Cheesy American politicians
Ben Rushing sent me a link to an article by food critic Raymond Solokov (19-July 2008, Wall Street Journal) and asks if the candidates might be “pandering” to voters in their food choices. McCain seems to favor “Tex-Mex” and Obama the ” alta cocina Mexican restaurant Topolobampo”.
But is it “pandering” I donno. McCain’s Tex-Mex choices seem to be authentico Tex-Mex. McCain’s campaign is about sticking with the tried and true. Tex-Mex is authentic American food, based on norteño cuisine, adjusted for U.S. tastes. Velveeta, smeared over just about everthing in Tex-Mex cooking, is about as American as you can get. Not that I blame McCain for sticking to American food… the cuisine he experienced during his time abroad (as a guest of Ho Chi Minh) probably ran more to gruel flavored with bugs.
Obama also has spent part of his life abroad and — one assumes — has a more adventurous palate. Interestingly enough, he likes pork, which should put those rumors that he’s a secret Muslim to rest. His campaign is all about “change”, but some things are sacred.
Obama ordered from the Topolobampo menu “sopa azteca, a dark broth flavored with pasilla chilies, grilled chicken, avocado, Meadow Valley Farm handmade Jack cheese, thick cream and crisp tortilla strips.” Since when does sopa Azteca include “jack cheese” whatever that is? And where are the nopales? Whatever it is Topolombampo Restaurant is calling “sopa Azteca”, it seems to be a variant that wouldn’t pass muster in any Mexico City cocina …economica or alta. I’m guessing that “Meadow Valley, etc.” is some kind of “Monterrey Jack”, which is nothing like queso oxacaño, but at least sort of has the same gooey consistency. And where are the day old tortillas?
I guess Obama is “steering to the middle,” presenting himself as an adventurous eater, open to new and different experiences, but staying within the American mainstream.
About Mexico has a gringo-ized generic recipe for sopa Azteca in English. The classic recipe — including those all important nopales — is at Recetas de Cocina Mexicana .
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mexfiles.net 
Topolobampo?
As in…Rick Bayless?
Rick Bayless the anthropologist turned cook who has traveled to every state in Mexico to learn recipes?
Yeah…if that’s him…then I’m positive the food would pass muster in any Mexican kitchen. I live in Chicago and had the pleasure of eating there. I’ve also eaten in a lot of places in Mexico City….from my grandma’s kitchen to MP.
I dunno, it seems like you’re making a knee-jerk reaction that well an American could never ever ever create authentic Mexican cuisine and get to the “soul” of the food or something.
You should check out the rest of the menu.
He seriously knows his stuff. Watch the show, even Mexicans could learn alot about the history of the ingredients and culture that led to food.
He’s definitely overhyped in a lot of ways…but he’s at least pushing a version of Mexican cuisine that is beyond the greasy roadside stands or comfort foods.
http://www.rickbayless.com/menu/layout?id=4
I don’t see sopa azteca.
If you are going to appeal to Mexican-Americans, it makes very little sence to tell those poor people (the Majority of Mexicans who fled Mexico for the US) that you prefer the Elitist form of Mexican food as opposed to the peasant stuff that they make in their hole in the wall restaurants in the poor areas of Chicago.
This is like telling NASCAR Fans that you just absolutely love Formula 1, it is like telling Budweiser fans that you prefer a microbrew, it is like telling Diney Vacationers that you love going to Fiji for your vacations.
Then again if anyone actually uses this over his stance on issues to vote on, they might just be a redneck, or a wetback. Either way, people are dumb enough to vote this way.
Yes vote for me, the candidate of change. I understand the plight of the poor. I just don’t like to be around them.
McCain meanwhile is having all kinds of issues falling in his lap. If he actually started attacking Obama on these, he would win in a landslide. I don’t know what he is waiting for. Maybe he is scared that Libertarian Bob Barr will take away some of his base. If Ralph Nader runs, we might actually have a 4 party race. Another Abe Lincoln situation might emerge with McCain winning the election with only 40% of the Popular vote. Scary, but unlikely.