 2009
Happy Hanukkah!
Posted in Cultural notes
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Dec. 10, 2009
Christmas Vocabulary
Posted in Cultural notes
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Nov. 26, 2009
Turkey enchiladas
Posted in Cultural notes
 Got leftovers? Why not make turkey enchiladas this year? Hope you had a wonderful holiday! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/turkey-enchiladas/detail.aspx
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Nov. 24, 2009
Thanksgiving vocabulary
Posted in Cultural notes
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Nov. 2, 2009
Some pictures from our Dνa de los Muertos celebration...
Posted in Cultural notes
 It is customary on Day of the Dead to make an "ofrenda" or offering for the spirits of departed loved ones. While this has roots in the belief that the spirits actually visit the ofrenda, most people today consider it a way to celebrate and remember departed loved ones. A typical ofrenda will contain candles, marigolds, bread, tequila, a pitcher of water, candy, sugar skulls, fruit, items that belonged to the departed ones, and photos of them. My family doesn't really celebrate Day of the Dead, but I set this up as a lesson for my kids, and for other homeschoolers who visited us that day. It turned out be be a lovely way to set aside a day to remember and celebrate family members who I miss!
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Oct. 29, 2009
The Lord's Prayer - El Padre Nuestro
Posted in Cultural notes
 Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo. Santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Amén. |
Oct. 28, 2009
A fun site for Spanish language TV
Posted in Cultural notes
          This site has all the must-see TV that you can handle in Spanish. Spanish geeks rejoice - it's all here! Check out FOMNY.com Ready to watch 54 TV channels from Spain, 28 from Argentina, and 19 from other South American Nations? Just select your country in the upper left, click on the icon of the station you want to see, and watch a live TV feed from that country. Double click on the video to watch it full screen. You will find that some stations will not work, and some prompt you to download a plug-in. No worries, just try a different station. At any given time, I have been able to get several to work, and have never downloaded any plug-ins. You'll recognize some of the logos, like Disney, and various cartoon characters. The word pelicula indicates a movie channel, and deportes are sports. News is sometimes simply news, or noticias. Disclaimer: I wouldn't let my kids just surf through this unsupervised any more than I would let them watch just anything on regular TV... so be judicious. Oh... I just found That 70s Show in Spanish! |
Oct. 21, 2009
El Dνa de los Muertos
Posted in Cultural notes
 Read more about this amazing celebration here. *Bonus! Don't miss Adriana over at My Bilingual Boys - she's devoting this week to blogging about her family's celebration. Check it out here! |
Oct. 20, 2009
News Vocab
Posted in Cultural notes
 "El Noticiero Univision con Jorge Ramos y María Elena Salinas es la fuente principal de noticias para los hispanos en Estados Unidos. Todos los días a las 6 PM Este / 5 Centro por Univision."
"The Univision News Bureau with Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena Salinas is the main source of news for Hispanics in the United States. Daily at 6pm Eastern/5 Central on Univision" From the Univision Website. Jorge Ramos has been called by some "The Hispanic Peter Jennings". This man, and the station he represents, are a force to reckoned with not only in the business of News ratings, but in politics and the shaping of contemporary culture. In some markets in our country, Noticiero Univision beats out rating for the three major networks combined. So without further ado, I'd like to share some words and phrases I have learned by watching the news in Spanish:
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Oct. 13, 2009
El Abanico
Posted in Cultural notes
 What is a more quintessential image of Spanish culture in many minds than the graceful hand fan? Called el abanico in Spanish, it brings to mind images of flamenco dancers, ladies of decades long past, and unrelenting heat. Despite the fact that its days of practicality and fashion are long past, you will likely find fans like this in the homes of many people of Spanish heritage.
This fan was a gift from Sandra, who has contributed ideas to this blog, and has begun an amazing blog of her own. She had her in-laws bring one from Spain just for me! ¡Muchas gracias Sandra! ¡Qué lindo es! I have since learned that folding fans have been used in Spain going back to the 1500s, and that for years most hand fans in Spain were imported from France and Italy. King Carlos II tried to regulate and limit the importation of fans in the 1600s, but met with little success. In 1832 a royal factory of fans was established in Valencia, and the importation of fans from France was prohibited. Spain's domestic fan industry grew, and there are said to be some 40 factories that still produce fans today. (my source). Much has been said about the way that women communicated with fans. According to one site, if a woman covers her eyes briefly with her fan in the site of an onlooker, it is to signal that she loves him. Touching the fan to the left cheek is a non-verbal no, while touching it to the right cheek is a non-verbal sí. The speed with which she fanned herself was also taken to be an indicator of her marital status or availability. Someone got the idea in the late 1800s to attach several hand fans to a motor and rotate them on the ceiling... and the rest is history. |
Sep. 8, 2009
Bedtime prayer
Posted in Cultural notes
 A popular child's bedtime prayer: Angel de la guarda mi dulce compañía, no me desampares ni de noche ni de día. Amén Guardian angel my sweet companion, don't leave me unguarded in the night or in the day. Amen |
Apr. 12, 2009
‘Feliz domingo de Resurrecciσn!
