CULTURE · "La Fuerza de Frida" a Vogue México photo shoot in La Casa Azul featuring model Renata Sozzi

Click here to view all the pictures via Vogue Mexico. Also, have a look at the making of video, Renata does a really good job channeling the Frida vibe. 

CULTURE · Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: Masterpieces of the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection in the Irish Museum of Modern Art

Via http://www.imma.ie/ (Irish Museum of Modern Art)

Masterpieces of the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, presents the iconic paintings of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, the two central figures of Mexican Modernism. Few artists have captured the public's imagination with the force of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907 – 1954) and her husband, the Mexican painter and muralist Diego Rivera (1886 – 1957). The myths that surrounded them in their lifetime arose not only from their significant body of work, but also from their active participation in the life of their time, their friendships (and conflicts) with leading figures, their imposing physical appearance and spirited natures. 

The paintings exhibited include key images by Kahlo such as Self Portrait with Monkeys, and Self Portrait as a Tehuana or Diego in My Thoughts, and the major work by Rivera, Calla Lily Vendors (all 1943). The paintings are supplemented by other works including diaries, lithographs, drawings, pastels and collages – all offering a rich visual experience for the visitor. Also included are striking photographs of Kahlo and Rivera by Lucienne Bloch, Héctor García, Martin Munkacsi, Nickolas Muray and Bernard Silberstein. 

The exhibition is further extended by the inclusion of photographs by Frida Kahlo’s father Guillermo Kahlo, of churches and cloisters around Mexico City and Tepotzlan, alongside views from the Palace in Chapultepec Park. Also included is Japanese artist Yasumasa Morimura’s conceptual film Dialogue with Myself (Encounter), 2001, which pays homage to Frida Kahlo and is part of a series of works entitled An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo, in which Morimura talks the role of Kahlo to reveal her world. 

The Gelman Collection is a significant collection of more than 300 works of Modern and Contemporary Mexican Art which is housed in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and was established by Jacques and Natasha Gelman in 1943 to support Mexican artists. Not only does the Collection include works by Kahlo and Rivera, it holds major works by David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, Leonora Carrington, Rufino Tamayo and Francisco Toledo, among others. 

The exhibition has already been shown at the Pera Museum, Istanbul, and it will travel to the Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, England, where it can be seen from 9 July to 11 October 2011. An exhibition guide accompanies the show 

The exhibition is curated by Seán Kissane, Head of Exhibitions 

The exhibition is sponsored by BNY Mellon and supported by The Irish Times, RTÉ and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport 

Admission: €5.00 Concession: €3.00 Admission Free to all on Fridays.Admission Free for under-18s, those in full-time education, those on organised Museum programmes and IMMA Members.

CULTURE · Meet "La Reata"

"La Reata" or "The Rope" is a sexy and mysterious lady that works along Brozo (the  Creepy Clown), a Mexican host, comedian and political commentator in his news show El Mañanero. If you thought about Krusty the Clown you're spot on.

Anyway, she doesn't talk and no one really knows who she is as she is always wearing a rather cute and ladylike luchador mask. She only acts as Brozo's secretary "assisting" him in VERY skimpy outfits and high heels. The whole thing is quite sexist for sure but it's just really about lightening up the mood while reading the news and discussing current events. She's got a huge fanbase and only last year appeared in the cover and the main spread of Playboy México in a cheeky series of photographs featuring several Mexican icons such as the bell of Dolores, la Diana Cazadora, a reenactment of  Diego Rivera's famous painting "Desnudo con Alcatraces" and just wearing a Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz habit and not much else (well, that and her mask, naturally).

To see all the pictures, click here. Warning NSFW!

FOOD & DRINK REVIEW · All You can Eat Sunday Brunch @ Mestizo, London

"Mestizo is the concept of a group of Mexicans to bring to London a restaurant-bar offering a fine and authentic Mexican cuisine"

About every Mexican restaurant out there claims this, but very few deliver. Mestizo does. And it's easy to tell because it's filled with Mexicans! This may come as a surprise to some, but real Mexicans abroad don't go burrito-hunting when they miss their food. They go looking for the authentic food and that's exactly what Mestizo has on offer.

From top left to right clockwise: Tamales, pollo en cuitlacoche, totopos, rice and salsa verde.

The Sunday Brunch (from 12:00 to 16:00) offer was indeed pricey at £20 a head, but it's so worth it if you really have a craving for the real deal. Besides, it's all you can eat, so we were more than happy to pig out on chicken in cuitlacoche (corn truffle) sauce, pepper and cheese tamales, Mexican white rice, pozole, quesadillas, totopos, tostadas, black beans and peppers stuffed with cheese, all washed down with horchata water (a very sweet soft drink made of rice, vanilla and cinnamon). Also, there was a choice of two desserts and we went for the "Bienmesabe de coco" a delicious coconut sponge cake drenched in condensed milk and topped with fluffy whipped cream.

