In the Nahuatl language of the indigenous people of Central Mexico, the word for mushroom is the same as the word for meat, a testament to the mushroom’s protein content and meaty texture. Use a variety of wild mushrooms if possible, but if not, cultivated criminis are nearly always available in Mexican supermarkets. Epazote goes wonderfully with […]
Continue ReadingThis is Billy’s adaptation of a dish he first encountered at the hotel La Casa de Maty in Tapalpa, Jalisco. The use of Swiss chard leaves to wrap the tamales, instead of the usual banana leaves or corn husks, means that the tamales do not have to be unwrapped before eating and gives them another […]
Continue ReadingA couple of teaspoons of aromatic spices do wonders to perk up plain white rice. So do the Mexican techniques of frying the rice first, and using broth instead of water. Cumin and coriander work well together, along with fresh cilantro leaves. Ingredients 1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil or light olive oil (not extra virgin) […]
Continue ReadingThis is a very refreshing salad. In Southern Mexico, grapefruit salad would most likely be made with fruit vinegar, especially pineapple vinegar, but apple cider vinegar is a good substitute. Only a small amount of dressing is used, since the flavor and juiciness come from the grapefruit. Ingredients 1 small head lettuce, washed, dried and […]
Continue ReadingThis dish teams huitlacoche with poblano chiles, which fill the markets during the summer months and gradually go from dark green to red as the season progresses. By September, the majority have turned color and are significantly hotter. If a poblano makes your eyes water as you clean it, that’s a sure indication that it […]
Continue ReadingTwo years ago, along the road from Palenque to the Campeche, passing the small campechano town of Esmarga, we stopped at a roadside palapa restaurant – one of the small, thatched-roof eateries common in tropical parts of Mexico – where I tasted my first escabeche. The word escabeche is defined in most Spanish-English dictionaries as “pickled”, a meaning that does not apply in […]
Continue ReadingAt the El Callejon restaurant in Tequila, Jalisco, my questions about preparation and proportions led to an invitation to their large, open kitchen area, where there was always something appetizing sizzling on the grill. This is a good recipe for outdoor cooking, but may also be prepared in a skillet. Although the tequila was added […]
Continue ReadingAlong the Costa Alegre, numerous restaurants serve filets of whatever fish is freshest, stuffed with different combinations of seafood. Shrimp is nearly always used, along with squid or octopus. The almond sauce is a reflection of the Spanish influence on Mexico’s cuisine. Ingredients: For the sauce: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 6 cloves garlic, chopped 1 […]
Continue ReadingThis dish takes advantage of Veracruz’ abundant variety of seafood. It is quite adaptable, in that just about any other kind of seafood or fish can be added, including squid, shelled oysters, clams or mussels. The cazón, or baby shark, used in Veracruz can be substituted with any firm-fleshed white fish. Most fish markets in Mexico sell […]
Continue ReadingLeftovers are a saving grace in my house. I don’t usually have a lot of time during the week to cook so I take advantage of my weekends to prepare large amounts of certain things like beans, tortillas and meat which can then be converted into simple, tasty dishes later in the week with a […]
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