Food52
In Mexico, the last days of October are filled with the aromas of marigolds, copal, toasted canela, orange blossom, anise seed, mole, tortillas, and wood. Many are busy preparing for the Day of the Dead celebrations that take place during the first days of November (the main festivity is on the 2nd). The celebration dates back to the Aztec times, when it was believed that the deceased embarked on a journey, eventually leading them to the Mictlān (the highest level of the underworld), where they would finally rest in peace. Today, the cemeteries are filled with laughter, mariachis, food, lights, and flowers. It is a celebration of life. People gather around the tombs and bring the deceased's favorite food and sounds. It is not that death isn't painful. Rather, it is believed that one embarks on a journey. The Day of the Dead is a way to celebrate the time we had with them and to keep them alive in our memories. There are many different breads made for this occasion, called Pan de Muerto (Dead Man’s Bread). In Michoacán, they are sculpted into shapes of flowers, the Virgin Mary, skulls, or animals. In Oaxaca, you will find round breads topped with sesame seeds and colorful head figurines. In central Mexico, the dough is made with pulque (a fermented beverage made from the maguey plant) instead of yeast, giving it a distinctive and somewhat herbal, acidic flavor. Many people throughout Mexico dust the tops with pink sugar, signifying the ceremonial use of the bread. Although there are countless varieties of Pan de Muerto, this recipe is perhaps the best-known. It is adapted from Maricú, a chef from Mexico City, who owns a cooking school of the same name. Even though you may not celebrate the Day of the Dead, I encourage you to make this delicious bread, decorated with "bones," and to take a moment to remember the lives of those who are no longer with you.