Posted in Cultural notes
 Noli Me Tangere by Hans Holbein the Younger ¡Feliz domingo de Resurrección! |
Apr. 7, 2009
Semana Santa
Posted in Cultural notes
 A flower carpet in the street awaits an upcoming procession. Antigua, Gautemala. There is no time of the year that I would rather be in a Spanish-speaking country than Semana Santa. This is Holy Week, the week leading up to La Pascua - Easter. It is a week of pageantry, festivities, traditions, special foods, and beautiful displays. Madonnas and crosses are taken from churches in processions through cities. Penitents wear robes and cover their faces. The very streets are decorated with designs made with flower petals that will be crushed and destroyed under the feet of parading celebrants. Schools are closed, and everyone who can takes time off of work. Let's take a trip to a few countries and see how they celebrate:  A procession in Guatemala.  A penitent (nazareno) in Madrid. His identity is hidden by the "antifaz" that covers his face.  A beautiful Madonna statue is paraded through the streets in a night time celebration in Granada, Spain.  This view from a high window shows how crowded it can get on the streets during Semana Santa. Sevilla, Spain  Mangoes add a playful touch to this flower carpet in Guatemala.  So what is there to do during Holy Weed besides processions? These beach-goers in Mazatlan, Mexico offer a clue.  Now for the tough part - cleanup! Antigua, Guatemala Check out this site for a fun photographic journey through one visitor's Semana Santa experience in Sevilla, Spain.
On this site, scroll down for Semana Santa recipes from Spain. There are also a couple of interesting videos to watch on this page. One of my personal favorite of the Semana Santa culinary traditions is nowhere more evident than Mexico: this is the week to break out the ice cream! Seriously, they kick off the popsicle (la paleta), snow cone (el raspado), and ice cream (el helado) season with gusto there, with street vendors everywhere, and an amazing array of tropical flavors. It is hard to choose! ¡Qué rico! |
Apr. 1, 2009
Passports!
Posted in Cultural notes
 How cool would it be to enhance your homeschooling by traveling the world with your kids? Well, we do that kind of thing when we can, but we can also bring the world to our classroom. Recently, at a homeschool culture fair, we had the kids visit each display, and get a passport stamped for each country. Here is the passport form that we used to make play US Passports for the kids.
Where would you like to travel? Why not use my virtual field trips to visit numerous Spanish speaking countries? You can use a passport to add fun to your Spanish studies, and also to tie in other areas you study as well. A passport is also a great vehicle for review. Just for fun... here is a site of passport stamps, and here are some google images. So fasten your seat belts and put your tray table in the upright and locked position, and go explore the world! |
Mar. 14, 2009
Remembering the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings
Posted in Cultural notes
 In this day and age of war and terrorism, the Madrid train bombings have faded from the memories of most Americans. Not only does my great affection for Spain keep it in my memory, but the fact that my brother was there to witness the horror makes it all the more poignant for me. He blogged about it on the first anniversary of the event, and shared the story of his personal experiences that day. That day is burned in my memory as well, because I had a general idea of his itinerary, and was so nervous that I shook and could not eat until I got word that he was safe. "From the Desk of the Management - 11M Friday, March 11, 2005, 16:30 - From the Desk of the Management
~ Good Evening... ~Today's entry is different than any of the others I will post this year, likely. It is simply to pay respect for the victims of the train bombings in Madrid one year ago today, also known as "11M." "11M" is the manner in which the Spanish write "3/11", 11th March. They also refer to our "9/11" as "11S", 11th September. When life-changing events occur, people that were present tend to remember exactly what they doing, where they were going, and what was on their minds when they heard the news...." To read the rest of this moving post, go to my brother's blog. On a side note, if you are interested in wines, dig around on his blog for great wine information. Another 3-11 has come and gone, but we will never forget. Jamas olvidamos. |
Mar. 12, 2009
La marinera
Posted in Cultural notes
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This week, my kids and I are preparing a presentation for a local homeschool Culture Fair. We are doing our project on the nation of Perú, or La Republica del Perú, as it is officially known. In our research, we found this fun video of the Peruvian national dance - La Marinera. There are a few varieties of this dance in different regions of the country. This is La Marinera del Norte - the northern version of the dance. |
Dec. 24, 2008
Quick and Easy traditional Christmas Eve dinner
Posted in Cultural notes
Quicker than Rachel Ray, you can whip up a Cochinillo! That is Roasted Suckling Pig, if the picture doesn't quite say it all. Alongside the ill-fated piglet is an award winning Paella, artfully arranged to look like scattered entrails. Don't show your kids this post - you wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.
