Its little macabre side does not detract from its sweet taste, and if it is intended as a tribute to the dead of this world, the Bread of Death (pan de muerto) is also an opportunity to celebrate and bring together those who are silent pace.
Published at 11:00 am.
“We eat it in October and November. For All Souls’ Day, they do all Mexican bakeries,” says Lili Vera, co-owner of Marché MX in Drummondville and originally from Acapulco. “It’s a sweet orange bread shaped like a ball resembling a human skull with crossbones on top. In Mexico, we set up altars at home to honor deceased family members. » Among the ingredients we also find flour, eggs, butter, milk and sugar – in short, nothing special!
The origin of these traditional brioches is controversial, but some date back to the pre-Hispanic period, when the Aztecs and Mayans ruled this part of the American continent, with different ingredients (e.g. there was no milk in this region of the world before). the arrival of the conquistadors). But let the historians decide this history of bread among themselves…
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MX MARKET
Lili Vera prepares Panes de Muerto every year, as is customary in Mexico.
To each his own bread
Kévin and Lili, who are offering homemade Panes de Muerto in their supermarket for the first time this year, emphasize their family and connecting character. “We recommend eating it as a family. “It’s a little tedious to prepare, especially because of the dough’s rising time, but it’s easy and good for kids,” they recommend.
In Mexico, roll sizes vary, from family-sized scoops to individual portions. And in addition to the classic orange version sprinkled with sugar, we find all sorts of variations on the theme.
You can fill them with Nutella, caramel, cream cheese, blueberry spread, or cajeta, which is dulce de leche but made with goat’s milk.
Lily Vera
What would offend the purists of tradition in a world where there is little emotion? “Not at all,” reassures the Mexican from Quebec, “we like to eat stuffed food, it’s up to each person to pimp their own bread!” »