Forums > Specific Focus > Mexican Kitchen

jennifer rose

Jul 29, 2006, 3:09 PM

Post #1 of 10 (1617 views)

Shortcut

Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post |

Now, we've all heard and read about some of the strange menu translations from a foreign language to English, like "shrimps to the aljillo" and even interpretations in English such as "beef in its own juice au jus" and "shrimp scampi style." But what about the even stranger English translations, often written by a native English speaker?

Two examples caught my eye recently:

At a restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, chiles en nogada were described as "stuffed chiles bathed in pecan sauce." Uh, where's the walnut?

In a cookbook authored by an American, a recipe for fairly basic enchiladas named the product "chicken and tortilla casserole." Hello? Hasn't enchilada entered the vernacular?

esperanza

Jul 29, 2006, 4:07 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1611 views)

Shortcut

Re: [jennifer rose] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

Ay Jennifer, you'd be surprised at what simple things haven't entered the vernacular. For example, Mark Bittman of the NYTimes wrote this abomination just this week:

http://www.nytimes.com/...mini.html?ref=dining

His definitions of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, carnitas, and so forth are...well, it's obvious that he has no earthly idea what he's talking about.

If you search the forum listed in the link, you'll find my response to the article.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Anonimo

Jul 29, 2006, 4:33 PM

Post #3 of 10 (1608 views)

Shortcut

Re: [esperanza] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

Mark was a bitt confused, mann. But really, it wasn't TOO bad an article.
Really, the Times should organize its forums better. The readers' responses seemed more out of focus than the article.
Excluding Esperanza's, which I never found.
All generalities are suspect, including this one.

Saludos,
Anonimo

Anonimo

Jul 29, 2006, 5:43 PM

Post #4 of 10 (1602 views)

Shortcut

Re: [esperanza] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

I think I may have found Esperanza's critique of Mark Bittman's taco article.
http://forums.nytimes.com/...p;fid=.f0700c1/11156
"patalarga", huh?
All generalities are suspect, including this one.

Saludos,
Anonimo

arbon

Jul 29, 2006, 6:01 PM

Post #5 of 10 (1596 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Anonimo] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post |

What are Mexican dumplings?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anonimo

Jul 29, 2006, 6:06 PM

Post #6 of 10 (1592 views)

Shortcut

Re: [arbon] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

Quote

What are Mexican dumplings?

Where did you read about that, Arbon? I'm intrigued.

Well, seriously, I can think of "bolitas de maíz", something I have read of, although never have seen, as a sort of "Mexican dumpling". There's the Oaxacan variation, "chochoyos", or something like that, sometimes served in Mole Verde.
All generalities are suspect, including this one.

Saludos,
Anonimo

arbon

Jul 29, 2006, 6:16 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1590 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Anonimo] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post |

It is on the menu of a Mexican restaurant owned by Mexicans, that has mainly gringo customers, that may not have ever been to Mexico.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(This post was edited by arbon on Jul 29, 2006, 6:23 PM)

Anonimo

Jul 29, 2006, 6:54 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1580 views)

Shortcut

Re: [jennifer rose] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

Our once favorite Mexican restaurant, in Little Rock, AR, has featured "Red Snaple" on the seafood menu.
All generalities are suspect, including this one.

Saludos,
Anonimo

song_of_joy

Jul 30, 2006, 3:13 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1541 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Anonimo] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

We saw "punta de res" translated as "bee tips."

For the very light appetite, I guess.

ekammin

Aug 31, 2006, 1:20 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1483 views)

Shortcut

Re: [song_of_joy] Menu translations of Mexican Food

Can't Post | Private Reply

Years ago, during my first trip to Mexico, I saw "molida de res" ad "molida de ternera" for sale in a store. Curious as to the difference, I looked up both terms, only to find "molida de res" translated as "chopped bull", and "molida de ternera" as "chopped cattle".