Café con Leche

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

This is easily one of the best non-fiction books I have read in years. The topics discussed are quite interesting.

These are my favorite although I enjoyed all the sections.

1. The real reason why crime went down in 90's - legalization of abortion
2. How much of an impact do parents have on their kids - very little
3. The socioeconomic patterns of naming children

Levitt's approach and answers are fascinating. The results will leave you shaking your head in amazement at how obvious they seem.

Posted by Rosa at 07:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen

This is a terrible book. I tried very hard to finish the book but the constant whining and swearing eventually got to be too much for me. I read 3/4 of the book before I forced myself to stop.

I thought the book would have interesting stories about cooking but instead I learned a lot about her friends dysfunctional sex lives, her wretched living conditions and her frequent alcoholic binges. I am so utterly disappointed in this book; thankfully I didn't pay for this book otherwise I would want my money back.

Posted by Rosa at 05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

En este libro Laura Esquivel narra la aventura de la admirada y denostada amante de Hernán Cortés quien también fue la intérprete entre los españoles y aztecas durante la conquista. La narración es una mescla de imaginación y reconstrucción histórica que habeses es confusa y repetida.

Malinche creyó que el extranjero Hernán Cortés era la reencarnación del Dios Quetzalcóatl quien regresaba a poner fin a los terribles sacrificios humanos de la religión azteca, pero termina descubriendo la crueldad sangrienta de los conquistadores.

Posted by Rosa at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

El lápiz del carpintero por Manuel Rivases una de esas novelas que no puedes dejar de leer hasta no terminarla. La novela empieza cuando Daniel Da Barca, republicano y médico durante la guerra civil española responde a un reportero que llega a entrevistarlo en su case de Galicia

A la vez que De Barca cuenta su historia Herbal, el guardia de la prisión, le cuenta lo que le pasaba por la mente durante esos años de locura a una joven prostituta del lugar donde termino trabajando después que el régimen franquista termina.

Herbal había sido la sombra vigilante del prisionero Da Barca y durante la historia podemos ver la mezcla del odio con la pasión, la admiración con los celos y la obligación con la obsesión. Herbal es acompañado por el espíritu del pintor que mato de un tiro en la sien. Como recuerdo lleva el lápiz carpintero de este pintor en la oreja. La presencia del pintor la ayuda a mirar el mundo con otros ojos diferentes y controlar sus emociones brutales.

Posted by Rosa at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When making the rubs if you can't find the pepper powder or puree you can make it yourself in just a few minutes by stemming, seeding and toasting the pepper on a dry skillet over medium heat. You will need to press the pepper against the flat surface for about 10 seconds. The pepper will become aromatic and acquired a lighter color. For the powder, just add the toasted peppers in the blender. If you are making a puree you will need to soak the toasted peppers in a covered bowl of hot water for about 30 minutes. To keep the peppers submerged you can use a plate.

Ancho Puree
Stem and seed 8 dried ancho chiles. Toast and soak as described above. Drain the pepper and transfer to a blender or food processor with 2 cups of water and puree. Mixture can be stored in a covered container a couple months.

Posted by Rosa at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This rub is good on potatoes and pork.

4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 C mild paprika
1 1/2 tablespoons ground chipotle chile
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
2 1/2 tablespoons salt

In a bowl or food processor stir together all the ingredients until thoroughly blended. Can be stored in a covered container for up to 1 month.

Posted by Rosa at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This rub is great for grilled meats. I especially like it on chicken.

4 Garlic Cloves, peeled and finely chopped
1/3 C ground ancho chile powder - can be bought at Mexican stores or can be made with chile anchos
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 teaspoons ground black pepper
5 teaspoons Salt

In a bowl or a small processor stir in all the ingredients until thorough blended. Can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Posted by Rosa at 09:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)