Nadi's Table

SOON it will be the 5th of May.

CINCO DE MAYO as a holiday is celebrated nation-wide in America and regionally in Mexico, where it commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco- Mexican War (1861-1867).  Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo as a festival of Mexican culture with special food, music, and games.

HERE in Three Rivers, the theme for our 1st Saturday event, which falls on May 5th this year, is Cinco de Mayo.  The recipe I concocted to serve is not a traditional dish, but boasts 3 ingredients important in Mexican cuisine.

CHOCOLATE (food of the gods) dates back to 600, when the Maya Indians brought cacao beans to Mexico from the rain forests of Guatemala, and the Aztecs, who later ruled, used the beans for food, rituals, and money.

CINNAMON from Mexico is called Ceylon (or True Cinnamon), and Mexico is the world's largest importer of this cinnamon. It has a mild, sweet taste, crumbles easily and is a lighter color. The cinnamon most found in America, called Cassia, is a darker color, has a stronger flavor and is less fragrant. I will be using the latter.

CAYENNE, a powder made from very hot chili peppers, has been used in Mexico as food and medicine for 7000 years.

CHOCOLATE CAYENNE NUTBREAD

2 T. ground flaxseed
1/2 cup water
1 cup soymilk
1 T. apple cider vinegar
11/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4- 1/2 tsp. cayenne to taste
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Grease and flour a 9-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
3. Blend flax seed and water on high for 1 minute. Add
    milk and vinegar; blend well. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa
   powder, baking powder, baking soda, cayenne, cinnamon
    and salt.
5. Add milk mixture, maple syrup, oil, vanilla and walnuts.
    Gently stir until just mixed. Put into loaf pan.
6. Bake 50-55 minutes, until inserted knife comes out clean.
7. Let cool on rack before slicing.