Author Archives: J Alcantara

We are originally from central Mexico, and after relocating to Texas we learned that Tex-Mex food is more Tex than Mex. We definitely don’t like seen our enchiladas swimming in a yellow liquid substance. We are always looking for authentic Mexican cuisine.

One of our favorite spots in Austin is “El Naranjo”

85 Rainey St. Austin, TX

Chef Iliana de la Vega, knows about traditional Mexican food. If you are Mexican or if you have been in Mexico, after the first bite sitting in her lovely modern looking restaurant, you will be transported to your mom’s kitchen or to a mercado in México.

Poblano Chile stuffed with “panela” cheese
“Chile relleno con queso panela”

The restaurant is located in Downtown, just walking distance from The Mexican American Cultural Center. If you are visiting Austin, you could check The MACC calendar, enjoy one of more exhibits, and complete the cultural experience having a delicious dinner at El Naranjo.

https://www.austintexas.gov/esbmacc

85 Rainey St. Austin, TX

http://elnaranjo-restaurant.com

I can’t believe that today, November 6, I just had my favorite snack: A refreshing green prickly pear. I bought them yesterday in the grocery store for only 3/$1.00, and kept them in the fridge. I remember growing up in México, you could find them during the hot summer days in the mercado, red, yellow or white (green). My favorite is the green, “tuna blanca”. And, the wonderful people who sold the “tunas”, they also peeled them for you. You definitely don’t want all those little spines all over your hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PKOEsqgca0

I read about all the properties that this fruit has, but I don’t have the authority to make comments about it. It’s a fruit and, for that reasons is a healthy snack. You can also get tuna juice, water or ice cream. There is a long list of tuna products that you can find in México, one of them is called “Queso de Tuna”, prickly pear cheese, it is a sweet and delicious brown mass that doesn’t look like cheese.

It’s important to mention that the cactus plant is part of the Mexican history, traditions and culture. Have you noticed that the Mexican flag has a cactus?