MAY 2023
MAY 2023. ISSUE 17
Chef’s Monthly Insight . .
The History of Mother’s Day
in the United States
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the matriarch of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. Although in Panama, we celebrate Mother's Day on December 8th.
In the United States, Mother’s Day began as a call to action to improve the lives of families through health and peace. Ann Jarvis of Appalachia founded Mother’s Day in 1858 to promote sanitation in response to high infant mortality. She organized the first Mother's Day service at worship and celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia, which serves as the International Mother's Day Shrine today.
Julia Ward Howe was the advocate for the abolition of slavery and was inspired by Ann Jarvis to write the Mother’s Day Proclamation, calling mothers to leave their homes for one day a year and work for peace in their communities; urging them to join in a ‘Mothers Day for Peace’. On June 2, 1872, Ms. Howe held the first “Mothers Peace Day” in New York City, as an anti-war observance day. However, she did not lobby Congress to pass “Mothers Peace Day”. Instead, she organized that day independently and helped women become active politically, but sadly she died in 1910 before Congress made Mother’s Day official.
In 1908, Anna Jarvis (Ann Jarvis’ daughter) was the speaker for a Mother’s Day service held in Philadelphia, PA. During her speech, she urged listeners “by words, gifts, acts of affection, and in every way possible, give her [your mom] pleasure, and make her heart glad every day… if absent from home, write her often, tell her of a few of her noble good qualities and how much you love her.” Ms. Jarvis asked many people to help get Mother’s Day passed into law. In 1913, the Senate and Congress declared that Mother’s Day would be celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and the first Mother’s Day was celebrated nationally, on May 14, 1914.
Most people use Mother’s Day as the day to show appreciation for the mothers in their life – whether by serving breakfast in bed, gifting flowers, cards, and chocolates, or taking them out to dinner. However, the people who benefit from this are the owners of floral shops, gift shops, and restaurants, not the needy in our communities. Anna Jarvis was so angry and bitter at how commercialized the day had become that she unsuccessfully filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother’s Day festival in 1923. She wanted people to honor their mothers personally, in word and act, and not by buying material things. She wanted it to be a day of sentiment, and not for profit. She once said: “a printed greeting card is a poor excuse for the letter you are too lazy to write”. Ms. Jarvis passed away in 1948.
Could you imagine Mother’s Day as less about a brief reprieve from cooking and more about celebrating the diversity of all families? A day to send a hand-written note across the miles, in a blank card, of love and appreciation, instead of sending a store-bought card? A day to wish Happy Mother’s Day via a phone call, instead of an impersonal “text”! I can only imagine how Ms. Jarvis would be livid if she was still around during this social media era
Life is short, so give your mother or mother figure her flowers while she is still alive, and not a wreath at her funeral! Talk to her on Mother’s Day. Tell her why you love her; what makes her special. Thank her for what she did and continues to do to make you happy. Even thank her for the things that made her uncool when you were younger, but now that you are more seasoned and/or have kids of your own, you totally get it.
Feliz Día de las Madres – Happy Mother’s Day!
Día de la Etnia Negra en Panama
Black Ethnicity Day in Panama
On May 30th of each year, the National Day of the Black Ethnic Group is celebrated in Panama, with the purpose of highlighting the scientific, cultural, economic, and labor contributions that this important racial group has made to the history of our isthmus.
Although it is true that throughout the month of May different activities have been carried out alluding to this racial group, Law 9 of 2000 declared May 30th of each year as a Civic Day and the commemoration of the "Day of the National Black Ethnic Group".
The Black Ethnic Group has contributed since the arrival of the slaves who were brought by the Spaniards during the colonization for the construction of the Panama Canal, with the development and growth of Panama. In the same way, it has favored strengthening our culture, gastronomy, and national identity.
The original idea for this celebration was born from the inspiration and vision of one of Panama’s native sons, the Honorable Claral Richards Thompson, an Afro Panamanian from the Province of Chiriqui, who was a famous discus thrower, as well as renowned baseball player. The Legislator Osman Gomez, in fulfillment of a campaign promise he made to the Honorable Richards Thompson, took the matter up with the Legislative Assembly as a first draft of the above-mentioned law. Much later the Human Rights Commission of the legislative body took up the draft and welcomed it for due discussion.