I don't make this stuff up. |
Dec. 19, 2008
Eight little candles
Posted in Cultural notes
 Jews around the world are preparing for the beautiful and meaningful celebration of Hanukkah. Included in their celebrations is plenty of singing and great food. Once the Iberian peninsula was a place where Jews prospered and enjoyed the freedom to practice their religion. As that changed over the centuries, they were scattered across the New World in search of a new place to call home. While most Americans do not think of Latin America as a haven of Judaism, there are to this day Jewish communities throughout our hemisphere. These Jews are called Sephardic Jews. As a professed language nut, I am fascinated by the language of this group of people. It is called Ladino, and is very similar to 15th and 16th century Spanish, with a liberal dose of Hebrew thrown in. Spanish speakers can understand most of it quite easily. This is a lively Hanukkah song sung in Ladino, entitled Ocho Kandelikas - Eight Little Candles: Just for fun, here is a more modern version: And the lyrics: Hanukah linda esta aki, ocho kandelas para mi, Hanukah Linda esta aki, ocho kandelas para mi. Una kandelika, dos kandelikas, tres kandelikas, kuatro kandelikas, sinko kandelikas, seis kandelikas, sete kandelikas, ocho kandelas para mi. I found a lovely blog with a classic Sephardic Hanukkah recipe: bimuelos. Check this out. This article also has some great recipes and history. I'm suddenly craving that Spinach and macaroni casserole.... And as a final nod to a unique language and culture, you can hear Ladino spoken if you rent the old Tom Hanks film, "Every Time We say Goodbye". |
Dec. 18, 2008
Llega la Navidad - Christmas is coming!
Posted in Cultural notes
 Time to put a pinch of nuez moscada (nutmeg) in your ponche de huevo (eggnog) and practice some Christmas vocabulary!
Many secular Spaniards who otherwise rarely attend mass will make sure not to miss Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The more devout attend or participate in outdoor processions all over the Spanish-speaking world. Remember, this time of year is the height of summer in most of Latin America, so people are spending a lot of time outside. While American kids are told about Santa, Christmas in the Spanish-speaking world is all about the birth of Jesus. In is common in some homes for the kids to be the only ones to receive gifts on Christmas. The adults enjoy visiting with family and friends, slowing down a bit from their busy lives, sharing great food, and watching the kids play. Sounds good to me! In some areas, gifts don't come until January 6th, Epiphany. Gifts are brought by Los Reyes Magos, the three kings. |
Nov. 16, 2008
More Thanksgiving vocab!
Posted in Cultural notes
 Check out this About.com article for more Thanksgiving vocab and insight! Thanks About.com!
Turkey is truly a food of the Americas, and as such was used by native peoples long before the Europeans arrived. An excellent example is Mole Poblano, that uses chocolate as a seasoning to make a rich, savory sauce. While this is often made with chicken, it is traditionally made with turkey. Check out this recipe! Or you can do like most of us, and used the jar of mole paste. I reconstitute mine in a 2 quart sauce pan of chicken broth, and add a little more chili pepper, chocolate, and some peanut butter for flavor and texture. And mole is not a skin imperfection - it is pronounced: MOLE-LAY. There are numerous Mexican recipes for turkey. Take a look at these! Turkey recipes extend far south of the Mexican border as well. Here is an elaborate Salvadoran recipe for roasted and spiced turkey. This is a turkey stew recipe from the Dominican Republic that doesn't look to difficult. Put those leftovers to a more noble use than just sandwiches this year. |
Nov. 12, 2008
So how many pounds will your turkey be?
Posted in Cultural notes
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I ask because we actually never buy a huge turkey. My husband is from Louisiana, and likes to deep fry his turkey. That fryer can't hold more than a mid-sized turkey. But man is it good... and boy do we wish we always had a little more left over! In grand Louisiana tradition, we also like to make gumbo with the leftovers the next day. Mmmmmmm.....
