Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo! Feliz Cumple Frida!
Frida Kahlo is Mexican icon, not only because of her emotive paintings, rich personal style, and remarkable story, but also for her passion for Mexican cuisine. Frida had a deep enthusiasm for the pleasures of life, including food (of course!). History tells that she blossomed into a wonderful cook, I’m sure under the tutelage of her mother and housemaids, but also under the guidance of Guadalupe Marín, Diego Rivera’s ex-wife, who taught her to cook many of his favorite Mexican dishes.
Not only did Frida cook vibrant, rich Mexican meals, she also set striking tables with fresh flowers, gorgeous embroidered linens and dazzlingly patterned dishes and ceramics. I’m sure, at her table you ate with your eyes as much as you did with your mouth.
Frida's Dinner Table Set to Welcome Leon Trotsky
Five years ago, Alex gave me a copy of the cookbook, Frida’s Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo by Marie-Pierre Colle and Guadalupe Rivera (Frida’s stepdaughter). The book is a glimpse into the holiday traditions and joyful moment of Frida’s life told through words, personal photos and recipes. Although my collection of cookbooks has grown, this book remains one of my favorites. Some of our favorite recipes in the book are Chiles en Nogada, Fried Chicken with Peanut Sauce, Macaroni with Spinach Sauce and the Smothered Pork Sandwiches.
This is a fantastic cookbook. When I lived in Austin, Tejas I was a board member of Mexic-Arte Museum, the U.S. sister museum to the Diego Rivera Museum. For several years, Mexic-Arte would host an amazing fundraiser called Frida’s Fiestas. The food was sublime. I also had the pleasure on one of these occassions of being the tour guide to Guadalupe Rivera. This was over a decade ago, but an unforgettable experience.