Mexico City newsstands lie just about on every block, and they’re kind of funny places. Most of the magazines are wrapped in plastic, so you really can’t stand and read as much as stand and stare at the titles. The newspapers are often clothes-pinned to a rack so you can only see the front page.
Despite that, it’s super common for people here to just walk up to a newsstand and stare at what’s available. The vendor never rushes anybody, and he doesn’t say “Can I help you?” because it’s assumed that you’re going to stand there and peruse the titles awhile.
Usually I don’t like to while away my time at the newsstand. But today while walking home from yoga class, I felt so tranquila that I stopped at a newsstand and stared awhile. I bought an issue of Arqueología Mexicana devoted to sexuality in Mesoamerica. (“Have you read this?” I asked the vendor. “Of course!” he said. “What kind of vendor would I be if I didn’t read what I’m selling?”) And then I asked him if he could take a few recipe magazines out of their plastic.
They were the kind of cooking magazines I never buy — the off-size, glossy kind that look like they came with coupons in the mail. In fact, they’re part of an El Universal promotion called “Cocina Estado Por Estado,” aimed at highlighting different regional Mexican cuisines. A new recipe book devoted to a different Mexican state is released each Monday. There’s 11 so far, and there’ll be 21 in all, the vendor said.
I picked up the Oaxaca and Distrito Federal mags and both seemed really neat. The Oaxaca one came with recipes for tejate (corn and cacao drink), nicuatole de maiz (a drink, not the dessert), and horchata de melon, plus recipes for mole rojo and tamales oaxaqueños. The Distrito Federal version includes recipes for pambazos, chorizo verde, tacos al pastor, limones rellenos and pan de pulque.
I might try out a recipe on Saturday — the horchata de melon sounds especially good — and I’ll report back whether it actually works. Either way, these would at least be good references for my growing Mexican-food cookbook collection.
By the way — the Mesoamerican sexuality magazine is going to be my airplane reading. I’m leaving for a trip to the States next Sunday.
That’s cool having newstands on just about any street corner. Here in Oz its sometimes really hard to find a Newsagent and have a bit of a perv on the latest food mag. Do you think the newstand vendor really does read all his magazines?
Hi Anna: I’m not sure if he reads everything, but I do think he read the Mesoamerican sexuality issue. He made some comment in Mexican slang that I took to mean, “This issue will blow your mind.”
Yeah, the sheer numbers of newsstands here create a kind of unique culture. We don’t have nearly as many in the U.S. Most folks by their magazines at Barnes & Noble or Border’s. (Unless they live in New York.)
OMG! If I we’re you I’d collect all 21…or at least try. I’m excited to see you post about some of the recipes you get from those magazines. Also, thanks for the tip I never realized El Universal had a great food section on it’s website!
Yep, and actually the one in print is even better. If you’re ever visiting you should pick it up — it comes out on Thursdays.
I can’t wait to hear all about the deviant proclivities of those Mesoamerican people!
The cookbook series sounds interesting. I just came back from the motherland, Panama, and one of the newspapers there has a weekly periodical that features traditional Panamanian recipes as well as as Panamanian variations on cuisines of the world. I found a huge stack at home and just had to snatch a few for my personal collection.
Anamaris: I will email you the juiciest facts I find. 🙂
Looking forward to reading about some of your Panamanian recipes!
I’m so glad to know about these issues, Leslie. Thanks for sharing this with us. The recipes you cited seem traditional, my favorites. Now I just need to find a newsstand that sells them.
Kathleen
Lesley, thanks for discovering and telling about the magazines. I am sorry I missed seeing them when I was there. That’s wxactly the kind of thing I love.
How much does each magazine cost?
Hi Joan: The magazines are 30 pesos each, so just over $2 USD.
What a great find , I can’t wait to see your future post, the limones rellanos sound amazing….I was at Mexico Cooks and read her review of My Sweet Mexico and instantly purchased it…I have fawned over it the last two days..lol
sweetlife
Mexican food, droooool!
After not finding these issues at Puerto Vallarta’s largest newsstand, I was surprised to find the D.F. issue in a papelaria in our little town. Can’t wait to get the rest!
Kathleen