Hispanic Lifestyle had a chance to taste the treats of Pastry Chef Francisco Enriquez Francisco who creations are featured at Domaine Chandon restaurant étoile. Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Chef Francisco is one of eight siblings.  Francisco worked away from the family home so he lived with his grandmother during the week, and learned the art of cooking, and specifically making pastries, from her. In early 1979, Francisco brought his new bride to start a new life in California and started working in the kitchen at the restaurant Domaine Chandon, now called étoile, three months later.

With the exception of a year’s hiatus in 2004, Francisco has worked in this kitchen since June 1979 making him one of the longest serving employees on the property. Francisco remains dedicated and inspired in his work, constantly creating new desserts and sampling “the competition” when he dines elsewhere.

Photos of Richard Sandoval exclusive taken for Hispanic Lifestyle

Notes and Links for Hispanic Lifestyle episode #192 “Treats and Delights.

In this edition of Hispanic Lifestyle, we experience treats, and delights.

From candy apples to tamales we celebrate the magic of the season, this edition of Hispanic Lifestyle.

It’s a very sweet and delightful holiday.

Once again we are excited to be spending the Holiday Season with our friends at Disneyland Resorts. This year we wanted to experience the new sweet treats they introduce during this time of year. First we meet Chef Lisa who gives us a demonstration on how to make their special candy apples.

Sharing unique and creative decorating tips for the holidays is Disney cast member David Cranci.

We end our visit by chatting with Santa and his special guest Nicholas.

We revisit our segment from Zacatecas Cafe and a Tamale cooking demonstration.

Also revisit a segment from our visit to the 2009 International Tamale Festival.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins September 15th, celebrates the many ways Hispanic Americans have influenced and enriched life in the United States. While Hispanic Heritage Month starts on the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and encompasses both Mexico’s and Chile’s Independence Day, it also coincides with the beautiful days of late summer and early autumn – perfect for getting your fiesta on with a Latin-themed party – outside, of course – before winter arrives.

The bounty of the harvest season provides menu options galore for making the party memorable. Gazpacho, tacos and burritos with homemade guacamole, vegetable tostadas with mole sauce, tortas de carnitas, chicken fajitas with salsa fresca, Mexican grilled corn, chopped salad with tortilla strips, and many more delicious and easy-to-prepare dishes are sure to please your guests. Of course, a Hispanic-themed party wouldn’t be complete without great sangria, and this recipe assures there will be plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Sangria de Korbel
(Sangria, Korbel-style)
Preparation time – 24 hours

4 bottles Kenwood Vineyards Sonoma County Merlot
1½ cups Korbel California Brandy
1½ cups Triple Sec
2 cups sugar
4 oranges, peeled and sliced
4 lemons, peeled and sliced
2 limes, peeled and sliced
Sparkling water or Korbel Brut California champagne
Orange and lemon slices for garnish

Mix the first seven ingredients in a large container. Cover and store for 24 hours. Remove and discard marinated fruit, and stir once to remix sugar. Serve chilled or over ice, add a splash of sparkling water or Korbel Brut California champagne, and garnish with fresh fruit slices.

About
A brandy maker since 1889, Korbel now ranks among the United States’ most respected brandy distillers. The Heck family owns and manages Korbel Brandy and Korbel Champagne Cellars, the maker of America’s most popular premium champagne, as well as Kenwood Vineyards.

Celebrate responsibly.

I paid my first visit to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. What a great experience and burger.  I love the build to order burger concept, add tomatoes, mushrooms, mayo, etc.

I found this bio on their website.  Five Guys has been a Washington, DC area favorite since 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered sage advice to the four young Murrell brothers: “Start a business or go to college.”The business route won and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint in Alexandria, Virginia.

Some of my other current favorite burger places in no particular order.

McDonalds, The Angus burgers!

The McDonald’s concept was introduced in San Bernardino, California by Dick and Mac McDonald of Manchester, New Hampshire. It was modified and expanded by their business partner, Ray Kroc, of Oak Park, Illinois, who later bought out the business interests of the McDonald brothers in the concept and went on to found McDonald’s Corporation.

