On this day, New York city leads everyone on a parade of National pride for a soulful beautiful island, home to the birth of a culture that birthed rhythm into my own life.
Showing posts with label Puerto Rican Traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Puerto Rican Traditions. Show all posts
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Virtual Parranda
The easiest way to explain the Puerto Rican tradition of a parranda de aguinaldos involves a parade of local neighbors, family and friends singing traditional and folk christmas songs while playing instruments and traveling house to house serenading for food and beverages, spreading celebration and good cheer. This originally began as a religious celebration of the coming birth of Christ beginning with masses held before Christmas day.
In remembering such a wonderful tradition, and my family's wonderful neighbors (Hola Gonzalez family!) in Co-Op city who kept this tradition alive, please enjoy this medley of songs traditionally sung during this parade. Share this story on your page or blog and help create the first (for what I know at least) virtual Parranda!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
In Honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of the many ways in which hispanics have contributed to a stronger country and celebrating the varying cultures within the hispanic community, I wanted to forward your attention to a very interesting website. Not only is this informative and interesting reading, but it underlines the pride every american should hold for living within a diverse community, promoting acceptance of different cultures and providing fuel to create further positive contributions to the entire world within every culture.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Coquito for Dummies
Right about this exact time of year, millions of Puertoricans get a terribly strong hankering for some special Egg Nog, and its not yo mama's egg nog, its my mama's egg nog. Every family that makes Coquito is very particular about their version, just like any other dish they take pride in making once a year. Coquito is a Puertorican egg nog that involves a very special ingredient, Coconut.
In my family, this was the only time of year as a youngster that the kids could have some. My Abuela and I would sit around, she critiqued, I sat in absolute anticipation. My mother used Coco Lopez, a very sweet cream of coconut, and a touch of coconut milk, along with an egg, a very precise mix of Light Bacardi Rum and Bacardi Superior (dark rum) and various spices. The smell was not as intoxicating as the various attempts it took for my mother to get the correct blend of the above ingredients. I started learning at the age of 12 with each batch. The eldest and youngest waited for their shot to be poured, and judged accordingly. The older I became, the more my mother trusted my judgement, and the more I liked rum.
This was a long standing tradition in not only my household, but held amongst many families, brining everyone into the kitchen, men and women, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, as a time of family unity while learning how to spread the joy of the holidays to others, through alcohol. This tradition held up in my household; we made large amounts of the stuff to hand out to co-workers, teachers, neighbors, family and friends as gifts. I continued the tradition upon moving to Illinois and North Carolina, to the delight of many who never had the opportunity to drink during business hours. In the meantime, I simplified this recipe so as to make much more than Mom could ever make, all with a simple replacement. So, just in time for this holiday season, please try your hand at the recipe below, and make it your own. Salud! Feliz Navidad!
LaineyLizzard's Easy Coquito:
(Blender Required)
3/4 can or pint of Egg Nog (check your local grocer's milk section)
1 can of Coco Lopez or other cream of coconut
1/4 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of Allspice
1 teaspoon of ground Cloves
1 teaspoon of Nutmeg
1 tablespoon of Cinnamon
2 ounces of Bacardi Superior, or jamaican rum
1 ounce of Bacardi Light Rum or equivalent
Blend all of the above ingredients. Add more egg nog should you find the consistency too thick. If not thick enough, add an egg yolk. Season with spices and enliven with more rum to taste. Shot test per addition of ingredient. Take asprin to prevent hang over before bed (just kidding, but seriously, drink lots of water) . Refrigerate before serving.
In my family, this was the only time of year as a youngster that the kids could have some. My Abuela and I would sit around, she critiqued, I sat in absolute anticipation. My mother used Coco Lopez, a very sweet cream of coconut, and a touch of coconut milk, along with an egg, a very precise mix of Light Bacardi Rum and Bacardi Superior (dark rum) and various spices. The smell was not as intoxicating as the various attempts it took for my mother to get the correct blend of the above ingredients. I started learning at the age of 12 with each batch. The eldest and youngest waited for their shot to be poured, and judged accordingly. The older I became, the more my mother trusted my judgement, and the more I liked rum.
This was a long standing tradition in not only my household, but held amongst many families, brining everyone into the kitchen, men and women, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, as a time of family unity while learning how to spread the joy of the holidays to others, through alcohol. This tradition held up in my household; we made large amounts of the stuff to hand out to co-workers, teachers, neighbors, family and friends as gifts. I continued the tradition upon moving to Illinois and North Carolina, to the delight of many who never had the opportunity to drink during business hours. In the meantime, I simplified this recipe so as to make much more than Mom could ever make, all with a simple replacement. So, just in time for this holiday season, please try your hand at the recipe below, and make it your own. Salud! Feliz Navidad!
LaineyLizzard's Easy Coquito:
(Blender Required)
3/4 can or pint of Egg Nog (check your local grocer's milk section)
1 can of Coco Lopez or other cream of coconut
1/4 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of Allspice
1 teaspoon of ground Cloves
1 teaspoon of Nutmeg
1 tablespoon of Cinnamon
2 ounces of Bacardi Superior, or jamaican rum
1 ounce of Bacardi Light Rum or equivalent
Blend all of the above ingredients. Add more egg nog should you find the consistency too thick. If not thick enough, add an egg yolk. Season with spices and enliven with more rum to taste. Shot test per addition of ingredient. Take asprin to prevent hang over before bed (just kidding, but seriously, drink lots of water) . Refrigerate before serving.
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