Mexican beef chichilo by Pilar Cabrera: Chichilo de res por Pilar Cabrera

Mexican beef chichilo is probably the least known of Oaxaca’s moles. It is one of the only instances where nearly burning the chile gives an intense, smoky taste to the finished product. Pilar Cabrera shares her recipe with us. Ingredients 3 pounds beef rump roast, cubed ½ medium onion ¼ medium garlic bulb 1 medium chayote 1 […]

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Carmen Solis’ chicken estofado: Estofado de pollo de Carmen Solis

To call estofado a “stew” would be like calling Carmen Solis merely a “cook.” She is an artisan in the kitchen – in fact, two kitchens, for Carmen has a modern indoor kitchen as well as the traditional outdoor kitchen, where she prepares many dishes, including beans, over a wood fire. Just as her kitchens and techniques […]

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Acapulco style fish filets: Filetes de pescado estilo Acapulco

Fresh fish filets from Mexico’s Pacific coast are lightly marinated in tequila and lime juice, then grilled or sauteed and topped with a fresh salsa, for a delicious, low-fat entree. Acapulco style fish filetsgo well with a side dish of arroz blanco, Mexican-style white rice. Ingredients 4 firm-fleshed fish filets,1″ thick (grouper, sea bass, shark, etc.) 1/3 […]

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Yucatecan three-meat stew: Puchero yucateco de tres carnes

Although the Yucatan is hardly associated with cool weather, this stew, which contains chicken along with the meat, is one of its most popular dishes. Sundays in Merida call to mind music in all the plazas, and puchero specials in the restaurants. The stew is served with a salpicon, something like a relish, which is the typical accompaniment toYucatecan main dishes. […]

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Mexican Yucatan-style lentil stew: Potage de lentejas estilo yucateca

This hearty stew gets its flavor from pork and a medley of vegetables. The best choice for the pork stew meat is shoulder. In Mexico, ask the butcher for espaldilla. Substitute güero chile for the xcatic chile, which is difficult to find outside the Yucatan. I’ve omitted the ham and chorizo that are usually included here, since I think the dish […]

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Mexican style grilled steak: Bistec al carbon

The usual choice for steak grilled over charcoal in Mexico is arrachera, a choice cut of beef known as skirt steak in English. Flank steak could also be used, but would need to be marinated about twice as long. Ingredients 2 pounds skirt steak ¼ cup olive oil Juice from a 7-ounce can of pickled jalapeños ( jalapeños en escabeche) Reserve the jalapeños for […]

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