This week I wanted to introduce you to my international faculty family from MICA.
The core member is Eduardo from Mexico, Matteo from Italy, and Hayelin from Korea. We are all immigrants and share similar experiences and hardships. It was such a comfort to have this group more than ever when covid-19 happened. We have a weekly cooking zoom now to share each others recipes. I’m super thankful to all of them :)
Ok! Let’s start the interview!
Me:
What is your essential item/food on your quarantine shopping list?
Eduardo:
Tajin Clasico!
Me:
Oh I have seen this in the market!
Why did you pick this item?
Eduardo:
After a lot of thinking, I realized that what really makes this quintessential Mexican seasoning THE most important item in my list (besides the obvious comfort-food-aspect); is the undeniable FACT that this mix of spices has the curious property of making anything that touches extra delicious!
Consisting of ground chile peppers, sea salt, and dehydrated lime juice (wiki); this spice mix embodies some of my favorite prominent flavors in the Mexican food.
Me:
It’s like a Shoyu (soy sauce) for me.
You grew up with this spice!
Eduardo:
Yes! Although when I was a kid, there was a similar brand called “Lucas” which reign as the supreme king of the chilli-powder spices back in the 80’s and 90’s.
I don’t remember when exactly the Tajín brand took over, but now you can basically find it in every Mexican kitchen.
On a funny note: Tajín dethroned Lucas, although you can still find the Lucas brand in Mexican candy shops. Yes! We consider this a CANDY.
Me:
Spicy candy! We don’t have that in Japan.
Eduardo:
I remember having an incredible childhood, thanks in part to a huge collection of spicy candies and lollipops available for my “spicy tooth” needs (although, I also have a “sweet tooth”). Just to name a few favorites: Vero Elotes, Vero Mango, Lucas Gusano, Miguelito Chamoy Chilito, Vero Rebanaditas, Limon 7, Pica-gomas, Pica Fresa, PELON PELO RICO, Tarugos, Rockaleta’s and many, many more!
Look for them!
Me:
I will! My mouth is watering.
So this Tajin Clasico, how do you use them?
Any favorite way?
Eduardo:
I will use this question to use my “Tajin expertise” and name some of my favorite suggestions.
You all can thank me later ;) : FRUITS, VEGETABLES, ETC:
Dust on: Oranges, grapefruit, mangos, watermelon, pineapple, apples, cucumber, jícama, tomatoes, thinly sliced lettuce and shredded carrot and my ultimate favorite; roasted WHITE CORN ON COB (Also in the Shelled Corn version called: "Elote desgranado") A.K.A.: My favorite Snack EVER.
COOKING: Avocado toast, rub for salmon, ceviche, shrimp and any fish, really. Making spicy HUMMUS !!!! Snacks like: pork rinds, plain potato chips, popcorn, etc.
BEVERAGES: Micheladas, Clamato, Margaritas!
I can keep on going really…but I will let you make your own :)
Me:
Wow! You can use it for anything!!!
I must have this! Thank you Eduardo.
You started to be really into cooking since this pandemic happened. What is the most complicated thing did you cook?
Eduardo:
This question will answer the REAL reason for choosing this spice as my essential item… I don’t really cook much! :(
Is funny to confess this, as my father was incredible at it, and my mother and grandmother are the best cooks ever. So one of my biggest goals from quarantine, is to start cooking for real.
I’m always running! I’m a workaholic!
These are just my forever excuses (although VERY real), for never making the time to cook; but as a weird and unexpected positive side of quarantine, I found in cooking , something has been missing all my life.
I’m extremely happy to have found another hobby to enjoy, but more importantly:
There are NO real good Mexican restaurants in Baltimore. PERIOD! And the need to start cooking my own Real good Mexican food, is now critical.
An infinite list of Salsas recipes!!! This is my next goal! I’ll keep you posted on that ;)
Going back to your question, I guess I will say that cooking Gnocchi with Matteo, you and Luca; has to be my proudest cooking moment. I never cooked anything as “complex” from scratch, and based on the unexpectedly good results; I consider this, the breaking point that has pushed me into cooking other stuff.
Me:
Oh yes that was really fun. Zoom cooking challenge has been really good for me as well.
I cooked before but not like now, cooking three meals a day is exhausting! But to make something with friends is saving me from just cooking same things all over ;)
You do zoom hang out and drinking nights with friends, no?
Have you been connecting with your old friend since this pandemic?
Eduardo:
Another weirdly and unexpected positive side of quarantine, is the fact that I have been reconnecting with many of my good friends, family and special people from Mexico, NYC, and all over the world. It really made me realize that we have been taking social interaction for granted.
So I wouldn’t call it “Drinking Nights,” but more “Friends Nights,”really; where drinks are included, serving as a bonding device, alluding the unequivocal symbol of a celebratory moment.
Me:
Nice!
I have now a weekly childhood friends meet ups on Saturday early morning. Since in Japan it’s Saturday late night usually they are drinking and I’m sipping coffee. haha.
But so true, I am reconnecting more since this happened.
I saw you have started a new instagram account! Tell me more!
Eduardo:
Absolutely!
As you might now, I've been using my social media accounts for a while, but in total honesty; I've been using them in a poorly (or unprofessional) fashion.
As I was setting the many goals I should pursue in this quarantine, I realized that I have documentation of a vast array of illustrations, graphic design projects and art in general created over the years; that has no proper space, representation or a place to exist. Basically, a gigantic vault of images buried in the many HD’s I have.
So In addition to my @tlalocorral “official,” account; I decided to open not one, but two accounts:
@elgreenproject As a repository of everything related to the ongoing "Elgreen Project"; A strange universe I have been creating circa 1998.
In a nutshell: This is a project based on an ongoing collection of strangely familiar objects, that uses nostalgia as the precursor of its own existence; but expands into visual narratives, universes and unworldly characters; based on literature by Jorge luis Borges, Julio Cortazar, and many other sources.
By far my most ambitious project, and the singular aesthetic my work is known for.
And
@tlaloc_art as the receptacle of a variety of illustrations, art and graphic design projects I've been creating over the years that are unrelated to "Elgreen Project"; but still show the breadth of my style, and the type of work I'm happy creating on a parallel path as a freelancer.
I think that being able to arrange and classify my life-work in a proper fashion, will be indeed a huge project on its own. This of course, will occur in parallel to all the new content I’m planning to create over this unprecedented “summer break.” SO I really CAN’T wait to start!
New artwork is coming! So stay tuned!
Me:
This is amazing Eduardo!
You have started so many new things since this thing started :)
I’m very impressed.
Eduardo:
Mil gracias for this interview Sensei Aya! And Thank you for the most amazing illustration ever created for the Tajín seasoning spice. :)
Me:
Haha.
Thank YOU for the interview!!!
Here I want to share some of Eduardo’s work from his new instagram @elgreenproject
———————
Project Note:
The idea of “ My friend’s quarantine shopping list” started when I was peeking at people’s shopping baskets during the COVID-19. What are their essentials? Is there a one thing they can’t live without? I was curious about my friend’s. Everyone’s list was unique and I enjoy making the items and talking about them with my friends. I hope this brighten your day and maybe those items will make it to your next shopping list :) Have a nice staying home day!