Celebrating 200 years and then some

July is an extra fun month for us. There's the 4th of July, then my husband's birthday on the 8th, and then on the 20th we join our Colombian friends to celebrate Colombian Independence Day. Yesterday marked 200 years of Colombia's independence from Spain. You may recall last year's post. Well, yesterday was no different. We spent the afternoon at Papa's Empanadas in Jackson Heights, Queens sampling their latest and greatest creations. It is an empanada shop owned by my good friend's brother. With so many varieties, there is always one that will win you over and leave you craving for more. Some are baked and some are fried. Some are made of cornmeal and some are whole wheat. My favorite is the classic chicken empanada with a little bit of their homemade green hot sauce. Their classic shredded beef empanada is fabulous, too. Liam had a baby chicken empanada of his very own and a mango ice pop for dessert. My dessert was their latest masterpiece: arequipe con queso (caramel and cheese empanada). It's a deep fried, whole wheat empanada with just the right amount of both ingredients oozing out at the first bite. It's heaven in your mouth.

Alberto, Martha, Sandra, Welita, and Liam

(Welita was feeling a little extra patriotic. You should see her on the 4th of July!)

Liam's first baby empanada

One of Sandra's baby girls and my baby boy

Good friends since we were about 8 or 9 years old
(Photo taken by my little budding photographer, Liam. Not bad, eh?)

Nothing beats getting together with family and friends and celebrating any occasion with good food. Cheers!