The Detroit Industry murals were completed by Diego Rivera in the early 1930s. The twenty-seven panels range in size from 518 x 1,370 cm to 60 x 182 cm and completely surround the viewer in the courtyard. The murals were created as a tribute to the industry and labour in Detroit. The East Wall (1932-33) is the first mural visible upon entering the courtyard with the image of a small baby within a seed – often thought to be the child Frida Kahlo miscarried while Rivera was in Detroit – centralised on the wall. Flanking the baby are semi-nude fertility figures offering produce grown in Michigan (pictured above). The panels embody the origins of human life and begin the cycle of paintings celebrating technology and industry.
Stacked Tortilla Torta
1 can refried beans
1 cup pumpkin, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 red capsicum, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup corn
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground chipotle chili
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 makrut lime leaves
1/2 cup water
1 TB chili oil
7 tortillas
1 cup enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 lime
1 avocado
1 cup sour cream
1 tomato, chopped
1 bunch coriander (cilantro), chopped
Chop the onion, capsicum and the pumpkin to the same size as a kernel of corn. In a large pan, saute the onion, capsicum, pumpkin and makrut lime leaves in the chili oil for 5 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add the ground coriander, cumin, chipotle chili, chili powder, garlic, corn and 1/2 cup water and continue to cook a further 5-10 minutes until the onion and pumpkin are almost completely cooked and the water has evaporated. Remove the makrut lime leaves and set the pumpkin mixture aside.
Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. To assemble the torta, coat the bottom of a cake pan with 1 TB of the enchilada sauce. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce onto a large bowl, bigger that the tortillas. Dip the first tortilla into the enchilada sauce, flipping to coat both sides. Place in the bottom of the cake pan and spread 1 TB of the refried beans on top. Sprinkle over an even layer of the pumpkin mixture and top with a handful of cheese. Repeat for remaining layers and top with a generous helping of cheese. The number of layers (and number of tortillas used) may need to be adjusted depending on the height of the cake pan. In the middle of the torta, leave one tortilla dry – do not dip in the enchilada sauce – to soak up extra juices. Once finished, cover with tin foil before sliding into the hot oven.
Bake for 20 minutes and remove the tin foil, baking for a further 15 until the cheese is melted and golden. If using a springform cake pan, let the torta cool before removing the rim, otherwise the filling will spill from between the layers. If using a normal cake pan, run a knife around the edges and turn upside down onto a platter once cooled (about 1.5 hours).
To finish, cover the top of the cake with sour cream and arrange slices of avocado, chopped tomato and coriander (cilantro). Serve cut into wedges with a section of fresh lime.
10 comments
Tweets that mention Diego Rivera – Stacked Tortilla Torta »Feasting on Art -- Topsy.com says:
Sep 15, 2010
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Megan Fizell and Nicole J. Caruth, stacy ericson. stacy ericson said: RT @tresjoliestudio: Stacked tortilla torta (like an enchilada cake) inspired by a fresco by Diego Reivera http://bit.ly/d4rl8l #food mm […]
Heavenly Housewife says:
Sep 15, 2010
Wow, that looks absolutely delicious and very original, I’ve never seen a tortilla like that before.
*kisses* HH
Rosa says:
Sep 15, 2010
A great recipe! That cake looks wonderful. A yummy speciality.
Cheers,
Rosa
deana says:
Sep 15, 2010
Love those circles and pinwheels in the overhead, stunning graphic and those colors are spectacular… Diego, who we know was fond of food, would be thrilled to tuck into this dish. I can’t imagine how shocked the Detroit public must have been with these murals… ooh la la!
Julie says:
Sep 15, 2010
This cake is a work of art in itself, and I am sure it was delicious too.
Joanne says:
Sep 16, 2010
Wow I didn’t realize how much that would actually look like a cake! Fantastic dish. I love the stuffing!
Kitchen Butterfly says:
Sep 19, 2010
I love the photo of the torta in focus and the wedge blurred! Yummy.
sara says:
Sep 20, 2010
This looks really interesting and delicious! I love this type of food but I’ve never had it this way before. Yum!
Pam @ Cooking World says:
Sep 20, 2010
I love Freida Kahlo and her art work!
This torta looks like a cake! What a unique way to display it. I bet it will taste great too!
Elizabeth says:
Sep 21, 2010
And what a beautiful and refreshing cake that must be! I cannot get over how much I love this type of food. Beautiful photos and recipe!