Mirna Yolanda ColĂndres de Suazo 2
Abuela’s Kitchen
The Story Behind the Book One of the fondest memories of my Honduran grandmother was her extraordinary talent in the kitchen. She was known for loving those around her by sharing with others the delicacies she created. Her recipes reflect a wide range of influences, including: local cuisine, flavors from Japan and Korea, and recipes gathered from her multiple visits to the United States. She was a woman of many talents; as put in the words of her oldest daughter:
“She was multifaceted. She liked to sing, play guitar, she used to sew beautifully, she took various courses on fondant cake creation, she also had a great taste in the kitchen.” Abuela Mirna passed away a November evening in 2006. She left behind many gently touched hearts and tender memories of her caring love. This book is based on her many manuscripts of recipes she used in her cooking. May you enjoy as you read, learn, and taste some of the flavors enjoyed at the home of Mirna Yolanda Colíndres de Suazo.
Her Life Mirna Yolanda Colíndres Maradiaga was born to Petronila Maradiaga and Manuel Colíndres Chavarría in La Paz, Honduras on May 27th, 1938. She had two sisters: Jesus María and Isabel. She died November 20, 2006.
became the official seamstress to the first lady of the nation during the 80s. She made wedding dresses, 15th birthday dresses, and evening gowns.
At the young age of 13, she began taking sewing and embroidery classes. By age 15, she had completed her first cooking course. She was also part of the women's basketball team in La Paz. Mirna was an active member of the local catholic church. When she was 18, Mirna married 33 year old Ulpiano Suazo Córdova on January 19, 1957. Together they had four children: Mirna Janeth, Samuel Edgardo, Ena Yolanda, and Manuel Ulpiano.
She also learned from her mother in law Matilde Córdova de Suazo how to precess milk, a tradition in the Suazo family. Her products—cheese and sour cream— were distributed in various parts of the country. One of her most famous cheeses, cream cheese with pepper, loroco, garlic and parsley, have been tasted by some very important Honduran figures. Aside from these projects, she had a restaurant, a butcher shop, juice shop, popsicle business, a chicken farm, and a mini market. She was an entrepreneur.
Once married, she began a sewing workshop. She had various employees to whom she taught her skills. She would design her own sewing patterns, and
Mirna was known for being a very lively person; she enjoyed music and dancing. She could play the guitar and accordion and liked to sing at family gatherings.
Mirna Yaneth and Ena Yolanda Daughters
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Index 8 Panqueques de Banano Banana Pancakes 10 Burro Abuela's Scrambled Eggs 27 Enrrollados de Lazaña Mofins de Banano Lasagna rolls Banana Muffins 28 Postre de Mango 13 Ensalada Japonesa de Repollo Mango Dessert Japanese Cabbage Salad 30 Pastel de Libra Queso Filadelfia 15 Ensalada Mandarin Cream Cheese Pound Cake Mandarin Salad 32 Arroz con Leche Adereso de Ensalada Rice Pudding Salad dressing 34 Kake de Chocolate 17 Pollo Horneado con Limón Chocolate Cake Baked Lemon Chicken Lustre de Chocolate 18 Paella Chocolate Frosting Paella 36 Flan de Queso 19 Pescado Horneado Cheese Flan Baked Fish 39 Galletas de Mantequilla Pollo Horneado con Avena Butter Cookies Oatmeal Baked Chicken Galletas de Chocolate, Pasas y Avena 21 Pollo con Semillas de Marañón Chocolate Chip, Raisins, and Oat Cookies Cashew Chicken 40 Jarabe Para la Tos 22 Estofado Cough Syrup Beef Stew Te Para Gripe y Tos Hígado con Cebolla Blanca Tea for Coughs and Colds Liver with White Onion 23 Lengua en Salsa Blanca Cow Tongue in White Sauce 24 Alitas de Pollo Vietnamitas Vietnamese Chicken Wings 26 Camarones en Cerveza, Mayonesa y Jalapeños Shrimp in beer, mayonnaise, and hot peppers
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Panqueques de Banano Banana Pancakes
2 eggs 2 cups flour 2 cups milk 2 bananas ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 1 tbs sugar ¼ cup margarine or butter
Blend all ingredients in blender. Heat large pan or griddle. Lightly grease. Pour ¹∕3 cup pancake batter on the pan to form each pancake. Cook until small bubbles appear. Flip with spatula. Remove when golden.
Abuela’s Kitchen
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Burro
Abuela's Scrambled Eggs
½ ½ 1 1
cup sour cream small green pepper, chopped egg pinch of salt
On medium, heat the sour cream and green pepper. Once the sour cream smells like pepper, add the egg. Mix and prepare like scrambled eggs.
