Mexican night

Last Tuesday was Mexican night - we seem to have been doing a world tour lately! I used Rick Bayless' "Mexico One Plate at a Time" cookbook and made a really good Roasted Poblano Guacamole (actually kindof combined both of his guacamole recipes - roasted 3 poblano peppers on the stovetop, let them sit in a paper bag, peeled the skins, then pureed them with 3 roasted (in a skillet, skin-on, then peeled) garlic cloves, 4 avocaodos (mashed), 3 tomatoes (diced), cilantro (chopped) and lime juice (freshly squeezed from the cutest little organic limes). It was inhaled by all with some chips!

We also tried making homemade corn tortillas, with only marginally successful results. The end product was a little thick and mis-shapen - it's definately not an art form I grew up with! But get me started on making koldunai (Lithuanian dumplings) - that's a whole 'nother story!

The turkey in mole came out delicious and tender - braising turkey breast definately makes it stay moist. The mole was good - but needed more salt (and a little more zing - a friend added chipotles to some leftovers and thought it was quite tasty - will have to give that a try next time). I also sauteed some kale with garlic on the side. The plate was quite lovely to look at with all the intense colors!

We drank beer with all of this - various kinds that folks brought, and I debuted the second beer I've ever made - a very hoppy (kindof grapefruity) pilsner - which was well received.

For dessert - a simple flan to which I added some roses - but which mostly tasted like vanilla... all in all, a good meal!