I am an avid follower of Ben’s blog – Whats Cooking Mexico?. One thing that clearly stands out in his blog is his ability to relate to the end reader and provide a wealth of valuable information. His blog gives you a whole new perspective on not just the food but the culture and tradition. Through his blog I have come to believe that there is much more to a food blog than just food. He is one of my favorite bloggers and It is entirely my privilege to write a guest post for him.

I have been thinking for a while on what to exactly write for Ben’s blog. I was in a dilemma on whether to do something Mexican or something different. Ben being the master of Mexican cuisine, I decided to stick with something more comfortable – baking Bread.

Focaccia is a very a common Italian bread. The savory versions are more popular and is usually topped with rosemary,oregano,sage,garlic,olives,onions etc. It looks similar to a pizza in terms of texture and looks. The basic ingredients are flour,olive oil,yeast,salt and water. Various versions of this bread can be found across the world. The bread is fairly plain from inside and a spicy topping helps to balance the taste well.

One day I was in the process of making Sweet Grape Focaccia. I had this craving for something spicy. Hence the sweet became the savory Focaccia. I had some left over sauteed vegetable made with Onions, Peppers and Tomatoes from the previous night….thus happened the Spicy Focaccia with Onion & Bell Pepper topping:) This by far has been our favorite topping at homeJ

SPICY FOCACCIA WITH ONION & BELL PEPPER TOPPING

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon chili flakes
• 3 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil ( to brush on the bread)
• ¾ cup + 2 tablespoon warm water
• Topping:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion sliced
• 1 large bell pepper( any color would do, but red looks better)
• 1 teaspoon Chili flakes( increase or decrease as per our spice levels)
• salt as per taste
• a tablespoon chopped cilantro
• Spring onions ( just a little for garnishing) – optional

Method:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment mix flour, yeast, chili flakes, salt and olive oil(3 tablespoon) . On low speed add warm water little by little( you might not need all of the water). When the dough starts to come together increase it to medium speed. Stop the machine periodically to scrape the dough from the sides. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic.( If you think it is sticky add just a tablespoon of flour at a time and mix).
2. Turn the dough to a work surface, knead a bit. Form the dough into ball,flatten a little and place it in an oiled bowl. Turn to coat the entire dough. Cover with a plastic wrap and let rest for about an hour. Roll the dough as per your choice – into a round or rectangle . I just used my hands to flatten the dough. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover and let rise for another 40 minutes.
3. In the meanwhile work on the topping. In a large pan, add oil and saute onions until transparent. Add in the sliced peppers and cook for about five minutes. Do not overcook, retaining its crunchiness makes a difference. Sprinkle salt,chili flakes and cilantro.Mix well. Set aside.
4. Preheat oven at 350F.Uncover the dough and with fingertips make dimples all over it. Brush with a teaspoon of olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned. Spread the filling on the bread. Bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut into rectangles, garnish with spring onions. Serve warm. Buon Appetito!

© Ben for What's Cooking Mexico, 2012. | Permalink | 14 comments |
Post tags: Baking, Easy recipes, Focaccia, Italian food, Onions, Tomato

There are bloggers who inspire us to be better at what we do with their stories, recipes and photography. One of those bloggers is my friend Simone of Junglefrog Cooking. I’ve followed Simone’s blog since 2008. What got me hooked was her beautiful photography, her witty stories and the recipes she shares on her blog. Simone is a professional photographer based in Amsterdam and every time I visit her blog I want to visit her kitchen, studio and city. It’s just a feast to the senses. Without further ado, I leave you the first installment of the renewed What’s Cooking, World? section. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand up for Simone:

Read the rest of {Guest Post} Hot Lightning – apple potato mash with baked cheese by Simone

© Ben for What's Cooking Mexico, 2012. | Permalink | 22 comments |
Post tags: Apple, Bacon, Cinnamon, Dutch food, Easy recipes, Mapple syrup

One of the first pictures that was published on whatscooking.us 5 years ago

Being a food blogger is not an easy job (yes, it is a job). In order to succeed in this field we have to be programmers, writers, photographers, critics, administrators, PR people, and so much more, not to mention the most important part, cooks. Even if your food blog is only a hobby, you perform of all those tasks without getting paid for it and sometimes without recognition.

However, it is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I’ve learned so much in the process about programming, computers, photography and food, of course. That knowledge and experience is priceless. What’s the best part of being a food blogger? The people you meet in this business, either virtually or in person. More than celebrity chefs, restaurateurs or “professional” food writers, they are the people who inspire me every day to continue blogging.

5 years ago I started this blog not knowing where it would take me. I just needed something to do to distract my mind from the worst (and fortunately one of the very few) depression of my life. I can say that food, blogging and the people I met through it saved my life.

Today my life revolves around food. This blog is not my main source of income, probably it will never be, but thanks to it I was able to get two other jobs that are closely related to food and blogging. Jon and I live happily in Mexico City. We eat delicious food, have amazing friends and visit breathtaking places thanks to this blog. Yes, hard work pays off.