Carl’s Jr., the Steakhouse burgers

Los Angeles, 1941. Young Carl N. Karcher and his wife, Margaret, make a leap of faith and borrow $311 on their Plymouth automobile, add $15 in savings and purchase a hot dog cart. 

Portillo’s Hot Dogs, Great burgers too. 

Portillo’s Hot Dogs, Inc., started in 1963 by Dick Portillo in a small trailer and soon will be operating 48 units. His dedication to serving “the best food” and “the best service” available will make it worth your visit. Requests for his “type” of food and “service” are received daily at the corporate office from many of the 50 states (including Alaska) and many foreign countries. 

In-N-Out Burger An all-time favorite, the Double Double. 

In 1948, the first In-N-Out Burger was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park. Harry’s idea of a drive-thru hamburger stand where customers could order through a two-way speaker box was quite unique. In that era, it was common to see carhops serving those who wanted to order food from their car. Harry’s idea caught on and California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand was born.

Tell me what is your favorite?

RDS

A Hispanic Lifestyle exclusive, a recipe for Tiramisu provide by Buca di Beppo

Lady Fingers

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a large cookie sheet pan lightly with butter.
3. Sift the sugar and the flour, but keep them separate.
4. Whip the sugar and the eggs together for 15 minutes on high speed with a mixer until they become fairly thick and frothy.
5. Lower the speed on the mixer and gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs and sugar.
6. Immediately spoon the batter onto the cookie tray, forming 3 circles approximately 6 inches in diameter.  There may be some batter leftover.
7. Bake in the oven until they become golden brown, approximately 10 –12 minutes.
8. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool to room temperature (these are best done the day before).
9. Store in a sealed container at room temperature.

Assembling the Tiramisu (do this the day before it is to be served)

1. Make the instant espresso and cool completely.
2. Add the rum to the espresso.
3. Mix the Mascarpone with the powdered sugar and the rum until the ingredients are completely incorporated.
4. Use a round bowl 6-7” in diameter and 1 ½ to 2” deep.
5. Check the size of the ladyfingers; trim them to fit in the bowl if needed.
6. Soak a ladyfinger in the espresso marinade for 3 seconds and place it in the bowl.
7. Top the ladyfinger by spreading about 1/3 of the mascarpone cheese mix over the top.
8. Repeat 2 more times so there are 3 soaked ladyfingers with 3 layers of the mascarpone cheese.  The last layer should be the cheese.
9. Tightly wrap in plastic and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Serving the Tiramisu

1. Leave the tiramisu in the refrigerator until it needs to be served.
2. Unwrap the tiramisu and cover it with the coco powder and biscotti.

Serves 4

Notes and links to Hispanic Lifestyle episode #173

In this edition: We talk Italian cooking, and attend ribbon cutting. The topics are food and community participation, in this edition of Hispanic Lifestyle.

Buca di Beppo

Hispanic Lifestyle had a chance to go behind the scenes  and set up our cameras in the kitchen of Buca di Beppo. Chef Jesus Castenda who has been with the company for over 11 years prepared three new items making their menu debut.

Chef Castenda spoke about the origins of Buca di Beppo’s style of Italian cooking.

Next we meet the Pisano of Buca di Beppo’s, Richard “ERK” who gave us the background of the Italian restaurant.

Next chef prepares another Buca speciality, Spaghetti ala Norma.

We finished up our visit by touching base with our host Richard as he spoke about wine parings and how you might finish up a big family meal.

Variety Boys & Girls Club 

Located in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles for over 60 years, is the Variety Boys & Girls Club. With many community leaders in attendance they celebrated a major milestone by completing the construction their dream building.

Mr.  Robie Aguila their executive director spoke to Hispanic Lifestyle about what the ribbon cutting ceremony means to club’s members and the community.

I asked Robie if there were other major projects the club might undertake in the future.

Taking part in the celebration was the Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio R. Villaraigosa.  The mayor took the occasion to reflect on his connection to the boys and girls club.

We also had a chance to speak with City Council member José Huizar who spoke about the neighborhood where the club is located.

We went on to ask the council member about his priorities for the 14th district that he represents.

