This recipe, adapted from Diana Kennedy’s The Essential Cuisines of Mexico, contains the characteristically Mexican ingredients nopales, fresh green chiles and cilantro. Ingredients ½ cup brown lentils, rinsed 6 cups water ½ pound nopal cactus paddles, cleaned and diced salt to taste 1 large green onion, quartered ½ pound tomatoes, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tablespoons […]
Continue ReadingSince 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 been steeped. This chile broth is the basis for many traditional Yucatecan dishes. In the following version, the chile-tomato puree is added […]
Continue ReadingThis spicy-sweet, meatless main dish is traditional Oaxacan Lenten fare. The combination of spices with fruit is characteristic of southern Mexican cooking. Lentils are one of the fastest-cooking legumes and do not require soaking in advance. Ingredients 1 pound lentils 8 cups water 10 large cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 2 medium white onion, peeled […]
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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. Soaking beans in water overnight, and then changing the water before cooking, is […]
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Sometimes the humblest ingredients have the most exotic histories. So it is with the lentil, whose journey to Mexico dates back thousands of years, to approximately 8000 B.C. in Southwest Asia. It traveled to Greece during the Neolithic period, and to the Mediterranean area during the Bronze Age. Along the way, it journeyed to ancient […]
Continue ReadingIngredientes: 1/2 kilo de frijol peruano 2 litros de agua 1 taza de aceite 1 cebolla finamente picada 1 chile chipotle de lata, molido con un poco de agua (opcional) Preparación: Ponga el agua a hervir en una olla o una olla express. Limpie los frijoles, quíteles la basura y lávelos. Métalos al agua hirviendo […]
Continue ReadingIngredientes 2 tazas de frijoles cocidos 1/3 taza de agua o del caldo en que se cocieron los frijoles 1/4 taza de aceite 8 tortillas de maíz 3/4 taza de queso fresco o manchego 3 cucharadas de cebolla picada 1 ó 2 chiles de árbol tatemados directamente en el fuego (opcional) 1/2 taza de crema […]
Continue ReadingYo llamo este platillo “sopa de invierno” porque el sabor de las naranjas en una base saludable y sustancioso de frijol negro hace que el clima frío sea menos abrumador. Aquí en la sierra del centro de México, no hace tanto frío como en el norte. Pero nos da mucho gusto cuando naranjas de altitudes […]
Continue ReadingAunque las habas frescas solo aparecen en los mercados del centro de México durante la primavera, la versión seca está disponible todo el año y se cuece en menos tiempo que otros frijoles secos. Publiqué una receta para sopa de habas al estilo de Puebla en la edición de noviembre del 2003 de México Connect, […]
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Growing up, the three food staples were tortillas, salsa, and frijoles. A pot of freshly made frijoles de la olla is my absolute favorite way to eat beans. I love how pure and fresh they taste fresh from the olla, or pot. As soon as they were ready to eat I would fill a large bowl, add some fresh salsa and […]
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