A Norteño dish originating in Tamaulipas, this is the classic accompaniment to the grilled beef dishes of northern Mexico. It is an ideal make-ahead dish, especially good with barbeque, improving as the flavors come together. Although the initial cooking of the beans can be done in a pressure cooker, a slow-cooking pot, such as a clay casserole, […]
Continue ReadingAs its name implies, this dish is traditionally served at weddings. The addition of chocolate makes it reminiscent of mole poblano, but the depth of flavor is achieved with far fewer ingredients. One reason for this is the use of whole spices, lightly toasted and ground, rather than powdered spices, which lose flavor quickly. Ingredients: 3 ancho […]
Continue ReadingSince pre-Hispanic times, the Maya people of the Yucatan have eaten either the black beans known as buul or the larger, light-colored beans called ibes, usually cooked in water in which chiles have been steeped. This chile broth is the basis for many traditional Yucatecan dishes. In the following version, the chile-tomato puree is added […]
Continue ReadingThere are probably about as many recipes for this dish as there are cooks in Puebla, where it originated. It is always associated with September, el mes patrio, because it features the red, white and green colors of the Mexican flag. An invention of the colonial Poblana nuns, chiles en nogada can be difficult but don’t […]
Continue Reading1/2 kilo of pork, cubed 1/2 kilo of beef, cubed 5 peppercorns 1 clove of garlic 1 small piece (cube) of sweet chocolate 1/2 onion 1 tsp. oregano 2 cloves 8 Tbsp.. vinegar 1/2 tsp. thyme 1 – 2″ stick of cinnamon 1 pinch of cumin 2 large tomatoes 1 – 1/4″ piece of ginger […]
Continue ReadingThis dish is usually associated with festive occasions in Mexico. I have had it at weddings and New Year’s celebrations, but it would be fine for any special dinner such as a birthday. Most butchers will butterfly a loin for stuffing if requested. Ingredients 1 3-pound loin of pork, butterflied for stuffing ½ cup raisins […]
Continue ReadingSome pozole recipes call for cooking the corn and the meat separately; however, I prefer the method presented in Adela Fernandez’ La Tradicional Cocina Mexicana. The exception to this is chicken which, if used, is cooked separately, removed from the bones, and added to the pozole once the corn is tender. Ingredients: 2 pounds of nixtamalized […]
Continue ReadingAhogadas means “drowned”, an apt word to describe these sandwiches on a French roll, filled with meat and bathed with tomato sauce. While some restaurants and food stalls automatically top the tortas with both salsas, most people prefer to indicate how much chile sauce they want, since it is quite hot. When serving them at home, […]
Continue ReadingCuete, 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 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 Reading