Texachusetts in the House!
TEXACHUSETTS
Chef Amanda Escamilla is the founder of Tex Mex Eats and the maker of the incredibly delicious tamales that pop up in the vegetarian shares, much to everyone's delight. We have known Amanda for many years, her professionalism, perfectionism and wonderfully infectious laugh never cease to amaze. Oh, and the tamales are out of this dang world.
Having grown up on the Gulf Coast of South Texas her first culinary tradition was authentic Mexican food; fresh flavors, meat on the grill and the most powerful ingredient of all, Mom's cooking. When Amanda moved to Boston over 20 years ago she brought this legacy with her and warmed our cold New England hearts (and bellies) with incredible flavors, lovingly prepared. She calls this her Texachusetts flavor, and we're here for it.
Amanda can cook you up just about anything and she has a robust restaurant background and a thriving catering business. Where we come in is for her craft of the perfect tamal, or tamale.
Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made with corn masa, a maize dough made by smashing the hell out of corn and turning it into a fine powder, the harina. The flour is reconstituted with water or broth to make the filling of the tamale. Mixed with beans, cheese, meat or veggies it's then wrapped in a corn husk (or banana leaf but Amanda goes with corn) and steamed.
Our good pals at Wikipedia let us know that the tamale tradition goes WAY back : "The preparation of tamales is likely to have spread from the Indigenous culture in Mexico and Guatemala to the rest of Latin America. According to archaeologists Karl Taube, William Saturn and David Stuart, tamales may date from the year 100 AD. They found pictorial references in the Mural of San Bartolo, in Petén, Guatemala."
Talk about old school cuisine. Amanda's tamales weren't made in 100 AD, she made them special for us this week and froze them for peak freshness. And she puts a bit of love in each one. In her words:
"Food is love. And love is Family. I try to extend the love to our community through food and I hope you can taste the love in every bite."
We hope you love them.
Pro Tip: Not a vegetarian? You can still always get your mitts on these tamales in the Summer Stock Up Section.
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Delivery dates: Saturday, 7/17 and Tuesday, 7/20
Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Share" you will receive just the meats listed, not the "dairy" items (i.e., eggs, yogurt, etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Share" you will receive the fish listed, not the dairy items.
Add-on Grain of the Week - Rolls from Iggy's
Add-on Bread of the Week - Rye form Iggy's
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Blueberry Muffins from Forge
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Herbed Pappardelle from Valicenti
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Burrata from Mozzarella House
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Muhammara from Magic Bites
Add-on Fruit Share - Black Raspberries from Ward's Berry Farm and Blueberries from Kimball Fruit Farm
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chorizo from Feather Brook Farms; Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Yellow Fin Tuna from Red's Best; Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Vegetarian Proteins - Tamales from TexMex Eats; Yogurt from Brookford Farm
Paleo Proteins - Chorizo from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Eggplant and Celery from Kitchen Garden Farm; Broccolini from Riverland Farm; Lettuce from Brookford Farm
Grain - Fresh Rigatoni from Seven Hills
Special Treat - Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies from Forge
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chorizo from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Fin Tuna from Red's; Yogurt from Brookford Farm; Butter from High Lawn Farm
Pescatarian Protein - Yellow Fin Tuna, Sea Bass from Red's Best; Yogurt from Brookford Farm; Butter from High Lawn Farm
Vegetarian Proteins - Tamales from TexMex Eats; Breaded Eggplant from Littleburg; Yogurt from Brookford Farm; Butter from High Lawn Farm
Paleo Proteins - Chorizo from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Fin Tuna from Red's; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Eggplant and Celery from Kitchen Garden Farm; Broccolini from Riverland Farm; Lettuce from Brookford Farm; Kale from Langwater Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms
Grain - Fresh Rigatoni from Seven Hills
Special Treat - Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies from Forge; Nuts from Q's
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Chorizo from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Fin Tuna from Red's; Steak from Feather Brook Farms; Yogurt from Brookford Farm; Butter from High Lawn Farm; Kimchi Cucumbers from Perillas
Pescatarian Protein - Yellow Fin Tuna, Sea Bass, Pollock from Red's Best; Yogurt from Brookford Farm; Butter from High Lawn Farm; Kimchi Cucumbers from Perillas
Vegetarian Proteins - Tamales from TexMex Eats; Breaded Eggplant from Littleburg; Ravioli from Valicenti; Yogurt from Brookford Farm; Butter from High Lawn Farm; Kimchi Cucumbers from Perillas
Paleo Proteins - Chorizo from Feather Brook Farms; Yellow Fin Tuna from Red's; Steak from Feather Brook Farms; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Eggplant and Celery from Kitchen Garden Farm; Broccolini from Riverland Farm; Lettuce from Brookford Farm; Kale from Langwater Farm; Tomatoes from Backyard Farms; Peppers from Kitchen Garden Farm; Bok Choy from Atlas Farm
Grain - Fresh Rigatoni from Seven Hills; Granola from Forge
Special Treat - Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies from Forge; Nuts from Q's
RECIPES
(from Shannon)
I want to see what you're making! Send pics of your creations and other recipes over to recipes@sharefamilydinner.com for us to highlight.
Tomato Eggplant Bake - This is one of my favorite summer dishes to make! it's super easy and only one pan! Or here is another variation!
Chorizo and Eggplant Skillet Pie - Well, this just looks fun!
Grilled Yellow Fin Tuna and Roasted Peppers - Another dinner in under an hour.
Garlic Broccolini - 10 minutes - I think the theme today is turning into quick meals and I'm not upset about that!
Sea Bass with Kale - Delightful and light!
Chorizo Burger - Have some frozen ground beef? Why not mix in with the chorizo to make burgers!
Steak and Bok Choy Asian Skillet - I'm all for the one skillet meal!
Want to share recipes that wow'ed you or show off something incredible that is just going to make me hungry while checking emails? Drop us a line over at recipes@sharefamilydinner.com. We'll be highlighting your recipes and creations in coming weeks! (I am loving all the things you have sent! Stay tuned for highlights coming soon!)