| How to Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Posted: 01 Nov 2019 01:00 AM PDT Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Latin American countries and is especially popular in Mexico. This special holiday, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd each year, honors the lives of people who have died. It is believed that the souls of the dead come back to visit their loved ones at this time. Contrary to popular belief, Día de los Muertos is not a sad or depressing time, but a time of happiness and celebration of life! [Edit]Honoring Your Loved Ones - Make an altar for the deceased. You can create an altar for just one person or an altar for many people. Fill the altar with favorite foods and trinkets that the people enjoyed in their lifetime. Decorate it with candles, flowers, and a framed photo of the person or people you are remembering. Spend time at the altar, telling fond and humorous stories about the deceased.[1]
- Many people choose to pray, and add a Christian cross and statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the altar.
- Catrina figures (a costumed female with a skeleton face) are popular decorations for altars.
- Visit the graves of your loved ones. Clean and decorate the grave with ofrendas (offerings) like "cempasúchitl" (orange marigolds) or "Flor de Muerto" ("Flower of the Dead"), which are thought to attract souls of the dead. You can even make a path from flower petals from the grave to your home to help your loved ones find their way. Lay down trinkets and the deceased's favorite candies.[2]
- Usually, deceased children are honored on November 1, while deceased adults are honored on November 2.
- For children (los angelitos or little angels) bring toys and sugar skulls; for adults, bring bottles of their favorite alcoholic beverage (tequila, mezcal, pulque).
- You can visit the graves of your loved ones any time during the holiday, or even spend all night in the cemetery eating, drinking, talking, playing cards, and listening to music.
- Set out pillows and blankets in your home. Traditionally, people celebrating Día de los Muertos arrange a pillow and blanket for each of their deceased loved ones in their home. This is so that the spirits of the dead can rest after their journey, as they are believed to visit their loved ones during this time.[3]
- Play music. Listen to live mariachi music or play your loved one's favorite songs or recordings. Enjoy the music and celebrate the life of the deceased. Some people even have parades through the graveyard, and play music, dance, and celebrate while stopping at the gravestones of each of their loved ones.[4]
- Write calaveras literarias. Calaveras literarias ("literary skulls"), also known as panteones, are short poems written in the form of epitaphs. These poems are satirical or funny, and often poke fun at your loved ones' quirks or embarrassing moments. You can even illustrate your poem with pictures of your loved one or of Dapper Death and his Dame.[5]
- Traditionally, calaveras literarias were written in four-line stanzas in which the second line rhymes with the last line, or five-line stanzas in which the third line rhymes with the last line. In modern times, many of these poems are written in blank verse and are no longer than one page.[6]
- For instance, if your loved one was a poor bullfighter, you could write a short poem in which they struggle or fail during a bullfight. Humor often plays a large role in the calaveras literarias.
- Make Day of the Dead masks. This is a great activity for children on Día de los Muertos. Draw a skull or trace a template you find online. Decorate the mask in a traditional style, or create your own designs. Cut out the mask, punch a hole on either side, and attach a string to each hole. Tie the mask around your head and head out to celebrate.[7]
- Masks can be either half- or full-face. Traditional designs include skulls and flowers.
- You can use crayons, markers, puffy paint, glitter glue, etc., to decorate your mask as you wish.
- Wear Day of the Dead makeup. Many people like to wear makeup that is reminiscent of a sugar skull on the Day of the Dead. Paint your face white, then add large colored circles around your eyes. You can draw "stitches" on your lips and extending out from your mouth. Paint on a nose, and add decorations like flowers or spiderwebs to your face.[8]
- Dress in costume for the holiday. Nowadays, many people wear items of clothing decorated with sugar skulls or skeleton prints, such as shirts, dresses, or leggings on Día de los Muertos. You can also wear shells and dance so that the noisiness "wakes up" the dead, or even dress up as the deceased.[9]
- Some women also dress as Calavera Catrina in long, flowing, brightly-colored lace dresses paired with flower crowns and sugar skull makeup.
- Sometimes, children dress in costume and ask people on the street for a calaverita (a small gift of money). Unlike Halloween, though, they don't knock on doors.