Mofins de Banano Banana Muffins 10
¾ ½ 1 1 1 2 1½ ½
cup sugar cup butter egg tsp baking soda tbs water bananas (mashed) cup flour cup nuts or raisins (optional)
Cream the sugar, butter and egg. Dissolve the baking soda in the water, add to the mixture. Combine the remaining ingredients by hand. Pour into a greased (or lined) muffin pan. Bake at 350˚F for 25-30 min.
Abuela’s Kitchen
There are never enough pancakes for my friends and I! ...we just can't get enough! Joseph Quiggle
Abuela’s Kitchen
Ensalada Japonesa de Repollo Japanese Cabbage Salad 1 4 1 ¼ 3 ¼
medium cabbage, chopped spring onions, chopped (optional) pkg ramen noodles, Asian chicken flavor cup margarine tbs sesame seeds cup chopped peanuts
Melt the margarine. Add the ramen noodles, sesame seeds, and the chicken seasoning. Stir-fry until noodles are golden. Set aside.
Salad dressing
1 tbs soy sauce ½ cup oil ¼ cup white vinegar ¹∕3 cup sugar Mix ingredients and refrigerate 30 min before serving, mix in the salad dressing with the cabbage salad and ramen noodles.
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Ensalada Mandarin Mandarin Salad
¼ cup peanuts or almonds lettuce or spinach 2 celery stalks, cut 2 tbs chives, chopped 2 cups mandarins or 2 cups oranges or pineapples
Sweet and Sour dressing
¼ cup oil 2 tbs sugar 2 tbs vinegar 1 tbs chopped parsley ½ tsp salt and pepper
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate.
Adereso de Ensalada Salad dressing 1 2 ¼ ¼ 2¼ ¼ ½ 3 ∕8 3 ∕8 1 ∕8
cup mayonnaise tbs apple juice cup water cup oil tsp sugar cup honey cup lemon juice cup onion, chopped cup green pepper, chopped tbs pepper garlic powder as desired
Mix the mayonnaise, juices, water, and the oil. Add the rest and blend. Serve on salad.
Pollo Horneado con Limón Baked Lemon Chicken
1 chicken ¼ cup oil ¼ cup lemon (or lime) juice 2 tbs oregano 1 ∕8 tsp garlic powder 2 tbs parsley, chopped ½ tsp paprika
Season the chicken with all the ingredients except parsley and paprika. Cover the chicken and bake for 35 min at 350˚F. Uncover and brush with the remaining lemon mixture. Bake for 20 min. Before serving, mix the paprika and parsley, sprinkle over.
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Paella
1½ cups cubed cooked chicken 1 cup cubed fully cooked smoked ham ½ cup sliced fully cooked smoked sausage (1/4 in slices) 1 medium onion, chopped 1 small green pepper, chopped 4 tbs olive or vegetable oil, divided ¼ cup stuffed olives, halved ½ cup raisins, optional 1 cup uncooked converted rice 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbs ground turmeric 1½ tsp curry powder 2¼ cup chicken broth 1½ cup frozen mixed vegetables In a large skillet, saute chicken, ham, sausage, onion, and green pepper in 2 tbs oil for 3-5 min or until onion is tender. Add olives and raisins if desired. Cook 2-3 min longer or until heated through, stirring occasionally; remove meat and vegetable mixture from pan and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute rice in remaining oil for 2-3 min or until lightly browned. Add garlic, turmeric and curry; mix well. Return meat and vegetables to pan; toss lightly. Add broth and mixed vegetables; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 min or until rice is tender.
Pescado Horneado Baked Fish
1 lb fish fillet ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground pepper 2 tbs melted butter 1 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp grated onion paprika Put the salt and pepper on both sides of the fillet. Mix the butter, lemon juice, and onion. Dip the fillets in this mixture and place on a greased pan. Pour the remaining butter over it. Bake at 350˚F for 25-30 min. Sprinkle paprika over it before serving.
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Pollo Horneado con Avena Oatmeal Baked Chicken 1½ 1 1 1 ¾ ½ ¼ 1 ½ 2
cups quick-cooking oats tbs paprika tbs chili powder tsp salt, optional tsp garlic powder tsp ground cumin tsp pepper broiler-fryer chicken (3½ to 4 lbs), cut up cup milk tbs butter or margarine, melted
Coat a 13-in x 9-in x 2-in baking dish with nonstick cooking spray set aside. In a shallow bowl or large resealable plastic bag, combine oats, paprika, chili powder, salt if desired, garlic powder, cumin and pepper. Dip chicken in milk, then coat with oat mixture. Place in prepared baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375˚F for 45-50 min or until juices run clear.