Hispanic Lifestyle spoke with Javier Valenzuela Financial Consultant, Cambridge Financial Partners, LLC and Hector Galvan (Sprint Hispanic Corporate Communications) almuni’s of the Variety Boys and Girls club who are now executives with corporations about how their time at the club influenced their lives.

Also taking part of in the ribbon cutting ceremony was Monica Garcia, Board President of the Los Angeles Unified School district. Ms. Garcia shared her thoughts and feelings about the day.

We asked Ms. Garcia about the community leaders supporting the fundraising effort for the club.

We finished our conversation with the Board President by asking her thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead for school district.

The spirit of Halloween Time has invade Disneyland Resort this fall with Disney villains, Mickey Mouse and his friends in Halloween costumes, along with  the seasonal transformations of Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain into Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort that began on Friday, Sept. 16, and will continue through Halloween, Monday, Oct. 31.

Hispanic Lifestyle’s exclusive online coverage of the events and activities at the Magic Kindom. In this segment we get Halloween decorating tips. Information on how adults and kids can celebrate Halloween together at the Magic Kingdom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEmFj1QZv6U

The after-hours Mickey’s Halloween Party, a separate-ticket event* which has become an annual highlight of Halloween Time for trick-or-treating families, will take place in Disneyland park on 10 special Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights: Sept. 30 and Oct. 3,7,11,14,18,21, 25, 28 and 31. Tickets are available at Disneyland.com/halloween.

In this segment we talk changes to the Haunted Mansion’s transformation to Nightmare before Christmas. Bonus an Exclusive performance by the Dapper Dans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En3hP3EFm-Y

Mickey’s Halloween Party invites adults and children to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat at the resort. These party participants can also “mix in” with regular Disneyland guests for three hours prior to the start of Mickey’s private bash. Highlights of Mickey’s Halloween Party include:

• Newly themed dance party: Guests can mix, mingle and dance with some of their favorite Disney characters at the new “Piratepalooza” at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante. The popular “Buzz Lightyear’s Intergalactic Space Jam” returns to the Tomorrowland Terrace for more dancing fun.
• New character photo locations: Guests will meet Stormtroopers at Tomorrowland, Phineas & Ferb at Plaza Gardens Stage, and Duffy the Bear in his pumpkin attire at Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.  Eight additional photo locations feature princesses, Disney villains and more Disney and Pixar pals.
• The special opportunity to play in Disneyland for three hours before the party starts
• Trick or Treating – candy and healthy treats – in the ultimate Disney neighborhood
• The “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular, hosted by “Master of Scare-omonies” Jack Skellington (presented exclusively for guests of  Mickey’s Halloween Party)
• “Mickey’s Costume Party” cavalcade, performed twice nightly
• An opportunity for everyone in the family to attend the park in costumes
• Nearly all the favorite Disneyland rides and attractions

Tickets purchased in advance for Mickey’s Halloween Party are $49 most days, while tickets purchased on the event days are $59.  All tickets to Mickey’s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 28, and Halloween Night, Monday, Oct. 31, are $64.

In this segment we talk Día de los Muertos at Disneyland Resort. Bonus a Cooking Demo by Disneyland Chef Martha Sigala.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVWtd8TQkrU

Favorite Disney characters, including Mickey himself, will dress up in fun, fall costumes.  It’s the ideal environment to eat special holiday treats, play interactive games, listen to “spirited” music and watch a nightly character cavalcade that celebrates the season.

For Halloween fun at Disneyland, guests will enjoy Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy in Tomorrowland.  The experience begins as a typical Space Mountain adventure, but suddenly launches voyagers into a haunted section of the universe.  Ghosts appear out of the starry darkness and swirling galaxies of Space Mountain, reaching out as if to grab guests as they speed through space.  The exhilarating drops and curves of the journey are punctuated by piercing screams, creepy sound effects and haunting music.

Jack Skellington also returns to take over the Haunted Mansion and bring back Haunted Mansion Holiday to New Orleans Square in Disneyland.  Transformed to a mix of Halloween spookiness and Christmas tradition, Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by the classic animated film “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.” Jack’s return to the Haunted Mansion includes the traditional Halloween/Christmas gingerbread house in the Mansion Ballroom, with some special spooky surprises in this year’s design.