[Edit]Making Ofrendas (Offerings) - Prepare a special dinner. Include a plate setting for every person whose memory you wish to honor and include a favorite dish of theirs in your dinner. Invite your family to celebrate with you and tell stories about your deceased loved ones. Popular offerings include calaveras, calabaza en tacha, atole, and pan de muerto.[10]
- Create calaveras. Calaveras are Mexican sugar skulls. This is a fun activity for the whole family, and especially fun to eat, as calaveras are offered to both the living and the dead. To make your own, mix 1 teaspoon (4.93 mL) of meringue powder with 1 cup (237 mL) of granulated sugar, then add 1 teaspoon (4.93 mL) of water, and mix well. Pack the mixture into a mold and let dry overnight.[11]
- Decorate the calaveras using colored icing, sequins, feathers, and more.
- You can also buy the sugar skulls "ready made" and then decorate them.
- Make calabaza en tacha. Calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin) is a popular and traditional dish for Día de los Muertos. In a large saucepan, bring 2 pounds (0.907 kg) piloncillo, 4 cinnamon sticks, 4 cups (1 liter) of water, and the juice and zest from 1 orange to a boil. Add the flesh of one 5-pound (2.25 kg) pumpkin, cut into strips. Simmer an hour or two until tender, then serve.[12]
- Piloncillo is Mexican unrefined brown sugar; to substitute, you can mix 2 teaspoons (9.86 mL) molasses with every 1/4 cup (59 mL) of brown sugar.
- This recipe yields 6-8 servings of calabaza en tacha.
- Serve atole. Atole is a warm porridge-like drink made from masa. To make it, blend 1/2 cup (118 mL) fresh masa with 1/4 cup (59 mL) hot water. Transfer it to saucepan, add a cinnamon stick and the seeds from one vanilla bean, and stir until it thickens. Mix in 3-4 tablespoons (44-59 mL) piloncillo until it dissolves, then remove from heat. Remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean seeds.[13]
- You can serve atole as is, or choose to add 1 cup (237 mL) of pureed fruit, such as pineapple or strawberries, to your dish before serving.
- This recipe yields 5-6 servings of atole.
- Mix the dough for pan de muerto. Pan de muerto ("bread of the dead") is a sweet egg bread made in various shapes. This is a traditional Día de Los Muertos dish and is a fun activity for the family to do together. To make it:[14]
- Stir 1/2 packet (3.5 g) active-dry yeast and 1/4 cup (59 mL) warm water in a large bowl and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat 1/4 cup (59 mL) La Lechera sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 cup (1/2 stick or 59 mL) unsalted butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon (2.46 mL) anise seeds, 1/4 teaspoon (1.23 mL) salt, and the La Lechera mixture to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
- Add 2 large eggs and 1 cup (237 mL) flour and mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Add 1 ¼ cups (296 mL) flour, in small increments, stirring well until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough. Knead the dough gently for about 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic and no longer sticky.
- Place dough in a large greased bowl and cover it with greased plastic wrap.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shape the dough. Arrange the dough into a loaf or a shape such as a skull or an angel.[15]
- To make a skull, remove 3 tablespoons (44.36 mL) of dough and form each into a ball. Shape the larger dough into a loaf.
- Roll 2 of the balls into long worm shapes to form the bones on top of the bread. Drape the 2 worms-shaped dough pieces on top of the loaf to form an "X."
- Form the remaining ball into a skeleton head and gently place it on top of the "X."
- Bake your pan de muerto. Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet and allow it to rise in warm place for about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176.6 degrees C).
- Brush the top of the loaf with egg wash made from 1 egg yolk beaten with 2 teaspoons (9.86 mL) water.
- Bake for 20 minutes; then remove the loaf from the oven and brush again with egg wash. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon (14.79 mL) granulated sugar.
- Return it to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Serve warm or cool completely.
