Who doesn't like chiles rellenos? They don't have to be battered and fried to taste good, and this oven-baked version is flavorful without being a blast of fat. For non-vegetarians who get mopey withou... read more

This protein-packed power brunch could probably be called a "deconstructed" version of Mexico's classic huevos rancheros. In this Mexican quinoa and eggs ranchero recipe, the whole beans take the place... read more

I like this Mexican quinoa vegetable soup with homemade chicken stock, but vegetable stock works well, too. The chopped cilantro, avocado and queso fresco garnishes should not be overlooked. Ingredien... read more

Although grown most frequently in the tropical coastal areas of the country, plantains are found in markets all over Mexico, where they are called plátano macho and look like bananas on growth hormones, ranging in color from bright green and unripe to nearly black and looking overripe.

Unlike bananas, plantains are not eaten raw, and their high starch content means that they are frequently used as a vegetable, especially in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. read more

Plantains, called plátano macho in Spanish, play an important role in the diet of southern Mexicans. They should not be used in cooking until ripe, at which point they will be nearly black all ov... read more

This is my own adaptation of a popular Mexican street food, fried plantains topped with sweetened condensed milk. This dressed-up version — plaintains with vanilla cream — uses whipped cream flavor... read more

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... read more

This recipe is adapted from Alquímias y Atmósferas del Sabor, by Doña Carmen Titita Ramírez, proprietress of Mexico City's famed El Bajío restaurant. The plantains should be cooked a day in advanc... read more

This delicious soup from the Yucatan uses half-ripe plantains, meaning green and yellow, not black and yellow. Use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian, if desired, and add more broth for a thinner Yu... read more

These crunchy plantain fritters, or "little Mexican spiders," made with shredded green plantains, remind me of a crispy version of hash brown potatoes or potato latkes. Be sure to use unripe plantains,... read more

Besides the seemingly endless string of fiestas, weddings, baptisms and saints' days throughout the year, the warm months bring graduations galore. Everything from a kindergarten commencement to the completion of a PhD is celebrated exuberantly in Mexico. And the season's balmy weather invites merrymakers to move outside. Even the start of the rainy season does not deter al fresco festivities. read more

Horchata is one of the most common table drinks in Mexico, usually served in pitchers to accompany the main meal, and is classified as an agua, like many Mexican fruit drinks. In some areas, horchata i... read more

Tres leches cake, one of the all-time Mexican favorite desserts, is so named because it is made with three kinds of milk. Sweetened condensed milk has been around since the 1800s, when it was developed... read more

In addition to the west coast of Mexico, Peru and Colombia also claim these sweets as their own, an indication that perhaps they followed the Pacific route of the ceviche. In any case, the coconut sweets known as cocadas are Colima's signature candy. read more

This is not the classic margarita, but it's a great summer blender drink that can be made in quantity. Try this frozen margarita with strawberries instead of mangos. Ingredients 10 ounces froze... read more

Mexican jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and smoked fish are a wonderful botana adapted from Susana Trilling's Oaxaca cookbook, Seasons of My Heart. Just be sure to use the pickled jalapeños and n... read more

These mini tostadas with spiced tomato confit are based on the classic Puebla spiced tomato dish, but made without the chicken or chorizo, so vegetarian guests can munch happily on the mini tostadas wi... read more

Nuts and cocktails are a no-brainer combination, and these chipotle almonds go well with the frozen mango margaritas. There are several recipes for these, some adding powdered cocoa or even powdered dr... read more

Called chispas, chispitas, or in some places just the English "sprinkles," these colored decorations are fun and festive. They add pizzaz to that favorite Mexican cake — pastel de tres leches. Ingre... read more

No kids' party in Mexico would be complete without a gelatin, and this one is so easy and attractive. It really does look like sparkling mosaic tiles set in a background of white, and is just like the ... read more

Miniature torta rolls or any small water rolls work well for these mini chicken tortas. Refried beans, tomatoes and avocados are always found on tortas, but either ham or Oaxaca cheese is an easy subst... read more

There are approximately 8,000 avocado farms in Michoacan and, although Mexico exports a great many, supplying 45% of the world's avocados, there must be a lot of room for avocado-themed culinary creativity among the region's cooks. What do they do with them besides making guacamole, cold soup, salads and dressings, salsas, and using the dried leaves as seasoning? For one thing, they make ice cream. read more

Here's a creamy texture without dairy. These delicious Mexican avocado ice pops are adapted from My Sweet Mexico by Fany Gerson. Ingredients 1 cup water ½ cup sugar 2 small, ripe avo... read more

This Mexican avocado lime pie is something like a creamy version of key lime pie, but with the nutritional value of avocados. Ingredients 1 prepared 9-inch graham cracker pie crust 1 cup a... read more

This recipe for Mexican avocado ice cream is simplicity itself, and can be served as a softie ice cream or frozen longer for a firmer, more scoop-able version. Ingredients Pulp of 3 medium avoc... read more