Life Abroad: Thanksgiving, Finding a home when you’re homesick, cooking fails
Thanksgiving just passed and it is handsdown my absolute favorite holiday. I am sitting in an airport and I am just filled with so much gratitude thinking about this holiday season. This year I was able to have the best of both worlds. I got to celebrate and share my Thanksgiving traditions with my students in Mexico the week before Thanksgiving, and this past week I actually go to come home and surprise my family to celebrate with them as well. It was such a huge blessing to get to have both, especially since I never oringinally planned to return home throughout the duration of my time in Mexico.
Before I knew I'd be going home for Thanksgiving, I naturally had a bit of homesickness as I began to think about what I'd be missing out on back home, especially when those things are so culturally specific to the United States. What can we do when this happens, when you miss the traditions of your home? You make a home where you are!
I have learned so much while being here in Mexico about their culture and traditions, especially about Mayan and Yucatecan traditions since being in the Yucatan is like being in a whole different country in itself. I have loved every minute of students sharing their traditions with me, but this program is a cultural exchange the great part about it is that while they get to share all the things they love about being Mexican, I get to share my own pride in my country!
Two weeks ago I got to share a little presentation about Thanksgiving to my students all about the history, traditions, and foods of the holiday. I even introduced my students to all of my family members (via pictures haha) because having my entire large family all under the same roof is hands down the best part of the holiday. What was even more special was sharing a few Thanksgiving classics with the people who have become my adopted family while being away from home.
We all know Thanksgiving dishes are usually already more complicated than your regular old thursday night dinner. So that was a challenge in and of itself, but on top of that, it's near impossible to find those typical American ingredients. This lead to a lot of laughs between me, Jacky, and Pamela (interns at the school I work at and dear friends) as we tried (key word: tried) to make some of my families non-negotiable Thanksgiving dishes. Jacky, was kind enough lend me her kitchen for a Thanksgiving cooking extravaganza day.
First item on the menu, corn soufflé. The ingredients are simple enough...except for the most important one which is an 8oz box of Jiffy Mix. Jiffy was no where to be found in any of our Mexican bodegas. So, trying to use some chef logic, we went with Maseca (which is a type of corn flour) as a substitue. We start to mix all of the ingredients, everything is looking and smelling great, so we pop it in the oven that looks like it could explode at any moment and we throw up a Hail Mary. Side note: I think a stereotype we've all heard about Mexicans is that they don't cook with their oven, instead use it for storage. I am here to attest that this is in fact true and they are not ashamed of it.😂 This was such a culture shock because I literally live off of my oven at home, but most households don't have one here. Back to the soufflé, we get about halfway through the bake time before we realize that since we substituted Jiffy mix for Maseca, the dish doesn't have any type of levening agent in it. 😳 After frantically trying to decide if we sould take it out and try to add baking soda and one facetime call with mom later, we accept that there is nothing we can do. So instead of a beautiful fluffy, bread-like textured soufflé, we had a dense tamale like textured caserole, which...in turn, was an unexpected success! I still think it was a tragic excuse for my Nana's Corn Soufflé, but hey, if they're happy, I'm happy.
Speaking of Nana's Corn Soufflé, do you want to try and make it? Thanksgiving has passed, but it would make a great side dish at Christmas! Here's the recipe picture below! If you make it, let me know how you like it! Hopefully you have more success than we did! 😉
Next on the menu was an old family friend's apple pie later named "get-a-man apple pie" by my dad. After my mom made it for my dad, he told her it was so good, she was sure to get any man to marry her if she baked it for them. Let's just say Jacky, Pam and I did not get any men with this apple pie. 😂 In my opinion, it was also kind of a flop. Like I said, some American ingredients are hard to come by, but even when are able to find what you need they're are not always exactly the same. One thing that is consistent with Mexico is that it is HOT all. the. time. Heat doesn't really mix well when you're trying to make a homemake pie crust for the first time thats suppoed stay cold throughout the whole process. Even once we managed to make something that sort of resembled a pie crust, remember that rickety oven I mentioned earlier? Turns out the door doesn't close properly and the door was slightly ajar the whole time the pie was baking. No bueno. While the pie did turn out edible, this one won't be breaking any hearts this time.
All things considered, if you are in the right conditions, this apple pie is objectively easier than a traditional apple pie. That being said if you want to try it out and "get your man" during the holidays, the recipe is pictured below!
Last but not least on the menu are a crowd favorite in my household. Deviled eggs. We made deviled eggs, but as we couldn't find relish or Tony's to spice its up they were not the best, but nonetheless edible. After trying them, Jacky and Pamela proceeded to tell me that they were missing avocado, which I thought was so funny.
Even though literally none of these recipes went the way we hoped, we still a fun day full of laughs over all the silly mistakes. It felt like a piece of home.
Getting to return home for thanksgiving was a HUGE blessing. I am so grateful for the time spent with my family, even if it is bittersweet to say goodbye to them again until June. When I am unable to be with my family I am eternally grateful for the shared moments like those spent with Pamela and Jacky and people who have welcomed me into their home while I am away from my own. I makes the thought of Christmas abroad more bareable knowing I will have these ladies to take care of me. I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and I am wishing you all the best! Comment below what you are thankful for this year!
Pictured Top row, left to right: our fail of a Corn Soufflé, deviled eggs that just taste like mayo, and attempted apple tarts from our left over pie crust and filling.
Bottom row, left to right: My dear friends! Pamela (Jacky's roomie), Jacky, and Pamela ( yes, two Pamelas), our final not-so-get-a-man apple pie, and our wimpy recreation of my familys thankful chalkboard in my house back home.
Pictured: The Talbot Gals back together! (Missing sweet little Bernadette)
Thank you for reading!