With Diana opening YoYo Treats at the Ashland Market & Cafe, we're excited to share the variety of delicious food she's bringing to our community. One of our favorites has to be her Empapelados: a wildly popular Mexican Street Snack consisting of foil packets filled with freshly shredded corn, creamy mayonnaise, salty cotija cheese, rich butter, vegetables and meat, and topped with a spicy chili sauce or powder.

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Decadent, filling, and full of complimentary flavors!

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And thus, for this week's blog recipe, we spoke to Diana to learn how to make Empapelados at home!

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Ingredients:

• Aluminum foil paper (8" x 8")

• Corn, (1 cup)

• Poblano peppers, chopped or sliced (2)

• Epazote, fresh (4-5 leaves)

• Cotija cheese, crumbled (2 tablespoons)

• Mayonnaise (3 tablespoons)

• Butter, melted (1 tablespoon)

• Garlic powder (1 teaspoon) or crushed garlic (2 cloves)

• Lime juice (1 lime)

• Salt

• Choice of:

  • Shrimp (1 cup),

  • Crimini or Portabella mushrooms, chopped (1 cup), and/or

  • Bacon (1 cup)

• Choice of:

  • Crushed red pepper flakes (1 teaspoon),

  • Habanero pepper powder (1 teaspoon), and/or

  • Chipotle pepper powder (1 teaspoon)

• Additional filling choices:

  • Bell peppers, chopped or sliced (1/2 cup),

  • Zucchini, chopped or sliced (1/2 cup), and

  • Sauteed spinach (1/2 cup)

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The veggies and meat can be cooked by grilling or roasting.

EXPERT TIP:

To get some of the best quality ingredients from authentic Mexican markets, Diana recommends checking out these local stores:

• La Esperanza Tricolor on A Street in Hayward

• El Rancho Supermercado on Redwood Road in Castro Valley