One of my readers has requested some Thanksgiving terms in Spanish to get ready for the holiday. Wow, a homeschooler who plans ahead! I can appreciate that! I have decided to answer her request, at least in part, with a reprise of an entry from last year. This will definitely get you started. We are running off and having a full day today, but I can already think of some more phrases to add to this list to make use of these words. I'll get to that soon, I promise. Until then, start working on this Thanksgiving vocabulary and culture lesson: ************************************************************ You may be wondering how Thanksgiving is celebrated in the Spanish speaking world. Actually, for the most part, it is not celebrated. An exception is the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Hispanics in the United States have also embraced the tradition, because what is better than a day off with great food and family togetherness? That translates to any language.
Here is a lovely lesson idea that will work today or any day of the year - say what you are thankful for! Here is how to say "I am thankful for......."
I'll tell you what I'm agradecida por! Family, food, and sleeping in this week! |
Oct. 17, 2008
It doesn't get any better than this!
Posted in Cultural notes
Have you ever noticed this in the grocery store? Or this?  Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mexican hot chocolate is one of life's finer pleasures. These octagon boxes contain six discs of solid, luscious chocolate. It is sweetened, and infused with vanilla, almond, and cinnamon flavor. Melt some in milk, and you will never go back to those pathetic envelopes of powdery stuff.
Hot chocolate is a common breakfast beverage in Mexico and throughout the Spanish speaking world. It is often served with churros, or other sweet breads.  Here's how I make it, for what it's worth... In a medium sized saucepan, I melt the luscious hunk of chocolate in milk. Yes, you can use soy milk or rice milk. I add a cinnamon stick for extra kick. I put in enough milk for four mugs of hot chocolate - that is just the right ratio per disk. Sometimes I will use powdered milk, or water with a can of evaporated milk so that we don't go through 10 gallons of milk a week! You can also melt the disk in hot water if you prefer, or any ratio and combination of the aforementioned liquids. When it melts, I take a whisk and whip it up. Some instructions will tell you to put it in the blender. I'm sure that would be great, but I'm already getting a saucepan dirty, and am not in the mood to have to wash the blender too. (Just being honest here!). Since I use low fat milk, I don't get that much froth on my chocolate, but we are more interested in the chocolate than the froth anyway. Be prepared for the most wonderful chocolate you have had in your life!
Chocolate has a long history in Meso-America. It was used as a medicine and a spice. To this day, some Mexican recipes, most notably mole, contain chocolate. It took the Spaniards to figure out that chocolate was even better with some sugar and fat added to it! But you have to hand it to those early Mexicans, they were onto a good thing!  |
Oct. 13, 2008
Columbus Day revisited
Posted in Cultural notes
This is a shameless reposting of last year's Columbus Day entry. While old Christopher gets bashed a little these days in our country for introducing East and West, the Spanish speaking world views it a little differently.... For those who are history buffs, there is a growing belief that Columbus was a Spanish Jew, and that the claim of being Italian was a ruse to hide his true faith. Here is an article explaining this theory. We may never know... at least on this side of heaven! Some of the most beautiful celebrations of Colombus Day occur in the Dominican Republic, where Colombus landed after his first long voyage across the Atlantic. He named the island Hispanola, and is now buried there at El Faro a Colón. His brother Bartolomé Colón founded Santo Domingo, and lived in a palace known as El Alcazar de Colón. (Click "Visita Virtual" for a tour, and work your way down the links under that heading. There is a link for viewing the site in English, however the English version is not yet available.) These two historic locations are now prime sites for Columbus Day celebrations, however it is celebrated across the Americas. Here are numerous exterior pictures of El Alcazar de Colón. Columbus Day is also known is Spanish as Día de La Raza, and Día de Descubrimiento de dos mundos, both of which refer to the joining of two hemispheres to create a new culture. |
Oct. 9, 2008
Beautiful..... or weird?
Posted in Cultural notes
This is my version of huevos divorciados (divorced eggs). It may look a little strange at first, but trust me, ¡Sabe bien rico! - It tastes great! This is a favorite Mexican meal of mine, and a prime example of the many great Mexican dishes that you will not find at your typical Mexican eatery. Mexicans consider this a breakfast dish, but I find it makes a great dinner that my whole family enjoys.
How to prepare? ¡Es fácil! It's easy! Make a bed of rice and refried beans on your plate. Top with two fried eggs. Cover one egg with red salsa, and one with green salsa - the heat level is up to you. Sprinkle with crumbled cheese. I used cotija añejo, but you can use queso fresco or even Parmesan. Top with fresh, chopped cilantro. ¡Buen provecho! Enjoy your meal! |
Sep. 25, 2008
A brief history of Spain and its language
Posted in Cultural notes
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