A parade of the Black Ethnic Group is held every year to commemorate this date, as well as conferences on black health. The celebration takes place throughout the country. In Barú, for example, you’ll find the ‘Dianas De Los Bomberos’, a musical event that kicks off at 5 AM. And while Panama City plays host to many of the events, some of the best-known celebrations are in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Colón, and Chiriquí. At the street fairs, families line the sidewalks with chairs and umbrellas, the children in tow.
Vendors set up along parade routes and in green spaces, many selling Afro-Panamanian delicacies such as guacho de mariscos, a traditional seafood soup with rice, much like a New Orleans gumbo, saus, which is pickled pig feet, with plenty cucumber, lime, and hot peppers, codfish fritters, fried fish with patacones, chicharrones (pork rinds), plantintá, empanadas, and isinglass. If you prefer the sweets route, then the cocadas (candied coconut) or enyucado (yuca pudding) are the best.
The streets are always packed by the time the parade begins, filling the space with music, dance, and rhythm. The center of attention are the Afro-ethnic groups who are famous for their bright colored showy outfits, and unique dance styles. Students of all grade levels participate in the parade, all opting to wear African-style clothing instead of their school uniform. Members of the community, politicians, and band members support Afro heritage by dressing in diverse colors, as well. Anyone who has attended a parade in Panama knows event schedules are more like a suggestion, since the party doesn’t end when the parade does. In this case, the party carries on until the last day of the month.
It all culminates on the last day of the month – May 31st, with the Black Ethnicity celebration, a grand event taking place in the Palenque district in the province of Colón at 12 noon. This event is organized by The Society of Friends of the West Indian Museum of Panama (SAMAAP), which is a civic non-profit organization. They are focused on “supporting and sponsoring activities that contribute to the social and cultural development of the community and feature the best aspects of Afro-Caribbean culture.”
In Panama there have been achievements related to the issue of the rights of Afro-descendants and one of them was the creation of Braid Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday of May, to pay tribute to one of the hairstyles of the culture of the Afro Panamanian population.
National Black Ethnicity Day should be remembered as the day to commemorate the law that ended the cruel practice of slavery in New Granada in 1851, in the country which today constitutes the Republic of Panama.
WHAT’s NEW ON OUR PERSONAL FAV MENU . .
New Full-Service Catering Packages
Our new catering packages are packed with classic Latin American and Caribbean dishes created from scratch using seasonal, local, and international ingredients. Below are our new sample packages to give you a taste of the great food we have to offer for your corporate event or for your special day:
Seated Menus:
- Plato Tipico
- DC Elegance
- Panamanian Delight
- Caribbean Bliss
- Southern Charm
Buffet Menus:
- All Hors D’oeuvres
- Taco Bar
- Light Lunch
- A Night in Panama
To View Our Fav Menu
PANAMA ON A PLATE COOKBOOK!!!
My cookbook Panama on a Plate – Favorite Foods from my Birthplace is now available on EsenciasPanamenas.com (Paperback only): Panama on a Plate, Favorite Foods from my Birthplace - Cookbook (esenciaspanamenas.com)
My cookbook is also available online in bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble, as well as on Amazon, in Paperback, Hardcover, and eBook versions.
NOTE: If you would like the book signed by me, you must purchase through my website.
Esencias Panameñas Trivia Time . . .
From now through December, Esencias Panameñas will continue with the Food Trivia. We will provide you with five (5) questions each month, and each correct answer is worth 1 point. If you were to play all 12 months, you could earn up to 60 points.
The player with the highest number of points will win autographed copies of my cookbooks: Panama On A Plate and Panama On Another Plate. The winner will be announced on December 17, 2023.
We will share the correct answers to the questions the following month, so that you can keep track of your winnings. We will announce the person with the highest score every month.
