YUMMY!!!!

In my attempts to stay focused on positive activities right now, I have been trying my hand at some traditional Guatemalan dishes! I absolutely fell in love with Guatemalan food when I lived with a host family in Antigua during college. The fresh fruits, juices, black beans, the BEST tortillas in the world, lots of veggies, soups, etc. Jason and I went to a couple of Guatemalan restaurants on our last visit and, oh so delicious!! I think I need to tackle making tortillas, pepian, and tamales soon.

These pictures did not turn out that great, but the food did! This first dish pictured is from a Guatemalan cookbook we bought in Antigua. Some of you may have it! We purchased it at Nim Po't and you can also purchase it from Mayan Traditions. It is Green Chicken Stew (Pollo en Jocon). It is not the most appetizing color of green, though it looks like guacamole. It is made from tomatillos, cilantro, green peppers, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. We ate it served over rice. Yummy!!

This next dish is Chicken Chilaquiles. I don't know if this is a traditional Guatemalan dish, because everything I read online said it was a Mexican dish. But, we ate chilaquiles every morning at the Marriott in Guatemala City. They served these on the breakfast buffet and we loved them!!

There is no such thing as traditional Guatemalan food without fried black beans!! Well, that's not really true, but they are definitely a staple food. I know, you don't need to tell me what this looks like! But, they are delicious! I could probably eat black beans at every meal. This was another staple on the Marriott breakfast buffet and at the home I lived at in Antigua.

Jason enjoying his chilaquiles and black beans while watching football. *Note my newest purchase in the background behind Jason's head. I bought this purse at the gift shop in the Marriott right after Eli and his foster mom left. It was definitely retail therapy!