- Watch Disney's Coco movie (2017), which provides an insight into this holiday.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make Dulce De Leche Posted: 31 Oct 2019 05:00 PM PDT Dulce de leche (pronounced "DOOL-se de LE-che," meaning candy of milk) is a rich syrup similar in flavor to caramel. It is a common ingredient in South American desserts. If you want to add a delicious sweet flavor to your desserts, it's easy to make your own dulce de leche at home. Most recipes involve boiling or baking condensed milk until it reduces into a syrup. You can also use regular milk mixed with sugar to produce dulce de leche. [Edit]Boiling Condensed Milk - Peel the label off of a can of sweetened condensed milk. Search your supermarket for sweetened condensed milk. It is usually in the baking section. Take off as much of the label as you can. For the sticky portion, you can use a wet sponge to scrub the remainder of the label off.[1]
- Read the cans carefully. Containers for condensed milk look very similar to evaporated milk, and evaporated milk won't work for making dulce de leche.
- Get multiple cans if you want to make more dulce de leche.
- Place the can in a pot and cover it with water. Stand the can on the bottom of the pot. Then add water until the water is at least above the top of the can. Make sure the pot is tall enough that you can completely cover the can with water while it's standing up.[2]
- Don't fill the pot all the way to the top or it could overflow when the water starts boiling.
- Depending on the size of the pot, you can put multiple cans in here at the same time for even more dulce de leche.
- The water can be any temperature, but pouring in water that is already hot will make the water boil faster.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Turn on a high flame and wait for the water to boil. When bubbles start rising to the surface, you know the water is boiling. At this point, reduce the flame and let the pot simmer.[3]
- Let it simmer for 2-3 hours on a low flame. Once the water has boiled, reduce the flame to a low setting. This should bring the water to a light simmer. Let the pot simmer for 2 to 3 hours, depending on how dark you want your dulce de leche.[4]
- The longer you let the condensed milk simmer, the darker the dulce de leche will be. If you prefer lighter dulce de leche, take the cans out after 2 hours. Wait longer if you want a darker dulce de leche.
- Use tongs to remove the can from the water. Once the can has boiled long enough, remove it with a pair of tongs. This stops the cooking process so your dulce de leche is exactly how you want it.[5]
- Let the can cool completely before opening it. After you remove the can, set it down somewhere safe and let it cool. This could take several hours.[6]
- Do not attempt to open the can while it's still hot. The contents are under pressure, and opening it too early could cause hot dulce de leche to spray out and burn you.
- When you do open the can, the dulce de leche should have a thick, syrupy consistency and pour out easily.
- Store the sealed can at room temperature for up to 3 months. An unopened can of dulce de leche will stay fresh for up to 3 months at room temperature. Simply place the can in your cupboard and use it when you want to.[7]
- If you've opened the can, you can pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 weeks.
[Edit]Cooking Condensed Milk in the Oven - Pour condensed milk into an x baking dish. Open up the can and empty its contents into the dish. Spread the milk around with a spoon or spatula if it doesn't cover the entire bottom of the dish.[8]
- You can pour in multiple cans for this method for a bigger serving of dulce de leche. Just be careful not to overflow the baking pan.
- Cover the baking dish with tin foil. Rip off a layer of tin foil large enough to cover the dish. Use more than one sheet if you have to. Tuck the foil under the sides of the dish so it stays secure during the baking process.[9]
- Place the baking dish inside a larger baking dish. This larger dish should be large enough so the smaller dish can sit in it comfortably. It should also have taller sides than the smaller dish so it doesn't overflow when you add water.[10]
- For an x bowl, a x would be large enough.
- Add water until it reaches ¾ the height of the smaller dish. This water surrounds the original dish so when it starts boiling, the water reduces the sugar in the condensed milk.[11]
- This water can be any temperature, but if it's already hot, it will make the boiling process faster.
- Bake the milk at for 90 minutes. Keep an eye on the water level as the milk bakes. If water is evaporating, use a pitcher to add more so it stays at the desired level.[12]
- If you feel unsteady transferring a dish full of water to the oven without spilling it, you can put the dishes in the oven without the water. Then use a pitcher to fill the dish.
