Opal Mines 1/29/2011

Today we took a trip with our Newcomer's group to the Opal Mines. The opals that are available in this area are very unique to the location. Queretaro is the only place where you can find orange colored opals. There are many of the other colors available too.

Our adventure began with a caravan of 13 vehicles attempting to follow each other to the mines. No, we did not have any directions, only the first car knew where we were going. Just think about this for a minute....you know, crazy Mexican drivers, u-turns (like Michigan lefts), 500 feet for merging on or off a 'ramp', stoplights, and just plain driving in Mexico, while attempting to all stay in a lin.e Mark smartly made sure he was never more than third or fourth in line. We stuck like glue to the light blue Odessy van in front of us. It was a hair raising ride and I thought we were going to eat that Odessy's bumper several times. After an hour or so of this we arrived at a dirt road that seemed to get worse and we climbed the hillside. We passed cows just grazing in the open, no fences, and small little homes. We arrived our destination to board int he back of a pick up truck. You see, unless you had a high riding SUV or 4 wheel or all wheel drive, you were not going to make the rest of the climb. The ride in the bed of the small truck was intersting to say the least. It was quite bumpy, narrow, rocky and everythign in between, though we had some wonderful views of the countryside from our perch. We finally arrived at the peak and bailed out of our ride with bruided behinds. The views were breathtaking.

We were given a quick talk about the opals, which rocks might contain some, and basic information as to how to find them. We were then sent on our way to dig through the rubble taken out of the mines. We cracked open rocks and looked carefully at the ground. You would pick up a rock and sometimes see a piece of opal. We then went into the mine, which was not very deep, but the interesting part was taking a picture. When we used a flash our picture had bad spots due to reflections caused by the opals in the rock. '
Mark was walking and talking with the guide outside of the mine and was lead to a good spot to look around. He found some great rocks with Quueretaro orange opals and some others. I then went back to his spot with him and found a large mild opal the size of a walnut!
After our hunt we had to ride back down the crazy trail. It looked even steeper going down than up. We then went out for a Mexican lunch and a neaby Hacienda. A great time was had by all.

tamales

Thease are the best!!






Mix ingredients, then add water and beat with kitchenaid until very light a fluffy









dough is ready when a plop floats

Dough should be fluffy and on the wet side, like soft biscuit dough

place dough, cheese, roasted poblano

pepper in water soaked husk

wrap and fold

Tie tamales with a piece of husk

Place tamales in tight circular rings starting with outside

Fill excess space with husks and cover with husks

Place heavy objects on top of pots and steam for an hour or so

Hot Tamales - 1/26/11

Today I took a cooking class to learn how to make tamales. They are like a coarse corn meal mush with roasted poblano pepper, mild tomato sauce, oaxaca cheese wrapped, folded, and tied in corn husks and steamed. They take a lot of time to make, but are definitely worth it! That messy glob in the middle of the open husk is what you eat. Is is very light ad fluffy and moist.


Traditionally, tamales are made totally by hand and the corn mixture has to be mixed for at least an hour to and hour and a half to beat enough air into the mixture, but we used a kitchenaid mixture for that part. The men in the family usually get up around 4 am and make and beat that mixture, then wake the women up to do the rest. The tamales steam in a rapidly boiling pot for well over an hour or more


It is tradition that when you make tamales, nobody can be in a bad mood, angry, frustrated, etc or they will not cme out right. Also you cnanot make them if you are pregnant or they won't work either! They are usually made by a gorup of women , either fmaily or friends. There are many different kinds of tamales, even chocolate ones!

More pictures of the process to come!

Jan 25, 2011

Not much is new, I just didn't want you to think I forgot about this. I have been busy cutting out mittens waiting for my sewing machine to b repaired.
Tomorrow I will take a cooking class for making Tamales. As I understand Feb.2 is a big celebration day, for what, I do not know, but I do knwo they eat tamales then. Whover got the prize in the Three Kings Cake on the 6th of January is supposed to make them for their whole family. You are supposed to be in good humor and no squabbling or the tamales will not turn out or taste good, I guess they fall or collapse or something. I will find out more about this and tell you.
I found out there is a chef from a local restaurant who lives down the street from me who is going to be offering cooking classes. 6 weks, one day per week, 3 hours per day, and it will all be Mexican cooking. I am excited to learn!
This weekend we will go to the Opal Mines!! I am very excited about that. And they have jewelry made there with them.
Must get going. Will post after the weekend!

Back in Mexico 01/18/2011

The new year has begun and we are back at our house in Queretaro. The winter weather was wonderful and we had a gloroius time in in, but the mid 70's temperatures down here and the sunshine are a welcome bonus!

I was going through some things on my computer that got left in the wake of the holidays and I found this wonderful picture. Guess who we found in Mexico one lovely fall evening of Day of the Dead? Who would have guessed that we'd find John Peoppleman, or he would have found us? For those of you who do not know John, he is a friend from our Euchre group who had moved to Florida a few years back. We spent a wonderful evening with John. I can't begin to describe the feeling of spending time in the old part of Queretaro with a good friend. It was like we were on vacation.

I will be trying my best to keep this up to date so everyone can enjoy our adventures....well that and maybe think of coming to visit!!! We have plenty of space and lots to do and explore!