Sometimes translated to English as “corn smut,” huitlacoche has become popular in recent years as a nouvelle cuisine offering in everything from ravioli filling to omelettes. Corn fungus crepes, however, were first served in the 1950’s by chef Jaime Saldívar. This version uses a poblano chile sauce, and the filling itself is also good with the addition […]
Continue ReadingUse this as a marinade for chicken or fish, or a dressing for green salads, especially those with oranges or grapefruit. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon each of: Apple cider vinegar Orange juice Grapefruit juice Lime juice Orange zest Honey ¾ cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Whisk all ingredients in a bowl or shake […]
Continue ReadingThese were first served to us at the nopal fair in Tlaxcalancingo, Puebla. I have since had them in restaurants in Mexico City. They are aptly named for the flat soles of the country people’s sandals that they resemble. Ingredients: 6 large nopal cactus paddles, cleaned 1/4 medium white onion 1 large garlic clove, peeled […]
Continue ReadingAgua de betabel is the drink seen on the altar of Nuestra Señora de Dolores, the sorrowful mother, on the Friday before Semana Santa. I have yet to find out why beets were chosen for this particular occasion, but the Mexican beet drink is quite refreshing, especially during the hot season, when Semana Santa occurs. I have cut […]
Continue ReadingEnchiladas with cream sauces are popular in Querétaro, and these use the thick Mexican buttermilk called jocoque, introduced by Mexico’s many Lebanese immigrants. A mixture of regular buttermilk (which is much thinner than jocoque) and Mexican crema, crême fraiche or sour cream makes a good substitute. Ingredients For the green salsa: 1 pound tomatillos, husked 1 medium white onion, coarsely […]
Continue ReadingThe market ladies in Puebla sell this salad ready-made, ladling it into plastic bags to “take-out.” The basic recipe consists of nopales, green onions and cilantro; other ingredients, such as tomatoes, can be added to taste. I like to dress the salad lightly with a little bit of olive oil and lime juice, although many […]
Continue ReadingIn the altiplano, the high plateau of Central México, salsas are frequently made by roasting the ingredients on the comal (a dry griddle) and grinding them in the molcajete. In this recipe, the charred taste of the unpeeled roasted tomatoes goes perfectly with the smokiness of chipotles. If you use a blender or food processor, do not puree the sauce too […]
Continue ReadingThis is a great hot weather choice, since it calls for no cooking at all. Serve it with bolillos or crusty French bread. ½ cup water, or more as necessary 1 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped ¾ pound fresh tomatillos (called tomate verde in Mexico) husked and chopped ½ cup finely chopped white onion 1-2 fresh serrano chiles, […]
Continue ReadingHere the chaya, a leafy green used throughout the Yucatan, is incorporated right into the corn dough, a common technique in this region. The chopped hard boiled egg filling is complemented by the chile-laced tomato salsa, integral to this dish. Chard or spinach can be substituted for the chaya. The salsa that tops these chaya empanadas […]
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Often served for Noche Buena, his Mexican Christmas Eve salad is open to individual interpretation, with the only constants being the beets and the lettuce. Pineapple and bananas are frequently added in tropical climates, apples and jicama in cooler regions. The ingredients should be artfully arranged on a large platter and tossed after it has reached the […]
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