¡Hola!
In September many Latin-American countries celebrate their Independence Days; El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua on September 15th and Mexico on the 16th. Throughout history there are stories of great patriotism and heroes such as the story we will share this month of Los Niños Heroes from the Mexican-American war.
Take advantage of tomato and corn season to mix up this easy salad and some refreshing aguas frescas. And don't forget to let us know which is your favorite ornament design which will be featured in our 2007 CasaQ Ornament Collection.
Felicidades,
Darlene
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| Los Niños Héroes
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 Los Niños Héroes (The Boy Heroes) were six teenage military cadets, the youngest only 13, who died defending their country at Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle (a military academy) on September 13, 1847 at the end of the Mexican-American War.
At the Battle of Chapultepec the six young boys were the final protectors the Mexican army's military academy. Incredibly outnumbered they stood their ground until there was no choice but to surrender or be killed. All six chose to commit suicide. Juan Escutia, the last cadet to die wrapped himself in the Mexican Flag and jumped to his death rather than surrender the flag to the Americans. Depending on which side of the battle you were on at the time, they were hailed as heroes or cowards.
The US Marines hymn brags of the battle by stating:
From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
In 1885 President Ulysses S. Grant, who as a young army officer had served in the Mexico-American war under General Zachary Taylor, called the war in his memoirs "One of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation,"
100 years later on March 5, 1947 Harry S. Truman, incredibly the first US President to visit Mexico City, announced that he wanted to make an unscheduled stop at the historic Chapultepec Castle. As the motorcade came to a halt by a grove of trees, Truman stepped out of his black Lincoln and walked over to the stone monument honoring Los Niños Heroes. Truman laid a wreath on the monument and then stood for a few moments of silent reverence. Touched by the gesture, tears began to stream down the cheeks of some of the Mexican cadets as they stood by at rigid attention.
Asked by American reporters why he had gone to the monument, Truman said simply, "Brave men don't belong to any one country. I respect bravery wherever I see it."
Los Niños Héroes were:
* Juan de la Barrera
* Juan Escutia
* Francisco Márquez
* Agustín Melgar
* Fernando Montes de Oca
* Vicente Suárez
See the PBS Video Library of the Mexican-American War
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| Aguas Frescas
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This and other similar fruit drinks, which translate literally as "fresh water," are served all over Mexico and they're a cinch to make at home. The key is to strain the pulpy fruit to make a clearer liquid. You can use strawberries, pineapple, or mango -- any fruit that is soft enough to puree. Basically its lemonade but made with other fruits. Simple & refreshing!
Aguas Frescas
3 cups of Fruit Puree or Juice
1 1/2 cups water
2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
2 to 3 limes, juiced
Puree fruit and pour through a fine sieve to
eliminate pulp. In a pitcher, mix strained fruit puree with water and
season with sugar and lime juice. All ingredients can be adjusted to taste. Serve in a Jara or large punch bowl with slices of fruit.
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Pick your favorite design to win
the 2007 CasaQ Ornament Collection
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The 2007 CasaQ Ornament Collection is here! This year we have designed 3 new limted edition ornaments exclusively for CasaQ. Let us know which is your favorite design and you will automatically be entered to win a beautiful selection of our most popular ornaments valued at $300!
Pick Your Favorite Now!
Congratulations to Pamela Pomales our August Survey $500 Gift Certificate winner!
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Tomato &
Sweet Corn Salad
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 Before
the cold weather returns take advantage of the weather and invite your
family and friends over for a BBQ. I just served this tomato & sweet corn salad with a menu of barbequed tri-tip, garlic butter prawns, twice-baked potatoes, and spinach salad ending with
chocolate-dipped strawberries. Mmm Mmm makes me hungry just thinking
about it again!
Ingredients
8
ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (small balls called bocconcini or perlini work best)
1/3 cup basil-flavored
olive oil or extra virgin olive oil or use a vinagerette dressing
1/2 tsp. coarse salt Fresh ground black pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes
10 to 12 ears of sweet corn, husked and silk removed 2 -3 basket of cherry or grape tomatoes Fresh basil leaves,
thinly sliced
Directions:
In a
large pot, partially filled with water, bring water to a rolling boil. Add the corn
kernels to the boiling water. Bring water back up to a boil; immediately remove from heat
and drain corn in a colander in your sink. Run cold water over the corn in the colander to
stop the cooking process; drain the corn thoroughly. Scrape
the corn kernels from the ears of corn by using a sharp kitchen knife and a large cutting
board. Cut off the stem end to give a flat base. Hold the ear, tip end up, then cut
downward, removing a few rows at a time.
In a large bowl, gently combine corn kernels, tomatoes, mozzarella with marinade, and basil.
Adjust seasonings to taste. Refrigerate the salad until approximately ½ hour before serving.
To
serve as a first course for your dinner party, spoon salad into wine glasses.
Makes approximately 10 to 12
servings. |
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