rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
TROY — For Troy resident Karol Bazan, food is life, and a wonderful way to show someone love.
Bazan and her two daughters and mother moved to Troy, noting that she always loved the area and would oftentimes vacation here, visiting her mother’s friend.
“This was literally our vacation spot for holidays and everything,” said Bazan. “It’s quieter and more peaceful here, and a nice area to raise children.”
In June, her mother ended up in the hospital due to Covid complications and she needed to take care of her mom.
“So I had no income. What better way to make an income than with a talent you have right under your nose? And I love it. I love seeing people eat! It’s an enjoyment to me,” said Bazan.
When cooking up these weekly meals, Bazan sometimes gets help from her mother, who is still teaching her the many years-old family recipes.
“I have to give her credit with the rice,” Bazan laughs. “We love our pork too. We love carbs.”
Bazan also has her girls involved in the process, learning that traditional dishes she is learning from her mother.
Bazan’s family is from Honduras and Peru, but she does not just make signature dishes from those countries. She oftentime switches up dishes with Mexican-related dishes as well.
“It’s really cool to get people to try food they never had before and to actually have the outcome that I’ve had, it’s really a blessing,” said Bazan.
In her first week alone, Bazan received 45 orders for her Mexican dish, taco birrias with shredded meat and cheese with yellow rice and refried beans.
“People are telling me to not stop. They keep asking, ‘What’s next?’” she said.
Currently, the business is in its fifth week of operation.
“I thought it would be overwhelming to be honest with you, but really, it’s just so fun,” said Bazan. “The movement, the quickness, just going back and fourth, it just went by so fast that by 6 p.m., everything is done and I’m like ‘that’s it.’”
So far, Bazan has made: taco birrias, roasted pork with Puerto Rican rice and plantains, chicken and beef fluatas with pico and guacamole and lomo saltado.
Her goal in the future is to buy a food truck to be mobile with her Latin food throughout Bradford County.
“The joy of people enojying your culture,” Bazan replied when asked what the most rewarding aspect was of her newest business. “We live in a rude world, where there is so much racism towards everyone, so for people to support and the love that comes with it, it’s amazing. It’s not even about the money, it;s about the joy when someone says ‘Karol, that meal was delicious.’”
This week’s menu is this week is Tacos Al Pastor with Mexican rice and beans. The cost is $14.
Al pastor, also known as tacos al pastor, is a taco made with spit-grilled pork, al pastor features a flavor palate that uses traditional Mexican marinade adobada.
To place an order, direct message Bazan through her Facebook page or text 203-726-5244. Order deadline for this week’s meal is the morning of Friday, November 19. Your order details must include your name, quantity of meals and time of pickup. The pick up location is: 9484 US-6, Troy. When picking up, use backdoor.