Pollo con Semillas de Marañón Cashew Chicken 1 tbs sesame oil ¼ cup rice wine vinegar ¼ cup sherry or 3 tbs chicken broth plus 1 tbs apple juice 1 tsp garlic powder 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken, cubed 3 tbs vegetable oil 3 cups broccoli florets 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 2 tsp cornstarch ¹∕3 cup soy sauce ¹∕3 cup hoisin sauce 1 tbs ground ginger 1 cup roasted salted cashews Hot cooked rice Combine first four ingredients; add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hrs. Stir-fry chicken in oil for 2-3 min or until it is no longer pink. With a slotted spoon, remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, stir-fry broccoli and carrots for 3 min or just until crisp-tender. Combine cornstarch, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and ginger; add to vegetables until thickened. Stir in cashews and chicken; heat through. Serve over rice.
Estofado Beef Stew
4 lbs beef tenderloin, cubed 1 lb sausage 4 oz chopped bacon 2 cups pineapple vinegar ½ cup regular vinegar ½ garlic head 1 large onion 1 tbs cumin salt tenderizer pepper cloves nutmeg Blend the vinegars, garlic, onion, cumin, salt, and tenderizer. Season the meat and refrigerate for 2 hours. Season the sausage and bacon with the pepper, cloves, and nutmeg. Make a hole in the tenderloin cubes and stuff with the sausage and bacon. Stir-fry the meat cubes. Set apart overnight. Cook without water until the meat is tender.
HĂgado con Cebolla Blanca Liver with White Onion seasoning
beef liver soy sauce garlic salt vinegar
sauce
white onions, chopped margarine tomato sauce chicken bouillon cubes vinegar Season the liver in the soy sauce, garlic salt, and vinegar. Saute the onions in some margarine, add the tomato sauce, bouillon cubes, and some vinegar. Grill the liver on both sides, then add to the sauce.
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Lengua en Salsa Blanca Cow Tongue in White Sauce
Once the tongue is cooked, remove the outer skin layer. Once cooled, cut into thin slices. Cover in white sauce and add teaspoonfuls of butter. Bake in the oven at 350ËšF until the butter has melted.
Alitas de Pollo Vietnamitas Vietnamese Chicken Wings
2 lbs chicken wings
Sauce 2 4 2 ½ 4 ½ 1 1 ½ 1 1
tbs sugar tbs vinegar tbs honey cup chicken broth tbs soy sauce tsp hot pepper powder (or as desired) tbs oil tbs sesame oil tsp chopped garlic tsp ginger tbs corn starch
Mix the first 6 ingredients of the sauce. Heat the oils, garlic, and ginger. Add to the first mixture. Add the cornstarch and heat to a gentle boil. Cook the chicken wings and mix in the sauce. Serve.
...The little I know about cooking, I owe it to your grandmother. I used to help her chop vegetables, and that's how I began to learn. Mirna Mejía
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Camarones en Cerveza, Mayonesa y Jalapeños Shrimp in beer, mayonnaise, and hot peppers
Hot Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise 2 hot peppers, chopped 1 lemon, grated peel and juice
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Serve with the shrimp.
2 ½ ½ 1 2 1 1 ½ ½ ½ 1
cans beer (12oz) onion celery stalks with leaves lemon split in half garlic cloves tsp salt tsp coriander seeds tsp cumin tsp allspice tsp oregano lb shrimp
Combine the beer, onion, celery, lemon, garlic, salt, coriander, oregano, and cumin. Heat on stove until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover for 10 min. Using a slotted spoon, remove the coriander seeds. Add the shrimp and cook for 4-5 min. Drain them and serve hot or cold with the hot sauce.
Her desire to help always characterized her! Even when she was going through dialysis, lovingly, she would cook food for her fellow patients, the majority from low incomes. This filled her soul. She would say, "I feel happy to be able to help!" She had treatment three times a week and would always cook something good for them... Victoria Flores
Enrrollados de Lazaña Lasagna rolls
12 1 1 2 1 2 1½ ¼ 1 ¼ 2
wavy lasagna pasta strips lb ground beef cup white onion, chopped cups spaghetti sauce can mushrooms cups ricotta or cottage cheese cup spinach, soaked in hot water cup parmesan cheese tsp salt tsp pepper garlic cloves, chopped
Cook the lasagna. Prepare the sauce by mixing and heating on the stove the ground beef, onions, spaghetti sauce, and mushrooms. Once cooked, place in a rectangular pan. Mix the cheeses, spinach, salt, pepper, and garlic on the side. Put 3 tbs of the cheese mixture on both ends of a lasagna strip. Roll and cut in half. Place in the pan with the sauce; cover with the sauce. Repeat with the remaining lasagna to fill the pan. Bake at 350˚F for 30 min or until boiling.
