As captivated participants, we helped to prep for the 5 course meal. Each person had assignments: chopping peppers, breaking cheese into strips, chopping veggies, etc., one of which was a cross between an apple and a potato. Ms. Lily told us great stories about her life, the background of what she was cooking, and why she chose specific ingredients. As a result of everything being from scratch, she ground fresh spices in a bowl and pulsed veggies and broth in the blender. Of course, she frequently had us washing our hands.
The smells coming from the kitchen were absolutely amazing! At one point, we sat on the front porch to eat pineapples with Tajin, drink some local vodka, (but I passed on that) and some crickets or grasshoppers. I can’t remember which. However, a bug is a bug, right?! LOL. They tasted like lime, just as she said. I had one and can now check that off the list forever. Ms. Lily says trying new things on vacation transforms you from a tourist to a traveler. I’ll take that!.
Over great conversation, we ate an amazing meal. There was the best guacamole I’ve ever had in my life, along with spicy salsa, a tasty soup, and the most tender chicken. We also pressed the tortillas for the quesadillas and mini tacos. Ms. Lily even told us how she got started with the cooking class and taught us a dance. A nice bonus was that she emailed the recipes to us to recreate, so I’ll definitely make that guacamole! In all, I had a wonderful experience in my Mexican cooking class in Tulum (search Rivera’s Kitchen Tulum), one that I would gladly repeat, as well as similar ones in other countries I’d visit. When you travel, do you participate in something to make you feel like a local? I highly recommend it, as it definitely add local culture to your vacation!
