Traditional Mexican Xmas Dinner

[matkirk]

I'm interested to know if it's a common trend that foreigners with Mexican partners think the Mexican Christmas dinner is nothing short of disappointing?

I've had xmas dinners in England, Australia, and America - all very delicious indeed!

For me it seems like the xmas dinner here is not such a big deal. This year they took the Turkey straight out of the oven, didn't let it rest and sort of hacked it up, I mean it's common knowledge you have to let it rest before trying to carve it! Then there was a cold pasta and cold potatoes, and apple salad! Hardly a feast for the taste buds! Some random other stuff and that was it.

I've spoke to a couple of others and they too said there's was (quote) "sh*t" as well.

Anyone have a traditional Mexican xmas dinner that they thought was absolutely outstanding?

[gbchayctca]

I think that an actual traditional type dinner is more of a middle class and up kinda thing. My in-laws never and all the village Maya I know tend to only prepare a large pot of food on Xmas Eve and any other special day. Usually mechado, puchero, escaveche, or relleno. The only difference with these dishes is that they are time consuming to make and you have to kill a pig, chickens, and a turkey to make them, thus making them pricey. Nothing else but this pot of food! And my husband is consistently horrified by our custom of eating carved turkey. He can't understand why anyone would ever find it tasty.

[matkirk]

My ex-wife's family were upper class, their xmas dinner was naff as well.

[Gringation]

Never been here on Christmas, but my husband's family (from Yucatan, mix of middle and lower class) does a dinner followed by lots of drinking. While there is a meal, it's not the focus of their evening.

Here's what I understand about some traditional Mexican Christmas dishes:

Bacalao: expats don't seem to like it
Romeritos: mixed reviews from expats
Ponche (punch): rave reviews from expats, but I'm not a fan. (Hot fruit punch? WTF?)

This Christmas in Virginia we had crab dip, cheese dip, bean dip, pizza rolls, cocktail shrimp, sausage and cheese balls, bruschetta, Christmas punch and lots of fudge... basically a meal made up entirely of hors d'oeuvres. It was awesome.

[Jim in Cancun]

I cooked mine pibil style, the workers families prepared, vaporcitos with turkey, turkey in tomato sauce and relleno negro--one of my favorites.

Turkey is native to the Yucatan peninsula but too bad they can't do it the way you like it but you're not in Kansas anymore.

[gbchayctca]

Hope you're not refering to me, Jim in Cancun! And your last comment is pretty much what I tell my husband twice a year (Thanksgiving and Xmas) when he complains about how we prepare turkey in New England.

I personally can only stand to eat a bowl of the dishes I mentioned once or maybe twice in a 24 hours period....just can't stomach the zillion recalentados that usually happen! And I can definitely do without relleno though I don't mind it every couple of years.

[ToriB]

The last two years I have gone to my bf's friends house on the 24th, and their dinner was amazing. Kicked any dinner I've had in the US in the ass. They had ham and turkey, both of which sat and were juicy and delish. Lots of sides...lots of variety. So, no complaints here!!!

[rawkus]

No family, no cold, no snow, no candlelit Stockholm = no Christmas.

[Cancun Fun]

We had a huge traditional Thanksgiving dinner...and you were invited Matkirk. You missed out on some awesome food! We also did a smaller version for Christmas for family only.

[GONZO]

Originally Posted by ToriB

The last two years I have gone to my bf's friends house on the 24th, and their dinner was amazing. Kicked any dinner I've had in the US in the ass. They had ham and turkey, both of which sat and were juicy and delish. Lots of sides...lots of variety. So, no complaints here!!!

Sounds just like any Midwestern US holiday meal!

Though I dont know what they serve in Philly......

[matkirk]

Tori that dinner sounds delicious!!!! I'm glad someone had a fantastic one!

I had a lovely dinner on the 25th, which made up for it - we even had Christmas crackers! (not a custom is the USA right?)

CancunFun - I don't remember getting an invite to Thanksgiving!! I saw the photos and it looked like a lovely meal and a fun day.

Turkey is native to the Yucatan peninsula but too bad they can't do it the way you like it but you're not in Kansas anymore.

- nothing to do with that Jim, I'm talking basic cooking principles here.

[ToriB]

Originally Posted by GONZO

Sounds just like any Midwestern US holiday meal!

Though I dont know what they serve in Philly......

Philly was always the same as most traditional Christmas Meals. But celebrating here with all Mexicans has opened up some yummy meals...with the traditional Turkey and Ham. I am obsessed with the Apple Salad they have. There were three different kinds...and I tried them all a few times. I made Chocolate Chip and Christmas Sugar Cookies. That was my American contribution.

[gbchayctca]

Wow...you are all lucky to get a bit of taste of home! I have never even SEEN a turkey or piggie cooked in the traditional American form in Mexico...the only way I've seen those animals in Mexico has been either in live animal form or in a caldo! Or in relleno, carnitas, or chicharron. My inlaws (in both Cancun and the village) don't even have a functioning oven...closest they get to that is the pib.

[ToriB]

One doesn't need an oven anymore. One the 23rd, Chedraui at Las Americas was setting up Precooked Turkey's..stuffed and all for pick-up.