morning in mexico – cooking with lucas

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“As wonderful as it is for family members to eat together, it is even better when family members cook together.”
Paul Prudhome

Hi there,

My grandson, Lucas, has a great interest in cooking. Since he was a small boy, we have been taking cooking classes together. When Covid closed everything down, I missed three things terribly, my grandchildren, taking them to the movies, and taking cooking classes together.

I went on a hunt to find some in-person cooking classes and found this very cool place in Philadelphia called Hudson Table. They do all kind of cooking classes there and the kitchen is beautifully arranged, filled with sunshine and a delightful place to take a class.

So we went there on a Saturday morning recently and took a class called Morning in Mexico. Lucas and I both felt very shy at first but the chef and the assistants couldn’t have been nicer and were soon joking around with us. We were shown to a prep table and partnered with the most darling young couple.

The way the class worked was you worked as a group to prepare the food and then sat down and dined on the food your group had prepared. Lucas went right to work and we learned a lot about knife skills and different flavors and ways to prepare ingredients we don’t use everyday such as plantains.

It just lifted this old grandmother’s heart to watch with pride as Lucas confidently prepared this delicious brunch. I am going to share the main course recipe with you and in future blogs will share some of the other recipes.

Yucatan Style Huevos Rancheros

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Eggs
1 tablespoon Butter
1 Ripe Plantain, Sliced
1 Avocado, Diced
3 oz Queso Fresco, Grated
4 Crispy Corn Tortillas
2 tablespoon Cilantro Leaves 1 cup Refried Beans

Salsa Rojo

4 Ripe Plum Tomatoes, diced 1⁄2 Medium Onion, diced
4 Garlic Cloves
1⁄2 Jalapeno

2 tablespoons of EVO

1 lime, juice and zest

1 tablespoon of paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°F
Make the salsa: ​In a bowl combine the onion and tomato with garlic, jalapeno, olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place ingredients on sheet tray and bake until tomatoes break down, around 30 minutes. Some char and dark coloring is fine. Remove from oven and allow product to cool slightly.
Once cooled, place product in food processor with lime zest, juice and paprika. Puree until smooth and season to taste – set aside.


Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a nonstick pan. When hot, add the sliced plantains and cook until soft and brown, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from pan and set aside.
Wipe out the same pan and add butter, allow to melt. Cook eggs separately until desired temperature and season with salt and pepper.
Spread beans onto corn tortilla. Place eggs on top of tortilla and beans and garnish with cilantro, queso, plantains. and salsa.

This was one delicious and fun way to spend some time with someone you love.

Talk soon, ❤️💕 Bernadette

35 responses to “morning in mexico – cooking with lucas”

  1. Chef Mimi – As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!
    chef mimi says:

    Very interesting! Plantains on eggs. Hmmm. Love the recipe. And, I love that you do this together, and now you can continue your cooking classes. That’s wonderful!

  2. Narayan Kaudinya – Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.
    Narayan Kaudinya says:

    Lovely Bernadette, Lucas looks intriguing and a bright kid.

    Thanks for sharing
    Narayan x

  3. And rightfully so you can be a very proud grandma 😉😍 and what a delicious recipe! The perfect way to start a day 😉I’ve never tried plantains even if are very popular here…I should try them someday 😉

  4. the Painted Apron – Life is all about creativity for me, as long as I'm creating something I am happy! I hope I will inspire your daily life and give you ideas for your own wonderful creations!
    the Painted Apron says:

    How much fun! That looks like a fabulous cooking school kitchen, and how wonderful your grandson loves to cook! One of mine loves to cook too, he’s 9 and loves to help his dad grill and prep things. The recipe sounds wonderful, what a special time and memory you created!
    Jenna

  5. Jacqui Murray – Laguna Hills, CA. – Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Savage Land.
    Jacqui Murray says:

    That looks delicious and what fun to do with your grandson! I just mentioned cooking classes to my 30 something daughter and my son expressed interest in them. You are inspiring me further.

      • Jacqui Murray – Laguna Hills, CA. – Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Savage Land.
        Jacqui Murray says:

        My next trilogy deals with Cro-Magnin man. I don’t think even then, we cooked, not with spices and broths anyway. Or herbal teas. Not sure though!

  6. I haven’t attended any in-person classes in 1-1/2 years! Many vitural classes/demonstrations and participation where you can have five friends over and zoom for one price! Probably a good dozen or more…

  7. Bern, I love reading about your cooking adventures with Lucas and Maya. Getting them involved in cooking, developing a curiosity for different cuisines, and refining their palettes at a young age is a beautiful gift they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. You, my dear, are the ultimate Nonna! I look forward to future recipes and stories about the up and coming Laganella Chefs de cuisine.

