From the Diary of a Kitchen Goddess: Polenta Cakes and Black Beans for the Feast of "Tres Reyes"
Dig into a fiesta on a plate ~
January 6 ~ La Fiesta de Tres Reyes
Tres Reyes, or Three Kings Day, known to some as "Epiphany," is the primary occasion for gift giving in Spanish-speaking countries, especially Mexico and Central America. I love the Spanish language and Mexican Food, so I have been looking for a reason to throw a party that celebrates an important occasion for my friends and neighbors. What better occasion to give the gift of joy and sustenance than on "Three Kings Day"? The Kings brought gifts to Jesus because he was important ~ his birth was meant to redeem the world. The tradition of exchanging gifts on January 6 each year has been held since the 4th century A.D./C.E.
Esperanza's Tres Reyes Incense gift box ~
A History of Mummers' Plays
- Mummers History
Philadelphia Mummers Parade website. For all your Mummer Needs! Check out the Mummer News or shop in the Mummers Store.
January 5 and 6, 2013 ~ A Twelfth Night Celebration
January 5th is considered Twelfth Night, the eve of Three Kings Day. It has been traditionally an occasion to throw a party because the arrival of the kings in Bethlehem was a cause for celebration. Since it is the last day set aside for Christmas reveling, serving a festive meal on this night is very appropriate.
Parades of Mummers
Often on either New Year's Day or Twelfth Night, Groups of "Mummers," both actors and musicians, paraded through the town square and local merchants gave prizes to the ones they liked best. They were judged as much for their fanciful costumes as they were for their artistry. Very often, Twelfth Night celebrations were kicked off by groups of friends gathering to watch the parades before the feasting in their homes that evening.
History of the Feast of "Tres Reyes" ~
- Three King's Day - January 6th - The Story of Los Tres Reyes Magos
January the 6th is a special day in Mexico. Known as 'El Dia de Reyes' (Three Kings Day), this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. The date marks the culmination of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men.
A Kitchen Goddess Twelfth Night Celebration
For the Feast of Tres Reyes, Esperanza and I planned a two-part celebration. The first part was a Mummer's Play that we performed with a group of friends from a nearby village who have formed a theater troop, along with some of our younger friends, in our village square on January 5th. Sebastian, the troop's leader, was the director of our production. Damien portrayed Herod and Diana was the angel. Sound effects behind the action were provided by Lily on flute, Amir on riqq, Spencer on violin, and Grover on concertina.
A Magical Mummers' Revival
Our Mystery Play was the story of the Three Kings who brought royal gifts to Jesus when they found him where the star rested. The finale of the show was our inviting onlookers to sing with us the familiar carol, "We Three Kings." Our final destination that evening was the nursing home in town. They were our liveliest audience!
My Grand Feast for the Revelers
On January 6th, we gathered our friends and neighbors for a feast at our cottage to celebrate Three Kings Day, and the final day of the Christmas Season. Everyone wore colorful costumes and masks and danced to lively music provided by some of the young people who participated in the mystery play the night before. They were joined by Asha and Maggie with their harps and Hugo with his recorder. We served baked polenta cakes topped with savory black beans, sour cream, and guacamole. The theater troop brought mead and claret. The parents of the children brought chili, sangria, and apple empanadas. One brought home-made churros to serve with hot cocoa for dessert. Garnishes for the cocoa included candy canes, cinnamon sticks, marshmallows, and whipped cream.
Esperanza wrapped incense in purple tissue paper inside small boxes with a star against a midnight blue background painted on them. These were the gifts that we sent home with our guests.
A Popular instrument where Jesus was born ~
A serving of Tres Reyes Polenta Cakes and Black Beans ~
Are you inspired to prepare this dish?
Cook time for Polenta Cakes and Baked Beans ~
Intredients that will warm the hearts of your guests ~
- 3 rolls polenta, sliced into small circular cakes
- 3 cans black beans
- 1 can kidney beans, optional for extra color and flavor
- 3 onions, diced
- 1 clove garlic, cut small
- 4-6 tbspns olive oil, for skilled grilling
- 3 tbspns Fajita seasoning
- 3 pkgs shredded cheese, Mexican blend
- 3 cups guacamole, chilled
- 3 cups sour cream, chilled
The making of a festive meal
- Grease 2 or 3 baking sheets with butter or shortening and preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cut the polenta rolls into small, circular cakes, about 1 cm thick. (If you make polenta from scratch, you will have to form the cakes by hand once the polenta cools).
- Bake polenta cakes for about 30 minutes ~ or until they become golden around the edges.
- Dice onion and garlic into very small pieces and sautee them in olive oil.
- Open cans of beans and pour them, along with their juices, into the pan with the garlic and onions.
- Add the Fajita seasoning.
- Let the beans simmer until the mix is blended and hot. Remove from heat.
- Remove the polenta cakes from the oven and use a spatula to transfer about 3 to the plate of each guest.
- Top the cakes with a large spoonful of the bean mix. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Serve with a spoonful of guacamole and sour cream on the side.
Polenta Cakes and Black Beans are Nourishing!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 3 polenta cakes with toppings | |
| Calories | 225 |
| Calories from Fat | 360 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Fat 40 g | 62% |
| Saturated fat 0 g | |
| Unsaturated fat 0 g | |
| Carbohydrates 34 g | 11% |
| Sugar 0 g | |
| Fiber 3 g | 12% |
| Protein 16 g | 32% |
| Cholesterol 8 mg | 3% |
| Sodium 35 mg | 1% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Karen A Szklany