What’s Cooking, World? is a space I want to dedicate to all those bloggers and friends who unknowingly have been the inspiration to continue this journey. It’s a little tribute to all food bloggers out there who everyday share their food experiences with the world improving their cooking, writing and photography skills in the process. This is my way of saying Thank You!

If you want to participate please use this contact form and I’ll get back to you.

I’m also honored to be featured in Rosa’s Yummy Yums with a guest post. Do you know about the Qeusadilla Paradox? Read about it in this post.

© Ben for What's Cooking Mexico, 2012. | Permalink | 11 comments |
Post tags: Food blogging, Guest post, Mexico, Personal

On my last post I mentioned that the reason this blog was unattended was because June had been a very busy month for us. Among all the things we did in June, the one we’ll remember for a long time was our trip to the magnificent city of Chicago. Although I had been there a couple of times before, this time I experienced the city in a new and exciting way. Jon had never been there before, but the few things we could see and do in four days were enough to make him fall in love with the city. We loved this trip so much that we are already making plans to move there in the future. Some people have told us that the city is nice only when it’s warm, but we both love winters and snow so the harsh Chicago winters wouldn’t be a problem (I hope) for us. But pictures say more than a thousand words so I leave you with some photographic memories of this trip:

This was the view from our hotel room in downtown.

Our first meal in Chicago was at this small establishment around the corner from our hotel. The food was good and inexpensive.

Our next stop was the observation deck at the Hancock tower were we had a breathtaking view of the city.

After that we walked down Michigan Avenue to the river were we took a boat trip to the lake and around the city.

Some pictures taken along the Magnificent Mile.

One of my favorite Mexican presidents have his own spot on Michigan Ave.

This kind of t-shirts and memorabilia were all around the city. This is definitely Obama country.

Compare this picture with the one below taken in May 2002 on the same bridge. Wow, time flies!

That night we had dinner at the famous Gino’s East of Chicago Pizzeria. One large deep dish pizza is enough to feed a small army!

The second day we visited the Pride festival on North Halsted St.

And ate some delicious food at Halsted Cafe.

That day we had dinner in Chinatown. Sorry I didn’t take pictures of this meal

The following day we saw the very long (more then 3 hours) Pride parade…

And ate some damn good Mexican food at a restaurant on Broadway that I can’t remember what it is called.

We then headed to Millennium Park…

…and Grant Park where we had some Taste of Chicago…

…and took some pictures of the beautiful Buckingham fountain.

As the day grew dark and our trip came close to an end, we rode the L train around the city to take a look at the amazing skyline…

…and some famous Chicago landmarks.

Unfortunately our trip came to an end, but it opened new doors of dreams and future opportunities for us. Hopefully in the future, working hard of course, we’ll be able to move to a big and exciting metropoli such as Chicago. I am a big city boy and after living in Mexico City Jon learned to appreciate the vibrance and life of a big city. Chicago, here we come!

¡Buen provecho!

© Ben for What's Cooking Mexico, 2009. | Permalink | 23 comments |
Post tags: Travel

There are so many things to see, do and eat that time flies when we are there. One of my favorite exhibits is the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-in. This year’s biggest pumpkin weighed 1,375.5 lbs, though it didn’t come close to the 1,524.5 state record holder from last year. Just imagine all the pumpkin pies, breads, chilies, and donuts you could make with those babies!

Like in every street fair, food is abundant at the pumpkin show. I ate enough food this weekend to last me the rest of the month. My favorite foods at the pumpkin show are pumpkin chili, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin crepes, pumpkin dumplings, burbuon chicken with beans and rice, shredded chicken sandwiches… the list could go on and on, but I don’t remember everything I ate, yeah it was that bad. I also tried corn dogs for the first time ever and I must admit that I liked them. This, and Thanksgiving, are the times of the year that I pig out, LOL.

There are many other things to see at the pumpkin show, arts & crafts galleries, cooking exhibitions, cook off and baking competitions, parades every day, street vendors, music bands and tens of thousands of people. The pumpkin show is the 6th largest in the country with an attendance of over 300,000 people during the 4 days and nights that it lasts every year, and the best part is that there are no admission charges. That’s why it is called the “Greatest Free Show on Earth”.

The Circleville Pumpkin Show is held the third Wenedsday through Saturday of October in the streets of Circleville, Ohio. For more information and pictures visit the Official Circleville Pumpkin Show Website.

¡Buen provecho!

© Ben for What's Cooking Mexico, 2008. | Permalink | 17 comments |
Post tags: Pumpkin, Reviews

Read the rest of Pollo asado and yellow rice with vegetables

© Guest Blogger for What's Cooking Mexico, 2008. | Permalink | 19 comments |
Post tags: Beans, Cereals, Chicken, Cuban food, Guest post, Vegetables

Read the rest of Pil Pil Codfish and a trip to the Basque country

© Guest Blogger for What's Cooking Mexico, 2008. | Permalink | 13 comments |
Post tags: Beans, Guest post, Seafood, Spanish food

Read the rest of Lamb curry & potatoes

© Guest Blogger for What's Cooking Mexico, 2008. | Permalink | 15 comments |
Post tags: Guest post, Herbs, Lamb, Potato, Spices