Below are the answers for April Trivia questions
- Main ingredient for bollo (corn logs), tortilla changa (corn pancakes), and torrejas de maiz (corn fritters): Maiz nuevo o mazorca (corn on a husk)
- Besides meat, what other food item was forbidden to eat during Lent in the 16th century: Eggs
- Which of these ingredients is not traditional in hot cross buns: Coriander
- Sweetener not used by vegans: Honey
- Spice used for the yellow color in ‘arroz con pollo’: Achiote (annatto)
Annette Elliott: 18
Analissa Benedetti: 17
National Food Days in May . . .
May 2: National Chocolate Truffle Day
May 4: National Orange Juice Day
May 7: National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 9: National Foodies Day
May 10: National Liver & Onions Day – see recipe below
May 11: National ‘Eat What You Want’ Day
May 13: National Apple Pie Day and Hummus Day
May 14: National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 16: National BBQ Day
May 25: National Wine Day
May 28: National Brisket Day & Hamburger Day
May 31: National Macaroon Day
Sharing One Of My Recipes With You . . .
From Sweet To Savory And Everything In Between
May 10th is National Liver and Onions Day (Hígado Encebollado). This is my homage to my mother since this was one of her favorite dishes
INGREDIENTS
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided into 2
- 1 pound beef liver, sliced ¼” thick
- 2 cups of whole milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Maggi sauce
- ¼ cup beef stock
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
INSTRUCTIONS
-
- To clean the liver, use a small knife and cut through the membrane and peel it off, and place in a bowl. Add milk and soak for about 10 minutes
- Discard milk and rinse liver in cold water. Add salt & pepper to taste, and cumin and mix until fully incorporated. Cover and marinate for 1 hour
- Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the liver slices and cook for 5 minutes on one side. Turn and cook for 5 minutes on the other side. Remove from the skillet and set aside (Note: be sure not to overcook, to avoid the liver becoming tough)
- Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the sliced onions and cook them until caramelized, for about 5 minutes. Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Maggi sauce, and stir until well combined. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for another 5 minutes
- Add 1 tablespoon of the beef stock to the tablespoon of flour and mix together in a small bowl, until it forms a paste. Add the rest of the beef stock to the paste and mix until well combined. Add the mixture to the skillet and bring to a boil
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the tomato paste and simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the liquid to reduce by a third, and gravy has thickened slightly. Add the liver and simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the gravy to warm the liver
- Serve immediately with Panamanian corn tortillas, Panamanian hojaldas, or over a bed of white rice
TIP
Liver is commonly soaked in vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of the smell and toxins. However, I found that milk does the same thing as vinegar or lemon juice, plus it also tenderizes the liver.
Culinary Humor . . .
Tricos y Trucos . . .
This month’s Tip: How to make homemade stock:
Instead of tossing those extra veggies, veggie skins, herbs, and stems at the end of a recipe, use them to create stock or broth. It is very easy to make and more importantly it is cheaper and healthier than store-bought, which can be full of sodium and preservatives. A good vegetable broth is a powerhouse of minerals. There are no rules on what veggies to use. I add aromatics such as garlic, thyme, parsley, and bay leaves for flavor and nutritional value. This will give you a flavorful base for soups, stews, or sauces that takes virtually no time to prepare. Just add your leftover veggies to a large pot of water, along with your aromatics, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Strain and cool. I pour the broth into ice cube trays to freeze in portions and use as needed.
My Life This Month . . .
What I am Working On
- Working on my 2nd cookbook
What I am Watching
- Ciao House
- Next Level Chef
- Top Chef
- Supermarket Stakeout
How Do I Make a Difference
- Volunteering at the ‘Capital Area Food Bank’ assembling boxes of food for families in need, in the DC Metro Area
TESTIMONIALS and
EMAILS TO THE EDITOR
Hello Chef Yadira,
Thank you! We received the package yesterday and we immediately cut into your delicious fruit bun. My wife and I truly enjoyed it. It brought back many happy memories of my family enjoying a very similar fruit bun in Panama.
I also enjoyed your hot sauce.
It is nice to know that you are an email away when we will need to reorder your treats!
