The Culinary Arts Society of Ajijic (CASA) enjoyed a Mexican gourmet fiesta at its September 24 meeting.
Paola DeWatterlot – a member of the Asociacion de Cronistas Jalisco Michoacan – was the guest speaker and she regaled the members about the history and involvement of many of the small villages surrounding Lake Chapala at the time of the War of Independence.
Michele Lococo took first place in the Mexican main dish category and also won the presentation award and a Bing award for three first places during 2018. Her creation was hoja santa stuffed with pollo, huitlacoche and poblano cream sauce. Tracy Reuter took second place for a chicken pozole verde and tied for third were Lydia Cortes for her rica tinga and Dennis Brann for a layered cazuela of hutlacoche and nopales.
Steve Parker took first place in the Mexican dessert category with his mini Mexican chocolate cheesecakes. Roberta Kalan won second place and the people’s choice award for “Out of this world cajeta filled cupcakes with Mexican vanilla buttercream frosting.” Paco Rincón Camara took third place and presentation for a zucchini raspberry Mexican chocolate cake. A triple tie for people’s choice went to Paco Rincón, Darleen Pkke and Roberta Kalan.
CASA hosts cooking classes with guest instructor Marie-Lyse, an award-winning Cordon Bleu chef from Sri Lanka, Monday and Tuesday, October 1 and 2, noon to 5 p.m. The classes are limited to 16 people each.
The menu to be created includes potato Bhaji Pakoras, rice vermicelli Buriani, two chutneys, Sri Lankan prawn curry and poached Ataulfo mango mousse.
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CASA’s next meeting is Monday, October 15, 3:30 p.m. at the Hotel Monte Carlos in the Sala La Estancia. The categories are comfort foods and wonders/cookies and bars.
Information: www.ajijiccasa.org.