Homesick for Home Cooking

Being a High School teacher these past two years, I can’t help but be reminded that my high school graduation was 13 years ago. I can still remember telling myself I was going to leave my hometown, move to another state, and leave New Mexico in my rearview mirror and never turn back. Two years later I moved to Tucson and started a new adventure.

Then it happened, culture shock. Here I was a small town Northern New Mexican, in a city full of people who had no idea what green chile was. I can still remember the puzzled looks I got when I went to McDonald’s and tried to order a green chile double cheeseburger. My biggest problem of all is I didn’t know how to cook.

I was unfortunate enough to spend my entire childhood growing up in the foster care system, and wasn’t trusted with anything less than a butter knife. The only tool that I had at my disposal, was my ability of observation. Growing up I didn’t have anyone to teach me how to cook, all I could do was be a spectator while others prepared meals around me.

I couldn’t believe it, I was homesick. Not that I really had a home to come back to, but I was homesick for the simple comfort of the food I grew to love. I made it my personal vendetta to recall all the visual recipes that I had locked in my brain in order to enjoy my favorite meals. It was not easy especially when I didn’t have the means of a computer and the internet, smartphones weren’t as common as they are today.

Everything I tried was through trial and error, and believe me I made a lot of mistakes. The fist time I tried to make red chile I made the mistake of using cornstarch as a thickener, and throwing up right after my first bite.

I am back home in New Mexico now, I guess I couldn’t stay away. It’s funny how something as a lack of a home cooked meal can make someone homesick. Now that I am a father and hopefully a better cook, I don’t want my daughter growing up not knowing how to prepare a meal. We live in a time where we are always in a rush and food from a box or a drive through is so much easier than cooking, because of these conveniences, I see people take for granted the art of cooking.

We need to take the time out of our busy week and get the whole family involved in preparing your meals. these will definitely be memories you will cherish as well your children.

Until then Happy Eating!

 

Food for Thought…

I find it funny how I tend to get my inspiration to write in the middle of the  night. As I still try to find my voice as a writer, I find that the middle of the night is the best time for me. I seem to try and find a voice in a world of a generation more interested in Instagram photos and likes over a selfie on Snapchat and Facebook, but here I am trying to blog in world more interested in reading 140 characters and less.

Anyways, that is my rant for the moment and I am trying to find the words to put down on my site. Since this is a food blog I might as well begin with that…

For the past two years I have been working as a High School Math Teacher, and I am currently leaving the position (Not by choice),  thanks to small town politics and a personal vendetta by two administrators who want to destroy a reputation just to show their power.

Enough about that, this is a food blog and I will keep it as such. So how does this pertain to a food blog? Those of you who are wondering why I am writing this, there is some reason to my rant. I find that no matter how hectic and unpredictable life can get, there is one thing that can make a person forget about personal problems, and that, is the way a meal can temporarily ease the strain of the real world.

The one thing that can ease my weary mind is the fact that at the end of the day no matter how it was, I can sit at my table with my wife and daughter and enjoy a meal, no matter how simple. I find that sitting down at the end of every day, there is a time when a family can come together, and for a small moment, forget all the troubles of their life and enjoy the company of others and enjoy a meal together.

We live in a time where we can easily let our lives take over and forget that family should come before our jobs/careers, and that should change.  We as people need to realize that the fact that our professional lives can easily take over our personal lives and that can be a problem.

In a world a modern as ours we need to take some time, put the phone down, eat and congregate with those we love.

I hope you find these word inspirational,

until then Happy Eating!

 

In Las Vegas NM,Pedro’s Bakery is your next destination

If you ever find yourself in Las Vegas, NM, there is one stop you should make, Pedro’s Bakery. This little shop is located right of I25 on grand avenue and is definitely a destination for those who love baked goods, or those looking for a snack to help ease their travels.

This little shop has only been open for 5 years, but is run by a man that has a lifetime of experience. Mr. Pedro Garcia has devoted his life in perfecting his craft, before deciding to open his own bakery. He now has the help of his son Juan who greets every customer like he has know them for years, so walking in this place is as welcoming as visiting a close friend.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Las Vegas on numerous occasions and I make sure to come to this bakery. It doesn’t seem to matter what you decide to buy, because with every bite you take, the flavors you experience will blow you away.

When you sink your teeth into any of Pedro’s confections, you can taste the love that is put into every recipe. With every bite is the evidence of a man who loves what he does and loves to share it with anyone willing to come by.

This has to be the best bakery in Northern New Mexico and is definitely worth your visit. I promise, you will not be disappointed. If you crave a great Tres Leches cake, look no further, just make sure to call in ahead of time to place your order. Until then Happy Eating!

The bakery is located at 525 Grand Ave, Las Vegas, NM 87701.

phone number 505-454-9142