If there is something that Mexicans look for to eat at the time for breakfast or dinner is a delicious piece of sweet bread. In Mexico, bread come right after tortillas as the second most eaten food in the country. Now, we are not talking about bread that is sold in plastic bags at the supermarkets, we are talking about traditional and authentic Mexican bread. The list of styles, forms, flavors and names is quite long, but some of the most recognized names are: conchas, bigotes, chilindrinas, elotitos, limas, ojo de buey, polvoron, pata de mula, tostada, picon, mantecado and many many more.

They are baked on places called “Panaderias” bakeries where you go, take a bread platter and tongs and pick your favorite breads. The prices may vary from one place to another, but generally for a piece of bread you would pay around 30 to 60 cents (USD) a piece.

Families have the custom to get bread in the morning, when many of the bakeries make early morning fresh and warm bread, and they keep it for the day, maybe to have a dessert after lunch or dinner along with a cup of hot chocolate, champurrado or just plain milk.

Bread is also featured as part of special festivities and in some cases, flavors and shapes are unique of certain towns. There is one called Rosca de Reyes that is baked throughtout the country only around January 6, as part of the tradition of the arrival of the Three Wise Men, but we’ll talk about it later.

Posted by Magdiel

Mango Bread (CC photo by Island Safari)

I have to admit that there are 2 things that I love to eat, one of them is bread and the other is everything that has a mango flavor, so you can imagine my reaction when I have both of them combined in the same food. When I saw this recipe I said to myself, “Mac, you have to share this recipe with the friends that read Mexico Food and More”.  And thanks that we have access to plenty of mangos here in Mexico during the spring season (and I’m sure in many parts of the world), why don’t you give it a try to this delicious bread recipe? ready? Here we go!

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups all purpose flour
• 1 Cups sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 Eggs, slightly beaten
• 3/4 Cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)
• 2 Cups finely chopped mango
• 1/2 Cup chopped pecan nuts or walnuts
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 Cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

Combine the flour, sugar, salt, ground cinnamon and the 3 eggs in a large bowl. Make a well in centre of dry ingredients, combine the eggs and oil, stirring until just moistened. Stir in chopped mango, pecan nuts and lime juice. Add raisins if you want. Spoon batter into 2 greased/floured loaf pans, preferably medium size. Bake at 375 °F (medium-hot oven) for approximately 45 minutes to an hour or until a knife inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool loaves in pans on wire racks for about 10 minutes. Remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool completely on the wire racks.

I would personally suggest that if you like milk, serve some in a glass and enjoy every bite of this mango bread.

Posted by Magdiel