Get your hands on a Raspada

Have you ever tried a Mexican snow cone or a Raspada? Well, if you have not, you should!! They're that good!! They come with the freshest of fruit on top of a delicious scoop of fresh vanilla ice cream. But it's not the kind you get at the circus, the shaved ice is nicely poured into the dish below the ice cream scoop and fresh fruit.

A Raspada is a Mexican snow cone - paper cups (replacing the old leaky paper cones) that is filled with crushed or shaved ice and covered in a sugary sweet flavored syrup or real fruit juice. Some people know them by other names like snowballs, sno-cones, water-ice, Italian ices, or Hawaiian shaved ice.

Raspadas are the Mexican version of a "snow cone" or "flavored shaved ice". They are made in many flavors. People can buy flavored syrups if they want, in order to make them at home. Click here for a website that allows you to order syrups and ice shaving machines online.

Here is an easy recipe for making a fresh strawberry Raspada from diana's desserts.com. Click here to access the website and to obtain more information on specific measurements for ingredients required for the making of a Raspada.

In a blender or food processor, puree strawberries and pour into a 2 1/2- to 3-quart pan; add sugar until you get the taste you want. Stir occasionally over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in lemon juice; let mixture cool, then cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.

Shortly before serving, finely crush or shave ice in an ice crusher or shaved ice machine. Or drop cubes into a spinning food processor to crush fine. Spoon ice into paper cones or chilled small cups or bowls. Pour strawberry sauce over ice. Garnish with mint. Serve at once. It is best to serve them on a hot day for a great cool and refreshing taste.

Raspadas can be found at many locations in Tucson including Raspados De Frutas Oasis Fruit Cones. They have three locations at 1002 W. St. Mary's Road, 4126 S. 12th Ave and in the Chevron gas station at 1600 W. Valencia.

Not only is this a tasty treat but it is one that can be purchased for anywhere around $2.00 and $4.00.

Pico de Gallo is not just a salsa with chopped fresh chiles, tomatoes, onions and cilantro. It is also a red chili powdered spicy and tangy Mexican fruit salad.

The word in spanish means “Rooster’s beak." It is called this because the chiles used in the seasoning powder duplicate the looks of a rooster's beak. It is made from tomatoes, onions, chilis and also lime juice or lemon juice. Lemon juice is a typical thing to add to the food in Mexico.

The food can also be a tart and spicy fruit salad. Pico de Gallo is called a fruit salad in some parts of Mexico. The food is used the same way other salsas are used, except with less liquid. The Pico de Gallo is used in fajita dishes, burritos and tacos.

The salad has seasoning with a salty taste to it. It adds to the already tangy taste tossed in lime juice. Some commonly used fruits include the likes of cantaloupe, honeydew, oranges, cucumbers and jicama. Additional seasonal fruits such as nectarines, mangos, papaya, kiwi or plums can also be included in the salad as well. Fruits are diced into chunks and combined in a variety of ways.

Click here, to enter into the Food Network's website and into the world of Chef Emeril to find out the specific measurements of the ingredients included in a Pico de Gallo salsa. Ingredients include diced tomatoes, diced red onion, diced jalapenos, minced garlic, juice of 2 limes, cilantro and salt and pepper. All of these ingredients combined give the dish its famous spicy and tangy taste.

Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to go about preparing a Pico de Gallo salsa recipe from cookingmexicanrecipes.com. View the website here.

1) Slice the tomato in quarters and remove seeds. Chop into small chunks.

2) Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Allow the mixture to sit in the refrigerator 30 minutes or so to let the flavors mingle.

3) Serve this Pico De Gallo recipe with any mexican food recipes or with chips for some great snacks or meals.

4) This is such a delicious appetizer you may want to double the recipe because it disappears fast.

Below is a step-by-step explanation of how to go about preparing a Pico de Gallo fruit salad dish from recipezaar.com. View the website here.

1) Wash all fruit and/or vegetables (the ones you prefer), peel and dice into chunk size pieces.

2) Place in a large bowl and mix with clean hands to distribute evenly.

3) Cut the lemons into wedges and place in a serving dish.

4) To serve, place 2 cups of the fruit mixture into an individual serving bowl, squeeze some lemon juice on top and then sprinkle with the "Pico de Gallo" red chilli powder seasoning.

5)Enjoy!

You can find this dish in the heart of South Tucson, AZ at Taqueria Pico de Gallo. It is located at 2618 S. 6th Ave. The food establishment has grown into more than just its original structure of a taco stand. Find out more information about Taqueria here at the roadfood.com restaurant review website.

El Flan: Mexican Caramel Custard Dessert

For something sweet, caramel and Mexican, dive into a Flan.

Flan is a Mexican custard dessert very popular in Spain and Mexico. The creation is the Spanish, Portuguese or Mexican version of Creme Caramel or Creme Brule.

It is a good dessert if you are watching your weight. Nutritiondata.com reports an average serving of Flan weighs in at just over 200 calories with about six grams of fat. Exact numbers and more information on nutrition facts can be found here.

The food is made by placing a ring shaped pan into a hot water bath. Once it is set, it is then taken out of the mold where it is ready to be served. The official definition of the food is a "crust with either a sweet or savory filling." When in the water bath, a crust is formed. It is then cooled and filled with a sweet custard filling.

Basic ingredients include whole eggs, vanilla extract and milk with a caramel coating. Many lovers of this dessert favor a simply organic vanilla extract. However, there are numerous alternatives including almonds, pistachio, lemon, and an assorted selection of other fruits.

Here are the specific measurements for the main ingredients necessary for making the Flan from http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/flan.htm:

1 3/4 cups whipping cream
1 cup milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
Pinch of salt
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

An in-depth explanation regarding the step-by-step process of making the Flan can be found here.

There is at least one restaurant in Tucson named Micha's del Norte where people can experience the flan for themselves. A Flan costs $3.50 here. Micha is located at 1220 E. Prince Road (Mountain and Prince). Click here to view the restaurant's website.