The Girl from Veracruz

It features the same team of detectives that we have come to care for in the preceding novels: Paul Zacher, age 40, a reasonably popular local artist; the lovely Maya Sanchez, his life partner (for the most part) and now head of the Paul Zacher Agency; and Cody Williams, a retired homicide detective from Peoria, Illinois. We also meet again Licenciado Diego Delgado, their contact with the San Miguel Judicial Police.
The story begins at the morgue... read more
Veracruz style empanadas with tuna: Volovanes de Minilla
One of the most famous street snacks of Veracruz, this puff pastry empanada is flavored with the classic Spanish combination of raisins and olives, with the distinctly Veracruz touch of pickled jalapeÃ...
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Mexican plantain empanadas with picadillo: Empanadas de platano
This recipe is adapted from AlquÃmias y Atmósferas del Sabor, by Doña Carmen Titita RamÃrez, proprietress of Mexico City's famed El BajÃo restaurant. The plantains should be cooked a day in advanc...
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Going locavore in the mountains of Veracruz
Although mention of Veracruz usually brings to mind a tropical Gulf Coast climate and an abundance of fish and seafood, the western region of the state is home to a mountain range, a cloud forest, and ...
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Veracruz guava atole: Atole de guayaba
Fruit atole is a great morning or late night drink. It can be made with several kinds of fruit, but Veracruz guava atole is my hands-down favorite. The easiest way to remove the seeds is to cut the fru...
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Mexican enchiladas with peanut sauce: Dobladas de cacahuate

They are a type of Mexican enchiladas from Veracruz. read more
Mexican black bean soup with masa balls: Sopa de frijoles negros con bolitas de masa

It could easily be a whole meal, accompanied by a salad. A nopales salad or a watercress and spinach salad would both be good choices. read more
Veracruz style seafood cocktail: Vuelve a la vida
This tasty, bracing concoction, one of the signature dishes of Veracruz, is served all over the country. One of the classic Mexican hangover cures, vuelve a la vida seafood cocktail brings back memorie...
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Mexican motorcyclists and popsicles in Catemaco
I stepped to the front of the restaurant, near the screen, and turned around. From the darkened room, the worst motorcycle gang in southern Mexico stared back. Then I noticed these rough looking, leath...
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La Candelaria In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz

Fish filets in Mexican hoja santa: Filetes de pescado en hoja santa
Fish filets in Mexican hoja santa is a specialty of Veracruz, where hoja santa is often called acuyo. It combines the fresh seafood for which Veracruz is famous with the anise-scented herb that grows a...
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Mashed plantains with pork rinds: Machuca de platano con chicharrones
This variation on traditional machuca uses crispy chicharrones (pork cracklings), which give a good texture to the dish and impart the taste of pork without having to use the traditional lard.
A cousi...
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Better than a Cuban cigar: Mexico's Santa Clara Puros
Puros Santa Clara number among the world's finest cigars. In fact, these fine Mexico cigars rival — and surpass — Cuban cigars in flavor and quality.
Señor Jorge Ortiz Alvarez
Many articles ...
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The state of Veracruz, Mexico - resource page
The Mexican State of Veracruz brings to mind beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters, steamy jungles and mouth-watering ocean-fresh seafood.
The State of Veracruz is all this and more.
The following articles...
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Mexican coffee flan: Flan de cafe
Mexican coffee flan comes from the Coatepec region of Veracruz. Instant espresso powder is a boon to the dessert maker, since it dissolves easily and has an intense flavor.
Ingredients
For the carame...
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A German cigar produced in Mexico: Puros Sihuapan
Still cool, in the early tropical morning, I pulled to the curve to savor a coffee at the Fractal to enjoy the early morning activities on the malecón along Laguna Catemaco. The Fractal had been an ac...
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Catemaco, Mexico: home to an eclectic group of international expats
The producer of Medicine Man, starring Sean Connery, found Los Tuxtlas, as did Mel Gibson when he filmed Apocalypto. Being the home of the mysterious Olmec civilization, which predated the Mayans, make...
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Retirement in Paradise: a '50s burger drive-in on Mexico's Emerald Coast
Retiring in Mexico means different things for different people. But an American couple in tiny Tecolutla on Mexico's Emerald Coast have forged a unique and fulfilling lifestyle by taking the road less ...
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Scouting Mexico retirement scenes

My pick is the David Frost, American computer programmer, banjo-picker and adventurer, currently encouraging or coaxing his wife Jo to hop-scotch around Mexico, scouting possible retirement scenes. read more