The crowd was already buzzing on Sunday afternoon as we made it back to one of our fave spots -- the San Antonio Winery -- for the "Meet the Chef" Wine Appreciation Seminar pairing tamales with various wines.
But these weren't just any tamales. Mama's Hot Tamales boasts varieties from all over Central America -- such as Honduran chicken tamales made with potatoes, olives, raisins and rice; Guatemalan pork tamales with red sauce and a rice and corn dough; Sinaloan beef tamales with spicy red sauce, olives, potatoes and carrots; and a Oaxacan vegetarian tamale with black beans and squash. (Plus many more.)
In other words, yum. But even more importantly, Mama's Hot Tamales comes with a mission: Launched by Sandi "Mama" Romero, the company (located near MacArthur Park), the company is a non-profit apprentice operated business that allows low-income residents and immigrants a chance to learn how to become a street vendor, selling tamales and other wares. Romero runs business classes, allowing her apprentices (usually 30 at a time) a chance to go on and run their own business.
The San Antonio Winery event featured 13 different varieties of tamales -- including several dessert ones -- and included a directory of available wines to pair with each one. Wines came both from Central and South America, in addition to San Antonio's own labels.
The crowd was allowed to sample tamales and wine at their leisure, walking from table to table.
Serving up tamales!
The ingredients to make the perfect Honduran chicken tamale.
Dessert tamales -- guava and cheese tamale; pineapple tamale; and mango tamale.
In the process of making a Honduran chicken tamale.
Pouring the wine.
As always, if you haven't yet, check out the San Antonio soon!
Mama's Hot Tamales is located at 7th and Alvarado, and is open 7 days a week (11 - 3:30 on Monday-Saturday; 9:30 - 3:30 on Sundays). Tamales are $2.75 each, or 3 or more for $2.50 each.
No comments:
Post a Comment