U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, browns rice during a "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, instructs those attending the "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, leads a cooking class in the base chapel at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. From preparation to cooking, all in attendance sat down at one large table to eat and talk in true Hispanic Heritage fashion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Desiree Ann Montenegro)
All attendees of the “buen provecho” cooking class sit down at a table together in the base chapel at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. From preparation to cooking, all came together to eat in true Hispanic Heritage fashion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Desiree Ann Montenegro)
Ingredients for salsa are lined up on a cutting board in preparation for a "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, prepares to lead the Hispanic Heritage cooking class in the base chapel at the Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. From preparation to cooking, all in attendance sat down at one large table to eat and talk in true Hispanic Heritage fashion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Desiree Ann Montenegro)
Ingredients for salsa are heated in a pan for a "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, instructs those attending the "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, blends together the ingredients for salsa during the "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
People attending the "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month enjoy themselves as they eat freshly made salsa at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, cubes potatoes during the Hispanic Heritage cooking class in the base chapel at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. From preparation to cooking, all in attendance sat down at one large table to eat and talk in true Hispanic Heritage fashion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Desiree Ann Montenegro)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs, stirs "picadilla", a meat and potato dish, during the "buen provecho" cooking class for Hispanic Heritage Month at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 10, 2012. After the class all who attended were able to sit down at a table together to taste this authentic Mexican cuisine. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Senior Airman Jette Carr)
by Desiree Ann Montenegro
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/12/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 27th Special Operations Wing Hosted a free Hispanic cooking class at the chapel at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct.10.
Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal, 27 SOW Public Affairs, was asked to instruct this Hispanic Heritage cooking activities. The Air Commando volunteered to instruct all attendees on how to cook peccadillo, rice, and salsa- "a childhood comfort meal".
For many, the smells and aromas of certain food or ingredients bring one back to a simpler time of family and friends. For many of Hispanic Heritage, food is an important element to life. Special drinks and dishes such as Puerto Rican CoCito, a coconut milk drink accompanied by rice with pigeon peas and pork or traditional Mexican Ponche, a warm tropical-fruit drink accompanied by sweet bread and tamales, are designated for special occasions such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. Yet all year long, these sweet and flavorful meals are anticipated with joy.
"Bringing the family together at one table to share bonds through something as simple as meal time is a huge part of my personal culture," Pons Abascal said. "I chose the meal I did because it was my favorite meal growing up and the first dish I ever successfully made on my own."
"As with most things in life, recipes and methods for cooking will vary from person to person and family to family based on who showed you how to cook," Pons Abascal continued. "Even now, I've added my own unique flair into my cooking based on what flavors I enjoy most. The main reason I cook, besides sheer enjoyment, is to keep my family culture and traditions going over generations and sharing my Heritage with others I care about."
