The University of Texas San Antonio is bringing the history of Mexico into our kitchens. The university is releasing cookbooks that are collections of historic Mexican recipes. Right now, the desserts book is out and online for free. Main dishes and appetizers/drinks are coming soon.

You can now taste historic Mexico thanks to the University of Texas San Antonio.

What a great project. https://t.co/Dy1JcEP8bW

— Troy Welch (@TroyWelch1) July 30, 2020

UTSA has had an ongoing project of preserving, collecting, and digitizing cookbooks from throughout Mexico’s history. Some books date back to the 1700s and offer a look into Mexico’s culinary arts and its evolution.

UTSA has been digitizing Mexican cookbooks for years and the work is now being collected for people in the time of Covid.

I wrote about the ongoing digitization of @UTSA's remarkable Mexican & Mexican-American cookbook collection, for @GastroObscura @atlasobscura https://t.co/Xazxi3qBXS

— Nils Bernstein (@NilsBernstein) February 11, 2020

Millions of us are still at home and projects like these can be very exciting and exactly what you need. The recipes are a way to distract yourself from the current reality.

“The e-pubs allow home cooks to use the recipes as inspiration in their own kitchens,” Dean Hendrix, the dean of UTSA Libraries, said in UTSA Today. “Our hope is that many more people will not only have access to these wonderful recipes but also interact with them and experience the rich culture and history contained in the collection.”

The free downloads are a way for people to get a very in-depth look into Mexican food history.

Library Journal shares an article about UTSA Libraries publishing an e-book with recipes from their Mexican Cookbook Collection. A good way to spend time at home learning new recipes.🧑‍🍳 #lis453su20 @mikeleach42 https://t.co/ppOqBZur3m

— Mariella Metz (@metz_mariella) July 22, 2020

The first of three volumes of the cookbooks focuses on desserts so you can learn how to make churros, chestnut flan, buñelos, and rice pudding. What better way to spend your quarantine than learning how to make some of these yummy desserts. We all love sweets, right?

If you want to get better with making your favorite desserts, check out this cookbook and make it happen.

UTSA hopes cookbook will inspire new beginnings from old stories https://t.co/En9czAgMiq

— John O'Jones (@Curesario) July 19, 2020

There is nothing better than diving into your history and using food as your guide. Food is so intrinsically engrained in our DNAs and identities. We love the foods and sweets from our childhood because they hold a clue as to who we are and where we come from. This historical collection of recipes throughout history is the perfect way to make that happen.

READ: The Laziest Food Hacks In All Of The Land Would Send Your Abuela To The Chancla

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On August 3, 2019, a man entered a Walmart in El Paso, Texas and killed 23 customers and injured 23 more. The shooter, Patrick Crusius, went to the Walmart with the expressed purpose of killing Mexican and Mexican-Americans. One year later, the community is remembering those lost.

One year ago today, a man killed 23 people in an El Paso Walmart targeting our community.

Remembering the 23 innocent lives that were taken by such a senseless act. My heart is with everyone within my community & my prayers are lifted up for my beautiful city, my home. I love you always El Paso. Together we remember, together we heal ❤️🙏🏼 #elpasostrong #siempreunidos pic.twitter.com/qfZFtSQZZr

— Charlene 🦋 (@its_charlenee22) August 3, 2020

The Latino community was stunned when Patrick Crusius opened fire and killed 23 people in El Paso, Texas. The gunman wrote a manifesto and included his desire to kill as many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans he could in the El Paso Walmart. The days after were filled with grieving the loss of 23 people and trying to understand how this kind of hate could exist in our society.

Representative Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, is honoring the victims today.

God bless you, El Paso. ❤️

Forever #ElPasoStrong pic.twitter.com/iyB1aocXku

— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) August 3, 2020

Rep. Escobar was on the scene shortly after the shooting to be there for her community. The shooting was a reminder of the dangers of the anti-Latino and xenophobic rhetoric that the Trump administration was pushing for years.

“One year ago, our community and the nation were shocked and heartbroken by the horrific act of domestic terrorism fueled by racism and xenophobia that killed 23 beautiful souls, injured 22, and devasted all of us,” Rep. Escobar said in a statement. “Today will be painful for El Pasoans, especially for the survivors and the loved ones of those who were killed, but as we grieve and heal together apart, we must continue to face hate with love and confront xenophobia by treating the stranger with dignity and hospitality.”

El Pasoans are coming together today to remember the victims of the violence that day.

23 white doves were released where the makeshift memorial was outside the Cielo Vista Walmart in tribute of the victims who lost their lives on August 3rd. #ElPasoStrong pic.twitter.com/Ku1oWmkwWb

— Tatiana Favela (@TatianaKTSM) August 3, 2020

Latinos are a growing demographic that will soon eclipse the white communities in several states. Some experts in demographic shifts understand that this could be a terrifying sign for the white population. These changing demographics give life to racist and hateful ideologies.

“When you have a few people of color, the community is not seen so much as a threat,” Maria Cristina Morales, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Texas at El Paso, told USA Today about the fear of changing demographics. “But the more that the population grows – the population of Latinos grow for instance – the more fear that there’s going to be a loss of power.”

The international attack is still felt today because of the constant examples of white supremacy still active today.

One year ago, in the beautiful bi-national community of El Paso, 23 people were killed and 22 wounded — an act of anti-Latino terror motivated by hate.

We must honor their lives by disarming hate, dismantling white supremacy and healing our nation with love. #ElPasoStrong pic.twitter.com/AYWvn03j4i

— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) August 3, 2020

“It doesn’t occur to you that there’s a war going on, and there’s always been a war going on—the helicopters the barbed wire—but you just kind of didn’t see it,” David Dorado Romo, an El Paso historian who lost a friend in the shooting, told Time Magazine.

The sudden reminder of the hate out there towards the Latino community was felt nationwide that day. The violent attack that was planned out revealed the true cost of that hate that has been pushed by some politicians.

“El Paso families have the right to live free from fear, and I will continue to honor the victims and survivors with action,” Rep. Escobar said in her statement. “Fighting to end the gun violence and hate epidemics that plague our nation.”

READ: As El Paso Grieves Their Loss, Here Is Everything We Know About The Victims Of The El Paso Massacre, Which Were Mostly Latino

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