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As a neighbor and friend of doña Mirna, I am proud to be a witness to her goodness, humility, sincerity, and above all: the love for her family. We always remember her with love. Leonel Martínez Suazo
Postre de Mango Mango Dessert
1 can (8 oz) mango juice ¾ cup water 1 can condensed milk 1 can evaporated milk 2 envelopes, flavorless gelatin ½ cup sugar 2 mangoes
On low, heat the sugar, gelatin, mango juice, and water. Once it comes to a boil, add the condensed and evaporated milk. Do not let the milk come to a boil. Place in a pan and cover with mango pieces or slices. Place in refrigerator. Once hardened, serve.
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Pastel de Libra Queso Filadelfia Cream Cheese Pound Cake 2 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 8 oz cream cheese 1 cup butter 1-½ cup sugar 4 eggs 2 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp lemon rinds 1 tsp vanilla In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Cream the cream cheese, butter, and sugar. Add the eggs, lemon juice, rinds, and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture. Pour in a greased and floured cake pan. Bake at 325˚F for 1 hr. Let cool for 10 min.
Arroz con Leche Rice Pudding
1 cup rice 3 cups water 1 14oz can condensed milk 2 cups milk cinnamon sticks or powder Âź tsp salt Âź cup raisins Cook rice in the 3 cups of water. Add the cinnamon and salt. Once the rice is cooked, add the milks and raisins. Boil until the milk thickens. Serve.
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Kake de Chocolate
Lustre de Chocolate
Chocolate Cake 4 4 4 2 4 1 3 1½ 1 1 ½
cups flour cups sugar eggs, beat cups water bars margarine cup milk tsp vinegar tsp baking soda cup cocoa tsp vanilla tsp salt
Mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside. In a pan, heat the water, margarine, and cocoa. Bring to a boil. On the side, mix the milk, vinegar, baking soda, and vanilla. Add to the cocoa mixture. Mix in the flours. Beat the eggs, add to the mixture. Finally, add the milk. Bake at 350˚F for 1 hr.
Chocolate Frosting
1 can condensed milk 3 tbs cocoa 1½ tsp vanilla 2 tbs butter
Mix and heat on low over the stove. Pour over the baked and cooled cake.
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It was a delicious cake, pure chocolate. I loved it, and my grandma would make it very well! She would make it for me every year on my birthday. Samuel Suazo
Flan de Queso Cheese Flan
1 can condensed milk 2½ cup evaporated milk 4 tbs parmesan cheese 3-4 eggs Mix all the ingredients and pour into a pan. Bake for 1 hr at 325˚F
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My mom was out of the ordinary. She was an excellent host, everything was in its place. She liked to sing and play guitar. Our home was always filled with happiness. She was always caring for her family, she cooked gourmet style, she liked to sew, she paid attention to detail. She made my cake for my 15th birthday party. She also made my wedding cake and wedding dress. If I continued, I wouldn't be able to finish listing her virtues. The Lord has her next to Himself enjoying of His glory. 38
Mirna Suazo Colindres
Galletas de Chocolate, Pasas y Avena Chocolate Chip, Raisins, and Oat Cookies
Galletas de Mantequilla Butter Cookies
1 cup butter ¾ cup sugar 1 egg ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 2¼ cup flour 1 tsp vanilla
Mix the butter, vanilla, and sugar; add the egg. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet mix. Refrigerate for 30 min. Form small balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 400˚F for 10 min.
2½ 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 2 1½ 1 1
cups flour tsp baking powder tsp baking soda tsp salt cup butter or margarine cup brown sugar cup white sugar tsp vanilla eggs cup instant oats cup raisins cup chocolate chips
Mix the margarine with the sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and oats on the side. Gradually add to the margarine and butter mixture. Slowly add the raisins and chocolate chips. Form small balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350˚F for 8-10 min.
Jarabe Para la Tos Cough Syrup
16 1 ½ 2 1
oz mason jar cup honey cup orange juice garlic cloves, chopped slice white onion
Put all ingredients in the mason jar. Let sit. Take tablespoonfuls to alleviate coughs and colds.
Te Para Gripe y Tos Tea for Coughs and Colds
3 guava leaves 3 soursop (guanabana) leaves 3 mango leaves 3½ limes ½ garlic onion ginger honey water In a pot, bring all ingredients to a boil. Serve to alleviate coughs and colds. 40
This book was designed by Nadia Elena Quiggle. All images are original photographs. The text is set in Bell MT and Futura. The book is based on the original manuscripts by Mirna Yolanda ColĂndres de Suazo. Printed and bound by the Copy Center at Wheaton College. March 2014