Chipotle Albondigas

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As you know my sisters and I are Japanese, Pacific Islander and Mexican with a little Irish thrown in for good measure. But my mom is Mexican and since we grew up with her, the Latino influence is strongest for us when it comes to so much of our lives. Maybe we don't speak Spanish or cook a lot of Mexican food all the time, but we sure love to eat it. My sisters are all pretty good cooks, which is something I aspire to be even though I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to it. That's why I have been asking my abuelita for ideas on some meals that are easier to make and don't take a lot of time to cook. I don't think that I will ever be as good as my abuelita is in the kitchen because she is the best cook that I have ever met, but I would love to have even a quarter of her talent for making delicious, hearty, home cooked meals. 

Yesterday I recreated one of my favorite meals from my childhood, albondigas. 

Ingredients for 13 albondigas and 1/2 pot of stew (caldo)

ground beef 2 pounds

2 potatoes

2 eggs

1 squash

3 tomatos

2 cloves of garlic

salt and pepper

1 tbsp chicken flavoring 

one whole onion

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 7oz can of La Morena Chipotle Peppers

Instructions for sauce:

Cut tomato and throw into blender with 1/2 an onion, garlic and the entire can of La Morena Chipotle Peppers. Add 1 cup of water and blend until smooth.

Instructions for albondigas:

Add 2 eggs, salt and pepper to ground beef and mix with hands. Once it is all mixed together it is time to form your meatballs. When they are ready place in a plate and add olive oil to pan and add 1/2 an onion diced into oil. Once onion has started to cook add the sauce from above along with diced potatoes and meatballs, chicken seasoning and cover pot. Cook for about 25 minutes, add diced squash, cook for about 5 more minutes and serve hot. 

Albondigas are a great, hearty meal for during the holiday season and any day that you are craving a little bit of comfort food. Serve them in a bowl like a stew or on a plate with veggies on the side and some tortillas. Don't forget a cold Coca-Cola to go with your meal.

Find La Morena products at a Vallarta, Los Altos Ranch, Northgate, El Super, Cardenas or Superior retailer. I went to Cardenas for my albondiga ingredients and a 12 pack of Coca-Cola. Right now you can buy (1) 7.5oz Mini Can or 6 pack PET bottles of any Coca-Cola brand + La Morena product and receive $0.50 off.

I keep the traditional flavors of my Mexican heritage in my foods by using products like La Morena and Coca-Cola. What dish will you be serving this holiday season that can use some La Morena Chipotle flavor?