  8. V.M.Sang – UK – I was born and educated in the north west of England. I trained as a teacher in Manchester and taught in Salford, Lancashire, Hampshire and Croydon. I write fantasy novels currently. I also make cards, knit, crochet, tat, do cross stitch and paint. I enjoy walking on the Downs, cycling and kayaking. I do not enjoy housework, but like cooking.
    V.M.Sang says:

    Looks and sounds delicious. I love that you are cooking with your grandchildren. I used to do the same until they grew up into teens, although recently, when I was cooking at their home, my granddaughter came down to help. Old habits die hard, as they say.

      • V.M.Sang – UK – I was born and educated in the north west of England. I trained as a teacher in Manchester and taught in Salford, Lancashire, Hampshire and Croydon. I write fantasy novels currently. I also make cards, knit, crochet, tat, do cross stitch and paint. I enjoy walking on the Downs, cycling and kayaking. I do not enjoy housework, but like cooking.
        V.M.Sang says:

        Yes, fortunately.

  9. Darlene – British Columbia, Canada – Writer of children's stories, short stories and travel articles. https://twitter.com/#!/supermegawoman http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=201634059868404&id=631897250&ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/pages/Darlene-Foster-Writer/362236842733
    Darlene says:

    How wonderful to cook with your grandson. The recipe looks so tasty! Thanks.

  10. That is a good looking plate! Well done, Lucas! Well done, Bernadette!
    So lovely that you guys managed to take this class together – good job finding an in-person class in this strange and unusual time we find ourselves.

  11. Annika Perry – East Anglia, UK – I’m a versatile writer whose books span across various genres. My first venture into publishing is "The Storyteller Speaks" and this a collection of short stories, flash fiction and poetry. Published in January 2018 "The Storyteller Speaks" has received over twenty-five glowing reviews on Amazon. "Oskar’s Quest", my second book, it is a beautifully illustrated children’s book for younger children (and all young at heart!). "Oskar’s Quest" is an engaging story of adventure and courage. I have also completed one more story for children which is as yet unpublished. "Island Girl", my first full-length novel, is in its final edits and I’m looking forward to publishing this in due course. Writing has been a passion since childhood although it is only in the past few years that I have seriously started to write fiction. Initially, a writing course gave me encouragement and direction with my writing. Furthermore, the tutor recommended blogging and in January 2015 I set up my blog, Annika Perry’s Writing Blog. I never imagined the friendships I would make and I’ve been overwhelmed with the warmth and incredible support from people around the world. In spring 2014 I won First Prize in a Writing Magazine’s Short Story Competition which was a fantastic surprise and joy. Furthermore, I was short-listed for an Ink Tears Short Story Competition the same year. The recognition of my writing ability outside of my family and friends was a huge boost to my self-confidence and as a result, I started the mammoth undertaking of writing my first novel. Meanwhile, in early 2017 I was greatly encouraged by my friends and writers to publish some of my numerous short stories in a book. It was with great excitement and sense of achievement to launch the publication of my first book, "The Storyteller Speaks", in December 2017 with the paperback released in January 2018. The latter part of 2018 and throughout 2019 was busy with the realisation of a dream project, to publish a children’s book. Like so many parents, my son when young would request a bedtime story. These I tended to make up and a couple became his and my personal favourites. I revisited one of these stories and after much rewriting, editing and finding a wonderful illustrator, "Oskar’s Quest" was ready! Overall my road to publication has been circuitous and aided by the support of my family and friends. After gaining my BA Honours Degree in German Language and Literature from the University of Leeds I started working as a journalist. Following a serious illness, I changed career and gained a position as Administration Manager for a busy timber import company. I worked here for many years before leaving to pursue my passion for writing. I am now a full-time writer, blogger and book reviewer. I was born in Gothenburg, Sweden and at the age of six, moved to the UK with my family where we settled near Ilkley, West Yorkshire. Since then I have moved many times but now live in a small village in North Essex, England with my husband and occasionally my son, when he returns during university holidays. I am on the following social media sites and look forward to seeing you there. If you have a specific enquiry please use the form below. Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnikaPerry68 Author Website: https://annika-perry-author.com/ Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Annika-Perry/e/B0789NNWFX/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/55576285-annika-perry Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/annika-perry-5a9ab8a6/
    Annika Perry says:

    Bernadette, the post oozes with family love and flavours! How wonderful that you and Lucas share an interest and wow, the course sounds ideal for you both! He seems quite the professional chef and very proud of this tastiest looking dish! A wonderfully uplifting post and I’m saving this recipe! (I had to find out about plantains!)

      • Lucas young handsome cook! Will make a good husband for some lucky lady!

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