How about a bowl of pozole? 🌶️

Chef Luis Martinez’s recipe for pozole

Luis in Oaxaca, Mexico. | Photo provided

In the depths of a windy, wet Appalachian winter, a spicy bowl of pozole, served with a pile of shredded cabbage, tostada, cilantro, and thinly sliced radish, can work wonders. And while there are plenty of recipes floating around online for this hominy-based Mexican soup — we were curious how Asheville’s resident corn expert, Chef Luis Martinez, likes to prepare it at home.

Luis, the founder of Tequio Foods and Taco Boy’s nixtamalization specialist, grew up in a small Zapotec pueblo in Oaxaca, Mexico before immigrating to the US in 2005. The recipe he shares with us, in his words, “was a dish reserved for special occasions, something that involved everyone in the family.” A few of those steps included shelling corn, cooking it on a live fire, and butchering a chicken or pig.

Tienda los nenes — Tienda los Nenes is a great spot to shop for dried chiles, tostada, and hominy.

“Everybody worked and had a chore to have the meal,” he continues. “I could say it was a family project more than just a dinner. It brought everybody together and taught me as a kid to be patient and appreciate family.”

Ready to try it for yourself? Hit the button below for the ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

SHIFT INTO SOUP MODE

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Tuesday, Jan. 31

Pop-Up Bento Special | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 12:30-3 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’ Henry Ave., Asheville | $20 | Chef Yunanda Wilson of aThoke Lay brings Burmese-style bento boxes to Session Cafe.
Learn and Play: Cooperative Games | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Learn all about cooperative, non-competitive board games that work together to achieve a common goal, including Horrified, Fun Facts, Just One, and Hanabi.
Asheville Symphony presents: Piano Recital with Evren Ozel | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., Asheville | $15-$45 | Explore musical polyphony (multiple independent, simultaneously occurring melodic lines) during this piano concert featuring works by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Bartok, Bach, Ligeti, and Beethoven.
Jay Sanders, Zack Page & Alan Hall | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St., Asheville | Free | Every Tuesday, savor experimental music from the band and hear their most recent sonic explorations.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

MANNA FoodBank’s Key 100 | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Cambria Hotel, 15 Page Ave., Asheville | $500 | Buy a ticket for this fundraiser and help provide 2,000 meals for neighbors in WNC.
Latin Night Wednesday | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 8:30-11:59 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5 | Dance lessons for Salsa, Merengue, Reggaeton, and Cumbia take place from 8:30-9 p.m. and open dance runs through midnight.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Pop-Up at The Trashy Vegan | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 2-6 p.m. | The Trashy Vegan, 697 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free entry | Shop from handmade and vintage gifts, get a donation-based haircut by Mountain Dews, and treat yourself to a vegan meal.
In Conversation: Tom Butler and Marilyn Laufer | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 175 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | Free | Join Tom Butler and Marilyn Laufer, guest curators of the brand new exhibition “Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration” for a public lecture.
Arboretum Reads: Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey | Thursday, Feb. 2 | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville | $10 suggested donation | Local writer Rebecca Caldwell explores works by Tricia Hersey, aka The Nap Bishop, on how rest, daydreaming, and naps can be a foundation for healing and justice.

Friday, Feb. 3

Aquila Theatre presents Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice | Friday, Feb. 3 | 8 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $48 | Watch a performance of one of classic literature’s most beloved romantic comedies.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

New year, new name for Samsel Architects

“Altura” signifies the studio’s commitment to a higher purpose, including creating buildings that elevate the lives of its clients, the community, and the planet. | Photo provided by Altura Architects

You know the name, you love their work, and today, we’re introducing you to the newly (re)named Altura Architects. 👋

Sure, the name is new, but the local architectural studio (and the people who work there) hasn’t changed. The studio is still locally owned by Duncan McPherson and Nathan Bryant, who’ve both been with the firm for 20+ years.

