I went to Xochimilco (Xochimilco means ‘garden of flowers‘) on Sunday, June 7, 2009, to check out the 20 Cooks – 20 Variety of bean recipes sponsored by Slow Food México. Since I had received two invitations to go, one from my ex-landlord Bernardo Plasencia, I took that as a sign from the Bean Almighty that I showed go, so off I went.

The BEANS – so much variety
The Chefs of Slow Food that participated in this event – Beans

Xochimilco is a lovely quiet area and the only way to travel around is on a small boat called trajineras. We must have had like 7 of these trajineras traveling along the canals. In seeing the lush greenery I was enthralled to think about the history of the area I was traveling in: “Between the eighth and tenth centuries, seven Nahua tribes arrived in the Valley of Mexico. The Xochimilca people founded their city at the southern tip of the valley. Another tribe, the Aztecs (or Mexica), founded Tenochtitlán and the Aztec empire farther north. Soon after the Aztecs’ arrival, they conquered the Xochimilcas, whose agricultural fields, or chinampas, were used to provide the food for the growing Aztec empire.” See http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/df/xochimilco.html

Each trajinera had two chefs that explained about what Slow Food was and about and the various beans would be savoring. It was a history of beans that I had little knowledge about; all I knew about beans was: pinto and black and also refried and boracho – LOL.

Once we embarked on land we walked a short distance where a large tent was set up with tables and chairs. As the chefs were preparing the food, we all talked and made introductions with each other.

All the food, the various appetizers the various main courses and deserts and sweets were all made from beans. We also had various aguas frescas to drink along with pulque sweetened with fresh pineapple that was the best I have had so far. Then for the comida, lunch, we had some lovely red wine provided by Casa Madero, a winery established in 1597. Like red wine? Try this winery, you will not be disappointed.

I met some very lovely people at this event. Two that come to mind are Steve Sando, of Rancho Gordo – New World Specialty Food, the one that gave Slow Food México the idea of having the frijole outing. Mr. Sando also has a book out titled, “Heirloom Beans: Great Recipes for Dips and Spreads, Soups and Stews, Salads and Salsas, and Much More.” Also I met a star of the food world: Sra. Carmen Titita from México City’s world famous restaurant El Bajío, who also has a book out called, “Alquimias y Atmosferas del Sabor.”

When one thinks of México, you cannot help but think beans. It was a funtastic and delicious day and I give five stars to Slow Food México for providing such an original idea of beans, beans and more beans.

Bernardo Plasencia and me. Bernardo is my friend that invited me.

New friends:
Far right is Sra. Carmen Titita from México City’s restaurant El Bajío along with her daughter sitting next to her, the lady in the white blouse is Leonor Para and the man known as “Boss.”

Click picture above for a SlideShow of my day

NOTE: Slow Food is a worldwide, non-profit, member-supported eco-gastronomic organization dedicated to the preservation of regional foods, the culinary arts, and interest in the food we eat, where it comes from, and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.