Cuete, or boneless round roast, is a very lean cut and requires larding, which Mexican cooks do with pieces of bacon and sometimes with serrano ham as well. This version uses both. Leftovers are good chopped for beef tacos or empanadas. Ingredients: 3 pounds boneless bottom round roast or eye of round ( cuete) 6 slices bacon, […]
Continue ReadingThis is one version of the Veracruz classic that is traditionally made with huachinango, red snapper. If snapper is too pricey, I just buy whatever firm fleshed white fish is more reasonable. This has everything you could want in a healthy Mexican dish — bright flavors and lean protein, without sacrificing regional authenticity. It’s fine to use […]
Continue ReadingThe word “zacatecano” used to describe a dish quite often indicates that it contains the combination of poblano chiles and cream. Ingredients: 12 corn tortillas vegetable oil as necessary 4 large poblano chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded 1 cup Mexican crema, creme fraiche or heavy cream 1 cup crumbled queso fresco or farmer cheese 1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped ½ […]
Continue ReadingThis ancient dish is a specialty of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. When we lived in Oaxaca, I learned about segueza from Maribel Bautista who prepares traditional Zapotec food at La Cúpula Restaurant and B&B in the rug-weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle. Seguesa is often made with chicken, but the oldest way is with rabbit, since there were […]
Continue ReadingChilpachole is a specialty of Veracruz, but it is found all over Mexico, especially in Mexico City, where food of every region comes together. It can be made with either shrimp or crabmeat, and the various recipes I have been given for both are remarkably similar, with homemade fish stock and ancho chile being used in […]
Continue ReadingBoth blackberry and apricot jam are produced in great quantity in late summer and enjoyed during the cooler months, especially in the Sierra Madre Oriental region, where fruit orchards abound. Either one may be used in these cookies. This recipe has appeared in several places, probably because it is the quintessential Mexican Christmas cookie recipe. […]
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These potatoes in vinaigrette are a very common bar snack all over México, brought to the table with toothpicks for spearing as an accompaniment to drinks. This version, with carrots and jalapeños, seems to be the most common, although the fiery habaneros are added in the Yucatan and pasilla oaxaqueña (a smoky chile much hotter than regular pasilla mexicana) is […]
Continue ReadingMoles and other thick sauces made with nuts and seeds go best with chicken and pork. This recipe is from the town of Huauchinango, Puebla, set in a cloud forest not far from the Puebla-Veracruz border. It is a specialty of the small family restaurants in the area. Ingredients: 1 whole chicken, cut into serving […]
Continue ReadingMakes 12 Tortillas Ingredients: 2 cups white flour 1 teaspoon salt, flush 1/2-cup (one bar) butter or margarine 1/2-3/4 cup water* *The amount of water needed varies with cooking conditions, such as altitude. You can always add water, so start just shy of 1/2 cup and add more water ONLY as needed. Preparation: Put flour […]
Continue ReadingCandied nuts are a favorite treat in Mexico, and may be made with walnuts, pecans, almonds or peanuts. Walnuts are most prevalent during the winter holiday season. This sweet is one of the things we can’t resist while walking around Cholula’s December fair, with its booths of candy, ornaments, and decorations of every description. Ingredients […]
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