gulfporter

https://www.forkknifeswoon.com/bakery-style-cranberry-scones/ fyi, I did put a hefty sprinkle of sugar on the top before baking which was a suggested 'option' in the recipe.

This is why I often quit baking for months at a time ☹️ I followed the recipe to the letter; it resulted in the most sour scones ever made! The recipe emphasized to use fresh cranberries, not dried. I don’t crave overly sweet bakes, I sometimes reduce the sugar called for (as long as I think it won't impact the results). I used the full amount of sugar in this recipe. After they cooled, I removed the cranberries using a toothpick and in some cases breaking the scones open. You can see the holes left behind in my 2nd photo. I hate wasting food so will try to salvage these scones.

One would think after 15 years of part and full-time living in Mexico that I'd have learned not to panic and instead invoke the mantra, "usually everything in Mexico works out....eventually" I started shopping for oxtails (cola de res) early this week to be sure to have them since 2 chain MXN carnicerias departed our village a few years ago and the smaller shops can be hit or miss on pretty much any item. None found Tuesday thru Friday at either of 2 village shops. Staff saying "mañana" but with a question mark after it. Found a bounty of them today. Will pop in freezer until I instant pot them on Xmas Day. fyi, to price compare, they cost equivalent of USD $4.50 per pound; when I purchased in Tucson last winter I paid $12.99 a pound.

Another gorgeous label fom España. Tastes great, too.

Recipe says 'pour' into pan but mixture is very thick. I place in pan and even out the top. If using frozen berries add 5 minutes to bake time. I toast the pecas before adding. And I beat eggs and sugar 5 minutes because our MXN white sugar isn't ground very fine. I don’t think you can overbake this, so no harm in erring on the longer side of baking.

Cranberry Squares. I make them most every Xmas season. It wasn't easy finding fresh cranberries here in Central Mexico in mid-December. One of the 'gringo' markets imports them in October for CDN Thanksgiving, estimating what they'll be able to sell thru US Thanksgiving and Christmas. I got one of the last 2 bagsj crammed in the back of his freezer! We were in US thru mid-November and buying cranberries didn't cross my mind until a few days ago. Baking in my un-insulated and thermostat-less Mexican oven is a challenge. It managed to mostly hold the 350 degrees (it's recipes above that temperature that often fail). I added an extra 10 minutes to the 1 hour bake time as the last 2 attempts at this recipe had a dip in the center with some underbaking. We just took a taste and these are spot on!

Grilled salmon with 'green' sauce. It was a puree of arugula and cilantro (4:1 in favor of arugula) with serrano chiles, garlic, lime and olive oil. Sides were chunked grape tomatoes and Persian cukes, along side of (store- bought frozen) fried breaded medallions of espinaca and queso.

Fettuccine with bacon, shallots, charred grape tomatoes in a white wine reduction. I am making more pastas now that I boil a big bag of it very al dente then freeze in meal sized portions. I thaw ziplock in cold water then add to sauce to heat thru. Saves time and an extra pot to wash.

I use Bartenders Friend for stains in mugs. I always have it on hand for stainless steel sinks and my talavera toilet.

This is mi esposo's favorite mug. He had it made for his Dad a few years before my FIL died. His Dad used it daily. My husband is the child in the stroller and on his Dad's lap. The obverse shows my husband's grandfather as well as a favorite Uncle of his father. This was the only item mi esposo wanted from his Dad's house after he died

It's hard to tell where our mugs end and where our kitchen counter begins 🇲🇽

A locally made Panettone (Guadalajara) sold at my local deli in Ajijic. And not the size of a hatbox! Very tasty with good addition of candied fruits. No raisins detected in my first slice.

A simple and quick pasta. Charred grape tomatoes, shallots, goat cheese in a white wine reduction, topped with basil and toasted panko.

We get a lot of Carmeneres from Chile here in Mexico. Better restaurants will always offer a Camenere by the glass or bottle

Further clarification. Yesterday I got the soap dispenser that I ordered from Amazon MEXICO which did not stock the dispenser I got from Amazon US for our US home. The item's description said it worked with liquid soap, though the picture showed foam coming out of it. As an expat, this sort of stuff happens a lot even at a great site like Amazon. I had read numerous reviews for the MXN item. There were a number of conflicting reviews. Turns out this product was available in "gel" dispensing and also "foam" dispensing. Many reviewers said the product didn't work, that the dishwashing liquid wouldn't come out. A few posters said you had to dilute the soap liquid 6 to 1 with water. I was glad I read all the reviews as the instructions for my dispenser does not mention dilution at all. After trying to make it work with just the Dawn liquid, I added water. Voila! Foam. I really don't care if it's liquid or foam as we use it for both handwashing (foam is better IMO, less sticky liquid to wash away and waste) and for washing dishes for which liquid is best.