Lechon!

We celebrated Noche Buena 2011 at my sister's house. The entire family, and then some, came to her house to celebrate and more importantly to eat lechon. A little guide on how to make lechon using a caja china.

1. Get a pig! Luckily we had someone kill and clean a 65 lb. pig for us.

2. Split the spine between the two front legs using some improvised tools. My dad used a knife and a hammer. Splitting the spine will allow the pig to lay flat inside the caja china to help cook evenly. This is also the time to trim any excess fat.

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3. Clean the pig. We use naranja agria to clean the inside and outside of the pig. Use paper towels to dry.

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4. Marinate shoulders, loin, ribs, etc.. by making incisions in the meat and pouring mojo juice in.

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5. Cover pig and keep cool overnight. Toast and hope that things will turn out well tomorrow.

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6. Light the coals on the metal lid of the caja china. I believe we started off with just less then half a bag of charcoal. You don't want to use too many as the ideal temperature inside the caja china is 275F - 300F.

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7. Once coals are lit and the inside is around the desired temperature, remove the lid and place the pig inside the caja china with the ribs facing up. Put lid back on top of the caja china. Make sure the lid is on correctly as you do not want any heat escaping.

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8. Maintain the temperature at around 275F - 300F by continually adding charcoal when necessary and distribute it to all corners so that the loin and shoulders, where the meat is thickest, are evenly cooked. Best to not have the coals in the center but spread around in a ring. Also try not to open the caja china while cooking as heat will escape.

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9. Because cooking a pig can take 6- 8 hours and requires a lot of work to maintain desired temperature, activities are needed. This year we opened a bottle of cognac.

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10. After cooking for about 2-4 hours depending on the size of the pig--for ours it was around 3 hours--flip the pig. Remove the lid and set the top aside being careful where you place it as the charcoal on top are still hot. Be careful when removing the lid as hot vapor may escape. Using gloves or towels, grab one side of a front and hind leg and flip over.

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11. Place lid back on top. Remember to make sure the lid is on correctly as you do not want any heat to escape.

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12. Continue to add charcoal in ring-like fashion when needed to maintain temperature.

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13. Cook for another 4 - 6 hours depending on size. We cooked ours for about another 5 hours. If the skin is not crispy, you could add more charcoal in the center to help cook and crisp the skin. Once done, remove and enjoy!

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Special thanks to my dad and Richard for cooking the pig! Oh and Vivian for allowing the Cuban invasion of her home.

Cuernavaca Visiting Tio Fernando

Took my parents to Cuernavaca to visit my uncle Fernando. We met up at Las Mañanitas and enjoyed the afternoon by the pool. The next day Fernando took us to Tepotzlan, famous for the remains of a temple built on top of the nearby Tepozteco mountain. Unfortunately rain set in and cut our tour short. We had an "adventure" driving out of the town as we slid up the steep hills on the slick wet stone roads. After we met up with some of my uncles friends for a little Cuban food and dominoes. Definitely will be returning.

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Alebrijes at the Zocalo

Zuzan is in town visiting this massive city.  We took Suzan for a leisurely bike ride along Plaza La Reforma.  This is a great way to explore the city at a leisurely pace plus there are several areas where one could "rent" a bike for free!  When we arrived at the zocalo, we were greeted with giant alebrijes! Washington Post has an interesting article covering these alebrijes.

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B&B Weekend in Asheville, NC

Julia and I spent a fabulous 4 days in Asheville, NC for Stephan and Eileen's wedding. We were grateful to have shared in this cool couple's exchange of vows.  We wish them all the happiness in the years to come. We also took the opportunity to enjoy a seasonal escape to the Blue Ridge in the fall.   We stayed at the Carolina, a great B&B in Asheville.  Hosts James and Susan prepared magnificent meals and provided expert advice.  We shopped, we hiked, and we took pictures.  And pictures.  And pictures.

Enjoy!

To view the entire album please click here.

Birthday Grill!

When we heard we would be living in a 4 story housing complex in the D.F. we figured our bbq'ing in the patio days would be over.  The public grill was 4 stories below and far away by my lazy standards so grilling steaks has been non existent since arriving here in the D.F.  Luckily I have a fantastic wife who after returning from my birthday weekend celebration in Texas, had one last gift waiting for me.  A Weber Grill!!  Mexico doesn't seem to have laws against grilling in your outdoor walkway and plus we are on the top floor! Tonight, after the torrential rain and ensuing loss of power, I finally grilled a tenderloin steak purchased at our nearby Costco.  We will make it after all.

Grill!
Grill!

Sal's 40th Birthday Weekend in McAllen, TX

Julia and I flew into McAllen to celebrate my 40th birthday with family and friends. It was a celebration of salsa, cigars, and dominoes. To view the entire album, click here.

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Huatulco

We flew to Huatulco Mexico for much needed R&R. We stayed in Villa Sol y Mar in Conejos which had a great pool and patio with a view. We spent a day at Maguey Beach and ate a 2 kilo huachinango fried in garlic! Below are some pictures from our trip. To view the entire album, click here.

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Villa Soly y Mar
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StrongMargaritas
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Villa Sol y Mar en Conejos
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Oaxaca!

Jennie, Julia, and I took a road trip south through the country to the state of Oaxaca--known for fabulous food and Day of the Dead festivities in early November.  We stayed at a fabulous B&B and spent two days exploring the city and relaxing.  We shopped at San Bartolo Coyotepec known for its black pottery and San Martin Tilcajete known for its alebrijes.  Oaxaca definitely deserves a second visit--and next time, cooking classes and the ruins at Monte Alban! Click here to view the entire album.

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