- Remove the dishes from the oven and stir the milk. After 90 minutes, the condensed milk should break down enough and produce dulce de leche. Complete the job by removing the foil covering. Then use a spatula or spoon to stir the syrup until it combines. Break down any solid pieces that have formed.[13]
- The dulce de leche should have a thick, syrupy consistency and have a similar color to caramel.
- You could also pour the milk into a blender for a more thorough mixing.
- Refrigerate the dulce de leche for up to 3 weeks. If you don't use the dulce de leche right away, you can store it in the refrigerator. Store the mixture in an airtight container or jar and place it in the refrigerator. It should last 3 weeks if properly stored.[14]
[Edit]Making Dulce de Leche with Regular Milk - Pour 1 quart (0.9 liters) of whole milk into a pot. Make sure this pot is large enough so the milk won't over flow when it starts boiling. 1 quart (0.9 liters) of milk will produce about 1 cup (0.24 liters) of dulce de leche, so use more milk if you need more dulce de leche.[15]
- You can also use different types of milk for a different taste. Coconut milk works for a vegan option, and goat milk produces a different flavor.[16]
- Add 1 cup (128 g) of sugar. If you prefer your dulce de leche even sweeter, you can add 1 ¼ cups (160 g) of sugar. If you prefer it less sweet, add only ¾ cup (96 g) of sugar.[17]
- If you'd like, you can also add some vanilla for flavor. Put either a split vanilla bean or of vanilla extract.
- Stir the mixture over a medium flame. Place the pot on the stove over a medium flame. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved.[18]
- After all the sugar has dissolved, you can stir in 0.25 tsp (5 g) of baking soda to prevent the milk from coagulating. This is optional, but will produce a smoother dulce de leche.
- Let the milk boil for 90 to 120 minutes, stirring regularly. Once all the sugar has dissolved, leave the pot on a medium flame and allow it to boil. Stir the mixture regularly to help it reduce and prevent it from burning.[19]
- As the milk reduces, it will start changing color from white to caramel. This is a good sign and means that your dulce de leche is nearing completion.
- The amount of time you let the milk boil depends on how dark you like your dulce de leche. If you prefer it lighter, take it off at 90 minutes. If you want it darker, leave it on a full 2 hours.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool. Place the pot on an unlit burner on the stovetop and allow it to cool. Stir it one final time while it's cooling.[20]
- Making dulce de leche this way may produce more chunks and solid pieces than using condensed milk. This is normal. It will still have a syrupy consistency.
- If you prefer your dulce de leche extra smooth, you can pour it through a strainer to mix out any solid pieces left behind. This is optional and doesn't affect the final taste.
- Pour the mixture into an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. If you don't use the dulce de leche right away, you can store it for several weeks. Transfer it into an airtight jar or container and place it in the refrigerator. It can last about 3 weeks if stored properly.[21]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Boiling Condensed Milk - Can of condensed milk
- Pot
- Stove
- Tongs
- Water
[Edit]Cooking Condensed Milk in the Oven - Can of condensed milk
- Tinfoil
- 8' x 8' and 9' x 13' baking dish
- Water
- Jar for storage
- Spatula or spoon
[Edit]Making Dulce de Leche with Regular Milk - 1 qt of whole milk
- 1 cup of sugar
- Vanilla bean or vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Cooking pot
- Stove
- Can for storage
- Spatula or spoon
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Draw a Brain Posted: 31 Oct 2019 09:00 AM PDT The brain is one of the most fun parts of the body to draw. You can make it as simple as you like by drawing lots of squiggles and keeping the shape round. If you want more of a challenge, include anatomical parts, such as the brain stem and cerebellum. Once you've drawn the cartoon or realistic brain, you can go back and add color or label the parts. [Edit]Sketching an Easy Cartoon Brain - Draw a large bean shape to make the outline for the brain. Use a pencil to sketch a kidney bean shape on your paper. You can make the outline for the brain any size you like. To make the kidney bean shape, draw a circle that has an indent at the bottom.[1]
- If you prefer, you could draw an oval instead, but make the middle noticeably wider than the ends.
