Mexican cold avocado soup: Sopa fria de aguacate Karen Hursh Graber

Originally from the tropical coastal state of Tabasco, where a chilled dish is always welcome, this soup is a perfect first course for a light summer meal, such as grilled chicken or fish. Try adding a tablespoon of sherry for a delicious, unusual twist. read more

vegetables soups Tabasco

Avocado soup with tequila: Sopa de aguacate con tequila Karen Hursh Graber

This cream of avocado soup uses tequila in place of the traditional sherry. It is a refreshing first course or, served with a salad, a light spring or summer lunch. The ingredients should be well-chilled before the soup is blended. read more

vegetables main-dishes vegetarian soups

Mexican gazpacho: Gazpacho a la mexicana Karen Hursh Graber

This is a great hot weather choice, since it calls for no cooking at all. Serve it with bolillos or crusty French bread. Ingredients ½ cup water, or more as necessary 1 ½ pounds ripe tom... read more

vegetables vegetarian soups

Mayan cold avocado soup with ginger: Sopa fria de aguacate con jenjibre Karen Hursh Graber

This recipe is adapted from one at the Mayan Beach Garden on the Costa Maya. Avocados should not be cut in advance of using, since they oxidize quickly, turning their beautiful yellow-green color into ... read more

vegetables soups

Cold goat cheese soup: Sopa fria de queso de cabra Karen Hursh Graber

Use the best quality goat cheese you can find, and a tart, green apple. "Manzana granny smith" is popular and easy to find. Most of the Mexican apples sold in markets are grown in Chihuahua, but here i... read more

cheese vegetables soups

Cold watermelon and tomato soup: Sopa fria de sandia y jitomate Karen Hursh Graber

Tomatoes and watermelon are an unexpected combination here, and one that does not require you to go anywhere near the stove. A sprig of fresh mint (hierba buena) is a nice garnish. Ingredients ... read more

vegetables fruit vegetarian soups

Cream of walnut soup: Crema de nuez Karen Hursh Graber

Walnuts, used famously in the classic chiles en nogada, are grown in central Mexico. This soup is reminiscent of the nogada sauce and looks nice garnished with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley and... read more

vegetables soups

Chilaquiles rojos resurrect revelers and leftover tortillas Daniel Wheeler

Chilaquiles offer a hearty and renewing experience after a few too many tequilas, and are delicious anytime. You can make the dish as mild or piquant as you wish. read more

vegetables masa main-dishes vegetarian

Squash vine soup with corn dumplings: Sopa de guias con chochoyones Karen Hursh Graber

In Oaxaca, it is a rainy season staple and has been since before the Conquest. The only addition after the Spaniards arrived was the lard in the corn dough for the dumplings. read more

vegetables masa vegetarian soups Oaxaca

Shrimp and nopal tacos: Tacos de camaron y nopalitos Karen Hursh Graber

The chunky salsa recipe that goes with these tacos makes more than necessary for the tacos, and is a delicious dip for totopos (fried tortilla triangles). I get asked for the recipe every time I serve ... read more

vegetables seafood masa main-dishes Querétaro

Enchiladas with buttermilk sauce: Enchiladas de jocoque Karen Hursh Graber

Enchiladas with cream sauces are popular in Querétaro, and these use the thick Mexican buttermilk called jocoque, introduced by Mexico's many Lebanese immigrants. A mixture of regular buttermilk (whic... read more

cheese vegetables masa main-dishes vegetarian Querétaro

Chicken Soup with Mint: Caldo de Pollo con Hierbabuena Karen Hursh Graber

While hierbabuena is primarily used for tea, it is perfectly delicious in chicken soup. The first time I tried it this way I was very skeptical indeed. A friend who grew up here in Puebla ran out to ... read more

vegetables poultry main-dishes soups

Avocado and orange salad: Ensalada de aguacate con naranja Karen Hursh Graber

This salad was inspired by the nearly football-size avocados we bought in the market in San Blas Atempa, a small town right outside Tehuantepec. We had seen some similar ones from Chiapas, but were tol... read more

vegetables vegetarian salads salad-dressings

Poblano Corn Chowder: Crema Poblana Karen Hursh Graber

This is probably the most famous soup from the Puebla region. This version is thicker and more textured than most, more of a chowder than the creamy pureed version often found on poblano menus. Ingr... read more

vegetables soups

Savory Pea Pudding: Budín de Chícharo Karen Hursh Graber

This is a Mexican classic, which can also be made by substituting corn or carrots for the peas. The recipe is adapted from The Essential Cuisines of Mexico by Diana Kennedy. Although it calls for sugar... read more

vegetables main-dishes vegetarian

Mushroom and Pumpkin Empanadas: Empanadas de Champinones y Calabazas Karen Hursh Graber

Empanadas are variously filled with meat, cheese, vegetables or fruit, and served as hors d'ouevres, main courses or desserts. These vegetable empanadas are filled with a combination of mushrooms and W... read more

vegetables main-dishes

Chiles stuffed with vegetables: Chiles rellenos de verduras Karen Hursh Graber

This is a very versatile recipe, since any number of vegetables, such as chayote, potato, carrots and mushrooms can be substituted for the zucchini and corn. A cooked red salsa is a good accompaniment. read more

vegetables main-dishes

Yucatecan Baked Fish: Tikin-Xic Karen Hursh Graber

This visually appealing dish calls for achiote paste, a classic Yucatan spice paste made from the hard, orange seed of the annatto tree, blended with cumin, cloves and pepper. The market in Merida has ... read more

fish vegetables fruit main-dishes Yucatán

Beef short ribs with pumpkin: Costilla de res con calabaza Karen Hursh Graber

The combination of meat and squash is typically West African, combined here with tomatoes, an indigenous Mexican ingredient, and spices introduced by the Spaniards. read more

vegetables meat main-dishes Veracruz

Marinated Mixed Vegetable Salad: Chileajo Karen Hursh Graber

When we lived in Oaxaca, I liked to go the food stands that were right outside the university faculties downtown, especially the school of architecture, which was right next to a small park, with plent... read more

vegetables vegetarian salads salad-dressings Oaxaca

Squash Casserole: Torta de Calabaza Karen Hursh Graber

This is a hearty side dish or a good light lunch or supper entrée. It is also great on a buffet table, since it can be successfully served at room temperature. It is adapted from my first book, Take T... read more

vegetables main-dishes

Cream of Cilantro Soup: Crema de Cilantro Karen Hursh Graber

Ingredients 1 pound calabaza (pattypan or zucchini) stems removed, cubed 1 large potato, peeled and cubed 8 cups chicken stock 2 large leeks, chopped, including 1 inch green (Substitute 3-4 lar... read more

vegetables soups

Garlic and egg drop soup: Sopa de ajo Karen Hursh Graber

This fragrant soup is frequently served in Central Mexico, particularly in Puebla. Made with homemade broth, it is both a comfort food and a home remedy for colds. Ingredients 1 head garlic... read more

eggs vegetables soups

Cholula Style Vegetable Salad: Ensalada Cholulterranea Karen Hursh Graber

Both types of squash used in this dish, along with pumpkin seeds and squash blossoms, are characteristic ingredients in Central Mexican cooking. If chilacayote is unavailable in your area, substitute c... read more

vegetables vegetarian salads salad-dressings Puebla

Jalisco Style Enchiladas: Enchiladas Tapatias Karen Hursh Graber

Popular at fairs and fiestas, these enchiladas are flavored with a creamy poblano chile and tomato sauce. They contain no meat in the filling, and this recipe uses vegetable oil instead of lard, making... read more

cheese vegetables masa main-dishes vegetarian salsas Jalisco