Día de los Muertos (All Souls Day) is a Mexican holiday celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed. It’s also a day to share traditional foods like enchiladas with the entire family. On November 2 Día de los Muertos is a time to guide loved ones through their spiritual journey and remember they will always be close to our hearts. Here are some traditional ways to celebrate this special day with your family.
Prepare the Altar
You can honor family and friends who have passed by preparing an altar with pictures and other symbolic elements of their lives. Next collect jars for water and fruit, which represent energy and are offerings of nature. Then decorate the altar with skeletons and sugar skulls to symbolize happiness. Complete the altar decorations with flowers, incense and candles, all elements that represent light and good energy.
Read Related: Day of The Dead: What it Really Means in Mexico
Offerings
Food offerings are traditionally made while reuniting with loved ones who have passed. The most popular dish to celebrate the holiday is Pan de Muerto, a traditional sweet bread decorated with pieces of dough that represent bones. While the bread is baking, join family and friends to enjoy traditional dishes such as Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas. You can finish this part of the celebration off with a traditional dessert such as Rice Pudding.
Dance and Honor
Invite close family members to continue the celebration together. Ask those invited to bring along a photo of someone they would like to honor and commemorate, and have them share special memories about them or the history behind the photo. Continue the celebration by listening and dancing to music that was dear to your loved ones.
CHICKEN CHIPOTLE ENCHILADAS
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 25 min.
Cook Time: 30 min.
Ingredients:
1 jar (15 oz.) alfredo sauce
½ tsp. Knorr® Chicken flavor Bouillon
½ cup water
1 Tbsp. finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 Tbsp. Country Crock® Spread, divided
12 corn tortillas
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Combine sauce, Knorr® Chicken flavor Bouillon, water, chipotle peppers and cilantro in medium bowl.
3. Evenly spread ½ cup sauce mixture in 13 x 9-inch baking dish & set aside.
4. Combine chicken, ½ cup sauce mixture and 1 cup cheese in a small bowl & set aside.
5. Melt 1 tablespoon Spread in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook 3 tortillas, turning once, 15 seconds or until softened. Remove to paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining Spread and tortillas.
6. Evenly divide chicken mixture onto tortillas and roll up. Arrange enchiladas in prepared baking dish with seam side down, then top with remaining sauce mixture and cheese.
7. Bake 25 minutes or until sauce is bubbling and cheese is golden. Garnish, if desired, with chopped red onion and cilantro.
Food photos & recipes courtesy of Vivemejor.com. For more recipes to celebrate Día de los Muertos, visit ViveMejor.com.
