Keiko, I Found the Enchiladas

It took me awhile, but I finally found them in Puerto Escondido. Before I get started, here’s a shamelessly beautiful picture of that town.

A Topside View of Puerto Escondido

Good. Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’ll continue.

Keiko, you asked me about what real enchiladas are like, and immediately I was interested in finding out for myself. I don’t know what they’re like in Japan, but in Texas, they’re essentially a small burrito (or a large Taco) covered in salsa and cheese (and maybe sour cream). Another way of saying it is that, in Texas, they look like this:

Tex Mex Enchiladas

I’ve been told that Mexican enchiladas are mostly the same, except that instead of normal red salsa and green salsa, you can also opt for mole (which Mexicans happen to call “red salsa”). Mole is so complex that it probably requires some knowledge of sorcery to create it, but the two most discernible ingredients are red chile and chocolate. Delicious.

Anyway, the enchiladas I found were not like the ones they serve in Texas. Instead, the eatery featured it on their breakfast menu and offered it in 6 varieties: Egg, Chicken or Tasajo (thinly sliced steak), and either salsa verde or salsa rojo (a.k.a. mole, in this case). The dish starts with a layer of corn tortilla pieces. Then, they cover that in some kind of white cheese. Then, they cover that in lettuce. Then, they put a piece of meat or egg on top. And then, they drown it all in the sauce. I took the Tasajo con Salsa Rojo. It was glorious. Take a look at that magnificent beauty, below. Next to it is the market where I ate it.

Genuine EnchiladasMercado en Puerto Escondido

This is probably the most delicious post I’ll ever write, so I’m going to get breakfast, now.

That Month I Spent in Mexico

Crowded Market - TepostlanThis Month, I’m in Mexico. Technically, I’ve been here before, but the locals (including Roxana’s family and the security guy at the airport) tell me that Cozumel and Progreso are not Mexico. So, I guess I’m new here. I’m staying in Mexico City.

I’m about to start writing maybe 1,000 or so posts about what it’s like living here. My views aren’t as informed as a local’s, or even as informed as an exchange student’s. But, because I’m here for just about a month, and I’m living with a Mexican family (Roxana’s), I feel comfortable saying those views are more informed than a tourist’s.

Here’s a rundown of the subjects about which I’ll be writing in the next days and weeks. Each one will probably get their own post.Crowded Street - Tepostlan

– Driving in Mexico City is hilarious
– Mexican Police: To serve and protect the shit out of this country
– Puerto Escondido
– Soccer matches (revisiting Mexico’s law enforcement strategy)
– How to tell which Mexican food is the best
– Getting sick in Mexico is not always what you think it will be
– Mexico City is crowded (but maybe you won’t notice it)
– A rundown of my crash course in Aztec culture

I hope you find some of this stuff as interesting as I do.