Mexican fish cocktail: Ceviche Karen Hursh Graber

Originally from Peru, where it is generally made with corbina, ceviche is a seafood cocktail served anyplace in Mexico where fresh fish is available. It has been "mexicanized" by the addition of ingred... read more

fish vegetables main-dishes Baja California

Mexican seven seas fish: Pescado siete mares Karen Hursh Graber

Mexican seven seas fish is a specialty of La Cenaduría, a lovely old adobe restaurant in San Jose del Cabo. It combines fresh red snapper filets, a mild salsa roja, and just enough manchego cheese to ... read more

cheese fish main-dishes salsas Baja California

Crepes with Mexican chocolate sauce: Crepas con chocolate Karen Hursh Graber

Crepes, frequently topped with the goat's milk syrup called cajeta, are a very popular dessert in fine restaurants throughout Mexico. This recipe uses a syrup made of Mexican chocolate instead of cajet... read more

desserts

Chocolate floating island: Sopa de chocolate Karen Hursh Graber

A Mexican version of the French Oeufs à la Niege - "snowy eggs" - this recipe reflects the French influence brought about by the ill-fated reign of Maximilian and Carlotta, who were held in far higher... read more

desserts

When the Church said "No" to chocolate Ann Ball

Chocolate, that perennial favorite, has been accused of being sinfully delicious, overly fattening, and the precursor to teenage complexion problems. Its history is intertwined with religion, and at on... read more

culture-customs food-drink recipe religion

Refried beans: Frijoles refritos Karen Hursh Graber

Ingredients 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) black or pinto beans, cooked 10 Tbs. oil Chiles gueros or wax chiles Start by toasting the chiles over a low flame or on a comal (or griddle) until the skins beg... read more

vegetarian beans

Yucatecan three-meat stew: Puchero yucateco de tres carnes Karen Hursh Graber

Although the Yucatan is hardly associated with cool weather, this stew, which contains chicken along with the meat, is one of its most popular dishes. Sundays in Merida call to mind music in all the pl... read more

vegetables poultry meat main-dishes soups Yucatán Peninsula

Mexican seafood in parchment paper: Mariscos empapelados Karen Hursh Graber

Mexican seafood in parchment paper is a wonderfully easy, informal dish — great for picnics, barbeques, or grilling on the beach. The seafood packets can be prepared ahead of time, kept in a cooler, ... read more

seafood main-dishes

Central Mexican style meat stew: Puchero del Valle de Mexico Karen Hursh Graber

This is perhaps the most famous Mexican puchero, and the one that comes to mind first when this dish is mentioned. It contains the classic Spanish combination of meats, vegetables and legumes, w... read more

vegetables pork meat main-dishes soups

Zacatecas cowboy stew: Puchero vaquero de Zacatecas Karen Hursh Graber

This stew, a product of Mexico's cattle ranches, originally utilized just about any part of the cow that was available, including the udders. It is a simple, tasty one-pot meal that reflects the lifest... read more

vegetables meat pastas main-dishes soups rice-and-grains Zacatecas

Big Mama Salad

How to Prepare: Making this salad is as easy as sin and twice the fun. 1/2 head of finely chopped green or purple cabbage (I use a coarse blade and chop mine in the Cuisinart) 1 grated m... read more

vegetables vegetarian salads salad-dressings

Chihuahua-style roast turkey: Pavo al horno estilo Chihuahua Karen Hursh Graber

Northern Mexico is the home of a large turkey industry. Recent years have seen the increase in birds known as doble pechuga - literally "double-breasted" - because of their high proportion of wh... read more

vegetables fruit poultry main-dishes Chihuahua

Grilled turkey breast: Pechuga de pavo a las brasas Karen Hursh Graber

Chihuahua's capital, also called Chihuahua, is famous for its restaurants which specialize in food prepared on large grills, or brasas. This is a good recipe for those who eat white meat only, o... read more

fruit poultry main-dishes Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Yucatecan-Style Beans: Frijoles Estilo Yucateco Karen Hursh Graber

Since pre-Hispanic times, the Maya people of the Yucatan have eaten either the black beans known as buul or the larger, light-colored beans called ibes, usually cooked in water in which chiles have bee... read more

vegetables pork beans-and-legumes Yucatán

Bean-smothered tortillas: Enfrijoladas Karen Hursh Graber

Enfrijoladas, which can be made with any kind of bean on hand, are eaten all over Mexico. They are the classic, inexpensive meal prepared with nothing more than cooked beans, tortillas, and whatever to... read more

masa main-dishes tacos-and-enchiladas beans-and-legumes

Veracruz-style black beans: Frijoles negros a la veracruzana Karen Hursh Graber

The small, distinctively-flavored black beans of Veracruz which so charmed the tastebuds of the early Spanish settlers are still famous throughout Mexico for their high-quality, tenderness and taste. The method of preparation is typical of the eastern coastal area of the country. read more

vegetarian side-dishes beans-and-legumes Veracruz

Mexican cowboy beans: Frijoles charros Karen Hursh Graber

A Norteño dish originating in Tamaulipas, this is the classic accompaniment to the grilled beef dishes of northern Mexico. It is an ideal make-ahead dish, especially good with barbeque, improvi... read more

vegetables pork side-dishes beans-and-legumes Tamaulipas

Adobo: a Mexican seasoning sauce for shrimp, chicken, rabbit or meat Karen Hursh Graber

Adobo is a traditional seasoning sauce and arinade based on the chile ancho. This recipe was given to me by Estela Salas Silva. Having learned the culinary arts from her grandmother, Chef Doña Eulogia... read more

salsas

Beef roullades in green mole: Bistec relleno con mole verde Karen Hursh Graber

Ingredients: For the beef roullades: thinly sliced beef raw bacon and ham, sliced into strips raw potato, cut french fry style string beans cut into 1" pieces ... read more

vegetables pork meat mole-and-pipian

Watermelon water: Agua de sandia Karen Hursh Graber

Succulent watermelon tempts shoppers in a Mexican tianguis, or traveling street market. A favorite with kids, this drink is similiar in preparation to the one made with cantaloupe. However, because ... read more

fruit beverages

Pasta salad with jalapeno vinaigrette: Coditos con salsa Karen Hursh Graber

This is a great side dish to serve with grilled meat, chicken or fish. It's quick and easy to put together at the last minute, or it can be made up to one day ahead and refrigerated. If making it ahead... read more

pastas main-dishes vegetarian salads salad-dressings

Sweet treats from Mexico: Los dulces Karen Hursh Graber

Dulces típicos — traditional Mexican candies — for sale in a street market
© Daniel Wheeler, 2010

Mexico's vast array of dulcerías (candy stores) panaderías (bakeries) pastelerías and bizcocherías (shops that feature displays of enormous, intricately decorated cakes for special occasions) all give testimony to the national sweet tooth. I have been in pueblos so small that there is only one phone in town, but there always seems to be a dulcería with a great variety of candies stacked to the ceiling. read more

desserts candies

Tacos al vapor Karen Hursh Graber

A delicious and authentic recipe for tacos al vapor made with chicken breasts. read more

poultry tacos-and-enchiladas

Savory dinner loaves: Mochos Karen Hursh Graber

These elegant loaves, mildly flavored with onion and garlic, reflect the sophistication that the French influence brought to Mexican baking. They are served as an accompaniment to the cream soup course... read more

breads side-dishes

French rolls: Bolillos Karen Hursh Graber

These crispy- crusted rolls, a favorite with foreign visitors to Mexico, are also known as tortas, after the hefty sandwiches that are often made with them, and teleras when they are scored in three se... read more

breads

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