Please join us in sending a very special FELICIDADES to our primo Abel Valenzuela Jr. who was just selected as the University of California Los Angeles’ newest Dean of Social Sciences! Your family could not be any more proud of all your achievements, primo! We…
Peacefully with his loved ones at his home bedside, Luis now rejoices with our Lord in heaven. He joins his beloved wife of 54 years Alicia “Licha” Ceja de Guel (1929-2003), and his sons Jesus Manuel (1952-2024) and Juan Raul (1953-2024), and son-in-law Ruben Gonzalez…
This original 1947 document was found recently in the family files at Elvia Lares’ home. Assuming the document was generated any day before August 25, 1947, Luis Guel was 16 years old at the time. He had traveled to California by himself to work and…
This recipe has been passed down through five generations of women from Don~a Anita to Don~a Esther to Gloria (Joe Guel’s beautiful wife) to her children and grandchildren. 15 lbs pork butt/roast 15 lbs prepared masa or use instant corn masa and prepare per instructions…
4 cups flour 2 pinches baking powder 1-1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup manteca, Wesson, or shortening warm water Mix dry ingredients together. Cut the manteca in. After mixed well, slowly add the warm water until it becomes nice and moist. Knead with your hands, folding…
Mexican Bread Pudding 1 large egg, beaten 1/2 cup milk 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 6 cups cubed (3/4-inch each) lightly toasted sweet French bread 1/2 cup coarsely shredded Chihuahua or mild cheddar cheese 8 oz piloncillo (cone of Mexican brown sugar) or 1 cup…
con cascara de naranja 2 cups dry flour water 1/2 gallon milk 2 canela sticks (cinnamon) 2 cups piloncillo (cone of Mexican brown sugar) rind from 1 orange In a saucepan, heat dry flour and flip/stir until it turns the color of a brown…
Most of us remember the most amazing smells of freshly baked cinnamon and pumpkin empanadas in Licha’s kitchen growing up so it’s really a special treat that her daughter Carmen Guel is willing to pass it on to new generations. Dough (can be doubled to…
Also known as “Tio Pablo’s Secret Pasta” It took me years to get this recipe out of Tio Pablo. For as long as I can remember, it was his go-to potluck dish at the annual Guel family reunion. Eventually, he allowed me to share this…
Special thanks to cousin Monique Peña for sharing this special hand-written family recipe from Tio Che with the rest of us, passed down to her from her Tia Elizabeth Vinaja! One can of ham Brown sugar Orange juice Can of pineapple rings 6 or more…