In a previous column, I gave a recipe for the standard nopales salad that the market ladies all over the country seem to sell, but when my husband overdid it on the grilled nopales (his favorite grilled vegetable) at one of our parilladas (Mexican version of an outdoor barbeque) I made a salad with the leftovers. In my opinion, the grilled nopales, with […]
Continue ReadingThis delicious dessert is a perfect example of the Afro-Cuban influence on Gulf coast cooking, combining pineapple, a plantation crop, with yams or sweet potatoes, a West African staple. Ingredients: 2 pounds orange yams, washed, peeled and finely chopped 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 slices fresh pineapple (about 1 1/2″ thick apiece), cored and finely […]
Continue ReadingThis dessert uses the pungent limes that are indispensible to so many Mexican meals. Piled high in markets all over the country, they are often squeezed onto food at the table in place of salt. The Florida native known in the U.S. as Key lime is perfect for use in this dessert, which is a […]
Continue ReadingThe combination of the battering technique and the Baja Style Cabbage Slaw makes a copycat Mexican fish taco. Be sure to drizzle the roasted cauliflower tacos with the avocado sauce. Ingredients 1 2-pound head cauliflower 2 eggs ½ cup flour Salt to taste Light olive oil or vegetable oil for frying 12 corn tortillas Baja Style Cabbage Slaw […]
Continue ReadingThis traditional Mexican meat stuffing for turkey is reminiscent of Spanish picadillo. Since only the breast — which tends to have less flavor than dark meat — is used in this recipe, the richness of the stuffing works well with the mild white meat. Cut into thick slices, it forms an attractive spiral pattern, perfect for presenting […]
Continue ReadingIngredients: 2 C. rice 1 C. sugar 1 C. sweetened condensed Milk 2 qts. whole Milk 2″ stick cinnamon 1 Tbsp. Vanilla Preparation: In a medium saucepan place the cinnamon stick, add the milk and bring to a boil. Add the rice, lower the flame and simmer covered 15 minutes. Add the sugar and condensed […]
Continue ReadingFish and salsa verde make a great combination. Serve this with black beans and rice for a classic campechano meal. Ingredients: 1 2-pound pompano, cleaned and scaled (snapper may also be used) juice of ½ lime 3 tablespoons corn oil ½ cup chopped onion 1 pound tomatillos, husked and coarsely chopped ½ cup chopped cilantro 2-3 serrano […]
Continue ReadingThis 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 Yucatan style plantain soup. Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, […]
Continue ReadingChiles rellenos — poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, covered with beaten egg whites and fried — are a perennial Mexican favorite. They are served in a savory tomato broth. Ingredients 2 cups oil 8 poblano peppers 3 cups grated Manchego, Chihuahua, Gouda or farmer’s cheese 5 eggs, separated 4 small tomatoes or 2 large tomatoes […]
Continue ReadingWhen preparing cactus (nopal) paddles, make sure you wear gloves to avoid the agüates or tiny thorns. Use a potato peeler or small paring knife to remove them. Ingredients: 12 tender cactus (nopal) paddles 3 C. water 6 slices of Manchego or Panela cheese 1/4 onion, thinly sliced lengthwise 1 clove garlic Salt to taste 1/2 C. […]
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