Mexican Sweets for St. Juan Diego

Yesterday was the feast of St. Juan Diego, whom my 4 year old son proclaimed as his patron saint a couple years ago. As I  have a Mexican heritage, this feast as well Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th is special to us that way as well. I like to think that my ancestors came into the Catholic Church through Our Lady. Of course both of these days are a great time to eat some delicious Mexican food!

We had tostadas again this year, and they were delicious! I do have some new Mexican recipes for you this year though. We also watched Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe. CCC of America has lots of great saint movies for kids.

The additions to our Mexican feast this year were sweet ones. We made a refreshing rice and cinnamon drink called horchata as well as some Mexican chocolate sundaes with cinnamon sugar tortilla crisps, yum! Since we already had a pan of oil on the stove for making tostada shells, making the tortilla crisps for the sundaes wasn't too much of an extra step. The horchata does have to be started the night before, but it is really so easy to make.

Horchata

1 cup uncooked rice
2 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks - do not use ground
1/2 cup sugar
Water

Place 1 cup rice in 2 cups water and add the cinnamon sticks. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

Next day, remove the cinnamon and pour the rice/water mixture into the blender and process until very fine. Place back int he refrigerator for a couple hours. Strain through cheese cloth and add 2 quarts of water and the sugar.

Enjoy!

Mexican Chocolate Sundaes

Mexican Chocolate Ganache

1 disc Mexican chocolate, chopped
1 8oz container heavy cream

Bring the cream to a boil over medium heat. Add in the chopped chocolate and stir until melted. Take off the heat and let cool.

Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisps

Flour tortillas
oil for frying
cinnamon sugar

Cut the tortillas into quarters and fry in the hot oil until golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels.
While they are still hot, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. (my husband made a nifty cinnamon sugar shaker by drilling holes in a mason jar lid!)

  - Serve the cinnamon sugar tortilla crisps and Mexican chocolate ganache over vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

This post is linked up on the Equipping Catholic Families 2014 Saints Linkup! Check it out!