This project is about interesting people, from interesting places, doing interesting things today in Northern Ireland. It is funded by the Shared History Fund.
Did you know Northern Ireland has its very own Mexican grocer? Neither did we – until now!
Meet Gabriela Coll, Owner of México Lindo NI, Northern Ireland’s first online purveyor of traditional Mexican food and ingredients. Until very recently, Northern Ireland has lacked quality, authentic Mexican food. Gabriela and some of her friends across the sector have quickly changed that.
Along with fellow Mexicans across Europe, her business partners and she have been importing traditional ingredients from her native México, which has changed the game in kitchens and for foodies across NI. They are doing it the right way, importing maize from México and preparing tortillas fresh on this island.
Most importantly for me, as a native of Alta California, she is cooking her abuela’s signature dishes – Mexican favourites like tamales, nopales and sopapillas – at some prominent Northern Irish markets. You can also purchase them online here.
I’m just going to say this prophetically and selfishly – Mexican cuisine is the best cuisine in the world and I’ll happily fight any man who disagrees with me. Make no mistake here – I’m not talking about some ‘gringo’ ground beef casserole you put Old El Paso ‘taco seasoning’ on and then slathered in cheddar cheese and decided to call it ‘Mexican’ (though, to be fair, I wouldn’t kick it out of bed). I’m talking about true, fresh, healthy, authentic dishes like al pastor, lengua and barbacoa (not that shite you get at Boojums). México is a big, diverse, resourcefully and culturally rich country with ingredients that rival anywhere. These dishes – these ingredients – are inseparable from what it means to be Mexican – and clearly for foodies like me with absolutely no Mexican in them.
So, when I asked Gabriela what makes her food and ingredients special, she still found a way to woo me with her answer, despite my zealous, cult-like loyalty to her national cuisine:
Cooking quality Mexican food is about touch; it’s about heart. It’s about the love and knowledge passed down through your family infusing into the dish. Without this, you’re just moving molecules around – basic chemistry. True Mexican food comes from the heart. It’s more than sustenance – it’s emotion.
She’s right. Gracias Gabriela. Tu eres chingona!
Though maybe their methods are different, the craic is something both México and Northern Ireland revere. Gabriela has shown she has what it takes to thrive in both countries. Head out and get yourself some gorgeous Mexican food from Gabriela today! She’s certainly good for the banter and, perhaps along the way, you’ll become a little Mexican-ish too.