Have a wonderful Easter holiday. I know that my family will be enjoying your fruit bun!
Thank you again,
EmilioS and family
California
Good afternoon.
Just wanted to update you & let you know I just got the package y ya le metimos los dientes. Están bien ricos.
She [mom] started asking me if someone had gone home to bring back the buns. When I told her I ordered it she asked me from where. Then she wanted asked your last name & asked if you were from Colón because she knew someone from Colón with that last name. So it worked out. She enjoyed the bun & started talking of “home”. Thanks again!!
Giovanka O
Virginia
Hi Yadira, soy de Panama, y me encanta leer tus articulos, trivia, etc. en Esencias Panamenas! Excelente!
Te felicito por tan bella labor, especialmente por tu voluntariado que mucho aprecio. Tu ida a Ukraine para apoyar al Chef Andres y el gran pueblo de Kiev me lleno de orgullo. Muy exitoso, con tanto amor para el projimo!! Maravilloso!!
Una pregunta: se que es tarde para pedidos de bon, pero por si acaso, habra uno que no tenga dueno?
Como me gustaria probarlo, si es posible.
Congratulations!! You are the best! I look forward to meeting you soon. Do you offer cooking shows/schools in Atlanta by any chance? I would like to attend at some point, or maybe work with you to make it happen in Alabama or with my contacts in Florida or Georgia?
Thanks, again, for an excellent newsletter; I am a big fan!! Keep those tips coming; we need them!! :)
Blessings to you in all that you do!
Angela H
Alabama
RESPONSE FROM CHEF YADIRA
Hello Ms Angela, thank you for your kind words.
As for your question regarding cooking shows/classes, I am currently working on getting some cooking demos scheduled during this year, in Washington, DC, which is my hometown. We will try to record the demos and upload to my YouTube channel, to make available to all. However, if you are interested in me traveling to your hometown to offer an in-person demo, then I would be happy to schedule a call to discuss further.
Have a food question, please ask?
I’m lactose intolerant and also allergic to almonds. What alternative can I use for recipes that call for heavy cream and whipping cream?
In sweet baked goods I sometimes use coconut milk. I use lactaid milk or an equivalent for cooking, and a combination of hard cheeses for my mac-n-cheese, etc.
Ana SC
Florida
RESPONSE FROM CHEF YADIRA
Hello Ms Ana, thank you for your inquiry.
Since you are lactose intolerant and have nuts allergy, you may replace the whole milk with Oat Milk, Soy Milk, or Rice Milk. As for the heavy whipping cream, I purchase the vegan heavy whipping cream at Whole Foods Market here in DC. But if you have a grocery that caters to vegetarians and vegans, they usually carry vegan milk and vegan whipping cream.
Depending on the cake you are trying to make [from my cookbook], like the 3 leches cake, the coconut milk may be a little too thick and heavy. You need a lighter milk. If you have an equivalent to a Whole Foods Market in Florida you should be able to get all of the cheeses, milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, and yogurt that the people that are lactose intolerant and/or vegans and vegetarians need.
Dear Yadira,
Just a note to say thanks for making me feel as if I was back in Panamá. The bun was shared with some of my church sisters from Jamaica, Grenada, USA, and Panama.
May God continue to shower you with wisdom and knowledge as you use your special gift to feed the community and world with your special creative talent to stop hunger.
Much blessings
Elena L
New York
Hola!
Excelentemente bien! Muchísimas gracias por toda la ayuda y apoyo ayer [en el baby shower de mi esposa]. No hubiera quedado todo tan bien sin su ayuda.
Las croquetas fueron un hit! Debería incluirlas en su menú.
Le hice un post en mis stories de Instagram.
Ewin P
Virginia
Thank you for your email. I really enjoyed the food I ordered. Everything was amazing and as described online. I would normally leave a review but I don’t want my name out there. I’m not a social media person and if I could give an anonymous review I would. Thank you for taking the time to take my order and for making sure I was all set. The food was delicious and the professional service was over the top amazing I will definitely order again soon.
WB
Maryland
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