Halloween Time offers frightfully delightful fun for children and adults.

• For spine-tingling fun, drop in at The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure park, where a “supernatural” event happened on Halloween evening, 1939, forever haunting the building.
• Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland is transformed for the Pumpkin Festival. More than 300 pumpkins will be on display and none of them are the same!
• Visitors to Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland will find ranch animals, pumpkin carvers, Halloween décor and activities for youngsters.
• Meeting Disney characters will be easier than ever as Disney villains gather to plot Halloween mischief at “it’s a small world” Mall in Disneyland, while other characters in spooky attire greet guests in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A.
• Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland will honor Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead with traditional skeleton figures on display Sept. 16 through Nov. 2.
• Special Halloween treats will be available in Disneyland, including menu items such as Zero’s Ghostly Ghoulash, served in a dog dish in honor of Zero.

For more information about Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, see www.disneyland.com/halloween.  This site will be updated with frightfully fun details.

Link to our photo’s

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hispaniclifestyle/sets/72157627846544812/

About the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  The Resort’s three hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent DVC units;  the magical 969-room Disneyland Hotel and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun.

Hispanic Lifestyle Episode #171 Notes and links. 

Welcome to Hispanic Lifestyle, I’m your host Richard Sandoval and in this edition: We discover a unique restaurant, look at contracting opportunities with the State, and hear from the Small Business Administration.

We focus on our two favorite subjects, Food and Business, in this edition of Hispanic Lifestyle.

Dona Rosa Bakery & Taqueria

http://www.dona-rosa.com/

In our quest to visit restaurants with great food and an unique story, we find our way to Pasadena California to visit Dona Rosa Bakery and Taqueria. We had a chance to meet with one of the partners of the establishment Mr. Blair Salisbury who spoke about his roots in the restaurant industry.

(The Restaurant)

Loteria, Tortillas, and Ocotillo Dreams Bring to

Life Latino History and Culture at the Autry Latino Heritage Month Celebration

Saturday, September 17, 2011, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Museum Rates Apply / Free for Autry Members

Free admission for children under 12

The Autry celebrates Latino Heritage Month with activities for the whole family. The day includes specialty crafts, hands-on demonstrations, storytelling, a test of your knowledge about Latin American cultures and traditions, and a fun-filled game of Lotería!

Creative new activities will please even the most seasoned celebrator as Dr. Kathleen Contreras shares her bilingual book Braids/Trencitas during storytime. In the book, abuela weaves colorful tales as she weaves Isabela’s hair inspiring her granddaughter to create and write stories of her own. Dr. Contreras then leads a lively session of Loteria, the Mexican game of chance. Next, families are invited to create their very own Loteriabookmark.

Visitors are invited to the Autry Cafe’s outdoor grill for hands-on tortilla-making. Each family member gets a ball of masa (dough), pats it flat, and then hands it to the cook for placement on the hot grill. Meanwhile, families can decorate their own custom label for their take-home tortillas. The Autry Cafe will also have a mouth-watering menu featuring delicious Latin cuisine. Choose from the staple menu of breakfast burritos, Mexican hot chocolate, and lunch tostada, or select from the specialty menu created for this day.

In addition, author Melinda Palacio will discuss her debut book Ocotillo Dreams, set against the backdrop of the migrant sweeps of 1997 in Chandler, Arizona. The Autry Store will feature a special Mercado of local Latino artisans showcasing their jewelry, folk art, paintings, and other colorful creations. Visitors will be able to speak to the artists directly and discover the wonderful stories behind each work of art.

Visitors can also take a new self-guided Latino Heritage Tour that explores the stories of the Latino experience in the West through art and artifacts found in the Autry’s core galleries.

Is it time for Dinner yet? Pictures from our upcoming segment featuring Dona Rosa Bakery & Taqueria located in Pasadena

Doña Rosa Bakery & Taqueria 

577 S Arroyo Pkwy

Pasadena, CA 91105

(626) 449-2999