Christmas party, Guerrilla Tacos-style
Guerrilla Tacos chef Wes Avila and his wife, Tanya Mueller, host a seasonal gathering of friends at their Glendale loft. Family tradition has guided Avila’s choices for the meal, though he gives these traditional Mexican dishes a contemporary California spin. The menu: vegetable tamales and tacos, as well as the hot beverage champurrado.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)A plate of tortillas that were made with yams.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)Vegetable tamales set out for guests. Avila has stuffed them with butternut squash, tomatillos and Roma tomatoes, chiles and cheese.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)Tamales on the plate and ready for eating at Wes Avila’s pre-Christmas gathering.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)A cup of champurrado is served at chef Wes Avila’s home.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)A drought-friendly vegetable taco.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)Vegetable tamales.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)Chef Wes Avila rolls tortilla dough.
(Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times)Balls of tortilla dough made with yams.
(Ricardo DeAratanmha / Los Angeles Times)Chef Wes Avila makes tortillas for tacos. Yam is incorporated into dough.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)A look at the feast.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)Joaquin Pinto, left, Sara Kenas, Amy Lebrun and Martha Pinto share a laugh at the gathering.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)Vegetable filling for drought-friendly tacos.
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)