Crumbly Mexican peanut cookies: Polvorones de cacahuate

The thick, crumbly cookies called polvorones are a basic item in even the smallest Mexican bakery. This recipe, a variation using peanuts, is from one of the earliest bilingual cookbooks, with the charmingly old-fashioned title Mexican Cookbook Devoted to American Homes. Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar 1 cup ground peanuts 1 cup shortening, grated […]

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The lighter side of Mexican cooking

Suffering from post-holiday belly bulge? Thinking about trading in the guacamole and chips for cottage cheese and celery sticks? Before you do, consider the many healthy, diet-friendly ways of preparing Mexican dishes. Many people, especially those associating Mexican with Tex-Mex, think of it as heavy fare, laden with cream and cheese, consisting of fried food […]

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Refreshing Mexican rice beverage: Horchata de arroz

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 is made with dried melon seeds instead of rice. The following recipe is adapted from Adela Fernandez’ La Cocina Tradicional Mexicana. […]

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Goat and vegetable mole: Mole de caderas

Every year pamphlets explaining the origins of this dish, along with a list of ingredients, are distributed in Tehuacan’s restaurants by the city’s Gastronomic Council, an association of restaurant owners formed to promote local cuisine. If you live in a place where goat meat is available, this is worth trying. The proportions come from La Cocina […]

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Braised Quail with Garlic and Chile: Guilotas de Tierra Caliente

This recipe is adapted from La Cocina Familiar en el Estado de Guerrero, published by Editorial Océano. It is a typical regional game dish. Ingredients: 4 quail, washed, dried and split down the middle 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped 1 medium onion, peeled and coarsely chopped 4 guajillo chiles, seeded, deveined […]

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Mexican chorizo and rice-stuffed artichokes © Karen Hursh Graber, 2015

Mexican chorizo and rice-stuffed artichokes: Alcachofas rellenas de chorizo y arroz

Cooking and draining the chorizo separately before mixing with the rice cuts down considerably on fat, and adding vegetables ups both fiber and flavor. Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, or to swap out the rice for cooked quinoa. Ingredients: 4 large artichokes, cleaned, steamed, and chokes removed, stems trimmed 2 […]

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