Horchata water and "bienmesabe" de coco. It literally means "tastes good to me"

The place was packed and apparently it is best to make a reservation. The brunch deal is a buffet, which gets quite busy so you may have to queue to  order your quesadillas, which are filled with whatever you fancy and cooked on the spot. The waitresses were kind of coy and not too engaging at all, but hey, it's self service and it's all you can eat so who cares!

Vegetales al ajillo (garlic seasoned vegetables), pastel de espinacas (spinach bake), pescado (fish)

Mestizo : 103 Hampstead Road, London NW1 3EL T 020 7387 4064

RECIPE · How to make a cheeky chili sauce drenched sandwich, otherwise known as "pambazo"

Pambazos are a very special kind of antojito (snack) because although being Mexican, they don't involve corn at all! They are often compared to sandwiches because they're basically white bread with a filling. But that's just the beginning of the story, because where's the oomph in that?

Well, the bread is first dipped into a rich guajillo salsa and then shallow fried to make it crispy, and that's where the yum factor is! Also, in the filling. It can be chicken in green mole or potato and chorizo.

They are one of the cornerstones of Mexican street food along with esquites, garnachas, gorditas, quesadillas and tostadas, and very popular at public celebrations.

Pambazos on a street stall in Toluca during the Independence festivities

Here's what you need to make them at home. It's worth noting that you can't just use any kind of bread, as most rolls are so crispy on the outside that when covered in salsa they become rubbery, so it's best to make your own rolls.


For the Bread Rolls

• 200 ml warm water
• 1 tbsp milk powder
• 1/8 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Teaspoon salt
• 1 packet of yeast
• 200 C pre heated oven
• Bread-maker (optional)

Mix all the ingredients in order. You can knead and knead until you get a smooth dough and then let it rise (covered) in a warm place until it triples its size, but it's a lot easier to use a bread machine and set it for it to make only dough (same deal as if you were preparing pizza dough).

Once it's ready, cover a clean surface in flour and spread the dough. Divide it into 5 chunks and shape them like an ovoid. Place on a tray and bake for 8-10 minutes.


For the Filling and Shallow Frying

• 2 medium baking potatos, peeled and boiled
• 200 gr Spanish chorizo
• 1 jar of Sabores Aztecas Salsa de Guajillo for sale here
• Oil
• Large pan or wok
• Large bowl
• Tongs
• Warm oven

Chop the chorizo into small squares and mash the potatos. Mix them up and shallow fry until they begin to look gold and crispy. Set aside.

Preheat 1/3 of a cup of vegetable oil in the pan or wok. Pour the contents of the Salsa de Guajillo jar in the bowl. Slice the rolls but not all the way through (both halves should remain attached like some sort of clam). Dip the bread in the guajillo salsa, holding it with the tongs (A). Once it's completely covered, pan fry it until crispy (B). Set aside and stuff the pambazo with the potato filling. You may want to keep them inside a warm oven while you finish with the rest.

A

B

For Serving

• 150 ml  soured cream
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 50 gr grated Parmesan cheese

Simply pour a few spoonfuls of soured cream on top of the pambazo, and sprinkle with lettuce and grated cheese. It should look something like this:

CULTURE · México's Lincoln

An interesting article that explores the similarities between Lincoln and Juárez:

If we're looking for a true "Lincoln," one who resembled the Emancipator in spirit as well as in his political role, it is instructive to look at the life and career of Benito Juárez. Outwardly, they were a quintessential "odd couple," as dissimilar in appearance and ethnic background as two people can be. Lincoln was tall and angular; Juárez short and stocky. Lincoln was of old American stock; Juárez a full-blooded Indian. 

The similarities were in chronology and background. Lincoln lived between 1809-1865 and Juárez between 1806-1872. Both were born poor, both cared more for political power than riches, and both believed law was the best preparation for a political career. Though neither was conventionally handsome, both compensated for a lack of matinee idol looks by radiating an impressive charisma and commanding presence. Though they never met personally, they formed a lifetime mutual admiration society and helped each other whenever they could. Instances of their interaction will be recorded as this narrative develops.

Via www.mexconnect.com

Read the entire article here.

SHOPPING · Mexican Spice Sweet Chili Tea... wait, what?!

Just came across a tea called Sweet Chili Yogi Tea Mexican Spice.

It's for sale in www.yogamatters.com for 2 quid a box here and according to their blurb:

Sweet Chili combines the treasures of the Orient with the rich culture and traditions of Mexico. This unique and delicious infusion is sure to make your heart sing and your feet dance. Yogi Tea© has always appreciated and honoured the various tea ceremonies of the world. Sweet Chili is inspired by the Mexican tradition of combining chocolate with spices and chili. Traditional Yogi Tea© herbs and spices are blended with a dash of chili to lift the spirits and awaken vitality while Fair Trade cacao shells provide the flavour and aroma of chocolate. Enjoy every sip of this tea as the flavours curl playfully around your mouth and let it warm your inner-being like the friendly Mexican sun. 
Ingredients: Liquorice, cocoa shells, spearmint, fennel, anise, ginger, peppermint, nettle, chili pepper(2%), cinnamon*, cardamom, cloves, black pepper. Box 15 tea bags

 Awesome!