So why the name change? “Altura” means height, altitude, a high place; It’s a tribute to the mountains surrounding AVL and symbolizes the studio’s commitment to a high level of service + design excellence.

Ashevillians can continue to count on the studio for:

Timeless, custom architecture
Being trusted guides each step of the way
Sustainable design principles
Exceptional artistic vision that reflects 828’s mountain region*

SEE THE STUDIO'S RECENT WORK

Weather

52º | Scattered showers | 40% chance of rain

Civic

Have you submitted feedback for Buncombe County’s 2043 comprehensive plan yet? Throughout February, there will be several more opportunities before the plan moves to its next phase. Share your input by Monday, Feb. 13. 🧭 (Mountain Xpress)
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care’s annual Point In Time Count takes place today, Jan. 31. This snapshot collects data on the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community, which is then reported back to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Mountain Xpress)

Open

There’s a new spot for fresh seafood in Black Mountain at 213 East State St. This makes for Fairview Seafood Company’s second location, in addition to the one that has been in open in Fairview for the last three years. 🍤(Asheville Citizen-Times)

Coming Soon

Ernest, a new co-warehousing facility, is slated to open on Sweeten Creek Road this spring. The 30,000-sqft space is positioned for local makers and entrepreneurs who have outgrown their existing space and want to scale up their business. There’s also room for e-commerce, product photography, and shared office space.

Community

Asheville Parks & Recreation is celebrating Black History and Legacy Month with opportunities to explore the unique stories and rich history of Black Asheville through food, art, and more. Check out the free events taking place throughout the city in February.*

Health

A new drop-in center for Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness has opened in the Westgate Shopping Center. The center hosts various group meetings, including for Alcoholics Anonymous, reiki, and Thai massage therapy. (Mountain Xpress)

Outdoors

The red barn at Overmountain Shelter, which has historically served as a shelter on the Appalachian Trail, may get torn down due to ongoing structural problems. The US Forest Service and Appalachian Trail Conservancy have proposed to replace the barn with a new covered picnic area and camping area. Share your input. 🧱 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Number

850+. That’s how many weekend and week-long classes the John C. Campbell Folk School offers throughout the year (think: cooking, gardening, blacksmithing, painting, music + so much more). Browse the full class catalog.*

Trending

The internet’s most popular cup is back in stock. The Stanley Quencher is beloved for its comfortable handle, large straw, ability to fit in your car’s cup holder, and how it keeps water cold for 11 hours. Plus, the popular 40 ounce size means all day hydration. 💧*

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Your answers to “Would You Rather”

Play “Would You Rather” with us, Asheville

Play this game with your friends as the perfect nightcap. | Photo by @davidhousephoto

Last week, we invited you to participate in a game of “Would You Rather,” Asheville-style. Thanks to everyone who participated — for those curious, here’s how the numbers shook out.

1. 65% said they’d prefer to see Warren Haynes and Dave Grohl live at The Orange Peel (sorry, Beastie Boys).

2. 58% shared they’d prefer to communicate with red pandas Leafa and Phoenix, rather than the elk in Cataloochee Valley.

3. When it came to endurance versus speed, y’all answered in true Southern fashion, with 74% preferring the option to hike Black Balsam Knob forever.

4. As for burgers versus ramen, the Baby Bull burger just squeaked past the Heiwa Shokudo ramen with a 54% majority.

5. The highest percentage of the whole game went to the 76% of readers who said they’d prefer a cozy home on Town Mountain to a downtown loft. Message heard, loud and clear.

6. Finally, 61% of you said you’d prefer Asheville 100 years in the past rather than 100 years in the future.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: Interested in veganizing this pozole recipe? You could always swap the porky broth with a veggie broth, and punch up the flavor with quartered tomatillos and a handful of umami-rich oyster mushrooms (purchased from one of our local farmers markets, of course). Here’s an example from Food & Wine.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Don’t miss our one-stop Valentine’s shop, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

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