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Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

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Home » Dia De Los Muertos » Dia De Los Muertos~ Recipes Inspired by Day of the Dead

Dia De Los Muertos~ Recipes Inspired by Day of the Dead

October 23, 2014Leave a Comment

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Dia de los Muertos. Day of the Dead  is a traditional holiday observed in Mexico as well as other cultures. For me, preparations for this go on through the whole month of October, building up to the days of celebration and remembrance. Special items, such as pictures, flowers, incense, candles, trinkets and foods are placed on simple and sometimes very large alters. The days of celebration and remembrance are start on October 27th through November 2nd.

My alter at night...
My alter at night…
my altar with tamales

What does Dia de Los Muertos signify for me?

It is believed that the spirits of our loved ones who have passed come back at midnight on November 1 to enjoy their favorite items placed on the alter in their memory. Traditional foods, such as tamales, molé, frijoles, arroz, tortillas, candy made from pumpkin, chocolate and pan de muerto are some of the foods I like to prepare to honor my loved ones. For this blog post, I would love to share some of my favorite recipes, some old and some new like the cookie recipe for Calaveras.

https://animoto.com/play/OP0aVgljQEaN9V00QeORUw
Traditional Foods Prepared For Day Of The Dead

Mole- A concoction of many ingredients https://pinaenlacocina.com/oaxacan-style-mole-mo-leh-sauce/

mole with red rice

Mole Revisited https://pinaenlacocina.com/mole-revisited/

Puebla Style Mole (Mo-Leh). Pictured below is mole coloradito https://pinaenlacocina.com/puebla-style-mole-sauce-mole-poblano/

Mole de Pollo

Tamales https://pinaenlacocina.com/chile-colorado-pork-tamales/

tamales

The traditional tamales mom prepared were Chile Colorado Pork Tamales, Chicken, Bean with Jalapeño and Sweet Tamales.

tamales

Mexican Style Pork Tamales prepared with masa harina corn flour was not how mom prepared them traditionally. I had to adapt her recipe because the fresh ground masa was not available where I lived. They are delicious !

Frijoles-Beans https://pinaenlacocina.com/frijoles-de-la-olla-charro-beans/

beans

Frijoles Charros https://pinaenlacocina.com/frijoles-a-la-charra-frijoles-borrachos-charro-beans/

frijoles charros

Arroz https://pinaenlacocina.com/simple-mexican-style-rice-arroz-estilo-mexicano/

red rice

Tortillas https://pinaenlacocina.com/fresh-corn-tortillas/

corn tortillas

Pan de Muerto https://pinaenlacocina.com/pan-de-muertoday-of-the-dead-bread-mexican-chocolate/

pan de muerto

Pan de Muerto~ I use my recipe for Conchas(pan de huevo) to prepare this traditional recipe.

pan de muerto on my altar
altar

Calabaza en Tacha- Pumpkin in Piloncillo Syrup https://pinaenlacocina.com/calabaza-en-miel-pumpkin-in-piloncillo-syrup/

pumpkin in syrup

Empanadas de Calabaza https://pinaenlacocina.com/pumpkin-empanadas/

pumpkin empanadas

Start your own new traditions

Using a basic recipe for Polvorones I prepared these fun Calavera cookies

Use the existing basic recipes to create new ones!

Using a basic recipe for Polvorones I prepared these fun Calavera cookies

Dia De Los Muertos Cookie Cut-Outs
Dia De Los Muertos Cookie Cut-Outs
Colored Cookie Dough For Cut-Outs
Colored Cookie Dough For Cut-Outs
Unbaked cookies ready for the oven.
Unbaked cookies ready for the oven.
Dia De Los Muertos Calavera Cookies
Dia De Los Muertos Calavera Cookies

Calavera Cookies

Along with the older traditions, we start new traditions
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Servings: 16 Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter room temp.
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds ground fresh
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • *food coloring optional, green, red and blue to make purple
  • *colored sugar crystals
  • *cookie stamps/cut-outs

Instructions

  • Cream the butter with mixer. Add in the sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, anise, salt and vanilla. Gradually add in the flour until dough forms, using your hands or a wooden spoon.
  • Separate dough into two equal balls if making more than one color of cookie. Add food coloring of choice until desired color. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 dregrees. Line two baking pans with parchment paper, set aside.
  • Roll dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently press cookie press into dough, remove, flip over and cut out cookie shape. Transfer to baking sheet. repeat until done. You will need to lightly flour the cookie press/cut out in between so the dough does not stick. If it sticks, just be patient and start over…..
  • Decorate cookies with colored sugar crystals. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container. This cookie press made 16 cookies.
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

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Filed Under: Dia De Los Muertos, Traditional Mexican Recipes Tagged With: Cookies, Dia De Los Muertos, Frijoles, Molé, Pan De Muerto, Tamales

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Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

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