Cooking with love – Traditional cuisine stirs up memories in the Chicago-area homes of Mexican-Americans From: chicagotribune.com

Memories of Mexico are as much a seasoning in the kitchens of Maria Solis and Carmen Darville as freshly squeezed lime juice, chopped cilantro and a judicious pinch or two of cumin. For these two abuelas, or grandmothers, food is a way not only to link the generations but to tie life in Chicago today with their Mexican heritage.

“It’s important for me so he can remember me,” Solis said, gazing at her 9-year-old grandson, Jason McGrath, who was happily slurping down a cantaloupe agua fresca, a drink made of pureed fruit and water. Gathered around them in the dining room of Solis’ Bridgeport apartment were two of her three sons, Omar and Christian; her daughter, Michelle, and her friend, Martha Vargas, who had a theory about what makes Solis’ food so good.”*

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