- Make a half-circle from the bottom that curls into the middle of the brain. To highlight a section of the cartoon brain, place your pencil on the bottom line of the outline near the center where it indents. Draw a half-circle that extends from the bottom into the center so it looks like a curlicue.[2]
- Remember that the brain doesn't need to look realistic since you're making a simple cartoon drawing.
- Draw 2 to 3 squiggly lines that connect across the brain. The brain is known for looking wrinkly and some of those wrinkles extend across the entire brain. Make a few wiggly lines that move from the outline to the half-circle you just drew or have them touch the opposite side of the brain.[3]
- Sketch lots of small squiggles that don't connect. These will look like wrinkles once you've made them over the entire brain. There's no need to make them all connect to each other, so make your squiggles different sizes and lengths.[4]
- Your lines can extend in from the outline of the brain or you can make them disconnected from the outline.
- Make the outline thicker to add texture to the brain. Go back and draw over some of the lines you made for the outline to make them bolder and curvy. You can also draw over some of the squiggles so they stand out.[5]
- You can skip this step if you want your cartoon brain to look more 2-dimensional.
[Edit]Drawing a Realistic Brain - Draw a horizontal oval that juts out along the bottom line. Lightly sketch an oval that's as large as you want the brain to be. Curve the top of the oval in the middle to make the rounded part of the brain. When you're drawing the bottom line, make it bump out near the middle. The bump should be about 1/3 the size of the brain's length.[6]
- Keep your pencil marks light so you can erase mistakes or go over them with a pen.
- Sketch a narrow curve above the top line of the brain. This will give your drawing a sense of dimension. Place your pencil on one end of the oval and draw a line that curves over the top line. It should be about above the original outline at its widest point.[7]
- If you don't want to give the brain dimension, you can skip this step.
- Make a curve that looks like a C on the bottom bump. Now that you've drawn the basic outline for the brain, you'll start to draw lines that separate the different segments of the brain. Locate the bump you made on the bottom line and draw the base of a C shape so it fits into the bump. Extend the top of the C towards the middle of the brain.[8]
- The area of the bump will be the temporal lobe.
- Trace a curved line from the outline to the middle of the line you just made. To make another segment of the brain, lightly draw a line from the original top of the brain. Make it curve slightly so it connects to the middle of the line you just drew.[9]
- This segment that you blocked off will be the frontal lobe.
- Draw 2 to 3 long curved lines across each segment of the brain. Use a light touch to make several lines for each part. Try to mimic the shape of the individual segment. For example, the frontal lobe lines should make an arc up toward the line you drew through the brain while the lines near the back and bottom of the brain should curve down toward the base.[10]
- You'll use these faint lines as guidelines so it's easier to make the brain's wrinkles.
- Add half-moon shapes along the lines to make them look wrinkled. Instead of leaving the smooth lines, make half-moon curves along the lines. The curves can go in different directions so the brain looks bumpy. Do this for each line to give the brain its distinctive texture.[11]
- Remember to go back along the sliver that you drew on top of the brain. Make small curves along this to make the brain appear bumpy.
- Draw a stem and horizontal half-circle at the bottom center of the brain. To make the brain stem (medulla oblongata), sketch a narrow tube that extends from the bottom of the brain at the center. You can make it go down as far as you like. Then, draw a half-circle directly to the right of the stem. Make the half-circle go almost to that end of the brain.[12]
- To make the cerebellum more detailed, you can fill it with thin horizontal lines. Make the lines a little wavy so they look realistic.
- Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to add color to your drawing. You can use a single color and shade in the brain to add depth or use several colors to highlight different segments of the brain.
- For example, use 5 or 6 colors if you'll be labeling the parts of the brain. The different colors can help the segments stand out.
- Label the parts of the brain if you want to use it as an anatomy reference. If you're studying parts of the brain for a class, drawing the brain and labeling it is good practice. Refer to your textbook to label the:
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Medulla oblongata
- Cerebellum
- If you're struggling to draw a brain, start with a really basic oval shape and draw squiggles or wrinkles all over it. As you become more confident, you can add more details.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Pencils or pens
- Eraser
- Paper
- Colored pencils or markers, optional
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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