Please help "Amigos al 100" in San Miguel de Allende

Many of you have been on my tours to San Miguel de Allende and other locals in Mexico.  Spending time with me there, you have seen how passionate I am about San Miguel, its culture and especially its people. 

Amigos al 1oo (Cien) is a group of volunteers trying to make sure no one goes hungry during this pandemic.  This beautiful town is usually full of jobs and tourist.  This group has teamed up to help each other through this.  It's a volunteer organization feeding San Miguel de Allende's neediest during this pandemic! It costs $10 dollars to feed a family of 5 for two weeks

 

If you click on the images, they will appear full screen.

One of my best friends in San Miguel de Allende, Guadalupe Alvarez, has been a strong force behind Amigos al 100!


To make a donation, this link will take you to Paypal

https://www.paypal.me/AmigosalCien?locale.x=en_US

And if you go to Amigos al Cien in Facebook, you will read the amazing the stories of how a community has all chipped in to help.  The need is incredible

 This lady is one for the many beautiful faces they feed each day!

The local English/Spanish paper, The Atencion, wrote an article about Amigos al Cien.

 Deliveries are made to those out in the countryside.

 Trucks full of supplies.

Rotary International doing their part.  As are local restaurants, stores, businesses, residents...  People have been making masks...  Donations of books and games for the children... Residents volunteering their time...  If you can, please help.

Muchas Gracias.

Robin

A little Mermaid get together in my front yard

It has been since the end of March that the pool at the Denver Athletic Club has been closed and the Mermaids (Len named my water aerobic group, the Mermaids) have not been able to get together.  So Jennifer (fellow mermaid) and I decided to host a "social distancing" party in my front yard and limit the number to under ten ladies.

 I sent out an email to the mermaids and this is what I wrote:

Game Plan:

Everyone bring an appetizer

(along with a serving utensil).

Your own libation and lawn chair.

We will have designated spots appropriately

spaced out in the front yard.

Protocol:

Take your chair and drinks to your designated spot in the yard (there will be markers).

Place your appetizer on the large round table.

Sanitize your hands from the large pump.

Put on a pair of gloves (provided).

Serve yourself from the array of appetizers.

We will provide paper plates, forks and napkins.

Dress Code:

Nice casual... colorful if possible.

NO sweat pants, latex or pajamas.

Bras required.

Make up (optional but encouraged).

Pedicures and hair cuts not mandatory.

 

I made yard signs with everyone's individual name.  The drawing is of a mermaid soaking in a margarita glass with the caption, "What's Your Therapy?"  Secured to a piece of coat hanger, I put them in the grass, over six feet apart.

 

When this awful virus reared its ugly head, Jennifer ordered some TP on line.  It finally arrived, six weeks later, and it was the funnest stuff.  Petite rolls made in China!  A perfect party favor.   Jennifer found some mermaid fabric and made everyone a mask which was also included in the gift bag.  I tied the brown paper bags up with blue raffia with a tag reading " We have you covered!  Coming and Going.  Jennifer and Robin".   Then hung them on the back side of everyone's yard sign.

 Beth was the first to arrive with her puff pastry cheese sticks.

 Jennifer and Lynn.

 Melinda.

 Jean.

 Anne

 Debbi

I made Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with chorizo, Gouda and cream cheese, thinly sliced scallions  and then wrapped with a piece of bacon.
We had a great array of appetizers from two different shrimp dishes, smoked salmon, bean dish, skewered fruit and a cheese plate.
It turned into a beautiful evening and one of the hottest days we have had in Denver so far.  Fun was had by all and it was so nice to get together again!

Next get together will be coffee and pastries in the morning and everyone is to bring their own dumb bells and body bars.  I am sure we will receive some funny looks from people going by in their cars when we start doing our "arm" workout.

Having Tasajo in the 20 de Noviembre market in Oaxaca City, Mexico and at home!!

One of my favorite markets in Mexico is the 20 de Noviembre in Oaxaca City, right in the heart of the historic center and only a block from the main square.

And the part that intrigues me the most is the "Sala de Fume" (Hall of Smoke). And believe me, when it is in full swing, it is extremely smokey. 

Rick Bayless refers to it as the "Taco Corridor".

The hall is lined with independent vendors selling over a dozen types of meats and chorizos.  Along with vegetables to be grilled, tortillas, soft drinks, salsas and other condiments.

Once you select your meat, the vendor will grill it along with your choice of vegetables.  It is then delivered to table along with a variety salsas and condiments.  Talk about delicious.  
So the other night, I made Tesajo, salted air-dried beef, tortas (sandwiches) for dinner.  It was over the top.

TASAJO

I had purchased a beautiful, plump 2 pound piece of Flap steak, a low-end beef cut.  I prefer this to Flank steak, I find it has more marbling and is more flavorful.  I cut 1/4" strips, against the grain.   Then I put each strip between parchment paper and pounded it very thin, but not to the point that it would fall apart.  (FYI - your one arm gets a pretty good work out from pounding the strips of meat)

I put cooling racks over two large baking sheets.  Placed the pounded thin pieces of meat onto the racks and generously salted them.  My preferred salt is Maldon.  I let the meat air dry for at least 3 hours.

Light your grill to high.  Brush the meat with olive oil and grill, about one minute or less per side.  My condiments were some freshly made Salsa Cruda and a mashed avocado.  Along with some tasty tortas (sandwich rolls) that I had brushed with olive oil to toast after the meat was done.

My mouth is watering just looking at this plate of grilled meat.  Air-drying the meat certainly gives it an unique "aged" flavor.

Spread the mashed avocado on the bottom bun, top with the salsa and then the meat.  It was an excellent dinner and I certainly had plenty of meat left over for a few more lunches!

Buen Provecho.