Fresh papaya seeds have a spicy, peppery flavor. © Daniel Wheeler, 2009

Papaya seed salad dressing: Aderezo de semilla de papaya

This tangy dressing is perfect for a salad of mixed greens. The recipe was adapted from one by Vicky Cowell, who writes an interesting and informative food column for the Herald Mexico, Mexico’s English language newspaper. Ingredients: 2 teaspoons sugar ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon dry mustard 4 large scallions, coarsely chopped 1/3 cup white wine vinegar […]

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Mexican guavas go well with pork © Sergio Wheeler, 2011

Mexican pork tenderloins with guavas

Mexican pork tenderloins with guavas: Escalopas de cerdo con guayabas The Mexicans, like the Chinese, have created some wonderful dishes combining pork with fruit. Pork tenderloins with guavas is an example of the inventiveness of nouvelle Mexican cuisine. Escalopas de cerdo con guayabas have the same sweet-and-sour tanginess of many oriental dishes. The seeds of the guava […]

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Oyster mushroom chileatole: Chileatole de setas

Mushrooms proliferate in the mist-covered hills of north central Veracruz, the only place I have ever seen chileatole made with them, in this case with setas or oyster mushrooms. It would probably work with other fresh, wild mushrooms, but for me, the meaty texture of oyster mushrooms is perfect for this soup, which manages to be rustic and elegant […]

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Mayan cold avocado soup with ginger: Sopa fria de aguacate con jenjibre

This recipe is adapted from one at the Mayan Beach Garden on the Costa Maya. Avocados should not be cut in advance of using, since they oxidize quickly, turning their beautiful yellow-green color into an unappetizing brown. Tossing with lime juice will prevent some of this, but cutting avocados is not a “do ahead” recipe […]

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Mexican-style beef in broth with carrots: Chambarete en caldillo con zanahorias

Carrots add a subtle sweetness to broths, and beef shanks — with their rich, tasty marrow (called tuétano in Mexico) — make an extra nourishing broth. Ingredients 6 beef shanks 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 6 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks 1 onion, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 bay leaves 1 sprig […]

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