Looking through my September photos, it’s clear that I was rediscovering the joy that are baked goods.

Best grilled cheese in years!

I’ll die on the hill that Subway has some of the best commercial cookies on the market:

My bread continued to improve:

I orded bread flour in bulk:

The neighbourhood boys’ centre knows that I am a sure bet for these empanada things with a cream cheese or custard filling.

The Italian Coffeehouse chain of restaurants has terrible coffee, but this ham croissant had no business being as delicious as it was:

The realisation that the only way I could afford to keep up my new saucy bean addiction was by switching to dried beans finally had me add an electric pressure cooker to my kitchen. This one was top rated in LATAM and half the price of the better known brand. It’s excellent quality!

I bought some dried legumes I can’t find locally from G-Spice, making sure to match them with a spice mix. This was the first thing I made with my new gadget, and it was delicious and so quick!

I love the house dresses (batas) ladies wear in my neighbourhood, even if they look like “granny nighties” and usually have awful prints. But they’re super comfortable in this climate, have pockets, and are inexpensive enough to rotate frequently. I was having trouble with restocking my collection this summer and finally put an ad out in the neighbourhood Facebook group asking if anyone had some for sale. A neighbour at the other end of my street messaged to say she had three left and I could have all three for $120, when I’ve bought them for $100 to $150 EACH. This top one had a really sweet pattern. You can see a pretty hideous sunflower motif peeking out underneath, and the third one might haunt your dreams. But they were just what I wanted, and I got a reminder that while I’m not social, the neighbours are aware of me and consider me part of the community.

I went out for tacos one night and decided to instead have a huarache, something I haven’t had since Durango! It’s incredible to me the different textures you can get out of masa. I really enjoyed this meal.

My September no churn ice cream was inspired by my favourite Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, “Cherry Garcia,” only mine was way better (much more creamy, for one). I made it with fresh cherries I’d bought at Costco months before, pitted and froze, and added just a touch of pistachio essence.

Obligatory kitty pics:

This is my least appetising saucy highly seasoned beans, but was incredible, well-seasoned refried beans with salsa verde and cheese with homemade flour tortillas and plenty of Valentina sauce.

I discovered a “you have a package” note in my mailbox one evening, so I headed to the post office the next morning. It’s located right beside the Chuburná market, so of course I had to have salbutes and agua de sandia for breakfast!

Hint as to the content of my package:

Walking to Pilates one night, I was stunned to discover how pretty this house is when lit up at night. I don’t know how many times I’ve passed it and not noticed the stained glass:

The electric pressure cooker was such a hit that I took advantage of another sale a couple weeks later and bought an airfryer by the same brand! Five years ago, I had considered an airfryer, but at the time the recommendation was to just get a double convection countertop oven instead. I did that, but have never been happy with how things like French fries come out of it. Updated research pointed to improvements in the technology and that now a double convection oven isn’t as good at crisping things as is a dedicated airfryer.

It took a bit of trial and error, but I finally got the results I wanted. I usually cook from scratch, but if I don’t, I eat like a toddler!

I had to pick up some Marketplace items near Parque Alemán one day, so it was the perfect opportunity to finally try the Colonos restaurant I’ve heard so much about. This is a Mérida institution serving Yucatecan food, essentially the equivalent of an American diner.

I ordered the breakfast “paquete.” They started off by bringing me what they call “pan” but was actually a delicious piece of cake.

Then fresh fruit, yum!

There are several mains to choose from. I went with my favourite, chilaquiles verde. These were mid, but hit the spot:

I judge places by what they bring me when I ask for picante, and if it looks like this, I go back:

But the biggest surprise was that they have really good, strong bottomless American-style coffee!!!! Classic Mexican breakfast with good coffee?! Heaven!

Mexico is getting on the no-alcohol beer bandwagon and starting to offer good options. I prefer to not have alcohol at home and to save it for vacations and social settings. Modelo Negra coming out in a delicious, tastes like the real deal, no alcohol version felt like such a gift!

They also have a great 0% Dorada. I also really like the Tecate Cero. I’ve been stocking all three since September.

The most exciting thing that happened in September was that I bought plane tickets on a total whim. More about that when I get there. 😉